Discover Penang in 3-Nights: The Best George Town Travel Itinerary
Penang in Malaysia had never been on my wishlist of places to visit. I had planned a break in Southeast Asia, specifically Bali, between my route from Singapore to Australia, but a last-minute hitch meant I couldn't go. I decided to re-plan my route to Australia via Malaysia and spend 3 nights in the UNESCO Heritage Site of George Town.
These events turned out to be one of those times when you could say that every cloud has a silver lining. Penang became one of my favourite places in Malaysia, and I discovered a place that made me want to stay forever.
The Malaysian culture, food, colourful history and heritage architecture were great to uncover. And, of course, the incredible street murals, considered among the best in Asia, made Penang a winner for me.
Fast forward to 2023, and during a month in Malaysia, I returned to Penang to see if it had changed much. Apart from some of Penang's murals, which have not weathered the test of time, I am glad to say it hasn't altered and remains one of my favourite cities.
So, if you are wondering where to go for the first time in Malaysia, I would recommend Penang. For the best things to do in George Town on a 3-night Penang trip, you have found the perfect travel guide to read!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Penang
Where is Penang?
Penang is an island in southeast Malaysia linked to the mainland by a toll highway. It has an international airport.
Penang is the second-smallest state in Malaysia, but it has the highest population density. It is the only Malaysian state where Chinese residents are the majority.
George Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the north of the island.
When are the best months to visit Penang?
The best time to visit Penang is between November and the end of January. Rainfall is minimal, and temperatures are expected to be cooler than the rest of the year. That said, I travelled at the end of January, and it was dry but very hot!
Between February and April, the weather is hot and humid both day and night. However, you'll have a good run of dry days and blue skies, so it's a great time to visit if you can handle the heat.
From May to November, there is monsoon rainfall; however, it typically lasts only a few hours, and the rest of the day remains dry. This time of year also sees fewer visitors, making sightseeing more enjoyable.
What should I wear in Penang?
Since it's hot and humid all year round, pack lightweight clothes. Cotton harem pants are on sale around town and are great for wearing in hot temperatures.
How do I get around Penang?
The most authentic way to get around George Town is by rickshaw. For just a few coins, you'll be whisked away to your destination using this traditional mode of transport.
Navigating George Town is also easy on foot. Everything is compact, making it easy to immerse yourself in the local area by wandering its streets.
To reach places in Penang that are further afield, a taxi (such as Grab) is a cheap way to go. Make sure you agree on the price of your trip before setting off. We got our driver to write the figure on our notepad so he couldn't dispute the price at the end of the journey.
Where are the best places to stay in Penang
The Blue Mansion, also known as Cheong Fatt Tzu Mansion, caught my eye because of the captivating blue hues detailed on its website and the history behind this heritage mansion in the centre of George Town.
Another fabulous heritage hotel is Seven Terraces, which transports you back to the 19th century.
You can check pricing and accommodation availability in George Town to find the perfect place for your budget.
I stayed at the Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa on Batu Ferringhi Beach both times I visited and would recommend it.
Where are the best places to eat street food in Penang
Red Garden Night Food Market, located next door to the Blue Mansion on Leith Street, is a huge night market with hawkers serving a mix of traditional and international dishes.
Chulia Street and Kimberly Street have nightly hawker food markets.
The area around Love Lane has numerous coffee shops, restaurants, bars and coffee shops to keep you entertained.
Is Penang safe?
Sadly, nowhere in the world is 100% safe, but I felt safe in Penang. Like all locations, be vigilant, keep your valuables in the hotel safe and don't wander down dark alleys alone!
Is a Visa required for Penang?
British nationals do not need a visa to visit Malaysia. On arrival, you will typically be permitted to stay for three months. For other countries, check the requirements with your Government travel site.
Which Penang tours are the best?
Day One - Our first afternoon in George Town
Arriving at the Blue Mansion after our 90-minute flight from Singapore, we were warmly welcomed and taken to our twin room. Bedecked with original antiquities and the all-important ceiling fan, we slumped onto our beds, hot and tired from the journey.
A back door from our room led to a small swimming pool and garden, which we realised were a godsend for cooling off after sightseeing in Penang.
For a good reason, the boutique heritage hotel Blue Mansion is hugely famous in Penang. It is steeped in history (which can be learned during a tour) and is an exquisite escape from the frenetic pace of George Town.
Its indigo facade and internal turquoise courtyards whisk you back to another time, and as you sip your cocktail and lounge by one of the indoor ponds, it is hard to believe you are in the middle of a city.
Day One - Our first evening in George Town
Riding a trishaw
After a relaxing afternoon, we headed out into the balmy evening heat and hailed a trishaw to explore this UNESCO World Heritage site. Trishaws are everywhere in George Town and are a cheap and easy way to get around town.
A frail-looking gentleman turned up, looking too old to peddle my adult son and me around. We checked he was ok with it, and through the few teeth he had left, he grinned and told us it wasn't a problem.
We realised our hair-raising trishaw journey wasn't the safest form of transport as he peddled us straight into oncoming cars, but it all added to the experience. Our elderly friend treated us to some of his favourite Malaysian songs as he peddled along, and it became quite a fun journey.
We headed to China House for our first meal in Penang, and the curries were among the most delicious I have ever tasted. The mojito slush cocktails were also pretty good!
Note: Since this post was written, the China House has changed its menu to serve Western foods, including burgers. However, they still sell a wide selection of delicious cakes.
Discovering the George Town street art trail
After our meal, we decided to wander back to our hotel and see if we could find any famous art murals.
Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic painted a series of murals in George Town in 2012. He was instructed to revive and regenerate George Town with art murals, and the result was incredible.
Travellers flocked to the town to see his art, bringing their money with them, and he became one of the world's best-known street artists. His artwork is all over the city, in places like Muntri Street, Weld Quay, Lebuh Leith, and Armenian Street, among others.
Out of the original nine pieces, usually depicting children, only one has faded, but many more have been added over the years. We loved finding our way around the streets and felt safe exploring late at night in search of paintings.
Angie's Top Tip - Look for the paintings at night rather than during the day; however, always be vigilant. Nobody was around when we took our photos, but the queues to take pictures were lengthy during the day.
UPDATE - The photos below were taken in 2018. I revisited Georgetown in 2023, and there is considerable deterioration in the murals. Some of the paint had flaked off and faded, and tourists had taken bricks as "souvenirs"! The street art in Penang is still lovely to see, but it has a worn-out look compared to when it was new.
Day Two - Our second morning in George Town
Visiting the clan houses
Once we had finished breakfast, we decided to visit the clan houses for which George Town is famous.
A clan house (Kongsi) is a meeting place, and there are five in George Town.
They were built for individuals from the same dialect group, family name or same area in China.
Khoo Kongsi Clan House
Khoo Kongsi is the grandest Chinese clan temple in the country.
The temple's elaborate and highly ornamented architecture marked the dominant Chinese presence in Penang.
We were in awe of the decoration, both inside and out, although finding it was no mean feat.
We put the details into Google Maps and walked in circles for a while.
The locals didn't seem to know it either, and at one point, we ended up at a cemetery.
It turns out that the locals know it by a different name: Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi. We finally found its entrance quite by chance, inconspicuously hidden between two shops on Cannon Street.
Cannon Street got its English name as this was where the British fired a cannonball that went straight through one of the walls during colonial times in Penang.
Head to 18 Cannon Square, George Town. Opening Hours are daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There is a small entrance fee.
Cheah Kongsi Clan House
Cheah Kongsi is another impressive clan house.
Set in the block next to Khoo Kongsi, it resembles the grand temples and palaces usually seen in China.
The ornate building is the only clan house, which fuses Malay, Chinese, and European designs.
Cheah Kongsi also serves as a museum, exhibiting the temple’s 183-year history.
Original furniture and artefacts are on display in the temple’s smaller rooms.
We were fascinated by the opium and games room, where members would spend hours smoking and playing mahjong.
Head to 8 Lebuh Armenian, George Town. Opening Hours are daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There is a small entrance fee.
Another Clan House - Yap Kongsi - is near Khoo Kongsi at Armenian Street and Cannon Street's junction.
It was built in 1924 and is dedicated to the god of prosperity. Although much smaller than the others, it is still extremely elaborate inside.
Day Two - Our second afternoon in George Town
Visit the Clan Jetties
The Clan Jetties are situated close to the Penang ferry terminal.
Seven different clans reside here in stilted houses above the water. Interestingly, none pay any tax as they don't live on the land.
The Lim, Chew, Tan, and Yeoh jetties are the oldest, with the Koay, Lee, and Mixed Surname jetties appearing later.
Some great shops line Chew Jetty, selling Malay food, handicrafts and clothes.
Here, you will find cheap harem pants - the recognising feature of backpackers in Asia! No traveller should be without a pair, and I wore mine worldwide until they fell apart!
With temperatures soaring, we returned to the Blue Mansion, stopping along the way for traditional egg custard tarts at the delectable pastry shop, Ming Xiang Tai.
Day Two - Our second evening in George Town
Explore Little India
This evening, we headed out to explore Market Street, Penang Street and Queen Street, the area known as Little India.
This neighbourhood has some of the best Indian restaurants in Penang, as well as shops selling spices, saris, jewellery, and handicrafts.
Sri Mahamariamman Hindu Temple is worth seeing. It is the oldest Hindu Temple in Penang, dating back to 1833. It has colourful sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses and floral decorations covering its walls.
Angie's Top Tip: When asking for directions to the temple on Queen Street, use the name Amman Temple, the more common name by which it is known.
We wandered around George Town's roads during the evening, looking for more street art and found loads.
Because the place is so compact, it's great not to have a particular agenda and discover George Town's hidden gems as you go.
We also noticed many interesting characters in George Town along the way.
A hippie who looked like he had arrived in the '60s and never found his way home. A chef was cooking in the dirtiest kitchen I had ever seen, but had locals queuing around the block, and a butcher was happily chopping up chickens on the broken pavement with a cigarette hanging from his mouth. And they are just a few I'm mentioning!
You can always do a Penang food tour with a local instead of taking your chances!
Day Three - Our third morning in George Town
Visit Han Chiang Ancestral Temple
We stumbled across this ancient temple on Chukia Street quite by chance, but we were immediately drawn to it and headed inside to see what treasures it had to offer.
Han Jiang Ancestral Temple is the only Teochew-style temple in Georgetown, dedicated to the Taoist God of the North. It serves as the hub for the Chinese Teochew culture in Penang.
You enter a large courtyard through the main entrance and then onto two temple buildings. There is heaps of information about the temple's heritage, particularly the renovations in 2020. Make sure to add it to your Penang itinerary.
Visit Coffee on the Table
I have a confession to make: I am a coffee addict! When I found out about a coffee shop called Coffee on the Table that shaped animals out of foaming milk, I was there before you could say frothy cappuccino!
I asked for a foam cat - I could have chosen from a selection of animals - and I think you will agree that the result speaks for itself.
Sadly, this cafe closed permanently in 2023. However, Penang has a great cafe culture, and you can be sure to find many great restaurants in Penang for your next flat white and pancake stack!
Visit Hainan Temple
Only three minutes from our hotel, on Muntri Street, is Hainan Temple, also known as Thean Hou Kong Temple (Temple of the Heavenly Queen). It is a Taoist Temple, but more elaborate than the Han Chiang Temple.
It is elaborately decorated inside with beautifully painted panels depicting Chinese warriors. The temple is dedicated to the deity Mazu, who is believed to protect seafarers on their journeys across the water from Hainan Island, China, to Penang, Malaysia.
Join a Heritage Hotel Tour
We joined our pre-booked Blue Mansion Heritage Tour in the afternoon at the hotel, which is free for guests but has an entrance fee for non-residents.
It gives an exciting insight into the building's history and its past occupants. The hotel guest areas are private and not part of the tour.
George Town can get even hotter in the afternoon, so after our tour, we chose to relax by the pool and make the most of the Blue Mansion's beautiful facilities.
If you are interested in the heritage mansions in George Town, I suggest you also read my article about the Pinang Peranakan Mansion.
Day Three - Our last evening in George Town
Dine at Indigo Restaurant
Tonight was our last night in George Town, and we indulged in a meal and some "last night" cocktails at the hotel's fine-dining Indigo Restaurant.
It is acknowledged as one of the best restaurants in Penang, so a reservation is recommended.
We discussed how we had enjoyed our three nights in Penang and came to the same conclusion: we had fallen in love with it.
Day Four - Our last morning in George Town
Explore Penang Hill and The Habitat
We took a 20-minute taxi ride from George Town to Penang Hill on our last morning.
The Penang Hill Funicular took us to the top of Penang Hill, offering stunning views of the surrounding area.
However, the area is a bit tacky, with fast-food outlets and vendors selling souvenirs, but that didn't deter us. We were here for The Habitat on Penang Hill, and that was it!
It's a beautiful place to immerse yourself in nature on a self-guided trail through the 130-million-year-old rainforest.
Monkeys watched us enter their sanctuary, and the vast flora and fauna were hard to comprehend. Plants, trees, insects, reptiles, and mammals call this corner of Penang their home, and it's not hard to see why.
Angie's Top Tip: Wear long trousers as there are a few insects that might like to feast on your delicate skin. We also saw a snake (although it had been killed on the road), so be vigilant. I love snakes, so I was sad not to see this fellow alive until I found out he was highly venomous!
Swings in the canopy and the 230m Langur Way Canopy Walk allowed us to free our inner child, while the Curtis Crest Tree Top Walk allowed us a hair-raising 360-degree panoramic view from the highest point.
The Habitat is a must-visit if you're in Penang. It is an entirely different experience from the hustle and bustle of George Town.
Day Four - Our last afternoon in George Town
Sadly, our time in George Town had come to an end, but had surpassed all our expectations.
We were glad to have the chance to explore its culture and heritage. The good news was that we were heading to the luxurious beach resort of Batu Ferringhi.
We would stay for two nights at the Shangri-La Rasa-Sayang Resort before flying to Australia to continue our round-the-world trip.
George Town is undoubtedly a diverse place that we love. Forget any smoke screens being put up for tourists. What you see is what you get, making the town so authentic and a bucket-list destination.
Things To Do In Penang Outside Of George Town
Head to the Penang Botanical Gardens, established by Charles Curtis of Britain in 1884. These are among Asia's finest gardens. You'll also have the chance to see monkeys roaming freely through the garden here.
It’s generally known as the Waterfall Gardens because of a little waterfall located within it. Watch the locals practising Tai Chi or Qi Gong exercises, and families enjoying quality time together.
Explore the Kek Lok Si Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia, situated near the botanical gardens. The highly ornate temple is adorned with 10,000 statues of the Buddha and is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists. You can visit Kek Lok Si Temple on a guided tour to gain a deeper understanding of its history.
Join a heritage tour of George Town and learn about its role during Malaysia's colonial years.
Visit Penang's oldest Chinese Taoist temple, the Temple of the Goddess of Mercy, located on Pitt Street. It is a focal point for Chinese festivities, offering visitors an insight into Chinese culture.
Take the 101 bus from George Town to Penang National Park on the north-west coast of Penang Island, or hail a GRAB for the 90-minute journey. Taman Negara Pulau Pinang is one of Penang’s hidden gems and is the smallest national park in Malaysia.
There are plenty of trails to explore, and if you are feeling adventurous, you can wild-camp on the beach for free. The main hiking trail leads to Monkey Beach. Be aware that, due to the humid climate, it’s a challenging trek, so it’s not advisable if your fitness level isn’t great.
On the way, maybe stop off at the Tanjung Bungah Mosque. If you are there at high tide, the mosque looks like it’s floating on the sea.
Finally, if you have time, you can do a Penang day trip to Ipoh, where you can expect to see the incredible cave temples for which Ipoh is famous, including Sam Poh Tong, as well as the heritage old town with its street art, laneways, museums and fabulous cafes and restaurants. Stop by Kellie's Castle, a unique sight in the lush countryside of Perak, and visit the showcave at Gua Tempurung.
My final thoughts on visiting Penang
Without a doubt, Penang is one of my favourite places in Malaysia, thanks to its diverse mix of cultures and rich history that is an integral part of its identity. While some people only spend one or two days in Penang, having visited it twice myself, I feel that the optimum time to spend here is three days. This allows you to see all of Penang's tourist attractions without feeling rushed. So there you have it. I hope this Penang travel guide has inspired you to visit this remarkable destination for yourself, and that you'll love it as much as I do.
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Penang
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Pinang Peranakan Mansion: A Tour of Penang’s Heritage Museum
Chew Jetty: What To See in Penang’s Historic Waterfront Village
Penang Street Art Then And Now: Is It Still Worth Seeing?
Visiting Kek Lok Si: The Amazing Buddhist Temple In Penang
Penang Botanic Garden: What To See On A Visit
Blue Mansion Penang Review: Cheong Fatt Tze
Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort Review: Beachfront Luxury in Penang
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Gua Tempurung: Explore the Limestone Cave in Perak, Malaysia
Is Kellie’s Castle In Ipoh Worth Visiting?
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Malaysia Travel Planning
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Angela Price: is an accomplished travel writer bringing extensive expertise and passion to the world of travel.
With over 40 years of globetrotting adventures under her belt and with a keen eye for unique experiences, she has established herself as an authoritative voice in travel, offering invaluable insights for fellow adventurers seeking to uncover the delights of worldwide destinations.
Her motto is “live life wandering not wondering”. Read more about Angie.
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What a lovely blog post! I love the street art or graffiti of this place. Your pictures especially the ones taken next to the street art look awesome! The coffee with the kitty face and the red Chinese-looking lanterns are interesting. Looks like a great trip! 🙂
I really enjoyed Penang. It has so much going on to discover. I loved the street art, so unique.
I’ve heard of Penang many times and would love to visit there sometime. But I will take your word for it and find safe transportation where’re we end up going there!
I loved Penang and would definitely return one day.