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My 3 Day Penang Itinerary: Georgetown & Beyond (2024)


Historic, colorful, multicultural Penang is one of my favorite places in Malaysia – there’s so much to explore on this diverse island – so you’ll need to plan your itinerary for Penang carefully if you want to fit it all in! 

I’ve visited Penang three times now and have put together this comprehensive guide covering how to spend 3 days in Penang, Malaysia, or more, to help you plan your own trip. 

So, if you are looking for a Penang itinerary that combines the must-see tourist attractions with nature and food adventures and some hidden gems then I hope you’ll find this blog useful. 

Why I Love Penang

Rainbow ice, Georgetown, Penang

I love Penang because it’s a melting pot of cultures and history, it’s one of the most interesting and beautiful destinations in all of Southeast Asia and there’s so much to explore.

From the historic UNESCO world heritage listed city of Georgetown, home to temples, churches, and mosques, to the scenic Penang hill station, the tropical beaches at Batu Ferringhi and Penang National Park.

If you’re a foodie you definitely can’t miss Penang island from your Malaysia itinerary as the historic streets of Georgetown are home to some of the best street food in Asia due to the blend of Malay, Indian and Chinese cuisine.

Penang is fascinating, very safe and affordable place to visit and many people speak English, but with so much to see and do you’ll need to plan your itinerary for Penang carefully if you don’t miss out on anything.

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Tips for Planning your Itinerary for Penang

Before you plan your itinerary for Penang you should consider the length of your trip, when to visit, where to stay and how to get there and get around, so I’ll cover all this too in this blog post. If you already know all this then click here to skip to the day by day itinerary.

How Long To Spend in Penang

Penang has the kind of vibe that makes you want to slow down and stay awhile so even if you have a week or more you always find something new to discover and won’t get bored. It’s also a very affordable place to visit so you can probably afford to stay longer.

Penang jetty palm tree

1 – 2 Days: If you just want to explore Georgetown and the most popular tourist attractions in Penang then you should spend at least 2 days in Penang, but it might feel a bit rushed and you won’t have time to see and do everything and really soak up the unique history and atmosphere.

If you are short on time I recommend hiring a private driver for a tour of Penang to maximise your time and minimise time spent trying to figure out public transport. The driver will be flexible so you can only spend your time see the things that interest you and not waiting for a tour group so you’ll get to see most places in just 1 day.

3 Days: I recommend spending at least 3 days in Penang to wander the historic streets, find the street art, try the food, and visit all the famous attractions and museums. 3 days will give you time to explore Georgetown and visit places outside the city like Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang National Park, and Batu Ferringhi Beach. 

4 – 7 Days: Spending 4 or 5 days in Penang, or even a week, will give you enough time to explore the many attractions, museums and eateries at a more relaxed pace. If you have 4 days in Penang you can explore beyond the popular tourist spots, get off the beaten track, and immerse yourself in the local culture. A good way to do this is with a bicycle tour to explore the countryside and a cooking class to learn how to cook Malaysian cuisine.

In this Penang itinerary, I’ll give you my recommendations for the famous attractions that you should not miss when visiting Penang for 3 days, as well as some suggestions for if you have more time and want to get off the beaten track.

First off, I’ll go through some essential travel tips for visiting Penang, then I’ll include a detailed itinerary for 3 days in Penang. If you already know the basics then click here to skip to the day by day itinerary.

The Best Time to Visit Penang

Penang weather. When to visit Penang.

When planning your itinerary for Penang it’s wise to consider the weather for the best experience. 

As a tropical island near the equator, Penang is hot and humid all year round with average temperatures of around 30°C most days. It can rain at anytime too, but a quick tropical downpour is actually quite pleasant and refreshing and unlikely to ruin your day.

The best time to visit Penang is in the winter between December and February when the weather is relatively cool, less humid, and generally dry and comfortable.

During this period the days are mostly sunny and dry, the temperature is mild and the humidity is low, making it the perfect time to get outside and explore. However, it’s also the most popular time so make sure you book your transportation, accommodation, and activities in advance and expect crowds if visiting on national holidays. 

You’ll see all kinds of holidays being celebrated in Malaysia from Christmas to Deepavali from Chinese New Year to Eid which can be great to experience but make sure you book in advance and expect crowds and higher prices during these periods.

Penang’s rainy season, which usually falls between September, October and November, is not a bad time to visit. Some cloud cover and rain showers bring relief from the hot, humid, summer weather, bring an umbrella and poncho and the rain shouldn’t ruin your plans too much.

Getting to Penang and Getting Around

Trishaw in Penang, Malaysia

There’s several options for traveling to Penang, depending on where you are coming from, including flights, buses, trains and ferries.

Flights: Penang International Airport (PEN) receives flights from nearby Southeast Asian hubs like Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Bangkok, and even places like Phuket, Vietnam, and Qatar.

The airport is located a short drive from Georgetown and there are plenty of taxis and buses available. You can also pre book an airport transfer to your hotel to ensure your arrival is smooth and stress free.

Penang airport is not as big as Kuala Lumpur airport, so if you are coming from further afield you’ll probably need to fly into Kuala Lumpur (KUL) first or connect through somewhere like Singapore. It’s only an hour flight from Kuala Lumpur and there are plenty of flights every day. 

Stopovers: If you do come via Singapore, Bangkok, or Kuala Lumpur it’s definitely worth spending a few days to check these vibrant modern mega cities out too! Read my other itineraries for more tips and inspiration.

Visas: Most people don’t need a visa to enter Malaysia, citizens of UK, USA, Canada, Australia and Europe receive a free 90 days visit pass on entry. You just need to do an MDAC (Malaysia Digital Arrivals Card) before you arrive. It just takes a few minutes to do online.

Be aware that rules can change so always check the latest updates and specific requirements for your nationality on the official Malaysia immigration website first.

You can pick up a local sim card at the airport or get a ESIM beforehand to ensure you stay connected and avoid high roaming fees. 

Blue Mansion, Georgetown, Penang

Buses: You can also travel to Penang overland. Did you know, Penang is not just an island, it’s a province that includes places on the mainland of Malaysia and is connected to the mainland by two bridges. This means you can take a bus straight to Penang city.

Frequent buses run from Kuala Lumpur (5-6 hours) and also from Hat Yai in southern Thailand. Penang’s main bus station is Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal, near to Penang Bridge, and there are Rapid Penang buses that cover the island. 

Trains and Ferries: The nearest railway station is on the mainland in Butterworth. Trains run from Singapore through Malaysia and on to Thailand. After arriving at Butterworth station you can walk to the ferry terminal and take a short ferry ride to Georgetown. Or take a taxi or catch a bus and go over the bridge. 

During busy periods, transportation can get fully booked so I recommend booking in advance to avoid any stress or disappointment. The best place to book bus, train and ferry tickets in Malaysia is on 12 Go Asia.

historic houses in georgetown, penang

Getting around Penang: Penang has an excellent bus network that covers most places of interest and getting around Penang is pretty easy.

Georgetown is quite compact, safe, and walkable. Some hotels offer shuttle services and bike rentals or, if your legs get tired of walking, you can ride around in a colorful trishaw for a unique and fun way to discover the city. There are also plenty of guided tours available and hiring a private driver for the day can be quite affordable.

Taxis are also available and are quite cheap but, if you take a taxi, make sure they use the meter or agree on a price before setting off to avoid over paying. I recommend downloading the Grab App (Asia’s Uber equivalent) to easily hail taxis and order food delivery in Malaysia. 

If you are comfortable driving a scooter or motorbike in Asia, renting one can be an efficient, affordable and fun way to explore the city and its surroundings. Make sure you bring an international driving permit.

Top Tours, Activities, and Experiences 

Sight seeing tour. Little India, Georgetown, Penang.

Penang has such a rich and diverse heritage and Georgetown is the sort of place where having a knowledgeable local guide really brings the fascinating history and stories alive and makes the experience more interesting and meaningful.

There’s a variety of guided tours and interesting activities to enjoy in Penang, from heritage walking tours and street food tours, to family friendly attractions, cooking classes, and cycling tours of the tropical countryside.

Some experiences are very popular and have limited space, like the funicular ride up to visit Penang Hill – I highly recommend booking a fast track ticket in advance to avoid wasting time queuing or possible disappointment, especially if you are visiting Penang in the peak season.

I like to get everything booked in advance so I can relax and just enjoy my trip. The best place to find, read reviews and book attraction tickets, activities and tours in Penang is on Viator and Get Your Guide. Local travel agents also sell tours but I like to be able to read the reviews first so that I know I’m going to have a good experience. 

Another travel booking platform that is really popular in Malaysia is Klook – it often has cheaper prices so it’s well worth checking out too. Klook offer a Penang Pass which can save you money if you plan on visiting many attractions. 

Some of the top rated tours and activities in Penang include:

If you’d like to make your own tour itinerary for Penang is this flexible private tour with a car and driver and guide is the ideal choice.

Where to Stay in Penang

Blue Mansion, Penang

Penang offers plenty of accommodation options for all budgets and types of travellers. Even though it’s not a huge island, deciding where to stay in Penang is an important part of planning your itinerary as it’s a very diverse place.

The best place to stay in Penang is Georgetown for most travellers. Georgetown is the multicultural capital of Penang, an important historic trading port. The old part of Georgetown, along with Malacca/ Melaka), is a UNESCO world heritage site. 

The rich history of Penang as a trading port has given it a really multicultural feel with many different cuisines and places of worship for all faiths. The historic streets are filled with colonial architecture and colorful Chinese shophouses, boutique hotels and cafes, quirky shops and museums. 

The modern part of Georgetown offers contemporary budget and luxury hotels, apartments, shopping malls and amenities but, for the best experience, I recommend staying in the historic part in a heritage hotel. 

Eastern & Oriental Hotel in Penang

Here’s the best hotels in Georgetown I can recommend for each budget:

Luxury: The Eastern and Oriental Hotel – A stunning 5 star hotel (from the same founders as Raffles Singapore) in a colonial style building on the waterfront with old world charm and an outdoor swimming pool boasting sea views.

Boutique: The Blue Mansion – An iconic, historic Chinese courtyard style mansion and former home of Cheong Fatt Tze. It’s become the most famous boutique hotel in Penang after it was featured in the movie ‘Crazy Rich Asians.’ Book well in advance! 

Mid Range: Campbell House – A tastefully restored heritage hotel and restaurant in a super central location. The spacious air conditioned rooms all have ensuite bathrooms and coffee makers and the staff are super helpful. 

Budget: Carnarvon House – A charming historic guesthouse with plenty of character, carved wooden features, courtyard and common lounge with free coffee. There is a variety of rooms to choose from, the traditional rooms share bathrooms while the rooms in the new wing have private bathrooms. 

Backpacker: House of Journey Hostel – A lively backpacker hostel in the a restored historic building in the heart of Georgetown. They offer shared dormitories and social activities making it a great place to stay in a budget and meet other travellers. 

Top Tip: An important thing to be aware of is that, due to the listed historic architecture, it’s not possible to offer ensuites bathrooms in some traditional properties/ can only offer shared bathrooms / so read the details carefully before booking to avoid any surprises! 

Other options

Other good places to stay in Penang include Gurney Drive and Batu Ferringhi Beach.

If you’d prefer to base yourself near the beach there are plenty of luxury beach resorts on Batu Ferringhi Beach like the Shangri-La Golden Sands Penang. 

Another good option is Gurney Drive, a popular seafront promenade where you’ll find Gurney Plaza shopping mall and modern hotels like the Ascott Gurney Penang, just a short drive from the historic area of Georgetown. 

There are buses and taxis offering easy access to Georgetown, so you can still explore the historic parts of the island too even if you stay elsewhere.

So now you know all the essential Penang travel tips you’re ready to start planning your day by day itinerary! 

Georgetown, Penang

The Ideal 3 Day Penang Itinerary

  • Day 1 – Explore historic Georgetown and join a food tour
  • Day 2 – Visit Kek Lok Si Temple and Penang Hill 
  • Day 3 – Hike at Penang National Park and relax on Batu Ferringhi Beach

Day 1: Explore Historic Georgetown and join a food tour

The best way to start your Penang trip is by exploring the charming lanes of historic Georgetown, learning about the cities unique history, and discovering the varied and delicious cuisines of Penang. 

Either join a guided tour of Georgetown, or follow my DIY walking tour route. It’s quite a lot to see in one day so if you run out of time you can come back on day 4.

Fort Cornwallis, Penang

Morning: George Town was a free port and the first British settlement in Southeast Asia. The best place to start is at Fort Cornwallis, where Georgetown was founded in 1786 when Francis Light from the British East India Company acquired Penang Island from the Sultan of Kedah in exchange for military aid. 

There’s not so much to see inside the fort so it’s worth taking the guided tour that brings it’s history to life, or just taking a wander around the outside, exploring the area where Georgetown started and getting an insight into the origins of the city. 

Town Hall, Georgetown, Penang

As you stroll down the esplanade and explore the area surrounding the fort you’ll see lots of impressive British colonial architecture like the Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower, Town Hall, City Hall, and St George’s Anglican Church.

You could pop into the Straits and Oriental Museum before walking up Muntri Street, it’s one of the most charming streets lined with historic Chinese shophouses, some of which are beautiful boutique hotels.

Blue Mansion, Georgetown, Penang

The Cheong Fatt Zhe Mansion (The Blue Mansion) is a must visit. This unique historic blue mansion was home to Cheong Fatt Tze, known as the Rockefeller of the East. You might recognise it from the movie ‘Crazy Rich Asians.

It’s now a boutique hotel and museum offering small group guided tours at 11am and 3.30pm. It’s worth booking in advance as tickets do sell out. There’s a bar, restaurant, and courtyard cafe here too which is a little pricey but worth it for the unique atmosphere.

kapitan kelling mosque georgetown penang

Afternoon: Head back into the core heritage zone to continue exploring. One of my favorite streets in Georgetown is Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, also known as Harmony Street!

Here you’ll find Buddhist temples, Hindu temples, Christian churches and Muslim mosques all on one street. This is where you’ll see the Goddess of Mercy temple, Sri Mahamariamman Temple and Kapitan Keling Mosque almost opposite each other – it shows the inspiring cultural diversity and religious tolerance.

hindu temple in georgetown penang

Don’t miss exploring Little India, one of the most atmospheric parts of Georgetown. The lively streets are full of colourful saree shops, the smell of spices, flowers and incense, the sound of Bollywood music and authentic Indian restaurants. Woodlands Vegetarian Restaurant is a good place to eat authentic Indian food, or just grab a chai and a samosa. 

Peranakan Mansion, Georgetown, Penang

Another must see Penang attraction is the Pinang Peranakan Mansion – this is an opulent, historic mansion which is now a museum offering a fascinating glimpse into the life and history of the Peranakan’s (Straits Chinese). It’s also home to Nyonya Palazzo where you can try some unique and colourful Nyonya dishes.

Afterwards, head south and continue wandering keeping your eye out for street art including the famous children on a bicycle mural which you’ll find on Armenian Street not far from Cheah Kongsi Temple and the colourful Umbrella alley, a popular Instagram spot.

Khoo Kongsi, Penang

Another highlight is Khoo Kongsi – a historic Chinese clan house, temple and museum. The building is incredibly intricate and there’s some interesting displays that explain the history of the Chinese clans in Penang.

If you fancy a coffee and cake pop into China House Cafe, on Beach Street. It’s the longest cafe in Georgetown with lots of different areas to explore and a unique vibe. They also provide crayons and paper so you can get creative and draw while you enjoy your coffee and cake. 

Once your refreshed, head to the Clan Jetties, traditional waterfront communities with wooden jetties and houses on stilts where Chinese settlers still live. The main jetty is Chew Jetty and the waterfront Hean Boo Thean Kuan Yin Temple is beautiful and offers great views over the water.

Clan jetties, Georgetown, Penang

Hean Boo Thean Kuan Yin Temple

Guided Tours of Georgetown

Wandering around Georgetown is a very safe and enjoyable way to spend the day, but having a local guide will help you understand more about the history and stories behind this fascinating place.

The free walking tours ran by the Georgetown Tourist Information Centre are sadly no longer running, but there are plenty of other options:

Georgetown’s Multicultural History Walking Tour – The Harmony Street history walk run by passionate local guide, Tiger, is the best walking tour in Penang offering a fascinating insight into the multicultural history of Georgetown.

Fun Georgetown Bicycle or Trishaw Tour – Choose between riding a bicycle or relaxing in a trishaw for a fun and unique way to explore the highlights of Georgetown with a local guide.

History of Georgetown Private Tour – You could also take this private tour which visits the highlights of Georgetown as well as the Chaiya Mangalaram Thai Buddhist Temple and the Dhammikarama Burmese Temple. These are located outside of Georgetown so it’s not possible to include them in my DIY walking tour. 

Trishaw outside a temple in Georgetown, Penang

Evening: Penang is famous for it’s diverse food scene and delicious street food so joining a food tour is something I really recommend doing on your first day in Penang.

The Penang Plates Food Tour is a tasty and fun way to learn about the islands unique history and mixture of Malay, Chinese, and Indian culture through it’s amazing food. You taste 15 different dishes so you’ll discover which are your favorites and get to know the best places to eat so you can make the most out of the rest of your trip in Malaysia’s top foodie hotspot.

If you’d prefer to explore Georgetown’s street food independently head to the Hawker centers or Chulia Street Night Market where the biggest selection of hawker stalls are. Look for ones with queues of locals waiting to find the best dishes. Afterwards, check out the bars and speakeasies on Love Lane for nightlife.

Day 2: Kek Lok Si Temple and Penang Hill

Penang Hill, a former British hill station offering lush rainforests and stunning views over the island, is one of the top attractions in Penang. It can be easily combined with Kek Lok Si temple, the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia, which is located at the foot of the hill in Air Itam, for the perfect way to spend your 2nd day in Penang. 

Kek Lok Si, Penang

Morning: Start your 2nd day in Penang by heading out of Georgetown to explore the colourful Kek Lok Si Temple, one of the finest Buddhist temples in all of Southeast Asia.

The sprawling hillside complex offers amazing views and has a lot to explore including the Pagoda of a million Buddhas and the massive 30 meter Guan Yin statue.

Next, head to to Penang Hill, (Bukit Bendera) the oldest British Hill Station in Southeast Asia and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Standing at 833 meters (2,732 ft) above sea level, it offers incredible views, hiking trails, refreshingly cooler temperatures and plenty to explore. 

Penang Hill Train

You can hike up to Penang Hill, but it’s steep and quite challenging and would take most of the day. So I recommend taking the funicular railway for an easy and fun way to go up the hill.

The Penang Hill Railway is an amazing feat of engineering which has been running for over 100 years and makes for a fun ride. Avoid the long queues by booking a fast lane ticket in advance. 

When you arrive at the top you’ll be treated to spectacular views over the island and cool, fresh air. There’s various attractions, including a small museum and art gallery, a mosque, Hindu temple and some colonial bungalows where Europeans came for respite from the tropical heat.

Try David Brown’s Terrace Restaurant or, if you’re on a budget, the food court, for lunch with a view.

The Habitat, Penang Hill

The Habitat, Penang Hill

Afternoon: My highlight was visiting The Habitat, an award winning rainforest discovery center with an accessible nature trail, a long suspension bridge canopy walk, tree top walkway and viewing platform, and a zipline.

Even in the refreshing light rain it was a magical experience to be immersed in the lush tropical nature, we even saw some monkeys in the trees. 

If you want to explore further there’s plenty of nature trails with unspoilt nature and amazing viewpoints, you can even walk all the way down to the Penang Botanical Gardens, or just get a taxi there when you get down from the hill.

You can get from Georgetown to Kek Lok Si and Penang Hill by taxi, bus, or guided tour. For the best experience I recommend a private, customisable Penang tour so you can spend as long as you want enjoying only the places you want to visit.

On your way back to Georgetown you could stop at the Chaiya Mangalaram Thai Buddhist Temple, home to the worlds 3rd largest reclining Buddha, and the Dhammikarama Burmese Temple for more insight into multicultural Penang.

Dhammikarama-Burmese-Temple-Penang

EveningOnce you get back into Georgetown stroll along the Esplanade at sunset, have a cocktail at the Eastern and Oriental Hotel, or head to Three-Sixty, a revolving restaurant and rooftop bar at Hotel Bayview for drinks and dinner with a view.

Or dive back into the city’s street food scene for a budget friendly dinner and have drinks at Manchu, a Chinese themed cocktail bar with live bands, or check what’s on at China House Cafe, they often have live music and events in the evenings.

Day 3: Penang National Park and Batu Ferrinighi Beach

Make sure you include getting out of Georgetown to explore the natural beauty and relax on the beaches of this tropical island too!

On day 3 I recommend heading to the north west coast of Penang island to hike in Penang National Park and relax on the beach at Batu Ferringhi.

jetty at penang national park

Morning: Make an early start to enjoy the cooler morning weather and head to Penang National Park (Taman Negara Pulau Pinang) on the Northwest coast of Penang island. You can take the number 101 bus from Georgetown, it takes about 1 hour and a half to get there and entrance is free!

While it’s the smallest national park in Malaysia there’s still plenty to explore and enjoy with nature trails and canopy walks through the lush tropical jungle to pristine beaches and a lighthouse.

A monkey in Penang National Park

One of the most popular trails is to Teluk Duyung, also known as Monkey Beach. The trek takes about 1 hour and a half, bring plenty of water and snacks but be careful that the cheeky monkeys don’t steal your belongings!

While beautiful, the humidity can make the trek quite tiring so I recommend hiring a boat to take you back to the start.

penang-national-park-with-boat

Afternoon: Not far from the national park you’ll find the Tropical Spice Garden which is home to over 500 species of plants and runs garden tours and cooking classes. They also have a jungle seafront cafe so it makes a nice stop to refresh after the hike and learn more about the flora and fauna.

Batu-Ferringhi-beach-penang-island-OP

Continue heading back towards Georgetown and stop at Batu Ferringhi Beach where you can enjoy swimming and watersports or just relaxing on the sandy beach. You could also have a drink at one of the beach bars like Bora Bora and watch the sunset.

Another option on the route is to check out the Tanjung Bungah Floating Mosque – if it’s high tide the mosque looks like it’s floating on the water.

floating mosque in penang malaysia

Evening: Spend the evening browsing the stalls at the Batu Ferringhi night market for delicious street food, clothing, accessories, souvenirs and gifts to take home.

Another option is to head back to Georgetown and visit The Top at the Komtar, the tallest building in Penang. There’s a theme park with 18 attractions here, but I think the best reason to visit is for the Rainbow Skywalk 360 degree panoramic views over Georgetown.

The views are especially stunning at sunset, plus there’s a restaurant up here too for a memorable last evening meal. Or you could head to the nearby Kimberly Street Food Market for your last street food feast. 

Aerial view of Chow Jetty in Penang, Malaysia

More Places to Visit in Penang

The first 3 days of this Penang trip itinerary covers places that I feel are a must visit to get a taste of all the different sides of the island, but there’s plenty more to do in Penang if you have more time.

So if you have 4 or 5 days to spend in Penang, or more, there are some interesting museums and family friendly attractions that are well worth visiting.

Here’s some more places and activities that you might want to also consider adding to your Penang itinerary:

  • Malaysian Cooking Class
  • Offbeat Countryside Bicycle Tour
  • Jalan Kek Chuan – 17th most beautiful street in the world
  • High tea and the Eastern and Oriental Hotel
  • The Snake Temple
  • Wonderfood Museum
  • Ghost museum 
  • Batik Painting Museum
  • Sun Yat Sen Museum
  • Penang War Museum
  • Upside Down Museum, Glow Planet, 3D Trick Art Museum
  • Hin Bus Depot – Art gallery and market with live music in the old bus station. 
  • Escape Penang – Theme park and water park with high ropes courses, zip lines, waterslides etc
  • Entopia Penang – A impressive butterfly farm
  • Tropical Fruit Farm

anna at the top of penang hill malaysia

Day Trips From Penang

While there are not as many options for day trips from Penang as they are from Kuala Lumpur there’s still some very special places nearby that are worth visiting.

Some options for day trips from Penang include:

Ipoh: A former tin mining city with charming Moorish and colonial architecture surrounded by limestone hills and natural attractions like Kek Lok Tong and Perak Cave Temples. If you take this Ipoh Day Tour, you even get the chance to visit Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island on the way which is perfect if you don’t have time to visit Borneo.

Cameron Highlands: A few more hours from Ipoh are the rolling hills, misty mountains and scenic tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands. Another highlight of any Malaysia itinerary but a bit too far from a day trip from Penang – better to visit enroute to Kuala Lumpur and stay at least 1 night.

Langkawi Island: Home to some of Malaysia’s best beaches with plenty of stunning nature to explore. My highlights were taking a boat through the mangrove rivers of the Geo park, riding the cable car up to the Langkawi sky bridge, and going on an island hopping boat trip.

Sadly, the ferry from Penang to Langkawi doesn’t seem to be running anymore which means day trips from Penang to Langkawi are not so easy. You can fly in less than an hour or take a bus to Alor Setar to catch the ferry which is worth it if you have time to spend a few days on Langkawi.

What and Where to Eat in Penang: Top Dishes to Try

Malaysia street food

Penang is Malaysia’s food capital with a diverse cuisine that blends Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Thai influences. While there is no shortage of cute cafes and gourmet restaurants in Penang some of the best food is found on the street, in food courts, and in hawker centers so it’s really affordable and easy to try it all!

Some of the best places to eat in Penang include New Lane Hawker Center, Chulia Street Hawker Center, Kimberly Street Night Market, and Gurney Drive Hawker Center.

Here’s some of the best dishes to try when you’re in Penang:

  • Nasi Lemak – Malaysia’s national dish of rice served with spicy sambal, crispy anchovies, hard-boiled egg, cucumber, and fried chicken or beef rendang.
  • Char Kway Teow – Stir-fried flat rice noodle dish is cooked in a smoky wok with prawns, Chinese sausage, egg, bean sprouts, chives, chili and soy sauce.
  • Penang Laksa (Asam Laksa Soup) – A tangy, sour and spicy noodle soup made with tamarind (asam) and mackerel fish, served with thick rice noodles, cucumber, onions, mint leaves, and a spicy shrimp paste. One of Penang’s most iconic dishes.
  • Hokkien Mee – A hearty noodle soup with a rich prawn and pork broth, yellow noodles, prawns, pork slices, and sometimes egg.
  • Curry Mee – A coconut milk curry soup, served with either yellow noodles or rice vermicelli, topped with prawns, chicken or tofu.

curry laksa malaysian food

  • Penang Rojak – A refreshing fruit and vegetable salad served with a sweet and spicy shrimp paste dressing topped with peanuts and sesame seeds.
  • Roti Canai – Indian-influenced flatbread served with dhal (lentil curry) or a meat curry. A popular breakfast dish.
  • Satay – Grilled skewers of marinated meat (usually chicken or beef) with a peanuty sauce.
  • Penang Hainanese Chicken Rice – Steamed or roasted chicken and fragrant rice cooked in chicken stock. Usually a good choice if you don’t like spicy food.
  • Nasi Kandar – Muslim-Malay rise dish with various curries, meats (fried chicken, beef rendang, or fish), and vegetables. Try it at Line Clear Nasi Kandar.
  • Chendol – Refreshing dessert made from shaved ice, coconut milk, palm sugar syrup, and green rice flour jelly topped with red beans and sweet corn. The perfect treat to cool off on a hot day.
  • Durian – Malaysia’s “king of fruits.” It has a strong, distinctive smell but is adored by locals for its creamy, sweet flesh.

Now you know how to spend 3 Days in Penang, Malaysia

Georgetown sunset, Penang

As you can see, there is plenty to do on Penang island so you won’t get bored even if you spend a week here, or more! While some people say that 1 or 2 days is enough time in Penang I disagree. I’ve visited Penang three times now and spent a week each time – there’s always something new to see.

That’s why I recommend spending a minimum of 3 days in Penang so you can explore the history and different cultures, try all the delicious food, and explore the natural beauty of this tropical island – otherwise you’ve only seen one side to this fascinating, multicultural, unique destination!

I hope my Penang itinerary has given you plenty of inspiration and tips to help you plan your trip and that you love Penang as much as I do! Feel free to pick and choose from my recommendations to create your own itinerary depending on your interests. 

And, if you are planning a longer trip around the whole country, check out my Malaysia itinerary to know how to see the best of both peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo.

If you need more tips check out my other Malaysia blogs:

 

 

 

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