Searching for the best thing to do in Penang? Even if you have been here multiple times, there’s always something new to see and do in vibrant Penang!
Whether your interests lie in food, culture, history, taking pretty pictures for your social media, hiking, or even riding horses, there’s something for everybody to enjoy!
Check out this a fool proof list of must-see and lesser-known places to visit in Penang!
Table of contents:
- Eat Penang Food
- Hike Up Or Ride The Train To Penang Hill (& Habitat)
- Stop By The Penang Peranakan Museum
- Wander Among The Clan Jetties Of Penang
- See The Famous Street Murals Of Penang
- Visit Kek Lok Si Temple
- Admire The Flora At Penang Botanical Gardens
- Climb Up To Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Waterfall Temple
- Soak In The History Of Fort Cornwallis
- Have Fun At An Interactive Museum
- Marvel At The Architecture Of Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Temple
- Go For A Tour At The Blue Mansion (Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion)
- Visit Penang’s Oldest Taoist Temple, Goddess Of Mercy Temple
- Surround Yourself With Nature At The Penang National Park
- Step Into The Penang Butterfly Farm (Entopia)
- Go For A Tour Inside Tanjung Bungah Floating Mosque
- Conquer Your Fear Of Heights @ The Gravityz
- Ride A Horse At Countryside Stables Penang
- Set Your Sights On Balik Pulau’s Stunning Paddy Fields
- Roam Penang’s Colorful And Lively Little India
- Peek Into The 200-Year-Old Sri Mahamariamman Temple
- Treat The Kids To Adventure Zone Theme Park
- Get Your Adrenaline Going At ESCAPE Theme Park
- Enjoy Penang’s Skyline From The Top Komtar (The Top Penang)
- Jog Or Walk Around Air Itam Dam
- Relax At The New Sia Boey Urban Archaeological Park
- Watch The Sun Set At Batu Ferringhi Beach
27 Best Things To Do In Penang
Some of these are not your usual Penang tourist attractions so pay attention!
1. Eat Penang Food
This goes without saying! Savory Malaysian dishes like assam laksa and Hokkien mee are an absolute must-try!
Local food haunts like Chulia Street Night Market (we personally prefer Kimberly Street) will satisfy your needs for a one-stop location with Penang street food!
You’ll find many local favorites like lor bak, boiled octopus and char kway teow sold at the hawker stalls along this street.
Read more: 11 Best Night Market In Penang – Monday To Sunday (Especially #5)
2. Hike Up Or Ride The Train To Penang Hill (& Habitat)
On a clear day, you can see the whole of Penang and even Langkawi from atop Penang Hill, a popular Penang tourist attraction. The night view is just as nice too!
There are numerous hiking trails of varying height and difficulty to Penang Hill. But you can take the 30-minute funicular from Air Itam to Penang Hill if you’re not keen on hiking!
Do expect a long wait if you go during a public holiday or weekend. However, Fast lane tickets are available.
Read more:
- A Complete Guide On Penang Hill
- The Habitat Penang Hill (Ultimate Guide) – With Tips For Entrance Fee Discounts!
3. Stop By The Penang Peranakan Museum
Allow a couple of hours at this stunning museum that is itself a restored building.
There are many exquisite Nyonya-Baba (Peranakan) culture exhibits inside the museum!
It costs RM25 per adult to enter but if you have more than 5 in your group, you can book a private tour for no extra charge!
What we feel about Penang Peranakan Museum.
- Location: 29, Church St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang
- Contact: +604-264 2929
- Opening Hours: 9:30am–5pm
4. Wander Among The Clan Jetties Of Penang
Chew Jetty is one of the remaining traditional settlements left by Chinese immigrants. It is open to the public from 9am to 9pm to casually observe the local lifestyle.
Some of the jetties can feel very touristy with all the vendor shops. Time your visit for high tide if you want to photograph the sea.
Do respect the privacy of the families that still live here and refrain from taking photos of the house interiors and families! Read more about The Clan Jetties Of Penang.
5. See The Famous Street Murals of Penang
While you’re moving between places to visit in Penang, you can keep an eye out for these street murals!
They’re easy to spot as there’s often a line of people wanting to have a photo with the murals!
- Along Muntri Street: Girl in blue
- Armenian Street: 2 kids riding a bicycle; Children and dim sum
- Armenian Café: Old man’s face
- Lebuh Armenian: Giant orange cat
- Ah Quee Street: Boy on a motorcycle
- Cannon Street: Boy reaching up standing on a chair
- Chew Jetty: Kids in a boat
- Gat Lebuh Chulia: Kids playing basketball
- Penang Road: Man resting in trishaw
6. Visit Kek Lok Si Temple
One of the best places to visit in Penang is this large and picturesque Buddhist temple in Air Itam. Especially when the lights are on for Chinese New Year!
Go early in the day to avoid the heat and the crowds! And for RM2, you can access the pagoda for a view of the city! Prepare yourself to climb 300+ stairs for the 360° views.
Read more about our experience at Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang.
- Location: 1000L, Tingkat Lembah Ria 1, 11500 Air Hitam, Penang Island
- Contact: +604-828 3317
- Opening Hours: 8:30am–5:30pm
7. Admire The Flora At Penang Botanical Gardens
An impressive garden with numerous trails and a 50m-high waterfall, it shares a common trait with Taiping Lake Gardens:
Both are transformed abandoned quarries by past British colonial administrators.
Today, the gardens are still well kept and some of the original trees are now giants! Including the unusual Cannonball trees.
More details on Penang Botanical Gardens.
- Location: Jalan Kebun Bunga, 10350 George Town, Penang Island
- Contact: +604-226 4401
- Opening Hours: 6am–8pm
Remarks:
- Free entry
- No WiFi
- This is where you can start your hike up to Penang Hill.
8. Climb Up To Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Waterfall Temple
Not far from the botanical gardens:
Waterfall Hill Temple or Thaneer Malai as locals call it, requires visitors to climb 500+ stairs to reach the magnificent temple complex!
Because of the necessary physical effort, you’ll likely have the breath-taking views of the surroundings to yourself!
- Location: 17, Jalan Kebun Bunga, Pulau Tikus, 10350 George Town, Penang Island
- Contact: +6011-1003 2054
- Opening Hours: 6am-12pm, 5pm-9pm
9. Soak In The History Of Fort Cornwallis
Note: Renovation works in progress
Fort Cornwallis is another famous Penang tourist attraction for history buffs with pleasant views of the sea at the upper level!
Hence, it’s an especially popular location for sunset strolls.
The entrance fee for foreigners is quite steep at RM20 per person. But you can still admire the fort from afar.
It’s a 15-minute walk to this late 18th century British Colonial fort from Chew Jetty.
- Location: Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, George Town, 10200 George Town, Penang Island
- Contact: +604-263 9855
- Opening Hours: 8am–11pm
10. Have Fun At An Interactive Museum
Try an interactive Penang museum for a slice of fun for the whole family!
There are so many interactive museums in Penang which provide welcome relief from the afternoon heat too!
And you’re guaranteed to bring back some wacky photos for souvenirs!
Recommended museums:
- Wonderfood Museum
- Upside Down Museum
- Penang 3D Trick Art Museum
11. Marvel At The Architecture Of Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Temple
For photographers and history buffs, you can visit this historical Chinese clan house – a cluster of ornate buildings that include a temple, a large hall and theatre.
Be on the lookout for evening cultural shows here (on the last Saturday of each month). The lit courtyard against the temple architecture creates the perfect backdrop!
- Location: 18, Cannon Square, George Town, 10450 George Town, Penang Island
- Contact: +604-261 4609
- Opening Hours: 9am–5pm
12. Go For A Tour At The Blue Mansion (Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion)
We have another architectural old-world wonder in this list of Penang attractions!
Visitors can either choose to stay, dine (Indigo restaurant) or come for the daily tours at The Blue Mansion. You can book these 45-minute tours online on their site.
Take note of the tour times (11am and 2pm) and be punctual! They do require visitors to be 15 minutes early before the stated tour times.
There is no limit for the number of tour participants so try to go on a less busy day to avoid compromising on your experience there!
- Location: 14, Leith St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang
- Contact: +604-262 0006
13. Visit Penang’s Oldest Taoist temple, Goddess of Mercy Temple (Kuan Yin Temple)
Kuan Yin Teng as Penangites refer to it, has survived its fair share of violence during the Japanese invasion and back in the 1960s.
The still-standing roof is a testament to ancient Chinese craftsmanship!
Many devotees flock to this temple during Chinese New Year, the annual feast days for Guan Yin as well as on the Jade Emperor‘s Birthday.
- Location: 30, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, George Town, 10200 George Town, Penang Island
- Contact: +604-261 4137
- Opening Hours: 8am to 6pm (hours vary during festivities and celebrations)
14. Surround Yourself With Nature At The Penang National Park (Pantai Keracut Beach)
Take a day to explore the national park when you want to get away from the busy city!
There are two main trails here – the easy coastal trek to Monkey beach or an inland jungle trek to a turtle sanctuary.
You’ll probably need 2 days to cover all the highlights for both trails:
- Kerachut Beach (Pantai Keracut) – the turtle sanctuary and meromictic lake are here
- Monkey Beach (Teluk Duyung)
- Muka Head Lighthouse – additional steep climb from the coastal trail
See this detailed guide on Penang National Park.
Penang National Park Office:
- Location: Jalan Hassan Abas, Teluk Bahang, 11050, Penang Island
- Contact: +604-881 3530
- Opening Hours: 8am–5pm
15. Step Into The Penang Butterfly Farm (Entopia)
There’s much more than just butterflies at Entopia. This is an education and research hub that has outdoor gardens!
And an indoor discovery centre with interactive exhibits on insects and other invertebrates! You can easily spend your whole afternoon at Entopia!
PS: Tropical Fruit Farm with 25 acres of organic fruit, including durian and cherries is not far from Entopia too.
- Location: No.830, Jalan Teluk Bahang, Teluk Bahang, 11050 Tanjung Bungah, Pulau Pinang
- Contact: +604-888 8111
- Opening Hours: 9am–6pm
Read more: Penang Durian Farm – 9 Best Places To Eat Durian In Penang
16. Go For A Tour Inside Tanjung Bungah Floating Mosque
Tanjung Bungah Floating Mosque extends out into the sea. This iconic building is not far from George Town too. Its RM15 million construction began in early 2000s with its official opening in 2007.
However, it is only during high tide that the mosque appears to be on the sea!
And if you meet the dress code, you can enter the prayer hall for a free 30-minute tour of the elegant mosque!
- Location: Tanjung Bungah Road, Penang Island, 11200, Penang
- Contact: +6012-4051324
- Opening Hours: 5am–9:30pm
17. Conquer Your Fear Of Heights @ The Gravityz
Gravityz gives Penang visitors a wholly unequal perspective. To see Penang from the 65th floor of Komtar! That’s ~240m above the ground and almost level with Penang Hill!
This is the highest rope course in the world and certainly not an experience that you will forget in a hurry!
You can walk, sit, or be suspended at the high-altitude platform. Or take on the flying fox!
- Location: 65 Floor, Jalan Penang, the top @komtar, 10000 George Town, Penang Island
- Contact: +6012-3368074
- Opening Hours: 11am to 7pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
- Price Range: ~RM90-200 depending on whether you are a local from Penang, Malaysian or an international visitor!
18. Ride A Horse At Countryside Stables Penang
While far from George Town (30-40 minutes’ drive), horse riding at Countryside Stables Penang is a relaxing pastime that requires no serious commitment!
The entrance and lesson fees are affordable.
First-time riders will feel at ease with the friendly instructors, clean stables, and healthy horses! You can have a go at feeding or brushing the horses too!
- Location: Lot 10050, Jalan Sungai Burung, Kampung Sungai Burung, 11000 Balik Pulau, Penang Island
- Contact: +6012-408 0678
- Opening Hours: 10am–12pm; 2pm–7pm
- Entrance Fees: RM12 (Malaysian adults), RM8 (Malaysian children 2 – 12 years old)
- Guided Horse Ride (200m): RM15 (Children), RM20 (Adult)
- Lesson Fees: RM80 (30 minutes), RM120 (60 minutes) – advanced booking required
19. Set Your Sights On Balik Pulau’s Stunning Paddy Fields
Got your own car? We recommend driving out of busy George Town for the day and escaping the touristy atmosphere for a bit.
Not only is this area of Penang quieter but it is incredibly scenic with views of the sea, many durian orchards, and paddy fields.
Speaking of paddy fields, there is one field that you should see if you’re in the area. Know simply as Balik Pulau Paddy Field, it has a giant shipping container with a mural on either side.
As you might expect, you can’t do much here other than admire the mural and take lots of photos. On the plus side, it’s completely free to visit.
Note: If the paddy field has just been cut, it’s not very pretty. Keep and eye out on social media or Google reviews to check the status of the field before going.
Read more: Love Lane Penang: What To Love About This Popular Street In George Town
20. Roam Penang’s Colorful And Lively Little India
Little India of George Town stretches over Chulia Street, Queen Street and Market Street with an abundance of currency exchange services!
It is busiest before and during Deepavali and Thaipusam!
Expect to find sarees to fit any budget with costume or gold jewellery shops to help you complete the look.
While you’re here, try authentic and vegetarian-friendly Indian food and snacks (NR Sweets)!
- Location: Lebuh Pasar, George Town, 10450 George Town, Penang Island
- Contact: +604-250 2800
- Opening Hours: 8am–9:45pm
21. Peek Into The 200-Year-Old Sri Mahamariamman Temple
Arulmigu Sri Mahamariamman Temple of Queen Street is the oldest Hindu temple on the island. You’ll probably pass by it if you’re walking around Little India!
Various puja (rituals) occur daily throughout the day and during festivals when it is full of devotees!
Inside the temple, are the Hindu deities such as Lord Subramaniamx Durga and Ganapathy.
- Location: Lebuh Queen, George Town, 10450 George Town, Penang Island
- Contact: +604-2638916
- Opening Hours: 8am to 12pm, 5pm to 9.05pm
22. Treat The Kids To Adventure Zone Theme Park
Kid-friendly places to visit Penang include this air-conditioned indoor theme park inside Golden Sands Resort!
It is essentially a giant jungle gym (of over 10,000 sq ft) for kids!
Parents and guardians can join in the fun for free! There are drop slides, a ball pen, game zones and birthday party rooms.
Don’t forget to bring socks and long-sleeved tops for everyone who’s playing!
- Location: Jalan Batu Ferringhi, Kampung Tanjung Huma, 11100 Batu Ferringhi, Penang Island
- Contact: +604-886 1911 ext. 7874
- Opening Hours: 10 am–1 pm, 3–6 pm
Entrance Fees:
- Resort Guests: RM22 (2-hour session per kid), RM44 (Half-day session per kid)
- Walk-In Visitors: RM33 (2-hour session per kid)
- Entry of adults is free with children
23. Get Your Adrenaline Going At ESCAPE Theme Park
ESCAPE Theme Park has two sections – a waterpark and an adventure park! You might want to get a multi-day pass so you can try both.
This should definitely be in your consideration for things to do in Penang with kids!
Highlights Of The Adventure Park:
- Kite Flyer (50m swing through the jungle)
- Tubby Racer (Ride a rubber tube down a slide!)
- Zip lines
- Flying fox
- Monkey Business (High rope obstacle course)
Highlights Of The Water Park:
- Water obstacle course
- Lazy river
- Wave pool
- Water slides (Banana Flip, Family Twister, Speed Racers)
- Location: 828, Jalan Teluk Bahang, Teluk Bahang, 11050, Penang Island
- Opening Hours: 10am–6pm Monday Closed
- Entrance Fee: Day Pass:~RM111 (Child 4 – 12 years old), ~RM167 (Adult), Free (Children below 3 and seniors more than 60 years old)
Tip: Tickets are cheaper if you book more days and in advance!
Read about our experience at Escape Theme Park in Penang.
24. Enjoy Penang’s Skyline From The Top Komtar (The Top Penang)
You don’t have to suspend yourself from the side of the building to get a good look of Penang from above!
Instead, there is a glass platform (Rainbow Skywalk) that visitors can walk out on.
If you plan to check out the family-friendly indoor theme park at The Top Komtar, there is a different ticket (The Top Fun Pass) that lets you access Rainbow Skywalk multiple times in a day!
- Location: 1, Jalan Penang, George Town, 10000 George Town, Penang Island
- Contact: +604-375 3800
- Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm
Entrance Fees:
Tickets are cheaper for Malaysians!
- Jurassic Research Center: RM58 (Adult), RM48 (Child/senior citizen)
- Rainbow Skywalk & Observatory Deck: RM68 (Adult), RM48 (Child/senior citizen)
- The Top Boutique Aquarium: RM38 (Adult), RM33 (Child/senior citizen)
- Penang state & Durian King Gallery: RM30 (Adult), RM20 (Child/senior citizen)
- Magic Mirror Maze: RM20 (Adult), RM10 (Child/senior citizen)
- Zombie Outbreak: RM23 (Adult), RM18 (Child/senior citizen)
- Dino Gym: RM5 (Adult/senior citizen), RM40 (Child)
- 3 Attraction Pass (Jurassic Research Center, The Rainbow Skywalk & Observatory, The Top Boutique Aquarium): RM75 (Adult), RM55 (Child/senior citizen)
Tip: Save 10% when you purchase tickets online one day in advance!
25. Jog Or Walk Around Air Itam Dam
Kek Lok Si is visible on the way to Air Itam Dam, the first dam in Penang!
It hardly ever gets mentioned in lists for the top Penang attractions. But nature lovers and fitness enthusiasts will appreciate it.
Locals love to frequent this scenic area for a morning or evening jog/ walk. The path around the lake is ~3km long with 4 to 5 slopes.
It’s a short, shaded hike up (40-50minutes) from the car park at the bottom of the hill to the dam for unbeatable views!
Early risers will be treated to the mist among the trees and cooler temperatures too.
- Location: Jalan Balik Pulau, George Town, Penang Island
- Contact: +604-509 6509
26. Relax At The New Sia Boey Urban Archaeological Park
A particular drain canal filled with koi at this park went viral in social media for its resemblance to clean Japanese drains.
Now, the new urban park is bringing activity back to this older part of town.
The attractive and well-maintained contemporary park features a playground for kids and hot-air balloon shaped lanterns that lend a dreamy atmosphere when evening comes!
- Location: 50, Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong, George Town, 10100 George Town, Penang Island
- Opening Hours: 6am to 11pm
Read more: 19 Best Cafe In Penang With Great Coffee (Includes New Cafes)
27. Watch The Sun Set At Batu Ferringhi Beach
Batu Ferringhi used to be one of the best places to visit in Penang after an exhausting day exploring George Town!
But the landscape has seen much development including high-rise buildings!
Water sports bring noise to the peaceful beach and affect the water quality.
However, there are restaurants nearby that still make the beach a convenient venue for visitors to take in the sunset!
Getting To Penang Tourist Attraction
If you can’t decide what the best things to do in Penang are, let us help!
Our experienced local guides will bring you around Penang to their favorite places from morning to evening!
RayTheTour offers private tours in Penang, Cameron Highlands, Ipoh as well as other towns in Perak – including Taiping! These tours can be just for one day or for multiple days.
Make bookings or inquiries via their WhatsApp.
If you prefer to get around on your own, here are the 4 Best Ways For Getting Around Penang (With All Penang Transport Options). And if you’re flying into Penang, you might want to read up on How To Get From Penang Airport To Georgetown (4 Easy Ways).
Is Penang your next destination after Kuala Lumpur? We have a guide on How To Get To Penang Island From Kuala Lumpur (KL) too.
Conclusion
There’s a reason Penang is on the bucket list for so many local or foreign travelers!
It’s hard to run out of things to do in Penang! From museums, parks, temples, historical sites, and theme parks!
Figuring out where you want to go beforehand will help you to maximize your time in Penang! Use this list to help you do that!
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- 15 Best Hotels In Penang For An Unforgettable Stay
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- Orangutan Island: A Hidden Orangutan Sanctuary In West Malaysia Close To Penang
- How To Get To Cameron Highlands From Penang (Step-by-Step Guide)
- 15 Iconic Historical Places In Malaysia