The full list
The ultimate list for your ultimate Penang experience. Think you can check off all 50?
50 things to do in Penang
A guide to the best things to do and attractions in Penang
Heritage
You haven't been to Penang if you don't soak up the city's rich, cultural heritage
Attractions and activities
The best things to see and do outdoors
Music and nightlife
Featuring music festivals, bars with a view, and where to party
Food and drink
It's not just about assam laksa and char kuey teow; savour delicious Nyonya food, roti jala and more
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Food and drink
Sample a bowl of Penang's signature assam laksa
While exploring Balik Pulau, foodies should slip this into their itinerary: Visit the old market to sample the wildly popular assam laksa. If you'd rather stick...
Savour Penang's iconic stir-fry, char kuay teow
Easily the most popular hawker dish among locals and travelers alike, char kuey teow consists of flat rice flour noodles, dark soya sauce, chilli paste, garlic,...
Beat the heat with an ice ball
Every city's inhabitants will wax nostalic about a childhood treat; for Penangites, the said treat would be the shaved ice ball. Basically an edible snow ball, ...
Discover Penang Peranakan culture through Nyonya cuisine
The birth of Peranakan Chinese or Straits-born Chinese also saw the birth of a new food culture: Nyonya cuisine marries Malay and Chinese flavours. Some traditi...
Arts and culture
Play hide and seek with Penang's street art
Street art such as the murals of Ernest Zacharevic and steel sculpture of Marking George Town is all over the heritage area of George Town. Either walk or take ...
Catch performances and free film screenings at penangpac
penangpac is located on the sixth floor of Straits Quay mall and has a host of theatrical performances as well as foreign film screenings programmed throughout ...
Climb the 500 steps to Waterfall Hilltop Temple
Waterfall Hilltop Temple is a splendid representation of the Hindu devotees. It’s a 500-step climb but at the end of it you’ll see a 180-degree view...
Contemplate on the paintings at the Penang State Art Gallery
Main art galleries such as Penang State Art Gallery at Dewan Sri Penang have exhibitions all year around plus their permanent exhibition and they organise art f...
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Music and nightlife
Dance the night away at Soju Room
Dance the night away at Soju Room
For the agile and young at heart, shake to the beat at Penang Times Square's very own Soju Room. They play tracks according to the current music trend.
Book a ticket to Penang's largest jazz festival
Book a ticket to Penang's largest jazz festival
Penang Island Jazz Festival is one of the biggest music festivals in Malaysia and a very popular one in Penang, this annual festival sees international and loca...
Get dizzy with a glass of toddy at Ong Cheng Huat
Get dizzy with a glass of toddy at Ong Cheng Huat
In some seafood restaurants, this fermented coconut water is offered. Cloudy, sweet-sour and lightly fizzy, one place to try this drink is at Ong Cheng Huat.
Enjoy vivacious drum beats at the Penang World Music Festival
Enjoy vivacious drum beats at the Penang World Music Festival
Penang World Music Festival is also an annual music festival held at the end of March at the Penang Botanic Gardens where vivacious drum beats or gentle strums ...
Chill with the musicians at The Canteen
Chill with the musicians at The Canteen
Live music on weekends can easily be found in places such as Jammin’, a chill out place above Via Pre restaurant and there’s a lovely view of the pi...
Lounge with a sunset view and a beer
Lounge with a sunset view and a beer
Places such as Straits Quay, Bora Bora and QEII at the end of the pier on Pengkalan Weld, are great to go for drinks while watching the sun setting since they&r...