Come to Singapore and you’ll be amazed at how the smallest country in Asia can show off four different Asian cultures. Within its verdant, modern regions, you will find pockets of Chinese, Malay, and Indian ethnic havens. Among these, Haji Lane is one of the places where you get to explore a Bohemian vibe within Singapore and explore the unique Malay-Muslim culture. What’s amazing is that it is just a few strolls away from the magnificent Sultan Mosque and Arab Street. Though a narrow stretch in Singapore, it packs a vibrant aura full of bustling street shops, restaurants, and more. Read on to discover all about this beautiful street in Singapore.
Where is Haji Lane Located?
The beauty of Singapore is that you can stroll down one street, cross over to another, and experience a totally different culture. Haji Lane Singapore is one such rich cultural lane in the Kampong Glam neighbourhood that leads down the Arab Street near the iconic Sultan Mosque. To be specific, from Sultan Mosque, which sits along the N Bridge Road, head south and turn left to reach Arab Street. From there, walk straight ahead and you will find yourself in a lane filled with colourful murals and quaint shops and restaurants. Haji Lane Singapore location is just a 3-minute walk from the Sultan Mosque.
Haji Lane Timings
There aren’t fixed Haji Lane Singapore opening hours. Come early, and you will find this place deserted, quiet, with hardly any shops open for business. Take advantage of the deserted street to click the murals without the crowd. The sleepy street slowly starts coming to life around 11 a.m. or 12 p.m.
Top Things to Do in Haji Lane
Though Haji Lane is just 100-metre-long alleyway, it is bustling with shops, restaurants, colourful murals and graffiti. So, even though it is small, you would feel like staying here for a long time just to soak up the vibe. Here’s our list of top things to do at Haji Lane:
Click Photos of the Vibrant Street Art
The moment you step into Haji Lane, its bohemian charm, vintage signage, and a massive spread of eye-popping street art will make your jaws drop. Make sure your camera or phone has plenty of storage space because you will definitely be clicking a lot of pictures, from intricate details such as a trellis grill of a window or a sticker-clad door to an abstract painting of Ultraman and Mexican Aztec murals on walls.
Take Selfies in Photo Booths
Take some fun pictures of you and your friends at one of the many photo booths available here. This new, hot and happening activity that has taken Singapore by storm has many photo booths popping up in tourist attractions. However, Haji Lane has the largest number of photo booths in all styles, right from aesthetic backgrounds to whimsical props and bizarre backgrounds like that of an elevator or a laundromat!
Go Shopping
Haji Lane has plenty of spots for shopaholics to shop for a variety of clothes and antiques in boutique stores, souvenir stalls and vintage shophouses. Fashionistas should check out boutique stores like Modparade, Hygge, Grammah and The Editor’s Market.
Enjoy the Food Scene
Haji Lane, like many other ethnic streets in Singapore, will spoil you with a delectable food scene. The cafes and bars here are as quirky as the street itself. Grab a coffee, sip on a refreshing cocktail, dig into Mexican tacos, or enjoy a lip-smacking gelato or mochi ice cream – there is something to satiate every taste here. Haji Lane food is a mix of Asian, Mexican, and Middle Eastern flavours, mainly. The place does offer an amalgam of cuisines, but if you want to sample more authentic Chinese cuisine, then check out Little India and Chinatown as well. In fact, exploring the Chinese food scene is one of the main things to do in Chinatown Singapore.
Best Cafes & Eateries in Haji Lane
Famished after all the excitement in Haji Lane? You will have no problem finding what you want to eat and where to eat in this lane, as it is packed with picturesque restaurants and cafes offering flavours from the Middle East, Mexico, Italy, and more!
- Madd Pizza serves you with handcrafted, freshly baked pizzas and bruschetta.
- Sample the best of Mexican dishes like burrito bowls, tacos and quesadillas at Afterwit and Piedra Negara.
- Don’t forget to dig into the popular prawn noodles at Blanco Court Prawn Mee, which started their restaurant in 1928.
- If you have a sweet craving, you will love Bears & Friends, where you may select from a variety of gummy bear flavours.
- This lane also has the first pug cafe in Singapore, where you can play with these adorable pets while having your coffee.
- Need to unwind with a drink? Go bar hopping! Black Sheep & Co. is the most popular bar in the area. Visit Blu Jaz Cafe for a lighter, melodious evening while enjoying grilled salmon and a whiskey sour.
Shopping in Haji Lane
Haji Lane is a great spot for pictures, no doubt about that. But in between the clicking of pictures, head for some retail therapy as well. Shops like Vintagewknd showcase some amazing collections of antiques. Camera collectors should definitely check out ‘The Digicam Depository’, and if you want to get something handmade by yourself, check out Crafune, where you can make a simple wallet from scratch or something bigger, like a bag, in a DIY workshop. For a small alleyway, it has loads to offer, and you would find yourself spending a lot of time hopping from one shop to another as each has something unique to offer.
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Featured Nearby Attractions
As charming as it is, a visit to Haji Lane is just one nook of Singapore that offers a distinct vibe. On the day you visit Haji Lane, we recommend you take a stroll through these fascinating spots in Singapore as well:
Arab Street
Just a turn from Haji Lane and Arab Street offers a completely different vibe – be it food or shopping! This street is lined with shops selling textiles, perfumes, and traditional Middle Eastern goods.
Bugis Street
Around 11 minutes walk away from Haji Lane, this bustling maze of souvenirs, apparel and street food is another great spot to visit for budget shopping. In one of the alleys, you can even find a fresh produce market open till late at night that offers fruits and vegetables at really low costs. You can get a pack of a dozen oranges for under 1 Singapore Dollar!
Sultan Mosque
With its gleaming gold dome dominating the scenery, Sultan Mosque is an unmissable attraction on your visit to Haji Lane. A perfect background for your Insta-worthy photos as well!
Little India
A vibrant pocket that exudes the culture and cuisine of India, this section gives a glimpse of this vibrant country. Being just 10 to 12 minutes away, after checking off all the best places to visit in Little India, you can easily proceed and spend some time at Haji Lane on the same day.
Tips for Visiting Haji Lane
- We would recommend you visit Haji land in the early mornings if possible, so that you can get the street all to yourself, empty and without the tourists photobombing your Instagram-worthy pictures. Once you have had your fill of taking those perfect shots to flaunt on your social media handle, head to nearby spots for the rest of the day, like visiting the Sultan Mosque, Arab Street. Then, return to Haji Lane in the evening to soak up the illuminated, lively vibe and sample some of the most lip-smacking cuisines from around the globe.
- Even if you stay far away from Haji Lane, we insist you spend your money on MRT and public buses rather than taking a private car, as they can be quite expensive. Singapore’s public transportation is one of the most efficient, punctual and cleanest services in the world and only needs an EZ-Link card or contactless international bank cards to swipe and pay for the fare. It’s also digitally savvy! You can download the official apps to plan routes, check real-time MRT schedules, or even track bus arrivals on Google Maps!
- Since Haji Lane has a bohemian look, match your outfit of the day to complement the bold and vibrant colours.
- Lastly, we cannot stress enough on this point – wear comfortable walking shoes, because trust us, you will be walking a lot during your Singapore trip. Also, don’t forget to carry an umbrella as unpredictable rain showers are quite common in Singapore at any time of the year.
Conclusion
A visit to Haji Lane feels like stepping into a quaint art gallery exhibiting canvases of different forays of artists. It is definitely one of the hippest spots in Singapore where people come together to appreciate creativity, shop for unique things, and have a good time with amazing food. It’s the kind of place where you can spend a lazy afternoon sipping coffee, hunting for vintage treasures, or just soaking in the vibe. Whether you’re a foodie, a shopaholic, or an art lover, Haji Lane’s got something to spark your interest.
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