Gurney Drive, located within George Town, is one of the most popular places to visit in Penang for its vibrant food scene at night, where seafront hawker centers, food courts, and high-end restaurants come to life. You can enjoy both the delectable street food and the luxurious cuisines, all while dining by the sea. Some of the must-try Penang food include laksa, satay, bak kut teh, char kway teow, pasembur, and rojak. After satisfying your cravings, you can opt to visit the historic temples along Gurney Drive such as the Dharmikarama Burmese Temple or the Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram Temple.

Located at Jalan Kebun Bunga in George Town, Penang Botanic Gardens is home to a wide array of flora and fauna like the black lily, cannonball tree, black giant squirrels, dusky leaf monkeys, along with a variety of insects and other plant species. For people who wish to exercise or jog in the morning, the gardens contain walking paths and tracks suitable for a calming run. For those who want to explore the gardens without needing to walk, there’s an available tram ride for you to sightsee without breaking a sweat. Before or after a hike to the Penang Hill, we recommend including the botanical gardens on your itinerary, especially the well-known waterfall.

If you want to learn more about Penang’s remarkable history and culture, Penang State Museum and Art Gallery located between Lebuh Farquhar and Lebuh Light in George Town is the place for you. This attraction is divided into two sections: the permanent and the temporary. The permanent museum holds a historical collection of costumes, embroidery, jewels, furniture, ancient maps and documents, past photographs, and old relics. Meanwhile, the temporary art gallery is where you can spot the exhibits of local artists and paintings of old Penang by William Daniels and Captain Robert Smith.

If you want to take a break from your food crawl adventure in George Town, a trip to the Goddess of Mercy Temple Penang is a great option, where you can take it slow as you appreciate the history and culture of Penang. Found at the Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling in Georgetown, this Chinese temple boasts a marvelous architecture established based on feng shui principles and other traditional aspects. Most tourists visit the temple during significant celebrations like the Chinese New Year, but numerous locals also go here on regular days to light up incense and hold their rituals as they wish for good health and luck.

The Dhammikarama Burmese Temple, located in Lorong Burma, is one of the reasons why George Town is considered the enclave of historical and cultural heritage in Penang. You can walk around the peaceful surroundings of the temple while admiring the majestic architecture, well-manicured gardens, small fish pond, and the golden bell tower where you can have impressive views of the complex. If you wish to immerse more in the local customs and traditions, there are Burmese Buddhist monks around the temple offering blessings and well-preserved intricate artworks, statues, and paintings revealing the life story of Lord Buddha.

Located just beside the Penang State Museum & Art Gallery, St. George’s Anglican Church is considered the oldest Anglican Church in South East Asia. During your visit, check out its famous Greek architecture designed by Captain Robert Smith and be sure not to miss out on hearing the pipe organ during regular morning services! Discover more about the church’s history with the exhibits of photos, books, and souvenirs at the Heritage Center. Once you get exhausted after roaming the place, you may grab a drink at the coffee shop inside which offers a variety of refreshments.

A visit to Penang would be incomplete without seeing the legendary Penang Bridge! Though initially created to ease the congestion concerns of the state, back when the ferry was once the only way to cross the sea and travel to Penang island, it is now considered an iconic landmark that allows both locals and travelers to drive from the mainland peninsula. The bridge not only boosts island tourism but also brings about opportunities for people to see more of Penang’s beauty.