Penang, Malaysia — in brief
A small island off the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia that punches far above its weight.
Penang sits where the Strait of Malacca meets the Andaman Sea — a short hop from the Malaysian mainland and a world away in feel. Its heart is George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage city of Peranakan shophouses, clan jetties and the street art the island is now famous for. Our See & Do guides walk you through it.
Most people come for the food. Penang is widely called the food capital of Malaysia, and the best of it is hawker food eaten at a plastic table for a few ringgit — char kway teow, assam laksa, char hokkien mee and cendol. Start with our Penang hawker food guide.
Beyond the plate there's Penang Hill and the hilltop temples, the beaches of Batu Ferringhi, and the rainforest-and-coast trails of Penang National Park. The drier months of roughly November to March are the easiest time to visit; Penang International Airport links the island to Kuala Lumpur and the wider region, and the weather stays warm and tropical year-round. The currency is the Malaysian ringgit (RM), and English is widely spoken alongside Malay, Hokkien and Tamil.
Plan your Penang trip
George Town, Penang, Malaysia
