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Lisa Marie
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15 April 2025
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Georgetown, the capital of Penang, is a must visit spot in Malaysia. Located on the northwest coast, Penang is slowly but surely becoming one of the next best destinations in the world to visit and it’s not hard to see why. The vibrant multicultural city of Georgetown has something for everyone. It is an UNESCO world heritage site and the perfect place for a short weekend break or if you have the time a longer visit.
The best time to visit Penang is from mid-December to mid- February. As Penang is in Malaysia, it experiences a tropical climate throughout the year. So, expect hot and humid conditions with temperatures hovering around the 30-degree mark. As this is the high season you can also expect higher prices for accommodation and of course the most tourists. Rainy season also known as monsoon season is between September and November when you will experience the most rain in Penang. In saying that I visited in September and the rain wasn’t too bad, a few showers here and there. That’s not to say it won’t rain any other time of the year. With global warming it is unpredictable!
Georgetown is Malaysia’s second largest city and is very well connected to the rest of the country. There is an international airport with several flights per day to the capital Kuala Lumpur among other destinations. For domestic flights I always choose AirAsia as they are reliable, budget friendly and of course I can get some airmiles too!
If you are traveling from Kuala Lumpur, you have a few more options. You can take a bus from the airport or other various locations throughout the city or the train to Butterworth. The journey time varies but on average takes about 4.5 hours. From there you can take the public ferry across the water to the island of Penang. The ferry takes around 20 minutes and only costs RM2 which is about €0.39. While this journey takes longer, it will of course be cheaper than even the cheapest flight. I tend to go for the shortest journey time to my destination and find the cheapest way to do that!
Georgetown is an accessible city and easy to navigate on foot. This is the best way to admire all the street art and colonial buildings. Of course, if you are short on time, you can also rent a bike or even use a grab (taxi app). If you fancy venturing outside of Georgetown, buses run regularly to places like Penang Hill and Penang National Park.
There is no shortage of places to stay in Georgetown. From hostels to hotels and guesthouses the options are endless. It is best to stay in the old town if you like to be close to all the main attractions. On my first visit to Georgetown, I stayed at Tido hostel. The location was great and at only €10 per night, it was very good value. It was one of the nicer hostels I have stayed at during my travels in Asia and one I can highly recommend.
If you would like to experience something a little different then why not stay in one of the traditional mansions dotted throughout the city. Cheong Fatt Tze also known as the blue mansion is a traditional Chinese mansion located conveniently close to the street art trail and other popular sites. A museum by day it is also a hotel and will give you an authentic experience you will not forget.
What better way to see a new city than by walking around? Taking a guided walking tour that’s what. This is one of my top things to do in Georgetown and one I can’t recommend enough. It is the perfect activity for your first day in this beautiful city. So why not book a half day tour with Joann Khaw, an experienced guide and native of Penang to see all the best sites, taste some local delicacies and learn some interesting historical facts.
You will see traditional shop houses including the shoe store where Jimmy Choo learned his craft, many interactive street art murals, historic streets and buildings and of course get to try the delicious cakes at China house located near art lane. And if after all that walking you get thirsty, try a refreshing nutmeg juice, you might be pleasantly surprised!
Georgetown has become famous in recent years all thanks to the colorful street art that has been popping up across the city. There is so much to see from beautiful murals, steel rod sculptures and wall paintings around every corner. The best way to see it all is simply by walking around either by yourself or with a guide. Having a guide can be a good way to see the street art as they will bring you to the most famous pieces as well as some of the lesser-known ones, so you get to see a great mix. You can also get a trickshaw ride for an hour to bring you around if you feel like resting your legs. To see some of my favorite pieces and find out more about the street art in Georgetown, check out my guide to Penang Street art here.
One thing you will notice about Georgetown is the abundance of mansions dotted around the city from colonial style to Chinese and Indian influences and everything in between. Here is my pick of two you should add to your visit (this is also a perfect rainy-day activity).
First pay a visit to Pinang Peranakan, a former 19th century home of a wealthy Chinese man or “Baba” as they are known. Now a museum it houses over 1,000 antiques, luxury furnishings and classic architecture. Take a guided tour to learn some interesting facts about this magnificent mansion before exploring on your own.
Next up is Cheong Fatt Tze or the blue mansion as it is better known. This is a heritage listed building and a boutique hotel. With guided tours running 3 times a day, it is not to be missed. Here you can’t walk around freely as it is a hotel so you must stay with your guide, but it is an informative tour none the less. The indigo blue outer walls make it a distinctive building with beautifully decorated interiors. The common areas and reception make you wonder what lies behind the “only for guests’ signs. For my next visit to Penang, I will be sure to make a booking here to get the full Blue Mansion experience.
Just 30 minutes west of Georgetown you will find Penang Hill, a magnificent rainforest that overlooks Penang and the mainland. You can take the funicular up to the top where you will find lots of things to do for all the family. Take a walk along the Skywalk observation deck for a 360 view of the island or one of the many walking trails where you can admire the park’s natural beauty and rich flora and fauna. You might even spot a monkey or two swinging from the treetops. You can also see beautiful colonial style buildings, the Penang hill Mosque, a red heritage postbox and of course lots of nature. For spectacular views head there for sunrise when the hill just opens or even sunset and watch Penang transform into a sea of lights.
Tip: If you are visiting at peak times, early morning or evening, get a fast-track ticket otherwise you could be queuing for over 2 hours to reach the top and the same coming back down. While there is a big difference in price; the fast-track ticket is RM40 (€8.15) and normal lane is RM16 (€3.26) you will enjoy it more if you are not standing in the heat all day with hundreds of locals.
Discover a different way of life by visiting the clan jetties. Here you will find the contrast between local life and the modern hustle and bustle of Georgetown. As part of the Penang heritage trail the clan jetties are over a century old. The 6 water villages made up of wooden stilt houses are the last remains of old Chinese settlements on the island. Each jetty is named after a different Chinese Clan with the Chew Jetty being the most tourist friendly. Each jetty has its own distinct character so why not take a walk down the wooden piers and admire them for yourself. On the Chew jetty you will find a market, lots of food stalls and a temple so there is lots to see.
Tip: Be mindful of the locals as some of them don’t like tourists and have signs on their doors saying no photographs!
There is no shortage of great food spots in Georgetown. Afterall Penang was named one of the best street food destinations in Asia. You will find a great mix of night markets, food stalls dotted around the city as well as restaurants offering local cuisines and international fusion dishes. Here I’ve listed some of my favorite spots that I recommend you try on your next visit.
This cute little café has a small but delicious breakfast menu. It is a nice spot to sit, relax and is reasonably priced. Try their short stack of buttermilk pancakes with bananas & almond flakes and a fresh orange juice to start your day.
This busy café on Love Lane is more than just a coffee shop. From the interiors to the atmosphere, it is a great spot to meet friends or just sit and relax. They have a very good healthy menu with something for everyone. Their poached eggs and mashed pumpkin on toast was so good as are their smoothies. Perfect way to fuel up before a morning exploring.
This little vegetarian spot located along Armenian street beside “the children on the bicycle” mural is a must if you like good, cheap local food and of course are vegetarian. Recommended to me by my walking tour guide I just had to try it. The vegetarian Laska and spring rolls were the best I had in Penang.
There are lots of other things to do in Penang outside of Georgetown including beaches along the north coast, the Penang National Park, the butterfly farm, night markets or a trip to the mainland.
While I was in Penang I didn’t manage to explore outside of Georgetown as it was rainy during my stay, and I didn’t have enough time to do everything between the thunderstorms. I also think a few days is not enough to venture around the whole island so I would highly recommend you allow at least 5 days for your visit so you can see what else Penang has to offer outside of the city. I know I will be taking a trip back soon to see what else I can discover on this beautiful Island.
Happy travels!
Take a walk around Georgetown to discover many other landmark buildings including the Queen Victoria memorial clock tower, Fort Cornwallis and Saint Georges church. All within walking distance of each other.
