Free things to do · Penang · Malaysia
9 free things to do in Penang
Penang without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: HundenvonPenang, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Penang without paying an entry fee: Street of Harmony, Clan Jetties, George Town street art and Penang National Park are all free. Eat at hawker centres and coffee shops, where a filling meal costs a fraction of a restaurant dinner.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 9
- Low-cost extras
- 4
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- September–November
Free sights and experiences
Street · George Town Heritage Zone
1.Street of Harmony
Dress modestly so you can step inside the places of worship; the mosque provides robes for visitors outside prayer times.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Waterfront · George Town Heritage Zone
2.Clan Jetties
Visit around sunset, and remember people live here — keep noise down and don't enter homes.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Photo spot
Street · George Town Heritage Zone
3.George Town street art
Start early in the morning before tour groups queue for photos at the best-known murals.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Photo spot
- Kids
Nature · Teluk Bahang
4.Penang National Park
Start early to beat the heat, register at the entrance, carry plenty of water, and arrange a boat back if you walk out.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Active
- Free
Religious site · Gurney Drive and Pulau Tikus
5.Wat Chayamangkalaram and Dhammikarama
Remove shoes before entering the halls and visit both in one stop; entry is free.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
Beach · Batu Ferringhi
6.Batu Ferringhi beach
Swim near your hotel's lifeguard area and ask about jellyfish; many visitors prefer the hotel pool and the beach for sunsets.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- After dark
- Outdoors
Garden · Gurney Drive and Pulau Tikus
7.Penang Botanic Gardens
Visit in the early morning; keep food out of sight of the macaques, which snatch bags.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Kids
Neighbourhood · George Town Heritage Zone
8.Little India
Eat a banana-leaf rice lunch and finish with a teh tarik from a mamak stall.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Free
Gallery · George Town Heritage Zone
9.Hin Bus Depot
Go on a Sunday for the market, then walk to the nearby Penang Road cendol stalls.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Shopping
- Off the beaten path
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| George Town Heritage Zone | Street of Harmony, Clan Jetties, George Town street art, Little India and Hin Bus Depot | 1.5 hours + 45 minutes + 2 hours + 1.5 hours + 1 hour |
| Teluk Bahang | Penang National Park | Half a day |
| Gurney Drive and Pulau Tikus | Wat Chayamangkalaram and Dhammikarama and Penang Botanic Gardens | 1 hour + 1.5 hours |
| Batu Ferringhi | Batu Ferringhi beach | Half a day |
Worth a small ticket
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Historic site · George Town Heritage Zone
Khoo Kongsi
Look at the ceiling beams and the roof ridges from the courtyard; the carvings are densest there.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Religious site · Air Itam
Kek Lok Si Temple
Take the inclined lift up to the Kuan Yin statue and walk down through the terraces; visit after dark during the Chinese New Year lighting period.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Architecture
- After dark
Historic site · George Town Heritage Zone
Fort Cornwallis
Combine it with a sunset walk along the Esplanade and the clock tower nearby.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
Market · Gurney Drive and Pulau Tikus
Gurney Drive Hawker Centre
Find a table first, note its number, then order from several stalls; most deliver to your table and take cash.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- After dark
More ways to save
- Eat at hawker centres and coffee shops, where a filling meal costs a fraction of a restaurant dinner.
- Alcohol is heavily taxed; beer from convenience stores is much cheaper than in bars.
- Many heritage sights, temples, the street art, the Botanic Gardens and Penang National Park are free.
- Avoid Chinese New Year and long public holiday weekends for the best hotel rates.
- Use Grab rather than street taxis to get clear, metered-style prices.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Penang expensive to visit?
Penang is affordable for most visitors, but 9 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Penang?
Street of Harmony: Dress modestly so you can step inside the places of worship; the mosque provides robes for visitors outside prayer times.