The Perfect 3 Days Penang Itinerary with Maps and Tips!​

The Perfect 3 Days Penang Itinerary with Maps and Tips!

Penang Skyline Penang Itinerary

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Penang Malaysia, although a lesser known cousin of the capital Kuala Lumpur, punches well above its weight when it comes to being a traveller destination. 

You might be wondering, what to do in Penang in 3 days? How should you plan to visit Penang?

For those in the dark, Penang, or more specifically its capital Georgetown, has a reputation as a food paradise (think street food!), and is filled with quirky street art and a blossoming cafe culture.

Beyond that, Penang has a rich history, beautiful beaches and a charming personality which is brought to live by its residents. 

And also, something that is not as well known, is that George Town Penang Island is the birth place of the world famous shoe designer, Jimmy Choo! 

For all the right reasons, Georgetown Old Town is inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list, highlighting the attractiveness and culture of this island city.  

If you can afford it, we would advise you to take more time to explore this treasure trove that we have come to love over the years. 

3 days for a Penang trip is barely sufficient, but this Penang Malaysia itinerary is going to help you figure out where to go in Penang and get lost in this wonderful little city! 

One more fun fact: Penang Hill has the steepest tunnel track in the world! 

  • Prices are in Malaysia Ringgit, where US$1 = 4.07 RM, estimated
  • Tap water is deemed safe to drink in Penang, but boil it first or get bottled water

  • 240V, 50Hz AC, Type G socket
  • UTC + 8

Are you visiting Penang as part of a trip to Malaysia? Check out our Singapore Malaysia Itinerary article too!

Penang Itinerary Overview: Grab a Copy!

Here is a summary of what to expect in this Krabi Itinerary, and you can also save a copy to use it for later.

  • Day 1: Snake Temple, Relau Metropolitan Public Gardens, Georgetown, Chulia Street
  • Day 2: Penang National Park, Tropical Spice Gardens, Gurney Drive
  • Day 3: Enjoy a local breakfast, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang Hill

3 days penang itinerary overview

Things to do in Penang for 3 days: Save to Google Maps

Here is a Google Map that contains all the places covered in this 3 Days Penang Trip Itinerary. 

It contains 6 layers, one for each day, and there are 3 more layers that denote places to eat, places to stay and alternative spots that you can visit. 

How to use: Take note you will have to be signed in to your Google Account. 

  • Click on the image of the map below. A new window will open. 
  • If you are logged into Google, this will save the map to your account. 
  • Make sure to do this step so that you can easily refer back to the locations even when you are offline.
  • Next time, simply open up Google Maps again and find this map under “Your Places” –> “Maps”.

Expert tip: Be sure to download offline maps in Google Maps when you have an internet connection. You might not have data or access to WiFi, and the offline version will come in super handy.


penang-google-maps
Penang 3 Days itinerary map

Know Before You Go

So before you even set foot on Penang Island, there are some essentials that will be good to take note of. 

Penang is one of 13 states in Malaysia, and it is unique in the sense that the state is separated into 2 halves, one on the mainland while the other half is on an island (Pulau Pinang). 

Its capital is George Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The mainland is where you will find Butterworth, which is the place where most of the residents go to work. 

It is also considered the jump off point for travellers getting into Penang Island. 

Penang Island is where we will keep our focus on today, as there are certainly more sights and sounds in this part of the state. 

Check out our Resources page for all the tools you need to plan your trip to Penang!

penang itinerary street art chulia
Street art in Penang

Penang Travel Itinerary: Basic Budget Required

  • Accommodation: 200 RM per night, twin sharing
  • Transport: 30 RM per day, mostly on taxis, twin sharing
  • Food: 40 RM, 3 meals
  • Total per person per day: 170 RM, or US$42

Penang Trip Plan: How to get to Penang?

Get to Penang By Car

Penang Island is connected to the mainland via two bridges: The Penang Bridge and the Second Penang Bridge. 

Yes, the names are real, no joking here. It’s practical and is to the point! 

Penang Bridge is closest to Georgetown, and is the popular option for most people driving in. 

Second Penang Bridge (ok there’s a proper name, the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge) was opened in 2014 and is the longest bridge in the whole of Southeast Asia. 

It was build to ease the traffic on Penang Bridge and connects the mainland to the southern part of the island near to the airport. 

Toll charges as follows (one way): 

  • Penang Bridge: 7 RM
  • Second Penang Bridge: 30.50 RM
Penang Bridge in the evening

Get to Penang By Plane

The airport of Penang is located in Penang Island itself, and hence this is the best way to get into the city in our opinion. 

Most of the nearby hubs such as Singapore and Kuala Lumpur has direct flights into Penang and takes less than 2 hours. 

Find cheap flights over at Skyscanner

Get to Penang By Ferry

There are regular ferries operating between Georgetown and Butterworth, operating from as early as 5.20 am till midnight. 

The ferries run every 20-30 minutes and only takes 15-20 minutes to cross the strait. 

Price for the ferry is 1.20 RM, which is only payable once when you cross from Butterworth to Penang Island. 

Get to Penang By Bus/Coach

Buses ply the route between Kuala Lumpur and Penang Island (4 hours, 35 RM), as well as from other parts of Malaysia such as Johor Bahru (7 hours, 70 RM) and Ipoh (2 hours, 20 RM), as well as from Singapore (12 hours, 140 RM).

As you can see, some of the travelling times are really long, so we won’t recommend taking a bus to Penang if you can avoid it. 

How many days in Penang?

Batu Ferringhi Beach at sunset

3 days in Penang is a good introduction to the island, but if you really want to check out all the places to visit in Penang, you should extend your Penang itinerary to 5 or 6 days.

When is the best time to visit Penang?

Penang weather is usually pleasant throughout the year, and by pleasant we mean hot and humid. I mean, it is a tropical island, and this is the kind of weather you should come to expect. 

You do need to take note that this island has 2 distinct rainy seasons, one in May, while the other is in September and October, which can derail your plans somewhat, so be sure to plan accordingly. 

If you really cannot make up your mind, we advise you to choose the period between end November to March, when the weather is at its mildest: Least rain, most sunshine. 

Getting around Penang Island

Shophouses of Penang

Fact: Penang Island is not blessed with the best public transport system in the world, as most Penangites will tell you. 

Don’t get us wrong, there are buses to go around and taxis are available. In fact, if you are just exploring the main area of Georgetown, you can catch the Central Area Transit (CAT) buses for free.

However, they are not the most efficient nor are they are able to reach every corner of the island. Trains are non existent here.

If you are spending most of your time in George Town only, then walking will be the best way, since most of the sights are near each other. 

So what is your best bet? 

For our few days in Penang, we enjoyed it the most when we drove around.

This is the method that we highly recommend, as it gives you lots of flexibility and convenience to visit the places covered in this Penang itinerary. 

Since it is very plausible that you are going to arrive through the airport, do yourself a favour and pick up a rental car here. 

Car rentals are very affordable and so are petrol prices. 

Check out Wahdah, which is a local business that has become one of the leading car rental agencies in Malaysia and offers some really sweet deals. 

Depending on when you visit, rates for a small car is 150 RM per day, and can easily fit 2-4 persons. You do the math. 

And of course, the usual big boys like Hertz and Avis are here too. 

Tip: Book your vehicle online in advance since car rental is quite popular here

Petrol is widely available and costs only 2.10 RM per litre. 

The brand names you will find here are BHP, Caltex, Esso, Petron and Shell. You should find uniform prices throughout these competitors. 

What about if you do not have a driving licence? Or you simply do not wish to drive? 

Well, you can consider hiring a private driver to bring you and your mates around for a day or just half a day. 

This is a pretty solid option if you know where you want to go and you are in a small group, where you can split the costs. 


Rent a car here!

Not forgetting our second favourite way to get around Penang: Grab. 

What is Grab? 

Think of it as the Uber in this part of the world. In fact, Grab has been so successful that they have managed to drive Uber out of business here. 

No pun intended. 

Download from the Apple Store or Google Play Store to use it. 

Read more: Housecarers Review: Can You Really Travel And Stay For Free?​

Is Penang safe?

In general, there is a high degree of safety in Penang, both on the mainland and the island. 

Compared to the capital Kuala Lumpur and some other states like Johor Bahru, the crime rate here is much lower, and Malaysia is ranked within top 20 in the peace index from Vision of Humanity. 

So what does that mean for you as a traveller? 

You can feel safe while having a great time here, but as always, keep your wits about you and be aware that petty theft do occur here and here. 

Just make sure to keep your valuables and belongings secure and hidden at all times and don’t leave them lying around. 

Communication and languages

Malaysia is made up of roughly 60% Malays, and the rest is a mix of Chinese, Indians and a few other smaller groups. 

In Penang though, there is a higher concentration of Chinese, so the mix looks more like 40% Malays and 40% Chinese instead. 

Most of the residents here can speak English, but it will certainly be useful to pick up a few local phrases.

The locals will feel more comfortable and respected when seeing a tourist make an effort to learn their lingo, particularly when ordering street food at Malay stalls.

Here are a few you can pick up: 

  • Good Morning: Selamat pagi
  • Good Afternoon: Selamat tengah hari
  • Good Afternoon/Evening: Selamat Petang
  • Good Night: Selamat Malam
  • How are you: Apa kabar

  • Yes: Ya

  • No: Tidak

  • Where is the toilet: Di mana tandas

  • Less sweet: Kurang manis

  • Extra spicy: Tambah pedas

  • Less spicy: Kurang pedas
  • Tasty: Sedap
  • How much: Berapa
  • Beautiful: Cantik
  • Please: Tolong
  • Can (no problem): Boleh
  • Night Market: Pasar Malam

What to pack for Penang?

Since Penang enjoys tropical weather, dress light. 

Think light dress, sandals, shorts, bermudas, flip flops, sneakers, cap. 

However, as the weather can be unpredictable, make sure to bring the following essentials along in your day pack: 

  • Insect/Mosquito repellent 
  • Sunscreen
  • Water Bottle
  • Rain Coat or Small Foldable Umbrella
  • Scarf (to cover up when visiting religious places)

You can check out our packing checklist here and get a printable version! 

What are the things to do in Penang: Penang 3 days 2 nights Itinerary

So here we are, all set and ready to visit Penang, or more specifically Georgetown/Penang Islang. What is not to be missed in Penang Malaysia?

As we have mentioned earlier, Penang island is a great mix of east and west, of history and modern. 

It has great parks (and views from Penang Hill are gorgeous), stunning colonial architecture and delicious food, so there is never a moment that you will be bored.

We did not split this into a day itinerary or night itinerary, so feel free to mix it up.

Now lets dive in to the 3 day Penang Itinerary! 

Penang Itinerary – Day 1

Snake Temple

Snake Temple Penang Itinerary
Snake Temple

On your first day on Penang Island, pick up a car from the airport and start heading north. 

As you make your way out of the airport, make a stop at the Snake Temple which is about 10-15 minutes away. 

It is located along the way to Georgetown and offers you a chance to visit beautifully coloured temple that was built in 1850. 

The Temple of the Azure Cloud as it is also known as, was built in honour of Chor Soo Kong, who is a Buddhist priest and healer. 

Legend says that he gave shelter to snakes, and when he passed on, the snakes moved in on their own, and have been kept here since.

Not to worry about snake bites though, as the snakes have been de-venomed and are unable to cause you harm. 

In the temple, you will notice wafts of incense smoke all around the complex, lending a mysterious vibe to it. 

We somehow think that the incense calms the snakes down too, and you can witness for yourself their lacklustre behaviour. 

This is probably not what you think, and is not going to get your heart rate up as the snakes seem to be sleeping mostly. 

If you wish, you can pay a token sum to take photos with the snakes and see more snakes in the farm area (5 RM).

Start time: 9.00 am
Address: Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Bayan Lepas Industrial Park, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Getting here: By car or taxi from the airport
Fee: Free
Opening hours: 6 am to 7 pm
Time spent here: 1 hour

Relau Metropolitan Public Gardens

Next up, make your way over to Relau Metropolitan Public Gardens, a small and quaint garden about 10 minutes drive from the Snake Temple. 

Take a short walk and enjoy the tranquility and greenery. If you have kids in tow, there is a small pool where they can have some fun wading in. 

If it is your lucky day and your eyes are sharp, you might be able to pick up some durians along the way near the fences. 

Make sure to lather yourself with insect spray first as there might be mosquitoes lurking around here.

Start time: 10.10 am
Address: Lebuh Relau 4, 11900, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Getting here: By car or taxi
Fee: Free
Opening hours: 6 am to 7 pm
Time spent here: 1.5 hours

Penang Street Art Penang Itinerary
One of the most iconic Street Art in Penang

Head into Georgetown

It is now time to head towards the main area of the island, Georgetown, the capital city of Penang. Steeped in history, this colourful and charming town is perfect for walking. 

The alleyways are filled with all kind of merchants selling the most delicious street food, desserts and handcrafted wares.

As you traverse the streets, you will reach the Esplanade area where the road meets the sea. This area is also known as North Beach Penang, and stretches to Tanjong Tokong. It is really nice to walk alongside the sandy beaches and this is a great location to watch the sunset too. 

So after you have checked yourself in to your accommodation, get started exploring George Town! 

This is when you can ditch the car and set off on foot, which is by far the best way to experience a George Town itinerary. 

We really think there isn’t many other places in Malaysia where you can really explore and see so much on foot other than in Georgetown. 

Using the tallest building in the island, Komtar, as a landmark, you can start heading northwards and check out the following spots that represents 3 major ethnic groups in Penang: 

  • Chinatown
  • Kapitan Keling Mosque
  • Penang Little India

Fun fact: KOMTAR was regarded as the ugliest tower in Penang, and revitalisation work does not seem to remove that moniker yet!

Beyond this 3 places, take your time to walk around the Unesco World Heritage town, and discover some really cool street art. 

Have a look at this handy guide to find all of them and take photos for Instagram! 

Tip: one of the most iconic art pieces is located at Lebuh Armenia. See if you can find it!

While searching for all those cute murals, step in to Love Lane, the center of backpackers in Penang. 

The street is lined with colonial shophouses and you can easily find a stop for your caffeine fix too. 

It is not far fetch to say that hipsters are going to love this place. 

Start time: 12 pm
Address: 163-D, Gurney Paragon Mall, Gurney Drive, 10250 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Getting here: By car or taxi, or walk from hotel if nearby
Fee: Free
Opening hours: 24 hours
Time spent here: 4 – 5 hours

Is Komtar the ugliest building in Penang?

Explore Chulia Street

Return to Chulia Street in the evening, starting around 6pm. 

That’s when the street hawker stalls moves in and prepare for business. 

Get a feel of the way of life of the locals and join in for a meal. 

If you fancy, or if you are not that hungry yet, you may want to consider popping over to the Blue Mansion, one of the most iconic houses in Penang, for a glimpse. 

Once you had your fill of the yummy street food at Chulia Street Night Hawker Stalls, walk over to Love Lane and discover how it transforms at night. 

From a bustling street in the day, it becomes hangout central for people from all walks of life here. 

There are a number of trendy spots here where you can sit down, relax and chill out over an ice cold beverage before ending the day. 

Tip: There is a cheeky art piece here too, lets see if you can locate it! 

Start time: 5 pm
Address: Chulia Street, Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia
Getting here: By car or taxi, or walk from hotel if nearby
Fee: Free
Opening hours: 24 hours
Time spent here: 3 hours

Penang Itinerary 2 Days

Monkey Beach Penang Itinerary
Explore and hike Penang National Park

Penang National Park

If you only have 2 days in Penang, including the National Park is a must. 

Start the day off early, as it is time to drive out of Georgetown and see its surrounds. 

Taking only about 35-40 minutes of driving from the heart of Georgetown, this gorgeous National Park is bound to leave you wanting to return for more. This is one of the best places to visit in Penang in our opinion. 

The costs to enter the Penang National Park is: ZERO. And take note that it is only open from 8am to 5pm. 

Come here to see some of the best beaches in Penang, and get a chance to meet the local wildlife, plus hike around the hills and headlands to get some magnificent views. 

Upon reaching the park, pick up a map from the hiking trails from the park office. 

At this time, you will need to choose which walking trail you wish to embark on. 

First option (easier)

Walking along the coast over headlands, this will lead you to Monkey Beach. 

This point to point hike typically takes about 2 hours one way. Distance is 3.5 km. 

If you do not wish to walk the route, you can charter a boat at the park entrance that will take you directly to Monkey beach. 

It will set you back 50 RM per boat. 

From here, you can take the path on the western end and head out to Muka Lighthouse, where you will be rewarded with a view of the national park. 

This part will take you about 30-60 minutes.

Monkey beach penang national park itinerary
Monkey Beach in Penang National Park

Second option:

This option takes you to Pantai Kerachut, or Kerachut Beach, which is home to the Penang Turtle Sanctuary. 

The distance is about 3.5 km and takes around 2 hours. 

Make sure to buy tickets at the National Park office for the Canopy Walk (5 RM), which you will encounter about 1 km into the hike. It takes you over the trees and is a wonderful addition to the journey to the beach. 

If you do not want to use the canopy walk, then just take the first left turn towards Kerachut Beach. 

When you are reaching Kerachut Beach, there is a small trail you can take to have a look at a very rare meromictic lake here (a lake of two layers of salt and fresh water that don’t mix). 

However, the effect is not very pronounced and might turn out to be a disappointment to some. 

For the adventurous, you can continue to Teluk Kampi, which is the most remote beach in the entire national park. 

However, it has become used and littered and is not a desirable spot to visit. 

We also wish to take this chance to remind all hikers to bag your trash and dispose of them at the correct spots, not dumping them all over the place. 

We all have that responsibility to protect National Parks!

Some additional stuff to take note before visiting the park:

  • Bring lots of water
  • Apply sunscreen
  • Make sure to apply insect repellant 
  • Wear shoes with good grip, there are jungle trails
  • Bring a raincoat along, Penang weather can change quickly
  • Take your swimmers along, possible to swim at Monkey Beach (Kerachut Beach has lots of jellyfish, so it is not advisable to swim there)

It is possible to do both routes in the same day, but it could be quite tiring, so make your own judgement about your fitness level before attempting it. 

Start time: 9 am
Address: Pejabat Taman Negara P. Pinang, Jalan Hassan Abbas, 11050 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Getting here: By car or taxi
Fee: Free; 5 RM for canopy walk, 50 RM for boat ride each way
Opening hours: 8 am – 5 pm
Time spent here: 3 hours

Tropical Spice Gardens

Take the rest of the day to relax and recharge, or if you are still up for it, you can drop by at the Tropical Spice Garden, which has over 500 species of plants on display. 

You can also join in to the cooking classes or take guided tours around the gardens. Total distance is about 2 km. 


Get your Tropical Spice Garden tickets here!

Start time: 12.30 pm
Address: Lot 595 Mukim, 2, Jalan Teluk Bahang, Teluk Bahang, 11050 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Getting here: By car or taxi
Fee: 15 RM
Opening hours: 9 am – 6 pm
Time spent here: 2 hours

Eat at Gurney Drive

In the evening, chill out at Gurney Drive, where you can indulge in the delightful hawker stalls and new age restaurants. 

Pick one by the waterfront and enjoy al fresco dining at its best in Penang. 

Start time: 5.00 pm
Address: 172, Solok Gurney 1, Pulau Tikus, 10250 Jelutong, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Getting here: By car or taxi, or walk from hotel if nearby
Fee: From 1 RM
Opening hours: 4.30 pm – 11.30 pm
Time spent here: 2 – 3 hours

Penang Itinerary 3 Days

Enjoy a local breakfast

Yummy Dim Sum breakfast

Even after 3 days in Penang, we are pretty sure you have not covered all the sights it has to offer. 

Well, to make the most out of your last day, we recommend starting early at a local restaurant to try out local style breakfast. 

So what do the locals usually have for breakfast here? Consider the following as quintessential: 

  • Coffee and tea, charcoal toasted bread with butter & kaya and half boiled eggs
  • Roti Canai (Indian flatbread served with curry)
  • Dim Sum
  • Nasi Lemak
  • Wanton Noodles

Our pick is Rotai Canai at Transfer Road in George Town.

Start time: 9 am
Address: 114, 110, Jalan Transfer, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Getting here: By car or taxi, or walk from hotel if nearby
Fee: From 0.80 RM
Opening hours: 7 am – 12 pm
Time spent here: 1 hour

Admire Kek Lok Si Temple

Kek Lok Si Penang Itinerary
Tranquility at Kek Lok Si Temple

When you are ready to set off, it is time to drive out of the city and head to Kek Lok Si Temple, which is an easy 20-25 minutes away. 

This strikingly ornate Buddhist temple is situated up a hill and features a large number of Buddha images. 

From here, you can catch a glimpse of the views in the distance and the setting is serene and tranquil. It puts you at ease. 

Those with strong legs are encouraged to take the steps up the pagoda, where you can come face to face with a hidden Buddha at the top. 

The complex itself is pretty spacious, so take some time to roam around. 

Standby some petty change as some parts of the temple do charge a small fee to get in. 

Next up, Penang Hill. 

Start time: 10.30 am
Address: Kek Lok Si Temple, 11500 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Getting here: By car or taxi
Fee: Free to enter; 2 RM for pagoda; 2 RM for lift, each way
Opening hours: 9 am – 6 pm
Time spent here: 1.5 hours

Go up Penang Hill

Penang Hill Penang Itinerary
Superb panoramic views from Penang Hill

After Kek Lok Si temple, it is time to head up to Penang Hill, also known as Bukit Bandera. It is a popular hill resort for many and it is great for a day excursion to take in a panoramic view of the city. 

Riding in the funicular from the base of the hill takes you up to the summit in less than 5 minutes and costs 30 RM for adults. 

If you are up for hiking today, you may explore the heritage trails that leads up to the summit. 

Distance is 3.25 km and typically range from 1.5 hours to 3 hours to complete. 

So what can you expect in a Penang Hill itinerary? 

Well to be exact, Penang Hill is actually a group of peaks, the highest being the Western Hill, which is 833m above sea level. 

There is no entrance fee to visit the hill, but private operators here will have paid options for travellers, such as the Little Village, Love Lock and Dinosaur and Aviary Garden. 

There is also a really cool attraction called Earthquake and Typhoon, where you can experience for yourself how a magnitude 8.0 earthquake feels like as well as typhoon simulations. 

Be sure to have lots of fun up in Penang Hill, but don’t forget to go to one of the viewing decks spread out across the area to get a beautiful view of the city. 

Our tip: stay till evening to watch the sunset!

Start time: 1.30 pm
Address: 11500 Bukit Bendera, Penang, Malaysia (Penang Hill)
Getting here: By car or taxi
Fee: 30 RM for 2 way ticket on the funicular
Opening hours: 6.30 am – 11 pm
Time spent here: 2 – 3 hours


Join a tour of Kek Lok Si Temple and Penang Hill

Where to eat in Penang?

penang itinerary street food

Without a doubt, Penang is foodie paradise, and especially great for its street food and also in the night markets. You can’t miss them out during your vacation in Penang!

So much delicious food, but so little space in our stomachs. 

We compiled a list of our favourites but don’t stop here! 

There are so many other excellent places that you can discover. 

CY Choy Road Hokkien Mee

Address: 533, Jalan C.Y. Choy, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Operating hours: 7.00AM – 2.30PM. Closed on Mondays Air Itam Sister Curry Mee 

Address: 612 T, Jalan Air Itam, Pekan Ayer Itam, 11500 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Operating hours: 7:30AM-1.00PM. Closed on Tuesdays

Transfer Road Roti Canai

Address: 114, 110, Jalan Transfer, Georgetown, 10050 George Town, Malaysia

Operating hours: 8.00AM-11.00AM

Siam Road Char Kway Teow

Address: Jalan Siam, George Town, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Operating hours: Tue-Sun 3.00PM to 7.00PM, or till sold out. Closed on Mondays

Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendol

Address: Jalan Penang, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Operating hours: 10.30AM – 7.00PM

Natrah Nasi Kandar

Address: Bee Ghah Cafe, 35, Jalan Teluk Kumbar, Kampung Teluk Kumbar, 11930 Teluk Kumbar, Penang

Operating hours: 6.00PM – 8:30PM. Closed on Sundays

Night markets in Penang

Something that is commonly found in Southeast Asian countries is the night market. 

They are usually found in a centralised location and offers shoppers an array of goods to buy, such as local food, household items or even art pieces. 

So where are the night markets in Penang? We have compiled a short list of our favourites: 

  • Farlim Wednesday Night Market
  • 27-75, Medan Angsana, Bandar Baru Ayer Itam, 11500 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
  • Pasar Malam Van Praagh
  • Taman Continental, 11600 Jelutong, Penang, Malaysia
  • Kimberly Street Food Night Market
  • 1, Jalan Sungai Ujong, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
  • Macallum Street Night Market
  • Lintang Macallum 1, Pengkalan Weld, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
  • Batu Ferringhi Night Market
  • Jalan Pantai Batu, Taman Pantai Batu, 11200 Tanjong Bungah, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Places to visit in Penang at night

Well obviously you have to head to a night market, but beyond that, what kind of nightlife is there on Penang Island? What are the things to do in Penang at night?

The good news is that there are plenty of places for you to chill out or party the night away, and they are easily accessible all across town.

Check out the growing speakeasy scene in Penang. They are great spots to enjoy a cocktail or two and offers a veil of secrecy.

We recommend The Hidden Bar

63, Jalan Magazine, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

For a good selection of bars and clubs, try out Jalan Penang near the Eastern and Oriental Hotel.

Where to stay in Penang?

There are lots of hotels in Penang for all kinds of travellers to stay in. 

The best spots are definitely in Georgetown since it is the middle of the action, but do consider elsewhere in Gurney and Batu Ferringhi. 

The following are our top picks for your 3 days in Penang. Take note that the prices are accurate at the point of writing, and you should definitely click through to get the latest prices as well as read travellers’ reviews too. 

Budget hotels in Penang

Areca Hotel Penang, $230 RM per night


Book a room at Areca Hotel Penang now!

The Boutique Residence Hotel, $200 RM per night


Book a room at The Boutique Residence Hotel now!

Chulia Mansion, $250 RM per night


Book a room at Chulia Mansion now!

Mid range hotels in Penang

The Prestige Hotel Penang, $480 RM per night 


Book a room at The Prestige Hotel Penang now!

G Hotel Penang, either Kelawai or Gurney, $535 RM per night


Book a room at G Hotel Kelawai now!

Luxury Hotels in Penang

Eastern & Oriental Hotel, $1450 RM per night


Book a room at Eastern & Oriental Hotel now!

23 Love Lane Hotel, $1120 RM per night


Book a room at 23 Love Lane Hotel now!

Final thoughts and some other suggestions

As we said, 3 days in Penang is barely enough, and there are many other quirky and interesting things to explore on this island. 

Here are some other top tourist attractions that you can add on to your Penang 3 day itinerary if you have more time to spare: 

  • Fort Cornwallis
  • Church of the Assumption
  • Penang State Museum and Art Gallery 
  • Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (The Blue Mansion)
  • Taste Peranakan food
  • Pinang Peranakan Mansion
  • Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi (Clan House)
  • Batu Ferringhi Beach
  • Clan Jetties
  • Night Market (many locations!)

So there you have it, Penang in 3 days.

Hopefully this will be a useful guide for you to plan your trip in this wonderful island. 

Be sure to try out as many tasty dishes as possible and have fun on your visit here! 

If you liked this article, please lend us a hand by pinning it to Pinterest and sharing on your social media! 

Check out some of our other articles to get more travel inspiration!

Logistics before visiting Penang Malaysia

Stay connected
Before you travel, make sure to pre-book a mobile router so that you can get access to the internet easily with WiFi. The router can be shared by a few friends, making it super budget friendly. 

Save on currency exchange rates
Stop paying exorbitant rates forever! Make use of TransferWise debit card to get the best rates across the globe. You can also use it to transfer money worldwide for cheap.

Find cheap flights.
Air tickets are usually the bulk of your expenses. Set up an alert and snag cheap fares with Skyscanner.

Find the best accommodation.
Book a place ahead of time to get good rates. Booking.com has transparent fees and excellent rates. 

Handy travel guide.
For the old school kid in you, get a travel guide book and get lost exploring the city.

Photos.
Your mobile phone can do a pretty good job, but if you need an upgrade, we recommend the Sony A6000 (US) (International)

Travel insurance.
You don’t need us to teach you to be a responsible adult, do you? Get a quote here.

Planned for you activities in Penang.
Need a guide to show you and your group around? Lots of operators here to choose from here. You know who they are and how they are reviewed. 

More resources to help you.
All other useful travel resources we use when we book our trips.

3 Days Penang Itinerary Pin 1

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