What to do in Penang in 3 Days (Best Penang Itinerary)

12.5K

If you’re wondering what to do in Penang in 3 days, this Penang itinerary will provide all the information you need to help you plan your trip.

Despite being a small island, there are so many things to do in Penang in 3 days. From fascinating UNESCO World Heritage buildings to interactive street art and delicious food, Penang is, without a doubt, the perfect budget Malaysia getaway.

Also known as the food capital of Malaysia, planning a 3-day Penang itinerary is a must for any food lover. 

So, if you want to explore beyond Kuala Lumpur, this guide will not only show you what to do in Penang in 3 days but also how to get there, where to stay, and more.

***This article may contain affiliate links, meaning each time you click through and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you which helps a lot in keeping this website running. Thank you for your support :)

3-day Penang Itinerary – Day 1

Start off your Penang itinerary by visiting some of the best attractions in Georgetown. Take a stroll around the city to uncover interactive street art and visit some beautiful Peranakan mansions.

Penang Street Art

What to do in Penang in 3 days? Hunting for street art, of course! Various artists including Ernest Zacharevic have painted the streets of Penang with their colorful and interactive murals. 

To mark Georgetown’s UNESCO World Heritage title, the Government commissioned a local artist to create metal sculptures all over the streets to illustrate the cultural diversity and history of Penang.   

Most of the street art pieces are found along Armenia Street, Lebuh Ah Quee, Lebuh Cannon, and Lebuh Keng Kwee (near the most famous Cendol stall). Some less-known ones can also be found at Hin Bus Depot.

Tip: If you’re looking for the exact locations of all the best street art in Georgetown, you can find them on Google Maps here.

The best time to see street art is early in the morning at around 8 a.m when the town is just starting to wake up. If you go after 9 or 10 a.m, you might need to wait in line for photos.

Read more: 20 Cheap weekend getaways in Malaysia

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion( Blue Mansion)

One of the most popular attractions to add to your 3 day Penang itinerary is Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion. With its striking blue color, it’s hard not to miss this historical landmark of Georgetown, Penang which was constructed by the Chinese businessman, Cheong Fatt Tze, for one of his many wives.

Several years ago, the Blue Mansion turned into a refuge for the homeless. It then fell into disrepair until it was restored to its former glory and converted into a boutique hotel.  

Guided tours are conducted daily at 11 a.m and 2 p.m on weekdays. The tour lasts about 45 minutes and costs RM 25 for adults and RM 12.50 for children. Make sure to show up at least 15 minutes before the tour starts. 

CLICK HERE TO BOOK A GUIDED TOUR OF THE BLUE MANSION

Pinang Peranakan Mansion

Built by the end of the 19th century, the Pinang Peranakan Mansion contains thousands of artifacts showcasing the lifestyle of wealthy Chinese families. Just like the Blue Mansion, the inside features an indoor courtyard, built in the principles of Feng Shui, typical of traditional Chinese homes.  

You can visit every day from 9.30 a.m to 5 p.m. The entrance costs RM 20 for adults and RM 12 for children.

Little India

Not too far away from Pinang Peranakan Mansion is Little India, Georgetown’s most colorful neighborhood. It’s worth spending at least one hour strolling down the streets to see the colorful Hindu temples or eat at one of the many Indian restaurants.

Esplanade (Padang Kota Lama)

Finally, end the first day of your Penang itinerary at the Esplanade. Located in the civic district of Penang, this large green space features colonial buildings such as the Town Hall and City Hall overlooking the waterfront.

Take a stroll around the esplanade and don’t forget to sample local dishes at the food court.  Make sure to also visit the Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower found near the ferry terminal.

3-day Penang Itinerary – Day 2

On day 2, it’s time to head outside of Georgetown to visit the spectacular Kek Lok Si Temple and take in the view from Penang Hill and the Habitat.

Kek Lok Si Temple

Located among the hilly parts of Penang, Kek Lok Si Temple is one of the largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia. The architectural masterpiece not only features thousands of Buddha statues and colorful carvings but also boasts incredible views over Penang.   

The inclined lift leading to the Goddess of Mercy statue will set you back about RM 3. If you don’t want to pay the fee, you can instead walk alongside the road, but I wouldn’t recommend it since there are many cars passing by.   

I also recommend checking out the Pagoda which requires a small entrance fee of RM 2. You can then climb all the way to the top for a panoramic view of the temple complex.

During the Chinese New Year festivities, the temple is usually illuminated with thousands of lanterns until late at night, making it a must-see when visiting Penang for 3 days.

Kek Lok Si is open every day from 8.30 a.m to 5.30 p.m.

Penang Hill & The Habitat

Another great thing to do during your Penang itinerary is to visit Penang Hill and the Habitat. 

Also known as Bukit Bendera, Penang Hill offers a panoramic view of the whole island from a height of 833 meters above sea level. You can either take the funicular railway or hike to the top.  

The funicular railway operates daily from 6.30 a.m to 10 p.m. Standard tickets for tourists cost RM 30 for adults and RM 15 for children while standard tickets for Malaysians cost RM 12 for adults and RM 6 for children. They also have express fast lane tickets but those are much more expensive.

On my first visit, I went there in the afternoon and there was a 2-hour wait to buy tickets, so I highly recommend you buy your tickets online to avoid any disappointment.

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS FOR PENANG HILL

My favorite attraction at Penang Hill is the Habitat which consists of a 1.6-km nature trail through a tropical rainforest. It does require an additional entrance fee but is well worth it for the incredible views.

Within the nature trail are the Langur Way Canopy Walk and Curtis Crest Tree Top Walk, the latter being Penang’s highest viewing platform.

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS FOR THE HABITAT

If you want to avoid crowds, make sure to visit on weekdays instead of weekends. Another tip is to visit early in the morning or right before sunset.

If you’re coming from Georgetown, take the Rapid Penang bus route 204, 201, or 502 (the 204 bus will drop you off directly at Penang Hill while the other two will drop you further away so you’ll need to walk the rest of the way).

The bus journey takes about one hour and costs only about RM 2. Alternatively, you can take a Grab to get there.

3-day Penang Itinerary – Day 3

On day 3, spend the morning at Penang National Park before making your way back to Georgetown to visit a few temples and mosques. End the day by watching the sunset at Chew Jetty and sampling some of the best Malaysian street food at Chulia Street Night Market.

Penang National Park

On the last day of your Penang trip itinerary, I recommend heading out of Georgetown for a hike at Penang National Park. The park consists of several hiking trails leading to beautiful white-sand beaches and viewpoints.

Two of the most popular trails are Pantai Kerachut (Turtle Beach) and Teluk Duyung (Monkey Beach), both of which take about 1h15 minutes one-way.

The terrain is quite uneven and steep in some places, so make sure to wear appropriate footwear.

In case you don’t want to hike all the way back, you can hire a boat for about RM 100 at the entrance of the national park. Just make sure to book the boat before doing the hike or else you’ll have to walk back.

I personally hiked to Turtle Beach which took me about 1h15 minutes to complete. The hiking trail was beautiful and not too crowded but the only downside is that you couldn’t swim at the beach due to the jellyfish.

There’s also a small turtle sanctuary on the beach and during certain times of the year, you can see them releasing the baby turtles.

Note: I saw a snake on Turtle Beach (no idea if it was poisonous or not) so make sure to watch out for them!

Explore more of Georgetown, Penang

Walking along the streets of Georgetown feels like stepping back in time. From colonial buildings to traditional shophouses, Georgetown feels like an open-air museum buzzing with culture and history.

Make sure to put aside some time on your Penang itinerary to tour the streets and admire the architecture.

And if you want to experience the cultural diversity of Penang, I also recommend visiting Kapitan Keling Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Georgetown as well as the Goddess of Mercy Temple and Lebuh Aceh Mosque. 

Tip: Book this Georgetown Heritage Tour to learn about the city’s most important landmarks. The tour includes an English-speaking guide and roundtrip hotel transfers.

Watch the sunset on Chew Jetty

The Chew Jetty is a floating village occupied by Chinese immigrants who built their homes on wooden stilts over the water. Here you’ll find shops selling everything from food to clothes and souvenirs.

Eat all you can at the Chulia Street Night Market

Every night along Chulia Street, hawkers set up their stalls from 6 p.m to serve the best street food in Penang. The most popular stall here is the one selling wan tan noodles. If you want to eat there, make sure to go early as there’s usually a long line.

Other foods you can try at Chulia Street Night Market include satay, Char Koay Teow, Lok Lok, and Apong (Apom).

Have a drink on Love Lane

Just around the corner of Chulia Street is Love Lane. It features many hipster cafés and bars and is the perfect spot for a late night drink. There are also a bunch of street art in this area that are worth checking out.

Read more: Detailed itinerary for 2 weeks in Malaysia

Extending your Penang Itinerary?

If you have more than 3 days in Penang, you can also visit these attractions found outside of Georgetown:

• Batu Ferringhi Beach: Don’t miss the night market where you can sample delicious local dishes and buy some souvenirs. 
• Chaiya Mangalaram Thai Buddhist Temple: This Thai Buddhist temple is found a little outside of Georgetown and features colorful carvings and mosaics, and a 33-meter reclining Buddha statue. 
• Dhammikarama Burmese Temple: This temple found opposite Wat Chaiyamangalaran Thai temple is also worth visiting.
• Tropical Spice Garden: Stroll around three jungle trails to see the different spices and herbs growing around the garden. Don’t forget mosquito repellent!
• Penang Botanic Garden: A serene garden with several walking trails where you can spot monkeys, squirrels, and a few other animals. 

Where to stay in Penang?

Being a budget destination, it was easy to find cheap hotels in Georgetown, Penang. Both Agoda and Booking.com offer the widest choice, so they are always my go-to when booking hotels in Malaysia. Below is a list of hotels in Penang, from luxury to budget: 

Blue Mansion (Cheong Fatt Tze) – Luxury

The Blue Mansion is one of the most famous hotels in Georgetown, Penang. It’s a great place to stay if you don’t mind splurging a bit during your Penang itinerary. You’ll definitely be blown away by the architecture and decor. Fun fact: The Crazy Rich Asians movie was filmed there!

CHECK PRICE ON AGODA OR BOOKING.COM

East Indies Mansion – Mid-Range

If you’re looking for something slightly cheaper, take a look at East Indies Mansion. It sits right in the middle of Georgetown with the ferry port only a 5-minute drive or 10-minute walk away.

Rooms are set inside a beautifully restored Chinese shophouse and are spacious and clean with a private bathroom. They also have family rooms/suites that can accommodate up to 8 people.

CHECK PRICE ON AGODA OR BOOKING.COM

Carnarvon House – Budget

Finally, for those on a budget, I recommend staying at Carnarvon House. The location is great – within a 5-minute walk to Chulia Street Night Market and all the main tourist attractions.

The cheapest rooms don’t have windows but have air-con. Just note that the rooms with windows and private bathrooms cost slightly more.

CHECK PRICE ON AGODA OR BOOKING.COM

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN PENANG

How to get to Penang?

By Bus  

You can book bus tickets from Kuala Lumpur or other parts of Malaysia such as Ipoh and Cameron Highlands on Easybook or 12go.asia. The bus will drop you off at Sungai Nibong Express Bus Terminal which is located about 20 minutes from the center. From there, you can take a Grab to your hotel.  

Bus from Kuala Lumpur to Penang: The journey takes about 5-6 hours and bus tickets cost between RM 30-40 depending on the bus company (Check price here)

Bus from Ipoh to Penang: The bus from Ipoh to Penang takes about two hours and costs about RM 15-22 (Check price here)

Bus from Cameron Highlands to Penang: If you’re coming from Cameron Highlands, expect to pay about RM 35 for a 5-6 hour bus ride. (Check price here)

By Air

Air Asia has direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Penang starting from RM 70 (one way, without checked luggage). It’s definitely the best and quickest way to get to Penang since it takes only about 1 hour.

How to get around Penang?

Since most of the attractions are found in Georgetown, it’s fairly easy to walk around or you can hire a motorbike for about RM 50. 

Alternatively, there is the free Penang CAT shuttle bus that takes you to the main attractions in town. If you want to explore outside of Georgetown, you can either take the Rapid Penang bus (the price of a ticket costs about RM 2+) or a Grab taxi. 

---

I hope you found this guide on what to do in Penang in 3 days helpful. If you have more questions about planning your Penang itinerary, just let me know in the comments below.

Read more about Malaysia:

• Fun things to do in Ipoh
• 2-day Kuala Lumpur itinerary
• The best Melaka day trip
• Langkawi 3-day itinerary
• Singapore and Malaysia itinerary on a budget
• Seven Wells, Langkawi: an epic waterfall in Malaysia
• The ultimate list of 20 short getaways in Malaysia
• Guide to the best 2-week Malaysia itinerary

Liked this post? Pin it for later