12 amazing weekend getaways from Penang

1. Ipoh

Where to stay: Ipoh Bali Hotel

Less than two hours from Penang by train, Ipoh is a more relaxed and compact version of George Town, with excellent day trips only a short Grab ride away.

Ipoh’s status grew largely thanks to the tin mining in the area and the elegant, impressive architecture from that time has been preserved in a number of places around the city. Gentle walking tours around the heritage area are a popular activity for visitors, with plenty of dining options available nearby.

On your other days, make sure you head out of the city to visit either Mirror Lake or one of the temple caves. If you still have time, the surrounding area is famous for its white-water rafting and tubing opportunities, a great way to spend some time on the river while getting your daily adrenaline boost.

2. Kuala Lumpur

Where to stay: Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur

There are many differences between Kuala Lumpur and Penang and the debates about which is better will likely last for eternity. But whichever is your long-term favourite, there’s no debate that KL works exceptionally well as a weekend getaway.

The two are well connected, either via the comfortable four hour train journey (check out our guide on the Kuala Lumpur to Penang train) or a 45 minute flight (although remember to factor in how long it’ll take to reach the city centre from the airport at rush hour). Many people also drive between the two (four hours), connected as they are by the excellent North-South Expressway.

KL is a big, bustling city on a manageable scale with one of the most recognisable skylines in the world. With city centre eco-parks, ample green spaces to relax in, world-class mega-malls, street-food vendors and international standard bars, hotels and restaurants, you’re never short of things to do in KL.

With the Petronas Towers as your anchor point, focus one of your days in the city and then strike out into the countryside for a visit to Batu Caves.

3. Singapore

Where to stay: Marina Bay Sands

Singapore is one of the most glamourous destinations in Asia, with its own iconic skyline, style and personality. It’s not the sort of place you come for a budget weekend break but not everything here has to break the bank, with Gardens by the Bay a (largely) free activity and the city itself is very walkable.

The city has a bewildering array of fine dining options and classy bars, often catering to the rich visitor or affluent expats. The Chinatown and Little India areas are good places to wander around if you’re looking for a cheaper meal in more authentic surroundings.

If you’re just coming for the weekend from Penang, you’ll probably need to take one of the frequent flights, which take around one hour.

4. Langkawi

Where to stay: The Danna Langkawi

Langkawi is the definition of tropical island paradise and is an ever-popular weekend retreat from Penang. With one of the shortest flights you’re ever likely to take (15 or 20 minutes), Langkawi is so close to Penang that, on a clear day, you can see one from the other.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t differences between Penang and Langkawi, they actually both have their own personalities and strengths. Langkawi is very nature-focused, with beautiful resorts spilling onto the golden beaches and day trips to visit rivers, mangroves and bat caves (we especially recommend doing the Langkawi mangrove tour).

Compared to Penang, the pace of life is slower, with fewer built-up areas and colonial neighbourhoods to discover. If you’re coming for a weekend getaway, you probably won’t leave your resort other than to do a day tour and for some, that might just be the perfect weekend.

5. Bukit Merah

Where to stay: Bukit Merah Laketown Resort

The main attraction at Bukit Merah is Orangutan Island, a picturesque island in the middle of a lake where the orangutans roam free and the humans are contained within cages. It’s the best place to see orangutans on Peninsular Malaysia and it receives thousands of visitors a year.

It’s actually a very manageable day trip from Penang but is perhaps better experienced as a full weekend and staying over at Bukit Merah Laketown Resort. Not only will you have more time relaxing and seeing the orangutans, there’s also a fun adventure waterpark on site where you can cool off.

6. Perhentian Islands

Where to stay: Coral View Island Resort

Admittedly, this might be stretching the weekend getaway concept slightly, but the Perhentian Islands are so tempting and idyllic that we think they belong on this list. If you do happen to have a long weekend available, perhaps during one of Penang’s many religious festivals, then consider visiting then.

Reached via a five hour car journey (either in your own vehicle or private transfer) and then a forty-five minute boat ride, it’ll take almost a full day to get here, but it’s well worth the effort. Alternatively, there is one flight a day from Penang to Kota Bharu, from where you can take a one-hour Grab ride to the ferry at Kuala Besut.

Known for its diving, snorkelling, rainforest treks and endless sandy beaches, a visit to the Perhentian Islands belongs on any Southeast Asian highlights reel. Slightly quieter than some Thai islands, there’s still a feeling here of a forgotten world, where swimming, diving and sleeping control the rhythms of the day.

7. Bangkok

Where to stay: Banyan Tree Bangkok

One of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant and fascinating cities is only a ninety-minute flight from Penang, making a weekend getaway a tantalising possibility.

Bangkok offers a perfect mix of culture and history, combined with the attitude of a confident twenty-first century megacity, with its eyes firmly focused on the future. You could spend one day walking around the older part of town near the Grand Palace and Khao San Road, perhaps with a river cruise to escape the heat. Another day could easily be spent in and around the shopping malls and restaurants of the Sukhumvit district.

While Bangkok isn’t as affordable as it once was, it’s still possible to find cheap accommodation close to the city centre, with the streets around Rambuttri Road offering simple hotels and bars right in the heart of the action.

8. Phuket

Where to stay: Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach

Even closer than Bangkok and a good deal more beach-focused, Phuket is the party and fun-filled side of Thailand that might be just what you’re looking for in a weekend break. With several flights a day at your disposal, it’s a simple destination to reach from Penang and you can go from the airport to beach bar in less than an hour.

Do your research before arriving as some parts of Phuket have a reputation for less-than wholesome nightlife. As long as you avoid these districts, there are plenty of areas where you can enjoy a drink and evening meal overlooking the ocean with the sun setting.

9. Kuching

Where to stay: Hilton Kuching Hotel

One of the most underrated states in Malaysia, Sarawak has a wealth of activities to keep you occupied during a weekend visit, and its capital city Kuching is one of the most laid-back and welcoming cities in Southeast Asia.

With a manageable flight from Penang (and a simple, short transfer to the city once you land), Kuching feels like an easy getaway. Spend at least a day in the city, walking along the waterfront, checking out the best museum in Southeast Asia (Borneo Cultures Museum) and sampling some gorgeous local cuisine.

On the next day, choose from one of the nearby sights including Semenggoh Wildlife Centre (to see the orangutans), Bako National Park (for nature treks and wildlife encounters) or Damai Beach Resort for a semi-deserted and back-to-nature experience on the striking coastline.

This is a particularly good getaway for families and we recommend checking out this guide to visiting Kuching with kids.

10. Koh Lipe

Where to stay: Serendipity Beach Resort

Koh Lipe is one of the few places on our list that isn’t directly accessible from Penang, but we think this glistening Thai island is well worth the extra effort. From Penang it’s easiest to fly to Langkawi and then take the direct ferry from there. If you have your own vehicle, you could also drive to Alor Setar and drive onto the Langkawi ferry from there.

Once you reach the island, prepare yourself for a gorgeous island experience, with your time spent relaxing on the beach, snorkelling / diving / swimming in the sea, or wandering down the aptly named Walking Street for cheap food and drink options.

11. Taiping

Where to stay: Novotel Taiping

Only 50 minutes away from Butterworth on the train, Taiping is perhaps the easiest of the weekend destinations we’ve listed here. Also easily accessed via the North-South expressway, it’s the closest major settlement to Penang and a popular place for visitors.

With a mixture of colonial-era buildings and outdoor activities, Taiping is a smaller and more sedate version of Ipoh, which some visitors love. If you have the energy and stamina, consider taking on the 10km hike to Bukit Larut, one of the few remaining hill stations in Malaysia. Otherwise, Taiping is the perfect place to switch off for a few days and enjoy the chilled-out ambience.

12. Cameron Highlands

Where to stay: The Lakehouse Cameron Highlands

Perhaps a better choice if you have a long weekend at your disposal, the Cameron Highlands are a six-hour drive away from Penang on winding roads, so have a few days up your sleeve ideally. Private minibuses run directly from George Town, or you can hire a driver or your own vehicle.

The best experiences in the region are the tea plantations and getting off the beaten-track to enjoy your own hikes. There are some signs of overdevelopment in the main town of Tanah Rata and surrounding countryside, so make sure you choose your accommodation wisely. This is one place where spending an extra few ringgits gets you a much better deal.

When you’re feeling hungry, make sure you try the claypot biryani, which is a speciality and worth the long drive in its own right.