Malaysia
Penang
Region
Penang Island, off the northwest coast of the Malay Peninsula, is renowned for George Town: Its Old Town, with Chinese clan houses, Indian temples, and colonial architecture, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
by Felix Gillen
Penang Island, off the northwest coast of the Malay Peninsula, is renowned for George Town: Its Old Town, with Chinese clan houses, Indian temples, and colonial architecture, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Other attractions include Penang Hill, a small national park with beaches, and a street food scene considered one of Malaysia's best.
Penang is a compact island of just under 300 square kilometers, connected to the mainland by two bridges and a ferry. Most visitors stay in George Town on the northeast tip, where the old town is easily explored on foot: Clan Jetties, Khoo Kongsi, the street art around Armenian Street, and numerous hawker stalls are all close by.Outside the city are the Kek Lok Si Temple and Penang Hill in Air Itam, the beaches of Batu Ferringhi on the north coast, and Penang National Park in the northwest. The west around Balik Pulau is more rural and hilly. Three to four days are enough for the island, though food lovers often stay longer.
Food and Beverages
For many Malaysians, Penang is the capital of street food. Food is eaten at hawker stalls in food courts, at night markets, and in old coffee houses, often for just a few Ringgit per plate.
Char Kway Teow
Flat rice noodles, stir-fried in a very hot wok with prawns, cockles, egg, bean sprouts and chives. You can spot good stalls by the queue in front of them.
Asam Laksa
Tangy noodle soup based on fish broth and tamarind, with pineapple, cucumber, mint, and shrimp paste. The island's most famous dish.
Nasi Kandar
Rice with a selection of curries generously poured over it. The tradition comes from Indian-Muslim traders; many eateries are open around the clock.
Hokkien Mee
Yellow and rice noodles in a rich, spicy prawn broth, with prawns, pork and egg. Also known as Prawn Mee on the mainland.
Cendol
Dessert made from shaved ice, coconut milk, palm sugar syrup and green rice flour noodles. The stalls on Lebuh Keng Kwee in George Town are particularly well-known.
Best Time to Visit
When is the best time for your trip?
26–27°C·98–175 mm(heavy rain)
From December to March, Penang is at its driest, with slightly lower humidity. Around Chinese New Year in January or February, accommodations book up quickly.
Penang is located on the west coast and is more affected by the Southwest Monsoon than the east coast. Most rainfall occurs from September to November, usually as heavy showers in the afternoon or evening.
Seasons
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
The drier months
Months with most rain
Best Time to Visit
▶Show detailed monthly data
| Month | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 26.2 | 105 |
| February | 26.8 | 98 |
| March | 27.0 | 174 |
| April | 27.0 | 214 |
| May | 27.2 | 237 |
| June | 27.3 | 173 |
| July | 27.1 | 178 |
| August | 26.9 | 227 |
| September | 26.5 | 253 |
| October | 26.0 | 343 |
| November | 26.0 | 295 |
| December | 26.0 | 175 |
Culture and History
Trading Post and Immigrant CityFrancis Light founded George Town in 1786 for the British East India Company. It was the first British settlement in Southeast Asia and grew into a free port. The harbour attracted traders and workers from China, India, Sumatra, and Arabia, whose descendants continue to shape the island today. Chinese and Malays form the largest population groups, along with an Indian community.Peranakan and World HeritageThis diversity is visible in the Old Town: mosques, Hindu temples, churches, and Chinese clan houses often stand on the same street. The Peranakan, descendants of early Chinese immigrants and Malay families, have developed their own cuisine, fashion, and living culture, which you can discover at the Pinang Peranakan Mansion. Since 2008, George Town, along with Melaka, has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Getting There & Around
Getting TherePenang International Airport is located on the south of the island, south of George Town. From the mainland, you can reach Penang via the 13.5-kilometer Penang Bridge or the significantly longer Second Penang Bridge, which opened in 2014. ETS trains from Kuala Lumpur (KL Sentral) travel to Butterworth in approximately 3.5 to 4 hours, from where a ferry crosses to the Raja-Tun-Uda Terminal in George Town. It transports pedestrians and two-wheelers, but not cars.Onward to LangkawiThe direct passenger ferry from Penang to Langkawi has been discontinued since the pandemic. The quicker option is by plane (approximately 35 to 40 minutes); alternatively, you can drive to Kuala Kedah on the mainland and take the ferry to Kuah from there (about one hour).On the IslandIn George Town's Old Town, walking is the best way to get around.Rapid Penang buses connect the city with Batu Ferringhi, Air Itam, Penang Hill, and the airport.Grab is affordable and widely available, also for trips to Penang Hill or the National Park.Renting a scooter or car is worthwhile for an island tour via Balik Pulau.
