10 Awesome Things to Do in Penang for First-Timers

10 Best Things to Do in Penang

1. Track Down all the Street Art in George Town

Scattered across the winding streets of George Town, the main city of the island, you will find tons of really colorful street art unlike the typical street art you often see in Europe or elsewhere.

What's cool about these street arts is how they often incorporate physical objects nearby with the simple but beautiful artwork to depict the regular lives of the people in Penang, as well as some really cool pop culture references that will keep you entertained as you explore the streets of Penang.

Here are some of the most popular street arts in George Town that you should check out while you are here: Brother & Sister on a Swing, Boy on Motorbike, I want Bao, and many more.

If you want to learn more about these street arts, how they were created, and what they depict, I highly recommend you go on a half-day city tour which will take you to all of the awesome street art as well as other tourist attractions in the city, perfect for those who do not have a lot of time.

2. Walk Along the Chew Jetty

If you have never seen a stilt village before, you have to check out Chew Jetty, where you will find a whole community of villagers living in wooden stilt houses along the eastern shore of George Town.

The locals have been living in these wooden stilt houses for centuries, and they continue to do so even today. Although the whole village is now a protected heritage site, the locals still live in these houses. By walking along its narrow path made out of planks of wood, you will be able to get a glimpse of what life was like for the people here back in the 19th Century when the village was founded.

Within the village, you will also find many small souvenir shops, as well as viewing areas where you can sit on the plank of wood and enjoy the scenery. Chew Jetty is open from 9 AM to 9 PM every day, and it is free to enter.

3. Visit Cheaah Kongsi Temple

As you explore George Town, be sure to drop by and check out Cheaah Kongsi Temple, a beautiful 19th-century Hokkien temple featuring the stunning Chinese architectural style. The temple has a stunning facade adorned with intricately designed roofs, dragons, and patterns carved out from wood.

The temple is one of the many clan temples or kongsi temples that can be found in Penang, but this one is considered to be one of the oldest of its kind in Penang. In the temple, you can walk around, learn more about the family and clan that established the temple in 1801, and more.

The temple is open from 10 AM to 4 PM every day except on Sundays, and the entrance fee is 10 MYR per person. If you would like to see how Chinese culture has influenced Penang throughout its history, be sure to check out Cheaah Kongsi Temple.

4. Learn the history of Malaysian Food at Wonder Food Museum

If you love Asian food as much as I do and want to learn more about where Malaysian food originated and how it became so awesome, I highly recommend you check out Wonder Food Museum, a museum dedicated to preserving the history of the unique Malaysian dishes.

The museum features several replicas of Malaysian dishes and impressive art installations inspired by Malaysian cuisine, all accompanied by interesting stories and the history of each one of them, allowing you to dive deeper into what makes Malaysian cuisine unique.

The museum is open from 9 AM to 6 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 30 MYR per person. You can buy the ticket online here. If you are a foodie and love to learn more about Malaysian cuisine, this is the best place to be.

5. Explore Penang Little India

Just like in Singapore, Penang has a large community of Indian population, and they have made themselves at home in Penang Little India, a colorful neighborhood with dozens of shops and vendors selling all kinds of things like Indian attire, trinkets, and, of course, delicious Indian food.

The area is a hodgepodge of Indian culture with stunning Hindu temples like Sri Mahamariamman Temple, shops playing Indian music all day long, and tons of options available for those who crave some authentic Indian food.

If you are a vegetarian, you've gotta check out Woodland Vegetarian Restaurant. I'm not a vegetarian and I still love their Dosa dishes! You should also be able to find many non-vegetarian Indian restaurants here, so be sure to spend some time and explore Little India while you are here.

6. Explore the Street Food Scene at Farlim Night Market

Thanks to the hostel's staff who recommended this place to us, Farlim Night Market is the largest night market on the island, full of street food stalls that you can indulge in. Due to its location further inland, you won't find as many tourists as you would at the night market in George Town, which is awesome.

The night market is the best place to be if you are a foodie and looking to explore the real, authentic street food scene of Penang. The street foods you find here are delicious, offering a wide range of options to choose from. The best part is that they are priced for the locals, not for tourists like many places in George Town, which makes them extremely affordable.

You can go around each lane, picking all the food you want to try, and find a nice, quiet spot to sit and enjoy them all. The night market is only open on Wednesdays, and it begins at 5 PM and ends around 11 PM, so be sure you plan your visit accordingly.

To get from George Town to Farlim Night Market, you can catch bus #202 or #203 from the Container Hotel Bus Stop or anywhere else in the city and get off at the Lintang Angsana bus stop. It should take you around 30 minutes to get there, one way, and cost about 2 MYR. You can buy the ticket directly from the bus driver, but make sure you have the exact amount as they rarely ever have enough change.

7. Visit Kek Lok Si temple

Kek Lok Si Temple is a large complex of temples located on top of a hill right in the heart of the island, and it is one of the most impressive temples you will see in Penang. The temple covers such a large area that it is considered the largest in the country, and it would be a shame to travel all the way to Penang and not visit this temple.

One of the most impressive features of the temple is the seven-story-high Pagoda of Rama VI that houses over 10,000 bronze statues of Buddha. It is located right at the center of the temple complex, offering an incredible view over the island.

Not too far from the pagoda, there is a 30-meter tall bronze statue of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, which is the tallest of its kind here. With so many sights to see at the temple, you can expect to spend at least 2-3 hours to see them all.

To get to Kek Lok Si temple, you can take bus #201 from Jetty A bus stop or anywhere in George Town and get off at Kek Lok Si bus stop. You will arrive there in around an hour, and it should cost about 2 MYR for a one-way trip. It is one of the best things to do in Penang, so make sure not to miss it!

8. Try the Best Laksa in Penang

After you are done exploring Kok Lok Si Temple, you can stop for lunch at Assam Laksa, one of the most famous Laksa restaurants in Penang, located just around the corner from the main road towards the temple complex.

Laksa is a typical Malaysian noodle dish with toppings such as chicken, prawn, or fish, prepared with a rich and spicy coconut soup or a broth seasoned with sour asam, and thick rice noodles. A must-try local dish, and there is no better place to do it than here.

The restaurant is only open on the weekends from 10:30 AM to 7 PM. It gets pretty packed at lunch and dinner time, so if you do not want to wait, you can visit the restaurant for an early or late lunch instead. Highly recommended!

9. Drink Cheap Beers at a Traditional Liquor Store

One of the best places I often frequented with my travel friends is Antarabangsa Enterprise, a local liquor store where they sell beers at very affordable prices, which are not so easy to come by in a Muslim-majority country like Malaysia. It is a good place to hang out at night and socialize with friends.

The place is low-key one of the chillest spots to hang out in George Town as they often put out stools and tables in front of its old, rustic, warehouse-looking liquor shop, and you can walk in, order beers directly from the store clerk, and bring them out to sit outside and enjoy with your friends, while watching the city go by.

Although the place is technically open from 3 PM to 12 AM every day, I highly recommend you come around 8 PM and beyond when the weather is a little cooler outside. I remember sitting at the shop, socializing with my friends here until 3 AM, so the closing time is not super strict. If you want to find a place to hang out with people, be sure to check out Antarabangsa Enterprise.

10. Relax at Batu Ferringhi Beach

Of course, since Penang is an island in Southeast Asia, there is bound to be a nice sandy beach somewhere along its shores. One of the best beaches you can check out that is not too far from George Town is Batu Ferringhi Beach, a long strip of sandy beach where you can relax for a day, go sunbathing, and watch the beautiful sunset over the island.

At the beach, you can participate in all kinds of activities like riding jet skis, parasailing, or you can simply relax at the beach and go for a swim. The water is nice and warm, the sand on the beach is fine to the touch, and there are no lines of sunbeds to obstruct the view, which is awesome.

If you want to spend a day relaxing at the beach, be sure to check out Batu Ferringhi Beach while you are in Penang. I highly recommend that you visit the beach at sunset when the light is at its best. To get here, you can simply catch bus #101 from Container Hotel Bus Stop, and it will drop you off at this bus stop right in front of the beach. It should take about an hour one way and cost around 2 MYR.

How to Get to Penang?

The best way to get here is to fly to Kuala Lumpur and either take a flight or a bus from there. I would recommend that you browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to find a cheap flight from where you live to Kuala Lumpur, so you can pick the best one that fits your itinerary.

From Kuala Lumpur, you can either fly to Penang via AirAsia or take the bus directly to the island. If you are flying in, it is pretty straightforward as the airport is right on the island, and when you arrive, you can take Rapid Penang Bus #U401 to George Town, and you should be there in less than an hour.

If you are taking the bus from KL, make sure to get the ticket that drops you off at Sungai Nibong Express bus terminal, not the Butterworth terminal, to avoid having to take the ferry to the Peninsula. From the Sungai Nibong Express terminal, you can take bus number 401 directly to George Town and it should take about 45 minutes.

How to Get Around Penang?

Walking and buses are the best ways to get around Penang. Most of the tourist attractions in George Town are reachable on foot while other faraway attractions are easily accessible via bus from George Town for no more than 2 MYR per way so you should have no trouble getting around Penang. You can use Google Maps to find the bus number, bus schedule, an bus stops you have to be to get on and get off. Very easy!

What to Pack for Penang, Malaysia?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Penang, Malaysia:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Penang, Malaysia in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Further Reading for Malaysia

Malaysia may often be overlooked by travelers, but the country has so much to offer that you can't find anywhere else in Southeast Asia.

Here is a selection of articles you might want to read about Malaysia:

• Looking for a complete itinerary and travel guide for Malaysia? 10 Days Itinerary for Malaysia.
• Planning a trip to Malaysia and not sure where to begin? Check out: 10 Best Places to Visit in Malaysia.
• Are you planning to travel to Malaysia as part of a big Southeast Asia trip? Check out our 3-month backpacking itinerary for Southeast Asia.
• Kuala Lumpur is where you will likely land when you are traveling in Southeast Asia, and from the outside, it may look like your typical Asian city, but KL is so much more, and at a cheaper price too. Here’s a complete guide on things to do in Kuala Lumpur.
• Not your first time in Kuala Lumpur? How about we go explore the cafes and the unique Kopitiam culture of Kuala Lumpur with the 8 Best Cafes and Restaurants to try in Kuala Lumpur guide?
• If you are looking for a day trip from Kuala Lumpur or somewhere to stop on your way to/from Singapore, Melaka is a great place to stop and learn a little bit about this ancient port city. Check out my 8 Incredible things to do in Melaka travel guide here.
• Cameron Highlands is a break from the hot, humid weather and the bustling city of KL that you need. Surrounded by mountains and tea plantations, here is a complete travel guide on things to do in Cameron Highlands.
• Cameron Highlands is high up in the mountains, with the cool breeze making it the perfect place to go hiking. There are over 14 trails to pick from. Check out my ultimate hiking guide to Cameron Highlands.
• Want to go off the beaten path in Malaysia? Let's head over to Borneo with a complete travel guide and a 2-week itinerary for Borneo and Brunei.
• Want to know where to go after Malaysia? How about spending 3 days in Singapore or going snorkeling on Koh Lipe, Thailand?
• For all articles about Malaysia, visit the Malaysia Travel Guide page.
• Looking for more travel guides for Southeast Asia? You can find more on my Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
• I have also compiled all of my favorite photos I took in Southeast Asia into one post. Check out 64 photos of Southeast Asia that will inspire you to travel.
• For more of my travel guides, visit the All Destination Travel Guide page.