Get inspired for your travel #ootd
When it comes to Penang, no doubt that most of the photos on social media are dominated by mouth-watering street food, hipster cafes, charming murals, and colonial buildings. To help you level up on your travel and Instagram game, we partnered up with FashionValet and several Instagram queens to show you how you can travel in style in Penang!
Without further ado, find out how you can replicate the #fvtakemethere trip with activities from Klook and outfits from FashionValet.
Day 1
Sightsee the best of Penang on a heritage trishaw ride
A city that has embraced modernity while keeping it’s colonial traditions, Penang is a treasure trove of heritage buildings, charming streets, religious sites and more. The best way to celebrate its deep roots in history is to hop on a heritage trishaw ride!
Having retained many of it colonial buildings and old world charm, the trishaw ride brings you around the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Fort Cornwallis, Khoo Kongsi, and more.
With interesting murals and beautiful backdrop at every corner, don’t be shy to stop for a photo and show off your #ootd! The sun can be quite forgiving during the day, so make sure you load up on sunscreen and put on a pair of stylish shades to block out the rays.
On a hot and sunny day, it’s also a must to stop by for a cendol break! Trust us, your body will be forever grateful for that bowl of Penang’s famous sweet and cold shaved ice dessert. Gotta drink them quick before they melt in the heat!
Schedule: Morning – 9am to 12pm | Afternoon – 2pm to 5pm
Highlights: Fort Cornwallis, Penang Town Hall, Beach Street, Khoo Kongsi, Acheh Street, Kapitan Keling Mosque, Goddess of Mercy Temple, Little India
Have a break, have a tea time at Awesome Canteen
After a quick pit stop at the hotel to refresh yourself, it’s time to head to Awesome Canteen at Sekeping Victoria for a midday pick-me-up. Spacious with plenty of natural light and high ceiling, this charming cafe is an Instagram enthusiast’s dream.
Filled with industrial-style furniture, canteen-like tables and benches, as well as vibrant plants, the space will have you feeling comfortable and at ease. Make sure to grab to opportunity to snap plenty of photos to popular your social media feed!
Address: 164A-B, Lebuh Victoria, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Opening Hours: Daily (except Tuesday), 11am to 10pm
Savour delicious local street food at Gurney drive
Home to a wide variety of hawker stalls and vendors, you can get most of Penang local favourites here. From the iconic char kuey teow to hokkien mee, pasembur, assam laksa, and many more, it’s hard to pick just one.
The best is to get a few different dishes and share them with your friends and family. Penang is, after all, the unofficial food capital of Malaysia. So, bring your appetite with you and eat till you explode!
Address: Gurney Drive Hawker Centre, 172, Solok Gurney 1, Pulau Tikus, 10250 Jelutong, Pulau Pinang
Opening Hours: Daily (except Tuesday), 11am to 10pm
Day 2
Slurp down a couple bowls of Penang’s famous noodles!
Photo Credit: Pandora Voon for Flickr
When it comes to Penang, the breakfast of champions comes in the form of a bowl of hot and soupy noodles. Before heading to visit the Kek Lok Si temple, you gotta start your morning with the famous Air Itam assam laksa. Served in small, nostalgic rooster bowls, it’s easy to down two servings in a sitting.
Located nearby the Air Itam laksa spot is another famous noodle place, known as Sister Curry Mee. Simply look out for the two elderly Lim sisters manning the stall, churning out bowls after bowls of curry mee. They might be in their 80s but show no sign of retiring soon!
Penang Air Itam Laksa
Address: Jalan Pasar, Paya Terubong, 11500 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:30am to 7pm
Sister Curry Mee
Address: 612 T, Jalan Air Itam, Pekan Ayer Itam, 11500 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang
Opening Hours: Daily (except Tuesday), 7:30am to 1pm
Enjoy the view from the famous Kek Lok Si temple
Photo Credit: Phuket@photographer.net for Flickr
With your belly full and satisfied, it’s time to take a hike up to Kek Lok Si, one of the largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia. Home to a bronze statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, as well as a seven-storey pagoda or 10,000 Buddhas, it’s no wonder many go out of their way to visit this famous temple.
With a location that faces the sea, you’ll also be rewarded with an amazing view from the temple. Aside from enjoying the view and taking a relaxing stroll, it doesn’t hurt to say a few quick prayers and make a wish!
Address: 1000-L, Tingkat Lembah Ria 1, 11500 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang
Opening Hours: Daily, 9am to 6pm
Take the funicular train up to Penang Hill
Next up, it’s time to head to Penang Hill, a hill resort made up of several peaks in Air Itam. Also known to many as Flagstaff Hill and Bukit Bendera, the best way to access Penang Hill is using the funicular train which takes you up 833 metres!
Since this is a famous destination, you can expect the queue to get pretty long. It’s worth to get the Fast Lane ticket so you can bypass the huge crowd during peak travel seasons!
Indulge in brunch at David Brown’s Restaurant & Tea Terrace
Once you’re at Penang Hill, make your way to David Brown’s at Strawberry Hill. A quintessential British colonial restaurant and tea terrace tucked away in the lush greenery of Strawberry Hill, it’s the perfect setting for a lovely brunch. Sit back, relax and treat yourself to some moreish pastries, desserts and various finger food.
Outside of the restaurant, you can also find a spectacular view of the whole of Penang. Surrounding the restaurant is a well-manicured garden, a pond stretching across the area and beautiful lily plants. It’s not hard to find a picturesque corner to yourself for the perfect photo op.
Address: Strawberry Hill, Penang Hill, 11300 Air Itam, Penang
Opening Hours: Daily, 11am to 10pm
Explore over 500 species of flora and fauna at the Tropical Spice Garden
After brunch at Penang Hill, make your way down and head towards Batu Ferringhi for the next attraction, Tropical Spice Garden. This lush 8-acre garden is home to over 500 species of flora and fauna, a first of its kind in Southeast Asia.
Get acquainted with the different variety of plants as you take a stroll through the tropical garden. There’s also an outdoor cafe which overlooks the Straits of Malacca. Before leaving, drop by the gift shop for some unique souvenirs and spice therapy spa products to bring back home.
Address: Lot 595 Mukim 2, Jalan Teluk Bahang, 11050 Penang, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Daily, 9am to 6pm (last admission at 5:15pm)
End the day exploring the beach resort of Batu Ferringhi
- Photo Credit: Alpha for Flickr
- Photo Credit: BoraBora Penang
One of the many amazing things about Penang is that you can spend the morning up in the hills and find yourself feeling the sea breeze by the beach in the evening. After a drive along the hill slopes of George Town, you’ll arrive at the beach resort of Batu Ferringhi.
The stretch of seaside strip is filled night market vendors, restaurants and water sports activities. Take a relaxing stroll along the beach, catch the sunset, and grab dinner in one of the many eateries while enjoying the view. If you’re lucky, you might also catch a fireshow performance later in the evening!
Day 3
Sleep in then brunch at The Twelve Cups
On your final day in Penang, take the liberty of sleeping in and packing up before heading to brunch at The Twelve Cups. Located in George Town, this is one of the oldest cafe establishments in town with a fresh and revamped decor. The airy and modern interior of The Twelve Cups is the perfect place to up your Insta game.
While you can’t go wrong with its breakfast items, their desserts like the mille crepe cakes are also worth a try. Make sure to get plenty of your caffeine fix from their freshly brewed coffee before heading onto the next destination.
Address: 12, The WhiteAways Arcade, Beach St, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday, 10am to 11pm | Friday & Saturday, 9am to 12m | Sunday, 10am to 7pm
Enjoy panoramic views of Penang from The TOP at Komtar
Make your way to the 68th floor, the top of the tallest building in Penang for the best 360-degree view of the city. Get tickets to the Window of The Top, an open observatory desk where you can take one-of-a-kind photos. You can also go for the Rainbow Skywalk, a walk-on-air experience as you step onto a glass walkway as if you’re floating in the air.
For the gutsy ones, we reckon you’d enjoy The Gravityz’s obstacle rope course on the 65th floor of The TOP at Komtar! Try not to look down or pee yourself as you walk at a height of 239 metres above ground with only a rope attached to your body, going through 6 obstacle courses.
Address: 1, Jalan Penang, 10000 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Rainbow Walk – Daily, 10am to 10pm | Observatory Deck – Daily, 10am to 6pm | The Gravityz – Daily, 10am to 7pm | Last admission for all attractions are one hour before closing time
Bid Penang farewell with a final meal at Line Clear
As sad as it is to say goodbye to Penang, at least you can conclude your trip with a ceremonious visit to the famous Line Clear restaurant. With a buffet line of seemingly endless options of daily dishes, it almost feels like you’re a kid in a very yummy candy store!
Load up on the different dishes from curries to fried chicken, fried fish, stir-fried vegetables and more. After a meal at Line Clear, it’ll definitely have a special place in your heart (and belly too, of course).
Penang essentials
Make sure to Klook your activities in Penang for a fun and hassle-free experience. Opt for a private car charter for the ultimate hassle-free and comfortable experience sightseeing around the island city. Able to transport up to 7 people, you and your travelling party can get around no problem. Opt for either a half day (4 hours) and full day (8 hours) charter service to suit your itinerary.
Planning a road trip to Ipoh? Book a vehicle of your choice on Klook to complete your adventure! Choose from a wide selection of compact cars, commercial vans, SUVs, or even pickup trucks, depending on your group size and preference. Find out more here.