24 hours in our neighbourhood will just barely scrape the surface so let’s help you make the most of it! Whether you’re here on a layover or enjoying an overnight escape, this 2D1N itinerary features our most dependable recommendations for Kampong Gelam.
This itinerary can be entirely accomplished on foot and keeps to an easy ~ 1km radius of The Sultan.
24 Hours in Kampong Gelam
DAY 1: NOON
Check in and fuel up for the day ahead
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Enjoy classics with a Malayan and French twist at The White Label, The Sultan’s on-site restaurant serving lunch, tea and dinner daily. We recommend their Set Lunches featuring pasta, steaks and more at an incredible value, or if you’re with us across the weekend, you must check out their signature trolley buffet.
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Check in to your home away from home at The Sultan. With complimentary Global Data eSIM*, wireless connection and local calls, staying in touch with your loved ones is both easy and free. Grab a complimentary beverage and snack from your minibar, and you’re ready to take on the neighbourhood!
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Kickstart your Kampong Gelam adventure with a strong cuppa. Check out 2050 coffee, a futuristic coffee spot from Kyoto with single-origins, house blends and matcha on tap; or head on over to Bhai Sarbat for the best teh tarik (sweetened pulled milk tea) this side of Singapore.
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Ice cream is always a good idea for Singapore afternoons. Check out the city’s favourite botanical gelatos from Birds of Paradise (you can’t go wrong with their signature White Chrysanthemum flavour) or indulge in Momolato’s crispy buttermilk waffles alongside their artisanal small-batch icy treats.
DAY 1: AFTERNOON
Discover Kampong Gelam’s storied history of colonial rule, royal intrigue, and the Malay diaspora
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The Malay Heritage Centre is housed in Istana Kampong Gelam, first built in 1819 by Sultan Hussein Shah, the first Sultan of Singapore, as his royal residence. It showcases the heritage and history of Singapore’s Malays, Kampong Gelam and the wider Malay diaspora. * Temporarily closed for renovations.
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The gleaming jewel of Kampong Gelam, Masjid Sultan, is Singapore’s national mosque and first built in 1824 for Sultan Hussein Shah with land granted by the British East India Company, Sultan Mosque is open to visitors daily. *Visiting times may vary
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The only permanent street market in Singapore, Bugis Street is a sprawling, buzzing shopping bazaar with over 600 retailers! Perfect for wallet-friendly last-minute souvenir shopping, get ready to get lost in these alleys that used thump to the beat of Singapore nightlife in the 50’s.
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Stroll down Arab Street, dotted with multi-generational carpet and textile shops, and get up close with Kampong Gelam’s colonial history as a 19th century commercial hub. Then cross over to bustling Haji Lane for fab cafes, boutiques, quick bites, photobooths, bakeries, and what else is hot with the youth of today.
DAY 1: EVENING
Kampong Gelam nights are for people watching by moonlight and a tipple or two
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Book it to Haji Lane for fab Happy Hour deals and thrills. Whether you’re looking for locally brewed beer on tap, international labels or just a casual wind down to your day, there’s lots to choose from! Some of our favourite watering holes include Going Om, Black Sheep & Co., Blu Jaz and Piedra Negra.
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Dine on Middle Eastern, Turkish and local cuisine under the stars and coconut trees on Bussorah Street. With the gleaming Masjid Sultan as a backdrop, this breezy, lively dining experience positions you right in the beating heart of Kampong Gelam for an unforgettable night out.
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It doesn’t get more local than this. Especially favoured by Singaporean families for rainy evenings, Nan Hwa Chong is a neighbourhood institution, having served their charcoal fish head steamboat since 1927! Perfect for larger groups, the fish head steamboat is the star but we recommend getting lots of sides to share as well.
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If you’re looking for an elevated tipple, we’ve got you covered. ATLAS at Parkview Square is a jaw-droppingly luxurious Art Deco extravaganza, crowned in 2025 as the 49th Best Bar in Asia. For a more intimate experience, check out Bar Stories on Haji Lane for no menu, entirely personalised cocktails to end the night.
DAY 2: MORNING
We’ve got the perfect reasons for you to set that alarm clock
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The quintessential way Singaporeans fire up their day is with a local cup of kopi (coffee) or teh (tea), paired beautifully with luscious, sweet-salty kaya toast. And lucky for us, we’ve got Ya Kun Kaya Toast just down the road. For a journey back in time, head to Heap Seng Leong for their version of kopi butter (yes, you read that right) and some great throwback photos.
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Get some morning steps in at Kallang Riverside Park. Once a vital transportation waterway, this riverine part now offers a stretch of tranquility right in downtown Singapore. Great for a breezy stroll, casual picnic, and if you’re lucky, some nature-spotting (smooth coated otters and migratory birds have been known to visit the park).
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There’s no better local introduction to the diverse and absolutely delicious world of Nasi Padang than the Michelin-awarded Hjh Maimunah. Expect big, bold flavours and hearty portions; and (we could never choose) do not let yourself miss out on Beef Rendang, Ayam Kalio, Sambal Goreng and, if you’re feeling adventurous, their signature Lemak Siput Sedut.
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Lunch is a great time to try snag a table at the hottest restaurants in the neighbourhood normally booked out for dinner service. Whether it’s luscious Italian dining at Cicheti, sumptuous, elevated Nasi Lemak at The Coconut Club or imaginative, local fine-dining at Belimbing, there’s no shortage of dining spots for an unforgettable end to your short sojourn.
All locations mentioned in this itinerary are marked out on this handy Google map. Plan your very own itinerary with our recommendations and check out unique local experiences offered by select Experience Partners to create your very own perfect The Sultan getaway.