Shopping in Penang: Best Malls to Visit in George Town, Gurney Drive, and Beyond
Get in, we're going shopping!
Planning a trip to Penang and want a few easy shopping stops to slot into your itinerary? While the island is best known for its hawker food, heritage streets, and café-hopping scene, its malls come in handy when you just want everything under one roof. Everyone can easily find something they're after, whether its fashion, family-friendly dining, a movie break, or just some air-conditioned downtime after sightseeing.
From central George Town malls to bigger retail destinations worth a proper half-day trip from the city, here are the Penang malls you should know about on your next visit.
Also read: 10 Largest Shopping Malls in the World, Malaysia Made it to Top 3!
George Town City Centre
1st Avenue Mall
Image credit: Penang Global Tourism
Address: 182 Jalan Magazine, 10300 George Town
Opening hours: Daily, 10am–10pm
Just a short walk from Prangin Mall, 1st Avenue Penang has a modern and polished feel. This is the kind of city mall that works well if you want a more comfortable shopping break in town, with fashion, lifestyle stores, entertainment, and plenty of dining options all in one place.
It’s easily paired with KOMTAR, Prangin Mall, and nearby attractions in the same outing, making it especially convenient if you're staying in George Town.
Prangin Mall Komtar
Image credit: Prangin Mall Facebook
Address: No. 33 Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong, 10100 George Town
Opening hours: Daily, 10am–10pm
If you prefer practical shopping over flashy storefronts, Prangin Mall is a great start. Connected to both KOMTAR and 1st Avenue Mall via overhead sky bridges, it’s one of the more local-feeling malls in central George Town.
You’ll find a mix of fashion, electronics, beauty services, and casual food options here. It's more for affordable finds instead of big-name brands, which makes it a useful stop if you want to see where locals actually shop.
Along Gurney Drive
Gurney Plaza
Image credit: Gurney Plaza Facebook
Address: Persiaran Gurney, 10250 Penang
Opening hours: Daily, 10am-10pm
If you only have time for one major mall in Penang, Gurney Plaza is one of the safest bets. Located along the well-known Gurney Drive stretch, it’s one of the island’s most reliable all-round shopping malls, with a strong mix of retail, dining, and entertainment.
It’s also easy to fit into a typical Penang itinerary. You can shop, stop for a meal, and then head out for a seaside stroll or continue on to nearby food spots. For families, couples, or anyone who just wants a fuss-free mall experience, it's hard to go wrong with this option.
Gurney Paragon
Image credit: Penang Global Tourism
Address: 163-D Persiaran Gurney, 10250 Penang
Opening hours: Daily, 10am-10pm
A short distance from Gurney Plaza, Gurney Paragon Mall feels a little more upscale. It has a stylish retail and dining mix, with fashion, beauty, entertainment, and lifestyle stores in a more design-forward setting.
If Gurney Plaza feels more like the all-purpose option, Gurney Paragon is the one to visit when you want somewhere a bit more relaxed and polished. Perhaps for a nicer meal, dessert stop, or a photo stop.
GAMA Supermarket and Departmental Store
Image credit: GamaPenang via Wikicommons
Address: 170 Jalan Macalister, George Town, 10400 Penang
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 9.30am-6pm
A Penang institution in its own right, GAMA has been a household name among locals for decades. Anchored by its well-stocked supermarket and departmental store, it's the kind of place where you can stock up on local snacks, household goods, and everyday essentials all under one roof.
The prices are wallet-friendly, the produce is fresh, and the atmosphere is authentically local. If you want to bring home some Penang pantry finds for the office, GAMA is a solid stop for that.
Beyond George Town
Queensbay Mall
Image credit: Queensbay Mall Google Maps
Address: 100 Persiaran Bayan Indah, 11900 Bayan Lepas
Opening hours: Daily, 10:30am-10:30pm
Located in Bayan Lepas, Queensbay Mall is one of Penang’s biggest and most popular malls. If you like malls where you can spend a proper few hours without running out of things to do, this is exactly what you've been looking for.
Its store mix covers fashion, electronics, dining, and everyday lifestyle brands, and the layout is spacious enough that it never feels too cramped. It’s especially useful if you’re staying closer to the airport or if you want to fit in some shopping right before or after a flight.
Design Village Outlet Mall
Image credit: Vnonymous via Wikicommons
Address: 733 Jalan Cassia Barat 2, 14110 Bandar Cassia
Opening hours: Daily, 11am-10pm
For bargain hunters, Design Village Outlet Mall is one of the most worthwhile shopping detours in Penang. Located in Batu Kawan, this open-air outlet mall offers a different experience from the usual enclosed mall setup with landscaped walkways and a village-style layout.
There are around 150 stores here covering international and local brands, including fashion, sportswear, beauty, home, and F&B. If you enjoy outlet shopping at JB's Premium Outlets, this is probably the Penang mall that appeals to you most.
Sunway Carnival Mall
Image credit: HundenvonPenang via Wikimedia Commons
Address: 3068 Jalan Todak, Pusat Bandar Seberang Jaya, 13700 Seberang Jaya
Opening hours: Daily, 10am-10pm
Over on the mainland, Sunway Carnival Mall is a good option if you’re staying in Seberang Jaya or passing through that side of Penang. It’s a modern, family-friendly mall with shopping, dining, and entertainment in one place, making it especially convenient for travellers who don’t plan to spend all their time on the island.
TripZilla Tip: while the mall itself operates daily from 10am to 10pm, some restaurants and F&B outlets may keep different hours.
Ready to Shop?
Also read: 12 Must-Buy Souvenirs in Malaysia That Make The Perfect Gifts For Your Friends
Penang may not be the first place you think of for a mall-centric trip, but its shopping scene has its uses. Whether you want a quick air-conditioned break in George Town, a dependable retail stop at Gurney Drive, or a proper closet overhaul at Queensbay or Design Village, there’s a mall here that will serve you well.
Shopping is a great way to balance out all the eating Penang is famous for while keeping that 'holiday' vibe!
About Author
Her motto is "experience everything at least once". An adrenaline junkie at heart, she is always down for spontaneous adventure, especially to exotic destinations. She finds the most meaningful aspect of travel is cultural immersion, and talking to locals is an underrated travel hack.