13 Best Things to Do in Penang and Complete Guide
See local life at the Clan Jetties, hunt for some of Asia’s best street art, hike to secluded rugged beaches, eat some of the world’s best food, shop in charming boutiques in traditional shophouses, sip on cocktails in the hidden bars of Penang, stroll lantern-lined streets and so much more. Here are the 13 best things to do in Penang and everything you need to know for an epic visit!
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The captivating island of Penang is hands down one of the best places to visit in Malaysia.
Stroll the picturesque streets of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Georgetown where intricate temples rub shoulders with chic boutiques, lanterns hang across narrow streets between colourful traditional shophouses and the smells of food from hawker centres waft through the streets at every turn.
Get back to nature with a visit to Penang National Park. Hike through lush rainforest to secluded rugged beaches where monkeys frolic on the sand.
This is the food capital of Malaysia with the food in Penang being some of the best in the world! An incredible and diverse cuisine thanks to its multicultural heritage leading to a delicious fusion of Malay, Chinese, Indian and other influences.
We’d recommend a minimum of 3 days in Penang so you can really appreciate it at a leisurely pace and soak up the atmosphere while trying as much of the food as you can.
In this guide, you’ll read about all the best things to do in Penang and everything you need to know for your visit including the best time to visit, where to stay in Penang, how to get there, how to get around, the best food in Penang and more. So, keep reading for a wonderful and memorable visit.
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Contents
Now, let’s dive into the best things to do in Penang.
Best Things to Do in Penang Malaysia
Visit the Clan Jetties of Penang
Visiting the Clan Jetties is one of the most fascinating things to do in Penang offering an insight into the island’s past and present.
The Clan Jetties date back to the 19th century when Chinese immigrants moved to Penang for work. At the time, most of the work came from the sea, such as dock workers and boat operators, so it made sense to build their homes on the waterfront.
Each jetty belongs to a single family clan and still retains traditional Chinese customs and culture. They’re interconnected communities yet are distinct villages. Each jetty also has its own small temple.
Today, seven clan jetties remain. Two were lost to fire in 2000 and two were destroyed to make way for apartment complexes. Fortunately, the remaining jetties are now legally protected.
The largest and most popular is Chew Jetty which, unfortunately, has borne the brunt of tourism. It’s incredibly busy, coaches of tourists are dropped at the entrance and there are tons of souvenir shops. It’s also quite smelly.
From what I’ve researched, some residents don’t mind as it brings in money. Some have opened homestays, some use their boats for boat tours and some have opened shops. Others unsurprisingly, aren’t happy about the situation.
As you get further out of town, the jetties become quieter and less touched by tourism. You can really begin to picture what life on the jetties is like. Walk between the wooden houses and see dogs napping in the shade, elderly men and women sitting on porches watching the world go by, kids running up and down and people riding motorbikes along the boardwalk as they go about their daily activities.
How to get to the Clan Jetties of Penang
The Clan Jetties of Penang are located along Pengkalan Weld, close to Georgetown Ferry Terminal. The jetties closest to the ferry terminal are the busiest.
Our top tip: please remember that these are communities and people’s homes so be respectful. Don’t be noisy and ask permission if you want to take a photo of anyone or sacred objects.
Go Hunting for Street Art; best things to do in Penang
Getting lost in Georgetown hunting for street art is one of the best things to do in Penang Malaysia.
With well over a hundred murals, Penang is the street art capital of Asia. Even just strolling the streets without meaning to, you’ll stumble upon hundreds of colourful, creative and unique artwork. Many murals use objects within them so people can interact with them, get creative and have some fun.
Ernest Zacharevic, a Lithuanian-born artist, has several pieces of street art around Penang that are always everyone’s favourites. He’s incorporated local people and objects in his art depicting Malaysian life.
Some of our favourites are Children on Bicycle and Boy on Motorcycle.
What’s interesting and really cool about Boy on Motorcycle is that another artist drew a dinosaur as though it was chasing the boy on the motorbike. When Ernest returned to Penang, he added another boy holding the dinosaur back from the boy on the motorbike.
And, to make this piece even more intriguing, the motorbike used in this piece was apparently abandoned here by someone after they rode from Vietnam to Penang!
You’ll also notice a different style of street art around Georgetown made from metal rods. A firm from Kuala Lumpur was commissioned to create 52 installations around Georgetown representing the city’s history and culture.
Our top tip: head to a Tourist Information Centre and grab a street art of Penang map.
Discover the Historic City of Georgetown; best places to visit in Penang
Georgetown is a fairly large and busy city, however, its historic centre is an absolute delight and a highlight of any Penang itinerary.
Owing to its rich history, Georgetown is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and wandering its picturesque streets is one of the best things to do in Penang.
Stroll the streets with no real aim in mind and discover vibrant colonial buildings, lanterns hung across quaint streets, colourful traditional shophouses and intricate Peranakan tiles.
Poke your head inside some of the historic buildings as they’re home to restaurants, cafes, charming boutiques and art galleries.
Try as Much Food as Possible
Food in Penang is some of the very best in the world!
Penang is a wonderful melting pot of cultures resulting in delicious and diverse cuisine. There’s something to suit everyone from bustling atmospheric hawker centres to cheap no-frills eateries to high-end Michelin Guide restaurants.
Some of our favourite food in Penang is:
- Char kway teow – stir-fried noodles with a bold and smoky flavour, usually served with prawns
- Nasi kandar – steamed rice served with an assortment of curries and sides
- Hokkien Mee – egg noodles and rice noodles stir-fried with egg, pork, prawns and squid
- Nasi lemak – rice cooked in coconut milk served with fried chicken, anchovies, fried peanuts, cucumber and a hard-boiled egg
- Roti canai – a flatbread served with different types of curries or dahl
- Laksa – a spicy noodle soup with a rich and fragrant broth, usually served with chicken, prawns, fish or tofu
One of our favourite restaurants in Penang for tasty dim sum with creative twists is Bao Teck Tea House. This historic tea house whisks you back in time in an incredibly peaceful atmosphere with the sounds of running water from a waterfall and a lush moss garden. This is one of the most unique places to visit in Penang, make sure it’s on your Malaysia itinerary!
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Shop in the Boutiques
Georgetown is full of gorgeous independent boutiques and one of the best things to do in Penang is to spend a couple of hours at least doing some shopping.
As you stroll Georgetown’s historic streets you’ll notice a lot of the old buildings that look like houses are actually shops each with very different styles.
Shop for unique clothes you won’t find anywhere else, handmade jewellery with intricate Peranakan tile patterns (like the buildings) or pressed flowers, straw bags, hats, pretty homeware, fascinating art and so much more.
Explore Penang National Park; best things to do in Penang Malaysia
Exploring Penang National Park was one of our favourite things to do in Penang.
Leave the busy city streets of Georgetown behind and head to the northwest corner of the island where you’ll find the lush tropical rainforest of one of the smallest national parks in the world.
Don’t be put off by its small size. Penang National Park is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Penang.
Hike one of the many trails that lead you to wild and rugged beaches where you can relax and watch monkeys playing and swinging through the trees. If you don’t fancy a hike, hop on a boat and ask to be taken to one of the beaches.
Getting to Penang National Park
Getting to Penang National Park is super easy and you have a few options:
- Take bus 101 from Georgetown to the park in around 55 minutes. It costs about RM 4 and runs every 15-30 minutes.
- Take a Grab taxi – this is what we did. It costs around 10 USD and takes about 30 minutes. Go after 9am to avoid rush hour and peak costs.
- Book a private tour of Penang with a fully personalised adventure
Have Your Photo Taken in Umbrella Alley
Umbrella Alley is definitely one of the most Instagrammable places to visit in Penang.
Suspended above a narrow pedestrianised street is a canopy of colourful umbrellas which make up part of Georgetown’s street art scene.
Along this street are a few shops and of course you’ll find some murals.
Our top tip: visit early in the morning. By mid-morning this street is filled with people taking photos.
Shop at Hin Bus Depot
Visiting Hin Bus Depot is one of the most unknown things to do in Penang.
Built in 1947, Hin Bus Depot housed the “blue buses” of Hin Company Ltd which provided transport between Georgetown and Tanjung Bungah.
When the company closed, the depot was left vacant for several years until three families bought it. Several years later, artist Ernest Zacharevic, behind a lot of the street art in Penang, decided to use this space for his solo exhibition, “Art is Rubbish is Art“.
Since the exhibition, Hin Bus Depot has remained an art gallery and you’ll also find a market selling lots of beautiful items such as jewellery, accessories and homeware alongside street art, performers and several food stalls.
Visit Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, also known as the Blue Mansion, is one of the most iconic heritage buildings in Georgetown.
The mansion was built at the end of the 19th century by Cheong Fatt Tze, a wealthy Chinese industrialist, politician and philanthropist. He chose Penang as one of his bases and built this unique house as his private residence for himself and his family.
The house is built using a blend of Chinese, European and local Malay influences which beautifully reflects the diverse heritage of Georgetown.
Our top tip: you need to be part of a tour (either guided or self-guided) to visit Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion. We’d recommend booking online in advance as numbers are limited to protect and maintain the building. This is also one of the most popular things to do in Penang so tickets are snapped up quickly.
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For one of the most unique things to do in Penang, you can stay in the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion. It’s a gorgeous boutique hotel in Chinese courtyard style with antique furnishings.
Explore Fort Cornwallis
One of the top things to do in Penang is explore Fort Cornwalls; Malaysia’s oldest and largest standing fort.
It was built in the 18th century by the British East India Trading Company when they landed in Penang to protect against pirates and invaders. The fort, however, has never seen any military action and has mainly been used for administrative purposes for the settlement.
Fort Cornwallis is now an open-air museum and historic site where you can explore tunnels, exhibits, cannons, and bridges.
There’s also a lovely Michelin Guide restaurant, Kota Dine & Coffee serving an interesting East-meets-West fusion menu such as traditional Peranakan dishes with a Western twist.
The entrance fee to Fort Cornwallis is RM 20 for non-Malaysians and RM 10 for Malaysians. With your ticket, you get a discount if you dine at the restaurant (as of February 2025).
Uncover the Hidden Bars in Penang; best things to do in Penang at Night
Georgetown has a vibrant nightlife scene with dozens of hidden and speakeasy bars scattered around the city. One of the best things to do in Penang at night is a bar crawl and see how many of these hidden bars you can find.
Some of our favourite hidden bars in Penang are:
- Good Friends Club: head through what resembles an old garage door and be greeted with dim red lighting and delicious cocktails in a cosy setting.
- Magazine 63: Penang’s first hidden bar tucked away behind an unassuming entrance, it took us a couple of attempts to find. But, once you’re in, it’s a stark contrast to the entrance. Spectacular decor, live music raised up above the bar and creative and unique cocktails will leave you an evening to remember.
- Manchu Bar: this Manchurian-themed bar is hidden behind a red curtain and is one of the most Instagrammable places to visit in Penang. Gorgeous decor reflects the Qing Dynasty and serves wonderfully-crafted cocktails incorporating local flavours and ingredients.
Explore Kek Lok Si Temple
Kek Lok Si Temple is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia and an important place of worship for Buddhists from across Southeast Asia.
The complex was built at the turn of the 20th century and consists of several prayer halls, hundreds of intricate carvings, murals and sculptures and beautiful pagodas and archways.
Kek Lok Si Temple is located in Air Itam, close to Penang Hill (below) about 20 minutes drive from Georgetown. A Grab taxi will be fairly inexpensive, or, hop on buses 201, 204 or 502 which stop nearby.
Our top tip: Kek Lok Si Temple is very close to Penang Hill so combine visiting both together.
Ride the Funicular Up Penang Hill
For the best views over the island, one of the top things to do in Penang is take the funicular up Penang Hill.
During the British colonial era, Penang Hill served as a retreat to cool down from the heat of the lowlands. Today, enjoy spectacular views across the island, discover eateries, shops, mosques and temples and explore a network of hiking trails and the Habitat where you’ll find canopy walks immersed in the rainforest.
Book a Penang Island tour for one of the best experiences of Penang Hill and Kek Lok Si Temple.
Everything to Know for Your Penang Itinerary
The best time to visit Penang
The best time to visit Penang is between November and February when it’s the driest, least humid and coolest. The heaviest rain occurs in April, May, September and October.
How to get to Penang
You have a few options when deciding how to get to Penang. It also depends on where you’re arriving from.
Georgetown has an international airport offering flights across the world and dozens of domestic flights a day.
There are two bridges connecting Penang to the mainland of Malaysia so another option is to drive or take the bus.
If you’re coming from Langkawi or Langkawi is your next destination, you’ll need to fly. There used to be a ferry, however, it stopped during Covid and hasn’t started up again. Flights are cheap and regular throughout the day.
Where to stay in Penang
Georgetown is the best place to stay as most of the top things to do in Penang are here. You’ll be in the heart of Penang’s rich cultural heritage with the best food right on your doorstep.
We stayed at The Granite Luxury Hotel which we’d recommend if you’re looking for mid-value-luxury accommodation. The best feature is an impressive infinity pool overlooking Georgetown with a glass-bottom section so you can see the hustle and bustle directly below you!
Other hotels we would recommend in Georgetown are:
- Luxury: Eastern & Oriental Hotel
- Mid-range: SAVV Hotel
- Budget: Ke-lan-tan House
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to stay on the beach, Batu Ferringhi is Penang’s beach resort, around 20 minutes from Georgetown. The beach is lined with huge resorts and lots of shops but it can be a great base if you have small children.
- Luxury: Shangri-La Rasa Sayang
- Mid-range: Shangri-La Golden Sands
- Budget: Sri Sayang Seaview Holiday Home
How long to spend in Penang
We’d recommend a minimum of 3 days in Penang so you can explore at a leisurely pace, take everything in and really make the most of your visit. You’ll also need at least 3 days to try as much of the food in Penang as you can!
Getting around Penang
Getting around Penang is incredibly easy. From Georgetown, a network of buses provides cheap transport to the top things to do in Penang outside of Georgetown.
Alternatively, Grab is very well-priced and quicker than the bus. This is how we got around with our 3 days in Penang.
Service charge and taxes
One of the top things to know before a Penang itinerary is service charges and taxes most often aren’t included in initial costs. Service charge we believe is imposed by the government as it’s everywhere (except street food stalls). It’s usually between 10% and 12.5% and it’s mandatory to pay.
Tax is often added to bills rather than being on the menu/price tags in shops. This is between 6% and 8%.
There’s also a tourism tax of RM10 per room per night.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide to the 13 best things to do in Penang Malaysia. Make sure to check out our other Malaysia guides for top things to do, hidden gems and itineraries to make your trip unforgettable.
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