10 Things to do in Penang from Morning till Night (Updated with tips)

As a local Penangite, I am happy to share what Penang has to offer.

Besides char kuey teow, we have many other things to do as well!

Let us start with what we can do when the sun is still out.

1. Have a Fun-tastic Time at ESCAPE Penang

A visit to Penang is incomplete without going to ESCAPE Penang. As a passionate Penangite, I believe in promoting the unforgettable experiences that our beautiful little state has to offer. And when it comes to seeking exhilaration, adventure, and a chance to reconnect with nature, ESCAPE Penang stands as a must-visit destination.

One of the main reasons why ESCAPE Penang should be at the top of your must-visit list is its commitment to preserving the natural environment. From ziplining through the treetops to traversing hanging rope bridges, each activity guarantees an adrenaline rush while witnessing the unspoiled majesty of Malaysia’s natural wonders.

ESCAPE Penang is now my number 1 favourite theme park, beating Hong Kong Disneyland. YES, it’s that fun!

2. Visit Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion

Source: Agoda

If this looks familiar to you, that’s because it was featured in Crazy Rich Asians during the mahjong scene.

You can go there for sightseeing purposes and bragging rights *cough* pretend to be a Crazy Rich Asian *cough*. This is also another UNESCO Heritage site.

3. Jalan-jalan Cari Makan at Georgetown

Jalan-jalan cari makan literally means look for food while walking. What is a better place than Penang to look for food?

Penang is famous for its food. Be it Char Kuey Teow, Nasi Kandar or Banana Leaf, Penang has it all!

As a Penangite, I would recommend that you jalan-jalan cari makan at Georgetown because the variety of food you can find there is endless.

Update:

If you want to eat Penang’s famous Char Kuey Teow and Chendol, head over to Penang’s Jalan Penang. Teochew Chendul (name of restaurant) is located in Georgetown, just a few blocks away from the KOMTAR tower.

4. Take a Walk at Clan Jetty

Situated within walking distance of Armenian Street, where all the street murals are, visiting Clan Jetty is a must in your to-do list. 

If your surname is Chew, Lee or Tan, you might feel like you’re home because this is where most people who share that surname live.

The residents of Clan Jetty recently imposed a curfew of 9pm so remember not to overstay your welcome.

Update:

If you’re more adventurous or brave, go to Penang Jetty at night. It is quite creepy because there is no one else besides you and it is very quiet. But the view is still amazing.

5. Gurney Drive

Listed as one of the 25 best streets worldwide to visit by the Australian travel magazine, The Traveler, Gurney Drive is famous for its hawker stalls.

They serve various kinds of dishes and are also divided into two parts which is Halal and non-Halal. 

Besides food and its long street facing a beach, Gurney has a mall and several hotels there as well if you plan to stay at a place with access to these conveniences.

6. Go to The Habitat Penang Hill

I purchased my admission tickets (for my friend and I) on Klook. Specifically the Klook Pass Penang – 2 Attractions Pass + ESCAPE Theme Park. For Malaysian adult it will cost you RM 220 and for Non-Malaysian it will cost you RM 225. I find it really worth it for a theme park plus 2 attractions.

Truth be told, The Habitat Penang won’t be fun if you’re not somebody that enjoys greenery. Because that’s the only thing you will see before you reach the iconic bridge in the picture above.

Do bring a bottle of water with you because you will be climbing a lot of stairs. By a lot, I mean A LOT. Think Batu Caves but not colourful LOL.

Also, make sure you have activated your Klook voucher BEFORE reaching the counter because there are barely any reception there. As a DiGi user, I want to cry because the “I will follow you” ad that you see on TV of the yellow DiGi man following you everywhere you go is a complete bs. He did not follow me to The Habitat and my friend and I stood there struggling to open our Klook page to activate the admission for like 10 minutes. Definitely changing to another network after this.

7. Visit KOMTAR Tower

Beautiful isn’t it?

The highest and also the most iconic building in Penang, KOMTAR stands 65 levels tall. If you’re not afraid of heights, do go to the highest floor to enjoy a walk on Rainbow Skywalk. My friend and I did that with one of our Klook attraction passes.

The one that we specifically chosen was the 3 Attractions Pass (Rainbow Skywalk + Observatory Deck + Jurassic Research Centre + TOP Boutique).

There’s also a restaurant here if you plan to enjoy Penang’s view while dining. The price of the food was not cheap but also not too pricy. But that’s expected for a place like that.

8. Experience Trishaw Rides

If you’ve never ridden a trishaw before, you have to do it before you miss the opportunity. The number of trishaw rides kept decreasing over the years. Currently, only 1 or 2 trishaw makers remain.

Similar to taxis, you tell your rider your destination and he takes you there. They’re much slower and cheaper than taxis but the experience you get is like no other.

You can feel the fresh wind on your face, you can truly take in what Penang has to offer as the view slowly passes you by.

9. Visit Penang’s Love Lane

Once infamous as the street for prostitutes, now it’s a place for foreigners to meet and chill. Locals rarely hangout there but don’t cross it out of your list just because. Love Lane has a lot to offer. 

Love Lane is the go-to place in Penang for nightlife. Live music and cheap beer are some of the things you can find here. You may also come across a fruit stall selling cut-out fruits at just RM2 per piece. 

10. Kek Lok Si Temple

If you’re in Penang don’t forget to visit the biggest Buddhist temple before you leave.

Perched on a side of Penang Hill, and hosting a 36.57mt-high statue of Goddess of Mercy Kwan Yin, the temple is also one of the biggest in Southeast Asia. 

The best time to visit is in January and February because it’ll be decorated with hundreds of lights and lanterns for Lunar New Year.

TIPS

1. Get a MUTIARA PASS

A MUTIARA PASS enables you to travel around Penang free for 30 days. Before the 30 days end, you can renew the pass and use it for free again for the next 30 days. So remember to renew your pass. But of course, this applies only if you take the Rapid Penang bus. It is very convenient if you don’t have a car at your disposal.

You can apply for a MUTIARA PASS for a fee of RM10 at a few selected kiosks in Penang; Rapid Penang HQ (Lorong Kulit), Weld Quay bus terminal, Komtar bus terminal, Bukit Jambul bus hub, Balik Pulau bus terminal, Bukit Mertajam bus terminal, Kompleks Dato’ Kailan Kepala Batas bus hub and Penang Sentral.

The pass is limited to the first 7,500 applications only. So if you don’t want to miss out on this, you need to hurry up!

P.S.: This pass is only usable in Penang. You can’t use it for Rapid KL buses.

Recap of Things to Do in Penang

During the day:

1. Have a Fun-tastic Time at ESCAPE Penang
2. Visit Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
3. Jalan-jalan Cari Makan
4. Take a Walk at Clan Jetty
5. Gurney Drive

Afternoon/Evening:

1. Go to The Habitat Penang Hill
2. Visit KOMTAR Tower
3. Experience Trishaw Rides
4. Visit Penang’s Love Lane
5. Kek Lok Si Temple

Pack up and let’s go!

Here are some of the great deals in Penang for your stay:

Booking.com