Where to stay

Historic George Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the ideal place to stay for cultural explorations. Great hotels for every budget surround the area, while pedestrian-only streets allow visitors to stroll easily from accommodations to temples, mosques, and museums. Armenian Street is a small district in itself, with numerous art galleries and street-art murals. Neighborhood hotels along Pitt Street, Love Lane, and Little India offer a taste of a different culture every day. Bayan Lepas is another area with a wide range of hotels to select from near the War Museum, Penang Aquarium, and the Snake Temple.

George Town is perfectly placed to enjoy both beach and city attractions, with sparkling coastlines not far from the city. Just a 30-minute drive outside George Town, Tanjung Bungah is a seaside neighborhood featuring beautiful resorts and hotels, with plenty to do near the beach including watersports and shopping at local markets. Ocean views from hotels in the once sleepy fishing village of Tanjong Tokong are exceptional. Perhaps the most popular beach destination close to George Town is Batu Ferringhi, where hotels overlook a white, sandy beach. This is a great spot for parasailing and windsurfing, along with relaxing at beachside bars and restaurants.

Nearly every neighborhood is great for dining in this culinary hotspot. However, Downtown George Town is the place to stay for exciting nightlife, with Penang Road at its heart. Eat along the famous Gurney Drive, a coastal esplanade lined with street food stalls and surrounded by gourmet restaurants. Many of the area's hotels host luxury cocktails bars and lounges for after-dinner drinks. Chinatown comes alive at night as a spot to feast on dumplings from hawker stalls and stay up late along the popular backpackers' hangout of Chulia Street. Well-priced accommodations are within easy walking distance and the street also crosses through Historic George Town.