12 Things to Do in Penang 2026; A Blissful Refresh!

It’s the weekend again! Get yourself recharged now before Monday drags you back to reality. Plan your daycation now, and make the most of it. Maybe make a list of the things to do in Penang, because the island is packed with so many great things. Here are some of those for your reference.

Cuisine Tour

Whatever things to do in Penang, you’re still gonna need to eat, so you’d better eat right because the island has plenty of tasty foods. From the traditional to Peranakan, here are some of the must-try!

1. Penang Air Itam Laksa

The most popular assam laksa stall in Penang, but it only opens on weekends? Location-wise, Penang Air Itam Laksa is still within walking distance of the famous Kek Lok Si Temple. So yeah, as expected, customers will be flowing constantly, but the food is truly worth queuing for. Thick and hot, the soup is packed with flavors, thanks to its authentic recipe that has never changed in so many years. It is so comforting to slurp the briny broth and chew the soft strands of rice noodles. 

Location: Jalan Pasar, Paya Terubong, 11500 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia (Google Maps)

Prices: RM 5 / serving

Opening Hours: Saturday – Sunday 11.00 AM – 6.00 PM

2. Siam Road Char Kway Teow

There are many places to get kway teow, but most people come to Siam Road Char Kway Teow after having many things to do in Penang. Stir-fried in the wok over a charcoal stove, the wok-hei flavor will really kick your tongue from your first bite. Plump prawns, fresh cockles, and some bits of lap cheong are making it even more fulfilling. Once you taste it, you’ll understand why this humble eatery appears in the Michelin Guide.

Location: 82, Jalan Siam, George Town, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia (Google Maps)

Prices: Starting from RM 8 / serving

Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 12.00 PM – 6.00 PM

3. Fisherman’s Wharf Foodcourt

How can you go daycationing with so many things to do in Penang, yet never once taste the freshest seafood there? Bring your empty stomach to Fisherman’s Wharf Foodcourt, and you’ll be overwhelmed by so many tasty choices there. Not a fan of seafood? Options of meats and veggies are abundant as well. Aside from tasty meals, you’ll also enjoy the relaxing sea view. 

Location: 92A, 1, Lebuh Sungai Pinang, 11600 Jelutong, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia (Google Maps)

Prices: Around RM 15 – 40 / person

Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday 8.30 AM – 12.00 AM

4. Penang Road Famous Teocheaw Chendul

Enough with the meal options, let’s hunt for some cold dessert. Penang Road Famous Teocheaw Chendul truly deserves its fame for its chendul. The original place in George Town, which has been standing strong since 1936, looks unassuming from the outside with its humble Peranakan architecture. Meanwhile, its Bayan Lepas branch boasts a more youthful energy with a modern street stall, and so do the other outlets all over the country. The chendul is super satisfying, as they use only the high-quality gula melaka and fresh coconut milk. Imagine how refreshing it will taste after so many things to do in Penang.

Location:

435B, Lebuh Pantai, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia (Google Maps)

39, Persiaran Bayan Indah, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia (Google Maps)

Prices: Starting from RM 5.5 / serving

Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday 9.00 AM – 10.00 PM

More reads: Digital Detox in Malaysia l 10 Instagrammable Hotels in Malaysia

Adventure & Fun

Eating alone will not be enough. You need actual things to do in Penang – fun activities to kill time and let go of all the burdens in your mind. Without further ado, let’s look into what most people would recommend here:

1. Nature Exploration at Botanical Gardens Penang

Going south from Tanjung Bungah, you will end up in the Botanical Gardens Penang. Take that as your natural playground, where you get to see monkeys, witness a majestic waterfall, trek through the jungles, and discover the most beautiful orchids in Malaysia. Not far from there is Kek Lok Si Temple, a Buddhist complex with a magnificent environment and dramatic panorama. A daycation around here, and you will need no more things to do in Penang.

Location: Kompleks Pentadbiran,Bangunan Pavilion, Jalan Kebun Bunga, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia (Google Maps)

Estimated Costs: Free for locals, RM 10 for foreigners

Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday 7.00 AM – 7.00 PM

2. History Walkthrough at George Town Old Town

George Town is a UNESCO Heritage Site, so it is hard not to consider exploring it as one of the things to do in Penang. The townscape boasts a harmonious blend of diverse cultures, including Chinese Peranakan, traditional Malay, and elements of colonial architecture. It is therapeutic even just to walk around the neighborhood. But for the ultimate experience, you should make a stop at Pinang Peranakan Mansion and Fort Cornwallis.

Location: 159, Lbh Chulia, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia (Google Maps)

Estimated Costs: Free to walk around

Opening Hours: 24/7

3. Ethnic Escapade at Clan Jetties

Clan Jetty is a Chinese kampong on stilts over the water near George Town Marina. The one-of-a-kind neighborhood is still packed with the descendants of the first Chinese migrants in Penang. Explore it like a maze, and you’ll find some street art, fishermen’s boats, and local kids playing around. It is timeless yet so vibrant and energizing, but in a way that is different from other things to do in Penang.

Location: Pengkalan Weld, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia (Google Maps)

Estimated Costs: Free to walk around

Opening Hours: 24/7

4. Let Loose at Queensbay Area

Penang is not always about travelling back in time. Once you arrive in the Queensbay area, you’ll get all the modern things to do in Penang. The shopping mall, along with all the entertainment and hip eateries, is the most bustling spot in the area. But if you walk along the coast, the ambiance is much more laid-back. It may look simple, but it is so well-equipped with a cycling lane, cement benches, and a line of tree canopies to shelter the pavement.

Location: Persiaran Bayan Indah, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia (Google Maps)

Estimated Costs: Free to walk around

Opening Hours: 24/7

Casual Staycation

A hotel stay might be nice, but you wouldn’t need to waste your money on an overnight stay if you plan a daycation. With these hourly hotels, you can cut your budget short while still getting a proper rest to enjoy things to do in Penang.

1. Royale Chulan Penang

Nothing pampers your soul like a luxury hotel with super-large windows overlooking the sea. Royale Chulan Penang will make a perfect resting spot in between all those things to do in Penang, especially after walking through the historic site of Georgetown’s old town. You can feel the ocean breeze from the hotel’s swimming pool deck. Yet even better, across the street is a ferry jetty, where you can get more of those sunset, wind, and a closer view of the island.

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Rate: From SGD 154 / 8.5 hours

Feature(s): swimming pool with deck lounges, fitness center, restaurants, bar, meeting venues, en-suite balcony, concierge

Address: No. 1 & 2, Pengkalan Weld, Georgetown, 10300 George Town, Penang, Malaysia (Google Map)

2. Iconic Marjorie Hotel, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel

A modern hotel towering in the heart of the city, Iconic Marjorie Hotel, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel guarantees a luxury experience. This hotel is your best bet if you plan to have your daycation entertaining yourself with the modernity in the Queensbay Mall complex, which is just a short drive away. Even when you choose to just stay at the hotel instead of all the fun things to do in Penang, you’ll never get bored. Aside from the generously spaced rooms, you’ll love lounging by the poolside, enjoying the coastal panorama.

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Rate: From SGD 350 / 4 hours

Feature(s): infinity pool, Jacuzzi pool, gym, restaurant, bar, club lounge, meeting venues, turndown service, sustainability values

Address: 239A, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Kampung Sungai Nibong, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia (Google Map)

3. Mercure Penang Beach

If you are a nature lover, Mercure Penang Beach will easily be your favorite hotel on the island. At times when you have high energy, it will take a short drive to reach the Botanical Gardens and have unlimited things to do in Penang. And when you feel like not going anywhere, the hotel has a tranquil private beach where you can just relax and do nothing. As a bonus, each room also features a glass wall with a nook, and you can choose the ocean view to make the most of your instant daycation.

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Rate: From SGD 126 / 5 hours

Feature(s): private beach, swimming pool, fitness center, restaurant, bar, meeting venues, wheelchair-accessible facilities

Address: 505, Jalan Tanjung Bungah, 11200 Tanjung Bungah, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia (Google Map)

4. Brown Hotel Penang

When you don’t need fancy facilities and want an hourly hotel only for resting, a more fuss-free option like Brown Hotel Penang is best. It can effectively reduce your daycation cost without compromising your comfort. The industrial theme gives out a youthful energy and an Instagram-worthy aesthetic. Right across the street is a food complex – you wouldn’t need to spend time and energy to get your appetite satisfied!

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Rate: From SGD 67 / 7 hours

Feature(s): restaurant, coworking space, airport shuttle, free WiFi

Address: 86, Jln Perak, Jelutong, 10150 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia (Google Map)

F.A.Q.

Our reviews and recommendations are honest and not influenced by compensation or sponsorship. Unless stated otherwise, we do not receive payment or free products for positive reviews. Any compensation or products received for reviews will be disclosed in the relevant post.

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