George Town

1st Avenue

Next to Komtar and Prangin Mall. This stylish downtown mall contains a 5D cineplex, as well as a karaoke. Several shoplots selling electronic goods and various sorts of apparel.

10AM-10PM

All Seasons Place

Anchored by Giant hypermarket, the first strip mall in Penang houses several dining outlets, as well as localised stores selling knock-off goods.

10AM-10PM

Armenian Street

Armenian Street, once home to some of the city's prominent Armenian merchants is now one of the hippest streets, with a number of interesting crafts shops, temples, at least two museums and probably most importantly, Zacharevic's street art of the two kids on a bicycle.

Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple

Waterfall Temple

Located at a hilltop next to the Penang Botanic Gardens, the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple was built in the mid-19th century, making it one of the oldest Hindu temples in George Town. It was last renovated in the 2000s, with visitors now having to climb over 500 steps to reach the temple. It also serves as a focal point of the annual Thaipusam celebrations.

6:45AM-12:30PM and 4:30-9:15PM

Ban Heang

Outlet opened in Nov 2014 of the locally famous biscuit and delicacy manufacturer. Also sells organic ice creams, sorbets and dried fruit. Its own restaurant linked next door is cheap and cheerful with a wide variety of fresh local and western-style foods. Tourist friendly, fast and fresh. Insiders tip: approach the counter as if to pay and almost hidden to your right will be a steep staircase to a (usually deserted) first floor with air conditioning and a large HD screen showing Chinese historical soap operas.

Daily 7AM-10PM·Cheap, e.g. fish, chips and coleslaw RM9.90 (May 2015)

Batu Ferringhi

The sandy beaches of Batu Ferringhi also offer various activities, ranging from parasailing to riding a beach buggy.

Batu Ferringhi Night Market

One of the most well-known night markets in Penang. For more details, refer to Batu Ferringhi.

7PM-midnight

Beach Street

Lebuh Pantai

As the main Central Business District (CBD) of George Town, Beach Street is lined with mercantile buildings constructed between the 1880s and the 1950s. Among the landmarks along the street are the Standard Chartered Building, HSBC Building, the Penang Islamic Council Building, OCBC Building, Bank of China Building, Whiteways Arcade, India House and the Logan Heritage Building.

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion

The Blue Mansion

Built in the 1890s, and restored in the 1990s (earning it a UNESCO award in 2000), this indigo-blue Chinese mansion was the main residence of Cheong Fatt Tze (called Zhang Bishi in China), known as the Rockefeller of the East and J.P. Morgan of China. The mansion was built according to feng shui principles by master craftsmen from China, who used their skills to fashion a sprawling mansion of 38 rooms, 5 granite-paved courtyards, 7 staircases and 220 windows. The mansion features in various films, including the 1993 Oscar-winning Indochine and the 2018 movie Crazy Rich Asians. Lodging is also available; see the sleep section.

Guided tours are available at 11AM and 2PM. Each tour lasts 45 minutes.·RM16 for adults and RM8 for children below 12

Chinese Clan Jetties

There are six clan jetties along the eastern coastline of George Town. They are worth walking to and looking at, as they provide an insight to the way local Chinese live in traditional huts built on the sea on stilts. Chew Jetty is the most well known and leads to a small temple at the end. Lee Jetty is brightly lit at night by beautiful lanterns. Be cautious while walking in this area.

Chowrasta Market

Built in 1890, Chowrasta Market is one of the oldest wet markets in Malaysia. It does not only offer poultry and vegetables, however, as tourists will find various local products as well, including processed nutmegs, cloves, durian cakes and tau sar pneah (a local bean paste biscuit). The market is said to be the go-to place to buy home some local produce from Penang. Above the ground floor are bookstores selling second-hand publications.

6:30AM-7PM·Entrance is free of charge

Church of the Assumption

The first permanent Catholic church to be built in George Town, the Church of the Assumption was established by a group of Eurasian immigrants who accompanied Captain Francis Light to Penang. It is also one of the few churches in Malaysia with church bells that were cast during British rule. It also houses one of the last remaining and oldest European-made air organs in Malaysia. Masses are on Saturday at 6:30PM and on Sunday at 10AM.

Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM, Sat 9AM-6PM, Sun 9AM-1PM·Admission is free

City Hall

The headquarters of the Penang Island City Council, the local government of George Town. A well-preserved colonial building constructed in 1903 when Penang was a British crown colony. External viewing.

Dhammikarama Burmese Temple

A Burmese Buddhist temple founded in 1803. At the entrance a pair of white elephants, which are sacred in Buddhism, guard the temple while within, a bodhi tree and wishing pond greets the visitor.

5AM-6PM

EE Beng Vegetarian Food

It's a small self-serve buffet style vegetarian restaurant. Good choice of food at an easy on the wallet price.

ESCAPE Theme Park

The ESCAPE Theme Park consists of two parts - one for jungle-themed activities and another for aquatic games. The former includes zip-lines, bungee jumping and rock climbing, whilst the latter contains water tunnels, slides and pools - all within a refreshing jungle setting.

Tue-Sun 10AM-6PM·Ticket prices start from RM42.50/pax; free for children below 3

Entopia Butterfly Farm

Home to some 13,000 species of butterflies, the Entopia Butterfly Farm also contains numerous other invertebrates and insects.

9AM-5PM·RM60 for adults (RM45 for Malaysian citizens), and RM40 for children below 12 and senior citizens (RM25 for Malaysian citizens)

Fort Cornwallis

The fort, named for Charles Cornwallis, is built on the site where Francis Light, founder of Penang, landed on 11 August 1786. It was first built in 1793. But this site was an unlikely spot to defend the city from invasion. In 1810 it was rebuilt in an attempt to make up for initial strategic planning errors. In the shape of a star, the only actual buildings still standing are the outer walls, a gunpowder magazine, and a small Christian chapel. Several old cannons (including one that is believed by some locals to have magical 'fertility' powers) can still be found at the fort. There are also small displays of artefacts recovered from archaeological digs inside the fort. The magazine houses an exhibit of old photos and historical accounts of the old fort.

Daily 9AM-8PM·RM20 for adults (RM10 for Malaysian citizens) and RM10 for children (RM5 for Malaysian citizens)

Ghee Hiang Bakery

义香

The oldest bakery in Penang, established since 1856; other well-known products include sesame seed oil.

Goddess of Mercy Temple

Kuan Yin Teng

Built in 1801, the Goddess of Mercy Temple is one of the oldest Chinese temples in Penang. This Taoist temple is flocked to by pilgrims year round, particularly on the 1st and 15th days of each lunar month. The building is decorated with intricately crafted dragons and a pair of stone sculptured lions which guard the temple. Puppet shows and Chinese operas are staged in the temple's square on the Goddess of Mercy's feast days and there is an octagonal well in one corner, which was once a public well for the Chinese community.

7AM – 7PM

Gurney Drive

This seafront street and promenade now forms part of George Town's Central Business District (CBD). Home to upscale shopping malls, an eponymous hawker centre and towering skyscrapers, it is also a good place to unwind and stroll along.

Gurney Paragon

Built around a colonial-era school building, this upmarket shopping mall contains an IMAX-equipped cineplex, as well as a wide variety of al fresco restaurants and apparel shops. The mall hosts the annual Penang Fashion Week every April.

10AM-10PM

Gurney Plaza

One of Penang's premier shopping malls, the mall contains various entertainment options, such as a 12-screen cineplex, a karaoke, a laser tag outlet and an escape games venue. Al fresco restaurants line the exterior of the ground floor, whilst inside are several international retail brands.

10AM-10PM

High Court of Penang

Inaugurated in 1903, this Palladian-style building now houses the High Court of Penang, which had been established in 1809 as the first judiciary in modern Malaysia. The building is closed to the public; tourists can only view it from the outside.

Him Heang Bakery

馨香

This may be the most famous Chinese bakery in Penang, popular among locals and Singaporean tourists. Its most famous products are Tambun Pneah and Beh Teh Sor. Go early in the morning or order through phone first due to limited daily production.

Sun closed

Hin Bus Art Depot

Art aficionadi can head to this art gallery, which periodically curates art exhibitions. It also contains open spaces for events, a garden and cafes. A pop-up market featuring local artists and other retailers is held every Sunday.

Mon-Fri noon-10PM, Sat Sun 11AM-8PM·Entrance is free of charge

Jewish Cemetery

The cemetery that once served Penang's Jewish community, and one of the few reminders of a once-thriving community during the colonial period. The Jewish community no longer exists, the last member having died in 2011.

Kapitan Keling Mosque

Built in 1803 and named after Caudeer Mohudeen, an Indian Muslim merchant who was also the Kapitan Keling, or leader of the Indian Muslim community. This historic mosque features a dome-shaped minaret that reflects Moorish Islamic influence and has been a prominent place of worship for local Indian Muslims for over 200 years. Free tours operate during non-prayer times. Shoes must be removed prior to entering the mosque and women are provided with heavy robes to wear. Men who are not appropriately dressed will also be supplied robes.

11:30 – 21:00

Kapitan's

No matter what time of the day, this mamak restaurant serves up great Indian food at a decent price. They are well known for their biryani, tandoori chicken and butter chicken. Also consider trying a drink called Badam milk, unless it has already sold out.

24 hours·RM15-30

Krsna Restaurant

Krishna Vilas

Cheap banana leaf-style food but now served on paper. Loads of rice with dal and condiments.