Travel Guide of Penang Island in Malaysia by Influencers and Travelers
Penang Island is part of the state of Penang, on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It was named Prince of Wales Island when it was occupied by the British East India Company on 12 August 1786, in honour of the birthday of the Prince of Wales, later King George IV.
Pictures and Stories of Penang Island from Influencers
19 pictures of Penang Island from Yaopey Yong, Geraldine Ng, Wan San Yip and other travelers
- Chinese Temple fancy rooftop with all tiny detail ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Sam Chan | ©Unsplash
- cityscape of penang malaysia ...click to read more
- Experienced by @moto moto sc | ©Unsplash
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How to visit Penang Island ?
Why travel to Penang Island?
Penang Island is a stunning destination in Malaysia, offering a mix of rich cultural heritage, stunning beaches, and mouth-watering cuisine. The island's capital, George Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasting well-preserved colonial architecture and vibrant street art. With its beautiful landscapes, lively street markets, and warm climate, Penang Island is a must-visit destination for travelers seeking a unique cultural experience.
How to get there?
Penang Island is accessible by air, land, and sea. The Penang International Airport (PEN) is well connected to major cities worldwide. From the airport, you can take a taxi or use ride-hailing apps like Grab to reach your accommodation. Alternatively, you can travel to Penang by bus from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, or other Malaysian cities. Ferries also operate between the mainland and the island, with the Penang Ferry Service connecting Butterworth to George Town.
What to book in advance?
It's recommended to book your accommodation in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons (December to January and June to August). If you plan to visit popular attractions like the Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si Temple, and The Habitat, consider purchasing tickets online to avoid queues.
What are the costs?
Penang Island is an affordable destination for travelers, with a wide range of budget-friendly options. Expect to pay around $20-40 per night for budget accommodations and $50-150 for mid-range hotels. Meals at local eateries cost around $2-5, while dining at upscale restaurants can range from $15-40 per person. Public transportation and taxis are inexpensive, and admission fees for most attractions are under $10.
What are the best things to do?
1. Explore George Town's street art and heritage sites, including the Clan Jetties and Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion.
2. Visit the picturesque Penang Hill, offering panoramic views of the island and a cooler climate.
3. Stroll through the lush Penang Botanic Gardens and the enchanting The Habitat rainforest park.
4. Discover the island's diverse religious sites, such as the Kek Lok Si Temple and Kapitan Keling Mosque.
5. Relax on the beautiful beaches of Batu Ferringhi and indulge in water sports.
Where to eat?
1. Tek Sen Restaurant: A popular local eatery offering authentic Penang Chinese cuisine.
2. Nasi Kandar Line Clear: A legendary spot for the iconic Penang dish, nasi kandar.
3. Jawi House Cafe Gallery: Experience the unique flavors of Penang's Peranakan and Jawi Peranakan cuisine.
Where to stay?
1. Eastern & Oriental Hotel: A luxurious, colonial-style hotel located in George Town.
2. Tien Hotel.Residence: A boutique hotel offering modern amenities and personalized service in the heart of George Town.
3. Lost Paradise Resort: A serene beachfront resort on the northern coast of Penang Island.
Off the beaten path:
For an unusual travel experience, head to the Penang National Park, home to some of the island's most pristine beaches and lush rainforests. Here, you can trek through the forest, discover hidden beaches like Monkey Beach and Kerachut Beach, and even spot wildlife such as macaques, sea eagles, and monitor lizards. Additionally, explore the unique and lesser-visited fishing village of Balik Pulau, where you can experience traditional rural Malaysian life and savor the famous Penang durian fruit during its season.
The Best Things to Do and Visit around Penang Island
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1 - Penang Hill
Penang Hill is a hill resort comprising a group of peaks on Penang Island, Malaysia. It is located within the Air Itam suburb, 9 km west of the center of George Town.
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2 - Penang Botanic Gardens
The Penang Botanic Gardens, also known as the "Waterfall Gardens" because of the cascading waterfall nearby, is a botanic garden situated on Jalan Air Terjun in George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
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3 - Mountain Bike Tours in Penang Island
6 km away
Join this easy and relax bike tour around George Town with our informative English speaking local guide. Learn about the history, religions and characteristics of this wonderful city while paddle through the local streets and heritage buildings. Enjoy famous and delicious local food and get some inside tips from friendly locals.
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4 - Kek Lok Si Temple
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5 - Gurney Drive
Gurney Drive is a popular seafront promenade within George Town, Penang, Malaysia. The road is also famous for the street cuisine at the seafront's hawker centre and has been listed as one of the 25 best streets worldwide to visit by the Australian travel magazine, The Traveler.
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6 - Culinary Tour in Penang Island
6 km away
Be a part of a unique experience as you venture through Penang’s Georgetown Heritage Area where we feed your hunger for food & knowledge. A local Penang-born tour guide takes you bite-by-bite through each step of this food trail. You sip delicious local drinks and munch on traditional dishes which our ancestors have kept alive. During this tour, we unveil Penang and Malaysia's history and finally end our food trail at a bar with a locally inspired cocktail or mocktail.
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7 - Gurney Plaza
Gurney Plaza is a shopping mall in George Town, Penang, Malaysia. Located at Gurney Drive, it was opened in November 2001 and is now managed by CapitaMalls Asia, a subsidiary of the Singapore-based CapitaLand.
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8 - Kek Lok Si
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9 - Shore Excursions in George Town
8 km away
This is a private tour, meaning only you or your group join this tour and no one else. This tour let you go to all the attractions that you like, unlike the canned- approach of a predetermined itinerary tour. Tour time starts from pickup point. For a 6 hours visit from ship or hotel or airport, you choose some 4-5 attractions to go from the list in "tour details". (Time indicated in tour details does not include travel time). You choose the places and dictate how much time to spend at each attraction. You can explore every nooks and corners, or simply take pictures from the outside without entering the attraction, you call the shot. Go on famous attractions tour, or a city tour or go for a round island tour and take in the view from the comfort of air-conditioned car. If you do not have a clue where to go or to do, let our learned tour guide choose it for you. The tour guide will accompany you into all attractions and give commentary on the go. Penang is a truly surprising hidden gem!
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10 - Komtar
7 km away
The Tun Abdul Razak Complex, colloquially known by its Malay acronym Komtar, formerly known as the Penang New Urban Center and the Central Area Redevelopment Plan for Penang, is a multicomplex located in the city of George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
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11 - Sky Walk
7 km away
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12 - Kapitan Keling Mosque
8 km away
The Kapitan Keling Mosque is a mosque built in the 19th century by Indian Muslim traders in George Town, Penang, Malaysia. It is situated on the corner of Buckingham Street and Pitt Street.
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13 - Pinang Peranakan Mansion
8 km away
The Pinang Peranakan Mansion in George Town, Penang, Malaysia, is a museum dedicated to Penang's Peranakan heritage. The museum itself is housed within a distinctive green-hued mansion at Church Street, George Town, which once served as the residence and office of a 19th-century Chinese tycoon, Chung Keng Quee.
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14 - Bayan Lepas
8 km away
Bayan Lepas is a town within the Malaysian state of Penang. It is located within the Southwest Penang Island District, near the southeastern tip of Penang Island.
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15 - Jubilee Clock Tower
9 km away
The Jubilee Clock Tower, in George Town, Penang, Malaysia, is a Moorish-style Jubilee clocktower at the junction of Light Street and Beach Street.
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16 - Penang Bridge
9 km away
The Penang Bridge is a 13.5-kilometre dual carriageway toll bridge and controlled-access highway in the state of Penang, Malaysia. The bridge connects Perai on the mainland side of the state with Gelugor on the island, crossing the Penang Strait. The bridge was the first and, until 2014, the only road connection between the peninsula and the island.
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17 - Teluk Kumbar
9 km away
Teluk Kumbar is a town within the city of George Town in the Malaysian state of Penang. It is located within the Southwest Penang Island District, at the southern coast of Penang Island between Bayan Lepas to the east and Gertak Sanggul to the west.
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18 - George Town
10 km away
George Town is the capital city of the Malaysian state of Penang. George Town is Malaysia's third most populous city with 708,127 inhabitants as of 2010, while Greater Penang is the nation's second largest conurbation with a population of 2,412,616.
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19 - Georgetown
10 km away
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20 - Batu Ferringhi Beach
11 km away
Batu Ferringhi is a suburb of George Town in Penang, Malaysia. Located along the northern coast of Penang Island and about 11 km northwest of the city centre, it is the prime beach destination in Penang among locals and tourists.
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21 - Clan Jetties Of Penang
11 km away
Weld Quay is a coastal road along the eastern shoreline of the city of George Town in Penang, Malaysia. One of a handful of places worldwide that was named after a Prime Minister of New Zealand, the road connects the Tun Dr.
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22 - Cheah Kongsi
11 km away
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23 - 姓陳橋Tan Jetty
11 km away
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Book Tours and Activities in Penang Island
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Learn More about Penang Island
Penang is the island part of the homonymous state, north of the Malay Peninsula. The island is separated from the Asian continent by two bridges spanning the Penang Strait. Little known to travelers to Asia, Penang lives in the shadow of Bangkok, the islands of the Gulf of Thailand, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. However, the island is becoming more and more known and has many charms to offer to its guests: it does not lack activities to do. Visiting Penang is a must for any visitor to Malaysia. Populated by 750,000 people, the density is rather high and the urbanism is concentrated on the eastern coast of the island. According to some, the city of George Town lacks interest. However, the historical heritage it contains is worth a visit. The historic center, with its monuments, is registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Historical and cultural heritage, but also culinary: Penang is known as the gastronomic capital of Malaysia. The buildings of the old city show a singular mixture of colonial architecture and Chinese style. It is also a very lively area to visit in Penang. The downtown area of George Town is a very artistic place and very well known for its street art and graffiti, making Penang an open-air "gallery city". The municipality has called upon local artists to decorate its walls. As a result, countless works and frescoes can be contemplated at random in the streets, right on the facades: to enjoy admiring the walls and hunting for graffiti in each alley!
Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers planning a trip to Penang Island
Where to Stay near Penang Island
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More Travel spots to explore around Penang Island
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Discover more travel spots to explore around Penang Island
🏘️ Town spots 🌆 Skyline spots 🏰 Place of worship spots 🗼 Landmark spots 🏖️ Beach spots ⛰️ Mountain range spots 🏰 Temple spots 🏰 Hindu temple spotsTravel map of Penang Island
Explore popular touristic places around Penang Island