[UPDATED IN OCTOBER 2024]

Penang is an island in Malaysia and one of the most visited cities in West Malaysia, after Kuala Lumpur or Malacca, for example.

Penang’s rich history makes it one of Malaysia’s most unique destinations. Known as the “Pearl of the Orient,” Penang has a fascinating colonial past and a vibrant blend of cultures.

The British established Penang as a trading port in the late 18th century. It quickly became a melting pot of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and European influences. This multicultural heritage is most evident in George Town. George Town is Penang’s capital, which has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Exploring Penang’s history is captivating, offering a glimpse into its past that continues to shape the island today.

Despite being an island (connected to the mainland of Malaysia by more than one bridge!), there is plenty to visit in Penang. From some of the best street art in Malaysia to the best local food markets in Malaysia.

So, keep reading to prepare for your trip to Penang and know what to do in Penang in 2 days! I promise that Penang will surprise you! 😉.

Some of Penang’s interesting places are far from each other, which requires some extra time to get around. Thus, it is important to make sure that your Penang itinerary takes this into account.

However, if you have some extra time, I suggest extending your Penang itinerary to 3 days. This way, you will have the opportunity to include other attractions in Penang in your itinerary, such as Penang National Park, for example.

However, you should be aware of Penang’s rainy season, which occurs especially during September to November. While it is still possible to visit Penang at this time of year, I would suggest avoiding these months.

On the other hand, the months with the least rainfall are January to March and June and July, making these the best months to visit Penang. During the dry season, temperatures range from 24°C to 32°C.

Finally, even though none of these months is the rainiest, it is always important to prepare for rain, given the tropical climate in Penang. For example, I took this waterproof jacket from Decathlon and it was quite useful. I visited Penang in early June and experienced some rain (just a few showers here and there).

However, different rules apply to other nationalities. For instance, Malaysia allows visa-free entry for many nationalities. This includes travellers from most European countries, the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. These visitors can stay in Malaysia, including Penang, for up to 90 days without a visa.

Citizens from ASEAN countries (such as Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia) can enjoy visa-free stays of up to 30 or 90 days.

When arriving in Malaysia, the process is quite simple and you might be asked a few questions. They can ask you about your origin, where you’re going next, how long you plan to stay and where you’ll be staying.

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION: I strongly suggest you check out the latest information here. This is also where you can check the rules that apply to different passport holders.

This is a great option in many cases because of the faster time to get to Penang. Airlines like AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, Scoot, Jetstar and Singapore Airlines offer direct routes to/from Penang. Even if you’re travelling on a low budget, AirAsia usually has some low fares.

Penang International Airport (PEN) is located in Bayan Lepas, about 30 minutes from George Town.

If you’re already in Malaysia, Penang is just a short domestic flight away from Kuala Lumpur. Low-cost carriers like AirAsia, Firefly, and Malindo Air operate frequent flights between Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and Penang International Airport. Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Penang typically take around 1 hour.

Buses leave frequently from Kuala Lumpur’s Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS). They take about 4-5 hours to reach Penang’s Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal, which is around 20 minutes from George Town.

Penang also has several direct connections to other major cities in Malaysia. You can also find direct bus services to Penang from cities like Ipoh, Melaka, and even Singapore. Companies like AeroLine, Nice Express, and Transnasional offer comfortable journeys with reclining seats and air conditioning.

I suggest buying your ticket on the 12goAsia website, where you can check the various buses available. You can also buy tickets at bus terminals. It’s recommended to book your tickets in advance, especially during weekends and public holidays.

💡 EXTRA TIP: It is normal for many long-distance buses to stop only at Butterworth, which is not on Penang Island. To get to George Town (the main part of Penang Island), there is a ferry that connects Butterworth to George Town (the journey takes about 20 minutes). If you don’t want to go through this “extra work”, I suggest you look for buses that stop in George Town.

To make purchases with a currency other than the one I usually use (Euro), I always use the Revolut card, which has many advantages. One of the biggest advantages of the Revolut card while travelling is the fact it does not charge extra fees for using a different currency.

Wondering how to stay connected in Penang? I recommend purchasing an eSIM from Celcom for affordable and reliable mobile data. You can easily top-up at any 7-Eleven. You can also choose a roaming mobile data plan, which works seamlessly across many Southeast Asian countries.

For example, this e-SIM Roaming Mobile Data Plan can be purchased even before you arrive in Malaysia and the options are quite cheap.

You can choose the option that suits you best. Just keep in mind the duration of your trip and where you plan to go since most of the plans include a mobile data plan that also works in other countries.

Walking allows you to discover hidden street art, charming cafes, and heritage buildings at your own pace.

But, if you want to visit other Penang’s iconic places that are further away (for example, Kek Lok Si Temple), you might want to consider other options.

Bus routes such as 101 (from George Town to Batu Ferringhi) and 401 (from the airport to George Town) are particularly useful for tourists.

Tickets can be purchased directly from the driver, and fares typically range from 2 MYR to 5 MYR (0.4€ – 1€) depending on the distance. It’s a good idea to carry small change for payment.

Grab is available throughout the island, with fares starting at around 5 MYR (1€) for short distances. The app also provides fare estimates before you book, so you can plan your budget.

It’s a great option for door-to-door service, and you can book a ride directly from your phone, making it ideal for spontaneous trips.

Rental shops can be found around George Town, Batu Ferringhi, and other tourist areas. Some guesthouses and hostels may also offer rentals.

Scooter rentals typically cost between 30 to 50 MYR (6.4€ – 10.6€) per day. You’ll need an international driving permit (IDP) to rent a scooter, so make sure to bring yours if you plan on riding.

Always wear a helmet and be cautious when driving, as traffic can be busy in George Town. Stick to main roads and avoid driving during rush hours if you’re new to navigating Penang’s streets.

A trishaw ride is more about the experience than practicality, with rates ranging from 25 to 40 MYR (5.3€ – 8.5€) for a half-hour ride. It’s a fun option for a short trip or a photo opportunity.

For example, I met a couple on the trip who complained about being in the Western part of the island. There the roads were much worse and it took them ages to get out of that part of Penang.

This hotel is one of the best 4-star hotels in Penang. The rooms are extremely spacious and the staff service is exceptional.

Also, the hotel has a wide breakfast offer at Penang Kitchen, where there is also à la carte lunch service. And, for those who are more around the hotel during the day, Courtyard by Mariott Penang also has an afternoon snack service, which is just DELICIOUS 🤤!

For dinner, the hotel has the concept Gin Library. They serve more elegant dishes and an extensive menu of cocktails, especially gin-based. And the best part of this restaurant? The views over Penang… especially beautiful at sunset.

And to finish off, there’s the swimming pool on the top floor of the hotel to help us cool off on the hottest days in Penang. The hotel provided towels that you can use in the pool. There are also some sun loungers and some sofas to help us relax after a day well spent in George Town.

There are a few exceptions, however, where the easiest way to get around is by Grab. In fact, this is exactly what I did! Whenever the walking distance was too far, I used a Grab as the journeys were quite cheap.

There are still a few clans and each has its own Chinese temple. Nowadays, we find several souvenir shops as we walk through the tight streets of the Clan Jetties. So, if you would like to visit this place and find few tourists, go early.

Street art is a constant in George Town and even in the Clan Jetties, you’ll already find some very cute pieces!

Street art pieces in Penang are scattered all over George Town. But, there is one area where we can find more murals and also the most well-known ones.

The strong presence of street art in George Town began in 2012 at the initiative of the Penang municipality. Many of the pieces aim to tell a bit of George Town’s rich history. And these have become so well known over the years that there is now a queue at some of them to take photos.

You can go inside the temple for free and admire the rituals of the locals who pass through.

It is currently a boutique hotel, but it is still possible to visit some areas of the building. There are 2 guided tours per day and both tours have a capacity of up to 35 people. However, it is also possible to visit the mansion with only an audio guide.

I recommend buying tickets online in advance, as they sometimes sell out.

The buildings have very distinctive architecture. Many of them date back to the time when this area was a colony of the United Kingdom. For example, the Clock Tower was built to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.

Komtar Tower has loads of indoor activities (many of them for children). I’d like to mention two – the Rainbow Skywalk and the Observatory Deck: two platforms with views over the city of Penang.

Both have a part with a glass floor, which is one of the funniest parts of this visit to the Komtar Tower. The vertiginous feeling is amazing! The skywalk is in an enclosed space and the observatory deck is on a small open-air platform.

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION: The ticket to visit both platforms costs 78 MYR (~17€) and is well worth it. You can check the most up-to-date price list as well as opening hours here.

For those who want an even more memorable experience, you can have a meal at the restaurant on the top floor of the tower, where the Skywalk is also located.

As in Kuala Lumpur, there are also many small monkeys here. They are harmless, but keep an eye on your belongings, as monkeys can easily “rob” your backpack.

Chulia Street is one of the liveliest streets in Penang, with several stalls selling local food. The best way to enjoy food markets like this one is to take a stroll and pick the stall(s) that appeal to you the most 😋.

The temple is so big (this is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia) that I recommend a whole morning to visit it. Between travelling from the centre of George Town and the actual visit to the temple, you should ideally allow about 3 hours to visit Kek Lok Si temple.

💡 EXTRA TIP: The journey between the centre of George Town and Kek Lok Si Temple takes about 15 minutes (7 to 10 km). The easiest way to get there is by Grab, as the journey is quite cheap.

While most parts of the temple are free to visit, there are some exceptions. For example, the entire initial part of the temple is free to visit. You can, of course, buy incense at the temples or make small contributions, but these are voluntary.

There are also some small shops scattered around the complex where you can buy some souvenirs.

In the whole complex, there are only two paid areas. One of them is the funicular ride up to the highest part of the temple, where the Kuan Yin statue is located. However, the prices are so low that I see no reason not to visit these two parts (one costs 2 MYR, 0.4€ and the other 6 MYR, 1.2€).

The entrances to some of these paid areas are a bit difficult to find, although there are some signs in the temple complex.

And, as if the beauty of this temple wasn’t enough, you’ll also find there one of the best views over Penang. It will be hard not to be jaw-dropped.

The simplest way to get to the top of Penang Hill is by using its funicular railway. This is one of the longest funicular journeys in Asia. However, the journey only takes about 5 minutes.

The funicular runs from 6.30 am to 10 pm (the ticket office closes at 8 pm). Return tickets for non-Malaysians cost 30 MYR, ~6€ (‘normal lane’) or 80 MYR, ~16€ (‘fast lane’). There are also one-way tickets, which are much cheaper. You can check the most up-to-date information here.

The difference between the ‘normal lane’ and ‘fast lane’ has to do with the queue where you have to wait to get on the funicular. I realize the price difference is ridiculous, but it may well be worth it to go for the fast lane.

For example, on the day I visited, the queue to return from the top was so long (more than 3 hours of waiting) that I ended up having to return by jeep + Grab ☹️.

💡 EXTRA TIP: It is not possible to reach the top of Penang Hill by car (including Grab and taxis). So, apart from organized tours, the best way to get to Penang Hill is actually by funicular. It is also possible to hike a trail to get there, but some people complained that it was quite difficult.

Once at the top of Penang Hill, there are endless options to occupy your time. It’s possible to spend a whole day exploring Penang Hill and even then, you won’t have time to visit everything. I suggest you check out the main attractions of Penang Hill here.

However, for a first visit to Penang Hill, I suggest you choose only one or two of the attractions. For example, I chose to visit Habitat as it is one of the places I found most interesting in Penang Hill.

Habitat is a short trail (1.6 km one way) in the middle of nature that quickly makes you forget about the busy life in the centre of Penang. At the end of the trail, there is a free shuttle bus that takes you back to the start.

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION: Entry to Habitat costs 60 MYR (~12€) and opening hours are from 9 am to 7 pm (last entry at 5 pm). All the most up-to-date information here.

Both the ticket for the funicular and the Habitat can be purchased on-site.

Nearby, you can also enjoy the Batu Ferringhi night market. Honestly, I didn’t think there was much interesting to see. However, I ended up having dinner at a small food market (Kafe Ferringhi Station) and I highly recommend it.

Firstly, I’ll tell you about Penang National Park – a great idea for a day away from George Town. This park has a few trails and some of the best beaches in Penang, such as Monkey Beach. It may be one of the smallest national parks ever, but it’s packed with surprises.

I must admit it’s not my cup of tea, but it’s so popular in the country, that you should try it anyway.

These tours are perfect for anyone who loves food and wants to try Penang’s best eats!

George Town’s heritage sites are full of charm, while street art adds a vibrant touch to the city. Penang Hill and the island’s beaches provide stunning views and relaxation.

The local cuisine, from hawker stalls to high-end restaurants, is a highlight for any foodie. Whether you’re interested in culture, nature, or simply relaxing, Penang has something for everyone.

It’s a great spot for a quick visit or a longer stay.

Have you visited Penang or plan to? Share your thoughts or any hidden gems in the comments—I’d love to hear about your experiences!

Disclaimer: this post may contain some affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you buy something through my links. This doesn’t represent any additional cost to you and you’ll be supporting my work here on the blog😊