20 BEST PLACES to visit in Penang and Georgetown + THINGS TO DO

Penang is one of the most storied states in Malaysia and at its heart is the state capital of Tanjung Penaga or George Town, whose historical core has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008.

As the first British settlement in Asia, George Town offers a preview of the past within its well-preserved walls while generously providing options for the chic traveler to enjoy the journey. Suffice it to say the city has the best of both worlds—a frozen-in-time surrounding with the modern lifestyle’s cravings. Some of the attractions worth visiting in Georgetown include the Kek Lok Si Temple complex, Khoo Kongsi, Fort Cornwallis, Old Penang Town Hall, and Gurney Plaza. You may also treat yourself to see the other highlights in Penang state while you are here by visiting Penang Hill, Penang Hill Tram Ride, and Batu Ferringhi Beach.

Traveling to Penang and George Town is a breeze for those coming from major Asian cities because the state is well-served by an international airport near Bayan Lepas. Penang International Airport has daily flights to Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, Jakarta, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok.

To help with your trip planning, I’ve added links to the locations on Google Maps. Feel free to click/tap on the links posted below. Then, use the “save” feature on the Google Maps app for easy reference. But before you start ticking goals off your bucketlist, here are travel essentials & discounts you’ll need to check. Pre-book online for a hassle-free trip!

Penang travel essentials

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1. Kek Lok Si Temple

Kek Lok Si (Buddhist temple) near Georgetown in Penang, Malaysia

Kek Lok Si (temple) and Ayer Itam in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Location: Air Itam, Penang Island, Malaysia. Save on Google Maps.

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2. Penang Hill

Georgetown & Penang Hill at night, in Penang, Malaysia

Location: 11500 Bukit Bendera, Penang, Malaysia. Save on Google Maps.

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Penang Hill and Temple Sightseeing

The Habitat Penang Hill Admission Ticket

3. Penang Hill Tram Ride

Penang Hill Tram in Penang, Malaysia

Location: Penang Hill, Bukit Bendera, Penang, Malaysia. Save on Google Maps.

4. Penang Food Trip

Char Kway Teow in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Chicken Rice in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Chicken Briyani & Samosa in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

5. Fort Cornwallis

Fort Cornwallis in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Location: Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Save on Google Maps.

6. Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower

Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower, Penang

Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Location: Lebuh Light, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Save on Google Maps.

7. Old Penang Town Hall & City Hall

Old Penang Town Hall in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Old Penang City Hall (Penang Island Municipal Council) in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Location: Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia. Save on Google Maps.

8. Temple of the Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin Teng) / Kong Hock Keong

Temple of the Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin Teng) / Kong Hock Keong in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Location: 30, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Save on Google Maps.

9. Kapitan Keling Mosque

Kapitan Keling Mosque in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Location: 14, Jalan Buckingham, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Save on Google Maps.

10. Acheen Street Mosque (Lebuh Aceh Mosque / Masjid Jamek)

Acheen Street Mosque (Masjid Jamek) in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Location: Aceh Street Mosque, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Save on Google Maps.

11. Little India

Little India in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Location: Lebuh Pasar, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Save on Google Maps.

12. Sri Mahamariamman Hindu Temple

Sri Mahamariamman temple in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Location: Lebuh Queen, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Save on Google Maps.

13. Yap Kongsi Temple

Yap Kongsi Temple in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Location: Lebuh Armenian, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Save on Google Maps.

14. Seh Tek Tong Cheah Kongsi Clan Temple

Seh Tek Tong Cheah Kongsi Clan Temple in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Location: 8, Lebuh Armenian, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Save on Google Maps.

15. Love Lane

Love Lane in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Location: 8, Lebuh Armenian, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Save on Google Maps.

16. St George’s Anglican Church

St. George’s Church in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Location: 1, Lebuh Farquhar, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Save on Google Maps.

17. Church of the Assumption

Church of the Assumption in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Location: Lebuh Farquhar, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Save on Google Maps.

18. Malaysian Railway Building (Wisma Kastam)

Malaysian Railway Building (Wisma Kastam) in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Location: Gat Lebuh China, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Save on Google Maps.

19. Abandoned Shin Chung Branch School

Abandoned Shih Chung Branch School building in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Location: 11, Jalan Transfer, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Save on Google Maps.

20. Christian Cemetery

Old English cemetery at night, in Georgetown Penang, Malaysia

Location: 4, Lorong Midlands, George Town, 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Save on Google Maps.

What places have you added to your bucketlist? Have you been to beautiful places in Penang that should be on this list? Feel free to share your thoughts!

Places to visit in Penang

Penang tourist spots, things to do in Penang, where to go in Penang & more.

Note: Destinations featured above are not listed by rank.

Where to Stay in Penang

Click below & search recommended Penang hotels/hostels/home rentals within your budget. Remember to set your min/max price, travel dates, and sort by review ratings. I often book online with these trusted booking sites below for rock-bottom prices & convenient bookings.

Agoda Booking.com

Book sooner rather than later if you already have your dates set. Cheaper-priced rooms and hotels with high reviews tend to get fully booked faster, especially during busy days like weekends, holidays & peak tourist seasons.