penang in 3 days, 2 nights

An afternoon on foot in George Town, a day of hills and temples in Air Itam, and a last morning at the clan houses and jetties before the drive home.

  1. Day 1

    Into George Town

    Morning
    Drive up from KL, about 4 hours over the Penang Bridge, or take the ETS to Butterworth and the ferry across. Check in inside the heritage zone and leave the car there for the rest of the trip.
    Lunch
    Nasi kandar at Line Clear or Kapitan, both long-time names in the heritage zone. Ask for your rice banjir, with the curries mixed and poured over.
    Afternoon
    Rest through the hottest part of the day. Around four, have cendol at the Penang Road stall, then walk to Armenian Street, about 15 minutes away, for the murals and iron sculptures.
    Evening
    Hawker dinner at New Lane, a short Grab ride away. Share plates from a few stalls, starting with char kway teow.
  2. Day 2

    Hills and temples

    Morning
    Take a Grab to the Penang Hill lower station in Air Itam, about 30 minutes, and ride the funicular up early, before the queues and the heat. Walk the paths at the top in the cooler air.
    Lunch
    Come down for assam laksa at Air Itam market, a few minutes' drive away at the foot of Kek Lok Si.
    Afternoon
    Spend the afternoon at Kek Lok Si, working your way up the terraces to the pagoda and the giant Guanyin statue. Then head back to the hotel for a rest.
    Evening
    Dinner at the Gurney Drive hawker centre by the sea, about 15 minutes from George Town by Grab. Go early to find a table for the group.
  3. Day 3

    Clan houses and the jetties

    Morning
    After a kopitiam breakfast, walk to Khoo Kongsi, the clan house hidden behind the shophouses near Armenian Street. From there it's about 10 minutes on foot to the clan jetties on Weld Quay, where Chew Jetty is the best known.
    Lunch
    One last plate of char kway teow or nasi kandar before you pack up the car.
    Afternoon
    Drive home, about 4 hours. Leave by early afternoon to reach KL before the evening traffic.

Good to know

  • Do Penang Hill first thing on Day 2. The funicular queue grows through the morning, especially at weekends.
  • Hawker stalls keep their own hours and rest days, so have a second choice in mind for each meal.
  • People live on the clan jetties. Keep your voice down and don't walk into the houses.
The George Town guide