Away from busy Georgetown, Penang’s countryside shows a very different side of the island. This cycling experience takes you into Balik Pulau, where colour, scent and everyday life shape a quieter, rural pace. It suits both locals and visitors who want to move beyond the city streets and explore the agricultural landscape and village communities.
As you cycle through Balik Pulau, you’ll pass colourful village scenes and may smell the spices, fruit and cooking that fill the air. The route offers plenty of green views, from rice paddies to roadside vegetation, and gives a sense of how local people live and work outside Georgetown. Along the way you’ll get opportunities to observe daily routines and village life, and to appreciate why the Penang countryside is often described as one of the island’s most captivating qualities. The experience focuses on scenery, local atmosphere and simple encounters rather than urban sightseeing, offering a quieter, more intimate view of Penang.
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
User reviews, Excellent, 4.6 out of 5 stars from 206 reviews
Penang is a diverse hub of culinary traditions, and this curated food tour gives you a thorough introduction to some of George Town’s most beloved dining spots. Along the way you’ll visit many hidden gems that are not easily found on your own, so the focus stays on tasting and learning rather than hunting for venues.
You’ll take a deep dive into Penang’s food culture and history, seeing how past influences have shaped the island’s current gastronomic scene. As you move through the neighbourhood, you’ll meet the people behind the meals and learn about the key ingredients that define local dishes. The tour includes more than 15 tastings, offering a wide range of flavours and specialties that help explain why Penang is known for its vibrant food scene.
Duration: 4 hours
User reviews, Exceptional, 4.9 out of 5 stars from 160 reviews
This ticket will allow you to take in a bird's eye view of Penang Island from The Top Komtar Tower. This open-air platform is the highest point in George Town and is a 817 ft walk above ground at Window of the Top central attractions: Penang Rainbow Skywalk and Observatory Deck. Depending on the ticket option you select, there are a variety of activities and attractions for you to enjoy, such as the Tech Dome, the Jurassic Research Center and the Top Boutique Aquarium. You can also dine at the The Top View Restaurant, located at level 68.
User reviews, Excellent, 4.4 out of 5 stars from 77 reviews
A walk through Cheong Fatt Tze's Blue Mansion in George Town offers a step back into 19th-century Penang. As you move through the property, you'll be surrounded by its distinctive indigo walls and the sense of grandeur that defined the era. The visit will place the mansion in its historical context and bring to life the story of Cheong Fatt Tze and his influential role in the region.
Trained guides will provide detailed, comprehensive insight into the mansion's heritage and eclectic architectural form. Along the way, you'll learn about design features and cultural influences that shaped the building, and you'll get a peek into the lavish lifestyle of Cheong Fatt Tze. The experience is informative and immersive, making it a well-known stop for visitors to George Town who are interested in local history and architecture.
Duration: 45 minutes
User reviews, Excellent, 4.5 out of 5 stars from 59 reviews
In Penang — often described as Malaysia’s unofficial food capital — this tour offers a chance to dive into the local food scene and the streets of George Town. You will sample a delicious variety of local dishes, hear the stories behind them and meet the people who bring them to life. The focus is on experiencing food and culture together rather than on a strict itinerary.
As you move through George Town’s vibrant streets, you’ll soak in the atmosphere and learn about the connections between the food and the neighbourhoods where it’s made. Along the way, you’ll hear personal accounts and background that help explain each dish’s place in local life. The experience centres on tasting, listening and meeting the cooks, vendors or hosts who share their food and stories.
By the end, you should feel satisfied and more connected to Penang’s food culture, with a clearer sense of why the city has such a strong culinary reputation. You may leave full, happy and keen to return and explore more.
Duration: 3 hours - 4 hours
User reviews, Exceptional, 5 out of 5 stars from 12 reviews
Get this ticket to enter the TOP in Penang, the island’s highest entertainment center. Get panoramic views from the glass walkways of the Rainbow Skywalk and Observatory Deck, and experience the 7D Discovery Motion Theatre for hours of fun and activities.
Duration: 2 hours
User reviews, Very good, 4 out of 5 stars from 2 reviews
Experience Penang like a local on a private street food adventure that pairs you with your own host on the back of a motorbike. You’ll zip through lively streets, hidden lanes and night food markets, tasting the city as locals do — fast, fun and full of flavour. Along the way you’ll hear stories from your host and feel the rhythm of the neighbourhoods, riding between stops as part of the street rather than as a typical tourist.
The ride includes a five-course tasting menu served at long-established local vendors that the operators visit regularly and trust for cleanliness and food safety. This is real street food: no fancy settings or white tablecloths. Muslim-friendly and vegetarian options are available. If it’s durian season, ask about the Durian Special. Tours are intentionally kept very small, with a personal host for each guest to make the experience relaxed and personal.
Duration: 4 hours
User reviews, Exceptional, 5 out of 5 stars from 18 reviews
Penang is a food destination and George Town sits at its heart. It may not be as visited as Bangkok or Singapore, but those who cross the Penang Strait will find a rich, local food scene. Each morning the city’s street vendors and shophouses burst into action, simmering, frying and steaming some of George Town’s best breakfast eats.
On this experience you’ll take a deep dive into the city’s food culture and history. As you move through the streets, you’ll meet the people behind the food and learn about their traditions and techniques. Along the way you’ll enjoy more than 15 tastings, offering a flavourful perspective on the dishes that make George Town distinctive — a level of insight and variety that can be hard to achieve on your own.
Duration: 4 hours
User reviews, Exceptional, 4.9 out of 5 stars from 38 reviews
This exciting expedition will introduce you to the beautiful and untamed scenery of the Malaysian jungle. You'll board an ATV and go off-roading through the wild terrain with an expert instructor accompanying you.
You can choose from a variety of trails suited to different levels of experience, and you'll be kitted out in professional safety equipment. If you're up for a challenge, you can select one of the routes featuring an array of fun obstacles.
Duration: 15 minutes - 2 hours
User reviews, Very good, 4.2 out of 5 stars from 6 reviews
This tour gives you a full look at Penang’s main highlights. As you move through the city, you’ll experience the different cultures and architectural styles that shape its streets and neighbourhoods.
Along the way you will visit Penang Street art, see heritage buildings and explore local temples. You’ll also learn about Penang’s history, putting the art, architecture and places of worship into context so each sight makes more sense as part of the island’s story.
The tour is well suited to couples or families visiting Penang for the first time, offering a broad, easy-to-follow introduction to the city’s culture, architecture and heritage.
Duration: 5 hours
User reviews, Exceptional, 4.7 out of 5 stars from 21 reviews
Balik Pulau sits on the quieter side of Penang Island, where lush greenery meets mountains and sea. You will travel through rural landscapes and coastal scenes that are home to traditional Malay villages and small fishing ports, giving a different view of the island from the busier tourist areas.
Along the way, you will visit traditional industries, including nutmeg and shrimp paste factories, and admire classic Malay houses set in the countryside. As you move through the area, you will sample local delicacies that form part of the experience, offering a taste of regional flavours. The journey focuses on the sights, sounds and tastes of Balik Pulau, presenting a measured, relaxed countryside visit rather than a fast-paced tour.
Duration: 4 hours
User reviews, Exceptional, 4.8 out of 5 stars from 16 reviews
On Discova’s newest small-group tour you’ll see several of Penang’s highlights with the company of an expert guide. There are two tour options to choose from. You’ll ride the Penang Hill funicular using Fast Lane tickets included, and enjoy a trishaw ride through the city’s heritage districts and cultural quarters as you move between sights. Along the way you’ll walk through George Town’s UNESCO-listed streets and visit its clan houses, taking in the area’s timeless heritage.
You’ll also explore Kek Lok Si Temple with a licensed local guide and taste authentic Penang assam laksa at a favourite local eatery. The experience groups these iconic landmarks and flavours into a single, small-group outing so you can see, taste and experience key parts of Penang without missing the must-see stops.
Duration: 6 hours
User reviews, Exceptional, 5 out of 5 stars from 1 review
With this ticket, you’ll be able to explore the Wonderfood Museum in Penang. You’ll get an insight into Malaysia’s food culture with the giant replica dishes on display, showing foods like laksa and char kway teow. You’ll also learn about the history behind some of the country’s most popular dishes.
User reviews, Exceptional, 5 out of 5 stars from 1 review
This guided Penang walk combines street-food tasting with local history and culture. Foods and drinks are included, except alcoholic drinks and durian, and you’ll sample around 10–13 traditional Penang items. Along the way you’ll taste dishes such as lor bak, wantan mee, assam laksa, char koay teow, Hokkien mee and curry mee, and try drinks like nutmeg juice, ambra, barley and white coffee. Desserts may include chendol, ABC or rojak, and you may also enjoy Malay cakes, Indian apom (crepe) and seasonal tropical fruits such as water apple or mango if available. You may wish to skip lunch for a better experience.
As you move between food stops, the guide will explain ingredients and how the dishes are prepared, and introduce aspects of Penang’s history and culture. You’ll visit a Chinese temple to learn about Taoism and have the option of a fortune-telling reading. You’ll also see heritage building architecture, feng shui features and street art murals that colour the city. This experience is not suitable for people with severe gluten intolerance, strict vegan or vegetarian diets, or for Muslim travellers. Please inform the guide of any food allergies or religious concerns before the walk.
Duration: 3 hours
User reviews, Exceptional, 4.9 out of 5 stars from 83 reviews
This isn’t a tour — it’s a detour. Ideal for free-spirited travellers who prefer no rigid schedule, this experience lets you explore Penang at your own pace. From the city centre to the island’s countryside and coast, you’re free to choose from destinations such as Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si Temple, Fort Cornwallis, Pinang Peranakan Mansion, the Botanical Gardens, Batu Ferringhi beaches and Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm.
You can wake up and decide what you feel like discovering; simply follow your heart and we’ll take you where you want to go. Along the way you may switch destinations or change direction at any time. As you move around the island you’ll see temples, a colonial fort, a Peranakan mansion, botanical gardens, sandy beaches and a butterfly farm — city, countryside and coastal highlights in one flexible outing. The time is entirely yours, and we’ll be there to help make the journey smooth and memorable.
Duration: 6 hours - 8 hours
User reviews, Exceptional, 5 out of 5 stars from 4 reviews