About Penang
Penang is a Malaysian state located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It is divided into two parts by the Strait of Malacca: Penang Island to the west, where the capital city George Town is located, and Seberang Perai on the mainland Malay Peninsula to the east. These two halves are physically connected by the Penang Bridge and the Second Penang Bridge. The state shares borders with Kedah to the north and east, and Perak to the south.
Places to visit in Penang
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George Town
Neighborhood · 3 mi from centreA heritage city of shophouses, temples, and street art, listed by UNESCO for its mix of cultures. Explore on foot or by rented bike, and look for the famous painted murals.
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Kek Lok Si
Religious · 6 mi from centreOne of the largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia, with a seven-story pagoda and a huge bronze statue of the goddess Guanyin. Visit during Chinese New Year to see it lit with lanterns.
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Penang Hill
Viewpoint · 7 mi from centreA cool hilltop reached by a steep funicular railway, with views over George Town and the mainland. Ride up in the late afternoon and stay to see the city lights after dark.
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Khoo Kongsi
Historic · 2 mi from centreAn ornate Chinese clan house with intricate carvings, painted beams, and a richly decorated main hall. The ticket includes a small museum explaining the history of the Khoo clan.
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Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
Historic · 2 mi from centreA bright blue 19th-century mansion that blends Chinese and European styles, now a boutique hotel. Join the guided tour, as it is the only way to see inside unless you stay overnight.
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Clan Jetties
Neighborhood · 2 mi from centreWooden stilt villages built over the water by Chinese clans, still lived in by their families today. Remember these are homes, so keep voices low and ask before photographing people.
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Penang National Park
Park · 12 mi from centreA small park on the island's northwest tip with jungle trails, quiet beaches, and a turtle sanctuary. Hire a boat to reach the far beaches and walk back if you are feeling energetic.
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Batu Ferringhi
Beach · 10 mi from centreThe island's main beach strip, lined with resorts and a lively night market. Watch for jellyfish warnings before swimming, and visit the market after dark.
Things to do in Penang by type
17 tours, tickets and experiences across 4 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Art & culture 9 experiences Discover Historical Georgetown - Half-Day Private Walking Tour -
Day Trips & Excursions 8 experiences Discover Historical Georgetown - Half-Day Private Walking Tour -
Travel Services 3 experiences Plaza Premium Lounge Penang (International Departures) -
Zoo, Aquarium & Nature 2 experiences Entopia - Ticket
- 3-6 hours 5
- Over 6 hours 2
- Flexible 1
- 1-3 hours 1
- Couples 1
- Families 1
- Senior 1
- Youth 1
- Private 6
- Wheelchair accessible 1
Top experiences in Penang
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 17 available.
Half Day Trishaw Heritage Trail - Private Tour
From $71 per adult
The Habitat Penang Hill: Rainforest Discovery and Canopy Walk Ticket
From $24 per adult
Discover Historical Georgetown - Half-Day Private Walking Tour
From $116 per adult
Round Island Half-Day Private Tour
From $117 per adult
Discover the Penang Hill and the Temple - Half-Day Private Tour
From $221 per adult
Penang Time-Traveler's Delight - Full-Day Private Tour
From $155 per adult
Penang Discovery - Full-Day Private Tour
From $275 per adult
Explore Penang Hill and the Temple - Half-Day Tour
From $105 per adult
The Habitat Penang Hill - Self-guided Tour
From $13 per adult
Entopia - Ticket
From $15 per adult
Wonderfood Museum - Ticket
From $7 per adult
Tech Dome Penang - Ticket
From $7 per adult
Where to stay in Penang
Popular hotels in Penang, out of 384 properties you can book.
Shangri-La Golden Sands, Penang
From $120 per night
Raia Inn Penang
From $47 per night
Lone Pine, Penang, a Tribute Portfolio Resort
From $126 per night
PARKROYAL Penang Resort
From $181 per night
Iconic Hotel Penang
From $77 per night
Sunway Hotel Georgetown Penang
From $58 per night
Mercure Penang Beach
From $51 per night
Hotel Neo+ Penang by ASTON
From $53 per night
G Hotel Kelawai
From $118 per night
G Hotel Gurney
From $135 per night
The Light Hotel Penang
From $89 per night
OYO 89881 V Stay Guesthouse
From $12 per night
Best time to visit Penang
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Penang is all year round, when average daytime highs are around 86–91°F and rain falls on about 23 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Penang weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 87° 76° 96%
- Thu 22 Oct 87° 76° 100%
- Fri 23 Oct 85° 76° 100%
- Sat 24 Oct 81° 74° 92%
- Sun 25 Oct 86° 73° 84%
- Mon 26 Oct 85° 74° 84%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Malaysian ringgit (MYR)1 US dollar ≈ RM4.08
- Language
- Malaysian
- Calling code
- +60
- Driving
- On the left
- Time zone
- Asia/Kuala_LumpurUTC+8
- Capital
- Kuala Lumpur
Getting to Penang
These are the airports closest to central Penang. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- PEN Penang International Airport10 mi (15 km) from the city centre
Getting around Penang
One of the best ways to sight see is to walk around George Town; but wear light clothes, start early in the morning, and put on plenty of sun-block during the daytime. When crossing the roads, remember to look both ways, even on a one-way street.
By bus
RapidPenang.mw-parser-output .error-deadlink{color:red;background:yellow;display:none;white-space:nowrap}[dead link], the local bus service, features new buses. All bus stations and bus stops which are serviced by the RapidPenang buses are labelled with proper signboards.
Main bus lines
Buses are somewhat frequent on the main artery to Batu Ferringhi. Bus 101 bound for Teluk Bahang goes through midtown Pulau Tikus, (northwest end of) Gurney Drive, Tanjung Tokong, Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi (Starbucks is a good place get off and gives access to the beach), Tropical Spice Garden, Escape/Entopia and terminates at the Penang National Park entrance.
Bus prices
A bus trip can cost between RM1.40 and RM4 per ride. (June 2024)
Penang travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Penang?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Penang is all year round, when average daytime highs are around 86–91°F and rain falls on about 23 days a month.
What is the weather like in Penang?
July is usually the warmest month in Penang, with average highs of 91°F (33°C). November is the coolest, with average lows of 76°F (24°C). The wettest month is typically May, with about 553 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Penang?
Penang International Airport (PEN) is the closest airport, about 10 miles (15 km) from the centre of Penang.
What currency is used in Penang?
Penang uses the Malaysian ringgit (MYR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ RM4.08.
What time zone is Penang in?
Penang uses the Asia/Kuala_Lumpur time zone (currently UTC+8). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Penang?
One of the best ways to sight see is to walk around George Town; but wear light clothes, start early in the morning, and put on plenty of sun-block during the daytime. When crossing the roads, remember to look both ways, even on a one-way street.
What are the best places to visit in Penang?
Top sights in Penang include George Town, Kek Lok Si, Penang Hill and Khoo Kongsi. A heritage city of shophouses, temples, and street art, listed by UNESCO for its mix of cultures. Explore on foot or by rented bike, and look for the famous painted murals.
What are the top things to do in Penang?
Popular experiences you can book in Penang include Half Day Trishaw Heritage Trail - Private Tour, The Habitat Penang Hill: Rainforest Discovery and Canopy Walk Ticket and Discover Historical Georgetown - Half-Day Private Walking Tour. Destina Holidays offers 17 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Penang?
The most popular types of experiences in Penang are art & culture (9), day trips & excursions (8), travel services (3) and zoo, aquarium & nature (2). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Penang?
Popular areas for hotels in Penang include Penang and Bayan Lepas. Well-reviewed options include Shangri-La Golden Sands, Penang and Raia Inn Penang.
How many hotels can I book in Penang?
Destina Holidays currently lists 384 properties in and around Penang, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
