Say you find yourself in Penang, Malaysia and you have only 48 hours for everything. Where do you start?
If you’re looking to cover as many attractions as possible, I’ll be honest: I’m afraid I can’t help you. But if exploring Penang somewhat aimlessly—trying every street food you stumble upon and admiring all the street art and quaint architecture—sounds attractive to you, then you’ve come to the right blog.
Since I only had 2 days in Penang (I went here as part of a 5-day trip in Malaysia), I decided to chill and skip the usual sightseeing. In a way, I’m glad I did: getting lost around the fascinating city of Georgetown already feels like exploring a museum. Everywhere you look, there’s something eye-catching, something artsy. Engage more of your senses and you will surely find something delicious as well.
People are not kidding when they say Penang is heaven for foodies. It is. I never encountered anything I didn’t like (except maybe my hotel’s breakfast, LOL). The food is so good that flying over to this island that is 1 hour away by plane from Kuala Lumpur is totally worth it. I don’t usually want to compare places, but here’s my take on Penang: if you loved food-tripping in Taipei (and I’m using Taipei for comparison because everyone seems to want visit it for the food—I did too), well, you would want to live permanently in Penang.
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Read also: 15 of the Best Things I Ate in Malaysia
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Once you’ve landed and checked in at your hotel, don’t waste any time and start eating immediately. I’m serious—48 hours isn’t enough to taste every delicious thing Penang has to offer! As an introduction to the fabulous local food, try the hearty koay teow th'ng at Pitt Street Koay Teow Th’ng. This soup consists of duck meat, sliced pork, fish balls, fish cakes, spring onions, and garlic bits—one of the most delicious and comforting bowls I’ve ever had in my life. You know that happy dance people do while eating good food? I was doing that as I sat alone slurping my soup—who cares if people were staring?
Now that you’ve had some body fuel, it’s time to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site that is Georgetown. Most travelers would probably go looking for the iconic “kids-on-the-bike” mural—it’s one of the first street art pieces there and is said to have launched the craze and inspired other artists to do the same. But to go straight there and ignore everything else you pass by would be a crime. Georgetown’s streets are brimming with heritage houses, artsy shops, colorful walls, patterned floors, and more eateries—aside from the curious paintings and installations. I walked from the koay teow th'ng place and simply looked around until I finally found the infamous wall art (by accident, LOL).
It can be quite hot in Penang, so if you don’t wish to explore by foot, you can definitely rent a bike, book a Trishaw Tour or a Georgetown Heritage Tour, which will both take you to the highlights of Georgetown. Otherwise, if you are going as a group, you can charter a private van so you can ask your driver to take you to the places you wish to see. I honestly had no idea what I wanted to see, so I chose to walk, hahaha! But if you have done your research prior to visiting, then this is definitely a good option.
After checking out all the amazing street art, you would most probably be exhausted so hop over to Joo Hooi Café and sample an assortment of Penang food. This café has a number of stalls offering different types of food, and it’s incredibly popular with locals. I ordered char koay teow—a noodle dish made of prawns, egg, bean sprouts, Chinese sausage, and rice cake strips stir-fried in pork fat and soy sauce. It’s one of my favorites in all of Malaysia. I also ordered some lor bak, a five-spice meat roll that is somewhat like kikiam, and Assam laksa, a.k.a. Penang laksa. It’s different from the one in Singapore as the soup is made of mackerel fish and tamarind. Lemongrass, galangal, pineapples, and chilies complete the dish.
Sunset spots in Penang? If you have time, head over to Batu Ferringhi beach, which is outside Georgetown—about 40 minutes away. This area is a favorite of beach lovers and luxury travelers, with its selection of 5-star resorts. If you’re staying in Georgetown, you can simply book a Grab Car (very cheap) and do a day trip. Pop into a bar and indulge in some cocktails as you watch the sunset.
Like many Asian cities, Penang comes alive at night with the food markets and bazaars, so make sure you don’t just sit around in your hotel. New Lane Hawker Centre was near where I stayed, so of course I had to sample their food. If you like spicy soups, try the Hokkien Mee which has a prawn base and two types of noodles (egg and vermicelli). It’s a rather filling meal, but like other Malaysian food, it also whets your appetite to eat more! Try some satay, or give in to your cravings and get one of those colorful ice desserts.
Admittedly, the nightlife scene is Penang is not as vibrant as most Asian cities I would typically visit, but Georgetown has its share of beer pubs, live music bars, and cocktail bars. Love Lane is a popular area for both tourists and locals—a great place to meet other travelers if you’re exploring solo. What I did was to grab a drink or two in a random bar and then move on to another, until I feel that I could no longer drink any.
On Day 2, you can squeeze in some sightseeing if you want (Penang Hill, Chew Jetty, Kek Lok Si Temple) but I obviously decided to stay in Georgetown to walk and eat some more. I went back to Joo Hooi Café and tried more food: seafood popiah, more lor bak, chendol, more char koay teow, and a fabulous discovery: roti bak kwa, Chinese dried meat served in a soft bun. The bak kwa at Joo Hooi is freshly grilled over charcoal, and you can add extra fillings like pork floss or luncheon meat. I ordered two, of course, hahaha.
More coffee? The Coffee Addict in Hutton Lane is a quiet spot to enjoy comforting cups and light snacks. The ambience is artsy and cozy—a great place to unwind, or finish some work perhaps. The menu is quite limited so I got myself a salad, then ordered extra bacon. With a cup of flat white, of course.
Before you leave, drop by one of Penang’s many shopping malls to buy some souvenirs. I personally don’t buy stuff like shirts, bags, or handicrafts—I prefer taking home edible things: pastries, dried meat/fruits, tea, and my eternal favorite, coffee. The Penang White Coffee is a unique drink made with coffee beans roasted in palm oil margarine. This rich taste is somewhat replicated in instant coffee packets—bring some home.
How to Get to Penang from Kuala Lumpur
AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, and JetStar fly directly to Penang daily, for as low as PhP700/13 USD one-way (no kidding!). When I went, I took Malaysia Airlines which cost me around PhP1,000/20 USD per way (this was in October). Penang International Airport is about 40 minutes away from Georgetown (without traffic). GrabCar is super cheap all over Malaysia—getting from the airport to my hotel cost me 20 MYR/PhP255/5 USD (17.8 kilometers).
Where I Stayed: Hotel NEO+ Penang
I like this hotel because of its excellent location—it’s a short walk from shopping complexes like Komtar, First Avenue, and Prangin Mall, and within walking distance from New Lane Hawker Centre as well. There are cafes, eateries, bars, and art galleries nearby as well. If you are keen to do some exploration, Georgetown’s most important sites are a short drive away.
The room is spacious and comfortable, the price point reasonable (check rates here). It also has a rooftop pool and deck, offering a fantastic view of the island. Breakfast, however, is disappointing. But I probably feel this way because of all the great food I had in the streets.
Now what?
- Book your flight to Penang here.
- Check out affordable hotels in Penang here.
- Read my Malaysia Food Guide.
Have you been to Penang? What did you think about Penang food? Will you go back? Do you have more recommendations to add to this guide?
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