Balik Pulau Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Penang National Park is incredibly beautiful and a great place to take a hike. The reward is finding yourself on a fairly secluded beach where you can unwind and take a dip. Malaysia does a pretty good job with their national parks - keeping them mostly undeveloped and so forth. We hiked from the park entrance to Turtle beach and ended up catching a boat back rather than hiking back. By taking the boat, we were able to enjoy seeing the remote coastal areas of the park where trails do not go. Tip: wear real shoes and not flip-flops. It is a hike after all. (not that we would have made that mistake, right?)
Penang National Park is incredibly beautiful and a great place to take a hike. The reward is finding yourself on a fairly secluded beach where you can unwind and take a dip. Malaysia does a pretty good job with their national parks - keeping them mostly undeveloped and so forth. We hiked from the park entrance to Turtle beach and ended up catching a boat back rather than hiking back. By taking the boat, we were able to enjoy seeing the remote coastal areas of the park where trails do not go. Tip: wear real shoes and not flip-flops. It is a hike after all. (not that we would have made that mistake, right?)
🇬🇧 The golden paddy fields during harvest season are incredibly beautiful! 💛 🇷🇴 Campuriile aurii de orez în timpul sezonului de recoltare sunt incredibil de frumoase! 💛
Swinging into Wednesday like...🌿
Homemade Traditional food called ketupat palas, a staple during Hari Raya in Penang #culture
Shangri-La Golden Sands, Penang

Shangri-La Golden Sands, Penang

4 out of 5
Jalan Batu Feringgi George Town Penang
The price is ฿3,384 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
฿3,384
฿4,097 total
16 Mar - 17 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in George Town. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,005 reviews)
Pool is g

Reviewed on 17 Feb 2026

Shangri-La Golden Sands, Penang
The Granite Luxury Hotel

The Granite Luxury Hotel

3 out of 5
191. Jalan Magazine George Town
The price is ฿2,193 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
฿2,193
฿2,683 total
1 Mar - 2 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in George Town. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a health club and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (239 reviews)
The room was really nice and spotless. Staff were very kind. Loved the rooftop pool. Very central location

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2026

The Granite Luxury Hotel
JEN Penang Georgetown by Shangri-La

JEN Penang Georgetown by Shangri-La

4 out of 5
Magazine Road George Town Penang
The price is ฿2,548 per night from 13 Mar to 14 Mar
฿2,548
฿3,110 total
13 Mar - 14 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in George Town. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
Staff was great. Complaints. Were poor layout of the room. 2 adults with 3 suitcases left us no room to put or suitcases out, no room to put clothes. No garb bars in shower, no non slip on shower floor made it very slippery with nothing to hold onto.

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2026

JEN Penang Georgetown by Shangri-La
See all 1,062 properties in Balik Pulau
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Granite Luxury Hotel

The Granite Luxury Hotel

3 out of 5
191. Jalan Magazine George Town
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in George Town. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a health club and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (239 reviews)
The room was really nice and spotless. Staff were very kind. Loved the rooftop pool. Very central location

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2026

The Granite Luxury Hotel
lyf Georgetown Penang

lyf Georgetown Penang

4 out of 5
No. 2A Jalan Penang, Seksyen 14 George Town Penang
Stay at this aparthotel in George Town. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Popular attractions KOMTAR and Gurney Drive are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (35 reviews)
It’s a good but not great property. Clean with a nice lobby and access to lots of restaurants and shops. I would stay here again, but it’s not my first choice in George Town. My favorite thing about the hotel is that it was washing machines and dryers!

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2026

lyf Georgetown Penang
Marriott Executive Apartments, Penang

Marriott Executive Apartments, Penang

5 out of 5
55 Persiaran Gurney George Town Penang
Stay at this luxury aparthotel in George Town. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 restaurants. Popular attractions Gurney Drive and Gurney Plaza are located ...
Marriott Executive Apartments, Penang
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Metropolitan, skyscraper, skyline building by the shore of Gurney Drive, George Town, Penang; Shutterstock ID 429264034; PO: Hcom Destination Content neighborhoods; Client: Hotels.com; Other: Hcom bra

Gurney Drive

During your trip to George Town, you can find the perfect gifts to bring home at Gurney Drive. While in this relaxing area, you can savour the top-notch restaurants.

Gurney Drive
Sa sA, testing

Queensbay Mall

During your visit to Kampung Sungai Nibung Besar, you can enjoy retail therapy at Queensbay Mall. Wander through the beautiful beaches and seaside in this relaxing area.

Queensbay Mall
Penang Hill

Penang Hill

Zoom up this hill in a modern funicular car to visit historic sites and enjoy panoramic views of George Town far below.

Penang Hill
Nothing says fish chips like these. Actually I got these because I think they locals eat PoPo fish flavored chips if they want their babies to grow up to be Police Officers. LOL

Gurney Plaza

During your visit to George Town, you can find the perfect gifts to bring home at Gurney Plaza. Amble around this family-friendly area's beautiful beaches or experience its fascinating museums.

Gurney Plaza
KOMTAR which includes a skyscraper

KOMTAR

Penang’s tallest building offers spectacular views and plenty of entertainment.

KOMTAR
Spectacular sunset at the Straits of Malacca makes the travelling worthwhile. If you stay in one of the luxury hotels lining the beach, do get a beach facing unit with a balcony.

Ferringgi Beach

If a restful holiday is part of your travel plans, Ferringgi Beach might be the perfect place to visit during your trip to George Town. Stroll along the seaside in this relaxing area or visit its top-notch restaurants.

Ferringgi Beach

Things to do

The Top Penang Admission Ticket

Malaysia Penang George Town: The Top Penang Entry Ticket

฿427
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Malaysia Penang George Town: The Top Penang Entry Ticket
eSIM: Airalo Malaysia Package

eSIM: Airalo Malaysia Package

฿72
per traveller
eSIM: Airalo Malaysia Package
The Habitat Penang Hill Admission Ticket

Malaysia: Penang Habitat Entry Ticket

฿435
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Malaysia: Penang Habitat Entry Ticket
Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm

Malaysia: Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm

฿471
per adult
Malaysia: Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm
Cycling along the beautiful river

Half-Day Penang Countryside Cycling Tour

฿998
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
Half-Day Penang Countryside Cycling Tour
Comfortable seating at the Penang International Airport Lounge in Malaysia

Plaza Premium Lounge at Penang International Airport (PEN)

฿1,386
per traveller
Plaza Premium Lounge at Penang International Airport (PEN)
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Cities near Balik Pulau

George Town featuring heritage elements and heritage architecture

George Town