🏛️Main Attractions
- ✓Georgetown
- ✓Penang Hill
- ✓Gokurakuji Temple
- ✓Street art
- ✓Clan Jetties
- ✓Batu Ferringhi Beach
- ✓Penang National Park
- ✓Pinang Peranakan Mansion
Also check attractions in other Malaysia cities:
Penang
Penang
Known as the food capital of Malaysia, this World Heritage island is popular for its unique multicultural culture and street art. George Town, the capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with colonial architecture and vibrant street food culture.
🌐Other Cities in Malaysia
Recommended Hotels in Penang
Hand-picked hotels and accommodations from Agoda (20 properties)
🏨Recommended Hotels
- ★Eastern & Oriental Hotel
- ★The Blue Mansion (Cheong Fatt Tze)
- ★Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort
- ★Hard Rock Hotel Penang
- ★Seven Terraces Heritage Boutique Hotel
- ★G Hotel Gurney
- ★Lexis Suites Penang
🍜Restaurants & Food
•Tek Sen Restaurant
$$Traditional Penang Chinese cuisine
•Gurney Drive Hawker Center
$Char Kway Teow, Asam Laksa, Satay
•Nasi Kandar Line Clear
$Famous 24-hour Nasi Kandar
•Jawi House Cafe Gallery
$$Peranakan Nyonya cuisine
•Hameediyah Restaurant
$Indian-Muslim cuisine since 1907
•Suffolk House
$$$Fine dining in colonial mansion
Also check restaurants in other Malaysia cities:
🛍️ Shopping
- •Gurney Plaza & Gurney ParagonShopping Mall
Major shopping complexes with international brands, local boutiques, and food courts. Connected via covered walkway.
- •Chowrasta MarketWet Market
Bustling traditional market selling fresh produce, spices, dried goods, and local snacks. Authentic local experience.
- •Armenian StreetHeritage Shopping Street
Street art central with quirky souvenir shops, antique stores, cafes, and handmade crafts.
- •Batu Ferringhi Night MarketNight Market
Long beach road market with souvenirs, clothing, handicrafts, and street food. Open evenings daily.
- •Queensbay MallShopping Mall
Penang's largest shopping mall with over 400 stores, cinema, and waterfront location.
💡 Travel Tips
- • Try Penang's famous street food - Char Kway Teow, Asam Laksa, and Hokkien Mee are must-tries
- • Best time to visit is December to March (dry season). Avoid Chinese New Year and major holidays for better hotel rates
- • Download CAT bus schedule app for free heritage zone shuttle
- • Wear comfortable walking shoes - George Town is best explored on foot
- • Book Penang Hill funicular tickets online to avoid long queues, especially weekends
- • Respect dress codes at temples and mosques - cover shoulders and knees
- • Try durian at roadside stalls but not in hotels (banned due to smell)
- • Bargaining is expected at markets and street vendors
- • Visit hawker centers during meal times (11am-2pm, 5pm-8pm) for freshest food
🔗 Related Information
📋Quick Info
📅Best Season
December - March (dry season), November - February (coolest)
💰Daily Budget
$40-80/day
👥Popular With
FoodiesCulture EnthusiastsPhotographersFamiliesBudget Travelers
🗓️Recommended Stay
3-5 days
🌐Timezone
UTC+8 (MYT)
💬Local Language
Malay, English, Hokkien, Cantonese, Tamil
💱Currency
MYR (Malaysian Ringgit)
📅Penang 3-Day Itinerary
Recommended plan for efficient sightseeing
George Town Heritage & Street Art
🌅
Morning3h
🎭
George Town UNESCO Heritage Walking Tour
💡 Start at Fort Cornwallis. Walk through Armenian Street, Lebuh Acheh, and Clan Jetties. Hunt for famous street art murals.
☀️
Afternoon2-3h
🎭
Pinang Peranakan Mansion & Little India
💡 Explore opulent Peranakan heritage museum. Walk to Little India on Lebuh Pasar for vibrant colors, temples, and spice shops.
🌙
Evening2h
🍜
Gurney Drive Hawker Center Food Tour
💡 Try Char Kway Teow, Asam Laksa, Satay, Rojak, and Cendol. Watch sunset at Gurney Drive promenade.
💡Tips
- •Buy Touch 'n Go card for buses or use Grab app for convenient transport
- •Download offline Google Maps - George Town streets can be confusing
- •Hawker centers offer best value meals - RM5-10 per person
- •Respect multi-religious culture - mosques, temples, and churches coexist peacefully
- •Try heritage hotel stays like Blue Mansion or Seven Terraces for unique experience
- •Book Penang Hill tickets online (penanghill.gov.my) - saves 1-2 hour queue time
- •Free CAT bus runs every 20 minutes in George Town heritage zone
- •Bargaining expected at markets - start at 50% of asking price
- •Durian season June-August - try 'King of Fruits' if you're adventurous
🌡️ Climate Information
Average Temperature
Summer:32°C
Winter:27°C
Best Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Rainy Season
Apr, May, Sep, Oct
Humidity
high
Tropical climate with high humidity year-round. Dry season December-March is best. Brief afternoon showers common. Cooler at Penang Hill.
🌍 Local Culture & Customs
👋 Greetings
Handshake common. Slight bow when greeting elders.
👔 Dress Code
Casual attire acceptable. Modest dress at religious sites (cover shoulders/knees). Remove shoes at temples and homes.
💵 Tipping
Not expected but appreciated. 10% at upscale restaurants if no service charge.
✅ Etiquette
- •Remove shoes before entering homes and temples
- •Use right hand for giving/receiving items
- •Don't touch people's heads or point with feet
- •Queue respectfully - common in food stalls
❌ Taboos
- •Public displays of affection (keep modest)
- •Touching Buddha statues inappropriately
- •Littering (RM500 fine)
- •Eating with left hand (traditionally unclean)
💬 Useful Phrases
Terima kasih
Tuh-ree-mah kah-see
→ Thank you
Berapa harga?
Buh-rah-pah har-gah
→ How much?
Tak apa
Tah-ah-pah
→ No problem / It's okay
Sedap!
Suh-dahp
→ Delicious!
🚨 Emergency Contacts
👮 Police999
🚑 Ambulance999
🚒 Fire Department994
🛡️ Tourist Police04-261-6663
🏛️ Japanese Consulate
Consulate-General of Japan in Penang
📞+60-4-226-3030
Address:Level 28, Hunza Tower, 163A Jalan Kelawei, 10250 Penang
Hours:8:30-12:00, 13:30-16:30
🏥 Hospitals
Penang Adventist Hospital
📞 +60-4-222-7200English Support
Gleneagles Hospital Penang
📞 +60-4-222-9111English Support
Loh Guan Lye Specialists Centre
📞 +60-4-238-8888English Support
※ Don't hesitate to call in case of emergency