Day 4: Singapore in 2 days: Kampong Glam, Little India, Joo Chiat Road, Orchad Road, Clark Quay and Boat Quay
This guide of Singapore in 2 days It will allow us to continue knowing one of the most incredible cities in the world, after doing the Singapore route yesterday in one day, which led us to visit Gardens by the Bay, Fort Canning, the Museum of Art and Science and enjoy the Rhapsody night show To end a most complete day.
We started a new day of Singapore in 6 days, today with the sky somewhat darker and with a very marked Singapore route in two days, which will include some of the city's best known neighborhoods, among which Kampong Glam could not be missed and Little India, two of the most visited neighborhoods and without a doubt, two of the essential places to see in Singapore.
Taking into account that the weather forecast is not very favorable, we decided to take the subway at Bayfront station, usual for us since we arrived from the airport to Singapore, a couple of days ago, to take the blue line to the Bugys station , which is the closest to the area where we want to start visiting Kampong Glam or the Arab Quarter of Singapore.
A good option for this day is to book this tourist bus from Singapore that stops in Little India and other points far from the city.
Given that due to the weather, today we have not had breakfast at the Marina Bay Sands pool, our accommodation in Singapore these days, as we did yesterday and seeing that it is 8:30 in the morning, we decided to make a quick stop in a cafeteria from the area, where we had an American breakfast, cappuchino, panini and pasta for 21SGD, which give us energy to start, now yes, the route by Singapore in 2 days We have planned.
Kampong Glam or Arab Quarter of Singapore
Considered as one of the first areas of the city to be inhabited, Kampong Glam or Arab Quarter, it is known by this name due to the majority of Arabs living in the neighborhood, in addition to its first inhabitants, who were mostly immigrants from Malaysia and Indonesia.
Although on many occasions Kampong Glam is overshadowed by Little India or Chinatown, considered more touristy neighborhoods and therefore more visited, if you have time, we recommend you not to miss it, since we are sure you will be amazed and will like it equally and will pass to Be a must on the route through Singapore in 2 days.
Singapore Arab Quarter
What to see in Kampong Glam
Smaller than Little India or China Town, Kampong Glam can be easily explored in a couple of hours, being a visit that you can combine perfectly with the two previous neighborhoods.
Masjid Sultan
Built in 1924, this is one of the most visited places in the Arab Quarter of Singapore. In addition to being in the most central area of the neighborhood, this is undoubtedly one of the most recognized images of this area of the city.
Masjid Sultan
Sultan's Palace
Built in 1840 by the Sultan, this point of the route is not as spectacular as its location is interesting, which will allow you to get away from the most central area and have another perspective, a little quieter, of the Arab Quarter of Singapore.
Palace of Sultan Street
Bussorah street
Without a doubt, the most striking and beautiful street in Kampong Glam. Pedestrian and full of restaurants and shops, the views of the Sultan Mosque, is one of the most unforgettable photographs that you can take from the trip to Singapore.
Bussorah street
Arab Street, Muscat Street and Baghdag Street
If you want to know Kampong Glam, you can not miss a walk on Arab Street, Muscat Street and Baghdag Street, its three best known and liveliest streets. In them, the color of the carpet stores is mixed with the characteristic scents of the perfume stores, which will penetrate you with a sensation in the Arab world.
Arab quarter
Haji lane
Less known than its neighbors, it is for us the most picturesque street and a must in the Arab quarter of Singapore.
Packed with places with graffiti, bars and restaurants, we believe it is a good place to get to know that other Singapore and Arab neighborhood that in many occasions, is not visited.
Haji lane
Art in Haji Lane
New Buggis Street
Neighboring Buggis Street, known for being one of the liveliest streets when the sun goes down, this is the location of some buildings that have become famous on Instagram for their curious exterior stairs. In honor of the truth we have to say that after seeing them, we do not believe that these justify coming here only to see them, but it is true that if you are in the area, it can be the perfect excuse to take a pass and see another area from Singapore
Stairs building on New Buggis Street
Something very curious is that at the time we entered the Arab quarter of Singapore, we began to see that cultural mix that we had not seen these days ago in the Marina Bay Sands area and that for a moment, we had even thought that They existed in Singapore. Surrounded by houses of picturesque architecture, stand out among others the low houses surrounded by skyscrapers, in which the smell of spices and food, seems to be a constant whatever the time.
Without a doubt, after the experience, we have to say that Kampong Glam or Arab Quarter of Singapore is one of the essentials of the city and an indispensable on the route by Singapore in 2 days.
Singapore Arab Quarter
From here and after two hours visiting the Arab quarter, we continue our route of Singapore in two days approaching to Little India, another of the best-known neighborhoods in Singapore, which is about half a kilometer from Bugis Street and which you can Access perfectly walking.
Little India in Singapore
Known as Little India, this neighborhood in Singapore owes its name to the first inhabitants who arrived from India in 1819 to serve Stamford Raffles.
Although for many this neighborhood is synonymous with entering any Indian city, after our experience we have to say that despite not reaching that level, travel its streets, full of colorful shops, in which the smell of food and incense is perceived equally, it is an unforgettable experience on a route through Singapore in 2 days.
Little India in Singapore
What to see in Little India
Although it is a little bigger than the Arab quarter, you can visit the most important places in Little India in a couple of hours and combine it with the visit to the previous one and Chinatown, to make a full-day itinerary on a route through Singapore in two days.
Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
Built in 1881, this temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali, is one of the essential visits in Little India.
Keep in mind that Sri Veeramakaliamman is closed between 12: 15h and 16h, so if you want to access the interior, it is worth to square the visit within the opening hours.
Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
Tekka Center
If your visit to Little India coincides with the time of the meal (or not), do not forget to approach Tekka Center, a shopping center where you can try any Indian variety in its food court, located on the first floor.
Little India Arcade
Known for being one of the commercial centers of the neighborhood, if you want to eat or buy, do not forget to pay a visit to this curious building built in the year 1920.
Mustafa Center
Known in this area of the city for being a 24-hour mall, we believe it is only essential if you intend to buy or have a little extra time to get lost in its aisles
Tan Teng Niah's house
Built in 1900 by a Chinese businessman for his wife, it was restored in 1980 and its colors look like that since then, although we must say that this point in Little India is one of the busiest since, as in many other places , began to appear on Instagram. Although you can not visit inside, it is worth approaching even if it is only to get drunk with color and take one of the photos of the trip.
Tan Teng Niah's house
Stroll through Little India
If there is something you can not miss in this Singapore tour in 2 days is strolling through Little India, touring its main arteries, but also giving it some time to stroll through the less touristy areas, which is where you can really see the true heart of this neighborhood in which the color, the smell of spices and the kindness of its people, they are a constant.
Tan Teng Niah's house
As we mentioned earlier, one of the pleasures you should enjoy in Little India, is its cuisine, We, after touring its main points, take the opportunity to stop at Tekka Center, one of the best known food courts, to taste a Plate of samosas and garlic naan for 4,5SGD, which return us to India for a few minutes and we have to say, that since our trip, we had not tried an Indian meal as good as this.
Little india
More practical information to prepare your trip to Singapore
- The best tips for traveling Singapore
- 10 essential places to see in Singapore
After the visit to Little India and seeing that it is still 1 noon, we decided to leave the route a little Singapore in 2 days We were scheduled to approach Koong Seng Road, a street where colorful houses are located, famous since they began publishing their photos on Instagram.
This street is located 5 kilometers from Little India and has a metro stop close, so we opted for this means of transport to get there.
The price in this case of the metro is 6SGD per person and we must make a first stop in Bugis, on the blue line, then take the green line to Paya Levar from where we have to walk practically 2 kilometers to the point where the famous are Peranakan houses.
Taking this into account and after the experience, if you have the right time and want to make this visit, we believe that for prices, it is best to opt for a taxi or Grab.
Koon Seng Road and the Peranakan Houses of Singapore
Koon Seng Road and the Peranakan Houses of Singapore
Built by Peranakan Chinese, who inhabited this area of the city until 1970, these houses are known for their color and decoration, which includes many Malaysian and small elements.
Singapore in 2 days
Another thing to value and take into account this point of the route through Singapore in 2 days, is that the Peranakan Houses, although they are beautiful and very colorful, can not be visited and are only a row of 10 houses, so that we understand that the visit is only interesting If you like architecture or want to take a picture.
Being quite far from the main areas of interest, we do not consider it an essential place, although it can always be an option if you later want to eat at No Signboard Seafood, one of the most recommended restaurants to eat chilli crab in Singapore, where we We headed after this visit.
Koon Seng Road and the Peranakan Houses of Singapore
It's a little after 2 in the afternoon when we leave the colorful houses destined for No Signboard Seafood, the restaurant where we want to try the chilli crab again, since we have read it is one of the most recommended in Singapore. Taking into account that it is 2 kilometers from where we are and that to get there we have to make several transfers with the subway, we decide that it is best to try the taxi in Singapore, which for 6.05SGD (the price is 3.20SGD for the descent flag and then are 0.22SGD per 300 meters), which we pay by card, leaves us in the restaurant in less than 15 minutes.
Once seated in the terrace area and after looking at a letter, more out of curiosity than not for doubts about what to eat, we ask how it could not be otherwise, for two chili crab, with 3 dishes of mantous, the bread with which the sauce is wet, and two waters by 177SGD. We know that it is not exactly economical, but we have to say that it is one of the most brutal dishes we have ever tasted and that this is also one of the most recommended restaurants to try this dish, so after the experience, we believe it deserves Worth paying every dollar.
Chilli Crab at No Signboard Seafood
Keep in mind that the price of crab is 90SGD per kilo, you can choose the piece yourself and also choose between several spicy levels.
Another thing you should know is that No Signboard Seafood has three branches in Singapore, although the most recommended is the one located at 414 Geylang Road, which is the original and to which we have come.
Another one is located in The Esplanade area, very close to the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, perfect location if you stay there and you can take advantage of dinner after watching the night show.
It is practically 4 in the afternoon when we have just eaten and seeing that the rain forecast is not met, we chose to approach up to Orchard Road, the commercial street of Singapore, which although it is not a place that we want to visit especially, we do want to know to explain later our feelings and experience.
On this occasion we opted to move by subway in which we paid 1.60SGD per person to go to Aljunied station, there take the green line to get four stops to City Hall, where we will transfer to the red line for one more stops, Arrive at Dobhy Ghaut Station, the perfect station to visit Fort Canning, where we were yesterday to take the famous photo of the stairs.
Seeing that we are doing very well in the Singapore route in 2 days, we took the opportunity to have a coffee and then start touring Orchad Road, one of the best known areas of the city and an essential stop for many travelers who see this street as the perfect place to shop in Singapore.
Orchad Road, the commercial street of Singapore
This great avenue of Singapore is the commercial street of the city par excellence, in which in addition to countless shopping centers, with the most exclusive stores, you will find some of the most luxurious hotels.
Orchad Road
As we mentioned earlier, Orchad Road is mainly a commercial street, so we who do not intend to buy and have already enjoyed commercial areas such as Marina Bay Sands, do not spend much time in this area, traveling part of the Street for when half an hour has passed, decide to continue with the Singapore route in two days, which is not another of Clarke Quay, another of the best known areas of the city.
We make this journey on foot, since we are not very far away, something that also allows us to know a little more about Singapore, leaving the most tourist areas.
Clarke quay
This area, located on the banks of the Singapore River, is excellent for visiting well in the afternoon, at which time it begins to liven up and the restaurants and trendy establishments open their doors to offer their best face.
Something interesting is to discover that the premises that are concentrated along five blocks, are old rehabilitated warehouses, which are divided into zones, each of them having a letter to identify it.
Clarke quay
In our experience, we recommend you come to this area of the city in the afternoon, when the atmosphere begins and you can take advantage of dinner or drink, either in this area or in Boat Quay, which we will talk about below and which is located very close to this one.
Clarke quay
Boat quay
On the banks of the southern part of the river and very close to Clarke Quay, there is Boat Quay, another of the best known areas of the city when night falls. Here you can find countless restaurants and entertainment venues where you can have a drink or dinner.
Whether you want to eat dinner or not in this area, we recommend you come after sunset, when it is illuminated and the atmosphere is already remarkable.
After making a brief visit to this area of the city, we finished the Singapore route in 2 days making way to the Marina Bay Sands, to see on this occasion the Spectra show from the Event Plaza area, in The Shoppes shopping center from which is seen in a much closer way, than not as we saw the first from Merlion, which although it is recommended, only the light show is enjoyed.
Spectra show
After enjoying the light and sound show and being late at night, we approached the Sen of Japan restaurant, a Japanese restaurant that is in the Marina Bay Sands shopping center, where we taste gyozas, tuna rolls, nigiris de tuna and salmon plus wagyu tataki and water for 79SGD.
Event Plaza
And so, with a full stomach and after a full day, we finish the route of the Singapore in 2 days Returning to our room at Marina Bay Sands from where we said goodbye to the day with the best views of Singapore.
Today's route through Singapore in 2 days has taken us to see Kampong Glam, or Arab quarter, Little India, Koon Seng Road or the Peranakan Houses of Singapore, Orchad Road, Clark Quay and Boat Quay.
Day 5: Singapore in 3 days: Marina Bay Sands, Chinatown and Boat Quay
