Penang Travel Tips: Exploring Malaysia’s Most

Historical Island

Penang has an incredible mix of Eastern and Western culture, where you’ll find stunning beaches, unreal food, and streets lined with colonial architecture on this beautiful island in Malaysia.

I recommend staying in the heart of Georgetown, which is basically along either Lebuh (‘Road’ in Malay language) Carnarvon and Lebuh Chulia. This is a great base for exploring the rest of the city, as most of the Penang historical structures reside nearby and it’s close to a relaxed nightlife atmosphere.

The first thing to do is explore Penang’s unique street art. The city commissioned artists back in 2012 to express themselves on the buildings of Penang. It adds an interesting touch on the city, and it’s a fun challenge to go out and look for them all. You can find street art maps here or at any hostel or hotel.

Renting a motorbike is by far the best way to explore Penang, but buses and taxis (about 20 ringgit or 5 USD/5 KM) are reliable. You can rent a motorbikes from “Ken’s Happy Bikes” on Love Lane, just up the street from Lebuh Carnarvon, if your hotel doesn’t have them or can’t point you in the right direction. Ken is a bit of an eccentric fellow, but it’s absolutely zero hassle – just a quick lesson and a 100 ringgit (24 USD) deposit, including your 30 ringgit /a day payment, and you’ll get 70 ringgit back when you return.

Take your motorbike out to Penang Hill, and take the tram up for spectacular views (30 ringgit/7 USD roundtrip). On your way to the hill, stop at Suffolk House for some brunch and enjoy this gorgeous colonial structure – one of my favorites in Penang.

Penang Hill is stunning. Walk around and take in the views of Georgetown city and the Penang Strait. There are plenty of beautiful colonial mansions on the hill where you can get fairly close, but all of them are occupied or closed to the public. The British sure loved their cool escapes in the hills in order to beat the stifling Asian heat.

Walk to the Monkey Cup Cafe and enjoy a delicious mango peach tea. You might spot some monkeys along the way, and see if you’re brave enough to hold one of the scorpions at the cafe.

Make your way back down the tram, and take your motorbike to Batu Ferringhi, the best beach in Penang. You’ll hug Penang Hill until you get to the fun, windy ocean view Gurney Road, and find the strip of 5 star hotels further down where you’ll see beach access signs. Get here for some late afternoon sun, and stay until the magnificent sunset. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can rent jet skis. But the price is steep at 200 ringgit (46 USD) for just 15 minutes!

After the beach, grab some food at the Long Beach Hawker Center just down the street from the Shangri-La Hotel. It’s highly recommended for their array of options, but their amazing Malay cuisine, like the satay from the first shop you’ll see when enter!

Other places to visit in Penang:

• Camera Museum
• Butterfly Museum
• Kek Lo Si and Burmese Temples
• Colonial Penang Museum
• Cheong Fatt Tze House
• Made in Penang Museum

Grab a bite:

Mugshot Cafe. Delicious breakfast to start your day off right. $$.

Nasi Kandar Bathusa. Amazing traditional noodle dishes, and the best milk tea I’ve ever had. $.

Long Beach Hawker Center. Wide selection, but especially delectable Malay cuisine (The first stand when you walk in – satay…mmm). $$.

Grab a pint:

Coffee Tea or Me on Lebuh Chulia is a relaxed spot to get a drink, and Happy Hour is buy one get one free well/beer for 13 ringgit (3 USD). Also check out Love Lane for more good deals, although it’s a little more compact.

Stay the night:

Budget – Old Penang Guesthouse. This colonial guesthouse is over 100 years old, and if you’re looking for an affordable, authentic experience, this is the place.

Mid range – Coffee Atelier. Beautiful colonial/historic hotel in the best location in Georgetown.

High end – Eastern and Oriental Hotel. How could you choose against the preference of Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, Rudyard Kipling, and Orson Welles?

Enjoy the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ – Penang, Malaysia!

Think I missed something or found this super helpful? Let me know in the comments!