Things to do in Penang Island

Penang Island has often been called the pearl of the orient and there is good reason to it. You will find a lot of interesting and unique things to do in Penang Island. This little island is a melting pot of culture, diversity, and progress. As beautiful as nature is on Penang Island the view of the city are equally picturesque. Things to see in Penang Island range from natural landscapes to manmade pieces of art. Penang Island attractions are pretty artistic in every way. Some of the most popular places to visit in Penang Island are the street art installments by artist Ernest Zacharevic. These pieces of art are spread across the city of George Town. It is like a treasure hunt of things to see in Penang Island. While George Town has its street art, Penang Island attraction also include an art treasure hunt for container art. There is actually an annual competition & festival dedicated to creation and installation of container art on Penang Island. The second most popular item on your things to do in Penang itinerary would be the street food. For this Penang Island attraction, you won’t even have to leave George Town. There are plenty lanes, streets, and night markets bristling with cacophony of flavours. You can enjoy the Penang island attractions at night on a three wheeled rickshaw. This cute little cab is a fun ride and popular experience among things to do in Penang Island. Now coming to the buildings, architecture & history, there are plenty of Penang Island attractions from different eras of different styles and created by different civilizations. You have beautiful temples among places to visit in Panang Island. There are temples dedicated to Chinese deities, Buddhist deities, and Indian deities. The Chinese style architecture is most commonly seen in the temples. The overall vibe is a mix of China & sub-urban Europe. There are plenty of colonial structures, forts & Museums as well among things to see in Penang Island. If you are renting a car, you will really enjoy driving along the coastal roads on the highway and maybe even stopping for Penang beach activities. Many people do tour the Penang Island this way.

If your Penang Island tour is focused just on the urban side, you will miss out on the glorious beauty of nature. The Penang National Park, located on the western side of the Penang Island is breathtakingly beautiful. Those who enjoy basking in sights of flair & fauna would truly enjoy the National Park among other Penang Island attractions. Those with a more adventure side would enjoy the plethora of hike trails in Penang, especially in and around Penang Hill. Among other adventurous things to do in Penang Island are cycling tracks, camping, water sports, hill climbing and many more. A more comfortable Penang Island tour of nature can be experienced with Penang Hill tram ride. The tram ride takes you among the mountain valley with beautiful view. The view of the Penang Island attractions get even better during sunset hours. You can also catch a ferry to the nearby islands for nature trails and beach activities. The locals care preciously for their island, so no matter which beach you visit, you will find them in pristine condition and gleaming with pleasantness. You can also enjoy Penang beach activities at luxury resorts. If you are looking to relax and kick back, you will definitely enjoy the spa and other health treatments at these resorts.

Things to do in Penang Island

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Penang Island

1. Kek Lok Si Temple – George Town
2. Goddess of Mercy Temple – George Town
3. Penang State Museum & Art Gallery – George Town
4. Dhammikarama Burmese Temple – George Town
5. Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram Temple – George Town
6. Fort Cornwallis – George Town
7. Capitan Kelling Mosque – George Town
8. St. George Church Penang – George Town
9. Sri Mahamariamman Temple – George Town
10. City Hall Penang – George Town
11. Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple – George Town
12. Colonial Penang Museum – George Town
13. Bakit Painting Museum Penang – George Town
14. The Owl Museum – George Town
15. Protestant Cemetery – George Town
16. Temple of Nine Emperor – George Town
17. Hean Boo Thean Kuan Yin Temple – George Town
18. Glass Museum Penang – George Town
19. Chocolate & Coffee Museum – George Town
20. Nattykkottai Chettiar Temple – George Town
21. Wat Buppaharam – George Town
22. Penang State Mosque – George Town
23. Church of Immaculate Conception – George Town
24. Bel Retiro – George Town
25. Bats Cave Temple – George Town
26. Mahindarama Buddhist Temple – George Town
27. Beihai Doumo Palace – George Town
28. Kuan Im See – George Town
29. Masjid Bukit Bendera – George Town
30. Penang Waterfall Hill Temple – George Town
31. Cheng Leong Keong Temple – George Town
32. Eng Chuan Tong Tan Kongsi Temple – George Town
33. Pinang Peranakan Mansion – George Town
34. Sun Yat Sen Museum – George Town
35. Asia Camera Museum – George Town
36. Penang Tunnel Museum – George Town
37. Han Jiang Ancestral Temple – George Town
38. Yap Kongsi – George Town
39. Penang Heritage Trust – George Town
40. Yahong Art Gallery – Batu Feringghi
41. Teddyville Museum Penang – Batu Feringghi
42. Malaysian Oud & Perfume Museum – Batu Feringghi
43. Thean Hor Kenos Temple – Balik Pulau
44. Snake Temple – Balik Pulau
45. Penang War Museum – Balik Pulau
46. Tanjung Bungah Mosque / Penang Floating Mosque – Tanjung Bungah
47. Thai Pak Koong Temple – Tanjung Bungah

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Penang Island

1. Penang National Park – Penang Island
2. Penang Hill – George Town
3. Penang Bodhi Heart Sanctuary – George Town
4. Curtis Crest Tree Top Walk – George Town
5. Langur Way Canopy Walk – George Town
6. Tropical Spice Garden – Batu Feringghi
7. Chin Farm Waterfall – Batu Feringghi
8. Pantai Keracut – Batu Feringghi
9. Turtle Conservation& Information Center – Batu Feringghi
10. Meromitic Lake – Batu Feringghi
11. Batu Feringghi Waterfall – Batu Feringghi
12. Anjung Indah – Balik Pulau
13. Nibbinda Forrest – Balik Pulau
14. Air Itam Dam – Balik Pulau
15. Air Terjun Titi Kerawang Waterfall – Balik Pulau
16. Pantai Malindo Balik Pulau – Balik Pulau
17. Taman Paya Bakau – Balik Pulau
18. FRI Aquarium – Balik Pulau
19. Taman Rimba Teluk Bahang Eco Park – Teluk Bahang
20. Teluk Bahang Dam – Teluk Bahang
21. Teluk Bahang Eco Park – Teluk Bahang

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Penang Island

1. Upside Down Museum – George Town
2. Penang 3d Art Trick Museum – George Town
3. Tan Jetty – George Town
4. Sky Walk – George Town
5. Dark Mansion – George Town
6. Ghost Museum – George Town
7. Earthquake & Typhoon Pavilion – George Town
8. Tech Dome Penang – George Town
9. PG Gold Museum – George Town
10. Penang House of Music – George Town
11. Magic World Penang – George Town
12. Asia Comic Culture Museum – George Town
13. Lim Jetty – George Town
14. Yeoh Jetty – George Town
15. Clan Jetty – George Town
16. Penang Harbour – George Town
17. Air Itam War Memorial Park – George Town
18. Gurney Drive – George Town
19. Penang Botanic Garden – George Town
20. Love Lock Bridge – George Town
21. Habitat Penang Hill – George Town
22. Penang Municipal Park – George Town
23. City Park – George Town
24. Moongate 5 – George Town
25. Adventure Zone – Batu Feringghi
26. Golden Sands Resort – Batu Feringghi
27. Teluk Bahang Jetty – Batu Feringghi
28. Ghee Nup Nutmeg Factory – Balik Pulau
29. Tropical Fruit Farm – Balik Pulau
30. Nibbinda Forest Monestry – Balik Pulau
31. Suriana Botanic Conservation Gardens – Balik Pulau
32. Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm – Teluk Bahang
33. Escape Theme Park – Teluk Bahang
34. Toy Museum – Teluk Bahang
35. Teluk Bahang Jetty – Teluk Bahang
36. Penang Avatar Secret Garden – Tanjung Bungah

Shopping in Penang Island

1. Pasar Malam Farlim – George Town
2. Muntri Street – George Town
3. Campbell Street Market – George Town
4. Chinatown – George Town
5. Batu Feringghi Night Market – Batu Feringghi

Beaches in Penang Island

1. Teluk Bahang Beach – George Town
2. Pantai Tanjung Bungah – George Town
3. Miami Beach – George Town
4. Pantai Batu Feringghi – Batu Feringghi
5. Monkey Beach – Batu Feringghi
6. Pantai Keracut – Batu Feringghi
7. Sungai Batu Beach – Balik Pulau
8. Tanjung Asam Beach – Balik Pulau
9. Pulau Kendi – Balik Pulau
10. Teluk Bahang Beach – Teluk Bahang
11. Pantai Tanjung Bungah Beach – Tanjung Bungah

Offbeat Places & Adventure Things to Do in Penang Island

1. Jerejak Island – George Town
2. Tikus Island – George Town
3. Penang Hill Hiking trail – George Town
4. Penang Hill Cycling Trail – George Town
5. Bukit Hijau Cangkat Tembaga Hiking Trail – George Town
6. Bukit Western Hike – George Town
7. Blue Whale Cruise – Tanjung Bungah
8. Betong Island – Balik Pulau
9. Balik Pulau Cycling Trail – Balik Pulau
10. Audi Dream Farm – Balik Pulau
11. Country Stable Penang – Balik Pulau
12. Rimau Island – Balik Pulau
13. Pantai Tanjung Asam – Balik Pulau

Sightseeing in Penang Island

1. George Town Street Art – George Town
2. Penang Little India – George Town
3. Komtar Building – George Town
4. Komtar Skywalk – George Town
5. Nagore Square – George Town
6. Penang Bridge – George Town
7. Chulia Street – George Town
8. Balik Pulau Container Art – Balik Pulau

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Penang Island

1. Gurney Drive Hawker Center – George Town
2. Cliff Cafe – George Town
3. New Lane Street Food – George Town
4. Macallum Street Night Market – George Town

How to Reach Penang Island?

By Air

You can catch a flight to Penang International Airport for Penang island tour. It is the only airport on the Penang island and you can catch a flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as well as from other countries.

By Road

By road you have two routes to visit Penang Island. First is the southern route through Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge, which takes you to Bayan Lepas area near the Penang International Airport. You will most probably move northwards from there for enjoying places to visit in Penang Island. The second is the Penang Bridge, which takes you closer to George Town, where you will find the most interesting things to do in Penang Island.

By Water

You can also catch a ferry from mainland Penang to George Town, doing this you can check out one item off your things to do in Penang Island list.