Wish to explore Penang after the sun has set? If you are a first-time visitor, you may be wondering where to go in Penang at night.

While Penang is relatively safe compared to other South-East Asian cities, we advise you to exercise the same precautions that you normally would, such as guarding your belongings. But rest assured that you can continue to enjoy sightseeing in Penang after dark.

For peace of mind when returning to your accommodation in the wee hours, choose a reputable hotel. PARKROYAL Penang Resort is situated along the Batu Ferringhi beach and within walking distance to a famed Penang night market—the Batu Ferringhi Night Market. It is also well-connected to Georgetown, where many Penang attractions are located.

What are the best things to do in Penang at night? In this article, the team at PARKROYAL Penang recommends:

1. The best Penang night tours
2. Free places to visit in Penang at night
3. Where to eat and drink in Penang at night

Read on to find out more!
 

If you’re in luck, you will be able to join a free night tour, organised by the Penang tourism bureau. These evening walks will introduce you to George Town, Penang’s capital, and its architectural and cultural gems. The walks are held once a month, on a Friday evening—usually the last Friday of the month. 

Depending on the theme of the evening, you may cover:

• Old Chinatown and the Clan Jetties

• Indian and Muslim heritage trails

• British colonial legacies

Check the official Facebook page for updates on walking tours and other events. 

Prefer to hire a professional guide? Read reviews in advance to avoid providers that don’t stick to the promised itinerary, or deliver an altogether lacklustre experience at an exorbitant price. 

Unsurprisingly, some of the best-rated tours in food-obsessed Penang are culinary experiences, and you can book an evening tour with providers such as Delish Asia, Heritage on a Plate, and Food Tour Penang. To get the most out of your tour, ask ahead about the foods you’ll get to sample—make sure it’s enough food for your dinner needs, and don’t forget to check on spice levels!

If you fancy some ethereal excitement, and don’t mind getting the chills, the Penang Ghost Tours will send delightful shivers down your spine. Together with a paranormal expert, you can explore the historic George Town’s spookiest locations after dark, or head to the Penang War Museum, a preserved 1930s fortress that sits on Penang’s Bukit Hantu (“ghost hill” in Malay). The museum is so scare-worthy that it has been featured on the National Geographic documentary titled “I Wouldn’t Go In There,” which you can watch to prepare for your tour. 

Buy tickets to Delish Asia
Buy tickets to Heritage on a Plate
Buy tickets to Food Tour Penang
Buy tickets to Penang Ghost Tours

If you are a guest at PARKROYAL Penang Resort, Penang’s biggest night market (Batu Ferringhi) is two minutes away. Open from 7.00pm to past midnight, this is where you’ll find clothes, local collectibles, food, and everything you would expect of a bustling night market. However, this is a true-blue tourist spot, so be prepared to haggle.

The Penang tourism bureau also recommends the Macallum Street Night Market (cheaper than Batu Ferringhi), and the Tanjung Bungah Market (a smaller-scale market open only on Tuesday nights). 
 

For a lovely sunset view of George Town, visit Penang Hill at night. Penang Hill is actually a cluster of hills, with the highest peak registering at 833 metres above sea level. Formerly a retreat site during the British colonial period, it is today one of the state’s most popular tourist attractions. 

The top of the hill is accessible via the Penang Hill funicular railway, from its base station at Jalan Bukit Bendera, Ayer Itam. The last train descends from the peak at 11.00 pm, so you could enjoy a drink and some “live” music at Sky Terrace on the hill—the “highest” bar in Penang.

To get on the Penang heritage trail, head for the Clan Jetties. These are Chinese waterfront villages, and they were set up by Penang’s immigrants from China’s Fujian province back in the 19th century. 

Today, the jetties that remain have been accorded Unesco World Heritage status, and the largest of them is the Chew Jetty, which consists of 75 stilt houses, several temples, and other remnants of traditional living, all connected by wooden walkways. Although it attracts many visitors during the day, you can also visit in the evening (till about 9.00pm) for a cooler and less crowded experience. To avoid tourist traps entirely, skip the Chew Jetty in favour of the lesser-known Lee Jetty.

Get directions to Batu Ferringhi Night Market
Get directions to Macallum Street Night Market
Get directions to Tanjung Bungah Market
Get directions to Penang Hill
Get directions to Sky Terrace
Get directions to Chew Jetty
Get directions to Lee Jetty

Guests at PARKROYAL Penang Resort (who are also Pan Pacific DISCOVERY members): you may redeem our Seaside Wine & Dine experience for two, where a chef will prepare your meal as you enjoy a breathtaking beach sunset view. Not a member yet? Sign up today, it’s free!