Penang is both an island and a state of Malaysia, on the northwest coast of the peninsula, on the Strait of Malacca. Its capital, George Town, founded in 1786 by the British East India Company, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008 together with Malacca. People come to Penang for its Chinese clan houses, temples, Peranakan mansions, street food and Penang Hill. This Penang travel guide covers what to see, how to get there, where to stay and what weather to expect month by month, based on official normals.
To place Penang in an itinerary, see our guide to travel in Malaysia, the Kuala Lumpur guide, our Malacca page (the other UNESCO-listed Strait city) and the calendar for when to go to Malaysia.
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Penang at a glance
- Time zone UTC+8, no daylight saving; 8 hours ahead of London in winter (7 in summer) and 13 ahead of New York in winter (12 in summer) (see our page on the time difference in Malaysia)
- Climate highs of 31 to 33 °C (88 to 91 °F) all year; January and February are the driest months (1991–2020 normals)
- Entry no visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days for US and UK citizens; the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) is required (U.S. Department of State, last updated February 26, 2026; UK FCDO, updated 19 March 2026)
- Getting there Penang International Airport (Bayan Lepas), or from the mainland by the bridges and the ferry
- Main sights George Town, Khoo Kongsi, Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si
Penang: island, state or George Town?
The state of Penang has two parts separated by a strait: Penang Island (Pulau Pinang), home to George Town and the airport, and a mainland strip, Seberang Perai, with Butterworth. The island belonged to the Sultanate of Kedah before being ceded in 1786 to Captain Francis Light, who founded George Town. In 1826 the settlement became one of the components of the Straits Settlements. Chinese immigration, mostly from Fujian until the 1930s, explains why it is today the only state of the peninsula without a Malay majority. For a traveler, “going to Penang” mostly means staying in George Town and making trips around the island.
What to see in Penang: the highlights
The historic centre of George Town
The listed district can be explored on foot: rows of shophouses, churches, mosques and Chinese and Hindu temples stand side by side within a few streets. The oldest recall the first missionaries (Lebuh Gereja, the former Church Street, or Lebuh Bishop). The murals and wrought-iron sculptures scattered through the centre have made it one of the favourite playgrounds of street-art fans. Set out early in the morning or late in the afternoon: the average high exceeds 31 °C (88 °F) all year.
Khoo Kongsi and the clan houses
Kongsi are the community houses of Chinese clans. The Khoo Kongsi, a richly decorated complex, is the best known: it groups a clan temple, halls and dwellings around a square. Other clan houses can be visited in the district, often along the clan jetties, stilt villages built over the water.
The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion and the Peranakan museum
At 14 Lebuh Leith, the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, the “Blue Mansion”, is George Town’s most famous wealthy Chinese merchant’s house. In Church Street, the Pinang Peranakan Museum presents the Baba-Nyonya way of life in a century-old house. Check visits and opening hours on the official sites of both places.
Penang Hill
Bukit Bendera, known as Penang Hill, rises to 833 metres (2,733 ft). A former retreat of British colonists, it has no public road access: you go up by funicular from the Air Itam district. At the top, the tropical vegetation and colonial houses contrast with the city below, and on a clear day the view reaches the mainland.
Kek Lok Si Temple
Also in Air Itam, the Buddhist temple of Kek Lok Si rises in tiers up the slopes above the city, with its pagoda and a large statue of Guanyin. It is easy to combine with Penang Hill in the same half-day.
The rest of the island
Beyond George Town, Penang Island has other places to visit: Suffolk House, Francis Light’s first residence and an example of Anglo-Indian architecture; the Thai temple Wat Chayamangkalaram and the Burmese temple Dhammikarama, facing each other; and, in the northwest, the Batu Ferringhi coast and Penang National Park. The Penang Bridge, 13.5 km (8 mi) long and opened in 1988, links the island to the mainland.
Penang street food
Penang is famous in Malaysia for its street food, heir to Chinese, Malay, Indian and Peranakan cultures. The hawker centres of George Town are the best way to try local specialities. For hygiene, choose stalls where local customers crowd and where food is cooked in front of you.
Penang in 2 or 3 days
- Day 1: George Town on foot, Khoo Kongsi, clan jetties, street art, then dinner at a hawker centre.
- Day 2: Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion and Peranakan museum in the morning, Kek Lok Si and Penang Hill in the afternoon, until sunset.
- Day 3: Thai and Burmese temples, Suffolk House, then the northwest coast (Batu Ferringhi, national park).
Where to stay in Penang
The historic centre of George Town is the most practical choice for sightseeing on foot; it has hotels set in former shophouses. For the beach, the Batu Ferringhi coast, in the north of the island, has the beach resorts, but you will need a bus or taxi to reach George Town.
Getting to Penang and getting around
Penang International Airport is at Bayan Lepas, in the southeast of the island; it is linked in particular to Kuala Lumpur. Most visitors from the US or UK arrive with at least one connection: check routes on the airport’s and airlines’ websites. Overland, the train arrives at Butterworth, on the mainland, from where a ferry crosses the strait to George Town; the road goes over the Penang Bridge.
On the island, buses and ride-hailing complement walking. In George Town, walking remains the best way to sightsee. The UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 19 March 2026) warns that bag-snatching is common in Malaysia’s cities and that thieves on motorbikes can pull off bags carried on the shoulder closest to the road: carry your belongings on the side away from traffic.
Transfer from the airport
Buses, taxis and ride-hailing link the airport to George Town. For a transfer booked in advance, compare the official operator’s offer with resellers: cancellation terms and pick-up if your flight is delayed. A rental car is only useful for touring the island; traffic drives on the left.
When to go to Penang: climate month by month
Penang has an equatorial climate: hot and humid all year, with no real cool season. The difference lies in the rain. The table combines the official normals with our calculations: day/night gap, sunrise and sunset, day length.
| Month | Avg. max | Avg. min | Rain | Rainy days (≥ 1 mm) | Day/night gap | Sunrise / sunset (15th) | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31.9 °C (89 °F) | 24.6 °C (76 °F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 6.8 | 7.3 °C (13 °F) | 7:32 am / 7:23 pm | 11 h 51 min |
| February | 32.4 °C (90 °F) | 24.7 °C (76 °F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 6.0 | 7.7 °C (14 °F) | 7:34 am / 7:31 pm | 11 h 57 min |
| March | 32.6 °C (91 °F) | 25.0 °C (77 °F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 9.8 | 7.6 °C (14 °F) | 7:25 am / 7:30 pm | 12 h 05 min |
| April | 32.3 °C (90 °F) | 25.2 °C (77 °F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 13.6 | 7.1 °C (13 °F) | 7:11 am / 7:25 pm | 12 h 14 min |
| May | 32.1 °C (90 °F) | 25.3 °C (78 °F) | 229 mm (9.0 in) | 13.0 | 6.8 °C (12 °F) | 7:04 am / 7:26 pm | 12 h 22 min |
| June | 32.0 °C (90 °F) | 25.2 °C (77 °F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 9.9 | 6.8 °C (12 °F) | 7:06 am / 7:32 pm | 12 h 26 min |
| July | 31.6 °C (89 °F) | 24.9 °C (77 °F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 10.0 | 6.7 °C (12 °F) | 7:12 am / 7:36 pm | 12 h 24 min |
| August | 31.4 °C (89 °F) | 24.7 °C (76 °F) | 246 mm (9.7 in) | 13.2 | 6.7 °C (12 °F) | 7:14 am / 7:32 pm | 12 h 18 min |
| September | 31.1 °C (88 °F) | 24.4 °C (76 °F) | 316 mm (12.4 in) | 15.5 | 6.7 °C (12 °F) | 7:09 am / 7:18 pm | 12 h 09 min |
| October | 31.0 °C (88 °F) | 24.3 °C (76 °F) | 337 mm (13.3 in) | 18.3 | 6.7 °C (12 °F) | 7:04 am / 7:04 pm | 12 h 00 min |
| November | 31.1 °C (88 °F) | 24.4 °C (76 °F) | 233 mm (9.2 in) | 15.7 | 6.7 °C (12 °F) | 7:06 am / 6:59 pm | 11 h 53 min |
| December | 31.3 °C (88 °F) | 24.5 °C (76 °F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 10.8 | 6.8 °C (12 °F) | 7:19 am / 7:07 pm | 11 h 49 min |
Reading the table: the average high barely varies (31.0 to 32.6 °C / 88 to 91 °F) and the average low never falls below 24 °C (75 °F). January and February are the driest months (80 and 86 mm / 3.1 and 3.4 in, 6 to 7 days with precipitation). The rain then increases to peak in September and October (316 and 337 mm / 12.4 and 13.3 in; 18.3 days in October). Near the equator, day length varies by only 37 minutes over the year: the sun sets between 7:00 and 7:40 pm in every season (calculation).
For monsoon flooding, the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 19 March 2026) says seasonal storms affect Malaysia, and flooding and landslides are common and can interrupt essential services. To compare with Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi or the east coast, see when to go to Malaysia.
Safety: what the official sources say
We read the safety sections of the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 19 March 2026) and the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, last updated February 26, 2026) for Malaysia on 26 October 2026. The FCDO’s regional warning concerns the islands and dive sites off the eastern Sabah coast from Sandakan to Tawau (kidnapping threat); Penang is not mentioned. For a stay in Penang, note:
- Bag-snatching: it is common, particularly in major cities; thieves on motorbikes can target tourists (UK FCDO). The U.S. Department of State lists purse snatchings, pickpocketing and smash-and-grab thefts among the most common crimes in Kuala Lumpur.
- Drugs: penalties for using, having or selling illegal drugs are much harsher than in the United States and can include the death penalty (U.S. Department of State).
- Drinks: the FCDO warns about drink spiking and methanol poisoning.
- Sea: the FCDO notes ongoing piracy in South-East Asian waters, particularly in the Strait of Malacca.
Entry requirements
- US citizens: according to the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, last updated February 26, 2026), you do not need a Malaysian visa for business or tourism for 90 days or less. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond arrival, with at least one blank page. All travelers must complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC).
- UK citizens: according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 19 March 2026), you can visit Malaysia without a visa for tourism and will normally be allowed to stay for 90 days on arrival. Your passport must have an expiry date at least 6 months after the date you arrive. You must submit an arrival card online before you travel.
- Check the official Malaysian Immigration website for the arrival card, and confirm with the Malaysian embassy or high commission in your country if in doubt. See also our guide to entry requirements.
Staying connected
An eSIM installed before departure lets you use maps, ride-hailing and payment apps as soon as you land at Bayan Lepas. Check your phone’s compatibility: see our travel eSIM guide.
If you… then…
| If you… | Then… |
|---|---|
| Want the driest weather | Aim for January and February (6 to 7 days with precipitation per month) |
| Travel in September–October | Expect the wettest months: plan indoor visits |
| Like architecture | Khoo Kongsi, Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Peranakan museum, George Town shophouses |
| Want an overview | Take the funicular up Penang Hill in the late afternoon |
| Combine with Malacca | The two Strait cities are listed together by UNESCO |
| Have only one day | George Town on foot in the morning, Kek Lok Si and Penang Hill in the afternoon |
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see in Penang?
The historic centre of George Town (UNESCO-listed), Khoo Kongsi, the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, the Peranakan museum, Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si Temple and the Thai and Burmese temples.
What is the best time to go to Penang?
January and February are the driest months (80 to 86 mm / 3.1 to 3.4 in of rain); September and October are the wettest (over 300 mm / 11.8 in), according to the 1991–2020 normals for the Bayan Lepas station.
Is Penang an island?
Penang is a Malaysian state made up of Penang Island, where George Town is, and a mainland part, Seberang Perai. The Penang Bridge links the island to the mainland.
How many days do you need in Penang?
Two days for George Town and Penang Hill, one more for the rest of the island.
Do you need a visa for Penang?
Not for tourist stays of up to 90 days, for US or UK citizens, but the MDAC digital arrival card is required (U.S. Department of State, February 26, 2026; UK FCDO, 19 March 2026).
How do you get up Penang Hill?
By funicular from Air Itam: the summit has no public road access.
Our sources
- UK FCDO, Malaysia foreign travel advice (GOV.UK, updated 19 March 2026): entry requirements, safety and security, regional risks; read 26 October 2026
- U.S. Department of State, Malaysia country information (travel.state.gov, last updated February 26, 2026): entry and exit requirements, safety and security, local laws; read 26 October 2026
- World Meteorological Organization, 1991–2020 climate normals, Bayan Lepas station (48601), Malaysian Meteorological Department (NOAA/NCEI archive)
- Wikipedia: “Penang” (geography, history, sights)
- UNESCO World Heritage List: Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca (2008)
- Astronomical calculations: NOAA solar algorithm applied by Destination de Voyage to the coordinates of George Town (15th of each month, year 2027)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
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