What to do in Penang in 3 Days. (Best places to visit!)

Born and raised in Penang, it leaves Penangite an ample of time to immerse themselves into its art, culture, nature, history and most importantly, food! With so many things to do and so little time, how are you going to experience everything? No worries, we’ve got you covered! Just follow our “What to do in Penang in 3 days” handy guide!

Before we begin, here are a few pro-tips to ease your visit in The Pearl of Orient:

• For your convenience, check out our lists of hotel complete with photographs, prices and reviews here for places to stay.
• If you are planning to drive down to Penang, remember to purchase parking tickets available in most convenient stores. If you opt for public transportation, there’s Hop On Hop Off, Rapid Penang and Grab.
• Some of the things you might like to pack for the trip include light clothing, bathing suit, sports shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent and your appetite too!
• Do leave some space in your luggage though, as there are goodies you may want to bring home.

Let’s begin!

What to do in Penang in 3 days

First Day

Clan Jetties (45 minutes to 1 hour)

Start your Penang Heritage Trail in Clan Jetties. You’ll find yourself walking above water surrounded with houses on stilts!  To save time, Chew Jetty has the longest walkway and Yeoh Jetty has a spectacular floating temple, Hean Boo Thean Kuan Yin Temple, at the edge.

Armenian Street (30 minutes)

Armenian Street is in walking distance from Clan Jetties. Pack with heritage buildings and murals, it is possibly one of the most insta-worthy places to visit in the island. Get lost in it as you’ll find art and beauty in the most unlikely places.

Hameed Pata Mee Sotong (1 hour)

With that amount of walking, it is time to chow down to some good food. Head down to Hameed Pata Mee Sotong for some delicious mee sotong (cuttlefish noodles) and coconut shake! If you are not up for spicy food, there are other pretty good choices available in the hawker stall as well. (Note: There is always a queue for mee sotong.)

Fort Cornwallis (30 minutes)

Once you are there, you’ll notice Fort Cornwallis in the background. It is quite hard to miss considering it is the largest standing fort in the country. Although it is completed with cannons and dungeons, the fort is serene. If you have the extra time, it is worth visiting.  (Note: Entrance fee will be charged.)

Up next, places of worship! Lucky for you, there is not one, not two, but three places of worship to visit and they are just a stone throw away from each other. Be awestruck by their architecture as it represents each race beautifully.

The Goddess of Mercy Temple (15 minutes) | Sri Mahamariamman Temple (15 minutes) | Kapitan Keling Mosque (15 minutes)

The Goddess of Mercy Temple is the oldest Taoist temple right here in Penang. As the colour red symbolises good luck for the Chinese, it is donned with majestic red rood and lanterns. The next stop is Sri Mahamariamman Temple in the heart of Little India. It features a grand tower comprising of detailed Hindu deities, soldiers, and floral decorations. Last on the list is Kapitan Keling Mosque. The magnificent building showcases pure white walls and dark beacons.

Fuku Eatery & Desserts (1 hour)  | China House (1 hour 30 minutes)

For dinner time, go café hopping! You can always try out Fuku Eatery & Desserts if you are feeling Japanese and end the day in China House for cakes and music! It is also worth mentioning that China House is very insta-worthy.

You May Also Like Top 10 Cafes in Penang Opened till Late Night

Honourable Mention(s)

If walking around under the sun becomes too much, cool off in some of the fun museums Penang has to offer. There are many museums to choose from, namely Penang 3D Trick Art Museum, Ghost Museum, Upside Down Museum, The Camera Museum and so many more!

Second Day

Fun under the sun for the second day! Remember to pack your sun screen along!

Gusto Cafe (1 hour)

Before the adventure begins, have a hearty meal in Gusto Café. Their menu is top-notch and there’s always something for everyone. Day two brings you to Teluk Bahang for the biggest adventure you’ll have on the island. As these two activities are very time consuming, you’ll have to choose one. Choose wisely!

Pantai Kerachut (2 hours) | Monkey Beach (1 hour)

Take a hike to Kerachut Beach or Monkey Beach from Penang National Park. The hike to the beaches is not very hard as it is not inclined all the way. There are various routes to choose from and each route has their very own views. You can opt for a light picnic in the pristine beaches and take the boat ride back for another new experience! (Note: To ensure a return boat ride, it is best to purchase before the hike.)

Escape Theme Park (4 hours)

Have fun in Escape Theme Park. The park offers various activities from zip-lining, climbing tower, bungee jumping, trampoline and so many more! Psst, there’s a water park too! With that said, it is not a great choice if you have fear of heights. There’s a new waterpark with really long slides, lazy rivers and so many more! (Note: Entrance fee will be charged.)

Teluk Bahang Dam (30 minutes)

Just a few minutes’ drive away, there’s the scenic Teluk Bahang Dam. The picturesque view includes blue water and green hills. Calm and peaceful, it makes the dam a perfect spot to relax after a big adventure.

Food Court (1 hour) | Night Market (1 hour 30 minutes)

For dinner, there are many options for food courts serving hawker food. Proximity wise, some great choices include Viva Local Food Haven, Gurney Drive, and Pulau Tikus Night Market. Food courts are the best way to try out different delicacies.

Check Out Top 10 Best Food Court or Hawker Centre in Penang

An alternate option for food court would be night markets in Penang. It is a fun way to try out local delicacies and some quirky food. It is also a good place to buy knick-knacks to bring home to! Night markets are being shifted from one place to another depending on the days.

Check Out 7 Best Night Market in Penang 

Chulia Street & Love Lane (1 hour 30 minutes)

If you are a nocturnal, Chulia Street and Love Lane would be a wonderful place to visit at night. With lively music and alcoholic beverages, it guarantees a good time. For supper, there is a handful of street food around it – try out a Ramly burger to satisfy your hunger!

Honourable Mention(s)

If you are not up for the biggest adventure, Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm is right for you. It consists of live butterflies and other insects. There are two parts, Natureland (outdoor gardens) and Cocoon (indoor discovery centre).  Interactive workshops are also available!

Third Day

The final day on the island brings you to another side of the island. Balik Pulau is normally neglected because of its distance from everything else. Fret not, the hidden gems defeats the distance!

Cafe Ko Cha Bi (1 hour)

First thing first, breakfast! Cafe Ko Cha Bi serves mouth-watering Laksa among other local dishes.

Saanen Dairy Goat Farm (1 hour 15 minutes)

The tour begins with Saanen Dairy Goat Farm where you’ll be able to learn and feed the animals. Apart from goats, there are other animals living on the premises too! Goat milk and yogurt are available for purchase. (Note: It is best to make a reservation before visiting the farm.)

Countryside Stables Penang (1 hour 15 minutes)

Up next, Countryside Stables Penang has as many as 35 different breeds of horses! It is a wonderful opportunity to see these majestic creatures so up close. Joy rides, guided rides, horse carriages and animal pettings are some of the activities that you can do.  (Note: There are charges depending on the activity.)

Pantai Pasir Panjang (30 minutes)

Pantai Pasir Panjang is a secluded beach with soft sand and turquoise water. It is a great place to stroll and relax. If you have opted for the theme park instead of a hike, it is a must go because a trip to Penang will be incomplete without a beach trip!

The Hilltop (1 hour 30 minutes)

Drive up (literally, up!) to The Hilltop for some fresh seafood. The restaurant dishes out some amazing seafood. Crabs, prawns, squids, they have everything you can imagine!  A very big bonus will be the view! It overlooks the entire Balik Pulau and partially Batu Maung.

Honourable Mention(s)

In season, Bao Sheng Durian Farm promises a variety of durians to try. The green spiky exterior fruit with yellow flesh ensures a distinctive taste. It is a must to taste the king of fruits when you are in Penang. (Note: Entrance fee will be charged and reservation is a must.)

Read also: Top 10 Durian Desserts You Can Find in Penang

Penang Things To Do

That’s the end of our handy guide on how you can do everything in Penang in 3 days. What are you most excited for? Let us know if the comment section below. Oh ya, if we missed out any fun things to do in Penang, let us know too! We will improvise the guide from time to time.

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Now Read: Top 16 Breakfast Spots in Penang