Holiday in Penang
Island in Malaysia — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇲🇾
Country
Malaysia
Type
Island
Best time to travel
December to March — drier months, but Penang is warm year-round (27-33°C). October-November is rainier.
Budget/day
Getting there from Germany
Flight to Penang (PEN) via Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, or Bangkok, approximately 12-16 hours total.
Deals for Penang:
What makes Penang special as a destination?
Penang, the Pearl of the Orient, is a Malaysian island known for its unique cultural heritage, world-famous street art scene, and arguably the best street food in Asia. George Town, the capital, combines British colonial architecture, Chinese clan houses, Indian temples, and Malay mosques in its UNESCO-protected historic center. The street art scene began in 2012 with the murals of Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic and has since developed into a citywide open-air gallery. Children on a bicycle, a boy on a chair — the life-sized motifs have become famous worldwide. In addition, wrought iron caricatures tell the story of the various neighborhoods. Penang's culinary reputation is legendary: Char Kway Teow (fried rice noodles), Assam Laksa (sour fish soup), and Cendol (ice dessert with coconut milk) attract food lovers from around the world. The hawker culture is so deeply rooted that some stalls have been perfecting the same recipes for generations. The Kek Lok Si Temple is the largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia, and Penang Hill offers a cooler retreat with panoramic views over the island and the mainland.
What are the top highlights in Penang?
The top highlights in Penang include George Town Street Art, Clan Jetties, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang Hill, Streetfood Hawker-Centers.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
George Town Street Art
Murals and wire art in the alleys — the most famous is "Children on a Bicycle" by Ernest Zacharevic.
Clan Jetties
Chinese stilt house settlements over the water — six clans have lived here since the 19th century.
Kek Lok Si Temple
The largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia — seven-story pagoda and 30m high Guanyin statue.
Penang Hill
By funicular railway to 821m — panoramic views over the entire island and the mainland.
Streetfood Hawker-Centers
Gurney Drive, Cecil Street, and New Lane — the best street food stalls in Asia under one roof.
Hotels in Penang
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Reise-SIM für Penang
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Penang?
The best time to visit Penang is December to March — drier months, but Penang is warm year-round (27-33°C). October-November is rainier.. 28-33°C year-round In winter: 27-32°C, slightly rainier Oct-Nov
Recommended travel time
December to March — drier months, but Penang is warm year-round (27-33°C). October-November is rainier.
Summer
28-33°C year-round
Winter
27-32°C, slightly rainier Oct-Nov
How much does a holiday in Penang cost?
Budget travellers: 15-25 €/day, mid-range: /day, luxury: 80-200 €/day.
Average costs per person per day
Budget
15-25 €
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
80-200 €
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
How do I get from Germany to Penang?
Flight to Penang (PEN) via Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, or Bangkok, approximately 12-16 hours total.
Book a package holiday to Penang
Compare thousands of package holidays to Penang and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays nowWhat travel tips are there for Penang?
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
Street food rule: Eat where the locals are queuing — the best stalls have the longest lines.
Street Art Map: Free maps of the street art at tourist info centers — perfect for a stroll through George Town.
Use Grab: The Grab app works excellently and is cheaper than taxis (which are rare here).
Temple etiquette: Remove shoes, cover shoulders — wear respectful clothing in Penang's multi-religious temples.
What should you eat in Penang?
Typical specialities in Penang: Char Kway Teow — Fried rice noodles with shrimp, cockles, egg, chili, and bean sprouts — Penang's signature dish., Penang Laksa (Assam Laksa) — Sour, fishy noodle soup with tamarind, mint, and shrimp paste — ranked as the best dish worldwide., Cendol — Shaved ice with green pandan noodles, palm sugar, and coconut milk — the perfect refreshment., Nasi Kandar — Rice with a selection of curries and sides — the Indian-Malay buffet system of Penang., Rojak — Fruit-vegetable salad with sweet-spicy shrimp paste and peanuts — sweet, sour, spicy, and crunchy..
These specialties you must try!
