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

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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 arts 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 on a budget, and more!

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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 arts and visit some beautiful Peranakan mansions.

Penang Street Arts

What to do in Penang in 3 days? Hunting for street arts, 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.   

The street arts are found mostly in Lebuh Armenia, Lebuh Ah Quee, and Lebuh Cannon. Some less famous street arts can also be found further away at Hin Bus Depot. The good news is that their exact locations can be found on Google Maps! You just have to pin and DIY your own street art itinerary or check out this guide for more details.

The best time to see the street arts is early in the morning at around 8 a.m when the town is just starting to wake up. During peak season, the streets will be packed with tourists taking turns in front of the murals as early as 9-10 a.m.

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 at 11 a.m, 2 p.m, and 3.30 p.m during on weekdays and at 11 a.m and 2 p.m on weekends. The tour lasts about 45 minutes and costs RM 25 (US$ 5.65) for adults and RM 12.5 (US$ 2.85) 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 in the Blue Mansion, the inside features an indoor courtyard, built with the principles of Feng Shui, typical of traditional Chinese homes.  

You can visit every day from 9.30 a.m to 5 p.m for RM 20 (US$ 4.60).  

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 by 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 at Penang Hill.

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 RM 3 (US$ 0.70) each way. You could also walk alongside the road, but it isn’t really recommended since there are many cars passing by.   

To access the Pagoda, you’ll have to pay a small entrance fee of RM 2 (US$ 0.50). The top of the Pagoda offers a perfect vantage point over the flower garden and the whole complex.  

Kek Lok Si is open every day from 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. and during the Chinese New Year festivities, the temple will be illuminated by thousands of lanterns until late at night! It’s definitely a must-see when visiting Penang for 3 days!

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 scenic views of the whole island at a height of 833 meters above sea level. You can either take the funicular railway or hike up to the top.  

The funicular railway operates daily from 6.30 a.m to 10 p.m. Standard tickets for tourists cost RM 30 (US$ 7.25) for adults and RM 15 (US$ 3.60) for children while standard tickets for local residents cost RM 12 for adults and RM 6 for children.

I went there in the afternoon and there was a 2-hour wait to buy tickets, so I highly recommend that you book your tickets online. You should also go early and avoid the weekends.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS FOR PENANG HILL

To get there, take the Rapid Penang bus route 203 or 204 from Georgetown. The trip takes about one hour and costs only RM 2 (US$ 0.45). Alternatively, you can take a Grab for about RM 15 (US$ 3.40).

3-day Penang Itinerary – Day 3

Spend your last day in Penang by visiting the different temples and Mosques in Georgetown, watching the sunset at the Chew Jetty, and tasting the most delicious street food in Malaysia on Chulia Street! 

Admire the architecture of Georgetown, Penang

Walking along the streets of Penang feels like stepping back in time. From colonial buildings to traditional shophouses, Georgetown looks 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.

Tip: Book a Georgetown Heritage Tour to learn more about Penang.

Get a glimpse of Penang’s cultural diversity

If you want to experience the cultural diversity of Penang, head out to Kapitan Keling Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Georgetown. The Mosque is open every day from 9.30 a.m to 5.30 p.m and they even offer free guided tours.   

A few meters away, you’ll find the Goddess of Mercy, which is a Chinese temple, and finally Lebuh Aceh Mosque on Lebuh Cannon. 

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.

The Chew Jetty is a great sunset spot in Penang, but keep in mind that it’s usually very crowded at that time.

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. Wan Tan Mee, Satay, Nasi Kandar, Char Koay Teow, Lok Lok, and Apong (Apom) are among some of the most delicious food I had in Penang!

Have a drink on Love Lane

Just around the corner of Chulia Street, you’ll come across Love Lane which seems to attract mostly backpackers. The area has lots of hipster cafés and bars and comes alive every night. There are also a few street arts scattered around if you want to check those 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 explore these attractions which are 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 just a few meters from 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 to bring bug repellent to avoid getting eaten alive by mosquitoes!
• Penang Botanic Garden: A serene garden with several walking trails where you can spot monkeys, squirrels, and a few other animals. 
• Penang National Park 
• Monkey Beach 

Where to stay in Penang?

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

Blue Mansion (Cheong Fatt Tze)

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 decorations. Fun fact: The Crazy Rich Asians movie was even shot there!

CHECK PRICE AND AVAILABILITY ON AGODA

CHECK PRICE AND AVAILABILITY ON BOOKING.COM

Very Hotel

I stayed at Very Hotel (previously known as Hotel Chennai by Wink) located on Penang Street, with most of the attractions within walking distance.

What I loved the most about this hotel is that I could watch both the sunrise and sunset from the rooftop area, which even has a jacuzzi!

You can also refill your water bottle for free, thus reducing your plastic consumption. 

CHECK PRICE AND AVAILABILITY ON AGODA

CHECK PRICE AND AVAILABILITY ON BOOKING.COM

The 80’s Guesthouse

The 80’s Guesthouse is located on Love Lane and is perfect if you’re a backpacker and want to meet up with other travelers. Prices start from US$ 10 for a dorm bed or US$ 23 for a private room.

CHECK PRICE AND AVAILABILITY ON AGODA

CHECK PRICE AND AVAILABILITY ON BOOKING.COM

FIND MORE HOTELS IN PENANG HERE

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 which should cost about US$ 4.  

Bus from Kuala Lumpur to Penang: From Kula Lumpur, it takes about 5-6 hours to get to Penang. Tickets cost about US$ 8 (Click here to book!)

Bus from Ipoh to Penang: The bus from Ipoh to Penang takes about two hours and costs about US$ 5 (Click here to book!)

Bus from Cameron Highlands to Penang: If you’re coming from Cameron Highlands, expect to pay about US$ 10 for a 5-6 hour bus ride. (Click here to book!)

By Air   

Air Asia has direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Penang for about US$ 38, one way. It’s definitely the best and quickest way to get to Penang since it takes only 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 (US$ 11.50). 

Alternatively, there is the free Penang CAT shuttle bus that takes you to the main attractions in town. If you want to wander outside of Georgetown, you can either take the Rapid Penang bus for about RM 2 (US$ 0.45) or a Grab for less than RM 17 (US$ 3.90) for a 30 minutes ride. 

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I hope you enjoyed reading this guide on what to do in Penang in 3 days. Let me know if you have more questions about planning your Penang itinerary.

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

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