A Guide to George Town, Penang: Art, Food, and Old-World Charm

A few months ago, I planned a trip to Malaysia. Since this was my second time in the country, I wanted to explore new destinations beyond the usual stops. During my research, I came across Penang, a Malaysian state on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

Known as one of Malaysia’s most captivating destinations, Penang is a vibrant blend of art, food, and culture. Its capital, George Town, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique architectural and cultural landscape. The most popular and touristy city in Penang, George Town offers visitors a glimpse into old-world Asia.

Getting to George Town

George Town is located on Penang Island, which is connected to mainland Malaysia by two bridges — one of which, the Penang Bridge, is among the longest in the world. Here are your main options for getting there:

• By air: Penang International Airport (PEN) receives direct flights from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok, and several other regional cities. From Kuala Lumpur, the flight takes around an hour and is very affordable on budget carriers like AirAsia.

• By bus from Kuala Lumpur: long-distance buses run frequently between KL and Penang, taking around 4–5 hours. Comfortable and cheap, this is a popular option for budget travellers.

• From Langkawi by ferry: if you're combining Penang with Langkawi (which I'd strongly recommend), a direct ferry runs between the two, taking around 2.5 hours. A wonderfully scenic way to arrive.

I actually flew from Langkawi to Penang, a 30-minute flight that holds the record as the shortest I've ever taken. By the time you've fastened your seatbelt and the drinks trolley has thought about coming out, you're already descending. If you're combining both destinations, the ferry is the more scenic option, but the flight is ridiculously quick and often just as affordable.

Getting Around George Town

The good news: George Town's UNESCO heritage zone is almost entirely walkable. The historic core, where the street art, hawker stalls, clan jetties, temples, and colonial architecture are all concentrated, covers a compact area that you can cover comfortably on foot. I walked everywhere throughout my stay and never felt I needed anything else for exploring the main sights.

For exploring places outside George Town, Grab works reliably throughout the island. Trishaws, the iconic three-wheeled bicycle rickshaws decorated with flowers and ornaments, are also available in the heritage zone. They're more of a tourist experience than practical transport, but taking one short ride is worth it for the novelty and the photo opportunity.

George Town is genuinely one of the most pleasant cities to walk in Southeast Asia — the streets are shaded, the architecture is beautiful at every turn, and there's always something unexpected around the next corner.

Where to Stay

The best base in George Town is the UNESCO heritage zone itself — staying here puts you within walking distance of virtually everything. The area is full of boutique hotels, heritage guesthouses, and hostels housed in beautifully restored shophouses, which are an experience in their own right.

Budget travellers will find excellent hostels from around MYR 50–80 per night. Mid-range heritage hotels typically run MYR 150–300 per night.

Eating My Way Through Penang

Recently named by Time Out as the number one street food city in Asia, Penang is known for its vibrant hawker stalls serving everything from samosas to char kway teow. Penang’s unique and complex culinary scene reflects its diverse cultural makeup and historical influences, making it the ultimate culinary destination in Southeast Asia.

I have to be honest about something upfront: I arrived in Penang with a stomach infection picked up from the night market in Langkawi, which meant I spent the first day and a half being very careful about what I ate. I was in the food capital of Asia, unable to eat freely — deeply unfortunate timing!

Despite this, I still managed to try two dishes that have stayed with me since, and I can speak to what Penang's food scene is like even if I didn't experience it as fully as I'd have liked.

When I arrived in George Town, the first thing on my to-do list was to try the famous “Michelin Star Samosa”. The stall in Little India serves a delicious range of samosas, with fillings like meat, egg, and vegetables. The vegetable samosa, with its crispy, flaky exterior, and a soft, spiced potato filling, was the best samosa I’ve ever had!

Another one of my favourite dishes was my final meal in George Town, which was Wantan Mee, a noodle dish made with thin egg noodles tossed in dark soy sauce, topped with slices of barbecued pork, and served with a bowl of soup with pork dumplings. Located at the junction of Chulia Street and Carnarvon Street, this wantan mee stall is an absolute must-try on any Penang itinerary!

The best way to experience Penang's food is simply to follow your nose through the heritage streets in the evening, when the hawker stalls come alive. Gurney Drive Hawker Centre and New Lane Hawker Centre are two of the most beloved spots.

The Art of George Town

One of the main attractions in George Town is its colourful and vibrant street art, which captures the daily lives of the locals. I simply walked around the town one morning, trying to spot as many murals as I could. The most popular, and my personal favourite was Little Children on a Bicycle, a mural by Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic.

Another highlight of my visit to Penang was an art exhibit at Hin Bus Depot, a community hub run by a small creative collective. The exhibit, called unspoken, was a participatory art installation project aimed at confronting the stigma around mental health. Participants were invited to enter a quiet space, write down an unspoken truth on a piece of ceramic, and then smash it as a form of release. This was a truly unique experience that allowed me to confront and release my own “unspoken truth”, a moment that felt both emotional and liberating. 

An Escape to Penang Hill

If you need a break from Penang’s food, art, and culture and want to reconnect with nature, Penang Hill offers the best panoramic views stretching across the city and beyond. Accessible via a funicular railway, it lets you explore the unspoiled beauty of one of the region’s oldest rainforests. Beyond the fantastic views, Penang Hill captivates visitors with its lush greenery and abundant flora and fauna.

Early morning showers hampered my plan to catch the sunrise, so I had to visit later in the morning. I was a bit disappointed by the overwhelming crowd waiting for the funicular; however, once I reached the top, there were far fewer people on the jungle walkway. I was hoping to spot some wildlife but, unfortunately, didn’t see any. Maybe it just wasn’t my day, or perhaps I hadn’t researched the best time for wildlife spotting. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the peace and quiet of the jungle.

Final Thoughts

George Town surprised me at every turn. I arrived feeling unwell, expecting to be disappointed. Unable to eat freely in the food capital of Asia felt like terrible luck. But the city gave me so much more than food. The murals around every corner, the ceramic I smashed in a dark room in Hin Bus Depot, the samosa that reset my benchmark entirely, the quiet jungle at the top of a hill — George Town has a way of getting under your skin.

Whether you're an art lover, a food enthusiast, a history buff, or a solo traveller looking for a city that rewards slow, curious exploration, George Town belongs on your itinerary.