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George Town Travel Guides & Itineraries

Plan your trip to George Town with curated itineraries, travel guides, route ideas and practical trip planning resources.

Plan Your Trip to George Town

Use our George Town travel planners to build your route, compare itinerary ideas and find practical travel tips for your trip.

Tours & Activities

Things to do in George Town

George Town is the capital of Penang, a state in Malaysia. It ranks as Malaysia’s sixth largest city, with a population of around 708,000 and 1.7 million in its metropolitan area as of 2020.

Established in 1786 as a trading port, it was the first British settlement in Southeast Asia. Over time, the city has developed into a cultural melting pot, now home to a diverse, multi-ethnic community. The city’s historic center, known for its distinctive architecture, has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. George Town is also celebrated as Malaysia’s culinary capital.

The city offers a wide range of attractions. Beyond its living heritage and colonial-era buildings mixed with modern skyscrapers and shopping malls, George Town features peaceful sandy beaches.

Overlooking the city is Penang Hill, a popular hill station. Known for its many festivals throughout the year, George Town has also become famous for its vibrant arts scene, with the annual George Town Festival emerging as one of the region’s major cultural events.