Batu Ferringhi is a resort town on the north coast of Penang Island, Malaysia. It is famous for its long sandy beach, lively night market, and various water sports and attractions. If you are looking for a relaxing and fun-filled vacation in Penang, Batu Ferringhi is a great choice. Here are some of the top things to do, see, and eat in Batu Ferringhi.
Batu Ferringhi Beach
The main attraction of Batu Ferringhi is the beach, which stretches for about 3 km along the coast. The beach is clean and scenic, with palm trees and blue sea. You can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, or relaxing on the beach, but be aware that jellyfish may be present in the water at certain times of the year. If you are feeling adventurous, you can also try some of the water sports available at the beach, such as parasailing, jet skiing, water skiing, banana boat, and kayak. There are several operators that offer these activities at reasonable prices. You can also rent beach chairs and umbrellas from them.
Batu Ferringhi Night Market
Every night, from 7 pm to 12 am, the main road of Batu Ferringhi turns into a bustling night market, where you can find a variety of goods for sale. The night market is a great place to shop for souvenirs, handicrafts, clothes, accessories, electronics, and more. You can also find some local delicacies and street food at the night market, such as char kway teow, satay, rojak, ice kacang, and coconut shake. The night market is a lively and colourful spot to experience the local culture and atmosphere of Batu Ferringhi.
Attractions at Batu Ferringhi
Besides the beach and the night market, there are also some other attractions that you can visit in Batu Ferringhi. Here are some of them:
TeddyVille Museum
This is Malaysia’s first museum dedicated to teddy bears. You can see over 1000 teddy bears of different sizes, shapes, and origins here. The museum also showcases the history and culture of Penang through teddy bear displays. You can also make your own teddy bear at the workshop or buy some souvenirs at the gift shop.
Yahong Art Gallery
This is a gallery that exhibits and sells batik paintings by local artists. Batik is a traditional art form that uses wax and dye to create patterns on fabric. You can admire the beautiful and intricate batik paintings here or buy some as gifts.
Adventure Zone
This is an indoor playground for kids that features slides, climbing walls, tunnels, and more. The playground is air-conditioned and safe for children of all ages. There is also a toddler area and a cafe for parents.
Other Attractions Near Batu Ferringhi
If you want to explore more of Penang Island, there are also some other attractions that are near Batu Ferringhi. Here are some of them:
Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm
This is a butterfly park that houses over 15,000 butterflies of various species. You can walk among the butterflies in the tropical garden or learn more about them in the learning centre. The park also has other insects and reptiles on display.
Penang National Park
This is Malaysia’s smallest national park that covers an area of 23 square kilometres. The park has diverse habitats such as rainforest, mangrove, beach, and lake. You can hike on the trails or take a boat to visit some of the attractions in the park, such as Monkey Beach, Turtle Beach, Kerachut Lake, and Muka Head Lighthouse.
Penang Tropical Spice Garden
This is a spice garden that showcases over 500 plants from around the world. You can learn about the spices and herbs that are used in cooking and medicine here. You can also join a guided tour or a cooking class at the garden.
Where to Eat
Batu Ferringhi has plenty of options for food lovers. You can find local cuisine as well as international cuisine here. Some of the popular restaurants in Batu Ferringhi are:
The Ship
This is a restaurant that serves western food in a ship-shaped building. The restaurant has a cozy and romantic ambiance and offers dishes such as steak, seafood platter, lamb chop, and pasta.
Long Beach Café
This is a food court that offers a variety of local and Asian dishes at affordable prices. You can find char kway teow, nasi lemak, laksa, chicken rice, tom yum soup, and more here.
Ferringhi Garden
This is a restaurant that serves western and Asian food in a garden setting. The restaurant has a beautiful and relaxing atmosphere and offers dishes such as grilled fish, chicken chop, curry, and salad.
Where to Stay
Batu Ferringhi has many hotels to suit different budgets and preferences. You can choose from luxury resorts, boutique hotels, or budget guesthouses. Some of the best hotels in Batu Ferringhi are:
Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa
This is a five-star resort that offers spacious and elegant rooms with sea or garden views. The resort has a private beach, a golf course, a spa, and several restaurants and bars.
Hard Rock Hotel Penang
This is a four-star hotel that features rock-themed rooms with modern amenities. The hotel has a pool, a gym, a spa, and a cafe that serves live music.
Baba Guesthouse
This is a budget guesthouse that offers simple and clean rooms with air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi. The guesthouse is located near the beach and the night market.
How to Get to Batu Ferringhi
Batu Ferringhi is about 20 km from George Town, the capital of Penang. You can get to Batu Ferringhi by car, taxi, bus, or Grab. Here are some of the ways to get to Batu Ferringhi:
By Car
You can drive to Batu Ferringhi via Jalan Tanjung Bungah or Jalan Teluk Bahang. The journey takes about 30 minutes from George Town.
By Taxi
You can take a taxi to Batu Ferringhi from anywhere in Penang. The fare is about RM 40 to RM 50 from George Town.
By Bus
You can take bus number 101 or 102 from George Town to Batu Ferringhi. The bus stops at several places along the way, such as Gurney Drive, Tanjung Bungah, and Teluk Bahang. The fare is about RM 4 and the journey takes about an hour.
By Grab
You can use the Grab app to book a ride to Batu Ferringhi from anywhere in Penang. The fare is about RM 25 to RM 35 from George Town.
Final Thoughts
Batu Ferringhi is a wonderful destination for a relaxing and fun-filled vacation in Penang. You can enjoy the beach, the night market, the water sports, and the attractions here. You can also explore more of Penang Island by visiting the nearby places of interest. Batu Ferringhi is a place that will make you fall in love with Penang.
