Explore the most popular things to do in Penang
30 Best Places to Visit in Penang
Various tourist destination locations in Penang are known for their natural beauty, especially beautiful islands and beaches. However, there are also a number of historical locations that you can visit here. Here are 30 of the best tourist destinations in Penang that we recommend!
1. Georgetown
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Georgetown in Penang has many museums, unique cafes and shops, beautiful beaches, and culinary tours that are very popular. From street food to historical sites to instagrammable street murals, Georgetown is a place where modernization collaborates with traditional culture.
2. Penang Toy Museum
The word museum is synonymous with things that might be a little boring for some people. But don't worry, this museum is guaranteed to be fun because the collections on display are toys! There are at least thousands of toys from various times and around the world on display at the Penang Toy Museum. This place in Penang will certainly be liked by children, especially since the entrance ticket is quite affordable.
3. Penang Hill
Penang Hill is a place that is located at an altitude of about 821 meters above sea level. Penang's tourist spot can be a very suitable choice of location if you want to enjoy the cool breeze from the hot urban atmosphere. From the top of Penang Hill, you can see the mountains of Langkawi and North Kedah in clear weather. Then at night, you can also see Georgetown's view, which is decorated with lights, of course, Instagramable! Many people come here to enjoy the cold air, pollution-free, and an idea that is second to none. Here you can also take a walk under the trees that reach 30 meters high while watching wild birds fly by.
4. Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion is the home of a businessman from China in the early 1890s. Penang's tourist attraction showcases the best of Chinese architecture in the 18th and 19th centuries, where construction placed a strong emphasis on feng shui designs. Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, located at 14 Leith Street, was built in more than seven years. Inside there are five courtyards with a granite base, 38 rooms, seven stairs, and 22 windows with stained glass. If you are looking for tourist attractions in Penang that are instagramable, then Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion is a must-visit tourist spot. The people around the area call this place the Blue Mansion.
5. Penang Bridge
Penang Bridge is a suspension bridge that reaches 13.5 kilometers in length. This bridge connects Penang with the mainland at Seberang Perai and is one of Penang's famous icons. Penang Bridge is not a place to see the sights, but this bridge is the view. Before there was a bridge, also known as the Pulau Pinang Bridge, people used to cross to Penang using a ferry. This bridge is the longest toll road bridge in Malaysia and even the fourth-longest in Southeast Asia. To pass the Penang Bridge, you will only pay once when entering the Penang area.
6. Penang Butterfly Farm
Penang Butterfly Farm is a tourist spot in Teluk Bahang and one of Penang's most popular tourist destinations. This place was first opened in 1986 and until now has an area of up to eight hectares. Penang Butterfly Farm is a butterfly breeding place that has an extensive collection of varied species. Not only that, but there are also many collections of other insects that you can learn from, making them suitable for family tours. There is also the Tropical Fruit Farm in this park, which is an orchard with more than 250 different types of fruit. Here you can find durian fruit too. Don't forget to taste the fresh fruit that's there.
7. Kuil Kek Lok Si
Kek Lok Si is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. Because of its size, this area is divided into three different zones. There is a temple, garden, pagoda, and four pavilions of the deity in the center. This temple is on top of a hill in Air Itam. This building has been established hundreds of years ago. The gardens in this area are also lovely and well-maintained, so you can relax while enjoying the relaxed atmosphere.
8. Fort Cornwallis
Fort Cornwallis is a stronghold, which is also one of the most popular tourist spots in Penang. The location is close to the Esplanade and the Penang Clocktower. This place resembles a star and is one of the oldest structures in Penang. Inside is a bronze statue of Captain Francis Light, which stands close to the main entrance of Fort Cornwallis. Besides, inside there are also prisons, barracks, weapons storage, and a small port.
9. Penang Road
You could say that Penang Road is the most crucial street in this area. This road connects Lebuh Farquhar in the north and Gurdwara Street in the south. On this street every month, there is also a Little Penang Street Market. So, if you come here on a Sunday at the end of the month, you can shop for many unique items and culinary specialties from this area. There are many traders selling, from handicraft items to snacks. But what most attracts visitors are the art performances, musical performances, and visual art performances.
10. Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi
Khoo Kongsi is also one of the must-visit tourist destinations in Penang. Many tourists come here, both local and foreign tourists. Everyone wants to see how cool this building that has been built since approximately 650 years ago. Kongsi is a building used by Chinese families with the same clan to gather and pray. In this day and age, a kongsi has the primary function of being a supporter of solidarity actions. Built by the Leong San Tong clan originating from the Sin Kang clan village in Hokkien province, this kongsi was initially created to show the results of the Khoo family's success.
11. Plaza Gurney
Plaza Gurney is a tourist spot in Penang that is suitable for those of you who like shopping. Here, you can find a variety of products at low prices.
12. Penang Peranakan Mansion
Do you want historical tours? Pinang Peranakan Mansion is the right choice. This museum contains various kinds of historical relics typical of the Malay community. Here, you are presented with historical tours in ancient artifacts, ancient carvings, antique jewelry, and various kinds of paintings.
13. Sri Mahamariamman Temple
Apart from having the oldest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia, Penang also has a Hindu temple that must be visited, namely the Sri Mahamariamman Temple. This oldest Hindu temple in Penang offers various historical tours of Hinduism and India through ornaments and statues of Hindu gods and goddesses.
14. Queensbay Mall
Still want a shopping tour in Penang, try visiting Queensbay Mall, the largest shopping center in Penang. Here, there are a variety of products that are sold, ranging from daily necessities to clothing. Not only that, but there are also places to eat that have a variety of culinary specialties from Penang.
15. Tropical Spice Garden
If Bogor has Bogor Botanical Gardens, then Penang has the Tropical Spice Garden. Tropical Spice Garden is a tropical forest located not far from urban areas to be reached by tourists. Here, you can enjoy tourist offerings in the form of beautiful tropical forests and other facilities, such as giant swings, tea houses, skating areas, and so on.
16. Penang Toy Museum
Penang Toy is a museum that presents a variety of toys from all over the world. Now, the Penang Toy Museum has more than 100 thousand toy collections. This museum is also suitable for children's tours.
17. Owl Museum
The next tourist spot in Penang is the Owl Museum. Despite the name Owl Museum, don't expect you to meet real owls at this museum. This is because this place only contains various kinds of artwork with the theme of owls, from paintings, sculptures to souvenirs. This museum is also suitable for family tours.
18. Penang Esplanade
Penang Esplanade is a must-visit tourist spot in Penang. The location is on the outskirts of George Town. Here, you can enjoy various exciting tourist destinations, such as City Hall, Clock Tower, Fort Cornwallis, Town Hall, and so on.
19. Lebuh Beach
Lebuh Pantai is the name for the main highway in Penang. The oldest street in Penang is an essential part of Georgetown City. Here, you can walk while enjoying historical panoramas in the form of buildings and unique British colonial architecture.
20. Batu Ferringhi Beach
Batu Ferringhi Beach is one of the prima donna of tourist attractions in Penang, often visited by tourists. This beach offers beautiful, clean, and comfortable views on water sports.
21. Jetty Harbour
Even though it is not a place explicitly managed for a tourist attraction, the Jetty Port can be a place to spend your morning and evening. The harbor, which is located along the Weld Quay area, is filled with traditional fishers.
22. Street of Harmony
Street of Harmony or Jalan Kapitan Keling is a tourist spot in Penang, which is a shame if you miss it. Here, you can find how people have a high tolerance attitude, such as the many worship places, including the Kapitan Keling Mosque, St. George's Church, Dewi Kuan Yin Temple, Sri Mahamariamman Temple, and Teochew Temple.
23. Camera Museum
Do you know where the first camera museum in Malaysia was? Yes, the place is in Lebuh Muntri, you know! This museum has more than 300 collections of cameras from various eras, from old cameras to the present. The museum is divided into four areas: the camera exhibition area, souvenirs, cafe, and photography exhibition.
24. Kuil Tow Boo Kong
The magnificent Tow Boo Kong temple is one of the tourist attractions in Penang that presents Chinese culture. This temple is located in the Butterworth area.
25. Penang State Mosque
Take a trip to Penang, don't forget to go to the Penang State Mosque. This mosque is a comfortable place to worship for Muslims. This mosque's location is on Air Hitam Road with a golden dome and has a unique roof.
26. Kerachut Beach
This tourist attraction in Penang has white sand with long white lines. This beach, located in Teluk Bahang, is one of the most suitable vacation spots for family tourism.
27. Gurney Drive Hawker Center
Want a culinary tour in Penang? Let's go to Gurney Drive Hawker Center. This area is one of the most significant food streets in Penang. This area has a variety of places to eat and types of culinary at low prices
28. Kapitan Restaurant
After being tired of traveling around various tourist destinations in Penang, you can fill your stomach at the Kapitan Restaurant. Here offers a variety of typical Indian culinary foods at low prices.
29. Tun Abdul Rozak Complex
The Tun Abdul Rozak complex is a famous shopping center and is frequented by travelers. This shopping center, which has 60 floors, is suitable for those who want to shop.
30. Tanjung Bungah Beach
The location of this beach is closest to the city of Penang. Tanjung Bungah Beach has many hotels along the edge. One of the advantages of this beach is small coves with sharp cliffs or large rocks on them. You can take all buses from Georgetown to get to this beach, whose last stop is in Teluk Bahang. The bus will pass through Tanjung Bungah. Tanjung Bungah Beach is open to the public and free!