10 Best Things to Do in Penang for First Timers + Families
Are you a first time visitor to Penang? Here are the very best things to do in Penang to prioritize in your travel planning.
Malaysia
Traveling to Malaysia?
Here you’ll find all our Malaysia travel tips, destination guides, family travel tips and more.
Destinations include Kuala Lumpur, Sabah (Borneo), UNESCO sites, wildlife, national parks, things to do, places to visit in Borneo and more.
Visiting George Town, Penang: A First-Hand Guide
Helpful tips for exploring atmospheric Georgetown on Penang Island — Malaysia’s historic UNESCO settlement and foodie capital — with or without kids.
Penang’s Batu Ferringhi Beach: What to Expect and Is It Worth It?
Batu Ferringhi beach on Penang Island. A first-hand guide for what to expect, things to do, and more. Is it worth a visit? Here’s our review.
Penang Street Art: What to Expect
On top of being a major foodie magnet, Penang is also visited for its unique street art. Our final post on George Town offers an idea of what to expect, plus some of our favorite places to eat and drink.
Penang Hill Day Trip from George Town: Review + Visitor Guide
Just 5 miles from George Town’s bustling city center, Penang Hill rises 2,700 feet, offering stunning island views and a respite from the lowland heat.
Tropical Spice Garden & Tanjung Bungah
How to easily visit the Tropical Spice Garden and Tanjung Bungah in Penang. What you need to know and what to expect from your day trip.
Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm: What to Expect + Visitor Tips
It’s impossible to plan a family vacation to Penang and not at least consider visiting Penang Butterfly Farm’s award-winning new project. We’ll see if Entopia lives up to the hype.
Tip of Borneo: The Ultimate Guide for Travelers
Tip of Borneo (Tanjung Simpang Mengayu), rumored home to Borneo’s best beaches and sunsets! Here’s our experience, with helpful tips and recommendations for an unforgettable visit.
KL Bird Park: Exploring the World’s Largest Aviary
Visiting Kuala Lumpur? Don’t miss KL Bird Park! Read our trip report on exploring this amazing aviary with helpful tips for visiting.
Pandan Pandan Island Day Trip (Kota Belud, Malaysia)
A 3km paddle from Bigfin gets us to the beautiful little uninhabited island of Pandan Pandan. Uninhabited, yes—but far from deserted, as we quickly discover.
So Long, Penang!
Wrapping things up in Penang before making our way back to Kuala Lumpur and beyond.
Temples of George Town
A short post highlighting a sampling of the interesting and photogenic religious structures across Old Town George Town.
George Town Clan Jetties
Originally settled by Chinese laborers over a century ago, George Town’s Clan Jetties remain home to a vibrant community living over the water.
Riley Turns One in Malaysia
Our final full day in Kuala Lumpur AND an extra special day at that! We celebrate Riley’s first birthday in style…or at least in Malaysia.
Batu Caves: Kuala Lumpur Day Trip
We ascend 272 neon-colored steps to explore sacred Batu Caves. It’s crowded, it’s kitsch, but a fun day trip by train with little ones from Kuala Lumpur.
Kick-Around Days in Kuala Lumpur
Visits to amazing KLCC park, a short jungle hike in the middle of the city, a stroll along the River of Life, and dinner at a couple of our favorite KL eateries.
Three Weeks of R&R in Malaysia
Kicking off our three-week inter-relocation vacation in Malaysia! The first stop? Five days in one of our favorite world capitals: Kuala Lumpur.
Kudat Day Trip: Secret Beach
Kicking things into high gear, as the search for the perfect beach continues. Today’s contender, a little-known beach in the extreme north of Borneo.