Batu Ferringhi is the beach resort area of Penang, around a 30 minute drive north of George Town. I reckon you should visit to Batu Ferranghi for at least two to three days while you’re in Penang as there is lots to do when you’re not enjoying your Batu Ferrganhi resort! Visit Escape Penang for some thrills, learn about traditional batik, spices and butterflies, explore the beaches and eat at the hawker markets, for starters. Batu Ferringhi also has the most amazing sunsets, so grab a table at a beach bar and enjoy the colour.
I would absolutely add some time in Batu Ferranghi to your Penang trip, and if you decide to not stay there, try to fit it all into one day. You can hire a driver for around 50RM per hour (about $17 AUD) and they will take you around. Or you can use Grab which is cheap and there are lots of drivers. Download the app and call the cars as you need them.
If you’re staying in George Town we love the Eastern and Oriental, George Town.
Before you go
There are a few important things to sort out before you travel:
- Make sure to have travel insurance – we use CoverMore.
- A VPN to protect your data. Get up to 49% off here and read why you need one here – it’s really cheap, around $13 a month for multiple devices
- Our ultimate travel safety guide. More than 80 pages of tips and strategies for only $16
- Travel with carry on only – here’s our guide and what I packed for 10 days in Malaysia carry on only.
We love Malaysia! Some of our favourite places include Melaka, Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Borneo and Mulu National Park in Sarawak. And if you’re keen for more beach make sure to visit Rawa Island.
Best things to do in Batu Ferringhi
Moonlight beach
Along the road between George Town and Batu Ferringhu you’ll see lots of little beaches. We love Miami and Moonlight beaches where the beach is cleaned white, there are little beach bars and shade under the palm trees and at picnic areas. It’s a really pretty place for a picnic or to just run along the sand and feel like you’re at a secret beach.
Thrills and swims at Escape Penang
You must visit Escape Penang while you are here in Batu Ferringhi! It is an amazing fun park with just SO MUCH to do for families and thrill seekers from high rope obstacle courses, water slides and a huge water park, bucking bulls and challenge courses and so much fun. Buy your discounted tickets here!
It’s two famous rides are the longest eater slide in the world and the longest zip coaster. I went on both and wow….the zip coaster is definitely a wild ride, it’s so much fun but is definitely a little challenging and scary! The waterslide is a long lazy four minute glide that is so much fun, it has a few speedy parts but nothing scary. It’s perfect for the whole family and you can go as a one or as a tandem.
Plan to spend a day here at the wave pool and adventure parks. There is so much to do and it’s really well laid out and easy to get around. Absolutely recommend!
TIP: Visit during the week when it’s not so busy.
Where: 828, Jalan Teluk Bahang, Teluk Bahang. Open from 10am.
Price: Around $60 for adults – Get discounted tickets here.
Contact: Escape Penang
Eat and eat at the Long Beach hawker market
You must eat at Long Beach hawker centre at least once – although once you eat there you will probably come back every night. Sit at plastic chairs and tables, order delicious food from vendors – I got a Hinanese spring roll, it was like a Malay chiko roll with chicken, prawns, cabbage and carrot. So so good!
Where:11050 Batu Ferringhi, Penang, Malaysia
Foot massage
Pop in and get a foot massage at one of the small shops along the street. Lie back in the comfy chairs as you digest all the amazing food and your feet are diligently massaged. Ahh heaven.
Enjoy some shopping and support locals
There are small shops all along Jalan Batu Ferringhi near the hawker centre that are great for a spot of shopping. I bought some small Penang bags as gifts and these fabulous shoes. It’s so nie to support the locals
Tropical Spice Garden
Take a guided tour, book into a cooking class or just wander the pathways and discover more than 500 plant species including so much ginger and palms, it’s a beautiful place to slow down and explore. Have a fish spa and let the fish nibble your feet, slide down the repurposed slides, walk along the massage stones and enjoy the plantlike, the scent and the calmness.
Where: Lot 595 Mukim, 2, Jalan Teluk Bahang, Teluk Bahang
Price:
Craft Batik
This is only hand made batik producer in Penang and it is well worth a visit. You’ll be able to see batik being made -actual painting and wax being poured – and you can buy some beautiful hand made products in the shop. I know that having a shop to look at can sometimes be annoying but the products here are beautiful so make sure to poke around.
Where: 651, MK2, SWD, Teluk Bahang
Entopia Butterfly Farm
This fabulous butterfly farm is much more than a place where you can see hundreds of butterflies under a huge dome! It’s an excellent education centre with lots of interactive exhibits of insects and reptiles, plus educational displays. Kids and adults alike will love it, plus you can wander past waterfalls and hidden caves and see so many plant species plus of course, BUTTERFLIES!
Where: 830 Jalan Teluk Bahang
Price: Around $16 but you can buy discounted tickets here.
Water sports
All along the beachfront you’ll find watersports like jetskis and that you can try. These are usually independent operators so make sure to check them out carefully and talk to your hotel too.
Horse riding
There’s also horse riding on te beach which looks fabulous. Again make sure to check them out and also talk to locals/your hotel. There are large horses to ride and also a small pony. They look in good condition. Make sure to wear a helmet.
Stop in at Frandy for lunch and dinner
There are lots of beach bars and restaurants but we love Frandy’s. It’s a gorgeous beach bar with great food – I had the calamari and a calamansi juice. Divine. At 6pm the chairs and tables are brought down to the sand and there’s live music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
Where: 363,Gerai kilat,Batu Ferringhi, 11100, Penang.
