Haji Lane Singapore: Why You’ll Love This Colorful Walking Street!

Haji Lane

Haji Lane in Singapore is the spot to be! On our very first visit we couldn’t believe our eyes. The unique street is filled colorful murals, funky Haji Lane cafes, and a mix of great food from around the world. It’s a place that sticks out among the high rises, and a must-visit on your trip to the city. Here’s why you’ll love Haji Lane everything you need to know!

What is Haji Lane in Singapore?

Before we can get into all the fun Haji Lane cafes and restaurants you should know the backstory. The slender street is named after “Haji” which is the famous pilgrimage taken by Muslims to Mecca.

Up until the late 1970’s, the nearby Bussuroah Street and Sultan’s Mosque was a meeting place for pilgrims to prepare for their journey. For this reason, the entire area of Kampong Glam is historic in Singapore.

Even with the new age businesses, Haji Lane is home to some of the city’s oldest 2 story shophouses. In recent years, this part of Singapore began to reinvent itself. 

Today, you’ll find Haji Lane covered with art from local artists, and a fun hipster atmosphere. Even if you’re not going to buy or enjoy some delicious Haji Lane food, it’s still an experience simply walking down the popular street!

→ 23 Unique & Fun Things to do in Singapore

Haji Lane Singapore

How to Get to Haji Lane Singapore

If you’ve never been to Singapore you should know it’s a super easy city to get around! Whether you’re using the Grab Taxi service or hopping on the MRT subway, you’ll have no problem finding your way to all the amazing attractions. 

We typically walk everywhere in Singapore and did so on our most recent visit to Haji Lane. Our fun route on this day was from Merlion Park to the iconic Raffles Hotel where we tried the famous Singapore Sling

However, you may want to take the MRT to the Bugis Junction and walk the 5 minutes from there. This area isn’t so close to the city center as other attractions like the Marina Bay Sands. So if you want to save some time, taking the MRT subway to Haji Lane in Singapore is the way to go!

There is also a popular bike tour that takes you through the city and and over to Haji Lane. Either way, it will be easy to include it as a stop in a 2 day Singapore itinerary like this.

How to Get to Haji Lane in Singapore

Why You’ll Love Haji Lane 

Now that you know a little bit about Haji Lane in Singapore, it’s time to get into the good stuff! From the moment you turn the corner onto the  walking street you’ll be greeted with an explosion of colors.

At first glance it may not look that long. Yet, the amount of Haji Lane cafes, restaurants, and quirky clothing shops can easily take up an hour or two.

It’s plenty busy during the day, but at night the real party starts! You’ll find a fun mix of tourists and young ex-pats all making their way to Haji Lane.

We felt a different energy here than other areas like Clarke Quay which also has a good amount of bars. The colorful murals and music really make it stand out, and there are many delicious places to eat, too!

Haji Lane in Singapore

Popular Restaurants & Stops on Haji Lane

The Haji Lane cafes, bars, and restaurants are the main draw of the street. Still, there are a several fun shops to pop in and out of. 

Haji Lane is a great place to visit if you want to explore some small boutique shops and grab lunch. Here’s some of our favorite cafes and restaurants to enjoy on this amazing street.

Haji Lane Cafes & Restaurants

  • Piedra Negra Mexican Restaurant 
  • Good Luck Gastropub 
  • Pasha Mezza and Grill Turkish Restaurant
  • MADD PIZZA
  • Black Sheep & Co
  • Momolato Ice Cream Shop
  • Shalaby Sweets Turkish & Arabic Delights
  • I am…

Haji Lane Food

Haji Lane Murals & Street Art

While there are so many great Haji Lane food options, what really sets it apart is the wonderful street art! The murals depict a variety of different ideas and cultures that are fun to explore.

The way the colors pop from the wall is truly unique!  Our favorite is the work done by Piedra Negra Mexican restaurant, as it displays the indigenous Aztecs in a remarkable way. The same Colombian artist Didier Jaba Mathie’s work can be found all along Haji Lane in Singapore.

If you love the art at Haji Lane in Singapore then be sure to also take a trip to Chinatown. There are dozens of murals around this area of the city done in a different style than you’ll see in Kampong Glam.

Haji Lane Murals

Exploring Around Haji Lane in Singapore

As we mentioned earlier, the area around Haji Lane is known as the Arabic section. Make sure to take a walk down Bussuroah Street and see the incredible Sultan’s Mosque. This is the largest of its kind in Singapore and if you’re lucky you may even hear the Call to Prayer! 

The nearby Bugis Street Market is worth visiting as it’s one of the largest and cheapest places to go shopping in Singapore. Also, the Haji Lane food options are diverse and plentiful. Yet, don’t miss out on the amazing Arabic food in this part of the city!

Sultan Mosque Singapore

Have any questions about this article or want to share your own experience on Haji Lane in Singapore? Let us know in the comments below!

Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake

Where to Stay in Singapore

Luxury – Marina Bay Sands  – We stayed at the Marina Bay Sands for Jake’s 30th birthday and it blew away our expectations. Aside from the luxury amenities, swimming in the rooftop infinity pool will be the highlight of your visit! 

IconicRaffles Hotel – As one of the most historic hotels Southeast Asia, staying at the Raffles Hotel will be an experience like no other. Enjoy a Singapore Sling and take in the amazing architecture of this landmark built in 1887.

Fun VacationParkroyal on Pickering– It doesn’t get much more green and lush then Parkroyal on Pickering! This fun vacation spot is literally one of the greenest hotels in the world. Plant life covers the entire property to make for a unique stay in Singapore.

Boutique – KēSa House – Located in Chinatown, this fantastic hotel was built in 1920’s. Enjoy the incredible setting in the heart of the city in a traditional building on Keong Saik Road.  

Hostel Hipstercity hostel – Fun hostel in downtown Singapore with both private and dorm rooms. Great place to meet other travelers to explore the city with.

PIN FOR LATER 

Haji Lane

Singapore Travel Planning 

Activities: 23 Fun Things to DoButterfly GardenChinatownSupertree GroveGardens by the BayMarina Bay Sands  – Merlion Park –  Singapore JewelMarina Bay Sands Infinity Pool 

Hawker Centers: 8 Must Try HawkersMaxwellOld Airport RoadTekka CentreChinatown ComplexLau Pa SatLiao Fan Hawker Chan

Light Shows: Gardens by the BayMarina Bay2 Best in Singapore

Travel Tips: Singapore Airlines Review –  15 Wild LawsChangi Airport

 Flights: We always find deals using Skyscanner and Kayak. That’s how we got flights from Athens to Singapore for $230 USD, and Singapore to Thailand for less than $50! 

 Accommodation: Compare competitive sites for hotels such as Booking.com and Agoda. Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget. 

Tours: Check out Get Your Guide for activities all over Singapore. You can book everything from a Singapore Highlights Bike Tour to a Gardens by the Bay E-Ticket, and even a private food tour with 10 tastings

 Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without being covered. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.

 Packing Lists: Here’s all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists! Including electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials

Singapore Travel

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Brigitte & Jake

We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!

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