Penang is a fabulous destination and one that is one of my favorites. There’s just so much to do and see.

Dive Into Malaysia even lists it among the very best places to visit in Malaysia.

In this article, I’m going to tell you everything you need to know to make it one of yours

Penang Attractions

Penang is a low key destinations and, although there is plenty of things to do, it’s more about the just being in Penang so none of these are particularly must see. Here are the best ones!

Penang Hill and funicular tram ride

Penang Hill is a nice spot with great views over the region on a clear day.
What makes it more fun is that you can catch a funicular tram ride up to the top.
At the top there are some things to do and many places to eat. You can find food courts, an owl museum, a few temples and a playground. The tram ride is fun especially on the way down. I recommend sitting at the bottom of the tram.

Batu Ferringhi Beach

This is the main beach area in Penang and where most of the tourist resorts are located.
It’s a fun strip with a night market, great food, nice sand and water activities.
It’s a great place to hang out and stay. However, be wary about swimming at this beach as there are jellyfish.

Youth Park

Youth Park is a nice place to hang out. It’s big with many different playgrounds and exercise equipment as well as a few different swimming pools. There are also trails into the surrounding jungle.

The park is free and there is plenty of shade which makes it very pleasant.

Kek Lok Si Temple

Kek Lok is the biggest Buddhist temple in Malaysia and the whole complex is worth visiting. It’s very picturesque with a setting against the mountains of Penang.
There is the massive temple as well as a pagoda and a few other temples. There are also some nice garden areas.

Georgetown

Georgetown is the capital of Penang and worth a wander. You can see old architecture and learn some history at Fort Cornwallis.

A fun activity is to take a ferry over to Butterworth (and back again). There’s also plenty of shops and restaurants and the night markets are good.

Eating in Penang

Penang has some of the best food in the world. This is the prime reason to visit Penang in my opinion. The food is just so good!

Thanks to Malaysia’s mix of Chinese, Malay and Indian people, you can get especially good food in each of these cuisines.

You should definitely endeavor to eat at least ONE really great meal of each of these.
Night markets

Night markets are the best places to sample a whole lot of food for great prices.
I particularly like Long Beach in Batu Ferringhi. The food is delicious and there are many choices from all over the world.

Red Garden is a good one to try out if you are in Georgetown.

Indian

There is a restaurant chain called Sri Ananda Bahwan which is amazing. There are a few across Penang and they have the best Indian food in the world. Make sure you visit this restaurant as soon as you arrive so you have enough time to keep going back many times!

Chinese

If you are staying in the Batu Ferringhi area, I recommend the Golden River restaurant for some good Chinese. They also sell beer which is a bonus.

Malay

There is some yummy Malay food in the chain of restaurants next to Golden River in Batu Ferringhi. They are cheap and easy.

Japanese

There is a great sushi train restaurant chain called Sakae Sushi which is worth visiting for cheap, good and fun sushi.

Beach eating

I recommend at least one meal or drinks at Bora Bora by Sunset restaurant right on Batu Ferringhi beach. It’s especially nice at sunset.

Penang Accommodation

There are many places to stay in Penang. If you head to either Georgetown or Batu Ferringhi, you will find many options for any budget.

I personally prefer Batu Ferringhi. It’s an easy place to stay with a good vibe and many nice restaurants. Georgetown can be more quiet than you would expect. There are plenty of public buses to get your between the two.

If you get dropped off in batu Ferringhi, you will be surrounded by hotels, hostels and guest houses so you can ship for a good deal.

If you are after a nice hotel or resort, I recommend booking in advance. There can be some great deals.

The Bayview in Batu Ferringhi is a good midrange option with tons of facilities for a very good price. It is a bit of a walk from the centre but it’s very doable. If you want to be right in the middle of things, I recommend Holiday Inn Resort.

I hope this quick guide has helped you plan your trip to Penang!