15 Best Things to do in Georgetown, Penang 2023

If you have planned a trip to Malaysia, make sure to include a visit to the Unesco heritage site of Georgetown in Penang. This travel guide for the best things to do in Georgetown, Penang includes all the essential practical information you need to know for planning your trip along with the best things to do in Georgetown. Plus: where to stay, where to eat and much more. Let’s begin!

Georgetown is the capital of Penang, an island that is the 2^nd smallest in Malaysia but one of the most important. And the historic heart of Penang is Georgetown. This port city was established by the British and soon became one of the major trading points in South east Asia attracting an influx of immigrants from all over Asia. This intermingling made Georgetown a melting point of various cultures, religions and traditions. In fact, Georgetown reminded me of other such cities like Kochi in India, Hoi An in Vietnam and Galle in Sri Lanka.  When I think of Georgetown, I am taken back to the charming old town with colourful colonial houses, heritage museums, quaint alleys full of amazing street art and an amalgation of cultures that makes it possible for Chinese temples, old churches, South Indian Hindu temples and Islamic mosques to co exist beautifully side by side. Walking through Georgetown is an experience in itself, one that will take you through the rich remnants of the past.

Today, Georgetown is an important hub of arts, culture, trading and finance. Its vibrant culture gives it a unique architectural style along with an eclectic  cuisine that made it Malaysia’s street food capital.

HISTORY OF GEORGETOWN

In the 1770s, the British East India company was looking for a place to establish a port in the Malay peninsula and they started negotiations with the Sultan of Kedah to acquire Penang island in exchange for British military protection. In 1786, this offer was finalised and Penang became a royal navy base and a trading point between India and China. The island was renamed as ‘Prince of Wales’ island and the new settlement was named as ‘Georgetown’. The new port prospered and led to a multi cultural society comprising Chinese, Malay, Indian, Peranakan, Thai and other ethnicities. In 1867, under the Straits settlements, Penang became a colony under the British crown, directly governed from London, along with the other Straits colonies of Malacca and Singapore.  Georgetown was occupied by the Japanese forces during World war 2 and was finally absorbed into the federation of Malaya in 1948.

Georgetown went into decline until the 2000s when it was finally declared a Unesco heritage site along with Malacca in 2008. Subsequent efforts to preserve and restore the historic buildings and clean up the city bore fruit and today Georgetown is thriving once again.

HOW TO REACH GEORGETOWN?

1. FLIGHTS: Penang has an international airport and flight connections are available from most major Asian cities like Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. There are no direct flights from India but connections via both these cities are available. Its just a 2 hours flight from both these places and multiple flights run throughout the day. Flights are also available from other Malaysian cities like Langkawi and Kota Bharu (the nearest airport to the Perhentian islands) You can check flights here.
2. PENANG AIRPORT TO GEORGETOWN: From the airport, its a 16 kms ride to Georgetown that can be done via taxi, Grab app cab or bus. While taxis are expensive, Grab is a good option. For a cheaper option, take the Rapid Penang bus no 401E which operates from 5.30am till 11pm at a frequency of every 30 mins and takes an hour to reach downtown Komtar and Jetty bus stations. Check the Penang airport site for more info.
3. TRAIN: The major train station in Penang is Butterworth Central that is connected to Georgetown via ferry. Lots of trains are available from Kuala Lumpur Central station and the journey takes 4 hours. There are 3 different types of trains: ETS (electric), KTM inter-city and KTM Komuter. ETS is the most popular train service as it is a very comfortable journey. So make sure to book your tickets from before to get confirmed seats. You can see train timetables and book tickets here.
4. ROAD: Multiple buses run throughout the day from Terminal Bersepadu selatan (TBS) in Kuala lumpur and the journey takes 4.5 hours. The major bus companies include transnacional, plusliner and konsortium. You can check bus routes and timetables here.. Apart from buses, you can rent cars or book taxis to go to Penang by road.
5. FERRY: This used to be an option if you were coming in from Langkawi. The fast ferry takes 3 hours to reach Georgetown port. However, the ferry service was discontinued as of now though it is expected to start again in August 2023.

WHERE TO STAY IN GEORGETOWN

The best place to stay in Georgetown is in and around the central historic area where you will be close to most of the action. The colonial buildings, vibrant art scene, vintage shops, trendy bars and restaurants make this area the best in Penang in my opinion. There are so many sights here within a compact walkable distance which makes it very easy for tourists to navigate and do their sightseeing. The cultural fusion and incredible street food on offer is highly attractive for all travelers.

I would highly suggest taking the opportunity to stay in a restored heritage house cum hotel to get a good experience. 3 of the best such places to stay in Georgetown include:

• The Blue Mansion
• Yang Keng hotel
• Jaawi Peranakan mansion

Other accommodation options for Georgetown:

HOSTEL:

• Swing and pillows @ Beach street
• Wassup Youth Hostel
• Kimberly Old house

BUDGET

• B street hotel
• Old Penang Hotel
• Super 8 hotel

MID RANGE

• Areca Hotel Penang
• Bayview Hotel
• Maritime suites
• Royale Chulan

LUXURY

• The George
• Eastern and Oriental hotel
• The Prestige hotel
• Campbell House

You can check rates and reviews of all these places here.

THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN GEORGETOWN, PENANG

1. WALK AND EXPLORE THE HERITAGE OLD TOWN

The best way to get a feel of the quaint charm of Georgetown is by taking a walk through the historic town centre. Georgetown is home to thousands of old buildings, many of which are restored and well preserved. These include Chinese shop houses, temples, museums and colonial era buildings. All of this makes Georgetown an incredible place for history and photography lovers. This old heritage area (which was awarded the Unesco status in 2008) is easily walkable and it is so much fun walking through the atmospheric streets and making new discoveries!

2. GO HUNTING FOR THE MOST AMAZING STREET ART

The streets of Georgetown are filled with the most amazing street art and murals that have made it world famous. The story goes back to 2012 when the city invited Ernest Zacharevic, a Lithuanian artist to create murals and beautify the city. His works exploded in popularity and soon other artists joined in making Georgetown, Penang one of the best street art capitals of the world. The original 6 works by Ernest Zacharevic often involve the mixed use of art along with a real object and attract big lines till date.

Looking for street art is like going on a treasure hunt: its so much fun searching for a particular piece while figuring out the spot from a map. The murals mostly depict scenes from daily life and cats are also a common theme in many of them. So get hold off a map, slather on some sunscreen and go off on your own hunt: you will be amazed by what you discover!

Some of the most notable ones that you absolutely cannot miss include: Boy with Bike, Children on a swing and Indian Boatman.

3. VISIT THE KHOO KONGSI CLAN HOUSE AND TEMPLE

Clan houses are a common occurrence in Malaysia which mostly housed members of the same clans who had immigrated from China. The Khoo Kongsi clan house is the largest one in Malaysia and probably the most historic. It was built in the 18^th century by the Khoo clan who were wealthy traders and came to resemble a miniature village with it’s own self government, finanacial and social institutions. The clan temple was built in 1906 and is dedicated to the clan patron deities. The complex is filled with intricate carvings and rich decorations and the temple also houses ancestral tablets. There is a theatre that stages Chinese operas during the 7^th lunar month.

ENTRY: Open daily from 9am-5pm/ TICKET:10 ringit pp

4. CHECK OUT THE VARIOUS CLAN JETTIES

The clan jetties are basically small villages on wooden stilts that were built to house Chinese immigrants to Penang. These historic jetties had their own temples, traditions and rituals and are a testament to Penang’s multicultural spirit. There are 5 jetties remaining today: Chew, Tan, Yeoh, Lim and Lew. Out of these, Chew Jetty is the most popular but also the most touristic filled with lots of souvenir shops and food stalls. The passages are narrow and the smell of sea water is ever pervasive. Droves of tourists arrive here from morning and make it pretty crowded. Many residents are also fed up with this and ‘no Photo’ signs across closed windows are common. To enjoy this place in peace, arrive here very early at 7am when you can get a chance to see the locals doing their rituals in peace.

Some of the things to see in the clan jetties include:

• The intricately carved temple before the entrance of Chew jetty
• 2 beautiful murals: ‘Folklore by the sea’ and ‘grandma and grandson’ in Chew jetty
• The tiny Mazu temple which stands at the end of the pier in Tan jetty and looks beautiful during sunrise and sunset. However, nowadays this temple is not accessible due to a locked gate.
• Lee jetty is lit up with colourful lights at night and looks very nice.
• Yeoh clan jetty is known for the Hean boo Thean Kuan Yin temple which is big and hosts the Nine emperor Gods festival when the jetty comes to life. Yeoh clan jetty is also a good place to see the sunrise.

5. COLOURFUL HOUSES AND ARCHITECTURE

With it’s historic and rich multicultural past, Georgetown is filled with lots of colourful buildings built in colonial and Chinese styles. Walking through the streets is the best way to explore Georgetown and apart from the street art you will also find many pretty architectural gems.

6. TAKE A TOUR AT THE BLUE MANSION

The Cheong Fatt Tze mansion is one of the most famous and important heritage buildings in all of Malaysia. Known for it’s distinctive indigo-blue walls (the dye being imported from India), it is popularly called ‘Blue Mansion’. It was built by Cheong Fatt Tze in the 19^th century and is an eclectic mix of a Chinese traditional house built according to feng shui rules and decorated with European sensibilities. He was one of the foremost Chinese merchants of those times who also served as the Chinese ambassador to Singapore and Malaysia and was referred to as ‘the Rockerfeller of the East’ by the New York times in it’s obituary.

The Blue mansion was restored and today operates as a boutique hotel making it a great accommodation option in Georgetown for heritage lovers. They also run daily guided tours where you can check out this beautiful mansion while knowing more about it’s history.

Check their Website here for rooms and tours.

ENTRY FEES FOR GUIDED AND  AUDIO TOURS: 25 ringit pp. Tour timings: Self guided: 11am-6pm daily/ Guided tour: 11 am and 2 pm daily

7. EXPLORE THE VIBRANT LITTLE INDIA

This locality is home to the main Indian temple in Penang: Shri Mariamman temple. Apart from that, it has lots of Indian stores and restaurants.

8. KAPITAN KELING MOSQUE

The first permanent mosque in Georgetown that was built by Indian muslim traders in the 19^th century.

9. GODDESS OF MERCY TEMPLE: Dedicated to Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, this is the oldest Taoist Chinese temple in Penang and worth a visit. The temple is visited by devotees and the scent of joss sticks and incense fills the air. The most crowded time of the year is during ‘Chinese New year’ when everyone comes for blessings. Make sure to take a look at the small Hindu shrine under the banyan tree situated right besides the temple that is a marvellous example of the religious harmony in Penang.

10. ST GEORGE’S CHURCH:

Built by the British in 1819, it is the oldest purpose built Anglican church in South east asia and was declared as one of the ’50 national treasures’ of Malayasia by the federal government in 2007.

11. MARVEL AT THE BEAUTIFUL PINANG PERANAKAN MUSEUM

This unique museum is actually a restored mansion that showcases the Peranakan culture (also known as Babas and Nyonyas). The Peranakans are a specific ethnic group who are the descendants of the earliest Chinese maritime settlers in places like Penang, Malacca and Singapore who imbued the local culture of these places resulting in inter cultural marriages and mixed heritage. The mansion is known for it’s distinctive green façade and is recreated as a typical house with opulent and lavish interiors. The architecture is a mix of Chinese and European styles and it houses thousands of artefacts and antiques which are stunning. It’s a great glimpse into the past and the Peranakan culture.

ENTRY FEES: 25 ringit adults/ 12 ringits children more than 6 years/ Timings: 9.30 am to 5 pm daily

12. FORT CORNWALLIS:

The oldest fort in Malaysia which was built by the British as their defence base after arriving in Penang. It is an important historical landmark in Georgetown and has barracks, prison cells and a statue of Francis Light who first came across Penang.

ENTRY FEES: 20 ringit adults, 10 ringits children/ Timings: 9am to 10 pm daily

13. DIG INTO THE AMAZING FOOD

South East Asian cities like Hanoi and Bangkok are famous for their food but Penang is at another level!  Thanks to it’s past multicultural history, there is an assortment of Malay, Chinese, Indian and fusion dishes on offer and there is no better place than Georgetown to sample these delicacies.

The best places to go for street food include:

• Chulia Street night market: the best place to try various types of street food.
• Nagore Square: a local hangout zone with restaurants like What the Duck and Pik Nik.
• New Lane Hawker centre: a bit further away but has authentic vibes and good Chinese dishes.
• Little India: the best place to try out Indian food

Restaurant options in Georgetown include:

• Laksalouicious: local Malay food with a unique touch and at cheap prices
• Kebaya Dining room: classic heritage Indo Chinese and Peranakan dishes offered in beautiful settings
• Mews Café: Malay and European food served in a cosy casual setting
• 32 at the mansion: a colonial sea side mansion that offers Indian and French fine dining
• Beach Blanket Babylon: bar cum bistro with local plus international options
• China House: an iconic place that is famous for it’s selection of cakes
• The Loft: try their crème brulee

Some of the dishes that you have to try in Penang include:

• ASAM LAKSA: a fish broth dish with rice noodles, herbs and veggies
• CHAR KWAY TEO: spicy stir fried noodle dish cooked in prawns, squids and shallots in a coconut milk and shrimp flavoured curry with a little bit of sambar chilli paste thrown in.
• TANDOORI CHICKEN: North Indian dish of marinated chicken roasted in a clay oven (Tandoor)
• BEEF MURTABAK: Malaysian omlette that is made like a pancake and folded around meat and vegetables.
• OYESTER OMLETTE: my absolute favourite street food! Omlette made with small oyesters and other veggies with some sauces.
• NASI KANDAR: An Indian Muslim dish of Rice served with a mix of various curry sauces thrown on top along with a side of fried meat.
• NASI LEMAK: The national dish of Malaysia which consists of fragrant rice topped with veggies, peanuts, fried egg and the spicy sambal sauce.
• CENDOL: shaved ice for dessert that is flavoured with coconut milk, palm sugar and read beans.

14. VICTORIA CLOCK TOWER

This slightly tilted clock tower was built to commemorate Queen Victoris’s diamond jubilee in 1897. It is located at the intersection of Beach street and Light street.

15. KOMTAR SKYWALK

Also known as Rainbow skywalk, it is located on top of the highest skyscraper in Penang, Komtar. And the horse shoe shaped elevated glass skywalk itself is the highest skywalk in Malaysia. It is a part of the Top, a theme park inside Komtar tower with a number of other attractions such as Jurassic park, aquarium etc.

ENTRY FEES: 61 ringit for adults/ 43 ringit for children. There are a number of combo ticket packages available too.

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