Shopping Malls in Penang: 11 Malls for Every Budget
Shopping malls in Penang are where locals go to escape the afternoon heat, eat at food courts, catch a film and stock up on groceries. The island's main cluster is along Gurney Drive, about 3 km from the George Town heritage zone, with two older malls at KOMTAR in the city centre, a waterfront marina at Tanjung Tokong and Queensbay, one of the island's two largest malls, near the airport. Across the bridge on the mainland are Sunway Carnival, AEON Bukit Mertajam and the Design Village outlets.
This guide covers 11 shopping malls in Penang, grouped by area, with what each is best for, anchor stores, food courts, cinemas, opening hours, buses and parking. All were checked in October 2026. Shop line-ups change often, so treat individual store names as a guide and check the mall directory before a special trip.
Jump to a place (11)
George Town and Gurney Drive
Gurney Plaza
Gurney Plaza is the busiest all-round mall on Gurney Drive, about 3 km north-west of the George Town heritage zone. Its nine retail floors mix mid-range and upscale international brands: Parkson Elite department store, Marks & Spencer, Uniqlo and a Toys"R"Us are the big names, with Rolex and other watch boutiques on the ground floor. The top floor holds Golden Screen Cinemas' largest multiplex in northern Malaysia, with 12 screens.
For a cheap meal, Gurney Food Hall in the basement has about two dozen local and international stalls, and the restaurants on the alfresco strip face the sea. Foreign visitors can register their passport at the Information Counter (Ground Floor, Extension Wing) for a free TouristPLUS+ card with deals at participating stores; spending RM500 or RM1,200 on the same day earns a gift. There are luggage lockers on the 4th floor near Sports Direct, which helps on a check-out day.
Getting there: Rapid Penang routes 102, 103 and 304 stop at Gurney Plaza. Parking costs RM2 per hour in the basement; the multi-level car park charges RM2 for the first two hours on weekdays (RM4 at weekends), then RM1 per hour. Tesla Superchargers are in Basement 1.
Gurney Paragon Mall
Gurney Paragon is the more polished of the two Gurney Drive malls, a nine-storey podium below twin residential towers. The restored St Joseph's Novitiate, a three-storey colonial building completed in 1925, is built into the front of the mall. Brands lean premium, with Rolex, Michael Kors, H&M and Starbucks among the tenants, and there are about 30 places to eat.
Two floors are worth a visit even if you are not shopping. BookXcess fills the 7th floor with very tall bookshelves and discounted English books, and TGV Cinemas on the 9th floor has eight halls plus an IMAX screen, the first in northern Malaysia. Jaya Grocer on the lower ground floor stocks imported food and Malaysian snacks to take home.
Getting there: the mall is about 300 m along Gurney Drive from Gurney Plaza, where Rapid Penang routes 102, 103 and 304 stop. It has its own basement and multi-storey parking.
1st Avenue Mall
1st Avenue is the closest modern mall to the heritage zone, on Jalan Magazine at the edge of the KOMTAR complex. It has seven retail floors aimed at younger shoppers, with H&M, Skechers, MR DIY and KKV, plus chain cafes and casual restaurants. Village Grocer on the lower ground floor is a good place to buy imported groceries, Malaysian coffee and snacks.
The top floor (Cloud 8) has an eight-screen TGV cinema. Covered skybridges link the mall to Prangin Mall and KOMTAR, so you can walk between all three without going outside, which is welcome on a hot or rainy afternoon.
Getting there: it is a 10 to 15 minute walk from Lebuh Chulia, or take the free CAT bus or any Rapid Penang route to the KOMTAR bus terminal next door. Parking is on levels 5 to 7 of the building.
Prangin Mall
Prangin Mall is the place for budget shopping in George Town. It has more than 600 small units over six floors, many of them independent shops selling phones, accessories, computers, clothes, shoes and souvenirs at lower prices than the Gurney Drive malls. The former Parkson anchor has closed, so do not expect a department store.
Food is mostly fast food and chains such as McDonald's, Burger King, Pizza Hut and Starbucks. If you are buying electronics, compare prices across a few shops and ask for a receipt and the warranty terms. Small souvenir stalls here sell Penang T-shirts, fridge magnets and local snacks.
Getting there: the KOMTAR bus terminal is beside the mall, served by the free CAT shuttle and most Rapid Penang routes. Skybridges connect Prangin Mall with KOMTAR and 1st Avenue. The car park has about 1,600 bays.
Sunshine Central
Sunshine Central is Penang island's newest large mall, opened in October 2024 by the local Sunshine group in Bandar Baru Ayer Itam. Its nine floors hold about 350 shops aimed at local families, including the Sunshine hypermarket and department store, MR DIY, Daiso and Skechers, with a HARRIS hotel and an office tower in the same complex.
S Food Hall has 26 stalls covering hotpot, Thai, Japanese, Indonesian and Western food, and the developer has announced an 11-hall GSC cinema. It works well combined with a trip to Kek Lok Si Temple or Penang Hill, which are a short drive away.
Getting there: Rapid Penang routes 201 and 203 serve Ayer Itam and Farlim; a Grab from George Town takes about 20 minutes outside peak hours.
Tanjung Tokong (North Coast)
Straits Quay
Straits Quay is a small seafront retail marina rather than a big shopping centre. Two storeys of shops, restaurants, cafes and bars wrap around a yacht marina on the reclaimed Seri Tanjung Pinang waterfront, with luxury apartments above. Come for an evening meal or a drink by the water, not for a long shopping list.
Tenants include restaurants, bars, a 24-hour Anytime Fitness and a few boutiques and beauty studios. The marina hosts seasonal events, such as Halloween activities in October 2026, and the SQ Club Card gives members discounts at participating outlets.
Getting there: Grab is the easiest option, about 15 minutes from George Town outside peak hours. Island 88 on Jalan Tanjung Tokong is a short drive away.
Island 88 (formerly Island Plaza)
Island 88 is the former Island Plaza, a 1990s mall on Jalan Tanjung Tokong that a Hong Kong family bought in 2020 and relaunched as Island 88 in 2023. Rather than competing with Gurney Drive on fashion, it now focuses on food and lifestyle outlets, including several Hong Kong-style eateries, and serves the condominiums along the north coast.
Occupancy was about 76 per cent in October 2026, and Ben's Independent Grocer is due to open its first Penang store here in November 2026. It is the nearest mall to Tanjung Bungah and one of the closer options for visitors staying in Batu Ferringhi.
Getting there: Rapid Penang route 101 (George Town to Teluk Bahang) runs along Jalan Tanjung Tokong past the mall.
Bayan Lepas (Near the Airport)
Queensbay Mall
Queensbay Mall is one of the two largest malls on Penang island, close in size to Gurney Plaza, and the easiest big mall to reach from the airport. More than 400 shops spread over five floors: AEON Supermarket on the lower ground floor, Uniqlo, H&M, Harvey Norman, Daiso, Popular bookstore, a LEGO store and Toys"R"Us, with a GSC cinema on the 3rd floor. It also has an Aeroline coach counter on the ground floor.
The mall sits on the seafront facing the Penang Bridge, and the waterfront park outside is a pleasant place to watch the bridge light up after dinner. It celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2026. Alipay+ is accepted at the mall, and parking is ticketless.
Getting there: Rapid Penang express route 401E from Weld Quay and KOMTAR stops at Queensbay Mall on its way to the airport and Balik Pulau. By car or Grab it is about 15 minutes from the airport.
Mainland Penang (Seberang Perai)
Sunway Carnival Mall
Sunway Carnival Mall is the main mall on the mainland side of the Penang Bridge, in Seberang Jaya. A new wing opened in 2022 and the refurbishment of the original wing finished in 2025, giving about 350 shops. Anchors include Parkson on the ground floor, Golden Screen Cinemas on the 2nd floor, Jaya Grocer and Harvey Norman.
The 2022 extension brought the first Haidilao hotpot restaurant to Seberang Perai, and the lower ground floor has a Market Place for groceries and quick meals. It is a practical stop if you are driving north towards Kedah or staying near Butterworth.
Getting there: the mall has about 3,200 parking bays and is a few minutes from the mainland end of the Penang Bridge. Without a car, take a Grab from Penang Sentral in Butterworth.
AEON Mall Bukit Mertajam
AEON Mall Bukit Mertajam, in the Alma area of central Seberang Perai, is a family mall built around an AEON department store and supermarket. Other tenants include Uniqlo, Daiso, Popular bookstore and Padini, and there is a TGV cinema.
Food Avenue, the in-house food court, uses a stored-value card, and chain restaurants such as Starbucks, Kenny Rogers Roasters and Sushi King face the car park. It mainly serves mainland residents, so visit if you are staying in Bukit Mertajam or nearby.
Getting there: there is open-air and rooftop parking around the mall. Bukit Mertajam KTM station is a short Grab ride away.
Design Village Outlet Mall
Design Village is the only outlet mall in northern Malaysia, an open-air complex set in 24 acres of landscaped grounds in Bandar Cassia, Batu Kawan. Brands with outlet stores here include Adidas, Levi's, Guess, Timberland, Samsonite and Cotton On, with discounts on previous-season stock. It opened in 2016 and holds GreenRE Platinum green-building certification.
The walkways between shops are open to the air, so it is hotter than an indoor mall; mornings after opening and evenings are the most comfortable times. IKEA Batu Kawan is next door if you want to combine the two. Seasonal promotions run through the year, such as a Deepavali gift-with-purchase from 23 October 2026.
Getting there: the mall is close to the mainland end of the Second Penang Bridge (Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge). Public transport is limited, so drive or take a Grab, about 30 to 40 minutes from George Town depending on traffic. Phone 04-589 9888.
Tips for Visiting Shopping Malls in Penang
Which Penang mall for what
| If you want | Go to | Area |
|---|---|---|
| International brands, department store | Gurney Plaza | Gurney Drive |
| Premium brands, IMAX, bookshop | Gurney Paragon Mall | Gurney Drive |
| Phones, electronics, budget buys | Prangin Mall | KOMTAR |
| Last stop before the airport | Queensbay Mall | Bayan Lepas |
| Dinner by the water | Straits Quay | Tanjung Tokong |
| Outlet discounts | Design Village Outlet Mall | Batu Kawan |
Getting to the malls
On the island, Rapid Penang buses stop at or near every island mall in this guide except Straits Quay, and the free CAT shuttle stops at KOMTAR for Prangin Mall and 1st Avenue. Grab is cheap and quick outside rush hour, which runs roughly 7:30 to 9 am and 5 to 7:30 pm on weekdays. For the mainland malls, a car or Grab is far easier than public transport.
Paying, prices and tax
Cards, Touch 'n Go eWallet and DuitNow QR are accepted almost everywhere, and Queensbay Mall also accepts Alipay+. Food court stalls sometimes take cash only, so carry some small notes. Malaysia has had no tourist tax refund since GST was replaced by the Sales and Service Tax in 2018, so the shelf price is what you pay. Big sales run around Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Deepavali, the 11.11 and 12.12 dates and year-end.
Practical tips
Air conditioning is strong, so bring a light layer for a long afternoon or a film. Weekends and public holidays are busy, especially at Gurney Plaza and Queensbay, and car parks fill up from late morning. Malls have prayer rooms (surau), baby rooms and free Wi-Fi; Gurney Plaza also has luggage lockers.
Coming soon: The Waterfront Shoppes
The Waterfront Shoppes, the retail part of The Light City on the Gelugor seafront, is scheduled to soft-open on 29 October 2026 with about 300 shops over four levels, a heritage food hall and a cinema. At about 1.6 million sq ft it is set to become Penang's largest mall. We will add it to this guide once it has opened.
Shopping Malls in Penang: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best shopping mall in Penang?
It depends on what you want. Gurney Plaza has the widest mix of mid-range and international brands, Gurney Paragon is more upscale with an IMAX cinema and the BookXcess bookshop, Queensbay Mall is one of the largest on the island and close to the airport, and Prangin Mall is best for budget shopping and electronics.
Which mall is closest to the George Town heritage zone?
Prangin Mall and 1st Avenue Mall, next to KOMTAR, are a 10 to 15 minute walk from Lebuh Chulia. The free CAT bus and most Rapid Penang routes stop at the KOMTAR bus terminal beside them, and skybridges link the two malls.
Is there an outlet mall in Penang?
Yes. Design Village in Bandar Cassia, Batu Kawan, on the mainland near the Second Penang Bridge, is the only outlet mall in northern Malaysia. It opens daily from 11 am to 10 pm and has outlet stores for brands such as Adidas, Levi's, Guess and Samsonite.
What time do shopping malls in Penang open?
Most malls in Penang open daily from 10 am to 10 pm, including Gurney Plaza, Gurney Paragon, 1st Avenue and Prangin Mall. Queensbay Mall opens from 10:30 am to 10:30 pm, Design Village from 11 am, and restaurants at Straits Quay stay open until about 1 am.
Can tourists get a tax refund when shopping in Penang?
No. Malaysia ended its tourist tax refund scheme when GST was replaced by the Sales and Service Tax in 2018. Instead, look for mall tourist programmes such as the free TouristPLUS+ card at Gurney Plaza, which you can register for with your passport.