When it comes to tourism in Malaysia, Penang is probably one of the first places that come to mind of every traveler looking to plan a weekend away from Kuala Lumpur. It is indeed the dream destination for every globetrotter looking to plan a vacation to Penang in 3 days. Apart from the tranquil beauty and serenity, it’s the geographical location that fascinates travelers the most to plan a Penang trip. A part of it occupies the mainland area of Malaysia, whereas, the other half of it is a beautiful islet in Malacca Strait.
A 3-day Penang tour itinerary takes you through the rich diversity of Malaysian culture, Penang street food, people, and much more. The place has so much to offer you that if you don’t manage your time well throughout this tour, then there are chances you could skip a few of its astonishing gems. From historic streets to the modern street art of the famous UNESCO recognized George Town, here in Penang you’ll get to savor a wide array of experiences. To make your trip a sorted, here I have come up with an ultimate Penang itinerary for 3 days. I have meticulously designed this itinerary considering the taste and preferences of every traveler, thus you can expect everything in this itinerary, from what to do in Penang to places to visit in Penang, Malaysia. So, let’s get started!
** First things first, make sure you get the right Malaysia tourist sim card for your trip!**
Table of Contents
Penang In 3 Days – Day 1
Explore George Town
Once you are in George Town, start your day with a delicious breakfast. The much renowned George Town offers oodles of eating options. From Indian cuisine to Chinese and Malaysian food, here you can find a wide range of food options. You can have anything of your own choice or mood. Some of the best breakfast spots in George Town are Toh Soon Cafe, Pit Stop No. 12, The Mugshot Cafe, Continental Bakery, Gemas Road Roti Canai, and Ali Nasi Lemak.
Relish the Street Art in George Town
While George Town is one of the best places to visit in Penang, its street art is one of the not-to-miss things in entire Malaysia. In recent years, the town has gained a significant increase in the footfall of tourists. Thanks to the astonishing street art! Many lanes and bylanes of George Town are adorned with the pulchritudinous street art which is indeed a treat to eyes. There are stunning murals that either depict something from the past or a story from Penang’s daily life. Some are even random graffitis. Not just this, you can also expect to find numerous iron wall caricatures that depict various stories or a piece of history.
Entrance Cost
Free
WHAT TO EXPECT
Visit the Clan Jetties
While in George Town, you will get to see so many wooden old Chinese Jetties along the seashore. These beautiful jetties trace their history from the 19th century and are today serve as one of the top attractions in George Town. They were constructed by different Chinese clans who are known to help their fellow clan members to settle in Penang by helping them immigrating here in Malaysia. Together, these jetties offer a picturesque site of one large floating village consisting of Chinese shops, houses and twisting wooden walkways. This is one of the most sought-after places to visit in the afternoon amongst tourists vacationing in Penang.
Entrance Cost
Free
Little India in Penang
You can visit Indian while being in Malaysia. Sounds interesting, right? Well, it is. Little India is one of the most beautiful gems in George Town, Penang. Here you can stroll and explore the beautiful man-made setting which seems exactly like India. You can buy vibrant Indian clothing, find restaurants, food stalls serving delectable Indian cuisine. A sightseeing tour of this amazing tourist attraction is a must thing to do in George Town.
Entrance Cost
Free
Besides, some of the other must-visit places in George Town are Armenian Street, Kapitan Keling Mosque, and Peranakan Mansion. You can swap any of these places with the above ones.
Penang In 3 Days – Day 2
Penang Hill
No Penang vacation is complete without a visit to Penang Hill. Thus, start your day 2 with an early morning excursion to Penang Hill. The hill is situated at a height of 2732 ft above the sea level. En route, you will be treated with the beautiful forests. The walks all the way up to the top are quite steep and arduous, yet all worth it. But, there is a funicular railway service that runs all the way to the summit. Just before the summit, there is Penang Botanical Garden which is one of the main Penang points of interest.
Entrance cost
RM12
Khoo Kongsi
Once you are done with your Penang Hill expedition, it is time to head to your next destination which is Khoo Kongsi. It is basically a Chinese shrine in George Town. It is one of the largest and oldest of its kind in Penang. The architecture of the temple is quite pleasing, but what appeals to a large chunk of visitors is the tranquil serenity of this place. Khoo Kongsi is built within a large complex which also includes a traditional theatre.
Entrance Cost
RM10
Visit the Famous Ghee Hiang Store
Wondering what is so special in this store? Well, Ghee Hiang Store is around 160-year old. It is a bakery that serves a wide range of delectable pastry balls filled with mung bean paste that taste sweet and savory together. This place is not like any other ordinary bakery. Visiting Ghee Hinag Store is not just one of the most famous things to do in Penang amongst locals but international tourists as well.
Entrance Cost
Free
Gurney Drive Night Market
You were waiting for a market on this itinerary, weren’t you? Indeed! As the name itself says, it is a night market and visiting it is probably the most fun thing to do while on a visit to Penang. The market is set up on a long stretch of road which is dotted with famous hotels, shopping malls, and numerous high-end eateries. But this is the day scene. At night, it turns into something else. During this time, you can see lots of hawkers selling delicious food. Gurney Drive Night Market is a paradise for food buffs.
Entrance Cost
Free
Penang In 3 Days – Day 3
Visit Burmese and Thai Temples
Tourism in Penang, Malaysia also includes a number of Burmese and Thai temples. Even if you are not a religious person, a visit to these temples will leave you awestruck. I personally recommend you to visit the two famous shrines in Penang – Dhammikaram Temple and Wat Chaiyamangalaram. Dhammikaram is a Burmese temple and Wat Chaiyamangalaram is a Thai temple and both are known for their astonishing architecture and serene ambiance.
Entrance Cost
Free
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
Even after covering all the above-mentioned attractions, you are still looking for where to go in Penang, then it’s Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion where you should next head to. The beautiful construction is known for its stunning heritage. It is a museum as well as a high-end hotel. It was constructed by Cheong Fatt Tze – a Chinese politician and businessman. The building showcases the stunning craftsmanship of Chinese architects.
Entrance Cost
RM16
Taman Negara
On the final day of your Penang travel tour, you can choose to visit Penang National Park, Taman Negara. It is one of the most popular travel destinations in the region. You can spend the entire day here. There are a number of attractions here including Teluk Bahang – a beautiful town, Monkey Beach, Turtle Sanctuary, and Batu Ferringhi. Along with these, there are many more things to do in & around Taman Negara that you would love to indulge in.
Entrance Cost
RM30
This is the best itinerary that you can follow for your trip to Penang. I hope you’ll make the best out of it! Talking about how to make it best, well, it is impossible to plan a smooth and hassle-free vacation with certain travel essentials. So, make sure to have a list of must-have travel essentials ready with you.
**PIN IT**
