How many days do you need in Penang?

The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 3 days for the top 15 places within walking distance.

What are the top things to do in Penang?

Highlights: Kapitan Keling Mosque, Penang State Mosque, Jubilee Clock Tower, Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Penang and Wat Chayamangkalaram. The map has 22 things to do in total.

How do you get from the airport to Penang city centre?

Penang (PEN): Rapid Penang bus 401 ≈ 1 h; taxi or Grab ≈ 30 min.

Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in Penang?

According to the last known data there are 1 starred restaurants: Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery (1 star). Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.

Do you tip in Penang?

Tipping isn't expected; a service charge may be added.

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Penang (George Town) Things to do and walking itinerary

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Penang travel guide

22 things to do in Penang, where to stay, airport transfers, 1 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.

Top things to do in Penang

Kapitan Keling Mosque — Mosque in George Town, Penang, Malaysia (visit ≈ 30 min)
Penang State Mosque — mosque in Malaysia (visit ≈ 30 min)
Jubilee Clock Tower — clock tower in George Town, Penang, Malaysia (visit ≈ 40 min)
Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Penang — Oldest Hindu temple in George Town, Penang, Malaysia (visit ≈ 30 min)
Wat Chayamangkalaram — a Malaysian siamese temple in Malaysia (visit ≈ 40 min)
Holy Spirit Cathedral, Penang — church in Penang, Malaysia (visit ≈ 35 min)
Lebuh Aceh Mosque — mosque in George Town, Penang, Malaysia (visit ≈ 30 min)
Penang Islamic Museum — museum in Penang, Malaysia (visit ≈ 120 min)
Church of the Assumption — church in Penang, Malaysia (visit ≈ 30 min)
St. George's Church — church in Penang, Malaysia (visit ≈ 30 min)
Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple, Penang — Waterfall Hill Hindu Temple in Malaysia (visit ≈ 30 min)
Penang Botanic Gardens — Public park in George Town, Penang, Malaysia (visit ≈ 45 min)
Khoo Kongsi — Chinese clan temple in George Town, Penang, Malaysia (visit ≈ 30 min)
Kong Hock Keong Temple — Taoist temple in George Town, Malaysia (visit ≈ 30 min)
Dhammikarama Burmese Temple — Burmese Buddhist temple (visit ≈ 30 min)
Gurney Wharf — park in George Town, Malaysia (visit ≈ 45 min)
Pinang Peranakan Mansion — historic house museum in Penang, Malaysia (visit ≈ 120 min)
Mahindarama Buddhist Temple — Theravada Buddhist temple in George Town, Penang, Malaysia (visit ≈ 30 min)
Cenotaph, Penang — war memorial in Penang, Malaysia (visit ≈ 15 min)
Penang State Museum and Art Gallery — art museum in George Town, Malaysia (visit ≈ 120 min)
City Park, Penang — park in Georgetown, Malaysia (visit ≈ 45 min)
Penang Indian Heritage Museum — museum in George Town, Penang (visit ≈ 120 min)

2-day Penang walking itinerary

Starting point: George Town Heritage Core. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.

Day 1 (≈ 3.4 km · 4,630 steps · 45 min on the way): Lebuh Aceh Mosque → Penang Islamic Museum → Kapitan Keling Mosque → Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Penang → Jubilee Clock Tower → St. George's Church → Church of the Assumption
Day 2 (≈ 8.0 km · 10,780 steps · 1 h 46 min on the way): Wat Chayamangkalaram

Where to stay in Penang

George Town Heritage Core: UNESCO-listed streets, murals and clan houses.
Chulia Street: Budget stays and night-time street food.
Gurney Drive: Modern seafront hotels, malls and a hawker centre.
Batu Ferringhi: Beach resorts and a night market on the north coast.

Getting from the airport to Penang

Penang (PEN): Rapid Penang bus 401 ≈ 1 h; taxi or Grab ≈ 30 min.

Getting around

The heritage core is best on foot or by rental bike; use Grab and Rapid Penang buses for farther places.

Classic places to eat

Line Clear Nasi Kandar: Round-the-clock nasi kandar in a back lane since the 1930s.
Hameediyah: Malaysia’s oldest nasi kandar restaurant, since 1907.
Tek Sen: Nyonya and Chinese home cooking since 1965.
Toh Soon Cafe: Charcoal-toasted bread and coffee in a narrow alley.
Kafe Kheng Pin: An old coffee shop serving Hainanese chicken and lor bak.
Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul: Shaved-ice cendol on Penang Road for decades.
Joo Hooi Cafe: An old coffee shop with char kway teow and asam laksa stalls.
China House: A café and huge cake counter across three heritage shophouses.

MICHELIN-starred restaurants

Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.

Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery — 1 MICHELIN star, Peranakan (Nyonya)

Romantic views

Penang Hill (Sunset): City and strait views from a hill reached by funicular.
Chew Jetty (Sunset): Wooden houses on stilts; sunset over the water.
Esplanade (Evening): Seafront lawn and promenade beside Fort Cornwallis.
Kek Lok Si Temple (Evening): A vast hillside temple, decorated with lights in the evening.

Good to know before visiting Penang

Fine: Drug offences carry extremely severe penalties, including death.
Fine: Photographing military sites, borders and government buildings is prohibited.
Warning: Same-sex relations are criminalised; check official travel advice.
Warning: Cover shoulders and knees in mosques; robes are provided.
Warning: Traffic drives on the left.
During Ramadan be discreet about eating, drinking and smoking in public by day.

Emergency: 999
Plugs: G, 240V
Tap water: Boil tap water or drink bottled.
Tipping: Tipping isn't expected; a service charge may be added.

Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Malaysia, Wikivoyage — Malaysia, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10

Penang travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Penang?: The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 3 days for the top 15 places within walking distance.
What are the top things to do in Penang?: Highlights: Kapitan Keling Mosque, Penang State Mosque, Jubilee Clock Tower, Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Penang and Wat Chayamangkalaram. The map has 22 things to do in total.
Where to stay in Penang?: George Town Heritage Core: UNESCO-listed streets, murals and clan houses. Other options: Chulia Street, Gurney Drive and Batu Ferringhi.
How do you get from the airport to Penang city centre?: Penang (PEN): Rapid Penang bus 401 ≈ 1 h; taxi or Grab ≈ 30 min.
How do you get around Penang?: The heritage core is best on foot or by rental bike; use Grab and Rapid Penang buses for farther places.
Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in Penang?: According to the last known data there are 1 starred restaurants: Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery (1 star). Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
What is the emergency number in Penang?: Emergency: 999.
Do you tip in Penang?: Tipping isn't expected; a service charge may be added.

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