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My Ultimate Penang Itinerary: What to Do in Penang in 3 Days

    Last Updated on February 28, 2024 by Kirsten Raccuia

    Penang had me at hello. I didn’t want to like it. I certainly didn’t want to move here. But George Town sucked me in like a Kardashian at a Chanel store.

    Obviously, I have a soft spot for Penang and know it like the back of my hand. If you are wondering what to do in Penang in 3 days, wonder no more, my friends. This Penang itinerary has you covered!

    But first, you should know a few things. Sometimes this gem of an island gets overshadowed by Kuala Lumpur. A lot of travelers never make it here. But they are missing out.

    Penang Island, especially George Town, is a living museum. It was listed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 2008, which means the cultural landscape and architecture must stay the same as it was centuries ago.

    old penang building

    So much has changed, and so much remains the same. It is that mix of rustic life and western amenities that is so attractive to many travelers and expats.

    Penang is a beautiful island overflowing with culture, and after nearly seven years, I’ve never been bored here, not for one day. There is so much to discover: history, cultural diversity, nature, and of course, food. This little turtle-shaped island has something for everyone.

    I’ve added a map of Penang and all the the sites down below.

    Without further ado, let’s start your Penang Island tour!

    WHAT TO DO IN PENANG IN 3 DAYS…

    If you are thinking about doing a day trip in Penang, think again. You’ll barely scratch the surface and leave unhappily. So, is 2 days enough in Penang? Not really. But you could do it. Just pick you fave two days out of this Penang tour and start running!

    PENANG ITINERARY DAY 1

    Since this is your first day in Penang, you need to stroll through the streets of George Town. It is one of the most exciting places in Penang. There is so much history and culture, and there is no better way to absorb it than to wander around and get lost in the streets. As a Chicago girl, I usually don’t recommend walking into alleyways. It’s not wise in Chicago.

    But in George Town, it’s a must. It’s the best way to get a feel for the local culture and get a slice of life in Penang.

    There are a lot of sites to check out on day one. It may seem like a lot to tackle, but it’s really not. These places are why George Town was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    KHOO KONGSI

    khoo kongi entrance penang itinerary

    Khoo Kongsi is one of my absolute favorite places to go in Penang. It’s a Chinese clan house that dates back to the mid-19th century. It has been lovingly restored to the most ornate detail.

    Back in the day, a clan house was a place where everyone with the same last name could live. Any Khoo, from anywhere in the world, could come to Penang and know they had a roof over their head. They’d have to work to support the clan, but it made for safety in numbers.

    It started as a small area, and as more and more Khoo’s arrived, they built an enclave right in the heart of George Town. Now it is a stunning magnificent temple and an opera house surrounded by shophouses.

    • How much? The fee to get in is RM30 and it is a self-guided tour.
    • Time needed? 30 minutes to an hour.

    CHEONG FATT TZE MANSION

    Me in front of the blue manion: Penang Itinerary

    Cheong Fatt Tze mansion, or Blue Mansion, is one of the top things to do in Penang. It was the home of a very wealthy Chinese man who built the mansion in the late 1800s. He was a very successful businessman and politician who played a large part in putting Penang on the map.

    Taking a tour of his home gives you so much insight as to how Penang used to be. It is immaculately cared for and now houses one of the most beautiful boutique hotels on the island. The tour guides are incredibly knowledgeable.

    • How much? The tours are RM25.
    • Time needed? The tours take about an hour and are daily at 11, 2, 3:30. You can’t just go and wander around; you must take a tour.

    PINANG PERANAKAN MANSION

    Most people don’t realize just how diverse Malaysia is. It’s not just Malays, Chinese, and Indians. There is a large group of people called Peranakans or Baba/Nyonyas that dates back to when Malaysia was Malaya.

    The Peranakan Mansion is a museum in a typical home filled with artifacts from that period. It is a fascinating look into a time gone by. No Penang trip would be complete without visiting this mansion and learning about the history of the island.

    My favorite part of the museum is the jewelry section in the back. It showcases incredible designs from centuries ago. Pieces that the wealthy people wore on the daily, as well as exclusive pieces for weddings. So extravagant!

    • How much? RM20 for entry.
    • Time needed? One hour.
    • Insider tip: They will take you on a free tour if you ask.

    LITTLE INDIA

    Follow your senses though the streets of Little India. This is one of the best things to do in Penang.

    Prepare for sensory overload as you wind your way through the streets listening to the blaring Bollywood music. Between the incense wafting out of each store and the curries cooking in each restaurant, you’ll be transported to a bustling India town (if only for a few blocks).

    Try a pakora from a street food vendor, have a bespoke sari made, and buy some spices from the colorful mounds the shop owners put out daily.

    • How much? Free except for all the goodies you might buy.
    • Time needed? 1-3 hours depending on how much wandering, shopping, and eating you want to do.

    KAPITAN KELING MOSQUE

    Kapitan Keling mosque Penang Itinerary

    This is the oldest mosque in George Town. The original brick building was built in 1801 by Penang’s Tamil Muslim community. It’s been rebuilt over the years to the beautiful structure that it is today.

    It was really interesting to go inside and learn more about the Islamic culture in Malaysia.

    • How much? It is free to go in, and they will give you a guided tour throughout the grounds.
    • Time needed? 30 minutes. The tour itself is pretty quick, depending on how many questions you have.
    • Insider tips: If you aren’t wearing the appropriate attire, they will give you robes with hoods so you can go inside. It’s best not to go on Fridays during prayer times. There are a few bunnies and cats that live happily on the grounds. They are fed and cared for by the mosque-goers and are happy to be pet.

    STREET ART

    Street art is def a Penang top tourist attractions. Grab a street art map and start the hunt. The map at the airport is pretty comprehensive, although I am not sure how often they update it and there is always something new being painted.

    There are painted murals and welded iron sculptures. The sculptures explain everyday scenes of the history of Penang and are strewn about George Town. Most people just focus on the murals, because well, they are cool and very impressive.

    However, what I like about the sculptures is that they tell a story. One shows a man firing a cannon during the Penang Riots in 1867, which explains why the street is called Cannon Street. So it’s art with a history lesson attached.

    • How much? It’s free.
    • Time needed? You could spend a few hours hunting or just find them as you go from point to point as you follow my itinerary in Penang.
    • Insider Tips: A lot of them are hidden in alleys. Look up, look down – they are everywhere and not always in the most obvious places.

    If you don’t feel like walking the streets, you can hire a trishaw driver for an hour to take you to the top sites. A lot of the guys have been driving trishaws for decades and know all the popular spots. They don’t all speak English so you might have to play charades a bit. Also, you can negotiate with them for a price.

    If you would rather see some of the sites without walking (it’s friggin hot here) you can take a trishaw tour. An English speaking guide will ride you around town to all the top spots and explain what you are looking at you along the way. We did it when we first came for a holiday and it was quite fun. Book it here

    trishaw driver taking a rest

    PENANG ITINERARY DAY 2

    Today you are going to get our of George Town. This is a Penang itinerary, not just George Town.

    CLAN JETTIES

    Clan jetty home- penang itinerary

    Walk gingerly on wooden plank walkways through ancient floating villages. Each jetty is named after a clan who still resides there today. The villages are built on stilts over the water and are over a century old –they haven’t changed much. Tan, Lim, Chew, and Yeoh jetties are the oldest.

    Chew Jetty is the most commercial and has become one of the top places of interest in Penang for a lot of tours. However, I would avoid it if you are looking for authenticity. Pick 2-3 other jetties and take a stroll. Most of the jetties have their temple because clans always built their temples to suit their needs.

    • How much? Free.
    • Time needed? 45 minutes to 1 hour.

    KEK LOK SI TEMPLE

    kek lok si temple penang itinerary

    Kek Lok Si is on every Penang travel itinerary. And it should be. It is the biggest temple complex in Penang and one of the largest Buddhist Temples in Southeast Asia. They began construction in 1885 and are still adding to it today. There are more than ONE MILLION images of Buddha within the temple grounds. Think about that for a minute…1 Million! That’s insane!

    The seven-story pagoda holds a statue of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. But not just any ol’ statue, it’s 36 meters high and made out of bronze. There are also lovely gardens and a turtle pond to explore.

    If you are lucky enough to be here during Chinese New Year, they light the temple up with 10,000 fairy lights, so the entire place looks like it is glowing. It is pretty incredible!

    • How much? Free or RM3 if you want to take the incline lift but it’s not a hard walk to the top.
    • Time needed? It’s a massive temple with beautiful grounds and loads of photo ops. I would allow 1.5-2 hours including travel time.
    • Insider tip: You can walk here from the base of Penang Hill. It’s a little over 2 km, however, it is hotter than hades here and if you aren’t used to the heat I wouldn’t recommend it. Truthfully, Grab (our version of Uber) is so cheap that it will only cost you a few bucks to arrive in style (or a Myvi 😉).

    If you want to combine a street art tour with a visit to Kek Lok Si and a few other temples, you can book it here.

    THE HABITAT ON PENANG HILL

    PENANG HILL

    Penang Hill is the highest peak and one of the coolest places to visit in Penang. I mean that literally. Back in the day, the wealthy locals had summer homes up there so they could escape the heat.

    Take the funicular up to the top of the hill, or you can hike. Although I never have. That would be too hard and a lot like exercising. For those of you who like to hike, go for it, Mark does it all the time, but he’s crazy like that. The funicular suits me perfectly and is the steepest tunnel track in the world. 

    THE HABITAT

    Over view of Habitat Penang Itinerary
    @Habitat facebook

    Anyway, once you reach the top, you can have afternoon tea at David Brown’s, a quintessential British colonial restaurant. Or have a cocktail at their newly built cantilevered deck, the highest bar in Penang.

    After wandering around the top of the hill, head to the Habitat. It’s an eco-tourism site overlooking a 130 million-year-old rainforest. There is a canopy bridge, a canopy walk, and a nature trail. But the highlight is the oval-shaped Curtis Crest Tree Top Walk. It is 800 meters above sea level, on a clear day, you can see as far as Langkawi.

    • How much? The round trip funicular ticket to get to the top of the hill is RM30. The price for the Habitat varies depending on how far in advance you buy the tickets and what you want to do once your inside. There are ziplines, guided walks, a night walk, and nature walks the – price depends on what you choose. Basic entry starts around RM55. You can buy tickets here.
    • Time needed? This also depends on what you want to do. But I would allow half a day.
    • Insider tip: Go in the afternoon and stay for sunset. The transition from day to twilight is stunning.

    PENANG ITINERARY DAY 3

    Today you are going to get out of the hustle and bustle of George Town.

    PENANG NATIONAL PARK

    Now, if you’ve been following my blog, you know that I’m not much of a hiker, it’s too hot, and I end up having heat stroke and migraines…no fun. However, I have done this hike once, and it was beautiful and easy – just my style.

    You can take a bus or Grab to the entrance of the National Park in Teluk Bahang. From there, you can hike to Monkey Beach and hire a boat to take to you back to the entrance. Not gonna lie, my favorite part was the boat ride back.

    The hike only takes about 1.5 hours. If your more into the leisurely aspect of things (no judgments here) you can hire a boat to take you both ways and spend more time on Monkey Beach.

    • How much? There is no entrance fee for the park. Boats are around RM50 per way, but that is per boat.
    • Time needed? It depends on how much time you want to spend at the beach.
    • Insider tip: If you could care less about hiking, you can hire a boat to take you to Monkey Beach and Turtle Beach. Spend a few hours and then head back. The beaches in Penang aren’t the most spectacular in the region. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go; you are on a tropical island. Just don’t expect the magnificent beaches of the Perhentians or Kota Kinabalu in Borneo.

    TROPICAL SPICE GARDENS

    tropical spice garden facebook
    @tropicalspicegarden facebook

    The Tropical Spice Garden is a beautiful escape. Have you even seen a pepper tree? Do you know where cinnamon really comes from? Take a self-guided tour that leads you to 69 different stations that explain the history of each tree, the spice, and how it made it to Penang.

    Or you could take a guided tour with an enthusiastic and knowledgable guide which I recommend. I always get more from an actual tour vs. listening to it on a recording.

    What really cool about the tropical spice garden is the history of each plant, its folklore, its medicinal benefits, annd houw it came to be important on the splce route that helped put Penang on the map. Yoou can take a cooking class there as well and use some of the spices you just learned about.

    Otherwise, take a walk up the hill to the Tree Monkey restaurant, a little Thai restaurant with views of the Andaman sea.

    There is also a gift shop to buy all the spices and blends grown in the garden.

    • How much? A self-guided audio tour is RM31. A guided tour is RM48 and is daily at 9 am, 11 am, 1:30 pm. You can buy tickets here.
    • Time needed? The guided tour is 1.5 hours.
    • Insider tip: There are buses that will take you out to Batu Ferringhi, but it will double the time it will take you in a Grab. If you are short on time, go for the Grab – it should be around RM20-30.

    SUNDOWNERS AND DINNER IN BATU FERRINGHI

    batu ferringhi sunset: penang itinerary

    There is nothing better than watching the sunset while sipping a cocktail. Since there is no real beach culture here, there aren’t too many bars on the beach. However, go to Bora Bora. It is the most laid back, no-frills bar with a good vibe. Unless you need a snack, don’t eat there. The food is just ok.

    If you have transportation or don’t mind using a Grab, Frandy’s Beach Bar is another good option. But, it is at the far end of the beach and far from the main action of Batu Ferringhi.

    After dark, there are a couple of food options. If you want a basic hawker stall experience, head to the Long Beach hawker stalls. For something fancier and visually stunning, go to Ferringhi Garden.

    • How much? Well, this depends on your taste in booze and food. Drinks at Bora Bora are generally around RM20. If you go to a hawker stall, the food is super cheap, just a few bucks, and you’ll have a yummy local meal. Ferringhi Garden is a white tablecloth kind of place. Still way cheaper than any white table cloth restaurant in the US, but more expensive for Penang standards.
    • Time needed? A few hours, no need to rush.

    BATU FERRINGHI NIGHT MARKET

    Running parallel to the beach and the main road is the Batu Ferringhi night market. It goes from 7 pm-11 pm. This is the market for you if you are looking for Faux-lex watches and pirated DVDs or knock offs, Penang T-shirts, and souvenirs.

    One of our fave stalls sells small paintings of local scenes from Penang artists. They are super easy to pop into your suitcase and will remind you of your time here.

    • How much? Free until you start shopping
    • Time needed? 1.5-2 hours depending on how much you like to shop.
    • Insider tip: You should def haggle. Do not buy any of the “name brand” make-up. It’s fake, and who knows what they put in that stuff.

    PENANG ITINERARY 4 DAYS

    There are so many things to do in Penang, Malaysia, that three days isn’t enough. If you have more time, here are some other great ideas.

    PENANG 5 DAY ITINERARY

    Your 5th day is spent in George Town and the nearby burb called Pulau Tikus.

    • Fort Cornwallis
    • Komtar Walk
    • Thai Temple with massive reclining Buddha (in Pulau Tikus)
    • Burmese Temple (right across the street from the Thai Temple in Pulau Tikus)
    • Botanical Gardens

    PENANG ITINERARY 6 DAYS

    blue skies, green rice paddy

    Today is spent wandering around Balik Pulau village. It is considered the back of the island and is more traditional with rice paddies and farms. You’ll get to see real-life Penang that has been mostly untouched by tourism.

    There are so many Penang attractions that you could spend a week or more here. If you need more suggestions I’m happy to help, just reach out.

    WHERE TO EAT IN PENANG

    If you don’t know your char kway teow from your laksa, don’t worry. I’ve got you covered with my what to eat in Penang post. It has descriptions of my fave local foods that you CANNOT miss while here. I’ve also written about the best cafes and restaurants on the island because you can’t survive on hawker food alone.

    Insider tip: After dinner, head to Love Lane. Yes, it’s touristy, but it’s also where the locals and expats hang out. It is a fun area, full of nightlife.

    But wait, there’s more.

    If you are looking for things to do in Penang at night, check out all the speakeasies and hidden bars here as well. These bars are super cool, and our visitors love them as much as we do.

    WHEN TO VISIT PENANG

    daily scene in Penang

    The only time of the year I would avoid is July and August. That is when we have terrible haze from all the burning fields to make palm oil (don’t get me started).

    The rest of the year is hot and humid. Sometimes it rains, sometimes it doesn’t. October has the most rain, but it usually rains at night and is a wee bit cooler throughout the day.

    WHERE TO STAY IN PENANG

    You are in luck. I wrote a big ol’ post all about that. Check it out here.

    HOW TO GET AROUND PENANG

    In George Town, everything is walkable. If you get too hot, you can hop in a Grab. It is super cheap, even for longer distances. Our 1-hour Grab ride to the airport is rarely more than RM35.

    If you are a budget traveler, there is a very clean and air-conditioned bus system that covers most of the island.

    If not, there are also options to rent a bike, scooter, or car depending on your license and comfort level for driving in Malaysia.

    HOW TO GET TO PENANG

    malaysia airlines plane through the window

    When you travel to Penang, there are a few accessible routes. You can fly directly to the international airport. There are direct flights from pretty much every country in the region, as well as Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Qatar.

    If you fly into Kuala Lumpur from anywhere else in the world, the flight is only 45 minutes.

    You could also take a train or bus to Butterworth on the mainland and then take a ferry to the island.

    HOW TO STAY CONNECTED DURING YOUR 3 DAYS PENANG ITINERARY

    There is free WiFi everywhere in Penang. Of course, in some places, it is better than others. However, I suggest getting a SIM card. They are cheap and easy to get. You can get one at the airport or if you are super organized, buy one ahead of time.

    BOOKS TO READ ABOUT MALAYSIA

    gift of rain book cover

    One of my fave books of all time is Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng. He is a wordsmith, a magician, and transports you to every scene he creates. The book isn’t a particularly light one, but it tells the story of Penang during the Japanese invasion of WWII.

    Even though the topic is heavy, his writing is almost lyrical. And while the war is the underlying theme there, it’s about betrayal, love, courage, and the human condition.

    His other book, Garden of the Evening Mist, is about the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia. It is also beautifully written. They made a movie out of it in 2019. I heard it was incredible, but I missed it.

    THE WRAP-UP

    Now you know what to do in Penang!

    When people come for a visit, we pretty much follow this Penang itinerary, but we tailor it to our visitor, which is exactly what you should do. Not one person has been disappointed. And they all wished they could spend more time in Penang.

    Penang grows on you. It’s not perfect, it can be dirty, and frustrating, but something about it creeps under your skin, and before you know it, you’ll be sucked in as well.

    If you’ve been to Penang, tell me your fave places to go in the comments below.

    If you are planning a trip to Penang and can’t be bothered to design it yourself, I’d love to help. After a one on one call to decipher your travel style, I can create a detailed itinerary for you (including accommodation, restaurants, and activities – the whole shebang). Shoot me an email ([email protected]) or comment below, and we can go over the options.

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    6 thoughts on “My Ultimate Penang Itinerary: What to Do in Penang in 3 Days”

    1. Love this article. Visited Kuala Lumpur a few years ago. Dying to visit Penang as I have heard much about it. I may follow your 3-4 day itinerary soon. The food is amazing, the people and culture are wonderful. May consider it as a retirement destination in a couple of years. Thank you for a great article.

    2. Another amazing post! I’ve pinned it and will use for Home Exchange recommendations too – absolutely brilliant. Thank you for making me even more homesick than I already am…!!
      The only other thing I’d add, and we take visitors to, is the Botanical Gardens to see the monkeys!

        1. Hello Kirsten,

          Thank you so much for an Unbelievable, amazing & enticing info. I am fortunate enough to read all of your posting. My dilemma is since we only have 3 weeks vacation, I also wanted to see Singapore and eat some amazing food. Mike suggested after this trip in 2021, we can go back and stay longer to determine if Penang is the place for us. His parents are 82 yrs old. He told me he does not want to be in Asia/retire by 2022. Because just in case he needs to be around for an emergency. I told him is all about compromising so, I will give it some time but can’t be a long time. Being that said how long do you think we should be in Penang?

          Mike told me wherever I want to stay is fine with him which makes difficult due to too many options (out of 17 hotels you have chosen)!
          We are not that into antique hotel, some charming character is fine. We like modern with a gym. Quiet room ( will need a suite or 2 rooms for his snoring). I refuse to sleep next to him on vacation. LOL

          1. Gurney area seem nice. The G Hotel Gurney & Kelawai
          2. George Town – I like Prestige. Attic hotel seem nice too but no gym.
          3. Tanjung Tokong/Bungah – Jazz hotel, The Landmark, Taunjong Point & Hampton By the beach. They all seem nice. Do you have a preference, based on this list?

          BTW: love The Panty Dropper, Who Am I, well actually I love every article!!!! I could be your #1 fan. I am planning to read (Shadow of the Banyan and Music of the Ghosts), I get excited just thinking about being in Penang & reading all the articles.

          I wanted to come in 2020 but Mike doesn’t think is a good idea. I am looking at March of 2021 to visit. Hopefully by that time, COVID 19 will not be a major issue.

          1. Hi Sandy,
            Thank you for being sooooo super supportive! You’re the best!

            If you aren’t scoping out Penang for a retirement location just yet then 3-5 days here is will do. It will give you a quick feel for the place. In that case, I’d stay in George Town, at the Prestige but as I’ve mentioned, a lot of hotels are closing here so be patient and don’t book yet. Plus by the time you are coming, there might be new hotels.

            Shadow of the Banyan is about Cambodia and Gift of Rain is about Penang, Both are must-reads!

            XO,
            K

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