Penang, on the northwest coast of Malaysia, is one of the country’s most well known destinations. Alongside Melaka, it forms part of Malaysia’s UNESCO World Heritage listing, with its capital, George Town, blending colonial history with everyday local life. Today it is known as a foodie hotspot, with dozens of Michelin recognised eateries alongside a street art scene woven through its historic streets. Here is how we spent our time in Penang, including some of the places that stood out most.
Jump to:
- Getting to Penang
- Where to stay in Penang
- What to eat in Penang
- Best bars in Penang
- What to see and do in Penang
Getting to Penang
There are a few options to reach Penang from Kuala Lumpur, depending on how much time you have and whether you want flexibility along the way. If you are comfortable driving and have an international driving licence, you can hire a car via Klook. This gives you the freedom to break up the journey and stop at places such as Ipoh or the Cameron Highlands, which are both worth visiting in their own right. That said, public transport in Malaysia is reliable, affordable, and generally easier if you are not planning any detours.
Flight
Flying is the fastest way to get to Penang. Direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Penang International Airport take around one hour, making this the most practical option if you are short on time. From the airport, it takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes by Grab to reach George Town, where most visitors stay.
Coach
Coaches can be booked via busonlineticket.com and typically take between 4 to 6 hours depending on traffic. They are comfortable and budget friendly, although they do not have toilets on board, so there is usually a rest stop along the way. If you choose this option, allow a bit of extra time before departure. If your ticket does not already include a QR code, you may need to exchange it at the counter for a printed ticket for a small fee, so it is worth having cash on hand.
Train
You can also take the ETS train from Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth, which is one of the more comfortable ways to travel. The journey takes around 4 hours and is generally more predictable than the coach. From Butterworth, you will need to continue on to Penang island.
Whether you arrive by train or coach, you will reach Butterworth on the mainland. From here, you can either take a short ferry ride across to George Town or use Grab to cross the Penang Bridge. Both options are straightforward, with the ferry being the more scenic choice and Grab being the quickest depending on traffic.
Where to stay in Penang
For a first visit to Penang, George Town is the most practical place to stay. It is where most of the island’s main attractions are located, including the street art, heritage streets, cafés, and a large portion of the food scene. If you are more interested in beaches and a slower pace, Batu Ferringhi is another option. It is more resort focused and better suited if you are planning to spend more time by the coast, though you will be further away from the main sights in George Town.
We stayed at lyf Georgetown Penang, which we booked through Booking.com. It is a good mid range option if you want something modern and well located without spending too much. The location worked particularly well as it was within walking distance of a lot of cafés and food spots, and it was easy to get a Grab anywhere else we needed to go.
One thing we would do differently is book somewhere with an outdoor pool. Penang is consistently hot and humid, and having somewhere to cool off in the middle of the day would have made a big difference.
Where to eat in George Town, Penang
Penang is widely considered the food capital of Malaysia, and discovering food here is as much a part of the city’s identity as its sights and activities.
There is no shortage of places to eat in George Town. In fact, there are 68 Michelin recognised eateries, so if you are ever stuck on where to eat or feeling a little overwhelmed, it is a good place to start for a mix of street food and restaurants. While a Michelin rating in the UK is usually synonymous with a high price tag, this is certainly not the case in Penang, Malaysia, with dishes coming in under £5 and even less than 50p.
We had hoped to try Ravi’s Famous Apom Manis, who have been serving their signature apom since the 1920s. As they tend to sell out by around 09:30, we didn’t make it in time, but if we ever go back it’s definitely one to try.
Here are a few of our standout spots.
Ais Tingkap
Ais Tingkap is a refreshing drink that has been sold in George Town, Penang for over a century. The name loosely translates to “window drink” in Malay, referring to how it was originally served through small openings in shophouses rather than from full street stalls. Made with coconut water, palm sugar syrup, basil seeds and herbal jelly, it’s particularly refreshing in the heat. It is located next to Chowrasta Market, which is a good place to pick up medicinal nutmeg products.
My Own Cafe
Located very close to Armenian Street, My Own Cafe is a Michelin Bib Gourmand, family-run spot that has perfected a simple menu of Assam Laksa and fried spring rolls. They can sell out by around 2pm, so it is worth going earlier in the day if you want to try both. Prices are low, with most dishes costing under £3, which makes it an easy stop while exploring George Town.
Penang Famous Samosa
Don’t just take our word for it, the Michelin Guide has recognised Penang Famous Samosa as a standout too. Located in Little India in George Town, this street food stall serves some of the best samosas we’ve ever had. At less than 50p each, I would recommend trying one of each filling. We mistakenly just ordered chicken and regretted not getting more.
Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery
Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery is a Michelin starred restaurant in George Town, serving traditional Nyonya food in a slightly more refined setting. We ended up visiting twice as the food was that good, and we did not need a reservation for the two of us, just a short wait if it was busy. The standout dishes for us were the chicken rendang and the “top hats” (pie tee).
Best bars in Penang
There is a growing bar scene in George Town, that’s well worth experiencing with everything from hidden cocktail spots to more relaxed places for a drink in the evening.
Backdoor Bodega is one of the worst kept secret speakeasy bars in Penang. It was the first Penang bar to be listed among Asia’s 100 Best Bars, and the first in Asia Pacific to win the World’s Best Cocktail Menu Award, which is unsurprising given its focus on local ingredients. The mango sticky rice cocktail was a standout, and they also had menu options inspired by things like a Ramly burger.
Tip: make a reservation online to secure a spot, particularly on a weekend.
Good Friends Cafe is a more relaxed option and sits directly next door to Backdoor Bodega. The Nest is a slightly more refined option, pairing cocktails with small canapés. Other places worth noting include No Bar Here (run by the same team as Backdoor Bodega), Baobae, Biso, Chez Chez, Drafter, Magazine, Nomad, Steep Social, The Mandarin Bar, The Suckling Pig and Round.
Mango sticky rice cocktail at Backdoor Bodega
What to see and do in Penang
Penang offers a mix of beaches, temples, viewpoints and cultural sites, with most visitors splitting their time between George Town and the surrounding areas. These were some of the places that stood out most during our trip to Penang, particularly for first time visitors.
Batu Ferringi & Monkey Beach
If you are looking to spend some time by the coast, Batu Ferringhi is one of the more popular beach areas in Penang. It is more resort focused than George Town, with a stretch of beach, watersports and a number of cafés and restaurants along the main road.
From here, you can visit Monkey Beach, located within Penang National Park. It is a quieter, more natural stretch of beach that feels a world away from the busier areas. The name comes from the macaques that inhabit the surrounding forest and are often spotted along the shoreline or in the trees nearby.
One of the easiest ways to get there is by boat directly from Batu Ferringhi beach. At the time of visiting, a private boat for around an hour cost roughly 250 ringgit in total rather than per person, so the more people you have, the better value it becomes. Boats can be arranged directly on the beach without needing to book in advance.
Monkey Beach itself is worth visiting if you are looking for something a little more laid back and less developed. It is a good spot to switch off for a few hours, with basic facilities and a more local feel compared to the main beach areas. Alternatively, you can hike through Penang National Park, which takes around one to two hours depending on pace, although it can be hot and humid.
Top tip: CocoNana is a small café near Batu Ferringhi that does particularly good cakes and is worth stopping at if you need a break from the heat.
Penang Hill
Penang Hill is one of the most popular things to do in Penang, originally used as a retreat during colonial times thanks to its cooler temperatures, sitting around 800 metres above sea level. Today, it remains a welcome escape from the heat, often a few degrees cooler than George Town below.
The easiest way to reach the top is via the funicular railway, one of the steepest in the world, which has been operating since 1923 and is now over 100 years old. The current system was upgraded in 2010, making the journey quicker and more efficient. Queues can build up during peak times, particularly mid morning and weekends. If you’re going up later in the day, I would just get the express pass, especially during weekends or public holidays as waiting in the heat is not ideal.
At the top, you will find viewpoints, cafés and walking trails, along with The Habitat, a rainforest reserve with canopy walks and nature trails. Penang Hill is also made up of several peaks, with Bukit Bendera being the highest and most visited, and is home to colonial era bungalows, a mosque, a Hindu temple and a small residential community, which gives it more of a lived in feel than just a viewpoint.
It is a good way to experience a different side of Penang beyond the city and coast, with views stretching out across the island and, on a clear day, back towards the mainland.
Kek Lok Si Temple
Kek Lok Si Temple is one of the largest Buddhist temples in Malaysia and is located just outside George Town, making it an easy stop when visiting Penang Hill due to its close proximity. The complex is spread across multiple levels, with a mix of pagodas, prayer halls and statues, including a large statue of the Goddess of Mercy.
There is a lift system that takes you up to the upper levels where the statue is located, although queues can build up during peak times and it can take a while to get to the top. It can get busy, particularly on weekends, but it is still worth visiting for its scale and the contrast it offers to the streets of George Town. That said, it didn’t stand out as much compared to some of the temples in Kuala Lumpur, which felt more impressive overall.
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (Blue Mansion)
Also known as the Blue Mansion, this historic building is one of the most recognisable landmarks in George Town. Built in the late 19th century, it reflects a mix of Chinese and colonial architecture and can be visited as part of a guided tour. Even if you don’t go inside, it’s worth passing by for its distinctive blue exterior.
George Town
George Town is the cultural heart of Penang and one of the most popular areas to explore on the island. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s known for its preserved shophouses, street art and layered history. One of the best ways to explore is simply by walking, taking in the murals, cafés and small details that you would otherwise miss. It’s also where you’ll find a large portion of Penang’s food scene, so it’s easy to combine sightseeing with eating as you go. You’ll also pass through areas such as Little India, known for its music, colours and food, which adds to the mix of cultures found across George Town.
Clan Jetties
The Clan Jetties are a series of wooden stilted villages built over the water, originally home to Chinese immigrant communities working in the port. Some are still lived in today, which gives them a slightly different feel to the rest of George Town. They are easy to visit and can be combined with exploring the nearby streets, although it is worth being respectful as they are still residential areas.
Armenian Street
One of the most well known streets in George Town, Armenian Street is home to some of Penang’s most famous murals, cafés and shops, and is often where you will find the busiest parts of the city’s street art scene. Many of the murals are interactive, designed to be photographed, and you will often find small crowds gathered around the more popular ones.
The Top
The TOP at Komtar is one of the more modern attractions in Penang, centred around the island’s tallest building. It includes an observation deck, glass skywalk and a number of indoor attractions. It is a slightly different experience compared to the rest of Penang, but worth considering if you want a view over the city or something to do in the evening.
Jalan Kek Chuan
Jalan Kek Chuan is one of the more photogenic streets in George Town, known for its colourful heritage shophouses and quiet, residential feel. It is often missed compared to some of the more popular streets, but worth a quick detour if you are already exploring the area. It is a good example of the preserved architecture that makes George Town part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and tends to be much less crowded than the main street art spots.
Hin Bus Depot
Hin Bus Depot is a creative space in George Town that hosts markets, exhibitions and events, particularly on weekends. It is a good place to explore if you are interested in local art, independent stalls and a more contemporary side of Penang. If you are visiting on a Sunday, there is usually a market with live music, food stalls and local crafts, which gives it a more lively atmosphere compared to during the week. It is a nice contrast to the more traditional parts of George Town and makes for an easy stop if you are already exploring the area.
Planning Your First Trip to Penang?
Is Penang worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you’re interested in food and culture. Penang feels more layered than other parts of Malaysia, with historic streets in George Town, a strong café scene, and some of the best street food in the country.
How many days do you need in Penang?
3 days is enough for a first trip. You’ll have time to explore George Town, visit Penang Hill and Kek Lok Si.
Where is the best area to stay in Penang?
George Town is the most practical base. It’s walkable, central, and close to the main attractions, cafés, and hawker spots. Batu Ferringhi is better suited if you’re prioritising beach time over exploring.
What is Penang famous for?
Penang is best known for its street food and its UNESCO-listed old town. Dishes like Char Kway Teow and Assam Laksa are a big draw, but the mix of cultures and architecture is just as much part of the experience.
What food should you try in Penang?
Penang is widely considered Malaysia’s food capital. Char Kway Teow, Assam Laksa, and Nasi Kandar are the standout dishes, and most of the best meals are found in hawker centres rather than restaurants. That said, the island also has several Michelin-recognised eateries, which gives a sense of just how seriously food is taken here.
What is the best time to visit Penang?
Penang is hot year-round, but December to February is generally a bit drier. Short bursts of rain are common no matter when you go, so it’s more about planning around the heat.
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