Penang Itinerary: 3 Days in Malaysia's Food Capital

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Date Published

February 8, 2025

Last Updated

1 month ago

Amber George

Amber is a self-proclaimed Av Geek and spent the majority of 2024 traveling around Southeast Asia. Now, she is embarking on the ultimate road trip around New Zealand in her camper van.

Located on the Northwest Coast of Malaysia, Penang is a well-loved destination which combines vibrant culture, captivating nature, historical sites and of course, diverse culinary experiences. Many tourists flock to Penang’s capital city, Georgetown, for its colonial charm and bustling nightlife. Wherever you go, the state of Penang will leave you with unforgettable memories and a lasting appreciation for Malaysia and its unique culture.

Although it is possible to spend a long time here, I recommend spending around 3-4 days to see the main sights of Georgetown and its surroundings. However, if you have wiggle room in your travel plans, you can spend time relaxing on Penang Island’s numerous beaches, visiting Malaysia’s number one theme park (ESCAPE Penang) and spotting the elusive Dusky Leaf Monkey – which I will mention at least three times in this article.

temple rickshaw penang — (*Credit: Jiachen Lin*)

In this guide, I will walk you through the ultimate 3-day Penang itinerary to make the most of your time in this beautiful corner of Malaysia.

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Before you go: Visiting Penang
Ultimate 3 day Penang itinerary

Before you go: Visiting Penang

The best time of year to visit Penang

Typically Penang is a year-round destination. However, for more predictable weather with less humidity and rainfall, the dry season runs from November to February. During January, you can catch the Chinese New Year celebrations and Thaipusam, a colorful Hindu festival with grand processions and rituals in temples across the city.

Alternatively, if you’re someone who prefers less crowds you can visit during the shoulder season, which runs from March to April, and you might even get better deals on accommodation and activities.

lights in street malaysia — (*Credit: Abdelrahman Ismail)*

How to get to Penang

Malaysia as a whole has a great transportation network, with Penang being relatively easy to get to. From Kuala Lumpur, you choose between taking a direct flight to Penang, or a bus or train to Butterworth, before taking a ferry over to the island.

If you’re a budget backpacker (like myself!), the bus is the cheapest option. In my opinion, this is the ultimate way to sit back and enjoy watching the Malaysian countryside roll past you. Tickets can be bought in advance on 12Go Asia, and ferry tickets can be purchased at the terminal around 200 meters away from the bus station. If you have time up your sleeve, I’d recommend stopping en route for a day or two in tranquil Ipoh.

ferry crossing penang itinerary — The ferry will take you from the mainland to Penang Island (*Credit: Edwin Petrus*)

Getting around Penang

Penang has its own comprehensive bus transportation network, making it easy to get from one side of the island to the other – and Google Maps makes it even easier to find out which one to catch. It is important to note that these buses operate on a strict cash-only basis, to make sure to break up some of your notes before you arrive.

Alternatively, Grab taxis are available all around the island, and can actually be the cheapest option if you’re traveling in a group. If this is your first time in Southeast Asia, I recommend downloading the Grab app and setting up your profile ahead of your trip.

bus stop by road penang malaysia — (*Credit: Kelvin Zyteng)*

Where to stay in Penang

The most popular place to stay in Penang is Georgetown, as everywhere you go, you’re a stones-throw away from shopping centers, great restaurants, and modern skyscrapers. During my visit, I spent a few days settled in Georgetown before relocating to Batu Ferringhi on the other side of the island—and I would not recommend doing this as there was not as much to do or as many restaurant options.

What I would recommend, however, is checking out ‘House of Journey‘ hostel, perfect for travelers who want to stay somewhere with a social buzz and a great location with easy access to public transportation. To top it off, popular nightlife spots such as Love Lane are within walking distance, offering a vibrant variety of bars to finish your day of sightseeing.

house of journey hostel penang malaysia — (*Source: Hostelworld.com)*

If you’re looking for a more high-end hotel option, it doesn’t get more quintessentially Penang than the Eastern and Oriental Hotel. Alongside the Raffles in Singapore, the Eastern and Oriental is often considered one of the most famous colonial-era hotels in Southeast Asia (and for good reason!).

Ultimate 3 day Penang itinerary

Day one: Exploring Georgetown’s artistic streets and culture

Morning

You can kick your Penang itinerary off with a hearty breakfast at one of the city’s many boutique cafes, such as The Mugshot Cafe , where you can start the day with delicious iced coffee and scrambled eggs.

Then, take yourself on a mini self-guided history tour by following the esplanade walkway past sites such as the Town Hall, a British colonial landmark, Fort Cornwallis, a defensive fort built in the 1800s and the Queen Victoria Memorial clock tower. Better yet, join my favorite walking tour for an in-depth historical account of this important colonial town.

On your way back into the city center you’ll stumble upon many different temples, varying from Chinese-style to Hindu. For example, you’ll pass the Goddess of Mercy Temple, where you can take part in incense-burning activities to pay respects to the deities.

goddess of mercy temple — At the Goddess of Mercy temple you can take part in free incense-burning activities (*Credit: Amber George)*

Afternoon

In the afternoon, spend some time exploring Penang’s iconic street art, which uniquely combines graffiti-style artwork with real-life objects for tourists to interact with. You can easily spend hours casually wandering down the streets and taking in each mural, as well as stopping by the countless souvenir shops and cafes along the way.

boy and girl on bike mural — (*Credit: Amber George)*

For great Instagram shots, check out the ‘Brother and Sister on a Swing’ and the ‘Boy and Girl on a Bike’ murals for some interactive 3D photos.

Evening

Before heading out on the town, I recommend grabbing some food from Chulia Street Night Hawker, a foodie’s paradise with street vendors offering the tastiest local dishes at affordable prices. Here, you’ll find all types of Southeast Asian cuisine, including Penang specialities such as Char Kuey Teow, a noodle dish stir-fried in soya sauce and finished with crunchy bean sprouts, eggs and prawns.

Here, you can also try a variety of snacks including ham chee peng (commonly referred to as a Chinese-style doughnut) and apoms, a traditional Indian snack which resembles mini-pancakes.

Trying **Char Kuey Teow** is a must for any Penang itinerary (*Credit: Krystal Ng)*

After eating, end your first day in Penang with a stroll or drink along Love Lane, the city’s main nightlife hub. On the street, a lot of different bar owners will be fighting for your attention with many different drink deals to pique your interest.

It can be quite overwhelming trying to choose which bar to spend your evening in. I recommend choosing one that is towards the end of the street, as these are usually quieter and you might even be able to negotiate the beer price (my partner and I managed to haggle for a 2-for-1 offer).

beer nightlife penang malaysia — A cold drink is ideal after a long day of exploring Georgetown (*Credit: Abdelrahman Ismail)*