Penang is a perfect balance between natural and historical attractions, rich cultural program and excellent beach recreation, enthralling shopping and vibrant nightlife.
Well, if everything is ready, we can start discovering Penang.
1. Catch fascinating views from the Penang Hill
Penang Hill, located 834 meters above the Andaman Sea, is the highest spot of Penang providing breathtaking views of the Penang Bridge, Georgetown City and the whole island. The most fantastic views you’ll get in the evening, when everything around glows with numerous lights. You can reach the Penang Hill both by foot and by the funicular railway. There’s an observation platform and a little restaurant on the top, where you can have a snack.
If you decided to climb the hill by foot, be careful and don’t forget to take water – it will take you 2-3 hours to get in one direction only.
Address: Lower Station, 11500 Bukit Bendera, Penang, Malaysia
GPS: 5.409093, 100.277473
Price: by foot – free, funicular – RM30 adults, RM15 kids
Departure hours of the funicular: every 30 minutes – in weekdays 6.30 – 20.00, in weekends 6.30 – 21.00
2. Get acquainted with…snakes!
Welcome to the Snake Temple. This is one of the most unusual places of Penang, but it’s famous not for its architecture or its interior. This temple is a home for lots of cobras that have lived there for many years. You can walk inside the temple, pick up some snakes and make several amazing photos. Do you think this is madness? No worries! For the safety of tourists the poisonous glands of the snakes were removed.
If you’re afraid of snakes, you can also visit the Museum of Snakes located right on the territory of the temple.
Address: Jelan Sultan Azelan Shah, 11900 Bayan Lapas, Penang, Malaysia
GPS: 5.313858, 100.285168
Price: temple – free, museum RM5 adults, RM3 kids
Operating hours: daily 9.00 – 18.00
3. Visit the Butterfly Farm
Have you ever seen more than 5000 species of butterflies gathered in one place? Well, at Penang Butterfly Farm you have a chance to see them with your own eyes! This is a small, but beautifully decorated park with waterfalls, ponds, cozy garden houses and footpaths. But, of course, the main attraction of this sight is the numerous butterflies of various colors and sizes. Besides of butterflies, there’re also lots of other inhabitants in the park such as lizards, birds, snakes, scorpions, tarantulas, geckos and centipedes.
Don’t ignore the Butterfly Farm, because you won’t find a similar place anywhere else.
Address: Jelan Taluk Behang, 11050 Penang, Malaysia
GPS: 5.446495, 100.215799
Price: RM27 adults, RM15 kids
Operating hours: daily 9.00 – 18.00
4. Chill out at the Batu Ferringhi Beach
Ferringhi Beach is the most affordable, well-known and well-developed beach on the Penang Island that provides a great opportunity to relax lying under the tender sun or swimming in the sea. You can try yourself in different water sports: windsurfing, water bike or even fly on a parachute there.
If necessary, not far from the beach you’ll also find the “Pasar Malam” – a night market with a huge selection of souvenirs and accessories.
In addition, local cafes and restaurants are ready to satisfy any taste offering fantastic dishes of European, Chinese, Indian and Malaysian cuisine.
Address: Batu Ferringhi, Penang, Malaysia
GPS: 5.471845, 100.244942
Price: free
Operating hours: daily 9.00 – 20.00
5. Drive across the Penang Bridge
Penang Bridge is an amazing construction and iconic sight of the whole Malaysia. Connecting Penang Island and the mainland, its length is 13.5 kilometers and it takes the third position among the longest bridges in the world!
The bridge offers fascinating views of Georgetown, the local harbor, and you can make several incredible photos there, especially during the sunset.
Address: Penang Bridge, Penang, Malaysia
GPS: 5.351421, 100.364067
Price: free
Operating hours: 24/7
6. Explore the medieval Fort Cornwallis
Fort Cornwallis is a military-historical symbol of the island consisting of the heavily fortified stone walls in the shape of a five-pointed star.
On the territory of the fort you can explore old prison casemates, a Christian chapel and an ammunition depot. The major attraction of the fort is the ancient cannons situated at the 4-meters high bastion walls.
There’s also a souvenir shop and a small Military Museum near the fort, which stores artifacts from the Fort Cornwallis.
Address: Jelan Tun Syed Sheh Berakbah, 10200 Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia
GPS: 5.419854, 100.343472
Price: RM2/person
Operating hours: daily 9.00-18.30
In this article I tried to give 7 most incredible ideas for your weekend on Penang. By the way, you’ll need to rent a car for getting around the island, because some of the sights are beyond the reach of public transport.
Author Bio: Lily Berns is a travel writer who likes to write about the destinations where she travels and her experience about the place
