One of the most interesting sights for nature lovers in Penang is the Tropical Spice Garden, very near Batu Ferringhi. If you are staying in Georgetown, like most visitors do, you can either take a taxi or a Grab, or if you want to save money, take a local bus 101 or 102 from Komtar for 3.40RM one way. The bus stop to both directions is right in front of the garden.
If you want to read more about Penang, here is a detailed guide for you, and you can also read my Digital Nomad City Rating of Georgetown.
Be careful with the public transport though: getting there was easy on a Saturday (late) morning, but returning at around 2pm was a nightmare. First, the bus simply didn’t stop at the Tropical Spice Garden, and I had to wait another 10 minutes for the next one. Secod, and more important: the trip back to Komtar took well over an hour, and the last forty minutes or so was spent on the last few hundred meters. This might also be a problem if you use a taxi, although good drivers may know how to avoid the worst traffic jams.
The ticket to the garden costs 31RM (adult), and for this, you get an audio guide, a printed map and even some mosquito repellent spray. The area is not very large, and paths are clearly marked and walkable in sandals/flip-flops, too. Besides the audio guide, there are a lot of information boards next to the most interesting spots, although I found a lot of plants that looked much more interesting to me than the ones with information boards. I spent there almost two hours, but I could easily spend more, looking at all the tropical wonders.
At one point, there is a place where you can drink herbal tea. It is self service, and the tea is delicious. It may change daily, because there is an info board explaining “today’s tea’s” health benefits.
There is a nice little beach right across the road from the garden entrance, and a few restaurants and food stalls, so you can easily spend a much longer time there after or before you have seen the tropical garden.
In the garden, you can learn a lot about different plants, interesting facts you may have never heard of, which plant is used for making sugar, which is lethal, which is good for stomach ache and lots of other things. Below, you will find some of the photos I have taken in the Tropical Garden. Enjoy.
