The capital of Penang is George Town, a UNESCO Site known for its colorful street art, colonial architecture, and lively food markets. Beyond the city itself, Penang has plenty of beaches, lush hiking trails and views that are unforgettable. I visited Penang during the summer holidays and not only is it popular with tourists but locals alike.
Table of contents
- How to get to Penang, Malaysia?
- How many days do you need in Penang?
- Check out the street art sprinkled around Penang
- Take a food tour around the city
- Visit the Pinang Peranakan Mansion
- Go see the Blue Mansion Museum
- Visit the Kek Lok Si Temple
- Have a beach day at Batu Ferringhi Beach
- See the panoramic views from Penang Hill
- Helpful Tips for Planning your Trip to Malaysia
How to get to Penang, Malaysia?
The easiest way to take a budget airline flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Penang International Airport. It’s only 10 miles away from George Town which is a quick Grab (equivalent to Uber) ride away.
How many days do you need in Penang?
Penang is a significantly small destination especially since I was coming from the city of Kuala Lumpur. You can easily visit Penang in 1.5-2 days at a leisurely pace. A lot of the popular tourist spots are located side by side.
Check out the street art sprinkled around Penang
The walls are covered with murals and interactive pieces. Many works of the artist Ernest Zacharevic mix real objects with painting. The most popular piece of street art is the Kids on Bicycle. It feels like you are exploring an open-air gallery.
Take a food tour around the city
Penang is known as the foodie center of Malaysia. Take a food tour so you don’t miss the best spots to eat.
Did you know? There is a Michelin star samosa stand! The Penang Famous Samosa were absolutely delicious, and you have various flavor options from vegetarian, chicken, beef and more sold at a very reasonable price.
Visit the Pinang Peranakan Mansion
With the purchase of the entrance ticket, you get a guided tour included. I highly recommended taking the tour so you can dive deeper into the history of the family that used to live here. The museum is filled with beautiful artifacts from floor to ceiling. The tour is approximately an hour by it’s so informative that it goes by fast.
Go see the Blue Mansion Museum
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion or a.k.a. the Blue Mansion is a 19th century UNESCO building, built by a wealthy Chinese merchant. It’s famous for its indigo-blue walls, Chinese courtyards, and blend of Eastern and Western design. Nowadays, the mansion operates as a boutique hotel and a museum, with guided tours that share stories about its history, architecture, and the Cheong family legacy. It has also been featured in films like Crazy Rich Asians, adding to its international fame.
Visit the Kek Lok Si Temple
Make sure bring cash for the funicular to get to the second portion of the temple.
Kek Lok Si Temple is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia! It’s built on a hillside, so the views of the city are breathtaking from here. The temple blends Chinese, Thai, and Burmese architecture. Take a guided tour to understand every inch of the impressive temple.
Have a beach day at Batu Ferringhi Beach
It’s a great spot to unwind after exploring the city. There’s a mix of relaxation and adventure, with options for swimming, parasailing, or just enjoying the lively night markets nearby.
See the panoramic views from Penang Hill
It gets very very busy on Penang Hill. There is a queue to go up the hill and there is queue to go down the hill. It seems organized, but it’s slightly chaotic. At the entrance, you purchase tickets and then you are ushered to the queue once your “waiting room” number displays. I waited one hour just in line. I ended up catching only the ending of the sunset as a result. On the way back there’s another queue that you have to sign up for again which lead to another hour of waiting.
If I were to do this outing differently, I would show up two hours prior to sunset. There’s a lot of cafes and store fronts that ended up closing at sunset. Some remained opened, but still. Located on the Hill are two religious sights a mosque and a temple too. There’s plenty to do, I just showed up at the wrong time so learn from my mistake.
Helpful Tips for Planning your Trip to Malaysia
Are you also planning on visiting?
Book your Flight
Start by comparing airfare early to get the best deals.
Use tools like Skyscanner or Google Flights to track price trends and flexible travel dates.
Book your Accommodation
Whether you’re looking for hostels or boutique hotels the Malaysia has a wide range of options.
Booking.com is great for hotels and guesthouses across the country.
Hostelworld is ideal for backpackers and budget travelers.
Travel Insurance for the unexpected
Always, always have travel insurance! Travel insurance is essential. It protects you from unexpected events like flight delays, illness, theft, or accidents.
I recommend SafetyWing, which offers flexible and affordable plans perfect for long-term travelers and digital nomads.
Best Resources to book Tours and Activities
GetYourGuide is great for booking everything from city tours and museum tickets to outdoor adventures. It’s easy to use, has tons of reviews, clear pricing, and offers free cancellation on most bookings.
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