Private Walking Tour - Kampong Glam and Waterloo Street (4 hours)

4 hours Free cancellation Private tour

Hajjah Fatimah Mosque — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Private Walking Tour - Kampong Glam and Waterloo Street (4 hours), photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

As a licensed Singapore Tourist Guide with a background in management and education, I enjoy bringing Singapore’s history and culture to life through stories, people, and places.

On my walking tour of Kampong Glam and Waterloo Street, we explore the rich heritage of these fascinating neighbourhoods. Discover Kampong Glam’s Malay and Muslim roots, its colourful streets and architecture, and how the area has changed over time. At Waterloo Street, we explore the unique mix of faiths, cultures, and communities that have shaped the area.

I go beyond the usual landmarks to share interesting stories and insights that help connect Singapore’s past with the vibrant city you see today.

My tours are relaxed, engaging, and interactive, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions and discover the stories behind the sights.

Come walk with me and experience a different side of Singapore through its heritage, people, and stories.

Half-day Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Cultural Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Weather Dependent - Moderate

At a glance

Duration: 4 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–8
Guide: English
Operated by: heritagewalks.singapore

Ages: Youth (14–17 years) · Adults (18–75 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Wet Wipes

Not included

Not included: Bottled water
Not included: Snacks

Itinerary

Stop 1

15 min

At Rochor River Park near Crawford Bridge, travelers learn about early Orang Laut settlements that once thrived along the riverbanks. The walk explores how the British later designated the area as a Bugis enclave under the Jackson Plan, shaping Rochor’s role as a centre for trade, migration, and cultural exchange in colonial Singapore.
Hajjah Fatimah Mosque

15 min

At Hajjah Fatimah Mosque, travellers explore one of Singapore’s most distinctive mosques and learn about Hajjah Fatimah, a wealthy Malay philanthropist. The visit highlights the mosque’s eclectic architecture—blending Islamic, European, and Chinese influences—and its role in serving the early Muslim community along Beach Road.
Malay Heritage Centre

15 min

At the Malay Heritage Centre, travellers explore the former Istana Kampong Glam and learn about the history, culture, and contributions of the Malay community in Singapore. Through galleries and artefacts, the visit highlights royal heritage, traditions, and Kampong Glam’s role as a centre of Malay life and trade.
Stop 4

15 min

At Bussorah Street, travellers explore a historic street in Kampong Glam once linked to pilgrims travelling to Mecca. Today, Bussorah Street is a lively pedestrian street lined with cafés, restaurants, souvenir shops, and traditional perfumeries. Visitors see colourful shophouses, outdoor dining, and views leading toward Sultan Mosque, blending historic charm with a vibrant mix of local culture, tourism, and everyday life.
Sultan Mosque

15 min

At Sultan Mosque, travellers explore one of Singapore’s most important Islamic landmarks and learn about its role as the spiritual heart of the Malay and Muslim community. The visit highlights its golden domes, grand prayer hall, royal patronage, and the mosque’s significance in Kampong Glam’s history.
Muscat Street

15 min

At Muscat Street Murals, travellers see colourful artworks celebrating Kampong Glam’s heritage and everyday life. The murals depict scenes of traditional trades, cultural diversity, and community stories, transforming the narrow street into an open-air gallery that reflects the area’s history while adding a vibrant, contemporary artistic touch.
Arab Street

15 min

At Arab Street, travellers explore a vibrant heritage district once known for textile and spice trading. Today, the street features colourful shophouses, fabric stores, boutiques, and cafés, offering insights into Kampong Glam’s trading past while showcasing its modern blend of fashion, food, and creative culture.
Haji Lane

15 min

At Haji Lane, travellers see one of Singapore’s narrowest and most colourful streets, lined with vibrant murals, indie boutiques, and trendy cafés. Once a quiet residential lane, it is now a creative hotspot that reflects Kampong Glam’s youthful energy, blending street art, fashion, and café culture.
Parkview Square

15 min

Parkview Square in Singapore is a stunning 1950s-style Art Deco masterpiece, frequently called the "Gotham building". Visitors will see a grand limestone and glass façade, a lavish lobby, and a plaza filled with bronze statues of historical figures. It also houses an iconic, dramatic atrium bar.
Bugis Junction

Passing by

Travellers at Bugis Junction will experience a unique mix of modern shopping and preserved heritage, featuring a stunning glass-roofed shopping street with charming shophouses. The vibrant hub features numerous retail shops, diverse restaurants, and easy access to the nearby bustling Bugis Street Market.
Bugis Street

Passing by

Bugis Street in Singapore is a bustling, multi-level, open-air bazaar filled with hundreds of affordable, trendy fashion boutiques, souvenir shops, and quirky accessories. Visitors will navigate narrow lanes packed with cheap clothing, street snacks.
Stop 12

15 min

Travellers at Albert Centre in Singapore will experience a bustling, traditional hawker centre. It offers iconic local, affordable eats like laksa, wanton mee, and desserts.
Kuan Yin Thong Hood Cho Temple

15 min

Visitors at the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple will see a vibrant, gold-and-red facade with ornate Chinese architecture. Inside, they will witness a magnificent gilded statue of the Goddess of Mercy. Crowds of devotees offer flowers and incense, while others shake bamboo fortune sticks to seek divine guidance.
Sri Krishnan Temple

15 min

At Sri Krishnan Temple, travellers will see a vibrant example of classical South Indian architecture. The main entrance features a colourful gopuram (tower) adorned with statues of Hindu deities, including the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Visitors can witness Hindus at prayer, and also observe a unique symbol of interfaith harmony where many Chinese Buddhist devotees from the neighbouring temple come to light joss sticks in a large bronze urn at the entrance. The temple's detailed carvings, colourful murals, and serene atmosphere provide a captivating cultural experience.
Stop 15

15 min

Crossing Middle Road, Waterloo Street transitions into a vibrant arts belt. Travellers will find restored 1920s buildings focusing on traditional arts, alongside the Maghain Aboth Synagogue, Southeast Asia's oldest Jewish place of worship.