Penang

Overview

From the colonial charm of George Town to perfect white sandy beaches, discover a captivating holiday to Penang with a tailor-made luxury itinerary from Lightfoot Travel.

Penang is like a delectable menu that holds an infinite amount of delicious options, ready to order. Tropical beach enclave, charming colonial outpost, foodie heaven – prepare yourself for a holiday bubbling with attractions of all kinds.

Penang was founded as a seaport and used as a trading centre by the East India Company before becoming a centre of commerce, entrepreneurship and piracy! Even to this day, it has retained the multicultural crossroads feel it’s always had.

Tour ideas

Explore every fascinating corner of Penang on our Ultimate Malaysia: Highlands, Heritage & Islandsitinerary. Our representative greets you at the airport, ready to show you the sights and sounds of this enticing state.

Immerse yourself in culture and customs by taking a Heritage Tour around Penang, admiring the skills of resident craftspeople and tasting local cuisine as you go. Visit Kek Lok Si Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the country, before heading out of the city to experience life in traditional villages.

Things to do

Eating out – from street food to fancy restaurants – is a reason alone to visit Penang. Malaysian, Chinese, and Indian cuisine is found here in endless varieties, but this spice capital holds so many surprises. Trust us when we say this is one of the best places to eat in Southeast Asia if not the entire continent.

Wander past prominent sites such as the Kapitan Keling Mosque or surround yourself with nature in Penang National Park. Let us not forget that being in Malaysia, golden sandy beaches ring the island and glorious weather means relaxing in the sun is always an option.

Places to visit

Make sure to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of George Town. The narrow streets, lined with colonial buildings and remnants of a thriving past, have barely changed in a century. Churches, museums, galleries and other buildings of significance are located here and you may easily get lost uncovering George Town’s fascinating history.

Penang Hill rewards trekkers with breathtaking views over George Town, a popular spot to watch the sunrise. We highly recommend a detour to the luscious Botanic Gardens, as well as the Tropical Spice Garden, butterfly farms and fruit orchards.

As always, Lightfoot Travel’s highly experienced specialists prepare ultra-luxury bespoke holidays to Penang and offer impartial advice on the best places to stay. Enquire today or browse below for more destination inspiration. Enquire Now!

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Local Info

Country: Penang

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Itineraries
where to stay

Malacca Straits Mosque (Masjid Selat Melaka) with sunset background

From HK$66,000 pp

Ultimate Malaysia: Highlands, Heritage & Islands

PenangLangkawiKuala Lumpur & Central MalaysiaMalaysiaSingaporeAsia

Visit local artisans, villages and restaurants in Penang
Enjoy beach life and mountain biking on Langkawi
Learn about the local tea plantations in the Cameron Highlands
Embark on a historic river cruise in Malacca
Witness iconic monuments in Singapore

ideal length 14 nights

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Eastern & Oriental Hotel

Penang

Built in 1885 by the Sarkies brothers, the Eastern & Oriental Hotel is a George Town institution. This all-suite hotel oozes colonial elegance but has plenty of modern comforts, while its prime seafront location is ideal for exploring the UNESCO-listed old town.

The original part of the hotel, the Heritage...

LightFoot Scale

family friendly

Yes

activities

Yes

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Lone Pine Hotel

Penang

Surrounded by lush gardens, Lone Pine Hotel sits on a quiet stretch of Penang’s Batu Ferringhi beach. This simple yet stylish hotel has an intimate feel, infused with a blend of colonial charm and modern luxuries.

There are guestrooms and suites which open onto seafront terraces, balconies or...

LightFoot Scale

family friendly

Yes

activities

Yes

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Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa

Penang

Set amid lush gardens filled with century-old rain trees and tropical flowers, the Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort occupies a stretch of Penang’s Batu Ferringhi beach. This resort boasts world-class facilities, abundant activities and Shangri-La’s renowned impeccable service.

The resort offers guestrooms and suites, with views of the Andaman...

LightFoot Scale

family friendly

Yes

activities

Yes

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The Edison

Penang

Situated in the centre of George Town, The Edison was a local tycoon’s mansion in the early 1900s. Today it offers a contemporary, high spec escape from the busy city. Bedrooms are well appointed and feel super modern with splashes of bold, bright colours.

This boutique hotel offers 35 well-appointed...

LightFoot Scale

family friendly

Yes

activities

Yes

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