Penang is one of the two most popular islands in Malaysia (besides Langkawi), and one of the most touristy places in the region. There are a lot of good reasons why so many people want to see it, from food to natural beauty, from wonderful architecture to beaches, almost everyone will find something that will meet his or her expectations for a memorable holiday. In this post, I have collected some of the most popular things to do in Penang and Georgetown. On how to get to Penang from Kuala Lumpur, see this other post.
Are you a digital nomad? See also my rating of Georgetown as a digital nomad destination.
1. Colonial architecture in Georgetown
Georgetown is on the list of the UNESCO World Heritage sites, due mainly to the innumerable architectural wonders you can see in the historical centre. I have a separate post with pictures of some of the most attractive buildings in the city. The best sightseeing advice I can give in this respect is walk around the city centre as much as you can, stopping at some of the many coffeeshops when you feel like it, and enjoy the sight.
2. Kek Lok Si
Kek Lok Si is a wonderful Buddhist temple in Penang, just outside Georgetown. No trip to Penang is complete without a visit to this temple. Wonderful sights with magnificent statues and buildings, not to mention the view from the temple itself – it stands on top of a hill. For more info, read my post about Kek Lok Si and how to get there.
3. Parks and gardens
Penang is also a good place for jungle lovers. In the north-western tip of the island, you will find the Penang National Park (Taman Negara Pulau Pinang in Malay), a not very large area covered with rainforest. It is advisable to follow the trails, otherwise you can easily get lost.
The park entrance is accessible by public bus No 101 from Komtar in Georgetown, and only costs a few ringgits. Allow about an hour for the trip. There is no admission fee, but you must register at the park entrance and let them know which trail you are taking. There are several, and most of them are not too demanding, although you will have to climb a bit. Many visitors hike to Monkey Beach, a not particularly breathtaking place, and take a boat back to the park entrance from there, if too tired to hike back. Some others prefer Turtle Beach on the other side of the park area. But if you only want to walk a little, you can also do that and turn back when you feel like it. In any case, you will enjoy the beauty of the jungle with lots of interesting plants. You won’t see too many larger animals, most of them will be insects and birds.
The trails in this park are almost completely natural (unlike, for example those in Taman Negara), with only some ropes at some more difficult sections of the trail, and of course a well marked path. This means you will sometimes have to climb holding onto roots and lianas.
For those interested in tropical plants and flowers, the Tropical Garden is an excellent place to visit. It is a very informative experience, you can learn a lot about different spices and plants and how they are made. Entrance fee is 31 RM, which includes an audio guide and some tea at one of the stops in the garden. See my separate post about how to get there and what to see.
4. Penang Food
Penang people (or Penangites, as they are often referred to) are extremely proud of their cuisine. As much, or perhaps a little even more, than Ipoh people. I talked to a local person in Ipoh, who said sometimes there is a friendly dispute between them about whose food is better. I don’t want to take sides, but I must confess that I enjoyed the food in in Ipoh perhaps a bit more than in Penang. It is up to you to decide, so the best thing you can do is visit both places and see for yourself.
Street food is excellent everywhere in Malaysia (or should I say: Asia), so you can just try as much as you like – the more the better. There is one particular place perhaps that I can mention here: a vegetarian eatery (not a proper restaurant) on Georgetown. Lots of yummy looking things to choose from, very cheap and very delicious. Ee Beng eatery in Lebuh Dickens in Georgetown.
5. Street Art in Georgetown
Besides the food, another thing Penang is famous for is the street art that you can find all over the city centre on the walls of houses. Some of them are funny, others are very beautiful, yet others are barely visible already (yes, the elements…), but all of them are fun to visit and perhaps take photos in front of them. In fact, many of them are designed for exactly that purpose. See my separate post for more details and a photo gallery.
6. The Clan Jetties
The clan jetties are rows of houses built on stilts over the water just outside of central Georgetown. Easily accessible when you are walking to discover some of the most beautiful buildings and the street art locations in the city.
I have a separate post with photos of the jetties.
7. Beaches
I am not a beach person at all, but I know that some people also enjoy the few available beaches of Penang. The beaches are all outside of Georgetown, mainly in the north of the island, and you will have to pass them anyway if you want to go to either the National Park or the Tropical Spice Garden (see above).
The most famous of the beaches is Batu Ferringhi, with lots of hotels and the usual beach stuff (stalls and beach restaurants etc.). Some of the tourists choose to stay there too, and travel to Georgetown if they want to see what most tourists go to Penang for. But if it is beaches that you are after, Penang is not really the best place – you may want to consider going to the neighbouring island to the north of Penang: Langkawi.
