Cheong Fatt Tze, the Blue Mansion, was one of the wealthiest merchants of the 19th century, and Penang Straits Settlement imported artisans from China to build this opulent 38-room mansion. With its five courtyards, carved woodwork, Gothic louvered windows and cast iron, the mansion is a fascinating fusion of East and West culture. The building was restored at a cost of 7.6 million ringgit, and it is crammed with sculptures, antique furniture and tapestries, while now being a unique boutique hotel. However, it is also open for non-residents during guided tours, so book one ahead.

Batu Ferringhi is Penang’s main resort area, featuring a long strip of hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops along the island's best beach. Most visitors end up staying here, as Batu Ferringhi offers a range of accommodation from cheap and cheerful guesthouses to five-star luxury hotels. The resort area also provides a wide variety of watersports, including water skiing, windsurfing, parasailing and scuba diving.

For a superb view over Penang and the Straits, take the funicular railway to the top of Bukit Bendera hill. The ride takes 30 minutes and the summit, 830 m (2,727 ft.) above sea level, is, with an average temperature of 3 degrees Celsius, cooler than the steamy coast.

Escape the heat of the city and catch the breeze at one of the nearby beaches. The best ones are Sandspit Hawkes Bay, Clifton Beach, French Beach (privately owned, with clear water) and Paradise Point, with its scenic rock jutting out into the Arabian Sea. Camel rides are available for entertainment.