Looking for unique escapes nearby? If you’re craving a weekend break with UNESCO-protected historic streets, winding mangrove rivers, and some of the world’s most legendary street food…Malaysia’s Penang was just named on National Geographic’s Best Places in the World to Travel 2027. Just one hour and 30 minutes flight from Changi Airport, the iconic destination is the perfect balance between deep cultural heritage and nature fun. In fact, Penang is the only Southeast Asian city to make the list this year. Here’s why.
Why Nat Geo crowned Penang Southeast Asia’s sole winner
The globe’s top travel experts at National Geographic were captivated by the region’s dual personality—a vibrant push-and-pull between the island itself and mainland Seberang Perai—alongside its iconic street art, traditional temples, delicious street food like Assam Laksa, and sweeping coastal views.
Travellers can spend their morning hunting down street art in George Town’s historic alleyways and cross the strait to explore traditional mainland kampongs and mangrove-lined rivers by the afternoon. Wonderfully, travellers can enjoy the Penang River Cruise’s eco-adventure, exploring critical coastal forests, trapping crabs, and casting fishing nets.
The upcoming year of 2027 promises to be a milestone for the Pearl of the Orient. For instance, the highly-anticipated cable car project is slated to debut—whisking passengers from the lush Botanic Gardens to the summit of Penang Hill in under 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, a number of cool hotels and restored luxury boutiques will open such as Soori Penang, transforming a turn-of-the-20th-century Chinese clan estate into a stunning getaway. Certainly, the perfect weekend adventure near Singapore.
Some of our top picks for Penang include region’s first seafront mall which is as big as VivoCity, the first pink sand beach, and the world’s first floating art gallery. Discover all the best things to do in Penang.
Getting there
The easiest way to reach Penang from Singapore is by 90-minute flight from Changi Airport. Once you land at Penang International Airport, it’s a short car ride into the heart of George Town. Plus, there are plenty of budget and premium carriers offering direct flights daily, including Scoot and Singapore Airlines.
If you’re making your 2027 travel bucket list, other nearby cities recognised by Nat Geo are Australia’s Melbourne for its rich cultural offerings, the snowy, year-round wonderland of Niigata in Japan, and the vibrant metropolis of Chengdu in China.
