Penang Hidden Gems You Need to Visit

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If you are looking for something to do in Penang, check out the many Penang hidden gems located all over the island. 

Penang is one of the world’s UNESCO heritage sites. It is known for its history, cheap street food and great beaches. Penang is a favourite among locals and tourists. Even at the various Penang hidden gems, you will be able to find locals visiting and catching up with their friends. 

Penang is one of the best places in Malaysia to travel. It fits many travel styles and you can spend accordingly when you arrive. 

Here are the top 15 Penang hidden gems and some tips from a local. So, are you ready to explore Penang’s hidden gems? 

15 Best Penang Hidden Gems You Need to Visit

The Penang Street Arts

Penang street art is a fascinating blend of creativity and culture. It started to flourish in 2012 when the Penang government collaborated with the now-famous Lithuanian-born artist, Ernest Zacharevic. 

Penang street art is located throughout Penang’s streets with the goal to revitalise the neglected areas of the city. 

Here’s some of the famous Penang street art drawn by Zacharevic.

  • The Awaiting Trishaw Paddler
  • Little Girl in Blue
  • Broken Heart
  • Reaching Up
  • This Old Man
  • Little Boy with Pet Dinosaur
  • Boy on a Bike
  • Little Children on a Bicycle
  • Children in a Boat

Tips from a Local: 

  • Follow the order listed in the list above. This will aid you in walking in one direction, rather than multiple back and forth
  • “Little Children on a Bicycle” and “Boy on a Bike” murals are two of the most popular Penang street art. To avoid the queue lines to grab a photo, head over in the early morning before the city wakes up.

Photo credit: “Little Children on a Bicycle” by Maartje Hensen

Trinket shops on Armenian Street

Armenian Street is a busy street in Penang. However, it is a Penang hidden gem as there are many trinket shops selling you the best souvenirs and local pastries. 

The best souvenirs you can get from the trinket shops in Penang are various Batik-designed items, such as scarf, shirts and bookmarks. 

If you have additional time, you can head over to the Penang Batik Factory to have a tour of how the Batik items are made. You also have the opportunity to design your own unique Batik design. 

For the best local pastry delicacies, check them out at Ming Xiang Pastry Shop. I recommend trying the egg tart and pandan kaya puff. They are the best I found in Penang. 

Unique cafes on Beach Street

Enjoy a cup of coffee and a piece of cake at one of the many unique cafes on Beach Street while people-watching. Most cafes are in an air-conditioned setting. This will allow you to cool off and rest your feet after much walking. 

With many cafes along the street and to avoid you getting overwhelmed by the many choices, I recommend Narrow Marrow. They sell a substantial variety of Tiramisu. My favourite go-to when I visit Penang is the Dirty Bourbon Tiramisu (RM18 / USD4.50). 

Photo credit: Dirty bourbon tiramisu by thekohmakan.com

Penang Street Food

What is a trip to Penang without enjoying the local street food? They taste absolutely delicious and are served piping hot to you within a couple of minutes. Not to mention, this street food is cheap!

Head over to Chulia Street Night Market after 6 PM. There are many stalls selling local Penang food. I recommend trying the Penang Char Kuey Teow, satay and Ice Kacang. They have great authentic flavour!

Tips from a Local:

  • Chulia Street Night Market closes on Monday and the open from 6 PM to midnight. 
  • To enjoy the night market ambience, head over slightly after 6.30 PM. That is when you will see many locals ordering their dinner. 
  • Other places where you can enjoy local street food are: (1) Sri Weld Food Court; (2) Red Garden Food Paradise; and (3) New World Park Food City. 

Georgetown’s Love Lane

After enjoying the scrumptious street food at Chulia Street Night Market, head on over to Love Lane. Love Lane is a 5-minute walk from Chulia Street Night Market. 

At Love Lane, you will enjoy a memorable night. Grab a drink as you enjoy the restaurant’s live band and best playlist while people-watching. Holy Guacamole serves the best sangria and quesadilla!

Sunday Market at Hin Bus Depot

Hin Bus Depot is a hidden gem to the creative community in Penang. This abandoned bus depot was turned into a vibrant art space by Zacharevic. 

Over time, many local and international street artists have adorned the surrounding wall with unique street art, bringing great life to the once-abandoned bus depot. 

This Penang hidden gem has an outdoor garden. Hin Bus Depot hosts numerous art exhibitions, workshops, markets and community engagement events. There is a cafe where you can grab a cup of coffee and a bite to eat, so have your stomach empty before you go!

The stores change weekly. Anyone is able to open a pop-up store to share and sell his/her product. Hin Bus Depot opens daily from 11 AM – 7 PM and there is no chargeable entrance fee. Parking is easily available too. 

Photo credits: The Lawn @ Hin Bus Depot by Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau

The ChinaHouse

ChinaHouse has a unique infrastructure. It has 3 heritage buildings, linked by an open-air courtyard.

Under this one roof, ChinaHouse has a cafe, restaurant, retail shop, art gallery and life performance. As you walk along the corridors from one area to another, enjoy the unique murals on the wall. 

If you have a sweet tooth, head on over to the cafe and enjoy a slice of salted caramel cheesecake. The cheesecake has the best smooth texture that is worth the calories! 

Curtis Crest Tree Top Walk at Penang Hill

The Curtis Crest tree top walk will provide you with a memorable and immersive experience while at Penang Hill. The tree-top walk is the highest platform in Penang, enabling you to enjoy the panoramic and breathtaking view of the surrounding. 

Opt for the Starlight Camping Experience to enjoy a lovely sunset view in Penang and the opportunity to stargaze under the night sky. 

At the peak of Penang Hill, enjoy a stroll with the cooler temperatures and be surrounded by diverse plant life and bird species. Enjoy a hot cup of coffee at Kopi Hutan while soaking in the fresh air in the rainforest for a recharge. 

Tips from a local: 

  • Skip the long queue and purchase your ticket in advance here
  • Avoid going on public holidays and during school holidays as the crowd is significantly larger
  • If you are a Malaysian and an early riser, opt for the sunrise rates. The round-trip tickets are significantly cheaper at RM 3 (USD 0.75)!

On the funicular to Penang Hill

Level 65 of Komtar Building

If you are afraid of mosquitoes and prefer to stay in the city, head over to Level 65 of the Komtar building. This is an alternative viewing spot to have a 360 view of Penang. At Level 65, there is an air-conditioned observatory deck that keeps you cool. 

On a clear day, you are able to spot key landmarks such as Penang State Mosque and Penang Bridge. There is also a restaurant, where you can enjoy some food and drinks. 

Tips from a local: 

  • Purchase your ticket in advance here to skip the queue 
  • Head over before sunset to witness the best sunset view in Penang

A cooking class at the Tropical Spice Garden

Recreating delicious street food when you head back home to your home country is challenging. 

So, head over to the Tropical Spice Garden where you will learn about the different spices and how each spice compliments the other. Then, highly talented home cooks will guide you on how to prepare your lunch at your personal cooking station. 

During the cooking session, you will be able to pick one of the various cuisines of your choice – Nyonya, Malay, Indian, Thai, and Asian Vegetarian cuisine. 

In addition to the dish you cooked this morning, you will also bring home easy-to-follow recipes to recreate your favourite dish. 

Macaque monkeys at Monkey Beach

Located remotely on Penang Island, but still easily accessible, Monkey Beach is your go-to for an intrepid adventure. Monkey Beach is distant enough from the city that will enable you to relax and unwind on the beach. 

While you are relaxing, spot the macaque monkeys that are busy doing monkey business. If you have sharp eyes, enjoy birdwatching. Keep a look out for the various birds flying by the rainforest and beach area. 

If you fancy some sweat, take a 3.5km hike through from Penang National Park entrance to Monkey Beach. Alternatively, you can hire a boat that takes you to Monkey Beach. 

Tips from a local: 

  • If you plan on having a swim at Monkey Beach, remember to bring your swimsuit, a towel and an extra pair of clothes. 
  • Enjoy a night along the beach by renting a camp at The Lazyboys campsite. This experience will enrich your Penang experience. 

Sunsets at Batu Feringghi Beach

Nudge and gather your friends at Batu Feringghi Beach to catch the sunset at the beach. As the sun sets, you will be amazed and in awe of the palette of colours. 

The sands in between your feet and the sound of the waves hitting the shore as you witness the sunset will give you a unique vibe. You’ll start to be reminded of life’s precious moments and the timeless experience that the day has passed. 

Waiting for the sunset at Batu Feringghi Beach

Traditional wooden houses at Clan Jetties

At Clan Jetties, there are many traditional houses built on stilts. These houses extend over the water. Influenced by the Chinese communities in the region from the 19th century, each jetty is named after the respective clans that settled there. 

As you walk along the jetty, there are various shops that sell unique handmade souvenir items and snacks. The jetty gives you a unique vibe in a well-knit community. 

Tips from a local: 

  • Respect the locals and the neighbourhood. Families are still living in these traditional houses. 
  • Purchase your souvenir at one of the many shops here. They are unique and you can’t find them anywhere else in Penang

Souvenir shops at Clan Jetties

Rice paddies at Balik Pulau Fishing Village

Unknown to many, Balik Pulau is a hidden gem. Balik Pulau is a 30-minute drive from Georgetown and gives you the best local experience. 

Balik Pulau is rich in rice paddies. Here, farmers use traditional farming methods to harvest crops. Spot the water buffaloes helping the farmers to plough the land. Rent a bicycle and cycle through the rice paddies and stop to take your Instagram-worthy photos.

At Balik Pulau, you will enjoy a more laid-back life compared to busy Georgetown. 

An Instagrammable Photo at Frog Hill

Well-known by the locals, from the top of Frog Hill, it offers you a great Instagrammable photo shot. Frog Hill is an abandoned quarry with many blue artificial lakes and granite hills. 

Frog Hill is located on the mainland side of Penang in Bukit Gelogor, which can be accessible by e-hailing services such as Grab. 

If you are thinking twice about whether the trip is worth it, I thoroughly recommend it. The view is worth the short hike up and you will thank yourself as you burn some calories after enjoying all the delicious street food. 

What are other unique places in Penang? 

Penang is home to many unique and historical places. Each building is packed with great history despite the modern-looking facade. 

Here are some other unique places to visit while you are in Penang: 

  • Fort Cornwallis
  • Masjid Kapitan Keling Mosque
  • Kek Lok Si Temple
  • Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Waterfall Temple
  • Penang Peranakan Mansion

Penang Hidden Gems: When is the best time to visit? 

Penang is best visited between November to January. During these months, there is light rainfall, enabling you to walk along the hidden alleyways conveniently and comfortably. 

From February to April, the weather is hot and humid. However, you will get to witness clear blue skies. 

Penang experiences the Monsoon season from May to November. During this period, Penang experiences heavy rain, but the weather is more bearable. 

Tips from a local:

  • If you have a flexible travel schedule, try to avoid visiting Penang during the school holidays. Road traffic is significantly worse, resulting in you spending more time travelling from one place to another. 
  • To experience a unique, festive vibe, visit Penang during the Lunar New Year. While the road traffic is slightly worse, the great vibes make up for it. 

Penang Hidden Gems: Where is the best location to stay? 

Having visited Penang multiple times and staying at various locations, my favourite location to stay is Georgetown. This is because: 

  • Easily walkable to various food places and stumble into little alleyways
  • Backpackers hostel and hotels are reasonably priced
  • Many social activities to join, if you are looking for social activities

The one area that I avoid staying in is the Southern area of Penang Island. This is despite cheaper rental prices for a single room. This is because: 

  • The South area is quite a distance to get to the town centre
  • You may struggle to get a Grab back to your accommodation in the late evening, after enjoying yourself in Georgetown

I recommend you to stay in the South area if you are looking for a home base for a slightly longer duration to focus on working on your business from your hotel room and reduce distractions. 

Penang Hidden Gems: What to Eat? 

Plethora of Nasi Kandar dishes at Deens Maju Nasi Kandar

Tips for the best Penang trip

Travelling and planning a trip to Penang to enjoy the scrumptious food and learn more about the rich history is simply rewarding. Here are some things to bring when you are planning your adventurous trip to Penang to explore Penang’s hidden gems. 

  • Water bottle
  • Suntan lotion
  • Sunglasses
  • Raincoat or umbrella
  • Hiking shoes
  • Mosquito repellent

Conclusion

Visiting Penang and exploring Penang’s hidden gems allows you to discover beyond the well-trodden tourist paths. The many hidden gems to explore which are incredibly diverse enable Penang to welcome many tourists with various travel styles. 

As you curiously wander and uncover the magical hidden paths, your trip to Penang will give you fond memories as you proceed with your travels. 

So, step away from the famous landmarks and let Penang’s hidden gems weave their spell and give you a discovery journey like no other. 

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