Wish to wake up close to the soothing sights and sounds of the ocean? Why not stay at the beachfront PARKROYAL Penang Resort for your green getaway? You can start your holiday on a nature-filled note with spectacular views of the famous Batu Ferringhi beach from the Premier Seaview Suite (85sqm). 

After an active day filled with hikes, climbs, and walks, you can return to the hotel for a relaxing spa treatment at St. Gregory spa or go for a refreshing dip at the outdoor pool. 

With your accommodations sorted, let’s look at Penang’s top eco-friendly attractions and activities. 

Begin your nature-infused detox by embracing wildlife and greenery at the Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest. Take part in the popular local activity of hiking on the jungle track in the forest. The hilly terrain is likely to give you a good workout while you admire the biodiversity, especially the trees—the forest is home to many native tree species, and is named after one of them! (Mertajam is a tropical fruit tree bearing sweet edible berries.) End your hike at the waterfall and soak your feet in the stream to relax before calling it a day. 

Get directions to Bukit Mertajam Forest (1-hour and 22-minute drive from PARKROYAL Penang Resort)

Visit a form of lush greenery at the Tropical Spice Garden—dubbed the “hidden Eden”, it is a living museum of spices and other tropical plants. Be wowed by over 500 species of flora and fauna in this 5-acre botanical wonderland. 

Once you are familiar with the spices, you can even participate in a hands-on cooking classroom under the watchful eye of experienced chefs. They will guide you through the different uses of the spices in Malay, Thai and Penang Street Food cuisines. Or you can take part in a tea brewing workshop using the herbs from the garden. Check out the events calendar before your visit for events that may interest you.

Get directions to the Tropical Spice Garden (11-minute drive from PARKROYAL Penang Resort)

Continue your eco-friendly journey at the Penang Botanic Gardens, a popular spot for locals to unwind. The garden is one of the few places on Penang Island to have the rare Cannonball tree, which is native to the rainforests of Central and South America. If you are lucky, you may even catch it in full bloom—the trunk of the tree will be spectacularly covered with wood-shelled coconut-like fruits and lovely pink-reddish flowers. 

The garden is also home to over 10,000 plant species, which is enough to get any nature lover excited. To truly soak up the tranquil serenity of the park, find a shady spot to enjoy a picnic. Do watch out for monkeys though; they might just come for your food! 

Get directions to the Penang Botanical Garden (28-minute drive from PARKROYAL Penang Resort)

Ready for a change of scenery? Hop onto a giant slide or get into some “monkey business” at the Penang ESCAPE Theme Park. What’s so special about this park, you ask? Well, all the rides and games here are designed to blend in with the rich rainforest of Teluk Bahang in Penang. 

ESCAPE was designed for visitors like you to experience outdoor play in the middle of nature. Imagine riding on a giant winding water slide that zips through towering trees. Or learning the art of rope-climbing with a course that’s hanging amidst forest trees. 

Better yet, get hurtled up by a giant slingshot in the middle of a forest setting—as you swing to the top, take a couple of moments to appreciate the beautiful natural environment around you. 

Prefer a less heart-thumping activity? Lounge in the wave pool and “ride” the giant waves that slowly emerge. 

Get directions to ESCAPE Theme Park (15-minute drive from PARKROYAL Penang Resort)

Take it slow with an idyllic river cruise down Tasek Gelugor, gliding past quaint fishing villages and lush green forests. On this immersive boat riding experience, you will enjoy an eye-opening look at local fishing methods while gaining an insight into the local fishing trade. It is the best way to learn where Penang’s delectable seafood comes from. 

Get directions to Tasek Gelugor

Step into this other-worldly butterfly farm and prepare your heart for some fluttering action. Entopia Penang Butterfly Farm—the largest butterfly sanctuary in Malaysia—houses a staggering 15,000 butterflies living freely amongst its numerous plants and flowers. The enclosed garden replicates the natural living conditions of the butterflies, allowing you to get close to the flitting beauties. This butterfly sanctuary is a beautiful backdrop for Instagram-worthy Penang shots, so feel free to snap away!

Get directions to Entopia Penang Butterfly Farm (16-minute drive from PARKROYAL Penang Resort)

End your eco-friendly Penang getaway with a breathtaking rainforest experience. Visit The Habitat Penang Hill, a nature-focused attraction built in the middle of a 130-million-year-old flourishing forest. 

(Here’s a fun fact for you: The world-famous Amazon rainforest is only 55 million years old—less than half the age of the rainforest here!) 

Explore the pristine rainforest at different levels. Start with a nature trail that takes you through the forest grounds, followed by a stroll on the suspended treetop walkway (13  metres above ground) to view the forest canopy. Lastly, catch the sunset on the platform at The Habitat, hanging 40 metres above the forest floor. Here, you can enjoy a stunning 360-degree view of the forest as well as the whole island. You can’t find a more fitting end to your eco-friendly Penang getaway than this. 

Get directions to The Habitat, Penang Hill (40-minute drive from PARKROYAL Penang Resort)

Looking for more places to visit in Penang? Read our Destination Insights for ideas and recommendations, or get in touch with our team at PARKROYAL Penang Resort. We look forward to hosting you soon!