Penang Travel Guide, Hotels & Things to Do

Where to stay

Hotels in Penang

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Sunway Hotel Georgetown

33 New Lane (off Macalister Road) | Penang, 10400, MY

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ERNES Hotel Seberang Jaya

No.42 Jalan Todak 4 Pusat Bandar Sunway | Penang, 13700, MY

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LINN House Peranakan Residence George Town

34 Lebuh Cintra | Penang, 10200, MY

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The Millen Penang Autograph Collection

55 Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah | Penang, 10050, MY

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Macalister Mansion a Member of Design Hotels

228 Jalan Macalister | Penang, 10400, MY

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Iconic Marjorie Hotel Penang a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

239a Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah | Penang, 11900, MY

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Noordin Mews Hotel

53 Noordin Street | Penang, 10300, MY

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Coffee Atelier

47-55 Lorong Steward | Penang, 11300, MY

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At a glance

Climate

Tropical

Languages

Malay and English and Mandarin and Tamil

Local currency

MYR (MYR)

Local time

07:24 (GMT+8)

Ideal trip length

3–7 days

Cost level

2 of 5 · our research

Suggested area to stay

George Town

Tap water

Bottled water recommended

Tipping

Not customary, appreciated

What this place is for

History

95 · Outstanding

Culture

90 · Outstanding

Food

90 · Outstanding

Family 75 · Good

Our own 0–100 ratings for this one destination. They describe a city; they are not a league table of cities.

Food to try

Char Kway Teow Assam Laksa Hokkien Mee Nasi Kandar

When to visit Penang

How good each month is here, on this destination's own scale. It compares months within this city, never one city against another.

Best months: January, February Busiest: Dec-Feb

Jan

90

Warm, relatively dry
Feb

90

Warm, relatively dry
Mar

80

Hot, increasing humidity
Apr

70

Hot, frequent showers
May

70

Hot, frequent showers
Jun

80

Warm, moderate rain
Jul

80

Warm, moderate rain
Aug

80

Warm, moderate rain
Sept

65

Wettest month, heavy rain
Oct

65

Heavy rain, humid
Nov

70

Rainy, high humidity
Dec

85

Warm, less rain

90

Jan Warm, relatively dry

90

Feb Warm, relatively dry

80

Mar Hot, increasing humidity

70

Apr Hot, frequent showers

70

May Hot, frequent showers

80

Jun Warm, moderate rain

80

Jul Warm, moderate rain

80

Aug Warm, moderate rain

65

Sept Wettest month, heavy rain

65

Oct Heavy rain, humid

70

Nov Rainy, high humidity

85

Dec Warm, less rain

Things to do in Penang

7 places worth your time, grouped by when they are at their best.

Best in the morning

1 place

Kek Lok Si Temple

Air Itam 2.5 hrs

Explore Malaysia's largest Buddhist temple complex with stunning pagodas.

Outdoors Good for children

Best in the afternoon

3 places

Penang Hill & Funicular

Air Itam 3 hrs

Ride the funicular up for panoramic views and cooler air.

Outdoors Good for children

Cheong Fatt Tze (Blue Mansion)

George Town 1.5 hrs

Tour this iconic indigo-hued Peranakan mansion, a UNESCO site.

Indoors

Clan Jetties

George Town 1.5 hrs

Walk along wooden stilt villages, home to Chinese clans for generations.

Outdoors Good for children

Best in the evening

1 place

Gurney Drive Hawker Centre

Gurney Drive 2 hrs

Indulge in a vast array of Penang's legendary street food by the sea.

Outdoors Good for children

Any time of day

2 places

George Town Street Art Trail

George Town 3 hrs

Wander through George Town's alleys discovering famous murals and iron sculptures.

Outdoors Good for children

Penang Peranakan Mansion

George Town 2 hrs

Step back in time in this opulent museum showcasing Peranakan heritage.

Indoors Good for children

Penang itineraries

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Food and drink

2 Days in Penang — Food & Wine

Savor the vibrant street food and unique local beverages of Malaysia's culinary capital.

This 2-day itinerary is a gourmand's delight, designed for foodies and culture enthusiasts eager to explore Penang's legendary culinary scene. From bustling hawker centers to charming cafes and heritage shophouses, you'll indulge in a diverse array of flavors, complemented by local beverages and cultural insights. It's perfect for those seeking an immersive taste of Malaysian heritage and gastronomy.

2 Days 9 Stops

See the full plan