George Town Penang – What an awesome place! With its bustling street markets, mouth watering food, hidden street art, and endless places to explore, George Town absolutely deserves a spot on your Malaysia itinerary.
We spent four nights here and honestly, we wish we’d stayed longer!
Where We Stayed
We chose the charming Campbell House Hotel, a small, colonial style boutique property with heaps of character. The staff were wonderfully friendly and helpful, making our stay even more memorable. If you’re curious, we’ve written a full review of the hotel.
Evening Food Adventures & Culinary Finds
Afternoon Drinks
After a morning of sightseeing, we stumbled upon Finnegan’s Irish Sports Bar, one of the few places open at 3 PM, perfect for a cold pint in the heat!
Dim Sum Delight
One evening, we opted for dim sum at Thai Tong. It was a fun and interactive experience, trolleys filled with steaming plates passed our table, and we simply picked what we fancied. They marked our selections on a menu sheet, which we used to pay at the end. We enjoyed seven plates of various dim sum, accompanied by jasmine tea, all for just £11!
Hidden Speakeasies
The term ‘speakeasy’ originated in England in the early 1800’s as slang for an illegal beverge shop. It refers to the need to ‘speak easy’ or whisper to enter the bar without drawing any attention.
We found Archipelago, an incredible speakeasy tucked behind a mysterious blue door. The cocktails were amazing, and the staff were warm and welcoming. Another night, we uncovered Cocktails & Shots, another hidden gem with a great atmosphere and a brilliant mixologist named Justin. The bar has a camera inside showing guests trying to find the secret entrance, it’s hilarious! You’ll have to see if you can find it!
Local Favourites
We also tried Nasi Kandar at Nasi Kandar Deen Mutiara a must try Malaysian dish. Served with rice, you choose your toppings, chicken, lamb, fish, or veg and the staff mix it with a variety of rich, flavourful sauces. We went spicy (of course!) and paid just £2 each, including a drink!
Street Food Heaven
One lunchtime, we grabbed the food from the Penang Famous Samosas stall, which is featured in the Michelin Guide and also on many food tours. We had a chicken samosa, a tuna one, two onion bhajis, a banana ball, and two jalebi, all for only £1.40! Dinner another evening was at a hawker stall on the corner of Lebuh Carnarvon – Mother and Son Wonton Mee . The queue was huge, as we watched them expertly and quickly cook up large bowls of wonton mee for just £1.50. Both meals were absolutely delicious and incredibly affordable.
Evening Entertainment
We spent one evening at Micke’s Place on Love Lane, enjoying beers, gin, and our first glass of wine since arriving. The live band was brilliant and even came over for a chat, they’d played at the Victorious Festival in Portsmouth, no less!
Exploring the Sights
Street Art Surprises Around Every Corner
One of the absolute highlights of George Town is its incredible street art. The city is like a gallery, with creative pieces tucked into alleyways, splashed across crumbling walls, and hidden in the most unexpected places.
The most famous works are by Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic, whose murals blend with the historic surroundings. His iconic pieces “Little Children on a Bicycle” and “Boy on a Motorcycle” are now cultural landmarks. Many of the artworks are interactive and you’ll see tourists (us included!) posing alongside the paintings as part of the scene.
Part of the fun is wandering the streets and discovering hidden gems. New artwork pops up all the time from local artists, so keep your eye peeled.
If you’re keen to see as much as possible, you can grab a street art map from your hotel, which we did or the tourist centre. But we honestly recommend just getting lost in the backstreets, the surprises are half the fun!
Whether you’re an art lover or just looking for great photo opportunities, the street art in George Town is truly one of the most memorable parts of visiting this lovely city.
The Green Mansion
We visited the stunning Green Mansion, built in 1894. The entrance fee was MYR25 per person (around £4.30), and they offer free guided tours in English. Each room is beautifully preserved, and the ornate woodwork is just breathtaking. A real insight into Penang’s rich cultural history.
Ferry to Butterworth
Despite the 31°C heat, we decided to take the ferry across to Butterworth, a quick 20 minute ride, with great views. It runs every 30 minutes and costs just £1.42 return for two people. There wasn’t much to see once we arrived, so we didn’t stay long, but the ferry ride itself was a nice break from the heat.
Hin Bus Depot – A Creative Local Vibe
If you’re looking for something a little different, make sure to visit Hin Market. Open daily with free entry, it’s a vibrant hub that celebrates local creativity and community spirit.
Set in a converted old bus depot, Hin Market is packed with small local businesses selling all sorts of items, from handcrafted jewellery and quirky art pieces to unique home decor and one of a kind handmade items. It’s the perfect spot to pick up a souvenir or gift.
You’ll also find plenty of food options, cafe’s, street food, cakes, and fresh local dishes, all the while in the background you may have the sounds of live music, with singers and bands performing regularly. The atmosphere is great, with a mix of energy, tempting smells, and colourful sights.
And yes, there’s even more street art to discover here! Walls are covered in vibrant murals, adding to the creative feel of the place. It’s a fantastic way to spend a few hours soaking up the local culture, grabbing a bite to eat, and supporting small independent businesses.
Remote Work & Wandering
Mark worked remotely during part of our stay, using Masco co-working space. A day pass was MYR30 (£5) with a deposit of MYR50 (£8.50) for a badge, which is refunded at the end of your day. This is located on the top floor of a shopping mall about 20 minutes’ walk from our hotel. Make sure you take layers, as it may be hot outside, but they have air conditioning, so it can get cold!
While Mark worked, I explored Little India, a vibrant area full of street art, colourful shops, food stalls, and glittering gold stores. I even treated myself to some henna art for just £3. The artists are incredibly quick and talented!
Massage & Relaxation
We treated ourselves to a massage at Step, just five minutes from our hotel, Campbell House. I went for a two hour aromatherapy massage using tiger balm for MYR160 (£28), such a bargain for such skill! Mark had a 60 minute deep tissue massage for MYR180 (£30). You can check out our full review, but spoiler alert: highly recommended for a no frills massage.
Our Verdict
George Town is vibrant, colourful, and buzzing with energy. Whether you’re into food, art, culture, or just love wandering through atmospheric streets, this place is great.If you’re anything like us and travel for the food, George Town is a must.
We loved it so much, we’d definitely return, and we don’t usually say that about many places!
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