Landmark
Fort Cornwallis
Some booking links are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We never let this influence which places we recommend.
Fort Cornwallis is a star-shaped fortification that marks the spot where Captain Francis Light landed in 1786 to claim Penang for the British. The fort's thick walls, cannons, and original buildings, including a chapel, barracks, and gunpowder magazine, offer a glimpse into colonial military life. Visitors can walk along the ramparts, see the famous Seri Rambai cannon, and explore a small museum. Though never used in battle, it remains a key historical landmark in George Town.
Don't miss
- See the Seri Rambai cannon, a Dutch-made cannon with a legendary history of bringing luck
- Walk the ramparts for views of the harbor and George Town's skyline
- Visit the small on-site museum to see artifacts from Penang's early colonial period
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Fort Cornwallis
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inGuided Tour of Cheong Fatt Tze's Blue Mansion in George Town4.5★ · 500 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$6 per personSee dates →
Most bookedFort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry4.6★ · 3,768 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$43 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleGeorge Town UNESCO World Heritage Historic City Walk5★ · 13 travelers3–6 hoursFree cancellationFrom$89 per personSee dates →More attractions in George Town
