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My PERFECT 2-Day Penang Itinerary (2024 Travel Guide) 槟城自由行

January 1, 2024 by Bino 8 Comments

One of Malaysia’s most popular destinations, Penang has always beguiled travelers with its age-old shophouses, fantastic street cuisine as well as enviable beaches. I have been to Penang quite a number of times over the years and there is always something new to check out with each visit. Whether you are a history buff or a foodie, this island off the Andaman Sea will always have something to offer. For a mix of all that Penang is known for (food, history, new attractions, etc), here is a well-balanced itinerary that I had easily implemented over a weekend in Penang.

Table of Contents

Day 1 – Georgetown

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Georgetown is an excellent place to start in the island. Choc-full of colonial buildings, charming shophouses, temples, mosques and fantastic places to eat. People come here to do two things – to see the heritage buildings and street art or to eat some of Penang’s specialties – so the amount of time you spend here will depend on your interest level in the two activities.

Tip: If you are arriving via Penang International Airport, you may wish to pre-purchase a 4G sim card in order to save time and avoid potential queues. Prices are also slightly cheaper versus buying it on the spot.

Georgetown is generally walkable and should not take more than 20 or 25 minutes from one end to another. However, it can get searing hot especially during midday so you may want to take public transport. I personally take Grab. Point to point rides in Georgetown typically range from 3 to 5 MYR.

penang clan jetty by justin lau

The area around the Georgetown Ferry Terminal is a natural starting point for exploring Georgetown. Almost immediately to the west of it are the Clan Jetties – a series of villages floating on stilts by the coast. In total there are 7 villages here, each owned by a specific clan / family that still inhabit the houses on stilts to this day. The most popular of these villages is the Chew Jetty (although each jetty has its own attraction) which has its own temple as well as souvenir shops lining the narrow alleys.

wonder food museum (source: wonder food museum)

From the Clan Jetties, it is a short walk to the colorful Wonder Food Museum (49 Lebuh Pantai), a showcase of Penang’s culinary heritage and over-sized versions of some local dishes. While the replicas are a feast for the eyes, the exhibition also gives one a better understanding of regional cuisines. 

boy on motorbike street art in penang

The heritage zone also has plenty of street art and you can easily spend an entire day hunting them down. To the casual visitor, one of the most popular is the Boy on Motorbike (12 Lebuh Ah Quee), a 3D artwork consisting of a painting of a boy against an actual motorbike. It’s also a good idea to come here early in the morning before a small queue forms over those wishing to take a photo of the street art.

khoo kongsi georgetown by WIL | CC 2.0

Next, head to the nearby Khoo Kongsi (18 Cannon Square) for what is one of the most intricately designed clan houses in Southeast Asia. Similar in purpose to those found in places like Singapore, Hoi An, Melaka, etc – these clan houses served as the headquarters of family associations. There is an entrance fee of MYR 10 – pretty steep for a temple in Malaysia but worth it for the architecture. On certain evenings, Khoo Kongsi is also floodlit which makes the building’s details stand out even more. 

kapitan keling mosque by Bex Walton | CC 2.0

From here, it is just a short walk to the Kapitan Keling Mosque (14 Jalan Buckingham), by far the most picturesque among Georgetown’s Islamic buildings. The mosque was built in the 1800s by Penang’s Tamil Muslim community and is today recognized as one of Malaysia’s most prominent mosques.

penang’s blue mansion

It is a short stroll to the Pinang Peranakan Museum (29 Church Street) which showcases a home typical of a wealthy family from Baba Nyonya origins that are unique to cities along the Straits of Malacca (Melaka, Penang, Singapore and Phuket to an extent). There are over 1,000 antiques inside and you can easily spend hours marveling at the house. For an insightful look into Baba Nyonya culture, join one of the free guided tours. Alternatively, you can head over to the photogenic Blue Mansion , another one of Georgetown’s famous houses that’s open to visitors. For the full heritage experience, you can also book a room stay there inside the mansion.

delicious nasi ulam at auntie gaik lean’s

If you are feeling peckish by this time, I can’t recommend Auntie Gaik Lean’s enough for its delightful Baba Nyonya cuisine. The restaurant has been awarded a Michelin star during Michelin’s inaugural listing in Malaysia. Top of my list of dishes to order is the Nasi Ulam (rice salad) and Sambal Fish. Make sure to try the refreshing Nutmeg Juice as well. Alternatively, Sri Weld Food Court down the road has one of the best nasi lemak in Penang.

eastern and oriental hotel penang

The searing afternoon heat gives you enough reasons to chill a bit at the plush and historic Eastern and Oriental Hotel . Similar to the Raffles Hotel in Singapore and The Strand in Yangon, the E&O was built by the Sarkies Brothers in the 1800s and is today undoubtedly the most luxurious hotel in Georgetown. Food here is pretty good. Purists may slam me for saying that I prefer the char kway teow here but the extra servings of cockles and extra large prawns really won me over.

fine views at the new observation deck in komtar

Sunset is a great time to head up to Komtar ( book here for tickets ), the tallest building in Penang and once a glaring white elephant. In recent years, a private company has turned it into a tourist attraction after building 2 extra floors and a rooftop observation deck with a section made in glass. It is a must-see during the blue hour – against the sunset, city lights and the lights coming up on the glass observation deck.

Have a relaxing evening at Love Lane , a small alley containing plenty of bars, restaurants and backpacker guesthouses.

Day 2 – Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si and Batu Ferringhi

Spend your second day exploring attractions further afield, namely Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si as well as Batu Ferringhi.

canopy walk at the habitat in penang hill

Start the day early and head up to Penang Hill before the crowds do. The typical way up for most visitors is via the train which costs MYR 30 per adult and MYR15 per child (foreigners). Malaysians can go up for MYR 10 per adult and MYR 4 per child. Do note the train runs from 6:30AM to 9PM daily. The top affords stunning views of the entire island. For an even higher view, head up to the new attraction called “ The Habitat ” for an educational guided tour of the local flora as well as the treetop walk and canopy walk. While up here, grab a cup of coffee or have a meal at the David Brown restaurant and appreciate fine views of the island. If you prefer to have someone else arrange these trips to the outskirts, you can also book a private tour that will pick you up from your hotel and take you to both Penang Hill and Kek Lok Si. The main benefit is you do not need to worry about how you can get a cab once you’re in those locations. You can book the tour here .

Tip: Alternatively, for a taste of Penang’s coffee culture, head to Mugshot Cafe at Chulia Street. Aside from coffee, the venue is also known for its freshly-made bagel muffins. kek lok si temple by Michael Coghlan | CC 2.0

Afterwards, head to Kek Lok Si (you might want to use a ride sharing service such as Uber or Grab or book the private tour ). While there is certainly no shortage of temples in Penang or in Southeast Asia in general, this particular temple is a must-see for its hillside setting. The highlight of the temple is the hard-to-miss seven storey pagoda containing 10,000 statues of Buddha.

Tip: There is an endless list of hawker food to try in Penang including char kway teow and fried oysters. The best fried oyster place in Penang is said to be at Seng Thor Coffee Shop at Carvarvon Street.

batu ferringhi by mikhail kotykhov

It’ll well be mid-afternoon by the time you finish which is good enough reason to end your day at Batu Ferringhi – the most accessible stretch of beach in Penang. The area is lined by several resorts and I would personally recommend having dinner while watching the sunset. Do note that sunset in Penang occurs pretty late, at around 7:30PM usually. Alternatively, if you are looking for a family-friendly activity around the area, check out Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm . The highlight here is the enclosed garden area with more than 15,000 butterflies flying around you. It’s truly a sight to behold and something that kids will definitely love. You can book discounted tickets here .

If you are heading to Kuala Lumpur as well, check out this suggested itinerary for Kuala Lumpur . If you are heading to Melaka, check out my Melaka travel guide .

Travel Tips for Penang

• Travel Insurance: I buy travel insurance to be safe in this era of viruses, flight cancellations/delays and last minute changes. If you reside in Singapore, check out Starr Travelead , one of the cheapest travel insurance. They have a promotion that comes with S$10 cash rebate that helps to cover the insurance cost. 
• Transport: In Penang, you don’t have to worry even if you are not staying in the city center. Ride-sharing apps such as Grab allow you to book a “cab” at the local price. Even if you stay in Batu Ferringhi for instance which is a 15 minute drive from the old town, the fare is only around 10 – 15 Ringgit.
• Car Rentals: In the post-pandemic era that we are in, some folks prefer to avoid public transport in order to minimize interactions with strangers. Car rentals have become more popular nowadays. You can check out deals here
• Dining Culture: The local cuisine is really one of the highlights in Penang. While the ambiance of most local eateries may be lacking, the food is superb. In this city, each eatery tends to specialize in just one dish – be it laksa, char kway teow (fried noodles), carrot cake, fried oyster, etc. Since the local taxis are so cheap, the idea of taking a cab from one eatery to another for multiple small bites isn’t at all far-fetched and is actually being practiced by many tourists in the know.

Where to Stay in Penang

Penang’s hotels are usually quite affordable even in the 4-star or 5-star categories so I would suggest splurging a bit for a more refined stay. Here are my recommendations after visiting Penang a number of times:

In Georgetown, staying at Eastern and Oriental Hotel is like hitting two birds with one stone. It is in itself a tourist attraction. At the same time, you get to bask in colonial luxury. Stay in the newer Victory Annex for some fine seaside views. Among midrange options, Campbell House offers one a colonial living experience, complete with antique phones in the guestrooms as well as Peranakan accents in the bathroom. For a budget option in Georgetown, you can check out SAVV Hotel which has been renovated recently. You can also check out other hotel options in Penang, including cheaper options here .

the parkroyal penang resort

In Batu Ferringhi, the Parkroyal Penang Resort is a good family-friendly midrange option. The Shangri-la Rasa Sayang Resort is the place to go if you’re looking to stay at Penang’s most luxurious hotel. The Rasa Wing in particular is noted for having a gigantic outdoor tub!

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Hi, my name is Bino and I started I Wander around 15 years ago with the aim of sharing about some of my personal journeys and experiences, hoping that the information may benefit readers like yourselves. Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment below. Alternatively, you can also email me at b i n o (at) iwandered.net. You can follow I Wander on Facebook , Telegram , or Instagram . Also, if you liked this article, please feel free to SHARE or RETWEET

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Older posts.

March 15, 2018 at 3:21 pm

Hello Bino… I stayed 4 years in Malaysia but never come to Penang. So pitty that time just got busy to work.

August 8, 2018 at 12:55 am

thank you very much for the recommendation Bino. Definitely will go to Penang this August with your itinerary,

September 25, 2018 at 10:09 am

What is the best transportation to reach from one place/to other place as your recommendation?

September 28, 2018 at 11:14 am

I usually take a ride share service like Grab when in Penang. It’s inexpensive.

April 6, 2019 at 4:38 am

I am considering to visit Penang. Please whats is best way to travel to Penang from Kuala Lumpur Any tour guide recomendation and contact. What to see in 2 days period.

April 6, 2019 at 10:16 am

That is already what this article is about – what to see in Penang in 2 days. To get from KL to Penang, you can fly domestic.

September 1, 2019 at 5:59 pm

Thanks for such a helpful and useful 2 days itinerary . Definitely go to Penang tomorrow.

January 20, 2020 at 11:48 pm

Thank you for sharing your ITI..Im a solo traveler and thinking to go to Penang this coming Jan 31, 2020.

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13 Penang Tour Options – For Every Type of Traveller!

Have you ever considered going on a specially-curated Penang tour? If not, I’m here to change your mind!

Penang is a melting hotpot of everything amazing Malaysia has to offer: the diversity, the nature, the city, the food, the culture…the list goes on! 

Sometimes it might feel overwhelming to decide where to go and when – that’s where tours come in!

The last thing you want to be when on holiday is in a constant state of stress.

 I love going on tours as it helps take away the stress of planning what to do, possibly even where to eat and how to get around. 

It’s all done for you, so all you have to do is sit back and enjoy your planned-out day. 

I guess the only stressful part is figuring out which tour to choose from the many out there…but worry not, as that’s where I come in!

My Top Pick for  a Penang Tour: Penang George Town All-In-One Heritage Tour By Bicycle & Trishaw (Metro Bike) 

Perhaps you’re in Penang purely for the food, or maybe you’re a history buff hoping to get a glimpse into all the heritage and historical sites. Whatever type of traveller you are, this article has a tour for you!

Affiliate Link Disclosure

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I might earn some money if you click on them – at NO EXTRA COST TO YOU. I hope you find this to be a helpful guide!

13 Penang Tour Options For Everyone!

1. penang: flexible full-day adventures.

⭐️RATING: 5 out of 5 stars | ⌛ TOUR LENGTH : 8 hours 

Why book this tour?

What’s better than Penang private tours? A tour experience where you get to decide! 

Plan your own itinerary or let the tour guide take the reins, this private Penang day tour gives you ultimate flexibility. 

Whatever you choose you can be sure that your guide will tell you all there is to know about the various Penang tourist attractions and sites!

The Penang: Flexible Full-Day Adventures tour includes:

• All Fees and Taxes
• Professional Guide
• Transportation by private vehicle
• Hotel/port pickup and drop-off
• Parking Fees

Glowing reviews from previous customers:

“We did a full day tour with James. James was a phenomenal, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable guide.  We were able to see all of our planned landmarks as well as a few quick add on stops along the way. We learned so much about the history and culture in Penang as well as both Malay and Chinese cultures. Would highly recommend to anyone interested!” – Jeremy (more reviews here )

2. Penang: Orang Utan Island & City Flexible Full Day Tour

Spend your trip in Penang with the friendly OrangUtans over on OrangUtan Island in Peninsula Malaysia. 

One of Southeast Asia’s most majestic creatures, make 14 new friends you won’t forget! 

Afterwards you’ll be treated to a specially curated Penang city tour where you’ll get to immerse yourself in the gorgeous Penang sites.

This Penang: Orang Utan Island & City Flexible Full Day Tour includes:

• Transportation by Private Vehicle

“Our tour guide was prompt and incredibly knowledgeable.  After the Orang Utan Island tour, he brought us to taste some local food and then helped us to decide what else we wanted to do.  He knew all about the history of the island and made everything more interesting.” – Tara (more reviews here )

3. Penang’s Night Eat-Venture Vespa Food Tour by Vespalicious

⭐️RATING: 5 out of 5 stars | ⌛ TOUR LENGTH : 4 hours 

This isn’t just any Penang night tour…it’s a Vespa food tour! 

Whizz around Penang island with your Penang tour guide and Vespa drivers and enjoy the serene night air as the wind blows in your hair. 

You know you’re getting an authentic Penang experience as you venture to the secret food spots only the locals would know!

The Penang’s Night Eat-Venture Vespa Food Tour by Vespalicious includes:

• Vespa Scooter with driver
• Private transportation

“We had an amazing trip with Vespalicoous tours in Penang! So fun!  They came to pick up our large group with the vespas and we had such a fun time riding around town!  These guys really know how to drive around those complicated and busy streets! I felt safe the entire time. They took care of us so well, we felt like royalty!” – Anonymous (more reviews h ere )

4. E-Scooter Tour in Penang Island – Time Tunnel Trail  

⭐️RATING: 5 out of 5 stars | ⌛ TOUR LENGTH : 5 hours 

An e-scooter tour that takes you back in time to Penang’s rich colonial past, what’s not to love! 

A trip to Penang isn’t complete without surrounding yourself in Penang’s culture and heritage. 

Cruise around the streets and open your ears and mind – which Penang tourist spot is beckoning you to listen and learn?

The E-Scooter Tour in Penang Island – Time Tunnel Trail includes:

• Electric Scooter

“The changes in scenery along the Highway, the facts and stories told by Tiger were compelling and entertaining were absolutely worthwhile!  It was really cool to travel by e-scooter and covered a lot of mileage which we wouldn’t have done by walking. Seeing sights most tourists wouldn’t see.” – Juliana (more reviews here )

5. 4-Hour Georgetown Food Tour

⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 stars | ⌛ TOUR LENGTH : 4 hours 

As the culinary capital of Malaysia (and, dare I say, the world) 4 hours doesn’t seem like enough time to savour the melting pot of flavours Penang has to offer – but it’s definitely a great start! 

Not many tours in Penang focus exclusively on food, so this is not one to miss. I’m salivating just thinking about that Char Kuey Teow !

The 4-Hour Georgetown Food Tour includes:

• Food tasting
• Professional guide
• One cocktail or mocktail

“Excellent history of Penang along with some great food hosted by SuLi. She is a great guide and we got lots of history.  She is also fun to be around. She took us to some great restaurants and tastings (which were almost full meals). Seriously – don’t eat before you get there.  Also as a vegetarian not sure what to expect but no worries. The non-veg tastings looked good too!” – Bob (more reviews here )

6. Penang George Town All-In-One Heritage Tour By Bicycle & Trishaw (Metro Bike) 

⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 stars | ⌛ TOUR LENGTH : 3.5 hours 

It’s a 2-in-1, and you know how much we love 2-in-1! It’s a Penang heritage tour and a Penang trishaw tour – the perfect equation for a fulfilling Penang day trip. 

You’ll be well taken care of as safety is a top priority, alongside making sure you’re well fed and nourished with meals all included!

P.S. – if you’re feeling guilty sitting around in a trishaw, they also have bicycles so you can get in some exercise with your tour guide after wolfing down the amazing Penang food! 

The perfect Penang tour guide package, wouldn’t you agree?

The Penang George Town All-In-One Heritage Tour By Bicycle & Trishaw (Metro Bike) includes:

• Bicycle rental (or trishaw)
• Breakfast, lunch and bottled water
• Safety jacket and helmet

“I cannot recommend this tour highly enough. Ken provided a fantastic morning of sightseeing, food tasting and expert knowledge.  The cycling was great fun and Ken made sure we were safe at all times. If you do one thing whilst in Penang, do this! Thanks again Ken.” – Anonymous (more reviews here )

7. Street Arts of George Town from Penang

⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 stars | ⌛ TOUR LENGTH : 3 hours 

A little known fact about Penang’s Georgetown UNESCO Heritage Site is that it is also a centre for street art! 

Murals and expertly fashioned steel fixtures can be found at every corner, making for the perfect photograph opportunity. 

It’s not typically covered in Penang holiday packages, so book yourself on this dedicated tour!

The Street Arts of George Town from Penang includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop off
• English speaking driver-cum-guide

“Best place to sight seeing the unique murals on the wall and to take pictures. I took many pictures there with my friend as a remembrance.  Advisable to bring hat since the weather is too hot if you plan to visit in the afternoon.  If you’re looking to explore more spots here, can rent a bicycle and cycle to all the spots to take pictures.” – Anonymous (more reviews here )

8. 3-Hour Heritage on a Plate Dinner Hop in George Town Penang

We’ve heard of hop on hop off bus tours, but what about a hop on hop off Penang food tour? 

Food is a universal love language that transcends cultural and language barriers. 

With this tour you’ll be fully immersing yourself in various street food and local drinks, I guarantee you’ll come out of it feeling Malaysian to your core!

You just can’t not love food-oriented Penang tours!

The 3-Hour Heritage on a Plate Dinner Hop in George Town Penang includes:

• Professional English speaking host
• Dinner and non-alcoholic beverages
• Local taxes

“An educational and fun-filled culinary evening.  I could not think of a better way to have spent my time than walking the streets with my tour guide sampling the best that the city has to offer.  We had the opportunity to sample some of the finest street food available.  I was pleasantly surprised and pleased to find that our guide was so knowledgeable about the food, the culture and traditions of the people who make and enjoy the creations.  We learned a lot about the food, the complexity of ingredients, and how Malays use food as a form of celebration.” – Howard (more reviews here )

9.  Penang Instagrammable Tour with Lunch

⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 stars | ⌛ TOUR LENGTH : 5 hours 

Follow your tour guide on the best Instagrammable tourist hotspots in Penang. 

Perhaps on your Penang couple trip you’ll find the perfect backdrop to soft launch your partner!

It also includes the famous Blue Mansion Penang tour, an award-winning Asia Pacific Heritage site – get booking and planning so you don’t miss out!

The Penang Instagrammable Tour with Lunch includes:

“Good tour – best way to see the best of Penang if you only have a day. Comes with food at a “hawker centre’ – eat the way locals do!  We had Philip Oh as our guide and he made our day! If you can get him – your whole trip will be worth it!” – Anonymous (more reviews here )

10. Penang Heritage Experience Walking Tour

A lot of Penang’s attractions are very close to each other, making a Penang walking tour the perfect choice for a sunny day out. 

Visit local markets and the many gorgeous places of worship heavily in use in Penang’s multicultural local population.

Walk underneath the clear blue Penang sky, tour guide leading the way!

The Penang Heritage Experience Walking Tour includes:

• Bus ride along route

“We opted for the Penang Heritage Experience Walking Tour and had a blast!  Dura arranged everything for us on arrival and the tour guide met us on time at Areca Hotel. The tour was informative and professional.  Will definitely recommend to others!” – Kim (more reviews here )

11. Penang ATV Eco Tour Balik Pulau

⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 stars | ⌛ TOUR LENGTH : 2 hours 

Three letters: ATV. That’s right, spend your afternoon exploring Penang in the coolest way possible.

Be one with nature in this unique and adrenaline-pumping tour Penang Malaysia has to offer

The Penang ATV Eco Tour Balik Pulau includes:

“A very special and exciting ATV experience, the tour guide service is very attentive, and I feel integrated with nature.  Thank you very much CST for giving us such an experience.” – Aiden (more reviews here )

12. Private Tour: Top Seven Wonders Of Penang Exploration Tour

⭐️ RATING: 4 out of 5 stars | ⌛ TOUR LENGTH : 8 hours 

Ever heard of the seven wonders of the world? I’m here to tell you that it’s all lies, as all seven wonders are right in Penang! 

A brilliant Penang local tour package that covers the best attractions in Penang. Visit the quaint floating village and learn about the local Baba Nyonya Peranakan culture.

The Private Tour: Top Seven Wonders Of Penang Exploration Tour includes:

• Air-conditioned transfer
• English-speaking driver
• Entrance fees
• Two-way hotel transfer

“You get to see most of the points of interest and would consider a must for first time visitors to Penang. Attractions in Penang are worth a trip.” – Anonymous (more reviews here )

13. Penang Tropical Fruit Farm Guided Tour  

⭐️ RATING: 4.6 out of 5 stars | ⌛ TOUR LENGTH : 3 hours 

Perhaps a niche one to go for, but this Tropical Fruit Farm Penang tour is not one to miss! 

Enjoy fresh exotic tropical fruits and learn all about the growing and harvesting process.

The Penang Tropical Fruit Farm Guided Tour   includes:

• Admission to attractions
• English-speaking guide
• Guided tour inside the attraction
• Fruit tasting
• Enzyme tasting

“It was an eye-opening experience, fun to join the farm tour. Get a chance to explore fruits at the fruit farm and their freshly blended fruit juice.” – Jet Yin (more reviews here )

Bonus: Penang Islands Yacht Cruise With F&B For Full Day

A Penang boat tour is a must if you’re looking for a relaxing and luxurious getaway. 

Why not book a private Penang cruise ship day tour and spend your day on your very own yacht? 

I’m sure you’ll agree this is one of the best holiday tours Penang has to offer!

The Penang Islands Yacht Cruise With F&B For Full Day includes:

• Food & Beverage
• Yacht cruise around Penang Islands
• Air-conditioned vehicle.
• Pick up & Drop off from hotel in Penang
• English Speaking Driver (Pick up & Drop-off to Hotel)
• Mineral water + Lunch

FAQs On The Various Penang Tour Options

How many days do you need in penang.

I would recommend an ideal minimum of 3D2N Penang exploring, but the reality is it’s what you make of it and what you’re hoping to see!

Is Penang Malaysia Worth Visiting?

If Penang Malaysia is worth visiting or not is an easy question to answer: yes, a million times yes! If there’s one place to visit in Malaysia, it’s Penang. From it’s rich heritage as the centre jewel of British Malaya, to it’s second-to-none street food, Penang is truly in gem of Malaysia.

Are 2 Days Enough For Penang?

2 days is enough for Penang If you’re short on time – it is still worth going! 2 days are definitely enough to visit the main attractions in Penang – you’re best bet in making the most of your stay would be to book one (or more) of the pre-planned tours above so you’re not stressing over what to do and how to get there.

How Can I Spend 3 Days In Penang?

On how to spend 3 days in Penang, there’s no right or wrong answer to this! Some like to spend one day on shopping, one day on food, and one day on heritage sites. Others like to dedicate each day to a specific area in Penang such as Georgetown, Batu Feringghi and Balik Pulau.

There is just so much to do in Penang that I think you’ll agree – it feels like just one Penang tour package isn’t enough!

I hope you enjoyed reading this article just as much as I enjoyed writing it. 

Even just reading about these tours makes me feel transported back to Penang, marvelling at the sites and surrounded by all that scrumptious-smelling street food! 

Truthfully, even a 3D2N Penang tour package isn’t enough to cover Penang in its entirety – I’d recommend staying in Penang for at least a year 😉

If you found this guide useful, or perhaps want to plan with friends and family, be sure to share! 

What have been your favourite Penang attractions? Comment below, we would love to hear from you!

Related Posts

• 19 Best Places To Visit In Penang At Night: A Comprehensive Guide
• 15 Best Things To Buy In Penang [Your 2023 Ultimate Guide]
• 28 Penang Street Food That Will Rock Your Taste Buds!
• 28 Of The Best Must Eat Food In Penang And Where To Find Them
• The Perfect Penang Day Trip [2023 Ultimate Guide]
• 3-Day Itinerary For Penang
• Penang Attractions For Kids: Your Ultimate Guide
• 15 Best Penang Hidden Gems In 202 3

Hi there. My name is Aisha. Founder and owner of Women Wandering Beyond.

Learning how to adventure and explore through the world transformed my life and helped me become a happier person.

I want to help you do the same. My female adventure travel site is dedicated to helping women travel more, step outside their comfort zone and experience wonders of the world beyond their wildest dreams!

Ladies, we are going on an adventure!

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Penang private half day tour & full day tour.

You can have your own Penang private half day or full day tour with our experience driver bring you tour around in Penang Island with all the flexibility.

• Penang Culinary Tour
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Penang Food Tours: Exactly What It’s Like On The Best Food Tour In Penang

Considering taking one of the food tours in Penang? Great choice! Penang is renowned for its fabulous food and Penang food tours are the best way to discover it.

Did you know the best way to learn about the history and culture of Penang is also through its food?

When you have a knowledgeable Penang food tour guide, there’s no better way to learn so much about Penang during an enjoyable stroll around George Town while tasting amazing food and drinks.

I know because I love taking Penang food tours. I think the best way to help you understand how great the best food tour in Penang can be is to walk you through the George Town Penang food tour that I just did.

I’m going to share everything in this Penang food tour review with Simply Enak so you can make a decision about whether a food tour is what you want to do during your holiday in Penang. This includes a full video showing the highlights and ALL the food I tasted. Wow, it was great!

Warning : This article is going to make you very hungry!

If you already know you want to do a food tour, you can book one with Simply Enak right now at this link . Dive Into Malaysia readers save RM30 using the discount code: DIVE30

Travelling to Malaysia?  Click here to download your free Malaysia Trip Planning checklist .  We’ll help you get ready for your trip!  

Have any questions?  Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now!  It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired.

Penang Food Tours With Simply Enak

There are a few options for taking food tours Penang. We recommend Simply Enak for your food tour. Enak means delicious and simply delicious is what these food tours are!

We have taken their food tours ourselves in both Kuala Lumpur and Penang so we are sure of their quality. Their guides are great, and you can learn and discover so much on these tours.

It’s not just me who thinks this either. They have a 5 star rating on TripAdvisor!

Simply Enak offers two food tours in Penang:

• Penang Street Food Tour – 3.5 hour tour starting at 9:30am. Click here for all the details.
• Eat Drink George Town – 4 hour tour starting at 4pm. For adults 21+ only. Click here for all the details.

Both help you discover the history and culture of Penang while walking round George Town and tasting a crazy amount of food and drinks. The evening tour, Eat Drink George Town, also finishes the tour with a locally-inspired cocktail.

You can find all their food tours here.

Heading to Kuala Lumpur? Read our full review to their food tour in KL here.

Best Food Tour In Penang Review

On my most recent trip, I did the Eat Drink George Town tour . All my experiences here are based on this tour.

My tour started at Masjid Kapitan Keling in George Town. This is the main mosque in this area, and it was built in 1801 by Indian Muslims.

The tour started with the fabulous guide, Lee, introducing herself and helping me and the other five participants (from four different continents!) get to know each other. Everyone was very friendly and it made for an enjoyable tour.

Masjid Kapitan Keling was a great starting point. We started by going inside for a quick tour. Even if you don’t do this Penang street food tour, I recommend you do the tours available here. I felt like I learned more about praying and the daily routine of Islam in 15 minutes than I ever have before. We were able to borrow gowns to wear, so it you don’t need to dress a special way to visit here.

Next up, we stopped by a Chinese clan house and temple and learned about how they work. We stopped by a few other Chinese clan houses throughout the tour. It was very interesting.

We walked down Armenian Street and learned more about the history of this area, stopping at Penang’s famous street art along the way.

In the first half hour, I learned more about George Town than I did in a year of living here. I was already wishing I had done a food tour then!

Soon enough, we were at our first food stop. I had only eaten half an ice kacang this day ready for all the great food so I was particularly excited to get started with the food.

It was a super strong start with the most delicious chicken satay I have ever had. The sauce was amazing… Just perfect!

We also had some Chinese tea to help with digestion and learned some more about tea in Chinese culture. It was all topped off with a gyoza (Japanese dumpling).

When we came out of this stop, I was happy to find there was a nice breeze, and it didn’t feel anywhere near as hot as it had at the start of the tour. It mostly was very pleasant walking around George Town at this time.

We walked around learning more about George Town’s UNESCO listing, why they have it and what it means as well as learning about the different areas of the city. We checked out more street art and enjoyed the city’s architecture.

We made our way to Little India where I particularly enjoyed our stops.

I LOVE Indian food. It’s my favourite cuisine in the world, so I am very biased. But this also means I have eaten a lot of Indian food in my life and these stops were right up there.

We started in the Hindu Indian area eating there and then tried the Muslim area. Little India is also a great place to wander which adds to food tours in Penang thanks to the smell of spices, the bright colours, the music – everything is a little different in Little India. It’s great.

There were three food stops here. All great.

The first was a quick stop at a stall for samosas. We then sat at a street side stall and had roti jala and tried a chicken and a mutton curry. The food was great as was the atmosphere. I loved watching them make the roti jala.

The final stop for food in this part of the tour was at a “Michelin selected” restaurant. It was my favourite food stop. Even better was that it was a vegetarian restaurant. We tried multiple breads, vegetable dishes, a chickpea dish and sauces.

All tasted fabulous, especially when mixed together. I couldn’t even decide which bread I liked best.

Another fun thing we tried on this stop was teh tarik (pulled tea) which is known as the Malaysian national drink.

We didn’t just drink it, but we learned to pull it ourselves. This is basically pouring the tea back and forth between metal containers which is quite hard as it’s hot! It’s also fun, and it was nicest tea I have had as it tasted a little like milo to me.

By now, I was already full, but there was more to come, and I’m definitely not a quitter!

We walked around learning some more including seeing fresh spices including tamarind. More street art was on the way to our stop at the Clan Jetties.

At this stop, we ate at some stalls by a car park. We got lucky when they had run out of space so they set up some new tables for us which were facing a small temple. It was a great view!

Here, we had two Chinese noodle dishes including Penang’s famous char kuey teow. So good!

We also had chicken feet. I wasn’t able to eat much of the food by this point as I was so full, but it tasted great. At least the noodles did. I was too scared to try the chicken feet 😀

We also had some fresh nutmeg juice. It had never occurred to me that this was something you could drink, but it was so good and refreshing, especially in Penang’s heat.

While my tummy was letting me down, it was ok as there was only one stop left. It was dark when we walked on to our final stop and I was glad that it was only for liquid refreshments!

We stopped at one of the longest houses in Penang for this. Earlier in the tour, we had learned how the British used to tax people based on the width of their house. So they would have narrow houses but they could go a loooong way back – like a whole block!

This bar was in one of these huge places! It was fun walking through seeing courtyard gardens, bars, cafes, books and so many bits and pieces.

We finished by learning about and trying the local coconut wine. I enjoyed it! We then had it mixed with another drink, local style, before finishing with some Australian wine.

It was the perfect way to finish a perfect tour in Penang.

I very much enjoyed everything about this tour. I learned so much. The guide, Lee, was friendly and informative and fantastic at making everything easy to understand. I ate so many great dishes and I truly enjoyed every moment.

When I lived in Penang, we rarely came to George Town as it never seemed that interesting to us. That perspective has completely changed now I’ve explored it with a local. It’s such a cool city and it’s really pretty and interesting. Plus, it has some of the best food in the world.

I highly recommend you book one of these tours. This was the Eat Drink George Town tour ( find it here ) or you can do a street food tour earlier in the day.

When you book, make sure you use the code DIVE30 for RM30 off the tour price.

Something to note is that I am describing the best Penang food tour that I did. The stops, food and experiences can vary depending on the day, weather and other reasons.

For example, I did this tour on a Monday so one of the usual stops was not open so we stopped at an alternative place. I also did this tour during Ramadan which may have had an impact.

There was also so much more information from our guide than what I am relaying here. She was a total fountain of knowledge from describing the food we were eating to talking about the history of the places to describing what life is like in Penang. For example, I found it interesting to hear what her and her family would usually eat in an average day.

Water was also readily available on this tour. All you need to take is your appetite 🙂

Want Help Having An Awesome Food Experience In Penang?

Join a Simply Enak (aka delicious) Food Tour!

There are two different options depending on whether you want to concentrate on street food or nightlife.

No matter what you pick, you’ll taste a range of fabulous local food and drinks while learning the history and culture of Penang.

There’s no better way to discover this great island.

Make sure you use the coupon code DIVE30  for RM30 off your tour.

Click here for all your option s .

Simply Enak Penang Food Tour Video Walk-Through: Eat Drink George Town

You can watch my experience on this one of the food tours Penang by clicking below….

Final Words

I hope you have found this full guide to taking a Penang food trail tour interesting. Penang is an absolutely perfect place to take a food tour, and there is so much to enjoy on this food tour.

I thoroughly enjoyed it all from the first bite of the delicious satay to the best Indian food I’ve eaten to finishing off the evening with some coconut wine. It was perfect.

I also saw and learned more about George Town than I expected.

I highly recommend it as the best way to get to know Penang and its famous food.

Click here to read more about this food tour and to make a booking 🙂

Remember, you can get RM30 off this tour per adult using the code: DIVE30

Looking for other things to do in Penang? Find our full guide here . You can also find our full guide to where to stay in Penang here , our full guide to Simply Enak food tours here and our full travel guide to Penang here . Heading to Kuala Lumpur? Read our Kuala Lumpur food tour review here.

Planning a trip to Malaysia? Have any questions?  Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now!  It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired!

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By Sharon Gourlay

Sharon is a certified Malaysia travel expert and can't get enough of travelling and talking about Malaysia since she first visited 21 years ago. She travels around Malaysia multiple times a year both alone and with her kids. She used to call Penang home and especially loves this food paradise. Sharon also has a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies, a Certificate III in International Travel Sales and has been certified by Tourism Malaysia as a Malaysia Travel Expert. Through this site, she'll help you have the perfect trip to this amazing destination.

Penang Travel Guide: All You Need To Plan A Trip To Penang

About penang, malaysia.

In this Penang travel guide, we’ll cover what you need to know about this famous state in Malaysia!

Penang  is at the northwest coast of  Peninsular Malaysia  and faces the  Malacca Strait .

The vibrant capital city,  George Town  on  Penang Island  ( Pulau Pinang ) is a  UNESCO World Heritage Zone  with a rich history as a trading hub.

Penang Island  is small with narrow streets. Unlike in Kuala Lumpur, the city does not have a monorail system to diffuse the rush hour traffic.

2 bridges connect  Seberang Perai  (referred to as the mainland) to  George Town . The newer  Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge  is the longest sea bridge in  Southeast Asia .

For a Malaysian city, Penang has an unusually high ratio of Chinese, in particular those of Hokkien descent!

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