1 Week in Penang: The Complete 7-Day Itinerary
One week is the ideal amount of time to see everything Penang has to offer — from the UNESCO heritage zone to Balik Pulau.
The day-by-day plan
7 days • RM 500 – RM 750 per person
Book this trip
Hotels, activities, transport and tours for this 7-day plan.
Verify opening hours and prices locally — Penang's food scene changes frequently.
Day 1
Est. transport: ~RM 9 Grab
Guided tour of the iconic 19th-century Chinese mansion
Armenian Street Street Art
11:30 AM – 1:00 PMWalk the heritage lane murals — Ernest Zacharevic originals plus newer additions
Ornate Hokkien clan house with intricate wood carvings and painted panels
Wooden walkways over the sea — Chew Jetty is the most photogenic
Meal Suggestions
Nasi Kandar at Line Clear, Penang Road — classic Mamak-style rice with curries
RM 12
Char Kway Teow at Lorong Selamat — legendary wok-fried flat rice noodles
RM 9
Hawker dinner at New Lane (Lorong Baru) — char koay kak, o chien, and iced Milo
RM 25
Day 2
Est. transport: ~RM 19 Grab
Ride to the summit for panoramic views of George Town and the straits
30-hectare garden with waterfall trail and colonial-era green houses
Seven-storey pagoda and giant Kuan Yin bronze statue on the hillside
Meal Suggestions
Roti canai and teh tarik at a local kopitiam near the Funicular station
RM 8
Dim sum at Oriental Restaurant, Air Itam — popular local weekend spot
RM 25
Penang laksa at Ayer Itam Market — the original sour and spicy bowl
RM 8
Day 3
Est. transport: ~RM 12 Grab
Swim and relax on Penang's most popular resort beach
Guided walk through 500+ spice and herb species in a jungle setting
Browse the 1km stretch of stalls for souvenirs, batik, and trinkets
Meal Suggestions
Hotel breakfast or Sri Emas Cafe near the beach strip
RM 15
Fresh seafood at Ferringhi Garden Restaurant — lobster, prawns, grouper
RM 60
Street food at Batu Ferringhi Night Market — lok lok, satay, ice kacang
RM 20
Day 4
Est. transport: ~RM 26 Grab
Finest Peranakan collection in SE Asia — do not miss
Largest fort in Malaysia — cannonball walls, colonial history, breezy esplanade
Guided jungle walk through 500+ rare spices and herbs
Meal Suggestions
Dim sum at Tho Yuen Restaurant — Penang's most beloved dim sum venue
RM 20
Banana leaf rice at Sri Ananda Bahwan
RM 14
Seafood dinner at Hai Boey Seafood Restaurant — catch-of-day preparations
RM 60
Day 5
Est. transport: ~RM 12 Grab
Quiet Hakka village town — old shophouses, temples, and local morning market
Seasonal durian tasting at roadside orchards — Musang King, Red Prawn, D24
Hidden hilltop garden with sculptures and forest trails near Balik Pulau
Meal Suggestions
Balik Pulau laksa at a local kopitiam — thicker noodles, different spice profile from city
RM 6
Hakka noodles and fish ball soup at Balik Pulau market
RM 10
Back in George Town — Gurney Plaza food court for air-conditioned evening
RM 25
Day 6
Est. transport: ~RM 26 Grab
Butterworth Day Trip via Ferry
9:00 AM – 12:00 PMTake the RM 1.20 ferry to mainland Penang — Butterworth fish market, heritage street, old town
Former British fort turned chilling WWII museum — 20 hectares of bunkers and tunnels
Meal Suggestions
Breakfast at Swatow Lane coffee shop — old-style kopitiam
RM 8
Fish noodle at a Butterworth hawker centre — different style from Penang island
RM 8
Gurney Drive hawker comeback — assam laksa one more time before you leave
RM 20
Day 7
Est. transport: ~RM 9 Grab
Morning hawker session — assam laksa, pasembur, and popiah
Original green noodle dessert with coconut milk, palm sugar, and red beans
Upper Penang Road Local Market
2:00 PM – 4:00 PMWet market walk and local snack hunting in a non-tourist setting
New Lane Night Hawker Centre
8:00 PM – 10:00 PMLate dinner at Penang's best night hawker strip — fried oysters, satay, BBQ wings
Meal Suggestions
Prawn noodle soup at Kedai Kopi Sin Guat Keong, Macalister Road
RM 12
Nasi lemak at Village Park-style stall in Greenlane
RM 10
Wonton mee and roast pork at Hong Kee, Campbell Street — late kitchen
RM 12
Travel Tips
- One week gives you time to go beyond the tourist highlights — use the last two days for deeper exploration.
- The Penang War Museum is far south — combine with Batu Maung fishing village nearby.
- Butterworth ferry runs every 20 minutes from Swettenham Pier — no booking needed.
- By Day 5 you'll know the main hawker stalls by heart. Use Days 6–7 to find your own.
- Penang Hill changes completely at sunset — a second visit at dusk is worth it.
- Book a trishaw ride on your last morning — RM 30 for a 45-minute heritage zone circuit.
Day Trip Ideas from Penang
With 7+ days you have time for a quick escape. These are easy to add on.
Langkawi Island
White sand beaches, duty-free shopping, cable car. Best as a 2-night stay.
35–40min flight (direct ferry discontinued) · or bus + Kuala Kedah ferry
Ipoh
Old town street art, cave temples, incredible white coffee, and Hakka food.
Bus from Sungai Nibong · 2h · from RM 10
Cameron Highlands
Cool hill station, tea plantations, strawberry farms, colonial bungalows.
Bus via Tapah or direct · 4h · from RM 25
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Route Map
Pins shown for recognized Penang locations. Some activities may not appear if coordinates are unavailable.
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