Well-known for very good reasons, Penang counts beauty, fine cuisine and historic significance amongst its many charms.

Penang

Uncovering the beauty and surprises of Penang is one of Malaysia's must do's. There you'll find beautiful, accessible beaches dotted with luxurious family-friendly resorts, Georgetown's UNESCO World Heritage Site colonial mystique, and some of Malaysia's best food. All of which delivers a holiday experience rich in history, culture and relaxation.

Top things to do in Penang include:

1) Take in the historic buildings of Georgetown

The capital Georgetown is a magnificent example of colonial-era architecture and design. With its carefully maintained public and private buildings, it's an open-air museum from another era. Spanning through the streets of Georgetown, there is a rich collection of historic buildings in a variety of styles, including Chinese clan houses, mosques, churches, Chinese temples, Indian temples, shop-houses etc.

Make sure you take in the Victoria Clock Tower, Fort Cornwallis, Cathedral of the Assumption, Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, and the Pinang Peranakan Mansion.

Heritage tour maps are available to download through the Penang information pack.

2) Try a trishaw ride

Using a trishaw to explore the streets from Batu Ferringhi is a fascinating way to experience the character of this town. Your journey may originate from one of many different points, as these vehicles are available close to hotels, or by Batu Ferringhi Beach.

You can follow one of the many trails available, create your own, or leave it to the trishaw rider. A 30 minutue ride will cost approximately RM35 ($AUD12).

3) Make the most of this food-lovers' paradise

Even Malaysians acknowledge that the cuisine found in Penang is as good as it gets. From Chinese, to Nyonya, to Malay, to Indian hawker food, Penang will surprise and delight food-lovers!

Gurney Drive, otherwise known as Persiaran Gurney, is one of the most well-known places in Penang, offering a deluge of hawker delights and exciting restaurants that come alive at night time. Gurney Drive is located on the Gurney Esplanade, north-west of Georgetown.

Other great local delacacies can found at Kimberley St in Georgetown's Chinatown, and Jalan Raja Uda and Chai Leng Park Food Street in Butterworth, where you can sample dishes such as char kuay teow, assam laksa and rojak. To learn more about the flavours behind Penang's amazing food, a visit to the beautiful Tropical Spice Garden shows spices in their natural form in a beautiful garden setting.

4) Visit one of the many different sites of worship

Penang is home to grand churches, elaborate Buddhist and Indian temples and magnificent mosques. These places of worship offer a great insight into the different cultures that make up Penang.

Key places of worship in Penang include the Kek Lok Si Temple, St George's Church, Kapitan Keling Mosque, the Snake Temple, and Sri Mahamariamman Temple.

A list of key sites of worship is available in the Penang information pack.

5) Soak up the sun on Batu Ferringhi beach

If you are looking for a family-friendly island holiday, Penang is the perfect destination. Here you can take advantage of the kids-friendly facilities at the many resorts in Batu Ferringhi or head to the nearby beaches for some relaxation.

Penang

You can make the most of this well-loved golden stretch of beach by going swimming, trying some of the child-friendly watersports on offer, or simply lazing back for a day of relaxation.

After a day spent by the beach, kids will love a trip to the popular nightmarkets in Batu Ferringhi, which is filled with bustling local stalls.

Best time to travel: Penang is a great place to visit year-round. However, it experiences heavier rainfalls during the months of October and November.

For more information on Penang go to: www.visitpenang.gov.my or download the Penang information pack.