Mint Museum of Toys🏛 museum
The Mint Museum of Toys is a museum in Kampong Glam that features an extensive collection of vintage toys.
🌐 emint.com🕒 Mo off; Tu-Su 09:30-18:30
Plizio Visual Lab
Kampong Glam
Plizio editorial teamData Sources
City
ℹ️Practical info — Kampong Glam
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Avoid driving here; parking is notoriously difficult. Bugis MRT station is just a short walk away.
- Many cafes and boutiques on Haji Lane open later in the day, around 11 AM or noon.
- When visiting the Sultan Mosque, dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered); cloaks are usually provided if needed.
- The narrow alleys can get very crowded on weekends, so visit on a weekday morning for better photos.
🍽 Food
🍽
Murtabak
A stuffed pan-fried bread, famously served at long-standing Indian-Muslim restaurants facing the mosque.
🍽
Nasi Padang
Enjoy Indonesian-style steamed rice served with various pre-cooked dishes along Kandahar Street.
🍽
Specialty Coffee
Haji Lane and its parallel streets are packed with hip cafes serving excellent cold brews and pastries.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Arab Street Textiles
The go-to place in Singapore for high-quality silks, batiks, and carpets.
🛍
Haji Lane Boutiques
Explore tiny, colorful shops offering indie fashion, quirky accessories, and local design goods.
🧘
Malay Heritage Centre Grounds
The manicured lawns around the center are calm and offer a great view of the Sultan Mosque.
🧘
Rochor Canal Promenade
A pleasant, paved walkway just on the edge of the district, nice for an evening stroll.
Water temperature…
Kampong Glam is the historic district of Singapore's Malay-Muslim community and was once the seat of the Malay royalty. Its name is derived from the Malay word for village (Kampong) and the Gelam tree, which grew abundantly in the area during the early colonial period. The district's most prominent landmark is the majestic Sultan Mosque with its iconic golden dome, originally established in 1824 and rebuilt in its current form during the late 1920s. The area also features the Istana Kampong Gelam, the former sultan's palace, which now houses the Malay Heritage Centre. Streets such as Arab Street are famous for their traditional shops selling fine textiles, carpets, and non-alcoholic perfumes, while the narrow Haji Lane has become a trendy hotspot known for lively murals and boutique cafes. Kampong Glam serves as a spirited cultural hub that seamlessly blends religious heritage with a modern urban lifestyle. The district's architecture provides a fascinating look into Singapore's colonial history and its diverse multicultural fabric.
- Location: Singapore
- Top sights: Mint Museum of Toys · Istana Kampong Glam · National Design Centre
- Nearby: Hougang (4 km)
- Population: ~1.150 (2024)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Feb, Mar, Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
| Rain mm | 235 | 102 | 168 | 193 | 199 | 164 | 174 | 173 | 167 | 210 | 283 | 300 |
Geography
Facts
- The Sultan Mosque was originally founded in the year 1824.
- The Istana Kampong Gelam palace was completed in the year 1843.
- The Malay Heritage Centre was officially opened in 2005.
- Haji Lane is recognized as one of the narrowest streets in Singapore.
- The district was designated a conservation area in the year 1989.
- The Gelam tree bark was historically used for caulking Malay boats.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Kampong Glam (5)
Frequently asked questions
What is the main attraction in Kampong Glam?
The impressive Masjid Sultan mosque is the landmark.
How many days should I spend?
A full day is enough for the small boutiques and cafes.
Is the shopping good?
Haji Lane in particular gives unique designer shops.
Is the area safe?
Yes, Singapore is very safe, even at night.
What is the best local dish?
Try Murtabak at the famous restaurants on Arab Street.
Kampong Glam: where is it located?
Kampong Glam is located in Singapore.
Kampong Glam: what is there to see?
Highlights include Mint Museum of Toys, Istana Kampong Glam, National Design Centre.
Kampong Glam: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Feb, Mar, Sep.
Kampong Glam: why is it worth visiting?
Kampong Glam is the historic district of Singapore's Malay-Muslim community and was once the seat of the Malay royalty.
Explore with Plizio
Discover more places in Asia
More places in Singapore →
Nearby cities
Downtown Core
The economic heart of Singapore, encompassing the Central Business District and Marina Bay area.
Bukit Merah
A mature residential estate with a mix of public and private housing, parks, and commercial buildings.
Toa Payoh
The second satellite town built in Singapore, a mature estate with a strong sense of community.
Kallang
A sports and entertainment hub, home to the Singapore Sports Hub and located by the Kallang River.
Bishan
A centrally located residential town known for its well-designed public housing and the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park.
Bukit Timah
A prime residential district known for its lush greenery, prestigious schools, and the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.
Chinatown
A historic district showcasing a mix of old temples, traditional shophouses, and modern bars and restaurants.
Little India
A vibrant ethnic district offering a blast of sights, sounds, and smells of Indian culture.
Singapore City
The heart of the city-state, a global financial hub with a tropical climate and multicultural population.
Orchard Road
Singapore's premier shopping belt, lined with luxury malls, department stores, and upscale hotels.
History & landmarks
Helix Bridge
A pedestrian bridge known for its design inspired by the DNA structure, linking Marina Centre with Marina South.
ArtScience Museum
A museum that explores the intersection of art, science, culture, and technology.
Marina Bay Sands
An integrated resort famous for its unique architecture, featuring three hotel towers topped by a massive rooftop SkyPark.
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
A waterfront performing arts center nicknamed 'The Durian' for its unique spiky roof design resembling the durian fruit.
Singapore Flyer
A giant observation wheel that offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city's skyline and beyond.
Merlion Park
Merlion Park is a famous Singapore landmark and home to the Merlion statue, a mythical creature with a lion's head and the body of a fish.
Nature
Singapore River
The historic river that flows through the heart of Singapore, playing a vital role in its history.
Marina Barrage
A dam on the coast creating a freshwater reservoir in the heart of the city.
Kusu Island Coast
One of Singapore's Southern Islands, featuring pristine coasts, lagoons and beaches.
More places
Sultan Mosque
A prominent mosque in the historic Kampong Glam district, known for its massive golden dome and impressive architecture.
Istana Kampong Glam
The former sultan's palace of the Malay royalty of Singapore.
Raffles Hotel
An iconic colonial-style hotel known for its luxurious service, historical significance, and as the birthplace of the Singapore Sling coc…
Civilian War Memorial
A memorial dedicated to the civilians who died during the Japanese occupation of Singapore in World War II.
The Cenotaph
A war memorial in Esplanade Park, dedicated to the men from Singapore who lost their lives in World War I and World War II.
Masjid Hajjah Fatimah
A mosque dating back to 1846, known for its unique leaning minaret, reminiscent of the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth.
Gardens by the Bay
A futuristic park in the heart of Singapore, known for its Supertree Grove, giant tree-like structures that light up at night.
Marina Bay Financial Centre
A prestigious business district housing multinational banks, financial institutions, and major corporations.