The 5 Best Malls in Penang, Malaysia

Straits Quay marina, Penang, Malaysia.
Straits Quay marina, Penang, Malaysia. | © Angela Royle / Shutterstock
Michelle Leong

Do you like air-conditioning, high-end retail shops, and shelter from the rain and sun? If so, you’ll like these malls in Penang.

Penang is no stranger to malls, which means the malls here are spectacularly well-equipped. Find your regular favorites, including Starbucks, Debenhams and Swarovski, as well as al fresco restaurants, fitness centers and (yes) karaoke houses.

Gurney Plaza

Shopping Mall

Gurney Plaza shopping centre in George Town Penang, Malaysia.
© footageclips/Shutterstock

With anchor tenants like Golden Screen Cinemas, Parkson (department store), and Cold Storage (grocery store), is it any wonder this mall has one of the state’s highest daily footfall? Featuring over 380 retail shops, including Timbaland, Armani and Guess, as well as an al fresco stretch of eateries like Winter Warmers, Secret Recipe and Dome, this mall is a haven for shoppers and foodies alike.
More affordable fashion stores are located on the fourth and fifth floors. There are also several tech shops selling mobile phones, laptops and related accessories in the new wing.

Gurney Paragon

Shopping Mall

MONKL fashion store in Gurney Paragon, Penang.
© TY Lim/Shutterstock

Also set along the extensive Gurney Drive, this shopping mall is the higher-end, less crowded version of Gurney Plaza — which incidentally is only a two-minute walk away. With over 40 retail fashion stores, 30 eateries, a TGV cinema, a Times bookstore, and one of the most successful fitness centers in Penang, this shopping mall will please your palate, senses, and running shoes.
Often referred to simply as ‘Paragon,’ this shopping mall is open between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. (eateries may be open until later). Like Gurney Plaza, there are two entrances to this mall — Kelawai or Gurney — so if you’re taking a GrabCar, be sure to indicate which entrance you want to be dropped off.

Queensbay Mall

Shopping Mall

Clinique Laboratories cosmetic store in Queensbay mall. Penang, Malaysia
© TY Lim/Shutterstock

Take the Jelutong Highway to Bayan Lepas and you’ll find yourself riding up to Penang’s largest shopping mall, Queensbay. This mall is a sprawling indoor mall spanning 2,500,000 sq. feet, which means you’ll be walking — a lot. But in the name of food and shopping, this may well be worth it, as Queensbay houses popular stores like Giordano, Levi’s and British India.
Main anchor tenants here include AEON (a department and grocery store) and the Golden Screen Cinemas. Book lovers will appreciate the last remaining Borders on this side of peninsula, while those who enjoy coffee and cake might prefer a trip to well-established names like Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Dome and Starbucks.

Straits Quay

Shopping Mall

Straits Quay marina, Penang, Malaysia.
© Angela Royle / Shutterstock

This is the place to go if you want to shop, eat, and walk leisurely after both. The extensive promenade along the quay front is the main attraction of this mall, where small yachts and boats rock gently on the waves.
Shops here include Royal Selangor and Monica Quen, and there are eateries like Blue Reef, Healy Mac’s and Papparich. For more affordable bargains, the mall also hosts a ‘market’ in the center court every weekend. You’ll be able to find pop-up cards, mobile phone cases and handmade jewelry here.

Juru Auto City

Shopping Mall

Mercedes-Benz Auto City, Penang, Malaysia.
© siam.pukkato

Designed like an American strip mall, Auto City is located on the Penang mainland in Juru. This is where roadshows, carnivals and exhibitions are often held, but if you’re not here for any of them, this outdoor complex also includes highly successful fashion boutiques, restaurants, and over 30 automobile brands.
Club-hoppers may enjoy Bed, a happening clubhouse after sunset, while karaoke-enthusiasts will like Citi-Box. Eateries here include Seoul Garden, Manhattan Fish Market and Golden Triangle Restaurant.

culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.