Exploring Little India Singapore: All You Need to Know
Nestled along Serangoon Road, Little India is a vibrant and lively district that vividly showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Indian community.
Once referred to as “the road leading across the island” on Lieutenant Jackson’s 1828 map of Singapore, this area was originally a residential enclave for Europeans drawn to the aristocratic sport of horse racing.
Over time, it transformed into a bustling trade and community center for cattle, textiles, and spices in the 19th century when Indian immigrants made it their home.
Today, Little India stands as a thriving cultural hub, cherishing Indian traditions and drawing both locals and tourists seeking an authentic taste of Indian culture in Singapore.
If you’re visiting Singapore for the first time and wish to explore Little India, we’ve got you covered with a comprehensive travel guide, complete with map-based routes to help you make the most of your visit:
How to Reach Little India
There are several ways to reach Little India:
- MRT: Take the MRT to Little India (served by the North East Line (NE7) and the Downtown Line (DT12)) or Farrer Park (served by the North East Line (NE8)) stations.
- Bus: Take bus numbers 23, 64, 65, 66, 67, 139, 147, or 857 to Tekka Centre or Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple. You can also take bus numbers 131 or 141 to Farrer Park MRT Station Exit A to reach Little India.
- Taxi/Grab: Taxis and Grab (ride-hailing service) are widely available in Singapore. You can book either to take you directly to Little India.
A 2-Hour Route You Can Take (Follow the Green Path)
Located along Serangoon Road, Tekka Centre was built in 1915 and houses the largest wet market in Singapore. The market is the ultimate spot for everything – Indian clothes, Bollywood music, tailoring shops, spices, fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, biryani and more.
Opening Hours: 6:30am to 9pm
Address: Tekka Ln, Aya Shop, Singapore (map)
Dating back to 1855, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple is one of the oldest and most prominent Hindu temples in Singapore. Established by early Indian immigrants, the temple’s architecture features intricate carvings of Hindu deities and mythical creatures, with the main tower standing tall and adorned with vibrant sculptures.
Opening Hours: Open daily, 5:30am to 12pm, 5pm to 9 pm
Address: 141 Serangoon Rd, Singapore 218042 (map)
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Believed to be the last Chinese villa in Little India, Tan Teng Niah is named after a Chinese businessman who ran a successful tapioca and rubber business in Singapore during the early 20th century.
Known for its psychedelic interiors, it stands as an important cultural landmark and symbol of Singapore’s multicultural history. Plus, the vibrant and eye-catching backdrop is perfect for the ‘gram.
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Address: 37 Kerbau Rd, Singapore 219168 (map)
Local artist Psyfool weaves a tale through the vast mural titled Traditional Trades of Little India. It showcases the heritage of Serangoon’s Indian community by depicting practices like garland making, parrot astrology, and laundering.
Address: 8 Belilios Ln, Singapore 219955 (map)
Adjacent to Tekka Centre, Little India Arcade showcases a cluster of well-preserved shophouse buildings dating back to the 1920s.
Reminiscent of the early Indian settlement during colonial times, it houses novelty shops, eateries, spices, imitation jewellery, bangle vendors, henna artists, curio and sweet shops, restaurants, bookstores, and other Indian bric-a-brac stalls.
Opening Hours: Open daily, 9am to 10pm
Address: 48 Serangoon Rd, #02-07, Singapore 217959 (map)
The Working Class Hero mural on Hindoo Road depicts Rajinikanth, the deified Indian superstar.
Created by street art pioneer Mohammed Zulkarnean Bin Othman, also known as Zero, it honours the district’s migrant workers and the Indian community while showcasing Zero’s exceptional artistic excellence, who completed this artwork in just 24 hours.
Address: 11 Hindoo Rd, Singapore 209110 (map)
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Tucked away in a corner shophouse on Campbell Lane, this cosy diner is a hidden gem known for serving BBQ meats with an Indian twist. The star, however, is the mouthwatering Crab Biryani.
Opening Hours: Fri to Sun: 11.30am to 12am. Weds & Thurs: 5pm to 12am. Closed on Mon & Tues.
Avg Cost: 54 SGD/person
Address: 21 Campbell Ln, Singapore 209894 (map)
The Kampong Kapor Methodist Church stands out with its gleaming white walls and unique quasi-Art Deco design. It is one of the first Peranakan churches and the fourth Methodist Church to be built in Singapore, making it an iconic landmark that offers services in Peranakan, English, Mandarin, and Tamil, reflecting Little India’s cultural diversity.
Address: 1 Kampong Kapor Rd, Singapore 208673 (map)
Moghul Sweets is an Indian sweet shop within Little India Arcade offering a delightful array of authentic North Indian treats like gulab jamun, motichoor ladoo, pinni, karachi halwa, mathura pedha and dodah burfis. Don’t miss the mind-blowing samosas before you leave.
Opening Hours: Open daily, 9.30am to 9pm
Address: 48 Serangoon Rd, #01-16, Singapore 217959 (map)
A 4-Hour Route You Can Take (Follow the Red Path)
The Indian Heritage Centre pays homage to the Indian community’s multifaceted history through interactive exhibits, memorabilia, and over 440 artefacts.
Visitors can explore various items, including wartime publications, temple jewellery, and personal heirlooms from pioneering Singaporean Indian families. The spectacular three-metre-tall wooden Chettinad doorway is adorned with 5,000 intricate carvings, dating back to the late 19th century.
Opening Hours: Tues to Sun: 10am to 6pm (closed on Mon)
Address: 5 Campbell Ln, Singapore 209924 (map)
A must-visit in Little India, Mustafa Centre is an iconic department store that offers incredible bargains on everything from electronics, beauty and sportswear to saree fabrics, organic products, spices, dry fruits, jewellery and London souvenirs.
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Address: 145 Syed Alwi Rd, Mustafa Centre, Singapore 207704 (map)
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One of the most popular eateries in Little India, Banana Leaf Apolo is known for its North and South Indian fare, with signature dishes like fish head curry, tandoori chicken, mutton masala and masala chicken being a major hit among locals and tourists alike. The biryani is popular too, and rightly so – choose biryani with vegetables and complement it with various side dishes.
Do you know why it’s called Banana Leaf though? Because the food is served on freshly cut banana leaves in typical Indian style!
Opening Hours: Open daily, 10.30am to 10.30pm
Address: 54 Race Course Rd, Singapore 218564 (map)
More places we recommend visiting
Named after its founder, Shaik Abdul Gafoor, the mosque remains a charming landmark with its sundial at the main entrance adorned with Arabic calligraphy denoting the names of 25 prophets, attracting visitors with its rich history and stunning design.
Opening Hours: Open daily, 5.30am to 7am, 12pm to 9pm
Address: 41 Dunlop St, Singapore 209369 (map)
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Komala Vilas offers authentic South Indian vegetarian food with generous set meals including hearty breakfast options like dosa and uttapam with chutney and sambar. Renowned for its Ghee Masala Dosai and Chappathi Meal, it remains a favourite among diners seeking simple and satisfying meals.
Opening Hours: Open daily, 7am to 10.30pm
Address: 76-78 Serangoon Rd, Singapore 217981 (map)
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Named after the owner’s mother and a princess or queen’s title, the menu boasts a rich variety of northern and southern Indian dishes like naan, thosai, pakora, biryani, mutton mysore, and curry fish head, along with Chinese favourites like fried rice.
Opening Hours: varies according to outlet
Address: multiple outlets including Syed Alwi and Race Course Road
Alive@CLIVE by award-winning artist TraseOne, captures the vibrancy of the neighbourhood on Dunlop Street. Celebrating the Indian community’s culture, the artwork features a dancer in mid-performance adorned with classical jewellery, paying homage to various traditional dance styles.
Address: 39 Clive St, Singapore 209783 (map)
Best Festivals to Attend
Thaipusam
Thaipusam, a significant festival in the Tamil calendar, is celebrated during the full moon day when devotees walk from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple over two days. They fulfil their vows and express gratitude after a period of fasting, prayer and meditation.
Diwali
Deepavali, also known as Diwali, symbolises the triumph of good over evil. The entire area is illuminated with lights, accompanied by stunning fireworks at night.
Pongal
Pongal involves offering prayers, rice and vegetables to the gods, expressing gratitude for the harvest and life’s abundance. Don’t miss the Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple and the bustling streets transformed into village-like setups with numerous stalls.
Navaratri
Navaratri, a Hindu festival spanning nine nights and ten days, involves vibrant celebrations with music, song, and dance. On the tenth night, a grand procession featuring a glittering silver chariot showcases the triumph of the mother goddess over the buffalo-headed monster, Mahishasura.
Art
Little India boasts captivating murals scattered throughout Clive Street, Upper Dickson Road, Kerbau Road, Hindoo Road, and Dunlop Street. Local and international artists have contributed to these artworks that adorn walls and alleyways. From traditional Indian motifs to contemporary designs, the murals celebrate the rich culture and heritage of the area.
Explore charming back alleys on foot, enjoying artworks like Dyn’s I Am Still Here, Didier Mathieu’s Kathaka, Jaxton Su JingXiang’s A Ride through Race Course Road, Priyageetha’s Loops of the Precious, Nadiah Alsagoff’s Madan Mogra: Jasmine of the City, and Eunice Lim’s Cattleland 2.
Check out Project Oasis in Little India (POLI), a project where two unused pockets of land within the neighbourhood are transformed into attractive spaces with art installations.
Where to Stay
If you’re looking for hotels near Little India in Singapore, here are a few options for all budgets:
Budget Hotels:
Footprints Hostel
Address: 25A Perak Road, Little India, Singapore, Singapore, 208136
Central 65 Hostel
Address: 134 Jalan Besar, Road 208852
Mid-Range Hotels:
Wanderlust Hotel
Address: 2 Dickson Rd, Singapore 209494
Park 22 Hotel Little India
Address: 60 Kerbau Rd, Singapore 219184
Luxury Hotels:
Parkroyal on Kitchener Road
Address: 181 Kitchener Rd, Singapore 208533
Hilton Garden Inn Singapore Serangoon
Address: 3 Belilios Rd, Singapore 219924
Explore Little India
If you are looking for a more unique experience, here are a few options:
Embark on a unique scavenger hunt of Little India, guided by The Ferryman, a spectral police force from the netherworlds, as you explore the hidden gems of the neighbourhood. Engage in immersive gameplay, and undertake challenges at different stops: from uncovering elusive locations and recording TikTok videos to culinary challenges and collecting “body parts.” Each completed activity unveils a piece of the narrative, leading you to the next thrilling challenge in the heart of Little India.
What’s more thrilling than strolling through Singapore? Exploring it from the unique perspective of a Vespa sidecar ride! On this tour, whisk through the vibrant tapestry of Little India, as well as other areas like like Kampong Glam and Chinatown. As you cruise along, don’t forget to soak in the stunning Singapore skyline!
Are you drawn to offbeat adventures and hidden treasures? Join Culture Curious for a tour of Little India and Jalan Besar, where an expert guide will unveil the rich cultural and historical secrets of these areas, making your journey through one of Singapore’s vibrant neighbourhoods truly immersive.
In the heart of Little India, you’ll find the Indian Heritage Centre, a stylish four-story building packed with history. It has permanent galleries, an exhibition space, a shop, and spots for learning and fun. Here, discover the stories of Indian and South Asian communities in Southeast Asia, as well as the community’s rich history. Best of all, entry is free for Singapore citizens, permanent residents, and kids under six, making it one of the best free museums in Singapore.
Useful Products That'll Make Travelling Easier in Little India
Stay connected while travelling across multiple countries in Asia through Asia eSIM, which offers fast and affordable data within moments of reaching a new destination.
The EZ-link card is convenient, fast, precise, and safe for cashless transactions. Nearly every Singaporean has an EZ-link in their wallet, not just for transportation, but also for various lifestyle payments like ERP fees, shopping, dining, government services, and more. So make sure you get one too!
Commonly Asked Questions
Is Little India in Singapore worth visiting?
Yes! The colourful houses, beautiful architecture, art installations, local Indian food, shops, and diverse culture make the place worth visiting.
How long do you need to explore Little India?
You need a minimum of 5-6 hours to explore Little India.
Name a few must-try local food items in Little India.
You must try the masala dosa, biryani, and Indian rojak on your visit to Little India in Singapore.
Are there any shopping malls that one can visit in Little India?
You can go to Tekka Centre, Mustafa Centre, City Square Mall, and Tekka Place for all your shopping needs.
When is the best time to visit Little India?
The best time to visit Little India would be early morning or around noon. Between 6pm to 10pm would also be a good time.
