From jungle and street art to night markets: Penang offers more than you expect
Penang is one of the most fascinating destinations in Malaysia. From the impressive Floating Mosque on the coast to the colourful street art in the narrow alleys of George Town: this island has it all. Add the delicious Malaysian cuisine, a vibrant city atmosphere and the beautiful nature of Penang Hill, and you'll understand why this is an absolute must-visit on your Malaysia itinerary, especially when you combine it with Cameron Highlands and Kuala Lumpur.
Is George Town the same as Penang?
Penang Hill by funicular
The Floating Mosque Penang
Sights in George Town
Street art in George Town
Shopping in George Town
Beach: Batu Ferringhi
Container Art Festival in the rice fields
Restaurants and food in Penang
Our favourite hotels in George Town
How to get to Penang
Getting around Penang: bus, scooter and Grab
Is Penang expensive or cheap?
How many days do you need in Penang?
When is the best time to visit Penang?
Is George Town the same as Penang?
A frequently asked question from people who haven't visited the island yet: is George Town the same as Penang? You'll often see the two names used interchangeably. Penang is the island and George Town is the capital and the vibrant heart of the island. Most sights, restaurants and hotels are located in George Town. That said, there are plenty of beautiful spots scattered across the island too. So you don't need to limit your visit to George Town alone.
Tip: We stayed at Strait Garden Suites, a centrally located apartment complex in George Town with a pool and gym. Definitely recommended!
Penang Hill by funicular
Penang Hill is one of the most iconic spots on the island and one you absolutely cannot skip. You can get there in three ways: on foot, by car, or by the famous funicular — the cable railway that takes you up through the jungle. We'd definitely recommend the funicular; that's really the whole point.
The funicular opened in 1923 and was originally intended to transport British colonial rulers up to the hill to escape the heat of the city. In 2010, the system was completely renovated, meaning you now travel to the top in a single ride using modern Swiss carriages. More than 100 years later, it's still literally and figuratively one of the highlights of a visit to Penang.
Tip: Stand further back in the cable car for the best view of the jungle and city during the ride up.
Tickets for the funicular cost 30 MYR (~€6) per person for a return ticket. This includes the ride itself and access to the small museum about the construction of the Penang Hill Railway.
Tip: Go early! From midday onwards it gets very busy, especially with tour groups. We arrived around 11:00 and it was still wonderfully quiet. When we left in the afternoon, it was packed.
Once at the top, you'll find four different walking trails ranging from 1.5 to 3.1 km. The longest route is very manageable, but keep the change in altitude and the sweltering heat in mind: you can easily spend 1 to 1.5 hours on it. Along the route you'll find information boards about the jungle flora and fauna. Keep your eyes open — monkeys, butterflies and other jungle inhabitants frequently make an appearance.
At the top of the funicular you'll find a food court with all kinds of options: local Malaysian dishes, waffles, shakes and snacks. It's not the cheapest spot due to the tourist crowds, but with a local dish you can eat for a reasonable price. On a clear day, the views over George Town and the rest of Penang Island are truly stunning.
The Floating Mosque Penang
The Floating Mosque, officially known as the Masjid Terapung or Masjid Daerah Timur Laut, is without a doubt one of the most beautiful mosques in Malaysia. You'll find it a little outside George Town, situated on the beach at the edge of the island. Depending on the tide, the mosque appears to float on the sea, or the beach reveals itself beneath it. Incredibly impressive to see!
You can walk around the mosque and along the beach. If you want to enter the mosque, you'll need to wear appropriate clothing. Suitable clothing is available to borrow at the entrance. The Floating Mosque was built as a symbol of harmony between faith and nature, and you can feel that the moment you arrive.
Sights in George Town
George Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and for good reason. From impressive colonial buildings to centuries-old temples, from bustling markets to hip coffee shops: cultures truly come together here. Wander through the historic streets full of colonial architecture and landmarks. There is so much to see and do — boredom is simply not an option.
Free walking tour of George Town
We've created a free walking route to discover all the highlights in George Town. You can easily open it in the Google Maps app. Download it via the button below.
Step back in time at Fort Cornwallis
Fort Cornwallis is the oldest landmark in George Town. The fort stands on the spot where the British, led by Captain Francis Light, first set foot on Penang Island in 1786. The original structure was simple, made from palm trunks. It was later rebuilt in brick. The fort served primarily as a military and administrative base for the British East India Company. And yet, it's impressive.
Inside the fort there are several highlights. There's a bronze statue of Captain Francis Light, old prison cells, a chapel and an ammunition storage. But the absolute centrepiece is the Seri Rambai — a huge old cannon with a colourful history involving Dutch, Portuguese and British ownership, and locally known as a fertility symbol.
Tip: Admission is 20 MYR (~€4) for foreigners. Note: payment is by debit or credit card only, no cash.
Visit the Goddess of Mercy Temple
The Goddess of Mercy Temple is one of the oldest and most important temples in the city. Built around 1800, it is the oldest Chinese temple in Penang. Originally the temple was dedicated to Mazu, a sea goddess. Over time this shifted to Guan Yin, the goddess of grace and compassion — hence the temple's name.
The temple survived multiple attacks and even escaped the Japanese bombings in December 1941, which locally gave rise to stories of divine protection. Whether you believe that or not, the atmosphere inside is unmistakably special. The architecture is a blend of Chinese and Southeast Asian influences, with a roof full of decorations, dragon columns and beautiful altars. During busy moments, a continuous cloud of incense smoke hangs above the courtyard — and that makes it all even more extraordinary.
Tip: Admission is 20 MYR (~€4) for foreigners. Note: payment is by debit or credit card only, no cash.
Street art in George Town
This is one of the most unique and unforgettable aspects of George Town. From playful cats to children painted on walls, from interactive murals where you can sit on a bench to walls where you can 'ride' a motorbike. The city is truly an open-air museum. The best part? The murals are spread all over the city, making exploring George Town feel like one big treasure hunt.
Would you rather visit all the street art and sights with a guide? Then this tour is a great option!
Shopping in George Town
On a rainy day — or simply when you feel like air conditioning and good food — the shopping malls in George Town are a solid option. Here are our experiences:
Komtar Mall
When we were there this mall was largely empty and therefore a bit dull. It's not really worth the visit.
Gurney Plaza
This was our absolute favourite. The mall is beautifully laid out, with luxury shops as well as international chains like H&M. Upstairs there's a large food hall with delicious food, and right at the bottom you'll find plenty of great eateries and especially dessert shops.
Gurney Paragon
This mall is less upscale than Gurney Plaza, but pleasant and a lot quieter for a relaxed shopping session.
Beach: Batu Ferringhi
Want a day relaxing on the beach? Batu Ferringhi is the place to be on Penang. It's not the most spectacular beach we've ever seen, but it's great for a relaxed day in the sun. Easily accessible by bus, scooter or Grab.
Container Art Festival in the rice fields
The Container Art Festival sits right in the middle of the rice fields and offers beautiful views of the green paddies around you. A fun and original day trip when you want to escape the bustle of George Town. It's not huge, but definitely worth it if you have enough time on the island and it fits your route.
Streetfood and restaurants in Penang
George Town is known for its amazing and diverse food culture, and isn't called the food capital of Malaysia for nothing. Just walk into a local restaurant and you'll almost always be in for a treat.
These are the dishes you have to try in Penang:
- Char kway teow: thick rice noodles fried in a wok with egg, bean sprouts and a spicy sauce.
- Assam laksa: spicy, sour fish soup with noodles, one of Penang's most famous dishes.
- Hokkien mee: noodle soup with a delicious, spiced broth.
- Popiah: fresh spring rolls with vegetables, shrimp and a sweet sauce.
Our personal recommendations for restaurants and cafés:
- Kafe: great local breakfast
- Coffee Lane: cosy coffee spot
- Le Brunch: wonderful for brunch
- Wheelers: a great choice for a nice meal, pastry and coffee
- Daily Dose Coffee: for the coffee lovers
- Gurney Plaza Food Hall: versatile and accessible
- Gravy Baby: not local food, but really good
- Gurney Drive Hawker Center: the night market next to Gurney Mall — an absolute must for evening dining
Tip: You'll come across local night markets all over the island. Gurney Drive Hawker Centre is one of the most fun and largest.
How to get to Penang
Penang is a peninsula connected to the mainland by a bridge, so there are several ways to get there.
From Langkawi: Take the ferry from Langkawi to Kuala Kedah (34 MYR p.p.) → Grab to the Kedah bus station (16 MYR) → bus to Butterworth (9.50 MYR p.p.) → ferry to Penang island (0.25 MYR). From there you can catch a local bus to your hotel.
From Ipoh: Take the bus to Sungai Nibong (~ €5) and then a local bus to your hotel.
From Kuala Lumpur: In Kuala Lumpur you can easily hop on a direct bus from the station to Penang for ~ € 9.
Tip: Book your bus to Penang easily in advance online via 12go.
NB: Bus terminal Sungai Nibong has been taken over by Easybook. This means you always pay an extra 2 MYR per person to Easybook when travelling via this terminal, even if you've already bought your ticket.
Getting around Penang: bus, scooter and Grab
Public transport on Penang is surprisingly well organised. The Rapid Penang bus system works great: you can easily find the bus schedules online, and you can even track the live locations of buses via Google Maps. Most journeys within George Town cost just 1.50 MYR per person.
NB: Bring cash in small coins and notes. Most bus drivers have little change.
Want a bit more flexibility? Renting a scooter is absolutely fine on Penang. We hired ours from Sam's Books, a well-known spot in George Town.
Is Penang expensive or cheap?
By Southeast Asian standards, Penang is reasonably affordable. It's slightly more expensive than, say, Thailand or Vietnam — particularly when it comes to hotels. A local meal can easily be had for around €1–2, and a bus ride is very cheap, as mentioned above. A budget-friendly hotel can also be found just outside the centre of George Town if you look carefully. Ultimately, you make it as expensive as you choose.
How many days do you need in Penang?
To see the most important highlights, you'll need at least 3 days. Think: Penang Hill, the Floating Mosque, George Town and a visit to the night market. Got 4 or 5 days? Then you can add a beach day and explore the city at your own pace. We were perfectly happy with 4 days, though we could easily have stayed a day longer to discover even more of the island.
When is the best time to visit Penang?
Penang can be visited year-round, but the dry months are December to February and June to August. Those months give you the best chance of good weather. The rainy season falls between September and November and from March to May. We were there in August and September ourselves. We still had the occasional shower, but that's just part of a tropical climate.
Tip: Avoid the Malaysian school holidays and Chinese New Year if you want to dodge the crowds. George Town gets extra busy then, and hotels are more expensive.
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Hi, we are Marlo and Tessa and have developed an enormous passion for traveling through our world trip in 2022. We like to share this with you through our adventures and tips, so that you too can make such an incredible trip.
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About us
Hi, we are Marlo and Tessa and have developed an enormous passion for traveling through our world trip in 2022. We like to share this with you through our adventures and tips, so that you too can make such an incredible trip.
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