Penang Itinerary and Guide: George Town, Penang Hill and Street Food

Penang is Malaysia's food capital and one of its most charming destinations. The island's capital, George Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage city of shophouses, clan temples, colonial buildings and colourful street art, while beyond the city you will find a cool hill with views, one of Southeast Asia's largest temples and a long beach strip at Batu Ferringhi.

Penang also has deep Indian roots: George Town's Little India is lively and colourful, and the island is famous for nasi kandar, the Indian Muslim rice meal. This guide covers the best places to visit in Penang, how to get there, and a practical Penang itinerary for 2 or 3 days.

George Town was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, together with Malacca, for its multicultural architecture and living traditions. The best way to explore is on foot or by trishaw.

• Street art: the famous murals painted in 2012, including children on a bicycle on Armenian Street, plus witty iron-rod caricatures that tell the city's stories. Pick up a street art map and go early before it gets hot.
• Khoo Kongsi: an ornate Chinese clan house with carved roofs and gilded halls.
• Clan Jetties: wooden villages on stilts over the water, especially the Chew Jetty.
• Cheong Fatt Tze, the Blue Mansion: an indigo-blue mansion with guided tours.
• Fort Cornwallis and the Esplanade: the old British fort and seafront.
• Street of Harmony: a mosque, a Hindu temple, a Chinese temple and a church within a few minutes' walk of each other.

Around Lebuh Pasar, Lebuh Queen and Lebuh Chulia, George Town's Little India fills with music, flower garlands, sari shops and the aroma of spices. The Sri Mahamariamman Temple on Lebuh Queen is the oldest Hindu temple in Penang. Here you will find South Indian vegetarian restaurants serving dosas, idlis and banana-leaf meals, sweet shops and some of the island's best-known nasi kandar outlets. Deepavali is a spectacular time to visit.

Penang Hill rises to about 830 metres, giving cool air and wide views over George Town, the Penang Bridges and the mainland. Ride the funicular railway to the top, where you will find viewpoints, gardens, a Hindu temple, a mosque and The Habitat, a rainforest nature park with a canopy walk and treetop viewing platform.

• Funicular tickets: about RM 40 return for foreign adults and RM 20 for children; a fast-lane ticket costs more and is worth it on weekends.
• Hours: the funicular usually runs from early morning until late evening, roughly every 30 minutes.
• Tip: go late afternoon, stay for sunset and see George Town's lights from the top.

Near Penang Hill in Air Itam, Kek Lok Si is one of the largest Buddhist temple complexes in Southeast Asia, with a seven-storey pagoda and a giant bronze statue of the Goddess of Mercy reached by an inclined lift. During Chinese New Year, the temple is lit by thousands of lanterns. Combine it with Penang Hill on the same afternoon.

Batu Ferringhi on the north coast is Penang's main beach area, with resorts, water sports and a lively night market. The sea is not as clear as in Langkawi, so think of it as a relaxing resort stay rather than a beach holiday. Nearby, families enjoy the Entopia butterfly and insect centre, Escape adventure park with its outdoor activities and water slides, and the trails of Penang National Park.

Many Malaysians consider Penang the best place to eat in the country. Try nasi kandar (rice with curries, a Penang Indian Muslim speciality), char kway teow, assam laksa, cendol and fresh fruit at hawker centres such as Gurney Drive and New Lane. Vegetarians should head to Little India for South Indian meals, and to Chinese Buddhist vegetarian restaurants, which often avoid onion and garlic, useful for some Jain travellers. Ask before ordering, as hawker dishes often use shrimp paste or meat stock.

• By air: about 1 hour from Kuala Lumpur, with frequent flights. Penang International Airport is about 30 to 40 minutes from George Town. There are also some direct flights from India, and connections via Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
• By train: the ETS train from KL Sentral to Butterworth takes about 4 hours; from Butterworth, take the ferry or a car across the bridge to the island.
• To or from Langkawi: short flights, and seasonal ferries.

Day 1, George Town: street art walk, Khoo Kongsi, Clan Jetties, Little India and the Street of Harmony; dinner at a hawker centre.

Day 2, Penang Hill and Kek Lok Si: morning at Kek Lok Si, then the funicular to Penang Hill and The Habitat; stay for sunset.

Day 3, north coast: Entopia or Escape with children, or a lazy day at Batu Ferringhi with the night market.

Two days covers the essentials; three gives a relaxed pace. Penang combines well with Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi on a week-long trip; see our Malaysia itinerary guide.

• George Town heritage zone: boutique hotels in restored shophouses, within walking distance of the street art, Little India and hawker food. Best for a first visit and for food lovers.
• Gurney Drive and the seafront: larger modern hotels near malls and the Gurney Drive hawker centre, a short ride from the old town.
• Batu Ferringhi: beach resorts with pools, good for families who want a relaxed stay, about 30 to 40 minutes from George Town.

For a 2-night stay, George Town is the most convenient base; with 3 or more nights, many travellers split their time between the city and the beach.

We do not yet have a fixed Penang tour package, but we tailor Penang as an extension to our Kuala Lumpur and Genting packages, with flights, a heritage hotel or beach resort, transfers and sightseeing. Popular combinations are Kuala Lumpur, Genting and Penang for food and heritage, or Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Langkawi for culture and beaches. Start with our Kuala Lumpur tour package and tell us how many nights you want in Penang.