Kampong Glam’s Street Art Trail: A Colourful Walk Near Arab Street

Kampong Glam is known for its heritage shophouses, the golden dome of Sultan Mosque, and the incense-scented alleys around Haji Lane — but look a little closer and the neighbourhood has a quieter creative streak too. Scattered through its back lanes and side streets is a shifting collection of murals and painted walls that turn ordinary corners into open-air galleries. It costs nothing, takes about an hour on foot, and most of it sits within a ten-minute stroll of MET A Space Pod. Here’s where to look, and how to make the most of it.

Haji Lane’s Wall of Fame

Haji Lane is best known for its tightly packed indie boutiques and cafes, but duck into the narrow back lane running parallel to it and you’ll find one of Singapore’s most photographed stretches of street art. Large-scale murals cover the walls here, ranging from bold portraits to playful, cartoon-style scenes and abstract patterns layered one on top of another. The artwork changes periodically as new pieces replace old ones, so even frequent visitors tend to find something new. Mornings are quietest, before the lane fills with shoppers and photographers chasing the same backdrop.

Kandahar Street & the Shophouse Facades

A short walk from Haji Lane, Kandahar Street and the lanes around Sultan Mosque take a gentler approach to colour. Instead of large murals, you’ll notice rows of two-storey shophouses painted in soft blues, ochres, and pastel greens, their shutters and five-foot ways adding texture against the mosque’s golden dome in the background. It’s a calmer, less crowded alternative if Haji Lane feels busy, and a good spot to slow down with a coffee while you take it all in.

Bugis’ Public Art Legacy

The wider Bugis precinct has its own history with street art, having hosted sanctioned public murals and installations over the years as part of broader efforts to bring colour and storytelling to Singapore’s older districts. Keep an eye out around the malls and side streets near Bugis MRT, where rotating art pieces occasionally appear alongside the area’s more permanent heritage markers — a reminder that Kampong Glam’s creative side isn’t confined to any one street.

Tips for Your Own Street Art Walk

Street art here isn’t permanent, so what you see on one visit may look different the next — that’s part of the appeal. Aim for early morning or late-afternoon light if you’re taking photos, when the lanes are quieter and the colours read best. Keep in mind that many of the best murals sit beside working shops and homes, so a little consideration goes a long way: keep noise down and avoid blocking doorways for the perfect shot. Pair the walk with a stop at one of the neighbourhood’s cafes, and you’ve got a relaxed, budget-friendly morning that starts and ends just steps from your pod.