An abundance of things to do in George Town, Penang means you can easily spend a full day here!
Most attractions are accessible on foot. Or by trishaw! And many revolve around the history present at this UNESCO World Heritage zone.
There’s street art, Little India, hidden temples and more to discover so start planning your trip with our suggestions below!
1. Gaze Upon Historical Colonial Landmarks
Those keen on finding the architectural wonders of historic George Town should hang around the north-east coastcorner of Penang Island.
You can see these landmarks as part of the Penang heritage trail which starts from Armenian Street.
Continue to the clan jetties and up along the coast to where Pengkalan Weld (Weld Jetty) is. Finally, make a loop by turning west to Gurney Drive and back down through Little India.
1.1. Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower
This beautiful landmark features Moorish design and has 3 stories to it.
As the name suggests, the clock tower was built by a local Chinese businessman to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee (1897).
PS: It still works.
1.2. Penang Town Hall or Penang City Hall
Penang Town Hall stands out from its neighboring landmarks with its pleasant yellow exterior. It overlooks a field and is roughly 120 years old at this point (built in 1903).
While the public cannot enter this building, there is a Penang city exhibition room just for tourists on the immediate left at the entrance.
1.3. Fort Cornwallis
Entrance fees are compulsory (RM10 for Malaysians, and RM20 for foreigners) to enter the compound, but you can also see the fort from afar by walking around it.
This is the place to learn more about Francis Light and his contribution to Penang. And, to get some selfies with the few remaining cannons!
Read our full article on Fort Cornwallis in George Town.
2. Admire The Symmetry Of St. George’s Anglican Church
Taking inspiration from its namesake in Madras (Chennai), 19th century St. George’s Anglican Church was built in 1817 with sand and limestone.
Miraculously, much of the church retains the original structures and material except for the tile floor and flat roof. The latter had to be replaced a few times!
In 2007, the church received much needed funds from the government with recognition as a national treasure!
Note:
- There is a Heritage Centre in the premises. Open between Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 4pm
- The church is closed on public holidays, Fridays and Sundays! Or if there is wedding/ funeral.
- Church goers can go for the service on Wednesdays (9:30am) and Sundays (8:30am to 10:30am).
3. Enter The Stately Kapitan Keling Mosque For A Visit
Kapitan Keling Mosque dates to the early 19th century. It was built by Indian Muslims who came to Penang under the East India Company.
The distinguished mosque is right at the heart of the chulias (Tamil Muslim neighborhood).
Its current exterior features Indo-Moorish influence and is recent relative to its origins with expansion works taking place in 1930.
4. See Places Of Worship
Aside from Kapitan Keling Mosque, there are other places of worship:
The oldest of them are in or close to Little India – Sri Mahamariamman Temple and Kuan Yin Temple (Goddess of Mercy Temple).
And further from Georgetown in Pulau Tikus, you’ll find the impressive hilltop Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple and the oldest Thai temple in Penang (Wat Chayamangkalaram)!
5. Discover The Clan Community Of Penang
In the 19th century, many mainland Chinese came to Penang to work in the then-booming trading industry.
As they became more comfortable in Penang, they brought their families and extended families. They preferred to stay together, forming their own little communities within Penang.
To this date, visitors can come and see the preserved clan houses in Georgetown!
- Clan Jetties Of Penang – There’s more than one of these historical seaside villages, and the most popular of them is Chew Jetty. Read more about the clan jetties of Penang.
- Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi –We recommend a visit here if you like history, photography or architecture. The whole compound is well kept, and there is a gallery in the lower part of the main building. Read more about Khoo Kongsi.
- Seh Tek Tong Cheah Kongsi – Not as well known as Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi but visitors can also come in to see the architecture and visit the gallery.
6. Visit A Museum
Penang has a surprising number of wonderful museums showcasing the city’s history and culture! There’s even a museum that is dedicated to popular food (Wonderfood Museum)!
For some good old fun, you can try novelty galleries like the Straits & Oriental Museum and Batik Painting Museum!
See more museums in Penang.
7. Take Delight In Peranakan Culture
The Perankans or the Baba-Nyonya are a unique people descended from Chinese settlers in the Malay Peninsula and Indonesian Archipelago.
They are known for their delicious Nyonya cuisine. And the wealthy folk back in 19th century Penang loved to emulate their eclectic colorful style into their own houses!
A couple of these houses have been restored and are now galleries with daily tours!
- Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (The Blue Mansion) -Tours have a duration of about 45 minutes. The maximum number of participants per tour session is 42 pax. Online reservations are recommended to avoid disappointment. Read about our experience at the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion.
- Penang Peranakan Mansion – Smaller than the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion but still a stunning building to visit. The antique collection here is very impressive. Read about our visit to the Penang Peranakan Mansion.
8. Satisfy Your Taste Buds
Chulia Street Night Market is open from the evening onwards. It consists of roadside stalls selling all the quintessential Malaysian street food. Like popiah, char kway teow, apom and more!
An alternative foodie street is Kimberly Street Food Night Market. Or the eateries around Presgrave Street.
And you’ll have to go early to beat the queues at the original stall of Penang Road Famous Teochew Cendol (and Penang asam laksa)! But it’s worth it!
9. Seek Out Street Art
A full day may not be enough to see all the iron sculptures (Welden Iron Wall Caricatures) and street art in Penang!
Let alone all the ones by famed Lithuanian artist, Ernest Zacharevic! Like Boy On Motorbike or Little Boy With Pet Dinosaur – both of which are next to each other!
Then there’s Art Lane Penang too– a hidden gallery of wall murals by local and international artists!
Another collection of paintings that you can look out for is part of an animal awareness project featuring cats (101 Lost Kittens)!
10. Treat Yourself At A Hipster Café
Penang has a wonderful cafe scene and is thus a tempting haven for coffee addicts and photographers! Or as an in-between break from local food (and the heat).
There are many cafes to choose from just in the heritage zone alone! Most serve a mixed menu consisting of Western and Asian cuisine. Some specialize in coffee while others focus on cakes and desserts!
Read about our recommended cafes in Penang.
11. Have A Bird’s Eye View Of Penang From KOMTAR
KOMTAR Penang, is high enough to offer aerial views of the city via a glass bridge (Rainbow Skywalk)!
A full-day pass means you can try the main attractions at KOMTAR without having to buy individual tickets!
Other attractions at KOMTAR:
- 7D Discovery Motion Theater
- Jurassic Research Center (Outdoor)
- The Top Boutique Aquarium
- Ocean Explorer
- Tech Dome Penang
12. Shop At A Mall
In the mood for shopping? While this is not a duty-free state like Langkawi, Penang’s many shopping malls still hold appeal for the masses!
The best time to go is during the nationwide sales in August! You can visit shiny high-end Gurney Paragon mall along with its larger neighbor, Gurney Plaza
Alternatively, Queensbay Mall is a one-stop dream with more than 400 retail stores! But it’s at Bayan Lepas which is a 20-minute drive from Georgetown.
13. Stay Out Late
Just cause it’s evening doesn’t mean the fun’s over! See some landmarks (e.g. Fort Cornwallis, Cheah Kongsi or The Blue Mansion) when they are lit up!
Dive into the hawker stall experience at Red Garden Food Paradise, Chulia Street Night Hawker Stalls (Chulia Street Pasar Malam), Presgrave Corner or Kimberly Street!
And later, recount the day over a beer or cocktail at the bars of Chulia Street and Love Lane!
Conclusion
There are so many things to do in George Town, Penang that we’ve not seen everything even though we’ve been here countless times!
Marvel at beautiful buildings and learn their history. Savor the local cuisine or chill at one of the many cafes! Pop into a museum or two if you want to escape the heat or rain. And keep your eyes peeled for street art every time you turn a corner.
Things To Do In Penang At Night
There are places outside of George Town that offer ideal excuses to stay out late in Penang. Such as an evening stroll along the grand Straits Quay Retail Marina.
Penang Hotel Recommendations
George Town is the place that most tourists want to stay at in Penang. Just be wary that it can be noisier in the city. Moreover, these hotels can cost more.
Best Time To Visit Penang
If you want to avoid or join the crowds in George Town, you might want to read our separate guide on when best to visit Penang. You might want to be here in Chinese New Year for example as this is when parts of the city is decked out in red lanterns or other festive decorations.