I first started hunting down and documenting cool street art as a way to explore new cities during my travels way back in 2014. It was then I realised that there was an incredible collection of murals and street art right here in Singapore that I’d somehow never noticed before.
That discovery inspired my first Singapore street art guide to one of my favourite neighbourhoods: Kampong Gelam. Since then, I’ve spent more than a decade exploring and documenting murals across the island, building a growing collection of neighbourhood street art guides on the blog and sharing my favourite works on Instagram at @singaporestreetart.
Singapore isn’t the first city that comes to mind for street art, thanks to its strict graffiti laws. But over the past decade, the scene has flourished with more large-scale commissioned works, a growing pool of talented local artists and new colourful neighbourhoods. I love introducing both locals and visitors to this unexpected artsy side of Singapore.
Whether you prefer to explore at your own pace or with a local guide, you’ll find plenty of inspiration here. Browse my neighbourhood guides below for self-guided walks, or join one of my Singapore street art tours to discover the stories behind the murals, the artists who created them and the neighbourhoods that bring them to life.
A little about Singapore street art
With its reputation for cleanliness, order and very harsh punishments for vandalism, Singapore seems like an unlikely place for street art to flourish. Yet that’s precisely what makes the Singapore street art scene so intriguing.
Local artists have found a way to create within these constraints, resulting in a scene that’s built around commissioned murals instead of illegal graffiti. But if you know where to look, you can still find more traditional tags, throw-ups and ever-changing walls in hidden corners around the city.
The local scene has deeper roots than many people realise, with some of Singapore’s earliest street art crews forming in the 1990s. But it’s over the past decade that murals have become popular, with a growing number of local and international artists transforming walls across the island.
Today, you’ll find street art throughout Singapore, from well-known tourist districts like Kampong Gelam and Chinatown to quieter residential estates where unexpected murals brighten everyday spaces. I love how these murals tell the stories of their surroundings – that’s why I love street art and started documenting the art to better appreciate it.
Here’s an article I wrote about the evolution of street art in Singapore – this was my first ever published writing in print!
Explore Singapore street art by neighbourhood
I’ve created detailed guides for my favourite street art neighbourhoods in Singapore, drawing of years of exploring the documenting the city’s evolving mural scene. Each guide includes information I’ve researched about the artists and the stories behind the works, and I regularly update them as walls are added, repainted or disappear over time.
The ethnic quarters and downtown areas are the best places to explore Singapore street art as they offer a mix of rich heritage and landmarks alongside the artwork. These areas area also more centrally located and easy to get to by public transport.
Chinatown
Chinatown is one of the best places to glimpse old Singapore through its street art, with muralist Yip Yew Chong’s detailed memories of his childhood growing up in the district. Beyond his iconic works, you’ll also find more contemporary artworks from local and international artists tucked away in alleys and on the sides of heritage shophouses.
Kampong Gelam
Kampong Gelam is the heart of Singapore’s street art scene, and a place that I love as I worked in the area before it got hip for several years. Beyond the iconic murals along Haji Lane, look out for new works around Aliwal Arts Centre and Sultan Arts Village, home to several local street art crews and some of the city’s rare dynamic walls.
Little India
Colourful Little India has become even more vibrant with the addition of murals from the annual art festivals over the past decade. While not every festival commission was permanent, the neighbourhood’s walls continue to celebrate the rich culture and traditions of the local South Asian community.
Bras Basah – Bugis
The historic Bras Basah and Bugis districts offer a different side of Singapore’s street art, where contemporary murals and public artworks sit alongside some of the country’s leading museums and art schools. It’s the perfect neighbourhood to explore if you enjoy discovering art both inside and outside the gallery.
Katong – Joo Chiat
Katong’s street art is centred around Joo Chiat Road, where murals celebrate the neighbourhood’s rich Peranakan heritage and multicultural history. Explore colourful artworks inspired by local life alongside the iconic heritage shophouses that make this district so distinctive.
If you’ve already covered the main areas and are looking for offbeat options to explore in Singapore, you could check out some of the artworks located in the residential enclaves.
Ang Mo Kio
The residential enclave of Ang Mo Kio has a surprising collection of community murals lining the walls of its town centre. You’ll also find some nostalgic sculptures and public installations around this neighbourhood.
Hougang
The sides of 22 towering apartments blocks within a Hougang public housing estate form a larger-than-life art gallery showcasing works designed by the neighbourhood’s school children.
Bukit Merah
The void decks of a public housing estate in Bukit Merah are home to a number of murals, along with an unexpected cluster of works in the neighbourhood’s Enabling Village.
Jurong
Head to Singapore’s industrial far western areas to find a scattered collection of murals around the public housing estates in Taman Jurong and Jurong East.
Want to explore Singapore street art with me?
I created my street art guides as a way to help others explore Singapore’s walls independently, but there’s only so much I can research and document on my blog, and the ephemeral nature of public art means that the neighbourhoods are constantly evolving. On my street art walking tours, I share not only where exactly to find these murals, but the stories behind them – what inspired them, how they connect to the neighbourhood and what they tell you about Singapore’s culture and communities.
Whether you’re visiting Singapore for the first time or a local curious to see the city from a different perspective, I’d love to show you around my favourite neighbourhoods. Read more about my tour guiding services.
Private Singapore Street Art Tours
My private walking tours are tailored to your interests. Pick a neighbourhood and I’ll craft a route that showcases my favourite murals while introducing the history, culture and attractions that make each area unique. Along the way, I’ll share the hidden stories behind the artworks, artists and the local scene that don’t make it into my blog.
Suitable for:
- Visitors to Singapore who want to go beyond the usual tourist attractions
- Curious locals who want new perspectives on familiar neighbourhoods
- Art lovers who want to appreciate Singapore’s street art culture
Corporate / School Street Art Tours
Looking for creative group activities beyond the usual city tour? I can lead customised street art walks for corporate teams, schools and educational groups. These tours can be tailored to fit your objectives and itinerary while exploring Singapore’s walls in a fun and engaging way.
Suitable for:
- Tertiary school excursions
- Corporate team bonding
- Journalist visit programmes
- Overseas delegates