Plan Your Penang Adventure With These Exciting Activities & Attractions
The captivating state of Penang has always been a popular destination in Malaysia known for its good food and charming old-town vibe, but its myriad of interesting attractions make it even more fun to explore. From sky-high views to a glow-in-the-dark mansion, there is never a dull moment on the island state. Keep reading on for our complete list of the top fun things to do in Penang for your next getaway!
Top 14 Best Things To Do In Penang
1. Head to the top of Penang Hill at The Habitat
Penang Hill is one of the places you have to pop by when in Penang. Go right to the highest viewing point of the entire island by visiting The Habitat. Here, you can enjoy an impressive 360-degree panoramic view of Penang Island as well as the beauty of its 130-million-year-old rainforest. Take a thrilling and refreshing walk on the 230m Langur Way Canopy Walk here!
To get there, simply just hop on the Penang Hill Funicular and go through the railway's 258ft-long tunnel, believed to be the steepest in the world! We recommend visiting around sunset or even after nightfall to watch the city lights come to life. Enjoy 13% off your admission rates or a family value combo by booking through Klook!
2. Challenge yourself at ESCAPE Theme Park
Home to the world's longest tube water slide, spanning an incredible length of 1,111m, ESCAPE Theme Park is a must-visit fun land. Spend a day here experiencing over 30 thrilling activities in their Adventureplay Park and Waterplay Park, including ziplining, water slides, rope courses, rock climbing, and more.
The founder of ESCAPE wanted to build a theme park that would provide kids and adults with the most natural form of fun and adventure. Thus, the theme park is born, set amidst nature (surrounded by lush greens!) and with so much for you to explore all in one space! Book your discounted tickets at 11% off on Klook today!
3. Visit butterflies at Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm
For families as well as lovers of butterflies, Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm is a great spot to add on into your Penang plans. Home to 15,000 free-flying butterflies as well as over 200 species of plants amidst waterfalls, ponds, caves, and artistic gardens, Entopia is one of the largest butterfly gardens in Malaysia.
Inside an impressive domed enclosure, this endearing butterfly farm has multiple levels of enchanting nature to discover. Their indoor garden isn’t just filled with butterflies, but also with all kinds of invertebrates and small reptiles. Get ready for a fun excursion at Entopia with your loved ones by getting your discounted tickets here on Klook.
4. Explore Georgetown’s Unique Street Art
Play tourist for a day by hunting down many of the state’s famous street art in Georgetown. One of the hotspots to find these artworks is along Armenian Street, where you can find famous works such as the Brother and Sister on a Swing, Boy on Motorbike, as well as Kids on Bicycle.
With these interesting murals serving as an artistic backdrop at every corner, don’t be shy to stop for a photo and show off your #OOTD! Make sure you load up on sunscreen too, as the sun can be quite harsh during the day. You can also ease your street art hunting a little by booking a discounted heritage and street food tour through Klook!
5. Discover a heritage icon, the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
Penang's iconic Blue Mansion is an architectural and historical wonder, with a genuine old school charm that's hard to resist. This indigo-blue mansion is a unique blend of Eastern and Western design elements, which makes it stand out from the rest of the buildings along the street. The iconic building was featured in films like Crazy Rich Asians, Indochine, and more!
Within this building is also one of our favourite dining spots in Penang, the Indigo Restaurant. Not only can you have a tour of the beautiful blue Cheong Fatt Tze mansion, you can also now enjoy an elegant fine dining experience within the iconic heritage establishment. Better yet, we recommend ending your day at this beautiful mansion by booking a night’s stay here on Klook.
6. Get the best city view at The TOP Komtar
Level up your exploration of Penang by catching the best views of Georgetown. One of the best places to enjoy the dazzling city lights would be from the rooftop of the island’s landmark, The TOP Komtar. From 68 floors above, their Rainbow Skywalk is a semi-circular glass bridge that offers stunning seamless views of Georgetown, with its clear glass bottoms and sides.
The TOP Komtar is Penang's highest iconic entertainment tower. You can also head to their Observatory Deck that offers equally stunning views of the city. There are a handful of other attractions here as well, including a 7D Motion Theater, a boutique aquarium, and a bar and bistro that serves some great tapas food and cocktails. Enjoy 10% off your admission to The TOP Komtar if you book through Klook, or book an annual pass that gives you unlimited access all-year round to all of the attractions at The TOP!
Find more attractions at the TOP Komtar here.
7. Take colourful photos at the Dark Mansion
Immerse yourself with interactive glow-in-the-dark exhibits at the Dark Mansion, the very first and only glow-in-the-dark museum in Malaysia. This trendy modern art exhibit creatively integrates technology with its art pieces, making it another must-visit spot in Penang!
Escape the daytime heat and head inside where you can spend your time watching paintings transform before your eyes from 2D paintings into awesome 3D optical illusions! Take photos here with your loved ones in front of unique glowing artworks - our favourite is the world’s largest glow in the dark painting, a masterpiece created by 3D illusionist Edgar Müller. You can now enjoy discounted tickets at 21% off to the Dark Mansion on Klook!
8. Explore the colourful Pulau Jerejak
Go on another colourful adventure at Pulau Jerejak, a picturesque historic island located a short 10-minute ferry ride from Penang Island. This hidden gem is dotted with beautiful photo spots including a rainbow pier and a romantic swing on the beach; it's also known for its breathtaking sunsets that will paint the sky pink, yellow, and orange!
Pulau Jerejak has had a long, eventful past, but is now a colourful and laid-back island, perfect as a day trip destination from Penang. You can even spend a night here at the beautiful Jerejak Island Resort. Enjoy a hassle-free adventure by booking a discounted guided Pulau Jerejak tour on Klook, inclusive of round-trip transfers from your hotel in Penang city to the Pulau Jerejak Jetty.
9. Sit back and relax at Monkey Beach
Get some sand between your toes as you head to one of the island’s many beautiful beaches, the Monkey Beach. This secluded spot is hidden within the Penang National Park, a pristine site that has over 500 types of flora and fauna, and is a stunning beach where you can enjoy some splashing fun away from the crowds.
Take some time to relax and sip on cocktails at one of the shack bars on Monkey Beach. If you’re in luck, you can even spot monkeys roaming along the shore, hence giving the beach its name. Ease your visit to Monkey Beach by booking a relaxing tour of Penang National Park and Monkey Beach, inclusive of round-trip transfers to and from your Penang hotel and a barbeque lunch!
10. Stroll along Penang’s historical clan jetties
Flanking the Pengkalan Weld of Penang are the clan jetties, a unique quayside attraction that is an important part of the state’s heritage. These jetties are a testament and a reminder of Penang’s history on Chinese immigration. Walk along the wooden floorboards and have a glimpse into the life of the locals that are still living on wooden houses on stilts above water.
Do be mindful that people still live in these houses, so be respectful and keep your voices down while you explore the area. We heard the sunsets here are breathtaking - we recommend chasing the golden glow at the Chew Jetty, Lim Jetty or Tan Jetty. Go on an evening sightseeing tour at a discounted price with Klook, where you can learn about the rich culture of Penang’s clan jetties, inclusive of dinner and round-trip transfers within Georgetown.
11. Enter a different realm at Avatar Secret Garden
Step into a magical realm for the night as you find Penang’s Avatar Secret Garden. Tucked away behind the Thai Pak Koong Temple is this pocket of greenland transformed into an enchanting neon fantasy destination. This dazzling location is one of Penang’s hidden gems, suitable to visit during family trips or as a cute date idea as well!
When night time comes, the Avatar Secret Garden lights up in a multitude of colours. LED lights drape off branches and wrap around trunks of trees, while tulip fields beautifully glow in bright LED colours - a truly magical sight that makes you feel as if you were in the actual Avatar world of Pandora.
Discover more places to visit in Penang at night:
12. Play with food at the WonderFood Museum
What better way to discover our Malaysian culinary delights than a museum dedicated to all things food? The WonderFood Museum in Penang is a fascinating place that features oversized replicas of Malaysian dishes, as well as amusing replica exhibits of other international delicacies.
All the food exhibits here are made using Japanese replication techniques, making them all look exceptionally realistic. There are three galleries for you to explore, promising an interesting experience as you learn about our local cooking traditions and take fun photos with the food. Enjoy 13% off with discounted tickets from Klook and enjoy a convenient entry by simply flashing your voucher code at the counter.
13. Visit a mini zoo at Audi Dream Farm
Take a short trip to the quieter Southwest region of Penang Island and visit Balik Pulau, a quaint town worthy of a visit. One of our favourite things to do here is spending some time at the Audi Dream Farm, a charming mini zoo and farm that is suitable for family trips.
Spend a day with your loved ones by experiencing nature up close at the farm. Here, you can enjoy their line-up of fun hands-on activities, like animal riding, plant potting, bird feeding and more. Book a Klook Exclusive admission ticket to the Audi Dream Farm, that includes an exciting camel riding experience!
14. Go hidden bar hopping at Penang’s unique speakeasies
Penang has an exciting nightlife scene, especially with the island’s many beach bars and cocktail lounges, but we definitely recommend adding a little adventure to your bar hopping experience by going on a hunt for their unique hidden bars. Frequent visitors of Georgetown would be no stranger to the various speakeasies hidden across the beautiful heritage city.
From dim-lit venues that bring you back to the Old China era to homely spaces that exude chill, laid back vibes, Penang’s hidden bar scene surely knows how to keep visitors excited. Hunt down these elusive spots and lounge in their stylish spaces as you sip on inventive and tasty cocktails whipped up by their talented bartenders. Book a hidden bar hopping activity through Klook, which includes round-trip transfers from your hotel to 3 selected hidden bars, bar games and welcome drinks!
Interested to add more of our recommended speakeasies onto your list? Read to find out more:
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