Is Kampong Glam worth visiting?
By LINDA JAMES | Updated APRIL 7, 2025 | AREA GUIDES
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The vibrant colours, heady aromas and the culture are the reasons so many visitors love Kampong Glam (or Gelam), which is one of the oldest areas in the city. Once controlled by Malay and Indonesian kings, Singapore was mostly Islamic and Kampong Gelam was home to the headquarters of a Malay Islamic dynasty. The former palace now houses the Malay Heritage Centre, which is almost next door to Singapore’s most important and spectacular mosque, the Sultan Masjid.
Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles signed the Treaty of Friendship and Alliance in 1819 with Singapore’s Malay rulers, Sultan Hussein and the Temenggong Abdul Rahman. This gave the British East India Company the exclusive right to establish a trading post on Singapore in exchange for financial compensation and British military protection for the Malay rulers.
Here you’ll find outlets selling Persian carpets, leather, perfumes, jewellery and baskets jostling for attention with street art and hip cafes and trendy vintage clothing stores.
Bars and shops
Textile shops
Getting There
On the northeast side of the city’s centre, the quickest way to get there is via Bugis MRT station (CC line), however, there are many buses that travel down the main roads, Victoria, Beach, Rochor or Ophir.
From Bugis MRT, take exit E. At the top of the escalator, turn right along Victoria St. A few blocks and you’ll come to Arab St, which is the main thoroughfare.
What to See & Do
Arab St
Once the centre of the materials and textiles trade in Singapore, it’s quieter today but still has stalls that sell rugs and clothing. The retail outlets here focus on selling other goods imported from the Middle East such as honey, dates, frankincense and myrrh.
In 1822, the grand Singapore town plan designated this area for the Arab community and the street was given its name.
Address: Arab St Open: 24 hours Getting there: near Bugis MRT station More information: Arab St
Bali and Haji Lanes
These are highlights for anyone wanting to make an impact on their Instagram accounts with pics of the striking street art and graffiti. If that’s you then make sure you head there early in the morning before the restaurants and bars open and you’ll have it mostly to yourself. You should also venture back in the evening to get a taste of the night life and the artwork also comes a live under the lights.
This is one of the best places to go for happy hour too when the chairs and tables are moved outside and people chill out while bands and DJs make music. Happy hour happens every day until about 8pm.
Address: Bali and Haji Lanes Open: 24 hours Getting there: near Bugis MRT station More information: https://www.timeout.com/singapore/news/haji-lane-named-one-of-the-top-10-coolest-streets-in-the-world-061021
Cape of Good Hope gallery
If you’d like to check out the work of Singaporean artists, this gallery has some excellent solo and group exhibitions.
Address: Bras Basah Complex #03-17, 231 Bain St Open: 11am-7pm Tuesday to Sunday Getting there: near Bras Basah and Bugis MRT stations More information: www.capeofgoodhope.com.sg
Hajjah Fatimah Mosque
Named after a charitable Malay woman who donated money to build it, this mosque was built in 1846in a mix of Malay and colonial styles. At the back of the mosque, there are old tombstones, including Hajjah Fatimah’s.
Address: 4001 Beach Rd Open: Daily 9am-9pm Cost: Free Getting there: near Lavender MRT; buses 7,32,51,63,80,82,100,107,107X,145,197,03,61,851,961,980 More information: www.muis.gov.sg/mosque/Our-mosques
Gelam Gallery
And for something out of the ordinary, you should visit this outdoor gallery in the lanes behind a row of shophouses. Murals and mosaic artwork has transformed the alleyways into a kaleidoscope of colours and scenes.
Address: Muscat St Open: flexible hours Cost: free Getting there: near Bugis MRT station More information: https://www.theadmin.sg/gelam-gallery
Malay Heritage Centre
The Malay Heritage Centre is housed in the former Istana Kampong Glam, (Sultan’s Palace) where Malay royalty lived. The original wooden istana was built in 1819 by Sultan Hussein. It was rebuilt by his son in 1840. The centre has a museum that chronicles the old Malay way of life and how it has changed as the city became the centre of trade.
Address: 85 Sultan Gate Open: Tuesday to Sunday 10am–6pm, closed Monday Cost: Singaporean residents free; others – adults $S8, students $S5 and children under 6yrs free Getting there: near Bugis MRT More information: https://www.malayheritage.gov.sg/
Sultan Mosque
For a great view of this golden-domed mosque, stop at the Baghdad St end of Bussorah St. The Sultan Mosque or Masjid Sultan is the cornerstone of the Muslim faith in Singapore. There’s a dark band at the base of the main dome, which is actually the bottoms of thousands of glass bottles donated by the faithful.
Address: 3 Muscat St Open: Daily 9am-1pm; 2pm-4pm Cost: Free Getting there: Near Bugis MRT More information: https://sultanmosque.sg/
Where to Stay
Also check out the Bras Basah-Bugis hotels, which are not far away.
Mid-range
PARKROYAL on Beach Rd
The biggest drawcard for the PARKROYAL is its pool, which not only is absolutely huge but has great views of the iconic Marina Bay Sands hotel and the wheel.
After a big day of sight-seeing, I really loved chilling out by the pool and, it’s so big, it never felt crowded.
Another plus here is that most of the 346 rooms are a very spacious 35sqm. Some of the premier rooms and suites are even larger.
There are two restaurants – Lime, the hotel’s signature restaurant, which dishes up an extensive buffet spread featuring international and local fare, and Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant offers authentic Sichuan and Cantonese cuisine. Club 5 serves up cocktails and snacks.
There’s also a fitness centre and a spa.
Prices: from $S300 Address: 7500 Beach Rd More information: https://www.hotels-g.com/singapore/
Hotel Traveltine
The Hotel Traveltine is within walking distance of the area’s iconic attractions: the stunning Sultan Mosque, the vibrant Haji Lane with its boutique shops and trendy cafes, and the bustling Arab Street known for its textile and carpet shops.
It’s also next door to the Golden Mile Complex shopping mall and across from the Golden Mile Food Centre, which has some fantastic hawkers, many of which specialise in Thai food so you’ll never go hungry!
There are 300 rooms with HD LCD TVs, mini fridges, complimentary water, free wifi and in-room safes. The rooms are all on the smaller side about 19sqm.
The superior rooms (twin or queen) also have a sofa while the deluxe are on a higher floor and have Nespresso machines. There’s also triple and family rooms, the latter are designed for two adults and two children aged 12 or below and have a queen, sofa bed and pull-out bed.
The hotel also has interconnecting superior rooms with 4 x twin beds but these are more expensive. Cots are also available.
There are panoramic views of Kampong Glam’s vibrant streets from the rooftop pool and a fitness centre on level 2.
700 Café is open from 7am-8.30pm for breakfast and a range of meals throughout the day. The lobby bar is a great place to chill at the end of the day.
There’s also a stack of vending machines for snacks and drinks.
The hotel is a 10-minute walk to Nicholl Highway MRT.
Price: superior rooms from $S200 Address: 700 Beach Rd More information: www.hoteltraveltine.com
Village Hotel Bugis
This is a great property although the rooms could do with a refresh. This is compensated for by the great amenities, handy location and the price.
It’s very popular with families and has a Village Important Kids (VIK) program, which includes special benefits.
The rooms are a spacious 32sqm and range from deluxe to superior and family rooms with 3 large beds.
There’s also a Kids Themed Room with a king bed and sofa bed, 40-inch LED TV and a set of kid-friendly amenities.
The Landmark restaurant serves a variety of international options and is Halal-certified.
There’s a large swimming pool and a gym. Private parking is available as well as free wifi. The hotel is very close to Bugis MRT and the shopping mall.
Price: from $S206 Address: 390 Victoria St More information: www.stsignature.com/locations/bugis-beach
Where to Eat & Drink
Golden Mile Complex
This is Singapore’s “Little Thailand” and the place to go if you have a hankering for spicy, sweet and salty flavours. As well as a stack of Thai restaurants, there are pubs and supermarkets. Some of the stalls to try include:
Golden Banana (#02-64)
Dish: banana fritters, sweet potato balls
Open: Tuesday to Sunday 10.30am-8.30pm, closed Monday
Ah Xiao Teochew Braised Duck (#B1-43)
Dish: braised duck rice
Open: Weekdays 9.30am–3.30pm, weekends 9.30am–1.30pm
Golden Mile Special Yong Tau Foo (#B1-44)
Dish: young tau foo
Open: Monday to Saturday 10.45am–3pm, closed Sundays
Shen Bakmie Noodle (#B1-37)
Dish: bakmi noodles
Open: Weekdays 9.30am–7.30pm, Saturday 9.30am–5pm, closed Sunday
The Original Vadai (#B1-32)
Dish: vadai
Open: Tuesday to Sunday noon–7pm, closed Monday
Yew Chuan Claypot Rice (#01-73)
Dish: claypot rice
Open: Monday-Wednesday and Friday noon–8.30pm, weekends 4pm–8.30pm, closed Thursdays
91 Fried Kway Teow Mee (#01-91)
Dish: char kway teow
Open: Tuesday to Sunday 11am–2.30pm, closed Monday
Wedang (#B1-19)
Dishes: tahu goreng, gado gado, nasi ayam
Open: Tuesday to Saturday noon–5pm, closed Sunday and Monday
Hainan Hokkien Mee (#B1-34)
Dish: hokkien mee
Open: Monday 10am–3pm, Tuesday, Thursday to Sunday 10am–5pm, closed Wednesday
Chung Cheng Chilli Mee Prawn Laksa (#01-59)
Dishes: chilli mee, prawn mee, laksa
Open: Monday, Wednesday to Sunday 9.30am–6.30pm, closed Tuesday
Address: 5001 Beach Rd Open: Daily 11am-9.30pm Getting there: Near Nicoll Highway Station (via Circle Line). Exit station, turn right onto Beach Rd and the complex is on your right; buses – 100, 961 and 980 More information: https://www.goldenmilecomplex.sg/
Conclusion
Three of the key reasons to love Kampong Glam are the street art, the exotic smells and the culture. From Sultan Mosque to Arab St and Haji Lane, there’s so much to do here, it’s definitely one area that is a “must-see”.