landmark
Kek Lok Si Temple
Southeast Asia's largest Buddhist temple complex in Penang, featuring a striking seven-story pagoda blending Chinese, Thai, and Burmese styles.
7 km · about 15 min drive
AsiaMalaysiaPenang
Balik Pulau
Penang, Malaysia · Asia
About Balik Pulau
Balik Pulau works well as a base: 10 minutes from Kampung Permatang Pasir, 9km from Penang Hill.
Balik Pulau is in Penang, Malaysia, with about 24,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Kampung Permatang Pasir, about 4 km away.
Balik Pulau is a suburb of George Town within the Malaysian state of Penang. Located 12.7 km (7.9 mi) southwest of the city centre, it lies near the southwestern corner of Penang Island and is also the administrative seat of the island's Southwest district.
Balik Pulau was established in 1794 as an agriculturalRead more
village by the British East India Company. To this day, the economy of Balik Pulau still relies heavily on agriculture; Penang's most famous produce, including nutmegs, cloves and durians, are grown and harvested around the suburb. While Balik Pulau is generally seen as quieter in comparison to the bustling city centre on the other side of the island, urbanisation has also reached the suburb in recent years, with more residential developments being planned within the area.
Where to Stay in Balik Pulau
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Filter presets
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Balik Pulau.
Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Balik Pulau.
Loading map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Balik Pulau?
Within an hour or so of Balik Pulau: Kek Lok Si Temple (7 km), Penang Hill (9 km), George Town, Penang (12 km), George Town Street Art (13 km).
Where is Balik Pulau?
Balik Pulau is in Penang, Malaysia, about 4 km from Kampung Permatang Pasir.
Road trip
Drive to Balik Pulau
Add it as a stop and the planner works out the driving, the nights and what's worth seeing on the way.
Start planningWhat's nearby?
Swipe through places to go
Places within a drive of Balik Pulau. Keep the ones you like and add them to your trip.
Explore now
Quick Information
- Population
- 23,559
- Continent
- Asia
- Country
- Malaysia
- Region
- Penang
- Timezone
- Asia/Kuala_Lumpur
- Coordinates
- 5.3492, 100.2394
Tags
Worth the detour from Balik Pulau
5 notable places within an hour's drive.
scenic viewpoint
Penang Hill
833-metre hill above George Town with colonial bungalows and island views, reached by funicular from Air Itam.
9 km · about 15 min drive
landmark
George Town, Penang
A UNESCO World Heritage city blending colonial architecture, vibrant street art, and some of Asia's best street food.
12 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
George Town Street Art
A UNESCO World Heritage city in Penang transformed into an open-air gallery with famous interactive murals and steel rod caricatures.
13 km · about 25 min drive
bridge
Penang Bridge
The 13.5 km crossing that first linked Penang island to mainland Malaysia in 1985, sweeping low over the strait with George Town's skyline ahead: host of the annual bridge marathon.
13 km · about 25 min drive
Driving roads near Balik Pulau
- Right herePenang Hill833-metre hill above George Town with colonial bungalows and island views, reached by funicular from Air Itam.
- Right herePenang BridgeThe 13.5 km crossing that first linked Penang island to mainland Malaysia in 1985, sweeping low over the strait with George Town's skyline ahead: host of the annual bridge marathon.
When to drive here
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Balik Pulau.
Plan a trip around Balik Pulau
Your trip starts here
Plan a road trip from Balik Pulau.
Pick the days, drop in the stops, and share it with whoever's coming.