Penang is a small tropical island off the west coast of peninsular Malaysia. It is a former British colony, so English is widely spoken. Its population is just over 700,000 with a majority of the people living in its capital, George Town. Penang is a multicultural island with about 60% of its inhabitants being Chinese, 32% Malays, and 7% Indian. Culturally it’s a mind-blowing place to live.
With a mix of these cultures, the food is touted to be the best in all of Southeast Asia. In 2014, Lonely Planet deemed Penang to be the top foodie destination to visit in the world. The most incredible food in Malaysia is not found in high-end restaurants, but at thousands of food stalls that serve one signature dish—often a family’s secret recipe passed down through generations.
Penang is one of the most famous spots in Malaysia and with good reason. Most of the state of Penang is located on an island and as such you can enjoy beaches, sparkling waters, and a laid back island feel coupled with a big city experience.
Sections of George Town have also been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, in part because of their maritime urban settlements known as clan jetties.
If you're looking for ideas on how to spend your time once you get to Malaysia, see our list top half day tours in Penang.
This tour let you go to all the attractions that you like, not like the can approach of a predetermined itinerary tour. For a 6 hours visit from ship or hotel or airport, you choose some 4-7 attractions to go from the list in "tour details". You choose the places and dictate how much time to spend at each attraction. Either you explore every nooks and corners, or you simply take pictures from the outside without entering the attraction, you call the shot. If mobility is a concern, 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 cum driver, will accompany you into all attractions and give commentary on the go. You will be not be disappointed. Penang is a truly surprising hidden gem!
2. Penang City & Temple Tour with Penang Hill(Fast Lane) & Kek Lok Si
Even if you have only a short time in Penang, soak up the key sights in just half a day on this action-packed door-to-door tour. Ride the funicular to the peak of Penang Hill; explore the streets of George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site; watch pewter craftsmen; taste white coffee; and check off religious monuments from Kek Lok Si Temple to Wat Chaiyamangkalaram and Dhammikarama Burmese Temple.
3. Penang: George Town City Half-Day Attractions
Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of George Town on a private 4-hour tour. Highlights include visits to the Reclining Buddha, Pinang Peranakan Mansion, and Clan Jetty. You also enjoy a driving tour through vibrant Little India where Christians, Taoists, Hindus, and Muslims live in harmony. The comprehensive snapshot of the multicultural town is a great opportunity to orient yourself to the area for future exploring.
4. 3-Hour Heritage on a Plate Dinner Hop in George Town Penang
Food makes the perfect introduction to any city—especially Penang. Slurp, sip, and snack as you discover the highlights of the city’s historic center, Georgetown, on a small-group foodie walking tour with a guide. Enjoy the sorts of insights you can only get from a local as you visit vendors and hawkers, and taste the fare of the generations of migrants who have made the island their home
5. 4-Hour Georgetown Food Tour
Feast your senses on the sights and smells of George Town on a half-day culinary tour, ideal for food lovers with limited time in Penang. In a small group, explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of George Town in the early evening, a cooler and less-crowded time to visit, on a tour that combines its rich culture with numerous local delicacies. Plus, taking a food tour at the start of your trips means you receive ample culinary recommendations sure to enhance your vacation.
6. Private Tour: Top Seven Wonders of Penang City Tour
Skip the run-of-the-mill organized group tours and explore Penang at your own pace with this private sightseeing tour. In the company of just your party and a driver/guide, explore colorful, multicultural George Town and see its most important sites.
7. Penang Grand Tour with Lunch
This tour covers the main highlights of Penang Island. It includes Chew Jetty – the early Chinese migrant settlement in Penang, the intricate stone carvings and woodworks of the Khoo Kongsi (Clan House), the colourful Little India, the iconic 720-metre high Penang Hill by funicular train and the Kek Lok Si – Southeast Asia’s largest Buddhist temple with its 30-metre high statue of the Goddess of Mercy. Lunch en-route at a local restaurant, optional stops include Coffee Tree and Royal Selangor Pewter.
8. Penang Day Tour From Penang
Explore urban murals full of artistic creations. Board to the Penang Hill for overlooking Penang. At Kek Lok Si Temple has millions of Buddha statues and hundreds of beautiful and meaningful sculptures and sculptures. Visit the wooden houses built on the water.
9. Penang Hill and the Kek Lok Si Temple
Experience the magic of Penang Hill and Kek Lok Si Temple with ease on a 5-hour tour. Complimentary round-trip transportation from your hotel allows you to skip the stress and discomfort of taxis. During the journey, listen to live commentary from your driver cum guide on local history and culture. You also enjoy easy ascent (and complimentary fare) with the funicular up to Penang Hill and chairlift to the Bronze Statue.
10. Penang Full-Day Private Customizable Tour with Pick Up
This tour allow you to choose the attractions that you like, not like the can approach of a fixed itinerary tour. For a 7 hours visit from ship or hotel or airport, you choose some 5-8 attractions to go from the list in "tour details". You choose the place and decide on the you time needed. Either you go deep into selected location, or you can just stop by the corner to take photos from the outside not needing enter the attraction, you made your own decision. If mobility is a concern, you can choose to circulate the Penang Island and take in the view from the comfort of air-conditioned car. If you could not decide on where to go or what to do, let our licensed tour guide choose it for you. The tour guide cum driver, will accompany you into all attractions and give commentary on the go. Penang is Marvel for you to discover.!
Open until midnight every day, this massive night market with ove...
This 20-acre outdoor living war museum in Penang sits on the form...
Open until midnight every day, this massive night market with ove...
This 20-acre outdoor living war museum in Penang sits on the form...
Penang has been one of the top expat destinations in Malaysia for years. It is not a bustling city like Kuala Lumpur yet it still has all the comforts of home. There is everything from beaches and shopping to great food and a vibrant culture. You can go shopping at Gurney Plaza, or Queensbay Mall, and find the same high-end stores you would in the U.S. You can walk through the jungle, laze about on a secluded beach, take a food tour and a cooking class, or even drive a few hours to visit an Orangutan shelter.
George Town is a bustling, colorful UNESCO World Heritage City, which is fascinating to walk through. Its well preserved, colonial buildings and Chinese clan houses are living testaments to what life was like centuries ago. You can still feel its multi-cultural heritage as you wander through Chinese and Indian temples, and smell incense burning throughout the streets. Getting lost in the maze of narrow streets and alleyways makes you feel like you are in another world, one that existed long ago.
For a small island, there is no shortage of arts and culture to take part in; from the month long George Town festival that celebrates the arts in every form imaginable, the Jazz and World Music festivals, and the International Film festival. Add to that all of the inherent cultural and religious festivals, loads of art galleries with ever-changing exhibits, and the street art scene, and you’ll never be at a loss for something to do in Penang.
Penang is famous for its rich cultural heritage, delicious food, stunning beaches, and historic architecture. It is also known as the "Pearl of the Orient" for its scenic beauty and vibrant culture.
Some of the must-visit attractions in Penang include George Town, the capital city of Penang and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang Hill, Batu Ferringhi Beach, and the Penang Botanic Gardens.
Penang is renowned for its street food, and some of the best places to eat include Gurney Drive Hawker Centre, New Lane Hawker Centre, and Kimberly Street in George Town. There are also plenty of high-end restaurants and cafes serving up delicious cuisine.
The best time to visit Penang is between December and February when the weather is cool and dry. However, Penang is a year-round destination, and visitors can enjoy its attractions and festivities throughout the year.
Yes, it's possible to visit Penang on a day trip from Kuala Lumpur or other nearby destinations. However, to fully experience the island's attractions and culture, it's recommended to stay for at least a few days.
