Penang in located north of Kuala Lumpur and is the home to mouth watering street food and historical sites. Declared a UNESCO site in 2008 under the World Heritage List. Whether it’s your first time to Penang or just visiting for a weekend, we’ll show you where to go, what to see and more importantly, what to eat! If you’re looking to join a food tour instead, be sure to check out Buddyz for the best local and off the beaten track tours!

Getting to and around Penang

There are various methods of transportation to get to Penang. If you’ve rented a car, driving north for a Penang weekend trip will take you approximately 4 hours if you’re leaving from Kuala Lumpur. Alternatively, there are flights, buses and trains readily available though it is advisable to purchase the tickets online prior to your trip incase of them being sold out. A bus ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Penang cost between RM30 – RM50 depending on the brand name, class of bus and its facilities. The bus journey will take a minimum of 5 hours depending on traffic. The electric train service (ETS) however, has two train ticket types: Gold and Platinum, although it is advertised that the Platinum is a shorter journey with less stops, the trip duration differs 4 minutes. The platinum train tickets offers the journey duration of 4 minutes and 2 minutes with a ticket cost of RM79 with complimentary snacks whereas the Gold ticket is at a price of RM59, 4 hours and 6 minutes journey and no complimentary snacks. With taking the train however, it will arrive in Georgetown and if you would like to get to Penang Island itself, you’ll be required to take a ferry. But don’t worry it’s extremely easy to get a ticket and no hassle in lugging your bags around etc. A flight ticket though is the shortest in duration with the flight being only an hour; the tickets can vary between RM70 – RM200.

Getting around Penang itself is easy, you can just walk and get lost - that’s the beauty of exploring the off beaten tracks isn’t it? However, if you need to travel a further distance, travelling with Grab (it’s the version of Uber in Asia) is extremely reasonable though they can get higher during peak hours in the evenings. Alternatively, the option of hailing a public taxi is widely available as well. Although, a tip from us is, be sure the taxi drivers are going by distance in meters rather than quoting a fixed rate.

Day 1: Exploring the food capital of Malaysia

8:30am: Breakfast at Toh Soon Café

It’s no surprise that Toh Soon has made it onto this list, being a local crowd favorite as well, this small café has taken up the entire alley way. Don’t be fooled by its appearance, their signature coffee and tea paired with their charcoal toasted bread with butter and kaya and half boiled eggs is something not to be missed! We recommend trying their Nasi Lemak as well if you’re not too full.

Location: Toh Soon Café, Lebuh Campbell, Georgetown 10450

Opening Hours: Closed Sundays, 8am – 3:30pm

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9:30am: Pinang Peranakan Museum

Getting a glimpse into what a typical home of a wealthy 19th century Baba man. Baba-Nyonya, also known as Peranakan is the offspring of Chinese and Malay people. You may recognize it from being featured on the Amazing race and even the newest crowd favorite, Crazy Rich Asians! Once a home and now turned into a museum, it is a great insight of how their iconic culture was made famous through Southeast Asia and the origin of one of Malaysia’s culture and way of life.

Location: Pinang Peranakan Museum, 29 Church St, Georgetown, 10200

Opening Hours: Open Everyday, 9:30am – 5pm

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11am: Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion

Built in the 19th century by Cheong Fatt Tze, this mansion has 38 rooms, 5 courtyards and 7 staircases. It is also referred to as the Blue Mansion with its distinctive colour and external decorations. The mansion is famous because through its Chinese architecture styles, there are also many influences from the Gothic features through its louvred windows and stained glass windows.

Location: Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, 14, Leith St, Georgetown, 10200

Opening Hours: Guided Tours, at these specific times available everyday: 11am – 12pm, 2pm – 3pm and 3:30 – 4:30pm

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12:30pm: Lunch at Air Itam Asam Laksa

Asam Laksa is Penang’s state dish and not to be missed during your weekend in Penang! Asam Laksa is a flavourful and tangy spicy Malaysian fish based rice noodle soup. The stall is favoured by the locals for its rich flavours and how fresh the dish is. This Penang state dish is a definite must try whilst there! Air Itam Asam Laksa has been running for more than 50 years with their family recipe being used. Although there might be a queue during meal times, it will be worth the time spent waiting for it! The flavours that hit your mouth after taking a bite, you’ll be left wanting for more.

Location: Pasar Air Itam Laksa, Jalan Pasar, Paya Terubong, 11500 George Town, Pulau Pinang

Opening Hours: Closed on Wednesday, 10:30am – 7pm

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1:30pm: Fort Cornwallis

The fort was built in the late 18th century by the British East India Company and is the largest standing fort in Malaysia. Fun fact: Even though it was built for combat, the fort was never engaged during its operational history! It’s always interesting to see how there are other cultures influences on Malaysia and how it affected the history and architecture of the town itself. Always a learning curve to experience something different from your own!

Location: Fort Cornwallis, Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, George Town, 10200

Opening Hours: Open Everyday, 9am – 10pm 

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2:30pm: Cendol at Penang Road

It’s hot, it’s humid and it’s the middle of the afternoon where the sun is the strongest. Having a bowl of Cendol will cool you down and make your mouth water for more! Cendol is a shaved ice dessert with green rice flour jelly drizzled with palm sugar syrup and coconut milk. Don’t be intimidated upon seeing the crowd lining up for this bowl of Cendol, trust us it’s worth it! This is something not to be missed on your weekend in Penang trip.

Location: Penang Road Cendol, Jalan Penang, George Town, 10450 George Town

Opening Hours: Open Everyday, 10am – 7:30pm

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3:00pm: Checking out the Mural Street

In 2012, Penang hired Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic to give the town’s walls a new life and by showing the town heritage through art. It has become viral since then with people travelling all over the world to take pictures of it whilst enjoying the heritage it offers. Something you should definitely check out on your weekend Penang trip to see what its really about!

Location: Mural Art, 316, Beach Street Georgetown, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang

Opening Hours: 24 hours

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6:30pm: Char Kway Teow Dinner

Ah, another iconic dish originating in Penang to town of mouth-watering delicious food. A flat noodle dish stir-fried over high heat with seafood, bean sprouts and eggs may seem like a normal fried noodle dish but boy oh boy, are you in for a treat! For us locals, we can never find a more authentic better tasting Char Kway Teow in Penang itself and even then, it has to be from a certain stall. The smoky ‘wok hei’ flavour adds another dimension to this dish and is worth waiting for at this stall on Siam Road!

Location: Siam Road Char Kway Teow, Jalan Siam, George Town, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Opening Hours: Open Everyday, 3pm onwards

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7:30pm: Take a stroll along Batu Ferringhi Night Market

This night market with over 100 stalls is a typical Malaysian past time where we get anything you could ever think of such as vegetables, clothes, handphone accessories to even dinner and snack items! Here you will find people of every race and religion selling and buying items. If you need a pre-snack before supper, you can try some of the local street food like Satay, Rojak, Ice Kacang and so on. If you’re keen on a typical Malaysian local experience, be sure to head and have a leisurely stroll to see what is there to offer. Don’t forget, if you want to buy something, be sure to haggle!

Location: Batu Ferringhi Night Market, Jalan Pantai Batu, Taman Pantai Batu, 11200

Opening Hours: Open Everyday, 7pm – 12am

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10:30pm: Hokkien Mee Supper

Not to be confused with Kuala Lumpur’s Hokkien Mee, this dish is also known as Prawn Mee to the locals. A prawn based broth that is thick and sweet accompanied with noodles of your choice, vegetables and prawns on top. You will not find a dish like this anywhere else in the world as tasty and delicious as this dish! Another must try dish during your Penang weekend trip.

Location: 888 Hokkien Mee, 67-A, Lebuh Presgrave, George Town, 10300 George Town

Opening Hours: Closed on Thursday, 5pm – 11:45pm

Day 2: Making the most out of this short getaway

9am: Chee Cheong Fun at Genting Cafe

You have not tried Chee Cheong Fun properly unless you’ve had it from Genting Cafe! Known as having the best one in Penang and mixing ‘Heh Ko’ which is a dark brown sweet paste with their unusually special ingredient, peanut butter with it! We know it sounds weird and might not appeal to some, but the mixture gives it an extra dimension you won’t forget! Chee Cheong Fun is a thin rice noodle roll filled that can be either eaten plain with their sauce or adding ingredients such as prawns and meat to it. Be sure to try this dish from Genting Cafe and trust us, you’ll be hooked!

Location: Lorong Delima 3, Taman Island Glades, 11700 Jelutong, Pulau Pinang

Opening Hours: Open Everyday, 8:30am – 5:30pm

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10:30am: Kek Lok Si Temple

The largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia, which also serves as a pilgrimage centre to other countries in Southeast Asia. Built in the late 1800’s, the temple’s literal meaning translates to heavenly temple and its unique architecture adapting from the Chinese, Thai and Burmese has become one of the must visit in Penang whilst there.

Location: Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Air Itam, 11500

Opening Hours: Open Everyday, 8:30am – 5:30pm

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12:00pm: Lor Bak at Kheng Pin Cafe

A unique Hokkien and Teochew dish that consists of ingredients such as minced pork and prawns, vegetables rolled inside a beancurd skin then deep-fried. Usually served with chili sauce and loh, which is a thick sweet sauce to dip in. It can be found in different parts of Southeast Asia, although it is hard to find a place that serves good Lor Bak, as it is a lengthy process to make. Kheng Pin serves one of the best Lor Bak you’re able to find in Penang but be sure you don’t get there too late otherwise there won’t be any left!

Location: Kheng Pin Kopitiam, 20, 16, Jalan Penang, George Town, 10050

Opening Hours: Closed Mondays, 7am – 2pm

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1:00pm: Penang Hill

Not only does the Penang hill have the longest track in Asia spanning over the distance of 1.99km and 2,733ft above sea-level! It is also the steepest tunnel track in the world! Who travelling can go back to their country and say ‘I’ve been on the steepest tunnel track in the world’! How cool and amazing is that? This activity is a must do in Penang although it seems mundane, you’ll be rewarded with one of the best views and sights when you reach the top!

Location: Jalan Air Hitam, Pekan Ayer Itam (Located at the side of the street off Jalan Paya Terubong)

Opening Hours: Open Everyday, 7:30am – 1pm

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Well, that concludes our 2-day itinerary for Penang! From food to art, Penang's George Town is a feast for the senses! CNN Travel placed Penang 2nd in its list of 17 best places to visit in 2017, describing it as “arguably one of Asia’s best street food destinations” - uh, hell yeah! With its diverse architecture, cuisines and arts scene, George Town makes for an intoxicating cocktail of cultures - definitely somewhere to add to your bucket list!

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