We’ve been to Penang more times than we can count — by cruise, by flight, you name it. So when we picked a Royal Caribbean cruise to Penang that included Penang again on the itinerary, people asked if we were bored of it. Honestly? Not at all. Penang is one of those places that always has something new going on. Shops change, cafés come and go, and the food scene never stays still. There’s always a reason to go back.
Snapped this view of Penang from the ship before disembarking.
Our Penang Stop on the 4-Night Penang and Phuket Cruise
We were on the 4-night Penang and Phuket cruise aboard Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas. Penang was Day 2 of the itinerary. The ship docked at Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal from 2.30pm to 9pm, so we had a good window — but we only spent about 3 hours in George Town. We wanted to be back on the ship for dinner.
Since we’d already done so much in Penang over the years, we weren’t rushing to hit all the tourist spots. We kept it simple — a free and easy walk around George Town, our kind of afternoon.
Docked at Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal.
Stepping Out of the Cruise Terminal
The moment you clear the cruise terminal, be ready — various tour operators will approach you trying to sell transport or day tours. We just walked straight past them and headed out on foot.
A heads-up though: there was a lot of construction and road works happening around the terminal when we visited. Getting from the terminal to the main road required extra detours, which was a bit of a hassle. On top of that, traffic was really bad — tour buses, taxis, and private hire cars all clogging up the same stretch. Walking really was the better option here.
What We Did in George Town
Ghee Hiang’s iconic ‘baby figure’ mascot—easy to spot from afar and a sure sign the shop is close.
Ghee Hiang on Beach Street — Tau Sar Piah and Cookies
First stop: Ghee Hiang on Beach Street. This is my all-time favourite tau sar piah brand from Penang — I will defend this opinion forever.
Whenever I’m at Ghee Hiang, I never leave without their mini tau sar piah—only RM12.90 per box and totally worth it.
Don’t miss the sesame crisps as well—light, crunchy, and wonderfully fragrant with sesame.
The durian cookies were a pleasant surprise—buttery, crispy, and rich with real durian taste. Definitely among the best I’ve had.
These nasi lemak cookies truly capture the essence of nasi lemak—spicy, packed with flavour, and with generous crispy ikan bilis at the bottom of the pack.
We went in to stock up on tau sar piah as usual, but the staff told us they had new cookies and gave us samples to try: durian cookies and nasi lemak cookies. Both were genuinely good. We ended up buying some for ourselves and extra packs to bring back as gifts. Always leave room in the luggage for Ghee Hiang — that’s our rule.
Kwason — Coffee and Croissants
After Ghee Hiang, we walked over to Kwason for coffee and croissants. We had intentionally kept lunch light on the ship — a quick, uninspiring meal at Izumi — precisely so we’d have room for a proper café stop in George Town. Smart move, if we do say so ourselves.
Kwason was a great pick. Airconditioned, comfortable, and exactly what you want when it’s hot and humid outside (which, in Penang, is always). We’ll do a proper dedicated post on Kwason after this one, so stay tuned.
A short walk—less than 100 metres from Ghee Hiang on Beach Street—brings you to Central Fire Station, the oldest surviving fire station in Malaysia.
A pretty little lane right next to the fire station.
As you walk along Armenian Street, don’t miss Umbrella Alley—bright, colourful umbrellas overhead make it a fun photo spot.
Among the many unique shops on Armenian Street is this one, showcasing beautiful traditional patchwork quilt craftsmanship.
Armenian Street — Souvenir Browsing and a Stroll
Post-coffee, we wandered down Armenian Street — browsed a few souvenir shops, took in the vibe — and that was pretty much it for the afternoon. Walked back to the ship, refreshed and satisfied.
Everything we did was on foot, and it was all very doable. If you’re the sort who prefers walking over joining a tour, George Town lends itself perfectly to that. Especially given how chaotic the traffic around the terminal was — being on foot actually meant we got around faster.
If You’ve Never Been to Penang — Places Worth Visiting
If this is your first time in Penang and you want to make the most of your port stop, here are some options that are either walkable from the cruise terminal or just a short Grab ride away:
- Wonderfood Museum — 7-minute walk
- Pinang Peranakan Mansion — 7-minute walk
- Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi — 17-minute walk
- Chew Jetty — 14-minute walk
- George Town street art murals — scattered throughout the old town, perfect for a casual walk
There are also plenty of cafés in George Town if café hopping is your thing — the scene there keeps growing.
What to Eat During a Cruise Afternoon in Penang
Fair warning: a lot of Penang’s best hawker food stalls only operate at breakfast hours or in the evenings for night markets. Since you’re arriving in the afternoon, you won’t catch most of them. That’s just how it is.
But there is one thing I’d say you absolutely cannot leave Penang without:
Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul at Keng Kwee Street
This is the best chendol I’ve ever had. Full stop. The gula melaka is fragrant and not overly sweet, the coconut milk is rich and well-balanced, and the whole thing just works perfectly together. On a hot Penang afternoon, this is the most refreshing thing you can put in your body. It’s worth making a trip there just for this.
And That’s Our Penang Port Day
Three hours, a bag full of tau sar piah and cookies, one solid café visit, and a wander down Armenian Street. Not bad at all.
After all that walking, heading back to the ship for dinner felt very well-deserved. With all the eating that happens on a cruise, getting off the ship for a walk is genuinely good for the soul — and the stomach. Then it’s back on board for dinner, and more food. The cycle continues. That’s cruising life for you.