24 Hours in...Penang

Penang holds two titles that feel counterintuitive: Malaysia’s foodie capital but also a living museum of history, culture, and jaw-dropping street art. I was desperate to squeeze in a visit during the final stages of my round the world trip but a combination of bad weather and poor planning left me with less than 24hrs to get a flavour – literal and metaphorical – of the city. 

You can pack in a little bit of everything: food to make your taste buds dance, art to fill your Instagram feed, and history to sate your inner geek.  As disclaimer, I’d highly recommend a multi-day stop! 

Here’s your guide to making the most of a day in Penang. 

A Bite of History 

Penang—dubbed the "Pearl of the Orient"—has always been a cultural melting pot. Established in 1786 by Captain Francis Light as a trading post for the British East India Company, it became a hub for Chinese, Indian, and Malay communities. This blend is why today’s Penang is bursting with diversity, from its architecture to its cuisine. 

Beyond its colonial past, Penang blossomed as a trading port, bringing in influences from across Asia. The result? A place where mosques sit alongside temples, where you can hear five languages in a single street, and where every meal feels like a global history lesson. This cultural mishmash is why Penang’s vibe is like no other.  And that’s before learning it’s the place Jimmy Choo calls home!   

Morning: Street Art Safari

Start with Coffee and Street Art 

I kickstarted my morning after landing with a local coffee and toast at Toh Soon Cafe (Lebuh Campbell). Their kaya (coconut jam) toast is the stuff of legends and a sufficient sugar rush to get you on your feet. 

Once caffeinated, wander through George Town’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, which contains some of the most fun, and in places, interactive, street art you’ll find anywhere in Asia. This artistic movement began in 2012 when Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic was commissioned for the George Town Festival. His whimsical works, like the iconic Kids on a Bicycle, sparked a street art renaissance, turning Penang’s historic streets into an open-air gallery. Since then, local and international artists have contributed their flair, blending humor, tradition, and contemporary themes.  

Strolling through these lanes is like diving into a visual narrative where every piece tells a story of Penang’s rich heritage and evolving identity – the dichotomy with the crumbling colonial architecture is memorable. 

Where possible, start early (before 10am) to beat both the crowds and the heat! 

Highlights include: 

• The Kids on Bicycle Mural (Lebuh Armenian): The original Penang classic by Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic.  This one gets VERY popular as it’s on the main shopping street so come early or late if you don’t want to join the disorderly queue for a photo. 

• Boy on Chair (Lebuh Cannon): Perfect for quirky photos. 

• Brother & Sister on a Swing (Lebuh Chulia):  This was my favourite piece down a quiet alley - join the siblings for a quick snap! 

• The Giant Cat Mural (Lebuh Victoria): Not really much more to say beyond its title! 

• Little Girl in Blue (Muntri Street): A charming and whimsical piece that you could easily miss 

• The Trishaw Man (Penang Road): A tribute to a fading but iconic piece of Penang life. 

If you are short on time like I was, I highly recommend the Penang Street Art Map, which gives two routes to direct you to all of the above (and more).  Otherwise, just pick a side street off Lebu Armenian and just allow yourself to be charmed!  

Step Back in Time at Khoo Kongsi 

Next, visit  Khoo Kongsi (18 Cannon Square, RM15, 9.00-17.00 every day), a grand clan house that’s equal parts history and architectural wonder. Its ornate carvings and murals tell tales of the Chinese immigrants who made Penang their home. Spend time admiring the intricate roof details and tracing the family’s legacy through exhibits. You’ll leave with a newfound appreciation for the artistry and cultural pride that built this treasure. 

Because I was on a food tour in the afternoon, I skipped lunch but stopped for a lassi at Ome by Spacebar Coffee (1, Lorong Toh Aka, 7.30-16.00) for a moment of air-conditioned rehydration and some souvenir browsing along Lebuh Armenian and Lebuh Acheh – for anyone with a cat or owl fetish, I highly recommend The Heritage Cat (58 Lebuh Acheh) and Owl Shop (13 Cannon St – 30 seconds from the cat!)  

Afternoon: Food, Glorious Food 

Street Food Crawl at Gurney Drive 

Penang is synonymous with hawker food, and Gurney Drive Hawker Centre is your one-stop-shop.  Not knowing my laksa from my cendol, I took the coward’s way out and booked a 3hr food tour via Air BnB experiences starting at Gurney Drive.   As an aside, I prefer Air BnB experiences, as they tend to be smaller and more intimate (which on a food tour means less time waiting). 

The tour is simply brilliant as our guide James took us on a journey through the full range of Penang’s culinary traditions, including: 

• Kway Teow: Stir-fried flat noodles with prawns, cockles, and smoky ‘wok hei’—that elusive "breath of the wok" flavor created by high-heat cooking. 

• Penang Laksa: A tangy, fish-based noodle soup. 

• Oyster Omelette: Crispy, gooey, and packed with umami. 

• Hokkien Mee: A spicy, shrimp-infused noodle soup. 

• Cendol: A refreshing dessert of shaved ice, coconut milk, green jelly, and palm sugar – honestly next to mango sticky rice, my favourite desert in all of Asia. 

Particularly brilliant was stopping at ‘hole in the wall’ places with no menu – or indeed, indication that they were even restaurants, the kind of place you’d never find solo. 

Without plot spoiling too much, in between food stops, James manoeuvred us round Penang’s history and architecture, giving us a crash course in feng shui (very 00s) and how it seeps through the entire city from the rooftop designs to determining compatibility with your partner based on birth dates. 

A similar tour also runs in the evening, focused on Chulia Street Night Hawker Stalls for a condensed but equally delicious experience.  

Evening: Sunset and Colonial Elegance 

Explore Fort Cornwallis  

We finished up near Fort Cornwallis (Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, 8.00 – 19.00), Malaysia’s largest standing fort.  While its cannons haven’t fired in centuries, the history within its star-shaped walls is worth a quick exploration with the Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower in the background albeit the explanatory signs aren’t great. 

All The Colours of the Rainbow 

I chose to take in the sunset at the Komtar Rainbow Skywalk and Observatory (1 Jin Penang, 10.00 – 22.00 – RM68 - I booked ahead although it didn’t seem necessary).  About a 15 minute walk (waddle would be more accurate after the food) from the city centre, Komtar is Penang’s highest building, built in 2016.  It has a range of kid-friendly fairground attractions on the ground floor with the open-air observation deck on the 69th floor.  The late afternoon views over the bay were stunning, even if the Rainbow skywalk is little more than a 20m stroll.  

Sidebar – for a country whose government is apparently terrified of rainbows, they appear in Penang with disarming frequency…and that’s before I witnessed the fountains at Petronas Towers back in KL!  

I ended the day with a lychee cocktail at the bar one level down from the skywalk – glad of the coolness and already contemplating a – longer – return visit! 

5 Tips to Maximize Your Day 

1. Start Early:  If you’re able to, aim to be starting the Street Art tour at or before 9am to stay ahead of crowds and before the heat knocks you out! 

2. Stay Hydrated: Penang’s tropical heat is a step up from elsewhere on the peninsular. Keep a water bottle, hat and suncream handy – I left the latter in my bag at the airport and wasted 30 minutes finding a pharmacy. 

3. Book Ahead: Reserve tickets for Khoo Kongsi and The Kontar Skywalk online to skip potential queues (particularly if going up the latter at sunset). 

4. Wear Comfy Shoes: You’ll be walking a lot, and George Town’s uneven streets are unforgiving to fancy footwear. 

5. Don’t Eat: If you’re doing a food tour, skip lunch (and keep breakfast light!) 

Getting There: Airport to City Center 

Penang International Airport is about 16 km from George Town. A taxi or Grab ride will cost you around MYR 20-30 (roughly $5-7 USD) and takes about 30 minutes, depending on traffic. Buses are a cheaper option (around MYR 3), but they’re slower and less convenient if you’re in a hurry.  There is a left luggage counter at the airport should you need it (close to the arrivals area – RM10 for the day)