48 hours in Penang.
Heritage streets, salt in the air, and a very good reason to take the long way round.
Some places invite you to make a plan. Penang gently persuades you to wander away from it. A lane leads to a temple, the smell of breakfast pulls you towards a coffee shop, and the sea is waiting at the end of the day. Forty-eight hours will never be enough for the island. It is, however, a lovely place to begin.
A morning among the old streets
The first day belongs to George Town. Its old houses, shaded five-foot ways and small businesses reward a pace that leaves room for stopping. In the March issue’s itinerary, breakfast starts with either roti canai on Transfer Road or kaya toast, soft-boiled eggs and kopi at Toh Soon Café. Both make the case for beginning the day at a table rather than a landmark.
From there, the Street of Harmony offers a compact introduction to the city’s many histories. St George’s Church, the Goddess of Mercy Temple, Sri Maha Mariamman Temple and Kapitan Keling Mosque each add a different chapter. Nearby, the indigo walls of the Blue Mansion turn a walk through town into a lesson in light, craft and architectural detail.
Follow the island to the sea
As evening approaches, the Clan Jetties change the mood. Wooden walkways lead past homes and towards the water; the city’s bustle softens into the sound of the shore. Dinner around the Esplanade continues the island’s favourite conversation: what to eat next. Char kway teow, grilled seafood, pasembur and ice kacang all find a place in the original story.
The second day turns inland to Balik Pulau. Paddy fields, countryside homes, orchards and village roads reveal a greener side of Penang. The afternoon can unfold towards Teluk Bahang and Batu Ferringhi, where the coastline offers a final change of scene. The itinerary’s appeal is in that contrast: old streets one day, open landscapes the next. Leave enough space between the two to enjoy getting there.
48 Hours in Penang
Original story by Yukeshwaran Devadas. The Expat, March 2026, pages 34–35.
This digital preview is adapted from the original magazine feature. Text has been shortened and rewritten; photography and artwork come from the print edition.
