Why Kampong Glam is the Ultimate Neighbourhood for Your Singapore Getaway

Although the period when wealthy Malay sultans reigned over the area is long gone, Kampong Glam remains one of Singapore's most fascinating neighbourhoods.  As one of the city's oldest community strongholds, Kampong Glam is now a veritable melting pot of the Malayan subculture and a tourist hotspot of truly epic proportions. From its iconic buildings to its thriving art scene, here are the top reasons why every visitor should explore this vibrant corner of Singapore.

The Cultural Attractions

As the main reason most tourists head to Kampong Glam in the first place, the cultural points of interest remain its most fascinating highlights. The Malay Heritage Centre is perhaps the most popular among the area's iconic structures as it once served as the seat of Singapore's Malay sultans. A testament to the resilience of the Malay community's early settlers, the exhibitions and relics on display at the venue call to mind the golden era of the Malay industries of performance art and entertainment. The Sultan Mosque is an equally impressive historical attraction constructed in 1824. The brainchild of the first Singaporean Sultan Hussein Shah, the mosque is situated alongside the Istana Kampong Gelam palace.

The Local Art Hubs

If you have a passion for Malay art, crafts and creative expressions, then a deep dive into Kampong Glam's art galleries is a must. Start with a visit to Gelam Gallery down Muscat Street as the outdoor art space is famed for its multi-disciplinary showcases and work by the region's finest painters, sculptors and graphic designers. Don't forget to drop by Solace Studios on Haji Lane and the Aliwal Arts Centre while Cuturi Gallery and Coda Culture are other engaging locations that will appeal to the creatively inclined.

The Unusual Activity Bases

While it may be a lesser-known aspect of Kampong Glam, the area has become a heartland for those in search of unique vintage experiences. Type8ar is arguably the most coveted highlight in this regard as it is an oasis dedicated to those with a love of typewriters. With more than fifty vintage manual and electric typewriters to its name, this unusual sanctuary also boasts a transparent Royal typewriter as well as a MusicWriter used to type out sheet music.  The Vintage Cameras Museum is another one of Kampong Glam's wonderful museums and is the first Singaporean gallery dedicated to analogue instruments.  While it may not be among the most famous attractions in Singapore, the Vintage Cameras Museum is one of Kampong Glam's must-visit cultural institutions.

The Diverse Dining Options

Whether you're based at PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Singapore or any other accommodation hubs in the Lion City, a day spent in Kampong Glam would not be complete without exploring its top dining venues. Occupying pride of place on Beach Road, The Coconut Club is the ideal place to order a plate of Nasi Lemak whereas fans of Mexican food can reserve a table at Huevos. Indonesian restaurants such as Kulon are other crowd-pleasers in the area while you can't go wrong with a serving of Nasi Padang from Hjh Maimunah. Other dining hotspots of note include the Alaturka Mediterranean & Turkish Restaurant and Zam Zam although those looking to nibble on freshly baked goods must head over to Mother Dough.

The Trendy Cafés and Bars

The neighbourhood's cafe scene is also worth discovering with a hearty brunch at well-loved coffee houses including Siësta and the Fika Café. The latter specializes in serving up Arab Street's best Swedish delicacies while those in search of a bistro can't go wrong with Konditori. If you're looking for something stronger after a tour of this colourful area of Singapore then look no further than Bar Stories and the Good Luck Beerhouse where the finest craft beers made in Singapore are on the menu.