Next to the Esplanade Park, Fort Cornwallis happens to be both the largest and oldest fort in Malaysia. It is one of the primary reasons why George Town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
Built in the the 18th century, this star-shaped fort has been through a lot since the 18th century and represents great historical significance to Penang and Malaysia!
You can learn more about this Penang tourist attraction in this post, but nothing beats seeing this place in person! Especially if you’re a history buff!
Table of Contents:
- History
- Fort Cornwallis Lighthouse
- Entrance Fees
- Opening Hours
- Guided Tours
- Wedding Packages
- Cafés
- Fort Cornwallis Food Court
- Getting To Fort Cornwallis
Fort Cornwallis History
Fort Cornwallis was built upon the very first place in which the founder of Penang, Captain Francis Light, landed on back in 1786.
Named after the then-governor-general of Bengal, Marquis Charles Cornwallis, it was made of nibong palms rather than bricks during its early years.
There were also numerous cannons present at the fort, with the intention of warding off unsavory intruders such as pirates and armed forces from Kedah or France.
Some 20 years later in the 1800s, the structure was fortified with bricks by Indian prisoners, and a moat was also added sometime later.
Note: This moat was later filled in the 1920s in the wake of a malaria epidemic, although there are plans to restore Fort Cornwallis’ Moat!
However, the military status of the bastion was eventually removed due to its more prominent administrative role. It was subsequently converted into a police station in 1886.
During World War II, the Japanese used the fort and the opposite park as both a supply store and detention centre.
The 1970s saw the introduction of both a sewage system and electricity into the old fort, with an Amphitheatre being built to host cultural shows as well!
Today, only a handful of the original 77 cannons and the 10-ft high outer walls remain along with the flagstaff and the lighthouse!
Fort Cornwallis Lighthouse
Located besides the fort, the Fort Cornwallis Lighthouse which was built in 1882.
With its 21m-tall steel frame construction, Fort Cornwallis is a little unusual compared to the other solidly-built lighthouses around Malaysia!
The flagstaff was used to communicate with its corresponding flagstaff on Penang Hill the arrival of ships or dignitaries!
Note: Light from this lighthouse can reach up to 16 nautical miles!
Still in operation, Fort Cornwallis is the second oldest in Malaysia after another (Tanjung Tuan) in Malacca!
If you like a view or a challenge, it takes 80 or so steps to climb up to the top for an aerial view of the fort and the Malaccan Strait.
Note: When we last visited in July 2023, the gate to the lighthouse was locked.
Fort Cornwallis Entrance Fees
Entrance to the heritage site is not free.
If you walk along the promenade, it’s possible to peer over the walls at the fort but you won’t be able to get close or inside!
See the table below for the current Fort Cornwallis ticket prices:
| Ticket Type | Adult | Children |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Mykad | RM20 | RM10 |
| Mykad | RM10 | RM5 |
Tickets come with a bottle of mineral water.
Note: The fort is still ongoing a major upgrade (for the moat installation we figure) so some areas are restricted for now.
Fort Cornwallis Opening Hours
The fort is open until night so if you happen to walk by after sunset, the walls and flagstaff are lit up!
- Address: Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, George Town, 10200 George Town, Penang Island
- Contact: +604-263 9855
- Opening Hours: Daily 8am–11pm (Closes at 8pm on Tuesdays)
Fort Cornwallis Guided Tours
There used to be free 30-minute guided English tours (included with the entrance fee) throughout the day that were as fun as they were informative, they don’t appear to be running anymore.
These were as fun as they were informative.
Unfortunately, these tours don’t appear to be running anymore. Which is a shame since they make a visit to the fort worthwhile!
Note: That being said, you might find some 3rd Party guided tours for the area in general, so search around before you go.
Unfortunately, these tours don’t appear to be running anymore. Which is a shame since they make a visit to the fort worthwhile!
During our visit in July 2023, we didn’t see anyone doing tours for the fort.
Fort Cornwallis Review
These are based on our visit to Fort Cornwallis on a sunny Monday afternoon in July 2023.
Pros:
- Entrance fees are acceptable for Malaysians
- Well-kept spacious grounds
- Many on-site cafes
- Polite staff
- Not crowded with tourists
- Cannons and gun powder house have informative signage
Cons:
- No tours available
- Nothing to do besides explore the grounds and take photos
- Lighthouse off limits
- Few shady spots
- Moat installation incomplete
So, unless you are a history buff that doesn’t mind missing out on a guided tour, we would not make a visit to Fort Cornwallis a top priority. Especially if you only have a few days in Penang.
That said, the future looks promising for Fort Cornwallis once they finally finish that moat. Besides this, they need to bring back the tours and add some more exhibits!
Read more: 13 Best Things To Do In Georgetown Penang
Fort Cornwallis Wedding Packages
Fort Cornwallis has wedding packages available for couples who want to tie the knot at the heritage site!
All of their packages come with exquisite decoration for the hall, chairs (up to 60 pax), a photo backdrop, snacks and ambient lighting and music!
Further reading:
- Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (The Blue Mansion) – Relive The Peranakan Glory Days
- Penang Peranakan Mansion – Make A Trip To This Worthy Historical Museum
Places Close To Fort Cornwallis
1. Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower
2. City Hall
3. Town Hall
4. Esplanade Walkway
Best Penang Cafes Close To Fort Cornwallis
There are several rest spots at Fort Cornwallis, including one close to the lighthouse on the higher level of the fort.
The first one you’ll see is right after you enter Fort Cornwallis. It’s a quaint outdoor coffee shop in their well landscaped garden. It is a pity that the fans don’t do much to reduce the heat outside.
And there are picnic tables on the same level as the amphitheatre.
But after wandering around the fort, you might want to sit down and relax in a nice, air-conditioned café!
1. Kota Dine & Coffee – When Francis Meets Rempah
You probably didn’t expect a café right at the fort:
This contemporary café serves local flavors with wonderful food presentation. And they have delightful non-alcoholic fruit mix drinks!
Specializing in fusion and western food, the pasta box take-away set ranks high on novelty.
It features local variations such as chicken rendang, green curry spaghetti, and turmeric pasta too.
Note: Request for no plastic spoon and straw if you don’t need them!
And if you spend at least RM20 on food per person here, you can get RM10 off your Fort Cornwallis entrance fees!
- Address: Fort Cornwallis, Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, George Town, 10200 George Town, Penang Island
- Contact: +604-371 4929
- Opening Hours: Daily 11am to 4pm, and again from 6pm to 10pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Read more: 11 Best Shopping Malls In Penang To Visit – Newest & Biggest!
2. Constant Gardener Coffee
Hidden in the Chinese Chambers of Commerce Building at Light Street, Constant Gardener Coffee may not serve full meals:
But this cozy cafe does have an enjoyable selection of specialty coffee, tea, juices, pastries and cakes! They open late at night too!
In terms of parking, bring on your A-game as bays are limited.
But the gourmet coffees, impeccable SOP, and relaxing ambiance make it a stellar favorite!
- Address: Ground Floor, Chinese Chamber Of Commerce Building, 9, Lebuh Light, George Town, 10200 George Town, Penang Island
- Contact: +6011-6078 7883
- Opening Hours: Daily from 9am to 8pm
3. Via Pre Italian Restaurant
For authentic Italian food with pizzas made to perfection, head over to Via Pre Italian Restaurant. It’s a convenient 3 minutes’ walk from the fort.
From salads, bruschetta, pasta, and tiramisu, you’ll get a wide selection of pure Italian cuisine that will make you swoon.
Moreover, there’s a decent selection of wines and draft beer. And service is swift with impeccable hospitality from friendly staff.
However, the place is smallish and seating capacity is limited – so do make a reservation to secure your spot!
- Address: 20e, Lebuh Penang, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Contact: +604-261 9800
- Opening Hours: Daily from 11.30am to 10:30pm (Closed on Tuesdays; Opening hours on Saturdays are 12pm to 10pm)
Read more: Other Best Penang Cafe Options
Fort Cornwallis Food Court
For some Penang food options that are close to Fort Cornwallis Penang, you can consider these places!
1. Esplanade Park Food Court
Although unassuming from first impressions, this open-air food court is famous for the fried noodles from one stall, Hameed Pata Mee Sotong.
You can request a non-spicy variation if you prefer.
Note: Mee rebus is the version with sauce while mee goreng is the dry version! Both are equally appetizing!
A few stalls away is a drinks and dessert stall that has the perfect beverage to accompany the renowned noodles too:
In our opinion, the creamy yet refreshing coconut shake drink is worth trying on a hot day. It is topped with vanilla ice cream.
The food court is walking distance from Fort Cornwallis. Just go around the fort in the opposite direction of the sea. The food court faces Light Street (Lebuh Light).
- Address: Jalan Padang Kota Lama, George Town, 10450 George Town, Penang Island
- Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 11am to 8pm (Closed on Sundays)
Recommended Dishes:
- Hameed Pata Mee Sotong
- Coconut Shake
Read more: 11 Best Asam Laksa In Penang – Satisfy Your Tastebuds With This Iconic Malaysian Dish!
2. Esplanade Hawker Centre/Padang Kota Lama Food Court
You might hear people refer to this food court as Medan Selera MPPP Padang Kota or Medan Renong too. The food court is divided into a halal and non-halal section.
There’s one notable dish here called pasembur. Which is basically a Malaysian salad with shredded vegetables, fried seafood, and a sweet and spicy nut-based sauce!
After your meal, you could enjoy the scenic coastline and take a leisurely stroll along the beach.
- Address: Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, George Town, 10200 George Town, Penang Island
- Opening Hours: Daily 11:45am–12am (Monday Closed)
Recommended dishes:
- Mee Sotong Special
- Mee Udang
- Zul Laksa Penang
- Rojak Ho Wei Jeng (101 Rojak)
- Pasembur Ghani
Read more:
- Penang National Park (Complete Guide) – Spend A Delightful Day Hiking In Nature
- Entopia By Penang Butterfly Farm – Walk Among Hundreds Of Live Butterflies!
Getting To Fort Cornwallis
Now, let’s go over all the transport options you have to get to Fort Cornwallis!
1. Tour Service
RayTheTour offers private day tours in Penang, Ipoh, Taiping and Cameron Highlands with your convenience and comfort in mind!
Leave it to local and experienced guides to take you around their hometown! Or let them know where you really want to go, and they’ll arrange an itinerary for you accordingly!
Book a tour with RayTheTour on WhatsApp!
Further reading:
- How To Get From Penang Airport To Georgetown (4 Easy Ways)
- How To Get To Penang Island From Kuala Lumpur (KL)
2. Bus To Fort Cornwallis
Look out for the free CAT bus as it stops close to Fort Cornwallis (Kota Cornwallis):
- Padang Kota Lama (5 minutes’ walk)
- Bank Negara (7 minutes’ walk)
Read more: 4 Best Ways For Getting Around Penang (With All Penang Transport Options)
3. Self-Drive/Grab
There is sufficient parking in this area in the form of a concrete open-air car park. But the rates are considerably higher than the standard RM0.80/ hour!
You can also park around the fort but there are limited side parking slots and plenty of birds to shit on your car too.
Fort Cornwallis Parking Rate: RM2/hour
Further reading: The Habitat Penang Hill (Detailed Guide) – With Tips For Entrance Fee Discounts!
Conclusion
Spend a little time at Fort Cornwallis if you have finished your bucket list of Penang attractions! This is one of the few world heritage sites in Malaysia that can stand up to the A’Famosa fort in Malacca!
It’s currently still under renovation but visitors can pay to enter and learn about its background. Or admire it from a distance with a stroll around the exterior!
Don’t forget to check out more historical landmarks in Malaysia.
Other posts you might like:
- Kek Lok Si Temple – If You Only Have Time For 1 Temple In Penang, Let It Be This One!
- Botanic Gardens of Penang – Visit The Green Lungs Of Penang!
- Clan Jetties Of Penang: Floating Villages Like Chew Jetty In Georgetown
- Top 21 Penang Museum To Pop Into (Especially Items 8 & 13)
- Monkey Beach Penang: Visit This Slice Of Paradise In Penang
