The Best Places to Visit in Penang On A Solo Trip
I was excited to revisit Penang with George Town in Malaysia on a solo trip and see how they have changed. I returned to Penang 25 years after my first trip. I still remember the excellent food, its heritage buildings and the warm-hearted people. I was blessed to revisit all these places in Penang.
In 10 days, I savoured the colourful George Town with its buzzing atmosphere. I dived into its rich heritage culture by visiting its temples and museums. I tried the delicious Penang food by eating in world-famous streets, food courts and restaurants. I hiked in its national park with a local guide. I took the funicular rail to Penang Hill and experienced the nature and rainforest landmarks. I visited the heritage Balik Pulau, which has its picturesque fisherman village and traditional Malay houses.
Here is my guide to the best places to visit on a Penang trip and things to do in and around George Town on a solo trip.
A Few Interesting Facts About Penang
Penang is a small island with a high population density. Nearly 400 thousand people live in George Town, and 1.7 million live in Penang state, part of the island and a stretch of the mainland. So be prepared to experience traffic congestion. For a small distance of 15-20 km, it takes 20-30 minutes by car. A good bus network, the Rapid Penang Buses, also takes you around the island. Furthermore, two free Cat Services, the blue and the red, can be used to ride around the city centre of George Town in a circle. If you are familiar with scooters, you can hire one to make it easier to get around. There is also a public bike rental service.
11 must-see places in Penang Georgetown
Now, let’s take a closer look. Below are the most beautiful places to visit in and around Penang on a solo trip. These are my picks for the best things to do in Penang on a solo trip.
George Town, the heart of Penang Island
Every trip to Penang starts by visiting George Town. This is where most visitors stay when in Penang. And this is where the early settlers from different cultures and countries merged during the 19th century. The colonial footprints are showcased through heritage buildings that you will see everywhere in George Town, having been a British colony till 1957. Many have been beautifully refurbished, but many are run-down and abandoned. Thus, it contrasts with the city architecture.
2008, Penang entered the Unesco World Heritage sites, marking its well-deserved worldwide recognition. Since then, tourism has been increasing year by year, and there are good reasons why Penang is so famous. George Town is a place that you must discover on foot. You will witness past and present landmarks by strolling through its beautiful little roads and hidden lanes. The story of ancient trades from food hawkers to arts & crafts dealers captured in various forms, to rickshaw peddlers and more.
This is where I stayed in George Town
and for more options these accommodations in Georgetown

Street Art Sculptures
Penang Street Art is known for its stunning creativity. Unlike other places, graffiti is scattered around the town, and many are tucked away. So you need to walk and discover the artworks of the local artists who have captured the essence of Penang culture over the years. Some artworks have become very popular and are now sold as souvenirs on T-shirts. But it’s also important to understand every piece’s story and meaning.
There are over 50 steel-rod sculptures in town and more than 25 painted arts in the city centre. All the statues have a carved description telling you about the story. You can get a map of George Town street art from the visitor centre. The best time to visit Penang is during the George Town Festival in August and September. It’s a busy month for the arts. This is where artists from all over the world gather, making Penang a popular place in the world for its beautiful wall art.

Street Food and Markets
Penang street food is world-known and is probably the reason no. 1 for Southeast Asians come to the island. In Penang, there are many eateries open 24 hours a day! Food is on every corner and in all forms: from local food hawkers on the street or in larger hawker centres, also known as food courts or in all different types of restaurants, cafes, resorts, etc.
Penang has many favourite street foods; some operate throughout the day, and some at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Two of Penang’s most famous street foods for evening meals are the Kimberley Street Food Street and New Lane; both are within walking distance from the Komtar Tower. Every day, I have been trying something different. Exquisite simple food: from Peranakan cuisine to Malay Food, Chinese Food, Hokkien food, etc. I’ll write more about my food experience in Penang in a dedicated post.

The Street of Harmony
One thing that makes George Town stand out from all other places in Asia is its unique blend of different cultures and ethnic groups who have been living in perfect harmony for hundreds of years. To witness this walk alone, the Masjid Kapitan Keling Road (a.k.a. Pitt Street) stretches from Lebuh Light to Melayu Mosque on Lebuh Acheh. Here, you will see the beautiful white-washed building of St. George’s Church, the first Anglican church in Southeast Asia. Once you stroll along this street in Penang, you will know why it is named Street Of Harmony.
Just a minute’s walk from there, visit the Goddess of Mercy Temple, one of the most important temples for the Chinese community in Penang, with its beautiful pink joss sticks on the front entrance. Continue further down to see the oldest Hindu Temple, Sri Mahamariamman, to reach on the corner the majestic building, the Kapitan Keling Mosque, at the corner of Buckingham Street.

There are more places that you will discover by walking in George Town. If you are interested in temples, you must visit the Thai temple with the reclining Buddha and the Burmese Temple. They are truly unique.

Peranakan Museum in George Town
There are quite a few museums in George Town, make sure you tick off the list these two: the Peranakan Mansion and the Blue Mansion. Both are significant and gorgeous places for understanding the history behind the Penang culture.
A group of early settlers immigrated to Malaysia and, over the years, absorbed the local influences. Out of this fusion, they created a culture of their own, which gave life to the Peranakan culture. Men are called Baba, and women are called Nyonya. You will learn a fascinating history by visiting these two museums.

While you can visit the Blue Mansion on guided tours only, this place, which has been refurbished magnificently, next to being a museum, is partly converted into a hotel and a high-end restaurant. The Blue Mansion is a must-see place in Penang.

Penang Hill and the funicular rail
After one day in George Town, visiting Penang Hill is the second top thing to do, and it is worth adding to your trip itinerary. You must experience the funicular train that takes you to the top of the hill and back. I have made a video of this train ride and will add it later. The journey and the view are sensational, especially when you come down the hill.

Visit the Habitat and its nature conservation centre to experience the forest and learn about Penang’s fragile ecosystem. At the entrance, a guided tour will welcome you and walk around with you to show you the best places and tell you about the story of this fabulous place. There is a canopy treetop walk and a newly constructed canopy walk that will be open to the public in December.

Kek Lok Si Temple and Air Itam Market
After visiting Penang Hill, I had a delicious Assam Laksa at the Air Itam market. This is an excellent place for street food, too. The market is just a few minutes from the Kek Lok Si Temple, which showcases the largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia. Make sure you plan a visit to this temple in your trip itinerary around Penang.

Penang National Park
The national park is 30 minutes by car on the northeast part of the island. If you love hiking and a pristine environment, this is the place in Penang. There are various walking trails and also a canopy walk. I walked for 1.5 hours to Pantai Kerachut and Monkey Beach. And from there, I returned by boat. While you can hike back and forth, a boat service operates the pick-up and drop-off, and you can book it at the park entrance.

Balik Pulau
Balik Pulau lies on the west coast of Penang. A bus takes you there, but you need a car to explore the area. Hills surround this place, ideal for a break from George Town. The best way to visit is by strolling through the village and tasting the exquisite Laksa Lemak, a famous Laksa with creamy coconut gravy. Make sure you visit the paddy fields and the fisherman’s village, where you can eat freshly prepared food. However, the locals here hardly speak English, so either visit with a local or get a translation app. You will spot the old traditional Malay Kampong Houses all around the village.
Some have been refurbished and turned into homestays for visitors, so if you are looking for a traditional homestay on the island,
Looking for a traditional homestay in Penang?
Balik Pulau is the place where to stay.

Tropical Spice Garden
The tropical spice garden is a little jewel that I love. It is a relaxing and peaceful place to hide from the heat and buzz. When driving out of town to the Penang National Park, it’s on your way. They offer morning guided tours of the spice garden; our guide, Danny, was very knowledgeable about all spices and plants and told us about Penang’s rich heritage as a spice island with over 500 varieties. The best part is that they also offer cooking classes with a local chef. In my course, I learned how to cook Malay food, from chicken curry to banana pancakes. So much fun. Cooking classes are run daily and feature every cuisine: from Chinese to Indian, to Malay and Thai.

The Tropical Fruits Farm and the Nutmeg Farm
Penang is a tropical island blessed with abundant locally grown tropical fruits. The Durian is the king of all Penang Fruits; it looks like a spiky rugby ball, and the fruit has a pungent smell. But there are many more home-grown fruits, like mango, coconut, papaya, dragon fruit, pineapple, sugar cane, watermelon, etc. To learn more about this fruit paradise, stop at the Tropical Fruits Farm on your way to Balik Pulau. They offer a guided tour for a small fee, and you can also purchase their products from the shop. The Nutmeg Factory is also on your way and another great place to stop by. I loved it.

Activities and Guided Tours In Penang
I’m thrilled to have seen all these places during my first five days here in Penang when the weather was good. A typhoon hit Penang during my stay. And most of the island was flooded. But they quickly recovered thanks to the help of the locals and Malaysians from the mainland. This is very unusual for Penang Island, where periods of rain are frequent, but typhoons are rare. Penang and George Town have a wealth of attractions and heaps of things to offer that will keep you occupied for weeks. I hope you will find it helpful in planning your trip to this beautiful part of Malaysia. For more info about planning your trip to Penang, you can check out the official tourism site.
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Plan Your Trip To Penang, Malaysia
You can go to Penang with a short domestic flight from KL. There are several flights every day. Or, if you prefer public transportation, there is a fast train and a bus from Kuala Lumpur.
Where To Stay in Penang
To book accommodation in George Town, see the list below. I stayed in George Town. Read my review of this beautiful heritage hotel in George Town.
Check out 👉 where I stayed in George Town
For more options, check these 👉 accommodations in Penang
More posts about Travelling to South East Asia:
Campbell Hotel review.
A 3-days itinerary in Bangkok
The best things to do in Kanchanaburi Thailand
The lesser-known sites of Bali
Travel planning tips for Sri Lanka
Go back to Rocky Travel
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This guide was first published in 2017 and last updated in March 2024
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Andreya
November 11, 2017 @ 8:19 am
Hy Michela,
Penang is a good and beautiful place to visit. Great photography. Hope you had a great time over there.
Michela of Rocky Travel Guide
December 13, 2017 @ 11:40 pm
Hi Andreya, Penang is a fabulous destination if you love food, culture and nature. The only downside is the high population density and car drivers that makes getting around Penang island slow. My time was amazing, so happy to return after 26 years from my first visit.
Ratheesh R Nath
November 29, 2017 @ 10:47 am
I actually thought the wall art as real kids trying to snatch something from the basket. Penang is indeed a wonderful place to visit. Thanks for sharing your experience.
J Eliot
May 2, 2018 @ 5:45 pm
Thank you for sharing your experience. It made me even more excited for my visit this summer. Wonder post!