Historic building in george town with ornate architecture
Cityscape overlooking a bay under cloudy sky
Cityscape with bridge over calm ocean waters
City skyline with bridge over the water
Photo by Eugene Lim on Unsplash

Holiday in Georgetown (Penang)

City in Malaysia — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇲🇾

Country

Malaysia

Type

City

Best time to travel

December to March is the driest, warm all year round, April marks the start of the rainy season

Budget/day

40-75 € (Boutique Hotel, Restaurants)

Getting there from Germany

Flight via Kuala Lumpur approximately 13 hours total, then domestic flight 1 hour to Penang

What makes Georgetown (Penang) special as a destination?

Georgetown on the island of Penang is the culinary heart of Southeast Asia — a UNESCO World Heritage city that combines Chinese, Malay, Indian, and colonial influences into a unique melting pot. The street art scene, featuring the famous murals by Ernest Zacharevic, has put Georgetown on the world map of art. The old town is a fascinating juxtaposition of Chinese temples, British colonial buildings, Hindu shrines, and mosques. Armenian Street, Chulia Street, and Love Lane are the hotspots for backpackers, cafés, and boutique hotels. The Peranakan heritage — the culture of the Straits Chinese — is evident in the magnificent clan houses and the Pinang Peranakan Mansion. Penang is primarily a food lover's paradise. The hawker stalls serve some of the best dishes in Asia at unbeatable prices: Char Kway Teow, Assam Laksa, Nasi Kandar, and Cendol are just a few of the highlights. CNN and many food magazines have repeatedly named Penang the best street food destination in the world. From Kuala Lumpur, Penang can be reached in an hour by flight or by train. The island also offers beaches on the north coast (Batu Ferringhi) and Penang Hill with panoramic views.

Food
98
Culture
80
Winter
80
Safety
75
Urban
70

What are the top highlights in Georgetown (Penang)?

The top highlights in Georgetown (Penang) include UNESCO Old Town, Street Art, Street Food, Kek Lok Si Temple.

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

UNESCO Old Town

Vibrant cultural heritage with Chinese temples, colonial buildings, and street art

2

Street Art

Famous murals by Ernest Zacharevic, interactive and Instagram-worthy

3

Street Food

World's best street food scene with hawker stalls and legendary dishes for under €2

4

Kek Lok Si Temple

Largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia with a 30-meter tall Guanyin statue

Hotels in Georgetown (Penang)

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Reise-SIM für Georgetown (Penang)

Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM

Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen

Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie

When is the best time to visit Georgetown (Penang)?

The best time to visit Georgetown (Penang) is December to March is the driest, warm all year round, April marks the start of the rainy season. Tropical humid, 28-33°C, rainy season April-October In winter: Tropical warm, 27-32°C, drier, perfect travel weather

Recommended travel time

December to March is the driest, warm all year round, April marks the start of the rainy season

Summer

Tropical humid, 28-33°C, rainy season April-October

Winter

Tropical warm, 27-32°C, drier, perfect travel weather

How much does a holiday in Georgetown (Penang) cost?

Budget travellers: 20-35 € (Guesthouse, Hawker Food)/day, mid-range: 40-75 € (Boutique Hotel, Restaurants)/day, luxury: 80-180 € (Heritage Hotel, Fine Dining)/day.

Average costs per person per day

Budget

20-35 € (Guesthouse, Hawker Food)

Hostel, Street food, Public transport

Mid-range

40-75 € (Boutique Hotel, Restaurants)

Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions

Luxury

80-180 € (Heritage Hotel, Fine Dining)

Boutique hotel, Fine dining

How do I get from Germany to Georgetown (Penang)?

Flight via Kuala Lumpur approximately 13 hours total, then domestic flight 1 hour to Penang

Book a package holiday to Georgetown (Penang)

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What travel tips are there for Georgetown (Penang)?

Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.

Take the street art tour on foot — a map is available at every hotel, all murals are within walking distance

Go to Gurney Drive Hawker Centre in the evening — Assam Laksa and Char Kway Teow in one place

Ride the funicular train up Penang Hill — a cool viewpoint over the entire island

Visit Chew Jetty — a Chinese clan settlement on stilts in the sea, still inhabited

Try Cendol for dessert — coconut ice with green pandan noodles and palm sugar

What should you eat in Georgetown (Penang)?

Typical specialities in Georgetown (Penang): Char Kway Teow — fried rice noodles with shrimp and eggs, Penang's signature dish, Assam Laksa — sour fish soup with tamarind and rice noodles, CNN-awarded, Nasi Kandar — rice with various curries, mamak-Indian-Malay fusion, Cendol — coconut ice with green pandan noodles and Gula Melaka palm sugar, Hokkien Mee — prawn noodle soup with rich broth, Penang version is unique.

These specialties you must try!

Char Kway Teow — fried rice noodles with shrimp and eggs, Penang's signature dish
Assam Laksa — sour fish soup with tamarind and rice noodles, CNN-awarded
Nasi Kandar — rice with various curries, mamak-Indian-Malay fusion
Cendol — coconut ice with green pandan noodles and Gula Melaka palm sugar
Hokkien Mee — prawn noodle soup with rich broth, Penang version is unique
Suitable for:UNESCOStreet FoodMalaysiaStreet ArtCulinaryBudgetMulticulturalBackpacker

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