What to do in Arab Street Kampong Glam, Singapore
The Arab Street, Kampong Glam, and Bugis areas are among the most exciting districts in Singapore. This neighbourhood blends rich cultural heritage, colourful streets, independent boutiques, buzzing bars, and some of the city’s best shopping. From the iconic Sultan Mosque to bargain markets and luxury hotels, this guide breaks down exactly what to see, where to shop, where to eat, and where to stay.
I could be compensated, if you click on a link in this post via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post. See our full disclosure policy and privacy policy for more details.
Arab Street, Kampong Glam & Bugis: The Ultimate Guide to Shopping, Food & Where to Stay in Singapore
We loved the Arab street area in singapore, in fact we just kept going back! From its bright street art, boutiques, bars, and plentiful restaurants, there was so much to do.
This part of Singapore has a rich history, with Kampong Glam recognised as one of the city’s oldest urban quarters. In 1822, Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore, designated the area for the Malay, Arab, and Bugis communities, shaping it into a cultural and commercial hub. Kampong Glam later became one of the centres of Malay royalty in Singapore, with the Sultan Mosque and surrounding streets forming the heart of the district. Today, that rich heritage is still visible in the architecture, street names, traditional trades, and the strong Middle Eastern and Malay influences that define the area, making Kampong Glam a fascinating blend of history, culture, and modern city life.
If you are interested, you can visit the mosque and the Malay Heritage Centre close by.
Arab Street Area, Singapore
The Arab Street area is the cultural heart of Kampong Glam and one of the most atmospheric places in Singapore. Dominated by the stunning Sultan Mosque, the surrounding pedestrianised streets are decorated with murals and colourful details. Once-derelict shophouses have been beautifully restored and now house fabric merchants, boutiques, and restaurants.
Where: Kampong Glam
What You’ll Find in Kampong Glam
Arab Street in Singapore is a vibrant neighbourhood bursting with Middle Eastern culture, colour and character. The whole area is filled with everything from Persian carpets and silk shops to spice stalls, shisha cafés, and incredible Turkish and Lebanese restaurants.
- Shops selling fine fabrics and bright silks, traditionally used for Muslim dress
- Boutiques offering handmade jewellery, souvenirs, and knick-knacks
- Shops selling Turkish delights and sweet treats
- Middle Eastern restaurants specialising in kebabs, mezze, and mint tea
- Street art on every corner
- Restaurants such as Turkish Lebanese and Greek
Streets to Explore in kampong Glam
- Arab Street – famous for fabric shops and local boutiques
- Muscat Street – quieter, artistic, and photo-friendly
- Baghdad Street – More restaurants and shops.
- Haji Lane – Shops, photo booths and restaurants.
- Bussorah Street– Packed with middle eastern food spots.
Sultan Mosque
The Sultan Mosque is one of Singapore’s most important religious landmarks and the visual centrepiece of Kampong Glam. Its golden dome and grand façade make it a must-see, especially when paired with a walk through the surrounding streets.
The Sultan Mosque in Singapore was originally built in 1824 for Sultan Hussein Shah, the first Sultan of Singapore, and remains the heart of the Kampong Glam district. Its striking golden domes dominate the skyline, but look closely, and you’ll notice a unique detail: the base of each dome is decorated with glass bottle ends ( the dark ring ), donated by the community during its construction, symbolising unity and inclusivity across social classes.
Where: North Bridge Road
Street Art in Kampong Glam
The whole of this area is full of Street Art, almost everywhere you look! The area is bright, the shops are painted, and the streets are lined with palm trees and flags. The street art is very detailed dispicting daily life. Absolutely perfect for photo opportunities.
Haji Lane: Murals, Flags & Indie Shopping
Haji Lane is one of Singapore’s most photographed streets. Narrow and energetic, it’s known for flag-lined streets, bold murals, and independent fashion boutiques. There are also many photo opportunities with lots of dress-up photo booths. Sadly, we ran out of time to try one!
Where: Kampong Glam
Highlights in the areas
Take time to explore the Street art and boutique shops. Take a drink in one of the many bars or have yourself a mezze. Grab yourself some Middle Eastern souvenirs while you are there, too.
- Unique clothing and lifestyle boutiques
- Photo booth shops where you can take souvenir pictures
- Trendy cafés and late-night bars
- Constantly changing street art
- Turkish Bazaars
This is the perfect area for photos, browsing, and people-watching.
Restaurants & Bars in Kampong Glam
Running parallel to Arab Street, Bali Lane is known for its relaxed dining scene and nightlife. It’s a great spot for dinner or drinks once the sun goes down.
In and around haji Lane and Arab street the main style of food is Turkish, lebnese and Mediterranean food, but you can expect to find others mixed in, such as indian, and Pizza
Having said that, we loved Madd pizza and the Indian restaurant Punjabi Dewat.
Where: Kampong Glam
Where to Drink
- Black Sheep & Co – Popular for locally brewed beers and IPAs, with a laid-back vibe perfect for those seeking a craft beer.
Bugis: Shopping, Markets & Malls
A short walk from Kampong Glam brings you to Bugis, one of Singapore’s best areas for shopping, from air-conditioned malls to bargain markets.
Where: Bugis District
Bugis Junction
Bugis Junction is a large, multi-level shopping mall offering a mix of international brands and local designers. Best of all, it’s fully air-conditioned, a lifesaver in Singapore’s heat.
What You’ll Find
- Familiar high-street brands
- Local Singaporean labels
- Watsons for pharmacy and essentials
- Cafés and food outlets, including Starbucks for a cooling drink
- Clothing, gadget, and accessory shops
Bugis Street Market
Directly across the road is Bugis Street Market, one of the best places in Singapore for bargain shopping.
We loved these handmade travel tags, so cute! We also headed up to the upper levels, where they have food stalls and even hair and nail studios. We loved the crispy pancakes at Neds Cafe, they were delicious!
What to Expect
- Clothes, jewellery, and accessories for just a few dollars
- Souvenirs at budget-friendly prices
- A lively atmosphere where haggling is expected
- Nail bars
- Luggage shops
Where: Opposite Bugis Junction
Bugis Vintage Market
On weekends, Bugis Vintage Market adds even more character to the area. Running every Saturday and Sunday from 3 pm to 9 pm, it’s a great place to browse vintage clothing, accessories, and unique finds. You will find all sorts here! I picked up some postcards and stamps for journaling.
Where: Bugis | Saturdays & Sundays, 3pm–9pm
Loka Made: Meaningful Singapore Souvenirs
Loka Made is a beautifully designed stationery shop specialising in Singapore-inspired products. I loved this place! Perfect for postcards, stickers, staionary and souvenirs of Singapore. It’s especially known for its layered journal travel stamps, which visitors can collect and use to create personalised travel journals. You can purchase a postcard to stamp for $1 or spend $10 in the store for a free one. You can also post your own postcards and use their stamps to decorate.
Where: Kampong Glam / Haji Lane
Where to Stay in Bugis: Frasers House, a Luxury Collection Hotel by Marriott
We stayed at the former InterContinental Singapore, which has recently rebranded as Frasers House, a Luxury Collection Hotel by Marriott, and it was outstanding.
Where: Bugis Frasers House
Why Stay Here
- Located right in the heart of Bugis
- Top 5 star service
- Amazing breakfasts.
- Direct access to Bugis MRT (metro)
- Over 400 uniquely designed rooms and suites
- Walking distance to Arab Street and Kampong Glam and Little India.
We stayed in a suite with pool views, and the experience was ultra-luxurious. Breakfast was excellent, cocktails were exquisite, and the evening turndown service, complete with slippers placed by the bed, was a thoughtful touch that really elevated the stay.
Why This Area Is a Must-Visit in Singapore
Arab Street, Kampong Glam, and Bugis offer one of the most complete experiences in Singapore. Culture, shopping, food, nightlife, and luxury accommodation all come together within a walkable area, making it ideal for first-time visitors and return trips alike. The whole area is safe to walk around and absolutely buzzing, it definitely is a place you must not miss in Singapore.
