3 days in Penang: an easy itinerary

Three days is a good amount of time for a first trip to Penang. You can see George Town properly, get up Penang Hill, and still have time to eat far too much.

This plan assumes you’re staying in George Town and getting around on foot and by Grab.

Day 1: George Town on foot

Morning. Start early with breakfast at a local kopitiam: try roti canai or a plate of char kway teow. Then walk the heritage area while it’s still cool: Armenian Street, the street art murals, Cannon Street and the Khoo Kongsi clan house.

Afternoon. Hide from the heat in a museum or one of the restored mansions. Then walk down to the clan jetties, the waterfront villages on stilts built by Chinese clans.

Evening. Hawker dinner. Pick a hawker centre, grab a table, and order from several stalls. Try assam laksa, satay and a cendol to finish.

Day 2: Penang Hill and Kek Lok Si

Morning. Head to Air Itam. Visit Kek Lok Si temple first, before it gets hot, then take the funicular up Penang Hill.

Afternoon. Walk around the hilltop, enjoy the cooler air and the views, and come back down in the afternoon.

Evening. Back in town, try Little India for dinner: nasi kandar, banana leaf rice or roti. Then walk around the lit-up heritage streets.

Day 3: Beach and night market

Morning. Slow start. Grab a coffee at one of George Town’s cafés, or do some last-minute mural hunting.

Afternoon. Head to Batu Ferringhi on the north coast. Have a swim or just lie under a tree. If you’re into nature, Penang National Park is nearby, with jungle trails to quiet beaches.

Evening. Stay for the sunset and walk the Batu Ferringhi night market along the main road.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Stay in George Town, ideally inside or close to the UNESCO heritage zone. You’ll walk to most of Day 1 and Day 3’s morning, and everywhere else is a short Grab ride.

Got more time?

Add a day trip to the Tropical Spice Garden, a morning at the Penang Botanic Gardens, or carry on to Langkawi, a ferry ride or short flight away.