Best areas to stay in Penang — Top 5 best places to stay in Penang for the first-timers

A trip to Penang promises to bring you countless cultural experiences as well as beautiful natural scenery. There are also plenty of dining and shopping options. For booking your hotel without knowing anything can make your trip less enjoyable. Are you looking for where to stay in Penang Malaysia and best areas to stay in Penang for the first-timers? Let’s discover top 5 best places to stay in Penang (best location in Penang to stay) through our where to stay in Penang blog below. So, we explore some areas in Penang to choose the ideal places with Living Nomads’ experiences.

Georgetown Area

Georgetown is a friendly place for a pedestrian, also which has the largest population area in Penang. There are many temples with a calm air, roads filled with graffiti pictures, colorful rickshaws, and countless hipster cafes. Georgetown is also a treasure trove for fashion enthusiasts, from high-end designer brands to handcrafted and vintage crafts. Besides, the accommodation is diverse; there are rooms for the self-sufficient travelers but also the luxury hotels.

Georgetown area is suitable for:

• People are looking for a lively nightlife scene
• Visitors want to stay in the center, where you can see everything

Plus point

• There are many different prices for restaurants and cafés
• Many opportunities to go sightseeing just by walking
• Variety of hotel types

Minus point

• The streets are always crowded on weekends and holidays

Batu Feringghi Area

Batu Feringghi is a white sand beach, offering a wide choice of food and accommodation options. The night scene here is undoubtedly the most beautiful in the whole island, where a large number of locals and visitors come to Batu Feringghi night market every evening. Meanwhile, the green water in here is also a place to play along with many sports activities such as paragliding and surfing, too perfect for those who love adventure.

Batu Feringghi area is suitable for:

• People who love the sea
• People are looking for a busy and lively nightlife scene

Plus point

• Beautiful beach with clear water
• 5-star beach resorts

Minus point

• There are no notable historical tourist spots
• Located very far from Penang International Airport

Gurney Drive Area

Gurney Drive, also known as Persiaran Gurney, is known for fun and excitement with many delicious seafood restaurants. As the home of countless 5-star hotels with views of the sea, the seaside district has many historical and architectural monuments dating back to the 1800s. For example, Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram and Dharmikarama… There are also shopping centers that cater to the diverse needs and hobbies of guests.

Gurney Drive Area is suitable for

• Those who enjoy exploring history as well as sightseeing
• Shopping lovers
• The rich travelers
• Those who like to eat and want to try local dishes as well as fresh seafood

Plus point

• There are many eateries
• Many commercial centers located nearby, and you can walk

Minus point

• Lack of local cultural sites
• Very rare medium-sized hotels

Tanjung Bungah Area

You can get to Tanjung Bungah within half an hour from Georgetown. Tanjung Bungah is a quiet suburban and closes the sea, located between Gurney and BatuFeringghi. You do not have many options to go sightseeing as well as shopping here. The only two attractions in Tanjung Bungah are the Floating Mosque and the Toy Museum. However, you can enjoy many activities such as beach volleyball, beach soccer, and even fishing. It was built in the midst of natural scenery; there are mid-range and sea resorts, a great place to escape quietly from Penang.

Tanjung Bungah Area is suitable for:

• Affluent and wealthy tourists
• Families with small children
• Anybody who loves beach activities and water games

Plus point

• Restaurants and coffee shops at reasonable prices

Minus point

• There are not many historical attractions to visit
• The shopping scene and night scene are very quiet
• Very little accommodation for visitors to save

Bayan Lepas Area

Bayan Lepas is home to many of Penang’s most popular attractions, such as the War Museum, the Snake Temple, the Penang Aquarium, as well as the Orchid Garden and Bukit Jambul. In terms of accommodation, visitors can find countless medium-sized hotels, located just 10 minutes from Penang International Airport. While this place is not as beautiful as other areas in Penang, Bayan Lepas is an excellent choice for a family holiday filled with entertainment activities, but most importantly, do not make you want to spend money too much.

Bayan Lepas Area is suitable for:

• Lovers of nature and animals
• Anybody who wants to come
• Families with children

Plus point

• Affordable restaurants
• Many sightseeing opportunities
• Close to Penang International Airport

Minus point

• There are not many historical attractions
• The shopping scene, as well as the night scene, is very quiet
• Rarely available for saving travelers
• Located far away from the main town

Many people also like to call Penang the Malaysian food capital, where the street food eateries are sometimes better than the most luxurious dining experiences in any other city. Due to the great popularity with tourists all over the world, Penang has a wealth of accommodation options available for you on the island, suitable for any taste and budget.

Looking for more hotels in Penang? You can find, check rates, reviews & availability for Penang hotel on Agoda.com or Booking.com.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in and from Penang you can refer to

• Private Penang Airport Transfers (PEN) for Penang
• Private City Transfers for Penang and Surrounding Cities
• Shared Penang International Airport (PEN) Transfers for Georgetown or Batu Ferringhi
• Explore Georgetown
• The Habitat Penang Hill Ticket
• Klook Pass Penang
• The TOP Penang Ticket
• ESCAPE Penang Ticket
• Explore Georgetown Half Day City Tour
• Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm Ticket
• Dark Mansion Museum Ticket
• Penang Hill and Temple Sightseeing
• Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion Tour in Penang
• Georgetown Penang Private Car Charter
• Boutique Aquarium Ticket at The TOP Penang
• Heritage Tour and Trishaw Ride in Penang
• Penang Hill and Temple Sightseeing
• Penang Heritage & Street Food Tour
• Georgetown Scenic Night Tour
• KL TravelPass (Metro Card) in Kuala Lumpur
• [SALE] 4G Prepaid SIM Card (MY Airports Pick Up) for Malaysia
• 4G WiFi (MY Airport Pick Up) for Malaysia

Are you looking for more top things to do in Penang: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Penang travel blog — The fullest guide for a budget trip to Penang of Malaysia. And Penang in 1 day: Let’s check it out here.