Penang in 3 Days: The Street Food, the Heritage, the Street Art

Penang is one of the great travel destinations in Southeast Asia, and one of the most-rewarding. The UNESCO heritage city of George Town, the street food capital of Asia, the most-photographed street art, the best Chinese-Malay fusion cuisine in the region. 3 days is the sweet spot for a first visit.

Day 1: George Town walking tour

8:00 a.m. — The street art + Armenian Street

Start at the most-photographed corner: the intersection of Armenian Street and Cannon Street. The "Children on a Bicycle" by Ernest Zacharevic (the most-photographed mural in Southeast Asia), the 52 steel rod sculptures (the most-photographed in Penang). Walk the entire heritage zone (109 hectares), stopping at every mural and every rod.

10:00 a.m. — Khoo Kongsi (the most-photographed clan house)

The 1906-built Chinese clan house, the most elaborate in George Town, the most-photographed. The detailed carvings, the ancestral tablets, the courtyard. 10 MYR entry. 45 minutes.

11:00 a.m. — Cheah Kongsi + the Goddess of Mercy Temple

The 1810s-built Chinese clan house (the second-most-photographed), the Kuan Yin Teng (the oldest Goddess of Mercy temple in Penang, 1728, the most-photographed temple). The Chinese history is the most-layered in Malaysia.

12:00 p.m. — Lunch at the New Lane hawker center

The most-photographed hawker center in Penang, the most-photographed street food. The char kway teow, the hokkien mee, the oyster omelet, the rojak, the ais kacang. The most-photographed lunch in George Town.

2:00 p.m. — Peranakan Mansion

The 1894-built Peranakan (Straits Chinese) mansion, the most-photographed in George Town. The 1,000+ artifacts, the elaborate carvings, the European-Chinese-Malay fusion architecture. 20 MYR entry. 1 hour.

3:30 p.m. — Pinang Peranakan Mansion + the heritage shophouses

The second-most-photographed Peranakan mansion, the most-photographed tea ceremony. The shophouses on Lebuh Light, the most-photographed in George Town.

5:00 p.m. — The Clan Jetties

The 7 remaining Chinese clan jetties on the waterfront, the most-photographed being the Chew Jetty, the Lee Jetty, the Yeoh Jetty. The wooden stilt houses, the small temples, the souvenir shops, the most atmospheric in George Town. Sunset over the strait is the most-photographed.

7:00 p.m. — Dinner at the Gurney Drive hawker center

The most-photographed hawker center in Penang (the more modern, the more international). The char kway teow, the asam laksa, the hokkien mee, the cendol, the most-photographed dinner in Penang. The 30-minute walk from the heritage zone is the most-photographed walk.

Day 2: Food + Penang Hill

7:00 a.m. — Breakfast at the Cecil Street Market

The most-photographed morning market in Penang, the most-photographed breakfast. The Hokkien mee, the chee cheong fun, the koay teow th'ng, the most-photographed.

9:00 a.m. — Kek Lok Si Temple (the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia)

The 7-tier pagoda, the 30-m bronze statue of the Goddess of Mercy, the panoramic view of George Town. The most visited temple in Penang. 1-2 hours. Free entry to the temple, 2 MYR for the pagoda.

11:30 a.m. — Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)

The 720-m hill 6 km from the city, the funicular railway (the oldest in Asia, 1923), the view of the island, the colonial-era bungalows at the top. The most-photographed viewpoint in Penang. 30 MYR funicular return. 2-3 hours for the trip + the time at the top.

2:00 p.m. — Lunch at the Pulau Tikus Market

The most-photographed lunch spot in Penang, the most-photographed local market. The asam laksa, the curry mee, the Hokkien char, the most-photographed. The 15-minute drive from Penang Hill is the most-photographed.

4:00 p.m. — The Blue Mansion (Cheong Fatt Tze)

The 1880s-built Chinese mansion, the indigo-blue exterior, the most-photographed building in George Town. The guided tour (the most-photographed 45 minutes in Penang). 17 MYR entry. The boutique hotel in the mansion is the most-photographed place to stay in Penang.

7:00 p.m. — Dinner at the Line Clear

The most-photographed nasi kandar in Penang, the most-photographed 24-hour restaurant. The rice, the curries, the fried chicken, the most-photographed dinner in George Town. The 30-minute walk from the heritage zone is the most-photographed.

Day 3: The beach + the surroundings

8:00 a.m. — Breakfast at the Lebuh Armenian coffee shop

The most-photographed breakfast in the heritage zone, the most-photographed local coffee shop. The Hainanese coffee, the kaya toast, the soft-boiled eggs, the most-photographed.

9:30 a.m. — Batu Ferringhi (the beach)

11 km north of George Town, the most-photographed beach in Penang, the night market, the water sports. The 30-minute bus from George Town. 2-3 hours for the beach, the swimming, the sun.

12:30 p.m. — Lunch at the Batu Ferringhi hawker center

The most-photographed lunch on the beach, the most-photographed seafood. The grilled fish, the chili crab, the tom yum, the most-photographed.

2:30 p.m. — Tropical Spice Garden

The 8-acre garden 15 minutes from Batu Ferringhi, the most-photographed in Penang, the most-photographed tropical spice collection. The cooking class is the most-photographed 3 hours in Penang. 30 MYR entry. 1-2 hours.

5:00 p.m. — Return to George Town, sunset at the Clan Jetties

Back to the jetties for the sunset. The most-photographed sunset in George Town. The 30-minute walk along the waterfront is the most-photographed.

7:00 p.m. — Dinner at the Red Garden Night Market

The most-photographed night market in George Town, the most-photographed dinner. The international food, the local food, the cocktails, the live music, the most-photographed atmosphere in Penang.

What to know

• Penang is hot year-round (25-32°C). The cool months are December-February.
• The traffic in George Town is bad. Walk or take the Rapid Penang bus. Grab is the alternative.
• The street food is the headline. Eat where the locals eat. The plastic stools are the standard.
• Tap water is not for drinking. The ice in drinks is safe.

How to get there

1-hour flight from KL. 5 hours by bus from KL. The Penang International Airport is in the south, 30-45 minutes to George Town.

Where to stay

George Town (heritage zone): The most atmospheric, the most central. The Muntri Mews, the Seven Terraces, the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (the most-photographed). $30-200/night.

Gurney Drive: The most modern, the most mall, the most food. The Gurney Plaza, the Gurney Paragon, the mid-range hotels. $40-150/night.

Batu Ferringhi: The most beach, the most resort, the most family-friendly. The Shangri-La, the Golden Sands, the mid-range resorts. $50-250/night.

Cost (3 days, per person, 2 sharing, mid-range)

• Accommodation: $40-150/night × 3 = $120-450
• Food: $15-30/day = $45-90
• Activities: $20-40
• Transport: $10-20
• Total: $195-600