Are you planning a 4 Day Penang itinerary in 2024? Here’s our detailed travel guide with all the best things to do in Penang, Malaysia! From finding street art in George Town to viewpoints surrounded by monkeys.
There’s something for everyone in Penang and it’s also known as one of the best areas for food in Malaysia. In this travel guide, we’ll show you how to plan your Penang 4 day itinerary, how to get around and where to stay in Penang.
If you’re planning a trip to Malaysia, Penang has to be on your list! It’s one of our favourite destinations in mainland Malaysia and is home to one of the best foodie destinations.
Penang is a connected island in the Northwest of Malaysia and is a well-known spot for anyone visiting the country.
The region is rich in nature, wildlife, and beaches. There’s also incredible culture and history in George Town – the capital of Penang!
George Town is where you’ll want to base yourself to explore the beautiful island and it’s even a UNESCO World Heritage Site. George Town is and is filled with beautiful street art, colourful houses and a variety of cuisine!
We’re going to show you how to spend 4 days in Penang and George Town with many tips along the way. Let’s plan your 4 day Penang itinerary!
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Quick Tips for a 4 Day Penang Itinerary
- Currency – Malaysian Ringgit (compare your own currency here)
- Language – Malay (also Mandarin and Tamil)
- Cuisine – Malay, Chinese & Indian (noodles, rice, dosas, soups, curries, roti & more)
- Apps – GoogleTranslate, GoogleMaps, Grab, Booking.com &, Hostelworld
- Power Voltage – Plug G, 240V (Same as the UK)
- Sim Card – Digi, Hotlink or grab an E-Sim in advance here or on Klook!
Where to stay in Penang? Carnarvon House $ – Find here on Booking.com!
Best Time to Visit Penang, Malaysia
The best time to visit Penang, Malaysia is from November to March, however, it’s also possible to visit any time!
Penang has a tropical rainforest climate all year round which means it doesn’t really get cold. The rainy season may put people off, but we visited in June and had a great time – it didn’t even rain that much.
The bonus of travelling in the rainy season from May to October is that prices may be lower, fewer crowds and there are still many beautiful days.
How to get to Penang and George Town
Flying – The best way to get to Penang from anywhere in the world is by flying into Penang International Airport. There are regular flights from Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and other capital cities in the area.
Bus – One of the best ways to get around Malaysia is by bus, and if you’re arriving from Ipoh, Cameron Highlands or Kuala Lumpur then a bus will be perfect! Book your bus tickets in advance with RedBus or EasyBook.
Buses in Malaysia are affordable, comfortable and so easy to book online. It’s also possible to get to Penang by train – Find out more here!
Visiting more of Malaysia? Check out our 2 Week Malaysia Itinerary!
How to get to George Town from Penang Airport
Bus – If you’re on a budget, this is the most effective way to get to George Town. Hop on the 401E or 102 and it will take you to George Town. The city is fairly big, so double-check with the driver which bus stop you need.
How much is the bus from Penang Airport to George Town? The bus from Penang Airport to George Town costs around 3.40RM
Grab or Taxi – Grab is similar to Uber and is very popular in Malaysia! Download the app and put in your address. Prices can start from 25RM and taxis will be slightly more.
How to get around Penang
- Bus – The public buses in Penang are perfect for getting around the island, they are inexpensive and Google Maps is actually very helpful!
- Car – If you have your own car or a rental car, you can explore the island as much as possible. Find a Rental Car here!
- Taxi & Grab – If you’re in a rush or it’s late in the evening, catch a Grab or Taxi back to your accommodation. It’s also a great way to visit Penang Hill if you don’t want to catch the public buses (although there’s nothing wrong with them)!
- Tours – There are also tours and groups to join to explore Penang such as Explore George Town Half Day City Tour & Penang Tropical Fruit Farm Guided Tour!
Tickets to get in advance for your Penang 4 day itinerary:
- The Habitat Penang Hill Ticket
- Escape Theme Park Tickets
- Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion Tour in Penang
- Explore George Town Half Day City Tour
4 Day Penang Itinerary: Best Things To Do (2024)
So now we’ll finally share our 4 day Penang itinerary with you! We’ll show you the best things to do in Penang over four days and you can mix them up if it works better for you or the weather!
Day 1 – Arrive & Explore George Town
Once you arrive in Penang, head straight to George Town to find accommodation and drop your bags off. We’ve included a great selection of where to stay in Penang after this itinerary.
Explore George Town
George Town is the capital of Penang and a great place to start your Penang itinerary! It’s the best area to base yourself whilst exploring Penang island and you’ll usually end up eating in one of the restaurants here each evening.
We’re going to show you the many things to do in George Town during your 4 days in Penang.
Wander through Little India
Little India is one of our favourite areas of George Town – especially the food! It really feels like a slice of India with the shops, restaurants and decor.
Grab a fresh samosa from the street vendors (Penang Famous Samosa), smell the spices in the shops or simply admire the colourful streets during your 4 days in Penang!
Also, check out Sri Maha Mariamman Temple to see one of Little India’s Hindu temples. Mark Little India on your map!
If you’re visiting the capital, check out our 3 day Kuala Lumpur Itinerary!
Find the Murals in George Town
One of the best parts about George Town is the incredible street art. Impressive murals are spread out all over the city and they’re pretty hard to miss when walking around. The most famous murals will likely have crowds, but they’re all worth viewing!
These murals have been growing since 2012, so they’re not even that old. We’ve put together a few must-see’s on your 4 day Penang itinerary, but there is so much more to see!
- Brother and Sister on a Swing (Famous!)
- Little Children on a Bicycle (Famous!)
- The Indian Boatman
- Love Me Like Your Fortune Cat
- Reaching Up
- Love on Bicycle (Famous!)
- The Window Cat
- I Want Bao
- Old Soy Milk Stall
- Boy on a Motorbike (Famous!)
- Hoola Hoop Basketball
Discover Armenian Street
Armenian Street is one of the best areas in Penang to find street art – it’s also a foodie heaven! This street is full of cosy cafes, Chinese pastry shops and souvenir stores.
Try a flavoured ice ball on chopsticks! You’ll find lots of people snacking on them walking around Armenian Street.
George Town is also a popular place to rent bicycles and you can find shops all over Armenian Street offering rentals.
➤ Here’s our 2 Week Malaysia Itinerary to visit the mainland of Malaysia!
Walk down Love Lane
Love Lane is an interesting street in Penang with, of course, more street art. It was given the name ‘Love Lane’ as there were rumours it was where mistresses lived with healthy husbands living around the corner.
All of George Town is just a unique and old area to explore, so it’s worth just getting lost in the streets and finding the best food along the way. Head over to Micke’s Place if you fancy a drink!
Want to explore George Town by tour? You can discover George Town on a Half Day City Tour with Klook! Book your tickets online here and meet other travellers whilst in Penang.
Visit the Kapitan Keling Mosque
Around the corner from Little India is one of George Town’s mosques and it looks impressive day and night! The locals we met here were so friendly and invited us to come inside to learn more about Islam and its culture.
End your evening in Little India where you have the best choice of Indian food. George Town is foodie heaven and it’s honestly so hard to choose where to eat!
We highly recommend Woodlands Vegetarian for their tasty roti and dosas. Here’s the location! Definitely add it to your Penang 4 day itinerary!
Where to stay in Penang? Carnarvon House $ – Find here on Booking.com!
Day 2 – Temples, Penang Beach & more of George Town
Start your day at one of Penang’s many cafes or perhaps try a local favourite – Roti Canai! We came across quite a few places offering this as a breakfast and it’s Malaysian!
Once again, this 4 day Penang itinerary can be mixed around depending on the weather or what you feel like. This is a travel guide for you to use however you want!
How to get to Batu Ferringhi from George Town
The best way to get to Batu Ferringhi on a budget is to catch the local bus. George Town has a good public transport system, so you don’t need to catch taxis around the island if you don’t want to.
Head to the Bus Terminal Komtar and catch the 101 or 102 bus to Batu Feringgi. Batu Feringgi is the name of the stop, so make sure you press the stop to get off.
The journey takes about 1 hour, but the bus runs up the coast so the views are beautiful and then you’ll get to visit Batu Ferringhi Beach!
Take a visit to a Thai Buddhist Temple
On the way to Batu Ferringhi beach, take the opportunity to visit some temples during your 4 days in Penang. Mark the temple on Google Maps and simply take a break in your bus journey.
Chaiya Mangalaram
Chaiya Mangalaram is a beautiful Thai Buddhist Temple. If you’ve ever been to the neighbouring country Thailand, you’ll know just how colourful, golden and interesting the temples are.
There’s a really peaceful environment and it’s a unique spot to visit during your 4 days in Penang!
Another interesting temple to visit is Dhammikarama Burmese Temple – a golden Buddhist temple. There are many Burmese-inspired statues here and the architecture within the temple is amazing!
The temples are really close to the bus stop on the way to Batu Ferringhi Beach, so you can simply hop back on the same route and continue the journey to the beach.
Relax on Batu Ferringhi Beach
When we first heard about Penang, we didn’t even realise there were beaches on the island. George Town usually takes all the love (for good reason) and as this beach is outside of the city centre it’s usually pretty quiet!
Batu Ferringhi Beach is the most popular beach in Penang with fun watersports, beach resorts and volleyball. Although it’s the most popular, when we visited it was pretty empty. We chose to set up under some trees for free and admire the beach while hiding from the sun!
If we visited Penang in the future, we’d love to stay here for a night or two as there’s such a different vibe to the old and lovely George Town. Once you’re on the beach it feels like a tropical island!
Stay the night in Batu Ferringhi – Eden Cosy Living – Find on Booking.com here!
It’s also the perfect beach to visit for sunset, so if you feel like relaxing on your Penang itinerary, then stay here all day! Find the location here! There’s also a beach Starbucks!
Batu Ferringhi Beach also has a famous night market selling accessories and some street food. After reading reviews, it was much more popular before 2020 but there are not as many vendors now.
Visit the Jetties in Penang
End your day with a visit to the jetties in Penang! The Clan Jetties are water villages built on stilts above the water. It’s made from mostly wood and the paths are also wooden.
There are 6 Can Jetties in George Town all on the east side and they are completely free to visit however they are villages, so people do live here!
Chew Jetty is the most famous one to visit and the only one that feels okay to walk around as there are cafes, restaurants and shops lined along the walkway to the end of the jetty.
One of the jetties (Yeoh Jetty) has a Taoist temple at the end which is lovely to see! The temple lights up when it’s dark.
Right across from the jetties are The Jetty Food Court and many other restaurants where you can find your dinner! That’s the end of day 2 on your Penang itinerary 4 days.
More things to do in George Town
- Fort Cornwallis
- Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (The Blue Mansion)
- Gurney Drive Hawker Centre
- Chowrasta Market
- Queen Victoria Memorial Clock
- Goddess of Mercy Temple
- Thean Hou Temple
- Church of the Assumption
- St. George’s Anglican Church
Fall in love with Penang’s food scene with a Penang Local Food Tour!
Pick up some Sustainable Travel Products before you arrive in Malaysia for your 4 days in Penang!
Also spend a 2 days in Ipoh after your visit to Penang!
Day 3 – Explore Kek Lok Si Temple & Penang Hill
On day 3 you’ll explore one of the must-see places in Penang which has the best views on the island! If you only have time to stay for two days in Penang, definitely pick day 1 and day 3 as these activities are some of the best things to do in Penang!
Visit Kek Lok Si Temple
Kek Lok Si Temple is the most famous temple in Penang and it’s definitely worth a visit on your 4 day Penang itinerary! It’s not just a temple, but a whole complex which means you can spend a couple of hours exploring the different areas of the complex.
It’s free to visit Kek Lok Si Temple, you’ll only pay for the funicular lifts going up the hill within the temple which is optional but recommended.
At the top of the hill, you’ll find the beautiful pagoda that you would have seen from a distance as it’s huge! There are also some pretty good views from up here and you can admire the temple from above.
There’s also a Chinese vegetarian restaurant in the temple serving delicious food! Of course, we had to try some! It’s also a good opportunity to stop for a drink as Penang is so hot!
How to get to Kek Lok Si Temple
Car – It’s easy to drive from George Town to Kek Lok Si Temple as there’s free parking! You can also find a turtle pond here.
Bus – The 201 or 204 bus travels from George Town to the temple and tickets are affordable! Here’s the bus stop you’ll need when arriving at Kek Lok Si Temple (here)!
See the views from Penang Hill
After a visit to the beautiful Kek Lok Si Temple, spend your afternoon at Penang Hill – Penang’s most touristic place to be!
How to get to Penang Hill
There are two ways to get to Penang Hill and it really depends on your stamina or budget.
- Hiking to the top of Penang Hill – This is the hardest but most rewarding choice. You can start the hike from Air Itam which is close to Kek Lok Si Temple. It will take around 2-3 hours to reach the top!
- Catch the funicular to the top – This is also a fun option but it can be costly. The prices for a roundtrip ticket are only 12RM for a Malaysian resident or 30RM for an international tourist. Here’s the ticket info! Make your way to the Lower Station to board the funicular.
If you’re arriving from Kek Lok Si Temple, the Lower Station (location here), it’s only a 15-minute bus ride on the 204 bus or a 22-minute walk! From George Town, you can get the 201, 202, 204 or 502 buses to the Lower Station to get to Penang Hill.
Here’s our Southeast Asia budget guide if you’re travelling on a budget!
When you arrive at the top of Penang Hill you’ll be greeted with an indoor food market filled with snacks, deserts and Malay food. It’s a very popular place for visitors so you’ll notice the area feeling quite touristy.
There are a few paid activities to do at the top of Penang Hill. One of the best things to do is to explore The Habitat, a lovely nature walk high up in the trees. Get your tickets in advance here!
There are a few paid viewpoints, which you don’t really need to do. Monkey Cup Garden is the highest cafe in Penang!
Some of the free things to do include hiking around the gardens and looking out for macaque monkeys, birds and bugs. Also admiring the wonderful views of Penang and George Town. It’s crazy how busy it looks from above!
Spend the evening exploring Chulia Street
Chulia Street is definitely worth visiting during your 4 day Penang itinerary. It’s one of the oldest streets in George Town, Penang and is now filled with the best food around.
Chulia Street is home to many hawker stalls spread out down the street. It’s the best place to grab a Malaysian Laksa for 4RM. We highly recommend trying some noodles! They served it to us on paper and the people are all so friendly.
Check out our Cameron Highlands Itinerary and visit the incredible tea plantations of Malaysia!
Day 4 – Penang National Park Day Trip
On the last day of your Penang 4 day itinerary, it’s time to see even more of Penang’s mesmerising nature.
Explore Penang National Park
It’s time to explore the National Park of Penang! The park is located on the other side of the island from George Town and it’s quite close to Batu Ferringhi. You can spend all day here falling in love with the forest, the wildlife and the beaches.
The jungle trails are the perfect breath of fresh air away from any cities or old towns. There’s a boating service that will help you to get to some of the beaches in the National Park. It’s also possible to hike to some of the beaches in 1.5 hours.
The boats are quite pricey at around 100-150RM, although it’s such a cool experience if you only want to hike one way!
- Monkey Beach – the most popular hike and the easiest
- Keracut Beach – also known as Turtle Beach!
- Muka Head Lighthouse – hike to the lighthouse for amazing views!
- Canopy Walkway – walk through the jungle tree tops!
Even though the trails are well-kept, it’s still worth wearing hiking shoes or trainers if you have them. There’s also a campsite in Penang National Park (Lazyboys Campsite) if you’re up for a full adventure!
How to get to Penang National Park
The best way to get to Penang National Park is by car, however, it’s also possible to catch a bus! Head to the Bus Terminal Komtar and get the 101 or 102 bus to Penang National Park. The bus journey takes around 1 hour. It’s actually the same bus as the one to get to Batu Ferringhi Beach.
More things to do in Penang
- Penang War Museum
- Penang Botanical Garden
- Penang State Art Gallery
- Tanjung Bungah Floating Mosque
- Gurney Plaza
- Dark Mansion Museum (Ticket)
- Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion Tour in Penang
- The TOP Penang Ticket – Visit the top of Penang to see amazing views – Get your tickets here!
Penang Tropical Fruit Farm Guided Tour – Learn about the tropical fruits of Malaysia with a farm tour and discover so many new fruits! – Find out more here!
Escape Theme Park Penang Ticket – Visit the best theme park in Penang – Buy tickets in advance here!
Klook.comWhere to stay in Penang, Malaysia
Penang is a huge island with a few different areas to stay. Ultimately the best area to stay in Penang is George Town – the capital city!
Batu Ferringhi Beach is also another option if you’re a beach lover! It’s easy to get the bus to George Town but it can take 1 hour.
George Town Hotels, Hostels & Guesthouses
- Dou Houz Georgetown $ – A well-decorated hostel with private rooms & kitchen access! We stayed here for 4 nights and walked to George Town every day (10-15 mins) and there’s a social area to meet new people!
- Carnarvon House $ – The perfect place to stay for 4 days in Penang.
- Evergreen Laurel Hotel Penang $$ – A lovely hotel with an outdoor pool.
- 23 Love Lane Hotel $$ – A small boutique hotel in the heart of George Town.
Batu Ferringhi Beach Hotels, Hostels & Guesthouses
- Eden Cosy Living $ – A homestay next to the beaches in Penang.
- Lost Paradise Resort $$ – A beautiful resort near the beaches.
Bring along a lightweight tripod to get beautiful photos of yourself or your group when there’s no one around. We love our Joby GorillaPod and used it throughout our Malaysia trip. There’s also a Joby Phone Tripod to get amazing videos too!
Best places to eat in Penang
Malaysia is a very multicultural country and it’s easy to see that by the amazing food all over the country. You’ll find Malay, Chinese and Indian food in Penang (and Malaysia), sometimes within Little India and Chinatown or generally amongst other restaurants.
- Woodlands Vegetarian Restaurant $ – Incredible Indian Restaurant in Little India (mark them on your map)
- SUPE Vegan $$ – Vegan Japanese food in George Town (here’s their Facebook)
- Zhu Yuan Vegetarian Restaurant – Local Chinese Restaurant (location here)
- Ee Beng Vegetarian Restaurant – Amazing ‘buffet’ Chinese food! (here’s the location)
- Jian Jian Vegetarian Restaurant – Another affordable Chinese spot! (location here)
- Kek Lok Si Vegetarian Restaurant – Next to Kek Lok Si Temple! (find them here)
You’ve probably noticed we’ve included a lot of vegetarian restaurants. We eat plant-based, so we searched for some of the best vegan food in Penang and our Happy Cow app exploded. There’s so much good veggie food here, plus so much food in general for anyone!
George Town is a hidden gem for vegan food in Penang and it’s one of our favourite places in Malaysia for food!
What food to try in Penang
The food in Penang is a mix of Malay, Indian and Chinese, which is the same as most of Malaysia. It’s a food paradise! Here are some Malay dishes to try during your 4 day Penang itinerary!
- Roti Canai – bread & curry dips!
- Assam Laksa Soup – sour noodle soup!
- Nasi Lemak – rice cooked in coconut milk served with a protein & cucumber
- Char Koay Teow – noodles!
- Popiah – similar to spring rolls!
Nasi Lemak is Malaysia’s National dish! You can find these dishes all over Malaysia including in Penang.
When it comes to Indian cuisine during your 4 days in Penang, you can’t go wrong with dosa, curries or idli. For Chinese food in Penang head to one of the local buffet-style restaurants and fill your plate with anything that looks good!
How many days should I spend in Penang, Malaysia?
We highly recommend spending at least 2 days in Penang as there is quite a lot to see and we absolutely loved exploring George Town over 4 days. There’s just too much food to try!
Penang is a pretty big island and although George Town is the highlight, it’s great to experience the wildlife, and beaches and fully get lost in the old city.
What to do in Penang in one day?
If you only have 1 day in Penang we highly recommend staying in George Town and taking the funicular up to Penang Hill to see the views and experience the nature of Penang.
Spend the morning in George Town admiring the colourful colonial buildings, street art, and different cultures and cuisines.
Then after a delicious lunch, head up to Penang Hill for the afternoon and end your evening back in George Town to explore the Jetties!
What to do in Penang at night?
Penang is a huge island with George Town being one of the main places to visit. Spend your evenings in one of the many restaurants and bars in the city, indulge in the street markets or take an evening stroll down the waterfront.
Here are a few things to do at night in Penang:
- SoHo Free House – A lively pub in George Town.
- Watch the sunset on the beach (Batu Ferringhi) and relax with a drink!
- Soju Room – Hit up the nightlife in George Town!
- Macallum Street Night Market – Shop and eat in one of Penang’s night markets!
- Kimberley Street Food Night Market – Another night market in Penang!
- Explore Chulia Street – Pubs and local food!
Travel Essentials for a 4 Day Penang Itinerary
- Amazon Basics Packing Cubes – Affordable packing cubes to use for your backpack or suitcase!
- The Little Bodhi Microfibre Towel – A lightweight towel for Malaysian beaches!
- Rain Mac in a Bag and a Backpack Cover are two essentials you need in tropical weather!
- Anker Power Bank – Perfect for long bus journeys in Malaysia!
- Stainless Steel Water Bottle – Stop buying plastic! Fill your bottle up at refill stations.
- Joby GorillaPod 3K Pro Kit – A lightweight travel tripod that’s perfect for taking independent photos. We have a Joby GorillaPod and use it for our Sony A600. There’s also a phone version!
➤ We have a Southeast Asia Packing list to help you plan your trip to Malaysia!
Don’t forget about Travel Insurance! – SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
SafetyWing is a very flexible monthly-rolling travel insurance to help you stay safe on your trip anywhere in the world.
Is Penang worth visiting?
Yes! Penang is a very unique destination in Malaysia and it’s definitely worth a visit even if you’re on a short trip. Penang’s international airport makes it an easy place to visit and it’s perfect for short trips to Malaysia.
Georgetown is worth visiting in Malaysia for the food! It’s the second largest city in the country, after Kuala Lumpur and there are so many things to do on a 4 day Penang itinerary.
Check out our other Malaysia Posts:
- Plan your 2 Week Malaysia Itinerary!
- Visit the Cameron Highlands
- Spend 2 Days in Ipoh
- Explore Malaysia’s Capital City – Best Things to do in Kuala Lumpur
- Find the best Things To Do Melaka (Malacca)
- Also browse our Thailand, Sri Lanka and Philippines guides!
That’s the end of our 4 Day Penang Itinerary: Best Things To Do! Enjoy your 4 days in Penang and if you need any more help planning – send us a message on Instagram (@thesunrisedreamers) or leave a comment below!
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