Overview
The island of Penang has it all. Beaches, rich culture, beautiful heritage buildings, ornate temples and most famously, lots of really good food. The heritage district is concentrated in the Unesco World Heritage Zone of Georgetown. Here you will find old pre-war buildings restored and re-purposed into restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, shops and even fast food outlets. We saw a very odd looking KFC in a heritage building.
For rest and relaxation, Batu Ferringhi has a strip of white sand beaches lined with resorts and a street full of restaurants with a market at night.
Food and Drink
Many of the regional tourists flock to Penang for the cuisine, so it goes without saying trying the local food is a must while visiting Penang. Dining options vary from local hawker centers where a meal can be as little as $2, to enjoying local flavors at their finest at hotels and resorts.
[catlist name=penang-food-and-drink]
Hotels
To enjoy the beaches of Penang, the resorts in Batu Ferringhi offer beach front accommodation only 30 minutes away from town. To enjoy the heritage zone at your doorstep, consider staying in a restored heritage building in Georgetown.
[catlist name=penang-hotels]
Spas
De-stress at one of the beautiful spas in Penang and enjoy a variety of therapies including traditional Malaysian massage and Foot Reflexology.
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Activities
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Travel Tips
- Budget Airlines in Asia and Tips to make the most of it
- What to pack for a Southeast Asian Beach Vacation
Location
A small island located on the west coast of Malaysia. Only an hour flight from Kuala Lumpur, direct flights are also available from Singapore.
All photos from Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa by Shangri-La