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Looking for the best places to visit in George Town, Penang? This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a vibrant mix of culture, history, and modern charm. From exploring colorful street arts to savouring in street foods, George Town is a treasure trove of unique attractions.

As someone who’s wandered through its historic streets, we can assure you that George Town is a perfect blend of the old and the new.

Wondering where to start? Let’s uncover the best places to visit and things to do in George Town, Penang, so you can make the most of your trip!

Best Things to do in George Town, Penang

Must-Visit Places in George Town

Buy the Penang Pass! Pick 2-7 attractions of your choice with one just Pass

1. Bukit Bendera or Penang Hill

A trip to George Town is incomplete if it does not cover Penang Hill or Bukit Bendera. Hiking is our favorite among the many routes to reach the top, including the popular funicular train. We have taken the Moon Gate Trail and Heritage Trail. If you enjoy hiking, you should not miss this experience.

Read our blog post to learn about how to reach Bukit Bendera and attractions at Penang Hill

2. Chew Jetty & Tan Jetty

Unlike the name, Chew Jetty and Tan Jetty do not have stages for boats to arrive or depart. It is home to numerous wooden slit houses around a walkway in a village built in the 19th century.

A visit to the area offers an insight into the glimpse of the local life of the water villages. Hean Boo Thean Kuan Yin Temple, the Chinese temple overlooking the water, is visible from both jetties.

From the Tan Jetty, you can get amazing views of the sunrise. The ships crossing the Penang Bridge are also visible from here.

Book the Penang Half-Day guided tour – The BEST one in Penang!

3. Cheong Fatt Tze, The Blue Mansion

Cheong Fatt Tze is primarily a 4-star boutique hotel where limited area can be visited by the tourists as well. The residents have access to the whole area and witness traditional performances by the artists.

As the name suggests, the walls of the blue mansion are painted in blue color. The interior decorations, architecture, and the eye to detail are just amazing. You can learn about history of the mansion from the official website.

Either explore the mansion at your own pace with an audio guide or go on a guided tour to broaden your knowledge.

• Timings: 11 AM – 6 PM
• Guided Tour timings: 11 AM and 3:30 PM
• Entry Fee: RM 25 per person. If you opt to dine in at Indigo restaurant, you can tour the mansion for free.

Did you know? George Town is the second largest metropolitan city in Malaysia, after Kuala Lumpur.

4. Interactive Street Art

George Town is famous for its street art. A girl in the swing, a boy riding a motorbike, a boy on the chair, a brother and sister on a swing, and kids on a bicycle are a few of the most popular street artworks.

A walk through the streets allows you to find a treasure trove of more interesting artworks.

Find the top 10 Impressive street arts at George Town Here!

5. Rainbow Skywalk

Also known as Komtar Skywalk or The Top, Rainbow Skywalk is located on the top of Komtar, the tallest skyscraper in George Town, Penang. It is Malaysia’s highest outdoor glass skywalk, standing at 248.7 m or 816 feet from the ground.

There is an observatory deck on level 65, and the skywalk is located on level 68. The Top offers a panoramic 360° view of the island, a sight for sore eyes at any time of the day.

• Timings: 11 AM – 10 PM
• Entry Fee: RM 78 for foreigners. There are also combo passes available for multiple attractions.

Book the entry ticket online to the TOP Penang for the best price HERE!

6. Enjoy Street Food at Penang

Penang is the food capital of Malaysia. And there’s no better way to experience the city’s essence than by exploring its food.

From hawker stalls to food courts, you’ll find a world of flavors in Penang. With its blend of Chinese, Malay, and Indian culinary influences, Penang offers a wide variety of street food that is not only affordable but incredibly delicious.

Some of the must try street foods include, Char Kway Teow, Assam Laksa, and Nasi Kandar.

Go on a Trishaw ride and taste Malay street food (with a guide)!

7. Kek Lok Si Temple

The most popular and colorful Buddhist temple in the Penang Island of Malaysia is the Kek Lok Si Temple. The huge temple that takes some time to go around. The temple is simply gorgeous and is a must visit place while visiting George Town, Penang.

Ban Po Thar or Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda and the Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin) statue are the prime attractions here.

During Chinese New Year, the temple is vibrant with cultural performances, decorations, and latterns. In the evening, the temple is lit with several colorful lights all around.

The hill top temple is accesible through a cable car , golf kart/ buggy, and van for a small price. You can also walk or drive your car to the hill top.

• Entry Fee: RM 2 per person
• Timings: 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, open for extended hours during Lunar or Chinese new year
• Shops are available in the vicinity.

Visit Kek Lok Si Temple and Penang Hill on a half-day tour (hotel pickup and transfers included)

8. Fort Cornwallis

Named after the Governer General in Bengal, Charles Cornwallis, it is a 18th century English star shaped Fortress.

Located close to the Queen Victoria Memorial CLock Tower, the Fort Cornwallis was once surrounded by a moat and has many buildings within the walls, of which only Chistian chapel and gunpowder magazine only remains today.

Fort Cornwallis is one of the historic landmarks in the UNESCO Heritage city of George town Island. Canons and the ruins can be seen as well.

• Timings: 8 AM to 11 PM.
• Entry Fee: RM 20 for foreign tourists and RM 10 for Malaysians. (The price includes a beer or water bottle which might be sold out as the day progresses).
• Cash Payments are not accepted. Only debit and credit card are accepted for entry fee.

9. Beaches of George Town

The beaches in the main area of George Town are rocky, so the locals go to the beaches on the other side of the island.

Some famous beaches are Batu Ferringhi Beach, Beach of Moonlight Bay, and Tanjung Bungah Public Beach. Batu Ferringhi Beach also offers a range of water sports activities.

10. Museums at George Town, Penang

Numerous museums that are spread across George Town showcases the rich history, art, and culture. The museums offer a great opportunity to engage, have fun, and learn at the same time. From the list of George Town’s museums, choose the ones that interests you.

• Dark Mansion Museum
• Batik Painting Museum
• Wonderfood Museum
• Asia Camera Museum
• Penang 3D Trick Art Museum
• Ghost Museum Penang
• Upside Down Museum
• Glass Museum Penang
• Tech Done Penang

11. Pedal to the Sub-urbs of George Town Penang Island

Rent a bicyle and cycle to the south-west end of the George Town Island to the sub-urbans of Balik Pulav and Kampung. Pedal along the Durian orchids, mangroves, and paddy fields.

Catch the sunset at Pantai Malindo beach, an absolute best spot in the area

It is the best activity to do in Penang Island if you love nature and escape the crowds. The sub-urban villages boasts a different scene altogether than the touristic side of George Town.

Visit the local villages near George Town on a bicyle tour!

12. Escape Penang

Escape Penang offers over 35 thrilling activities such as zip lines, water slides, obstacle courses, and more exciting games. It is an ideal place to visit in Penang for kids and family.

The theme park also holds a Guinness World Record of having the longest tube water slide and the longest zip coaster in the world. The games at escape Penang are designed for a wide range of age groups, abilities, and energy levels.

• Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM on all days, except Mondays. All Mondays are closed.
• It has facilities like lockers, dress changing rooms, water dispencer, Surau, restrooms, and first aid rooms.
• Towels and Swimwears are available for rent as well.

Book your tickets online for the Escape Penang Adventure Park and skip the queue!

13. Visit the Penang Tropical fruit farm

Developed in 1993, Penang tropical fruit farm is the South East Asia’s largest collection of fruits that spans a sprawling 25 acres of land with over 200 species of edible fruits. A guide will take you through the farm and depending on the season, you get to taste the fruits and wild honey.

At the end of the 30 minute tour, you can taste fruits and drink a fresh juice of your choice. It is the best learning experience for the kids and adults.

The farm products, fruits, and coffee beans can be purchased from the shop.

Tour the tropial fruit farm with a guide (Highly recommended for the best experience)

How To Reach George Town, Penang?

By Ferry

There are frequent ferries that are run between Penang Sentral and George Town Jetty. It is the most convenient and affordable option to commute to the island.

The journey takes about 20 minutes one way, but delays are expected. You can also board your two-wheeler on the ferry. Check the timings of the ferry from the official website.

Cash payments are not accepted at the counter. Payments can be made only through credit cards, debit cards, Touch N Go Cards, Ali Pay, Shopee Pay, Boost, and Grab Pay.  

Book a private cab from Kuala Lumpur to George Town, Penang and save the hassle!

By Road

Penang Bridge is a six-lane toll road connecting George Town’s island to mainland Malaysia at Butterworth. Heavy traffic is the norm during peak hours, weekends, and holidays. The bridge is recommended if you have your own vehicle. The ferry is a good option in other cases.

Best Time To Visit George Town

George Town can be visited throughout the year. Although the rainy season starts in May and ends in September, it doesn’t rain all day. You can explore even if you visit during the monsoon season.

Getting Around George Town

Central Area Transit (CAT) is a free shuttle bus in George Town. The buses cover the UNESCO sites and jetty. The paid buses are also a convenient way to explore the corners of the city.

Google Maps will help you navigate, including the bus number, routes, etc. Alternatively, you can also hire two-wheelers or take a Grab to get around. Walking is also a good way to visit the nearby areas.

Buy the Penang Pass! Pick 2-7 attractions of your choice with one just Pass

Hotels in George Town

Penang is known as the food capital of Malaysia. Many restaurants are spread across George Town. You can find many different cuisines, including Malay, Indian, Chinese, French, Italian, Thai, and so much more.

Restaurants in George Town, Penang

Different accommodations, from hostels to beachfront resorts, are available in George Town, Penang. You can choose based on your budget and comfort. We stayed at Aayu Chulia. Here are a few other recommendations.

• The Century Boutique Hotel George Town ($)
• 24 Kimberley ($)
• Carnarvon House ($$)
• Jazz Hotel Penang ($$)
• Campbell House ($$$)
• Eastern & Oriental Hotel ($$$)

Shopping in George Town

Gurney Plaza is a mall complex where you can find everything from souvenirs to accessories, clothes, electronics, and so much more. The Gurney Paragon Mall is also nearby. Both are popular among both tourists and locals.

George Town offers many options if you like to buy souvenirs from Malaysia.

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