Cheap Flights and Holidays to Penang, Malaysia from Ireland

Penang is a state in Malaysia located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. Kedah borders it in the north and the east and Perek to the south.

As a Holiday destination Penang is a large island, which has a rich mixed history of colonialist and Asian influences. It is set in the heart of Malaysia’s tropical wilderness and the island is connected to the mainland by one of the world’s most spectacular bridges, thus the ease involved in getting to Penang is already at odds with how different it is from the rest of Malaysia.

The island’s civilised history dates back to 1786 when the East India Company established it as an outpost for their burgeoning trade in the Far East. This colonialist past is one of the many reasons why Georgetown, Penang’s state capital, has been hailed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Georgetown is home to a unique blend of eastern and western architectural styles that can’t be found anywhere else in Southeast Asia.

Penang is a popular tourist destination both domestically and internationally where we can offer Penang flights and holidays. In 2009, Penang attracted 5.96 million tourists ranking third in tourist arrivals in Malaysia. Penang is known for its rich heritage, multi-cultural society and its vibrant culture, its hills, parks, beaches, shopping and good food.

This clash of east and west is not confined solely to architecture, as food is a big part of the culture in Penang and it is passionately celebrated in the form of its International Food Festival (PNFF) every March. If it is exotic local street food you require or elegance of five star dining you crave, don’t worry; Penang has it all, and we offer flights and holidays to Penang from Ireland all-year round. Penang is a melting pot of different cultures and food here exhibits interesting nuances of flavour, which hints of different influences.

A large number of high end shopping malls create a remarkable contrast to the kaleidoscope of traditional markets where any westerner will have to brush up on their bargaining skills. You should checkout traditional bazaars such as the Chowrasta Market Campbell Street. Makeshift night markets known as pasar malam were the precursor to today’s shopping malls. It is a fascinating holiday destination to visit with flights and holidays to Penang from Dublin at very reasonable rates. Here they offer goods ranging from modern electronics and textiles to foodstuffs and local products.

Also, there is no avoiding the stunning spectacle of several, commonly very separate, religions occupying the same street. Travellers will have the opportunity to take in grand churches, elaborate Buddhist and Indian temples and magnificent mosques.

After sampling Penang’s culture and heritage you deserve time to relax on one of the island’s seemingly endless sandy beaches that lead into warm, shallow turquoise waters. Or why not revel in the nightlife of this fascinating island? Spend time and relax in some of the most stylish pubs on this island, nightclubs and karaoke bars of Upper Penang road, or why not visit the more frontier style of nearby Chulia Street, which is the home of budget hotels, coffee shops and bars where backpackers can share stories in the hot Malaysian night as the Andaman Sea laps at the shore, and we offer flights and all-inclusive holidays to Penang from Ireland all-year round. It is genuinely a place for everyone.

Penang has been ranked by Yahoo Travel as one of the ‘’10 Islands to Explore Before You Die’’ and it has been listed in Patricia Schultz’s best selling 1,000 Places to See Before You Die Travel Book.

Enjoy the fascinating fusion of East and West. Penang embraces modernity while retaining its traditions and old town warmth. Penang is a genuine slice of paradise not to be missed.

If you’d like to visit other parts of Malaysia, we also offer cheap Kuala Lumpur flights and holidays, or plan a Singapore or a Johannesburg holiday during your stay in Penang.

Call Australian Holidays today for the latest flights and holidays to Penang, with cheap last minute flights and holidays from Ireland and special offers on flights and holiday deals.

Things to do

Downtown Georgetown

Marvel at downtown Georgetown’s historic architecture, a blend of eastern and western religion and culture makes the city feel like a displaced Seville of Rhonda all the way around the far side of the globe. This colonial feeling is heavily at odds with traditional sites like the elaborate ‘Three Kong Tua’ (Jade Emperor’s Temple).

Reclining Buddha

In the quaint Pulau Tikus town, Wat Chayamangkalaram (asking for directions will undoubtedly be a fascinating endeavour) is home to a Buddhist monastery home to a 33 meter gold plated monk who is just relaxing back and taking it seriously easy. The temple grounds wont disappoint as they are strewn with mythical beasts, dragons and shrines… a fantastic place for a day out.

Muka Head National Park

A fine place for boating, fishing, trekking or viewing temples this is another great place to spend a day away from the beach. It is also the home of a smattering of singular sights, such as an old British built lighthouse which was built way back in 1883 and is still fully operational, or a rare meromictic Lake which is a body of freshwater alongside a body of saltwater that never mix together.

Butterfly Farm

Such an impressive collection of fancy moths that Tony Blair couldn’t help himself from visiting in 2008; the farm is a triumph of ecotourism and displays some of the rich diversity of Malaysia’s wildlife.