The Best 3 Day Penang Itinerary

The island of Penang, on Malaysia’s northwest coast is an absolute must see for anyone traveling to Malaysia (or around Southeast Asia).  Penang has a rich history dating back thousands of years when it was inhabited by nomadic Melanesians during the neolithic period.  Fast forward and it was the first country in Southeast Asia to be occupied by the British in 1786; the country finally gained its independence in 1957.  And aside from its history, Penang has an incredible food culture, great weather, is home to the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia, and is where you’ll find the charming city of George Town – an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This post will not only provide you with the best 3 day Penang itinerary, but it will also help you plan a trip to the island; providing you with everything you need to know about visiting.

Please note, this 3 day itinerary focuses heavily on the city of George Town.

 

FOR A MORE VISUAL LOOK AT MY TIME IN PENANG, CHECK OUT THIS INSTAGRAM POST!

 

If you’re planning a trip to Malaysia, don’t miss…

• Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Malaysia
• The Best Packing List for Malaysia
• The Ultimate 7 Day Malaysia Itinerary – Malacca to Penang

 

How to Get to Penang

There are two bridges connecting Penang to mainland Malaysia, so depending on where you’re coming from, you can either fly or drive to the island.  The airport – Penang International Airport (PEN) – is located in Bayan Lepas, on the southeastern tip of the island.

If you’re flying into Penang, the easiest way to get to your hotel is by getting a taxi at the airport.  You’ll see a “taxi” stand before exiting the airport and you’ll simply tell them where you’re going and they will arrange a taxi for you.  They’ll also give you the price ahead of time.  You will need cash for the taxi and you can get cash out at the ATM at the airport.  By the way, the ATMs in Malaysia don’t charge fees so don’t worry about getting too much cash out at once!

• If you’re taking a bus to Penang, I recommend using Bookaway or 12Go to book
• If you’re flying to Penang, I recommend using Expedia to book

 

Where to Stay in Penang

In my opinion, the best area to stay in Penang is in George Town – the capital of the state of Penang and an UNESCO World Heritage site.  George Town is Malaysia’s sixth largest city and is located on the eastern coast of Penang.

Here are some hotels I’d recommend…

• The George Penang by The Crest Collection – 5*
• Eastern & Oriental Hotel – 5*
• The Prestige Hotel Penang – 5*
• Cheong Fatt Tze – The Blue Mansion – 4* (a scene from Crazy Rich Asians was filmed here)
• Cambell House – 4*
• Citadines Connect – 3*
• SAAV HOTEL – 3*
• Hotel Mokozoyo – 3*

 

BOOK YOUR STAY IN PENANG HERE!

 

How to Get Around Penang

While you can easily walk around Penang (especially if you’re staying in George Town), there will surely come a time where you’ll need transportation.  By far the easiest way is to get around the island is by using the “Grab” app – a ride sharing app set up in Malaysia.  Not only can you get a taxi this way, but the taxi’s in Penang are incredibly affordable.

 

The Best Time to Visit Penang

Because of its proximity to the equator, the weather in Penang is pretty stable year round, however its hottest month is March (with temperatures up to 90 F).  The wettest months in Penang are September and October, followed by April, May, and November.  Penang’s high season (the time where the island sees the most tourists) is from December-February.

 

How Long to Stay in Penang

As this guide suggests, I recommend spending three days exploring Penang.  While you could squeeze everything into two days – three days will let you move at a slower pace and experience multiple different facets of Penang.  However, if you’re traveling slowly and have all the time in the world – I would recommend 4-5 days in Penang.

 

3-Day Penang Itinerary

• Highlights of day 1 in Penang – Exploring the island’s food scene
• Highlights of day 2 in Penang – Exploring the UNESCO World Heritage town of George Town
• Highlights of day 3 in Penang – Visiting the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia

 

Day 1

Personally, I believe the greatest thing about Penang is the food scene.  Penang is well known around the world for having an incredibly diverse mix of food – Chinese, Malay, Indian, etc.  Penang has managed to fuse different flavors from different cultures and what has resulted has been a glorious mix of dishes.  While the food scene is something to be revered, it can also be difficult and intimidating to navigate.  For that reason, I highly recommend spending your first day in Penang on a food tour to learn about the different foods in the state and better guide your food choices the rest of your stay.

I participated in this five-hour food tour run by a local named Tiger.  It was hands down, one of the best food tours I’ve ever been on.  And not only do you get a good taste of different dishes in Penang, but Tiger also teaches you so much about the history and culture of each dish.  It’s a really special tour.

If the above food tour is booked or you’d rather go on a shorter tour, I recommend this three-hour tour instead!

 

Day 2

On your second day in Penang, spend the day exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site of George Town.  George Town is the capital of the state of Penang and is recognized for its traditional architecture and “multitude of heritage trades and arts”.  The town is really something special with great restaurants, beautiful buildings, boutique shopping, and amazing street art.

 

MORNING IN PENANG

In the morning, head to the heart of George Town for breakfast at China House and to check out the quaint streets.  China House is an incredible bakery serving 30 different cakes each day.  (If you don’t start here for breakfast, I definitely recommend going at some point to try their cakes!).  They also serve other traditional dishes and have plenty of coffee drinks to choose from.

After breakfast, head to the Wonder Food Museum where you can learn about Malaysia’s most famous dishes and other facts about the food culture.  (This museum is very cliche and “Instagram friendly”, but if you’re interested in food it has really great information.  If you’re not as interested in the food scene, I wouldn’t recommend this museum).

After visiting the Wonder Food Museum, head to Pinang Peranakan Mansion – the home of a 19th-century Chinese tycoon, Chung Keng Quee.  Today, the home now serves as a museum to Penang’s Peranakan heritage.

 

AFTERNOON IN PENANG

Before heading to lunch, check out the Clan Jetties of Penang located on the most eastern tip of the island.  The Clan Jetties are floating villages built on stilts above the water, occupied by the Chinese.  You can walk through the “streets” and at some of the jetties you can purchase food, drink, and do some shopping.

In total, there are six different jetties (or villages) and in each village lives one clan, with every village having their own temple.

For lunch, head to Restoran Zim Sum, a really delicious Chinese dim sum, outdoor restaurant.  This restaurant closes daily at 1330 so make sure you arrive before closing!  Something that is important to know about Chinese Hawker stalls in Malaysia is that when you arrive, you are REQUIRED to order a drink.  It’s a part of the culture and history (this rule does not apply if you’re at an Indian or Malay Hawker).  At this particular Hawker – Restoran Zim Sum – you order a drink before sitting down.  They then tell you which table to sit at, give you a menu (in Chinese) and deliver your drinks to the table you’re told to sit at.  You then take the menu with you, walk up to the food area, and pick out the dishes that look best to you.  The workers then mark down on the menu what you ordered and that’s how you pay at the end.

 

A Hawker stall (or “Hawker”) is a local food vendor that specializes in a small number of chosen cuisines

 

EVENING IN PENANG

Once evening hits, head to one of the Hawker centers around town and eat like the locals do!  I personally recommend Medan Selera Padang Brown Food Court however, if you’re doing the five-hour food tour I listed above, you will go here as a group.  Another popular Hawker center around town is the New Lane Street Foodstalls.

Alternatively, if you’d rather eat in a restaurant, Hwa Ting restaurant in George Town is fanastic!  You can follow up with cocktails at Archipelago.  (If you do go to Archipelago, know that there is no sign outside signaling you’re in the right spot.  But there is a big blue door with spotlights; just knock on the door and you’ll be let in).

 

Day 3

 

MORNING IN PENANG

Wake up early to be the first in line at Malaysia’s largest Buddhist temple – Kek Lok Si Temple.  Kek Lok Si Temple was built in 1891 and is one of the largest temple complexes in Southeast Asia.  I highly recommend showing up at opening before so many tourists arrive.  Unfortunately, I went in the afternoon at the same time as tour buses were showing up, and it wasn’t an enjoyable experience.

 

AFTERNOON IN PENANG

After spending some time exploring Kek Lok Si Temple, try the traditional Malaysian dish – nasi kandar – at Nasi Kandar Salam.  (If you’re doing the five-hour food tour, you will visit this restaurant with Tiger).  Nasi kandar is a popular dish in Northern Malaysia, introduced to the country by traders from India.  The way that you order the dish is you start with the rice, add one meat, add one or two veggies, add an egg, top it with curry, and then request a bag of chips to crush over the top.  Traditionally, this dish is eaten with hands instead of silverware.  It’s messy – but absolutely worth it.

 

EVENING IN PENANG

Once evening comes, head to Hin Bus Depot, an arts and events space with bars and restaurants.  This area closes at 1900 (and 1700 on Saturday and Sunday), so make sure to arrive a couple of hours before closing so you can enjoy it.  I recommend grabbing dinner in this area and ending your night with cocktails at Magazine 63.

 

FAQ

Q:  “Is 3 days in Penang enough?”

• A:  3 days in Penang is enough time, especially if you’re simply focusing on the area of George Town.  If you want to explore the island in depth, I would recommend 4-5 days.

Q:  “Is Penang safe?”

• A:  Penang is safe!  Sure, there can be some petty theft and pickpocketing (especially in the more touristy areas of the island), but all around Penang is a safe place to travel to.  It’s also important to note, that while Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country, there is no law requiring tourists to cover up.  Plus, the locals in Penang are non-judgmental and you really won’t get any funny looks for wearing what a westerner might consider “normal”.

Q:  “What language is spoken in Penang?”

• A:  Penang is multi-cultural so there are a few languages you might expect to hear on the island.  For starters, Hokkien is the Chinese dialect synonymous with Penang; plus most people also speak English, Bahasa Malaysian, and Mandarin.

Q:  “What is there to do in Penang?”

• A:  There are loads of things to do in Penang!  Walk the streets of George Town admiring the street art, visit Penang National Park, catch views of the city from Penang Hill, visit the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia, eat food at a Hawker Centre; the list goes on!

 

Malaysia Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Malaysia

 

I hope that this 3 day Penang itinerary not only gives you ideas on what to see and do when you’re visiting Penang, but also guides you in where to stay, how to get to the island, and how to get around.  If you have any questions about visiting Penang, let me know in a comment below!

 

For more on traveling around Malaysia, don’t miss…

• The Best Itinerary for Malacca (1-2 Days)
• The Best 2 Day Kuala Lumpur Itinerary

 

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For more information on things to see and do in Penang, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinmalaysia” or under my highlights for “Malaysia”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “Malaysia” highlight

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