Penang National Park
Penang National Park is the best place to go if you want to get out of the hectic city life and spend some quality time communing with nature. There are a number of trails here which head towards beautiful small beaches, and you can also walk to an ancient lighthouse that dates from 1883. Some paths take you to Kerachut Beach, the Home of a Turtle Conservation Centre, which also serves as the perfect place for a picnic and day out at the park.
Penang Botanic Gardens
The Penang Botanical Gardens are simply called the Botanic Gardens by Penang islanders, while also being known as the Waterfalls Gardens. You can find the gardens in a valley along Jalan Kebun Bunga. It is a well-landscaped place that holds a wide variety of exotic plant species. This garden was set up by the British in 1884 from an old quarry site, the garden is divided into twelve sections: the Formal Garden, Quarry Recreational Park, Lily Pond, Perdana Plant House, Tropical Rainforest Jungle Track, Fern House, Fern Rockery, Orchidarium, Horticulture Centre, and Nursery.
Penang Butterfly Farm
Anyone who likes fauna and flora should visit the Entopia Butterfly Farm in Batu Ferringhi. Here you will find over four thousand marvelous butterflies from over a hundred different species, all of which flutter around in a big and colorful garden. Some of the species here include rare finds such as Indian Leaf butterflies, Yellow Bird, and Wing butterflies, and the farm also acts as a conservation center that focuses on caring for and breeding the habitats of these endangered species.
Tropical Food Farm
With the largest collection of Tropical Fruits in Southeast Asia, the Penang Tropical Fruit Farm will amaze you with their 200 species of edible fruits! Featuring fruits from far-flung places such as South America, Central Africa, the Caribbean, and even Pacific Islands, you’ll definitely learn a thing or two about fruits and other fun facts about the amazing flora of Malaysia. The most popular thing to do here is go on the guided farm tour where you will sample at least 15 different fruits, light snacks, and juices.
Batu Ferringhi Beach
As the second most popular destination in Penang (after Georgetown), its long, white sandy beach is a sight to behold. Soak in the beautiful sun or unwind on the beach in peace, or get pumped up and get wet from canoeing or windsurfing. For an adventure, try parasailing to experience the view of the beach from the sky. Its night market is pretty legendary, while its waters are popular spots for a range of water sports activities such as windsurfing, jet-skiing, and parasailing. When you’re done exercising, go explore the winding road named Jalan Batu Ferringhi for a variety of dining options.
Monkey Beach
Teluk Duyung, known as Monkey Beach Penang, is found in Penang National Park. So-called because of the Crab-eating Macaques that exist around here, the beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Penang Island, with a long stretch of white sand and clear waters that are good for snorkeling and swimming. Monkey beach is the ideal spot for weekends and public holidays, when countless locals will come here for the day to enjoy a picnic on the beach with their friends and families. If you enjoy camping, there are campsites near the beach where you can spend a night under the stars!
Escape Theme Park Penang
The Escape Theme Park is a fun destination with exciting rides and attractions. Located in Teluk Bahang, this park re-introduces outdoor play in a natural environment. With challenging high confidence obstacles at Adventureplay and exhilarating water slides at the Waterpark, there is no age limit to having fun while exploring the world in a natural setting. With amazing rides for children and adults, this is a place not to be missed!
Adventure Zone at Golden Sands
The Adventure Zone features several indoor drop slides that will challenge children and adults alike. With their 2-story Demon Drop Slide and other play modules like Swinging Steps and Padded Corner Climber, reconnect with your inner child, or just watch your children from the side while you enjoy a hot coffee in a cool air-conditioned environment. Do be sure to dress up with socks and long sleeved shirts to prevent scrapes and abrasions.
Georgetown
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Georgetown beautifully weaves the colourful traditions of its multicultural population into an unforgettable tapestry of sights, sounds, and smells. From colourful murals, pre-war buildings, a large collection of innovative museums and traditional local delights that will leave your taste buds wanting more, a visit to Georgetown is a must for anyone going to Penang.
Clan Jetties
The clan jetties hark back to a time when Chinese immigrants sought protection in Penang from their fellow clansmen. The jetties started out as a loading dock for traders unloading their wares, when settlements sprung up around them. Eventually, the stronger clans dominated the jetties, and there were often disputes between clans. Today, people still live in these settlements, but they make perfect instagram pictures for your trip! Make sure to visit and take a snapshot or two!
Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram Temple
The focal point for the Thai community in Penang, the Thai-style temple houses the 3rd largest reclining Buddha statue in the world. With a large naga water dragon marking the entrance and a Chinese dragon marking the exit of the temple, its architecture truly stands out against modern day buildings we are used to seeing. With vibrant murals depicting the Buddha’s life story on the temple walls, along with several Buddha statues covered with gold leaf featured in the temple, this is a place worth visiting if you enjoy cultural and religious places of interest.
Kek Lok Si Temple
The largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia, Kek Lok Si’s sprawling complex is divided into three zones. Featuring a turtle liberation pond, giant statues of the Goddess of Mercy Guan Yin, a series of monasteries and landscaped gardens, this “Temple of Supreme Bliss” has become a national icon famous throughout Malaysia. They even have historic relics such as imperial Buddhist sutras gifted by the Manchu Emperor Kwang Xi and Empress Ci Xi back in the Qing Dynasty.
Night Markets
Malaysia is famous for its night markets, from which you can find anything from watches and clothes to traditional arts and crafts, or even modern gadgets and gizmos. There are also night markets that specialise in street food, where you can grab a dinner, a drink or dessert as you shop. Some of the Night Markets worth visiting are Macallum Street, Tanjung Bungah, Farlim, Batu Ferringhi, Jelutong, Sungai Dua, Paya Terubong
Moon Gate Hiking Trail
The Moon Gate was formerly the entrance to the home of Penangite millionaire Cheah Chen Eok, but now has become known as the starting point for a good number of trails up Penang Hill. If you are lucky, you will get to see Penang’s wildlife during the trek, including macaques, leaf monkeys, and even flying lemurs. The short but intense nature of the trails will leave you exhausted and exhilarated at the same time as you climb Penang Hill.
Penang Hill
Penang Hill is one of the top attractions in Penang and towers to a height of approximately 800 meters above sea level. The hill offers a much-needed break from the intense heat of the city, and going there is part of the fun. You reach the Penang hilltop by the Penang Hill Railway, which is considered to be one of the oldest funicular systems around the globe. Once you reach the top, you can take in the fantastic scenery across to Kedah and Langkawi. Moreover, there is also a range of quality trails here if you love hiking, and for those who fancy a workout can also trek to the Hill from the nearby Botanical Gardens.
The Habitat Penang Hill presents the most diverse, authentic, and educational Malaysian rainforest experience. The best part is, you can reconnect with nature in its purest form as you engage yourself in there 130-million-year-old rainforest. Starting at the forest floor, Naturalists will take you on a journey along the Nature Trail to explore the myriad of fauna and flora– plants, mammals, trees, insects, birds, and reptiles that call The Habitat home. You must explore the biodiversity of the rainforest canopy on 230-meter Langur Way Canopy Walk and see the Curtis crest treetop walk at the top of the Hill, and experience the full panoramic views of Penang Island from the highest viewing point of Penang.