Kampong Glam walking tour & city guide

The quarter

Sultan Mosque, with its golden domes, is the heart of the district. Arab Street is known for fabrics and carpets, and Haji Lane is a narrow street of murals, boutiques and bars.

Bugis

Next door, Bugis Street is a busy market for cheap clothes and snacks. The Malay Heritage Centre tells the story of the area in a former palace.

Good to know

Kampong Glam was once the seat of Malay royalty in Singapore, and the Istana Kampong Gelam, the former sultan's palace, now houses the Malay Heritage Centre. The area is especially atmospheric during Ramadan, when a bazaar sells festive food in the evenings.

Visitors are welcome at the Sultan Mosque outside prayer times; robes are provided for those who need to cover up. Haji Lane is busiest in the evening, when the bars open, while mornings are quieter and better for photos of the murals. The Bugis MRT station is a short walk away.

A walk through the quarter

Start at the Sultan Mosque, then walk along Bussorah Street, a pedestrian lane lined with palm trees and shophouses that frames the golden dome perfectly. Turn into Arab Street to browse textile and carpet shops, then explore Haji Lane and its murals. Stop for a teh tarik, the frothy pulled tea, and a plate of murtabak at one of the old restaurants on North Bridge Road. In the evening, the area's cafés and bars fill with a young crowd.