11 great tips for your trip to Penang & Georgetown, Malaysia

The island of Penang is perhaps the perfect blend of culture, nature and delicious food. Not surprisingly, it is many travellers' favourite destination. This colourful island on Malaysia's north-west coast is known for its beautiful temples, street art, laid-back atmosphere and street food. The capital Georgetown in particular is the ideal base for the island and a place where you can easily spend days wandering around. Read all our tips for your visit to Penang below and get prepared for your trip!

---

General information on Malaysia

Are you planning your trip to Malaysia? Then check out our tips for the best travel period, daily budget and applying for a visa. You can find all the information you need about Malaysia here.

---

How to get to Penang?

Penang is easily accessible from several cities in Malaysia. Many travellers travel from Cameron Highlands, Langkawi or Kuala Lumpur to this destination, and so did we. Here's how to travel to Penang easily from these destinations!

We recommend that everyone in the capital Georgetown to stay when you go to Penang. After all, this city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List for a reason. You will find colonial buildings in pastel colours, street art on every street corner, temples, mosques and traditional teahouses. It is also bursting with good restaurants, cosy coffee shops and cool boutique hotels. Whether you come for the food, the culture or just to wander around, this is the place to be. And another big plus (if you ask us) is that from Georgetown you can get to all the island's highlights in no time.

Tips for transport on Penang island

The most fun and practical way to explore Penang is by scooter. This gives you complete freedom to explore the island at your own pace. Highly recommended if you want to get the most out of your stay! We recommend you rent a scooter through your hotel or ask for reliable rental companies to make sure you're on the right track.

Tip: Never give up your passport when renting a scooter. Are you asked for it? Then find another rental company. The safest option is to check with your hotel for a reliable rental company. It is also wise to make a short video of the scooter before departure. That way, you avoid discussion about any damage afterwards. Better safe than sorry!

Grab taxi booking
Another option is to book a Grab taxi. We are big fans of Grab and use this app during all our trips in Asia. As such, it is the ideal way to get around quickly, cheaply and easily!

Tip: The Grab app requires internet access. It is therefore useful to buy a local SIM card or arrange an e-sim card, for example through Airalo.

What to do in Penang & Georgetown? Our favourite tips!

Penang is bursting with fun things to do! Whether you love street art, temples, nature or good food (or just about anything), you won't be bored for a second on this island. Below are our favourite tips.

1. Spot street art in Georgetown

Known for its unique street art, Georgetown is home to several cool murals throughout the city that have become part of the streetscape. Especially at Armenian Street, you will find cool, unique street art! The most famous works were created by artist Ernest Zacharevic, such as the children on the bicycle or the boy on the motorbike.

Tip: Ask at your hotel or guesthouse for the map with all street-art locations.

2. Stroll along the wooden jetties of the Clan Jetties

The Clan Jetties are a special piece of Penang history. Built over the water, these traditional pile villages came into existence when Chinese immigrants settled here to work in the port. Each jetty belongs to a different Chinese family clan and together they form six unique “water villages”. Walking along the wooden walkways, you will pass colourful houses, small temples, street art and shops!

The most famous is Chew Jetty, and although it is definitely worth a look, we found it very touristy because of the many souvenir shops. Personally, we liked Tan Jetty best and recommend you definitely walk past there too.

Tip: Want to avoid the worst crowds? Then go early in the morning.

3. Go to Hin Bus Depot

One of the most creative places in Georgetown is undoubtedly the Hin Bus Depot. You will find several shops by local entrepreneurs here, all selling handmade products. If your schedule allows, go on weekends. There is often a market organised then with live music, good food and lots of fun!

4. Walk through Kek Lok Si Temple

About a twenty-minute drive from Georgetown, you'll find Malaysia's largest Buddhist temple: Kek Lok Si. Even before you get there, you can see the giant Guanyin statue towering high above the city. The temple itself is a colourful maze of pagodas, serene courtyards and a huge Buddha. You can wander around here for hours, always discovering something new.

Practical information:

• Entrance fees: The pagoda costs MYR 2 (€0.40) and for the cable car you pay MYR 16 (€3.50) return if you want to go all the way up. We only took the bit between floor three and four and paid MYR 6 (€1.30) p.p.
• How to get there? A Grab taxi will get you there in about 30 minutes from Georgetown for around MYR 15-20 (€3.50-4.50). Prefer to drive yourself? A scooter will take you about the same amount of time and gives you the freedom to stop along the way. Want to travel as cheaply as possible? Then catch bus 201, 203 or 204, and you'll only pay MYR 2 (€0.40), although you'll be on the road for about 50 minutes.

Tip: The temple is open daily from 07:00 to 18:30. Our tip? Go early in the day. Then it's still nice and quiet ánd temperature-wise it's still doable!

5. Relax on Batu Ferringhi beach

Are you staying in Penang a bit longer or do you love the sea immensely? Then a beach day at one of Penang's most popular beaches, Batu Ferringhi, should be on your list. We don't think the beach itself is the most beautiful in Malaysia, but it is ideal for a relaxing afternoon. In the evening, you can also enjoy good food here at the night market.

6. Explore The Blue Mansion - Cheong Fatt Tze

If there is one building that immediately catches the eye in Georgetown, it is The Blue Mansion. This bright blue mansion was built in the 19th century by Cheong Fatt Tze, a Chinese businessman who once started out poverty-stricken, but rose to become one of the most successful entrepreneurs of his time. He had the house built as a home for his (large) family: eight wives, eight sons and six daughters

The Blue Mansion has since been transformed into a museum AND boutique hotel. So you can not only have a look around, but also sleep there in style!

Tip: The Blue Mansion is open daily from 11am to 6pm and there are guided tours at 11am and 2pm, but places are limited. Want to be sure of a spot? Then book in advance. Prefer to walk around at your own pace? An audio tour is also available.

Read also: The Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur. Find out everything you need to know!
Read also: 14x Great travel games for 2 people

7. Discover Georgetown's cosiest streets: Armenian Street & Love Lane

Georgetown is bursting with atmospheric streets and we definitely recommend taking a stroll along or through Armenian Street and Love Lane. Armenian Street is the place to stroll past colourful murals, cheerful lanterns and umbrellas dangling above the street. You will find cool boutiques, bicycle taxis full of cuddly toys and cosy coffee shops to settle down in.

In the evening Love Lane highly recommended. Here you will find a mix of bars, live music, cocktails and backpackers coming together for a fun evening. We found this the ideal place to end the day! Around 9pm, the street really comes alive. Our tip? Start with a bite at Chulia Street Hawker around the corner and finish with a drink at Micke's Place or Infiniti Bar!

8. Street food tasting in Georgetown

In Malaysia, many locals eat at local street food stalls or get their meal for the day there. This ensures that there are an awful lot of different options, allowing you to eat something different on the street every day...and for a very small price! Ideal and definitely one of our favourite things to do when we travel.

On almost every street corner you will find hawker stalls: small food stalls where locals line up daily for their favourite dishes. From sizzling hot wok pans to simmering soups, this is one big food fest. And let that make us happy! Our favourite places to try street food are Kimberley Street Food Night Market, Chulia Street Hawker, New Lane Street Foodstalls and Red Garden Food Paradise (ideal if it rains). Walk around, order small portions and taste as much as possible.

9. Admire Penang on Penang Hill

For panoramic views of the island, Penang Hill is a popular destination. From Georgetown, it is about a 20-minute drive to the station, where a little train takes you steeply up the mountain. Once at the top, you'll find panoramic views, colonial buildings, temples, suspension bridges and several hiking trails. The best times to go are early in the morning or around sunset, when the light is at its best and it is not so hot.

But fair is fair because we did find Penang Hill a bit touristy. Most people queue for a long time for a ticket and once they have a ticket, it is often for a later time slot on the day or for the day after. On top of that, you pay a separate entrance fee for many attractions. We ourselves eventually decided not to go upstairs as we could only book a block for the next day.

Tip: Buy your ticket early in the day, even if you don't want to go up until later. Many people get a ticket in the morning and use the ’waiting time‘ to have lunch, visit another highlight like the Kek Lok Si Temple or just relax. That way you only have to walk through later when your time slot starts. Saves a lot of frustration!

10. Visit Penang National Park and Turtle Beach

This was without a doubt one of our favourite things to do in Penang! Penang National Park may be small but it is definitely worth it! We parked our scooter at the park entrance where we were then given information about the different hiking routes and options. We ended up opting for the hike to Turtle Beach (Pantai Keracut) and a pick-up by boat to Monkey beach.

Tip: You can choose not to be picked up but then you will walk the route twice (there and back). We do not recommend this as it gets warmer later in the day. So tell the park entrance that you want to be picked up by water taxi and they will arrange it for you. Convenient and relaxed! By the way, you can also share the boat. We just asked around at the entrance and ended up sharing a boat with a lady. It saves money and is fun too.

The hike takes about an hour to an hour and a half and takes you right through the jungle. The hike is not strenuous but due to the heat, we recommend starting early. In addition, you have to climb and clamber a bit in certain places, making it not suitable for everyone.

After all that sweating, you are rewarded with a beautiful white sandy beach that is often completely deserted. We walked there with a handful of people and all of us decided to visit the small local turtle sanctuary at the end of the beach!

Note: swimming is unfortunately not allowed on turtle beach. But no worries! If you take a water taxi from Turtle Beach to Monkey Beach, you can then take a dip there.

11. Other things to do in Penang

There are so many great tips for Penang that it is impossible to do everything if you only stay there for two to three days. So do you have longer? Then find some more inspiration below. 

1. Join a free city tour: Every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, the Tourist Information Centre organises a free walking tour of Georgetown. You will walk past historic buildings, hear more about its multicultural heritage and visit the famous Street of Harmony, among others.

Tip: Register before 10:00 am at the Tourist Info Centre (Whiteaways Arcade), the tour starts at 10:30. Full = full, so be on time!

2. Visit Fort Cornwallis: Fancy some history? Visit Fort Cornwallis, Malaysia's largest colonial fort. You'll learn more about the island's British past here. The open-air museum is also fun with kids we understand from other travellers.

3. Picnic in Esplanade Park: The ideal stop after the walking tour and a quiet, green spot in the middle of the city. Get some food at the Esplanade Food Court and plop down on the grass in the park. You're among colonial buildings like the City Hall and Town Hall here.

4. Stroll down the Street of Harmony: Georgetown is the prime example of how religions go hand in hand here. In one street (Jalan Kapitan Keling, also called Street of Harmony) you walk past a church, Hindu temple, Chinese temple and a mosque. A beautiful reflection of Penang's mix of cultures.

5. Explore downtown temples: In the centre of Georgetown, you walk right past some impressive temples. The Cheah Kongsi is a richly decorated clan house with exquisite details. The Sri Mahamariamman Temple is Penang's oldest Hindu temple and bursting with colour and vibrancy. A little further on is the Han Jiang Ancestral Temple, a quiet Chinese temple that is important to the local community. Each temple tells its own story and shows how cultures have come together here for centuries.

Tips for good restaurants in Penang

Good food is a must while travelling, and in Penang you thankfully have plenty of choice! Even though you will find us mainly at street food stalls, there are a few restaurants we didn't want to skip:

• Every Fresh Bar: Here you can score the very best smoothie bowls in Penang, fresh, healthy and packed with fruit. Perfect start to your day.
• Le Cafe: For a quick, fresh lunch, Le Cafe is the place to be. Think crispy sandwiches, good coffee and a relaxed atmosphere.
• PACE Coffee: A stylish coffee shop where you can also enjoy breakfast or lunch. Everything is beautifully presented and the coffee is top notch.
• Wheeler's: An all-day hotspot for breakfast, lunch and dinner. With an extensive menu full of pizzas, paninis, pastas and healthy bowls.
• Nyonya Lah by Javu: Here you will taste authentic ‘Nyonya’ dishes: a mix of Chinese and Malay flavours. Highly recommended if you want to eat locally.
• Backdoor Bodega: Hidden in a clothing shop, you'll find this unique speakeasy bar. No standard cocktails here, but surprising drinks in a secret place.
• Pitaya by Juice Code: A colourful and healthy party on your plate. Smoothies, bowls and fresh juices that not only look beautiful, but also taste really good.
• Holy Guacamole: In the mood for Mexican? At Holy Guacamole, score burritos, tacos and quesadillas with a tropical vibe. Fun vibe, great food.
• The Loft - Love Lane: Hungry for pizza? At The Loft, eat wood-fired pizzas in a cosy setting in the middle of Love Lane. Fine atmosphere, good wine and perfect for a night out.

Our favourite addresses on Penang and in Georgetown

Whether you are travelling around with a backpack or looking for a bit more comfort, you will find a nice place to sleep in Penang for every budget. We often book our accommodation last minute and therefore always have a few favourites ready in our Booking.com lists. These were our favourites:

• The Century Boutique Hotel: This is where we slept ourselves! This pretty colonial building is right in the middle of town and has simple but nice rooms (or a dorm if you have a smaller budget). The atmosphere is relaxed and there is a pool, a tad random in the car park though, but hey, cool is cool!
• Citadines Connect Georgetown Penang: A hotel right in the centre of Georgetown. You'll sleep in a modern room here, and bonus: there's a swimming pool as well as a gym.
• Areca Hotel Penang: Housed in a beautiful colonial building with lots of atmosphere! The location is considered a plus by many.
• Carnarvon House: Affordable yet atmospheric! This small-scale guesthouse is super central in Georgetown and full of authentic details such as beautiful carvings.
• Ren I Tang Heritage Inn: Spend a special night here. This former traditional Chinese pharmacy building is full of stories, the owner tells them with passion. You literally sleep in a piece of history in the middle of Chinatown.
• SAVV Hotel: For those looking for just a little more comfort: this modern hotel is close to the city centre and has a lovely rooftop pool. Ideal for relaxing after a hot day wandering around Penang.

Penang is one of those destinations where everything comes together: culture, nature, street food and beach. Whether you are wandering the colourful streets of Georgetown, spotting street art, eating delicious food or heading into the jungle towards Turtle Beach, there is always something to do. As far as we are concerned, Penang is not to be missed during your Malaysia trip! We hope these tips help you plan your trip. Still have questions? Then feel free to drop us a line at Instagram.

We try to keep this blog as up-to-date as possible but this cannot be done without your help. If anything has changed, please let us know via info@thousandtravelmiles.nl.

Some of the links in this blog are affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase through these links, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. By using these affiliate links, you support Thousandtravelmiles. This allows us to roam the world, fund the website and offer you free information for planning your trip. This means that a ‘real’ person will do a little joy dance if you make a purchase through this link! You're a legend!