10 prettiest streets in Singapore to explore

Kampong Bahru is flourishing these days with cafés, galleries and beauty salons moving in. Its surrounding streets – Blair Road, Spottiswoode Park Road, Everton Road – are all pretty, but Blair Road takes the cake. It's lined with pretty shophouses hailing from different eras, the walkways adorned with intricate tiles and lush plants. Go at the right time and you're bound to catch artists at their easels, eager to capture the beauty of the street's architecture. 

DO Check out murals by local artist Yip Yew Chong, visit Art Porters Gallery for contemporary art, and browse the many cafés along the adjacent Kampong Bahru Road. 

We admit, we're a little biased about Amoy since we are located here – but what's there not to love about the street. The colourful shutters of old shophouses, the endless selection of eateries and bars for almost every cuisine you want – from Israel to Korea, a secret park somewhere in the middle, an iconic mural somewhere and a couple of heritage markers scattered around the street. 

DO A visit to Amoy Street Food Centre for cheap food is a must if you're in the area. But if you find yourself walking around after work, feeling parched and hungry – help yourself to the selection of bars and restaurants on the stretch.

Kreta Ayer got its name from how the street was used back in the days. Locals in the area would draw water from a well in Ann Siang Hill and transport it back to their homes and villages using bullock carts via the street – hence the name Kreta Ayer which means "water cart" in Malay stuck until it became the official road name in 1922. Prior to that, the street also had a seedy past as well and was known for its restaurants, theatres and brothels located in that stretch. Today, the tree-lined one way street houses offices, shops and cafés in the shophouses that still stand. 

DO Duck in The Social Space for a coffee and sandwich, and then some browsing and shopping at the eco-friendly lifestyle retail area. If you're more inclined to the history and heritage of the area, make a visit to the Kreta Ayer Heritage Gallery nearby which has objects, photographs and personal effects contributed by intangible cultural heritage practitioners and former residences. And while you're in the area, pick some spices for kitchen at the nearby Anthony The Spice Maker. 

Lively and colourful Trengganu Street in Chinatown was once known as the "Piccadilly of Chinese Singapore". It was home to well-known Chinese theatres and shops selling household goods and cooked food. That history lives on today in the current pedestrian mall – some performing arts groups inhabit the shophouses there, and there are still interesting trinkets to be shopped for on the street. 

DO Look past the tourist-oriented shopfronts and dig a little deeper. Duck into family-run shops to find some great deals on antiques, lacquerware, mahjong sets and more. Visit the kid-friendly Chinatown Heritage Museum, and soak in that uniquely Chinatown atmosphere on nearby streets like Pagoda Street and Mosque Street. 

Not to be outshone by the colourful Haji Lane and Arab Street in its vicinity, Bussurah Street is made especially beautiful by the striking Sultan Mosque in the background. The Middle Eastern restaurants have also put out ornately designed dining furniture on the street, lending it a breezy, al fresco charm. Bussorah Street also cuts into Muscat Street, where granite arches form a perfect frame for the mosque's golden dome, and granite murals and mosaic artwork pay tribute to Singapore's close links to the Sultanate of Oman. 

DO Don't miss out on Singapore's first outdoor art gallery in the back alleys of Muscat Street. Called Gelam Gallery, this hidden gem showcases kaleidoscopic murals from the likes of PrettyFreakyFantasy and Liyana Farzana. 

The Peranakan Houses on Koon Seng Road are famed for their pastel hues. Once used as coconut plantations, the land was eventually developed as more Peranakan merchants and families moved into the Joo Chiat area in the early 20th century, leaving behind these distinctive terrace houses. Some of them are still occupied, so take a quick shot at a respectful distance before going on your way.

DO If you’re early, remember to snag some delicious, crispy prata just down the road. Make some time to walk down Joo Chiat Road on the way to East Coast Road to discover Peranakan museums and food as well as a good dose of modern cafés. 

Those with an eye for architecture will appreciate the unique Art Deco housing along Yong Siak Street. Just check out the streamlined exterior and graceful curves of Block 78. Situated in the beloved estate of Tiong Bahru, this street is more quaint than pretty, and chockful of hip cafes and tasteful art galleries. 

DO Get cultured at top notch galleries like Hatch Art Project and ArtBlue Studio before settling down for a cuppa at Flock Café, Forty Hands or P.S. Café. You're spoilt for choice, really. 

We can't resist this charming tree-lined street on Duxton Hill. Quietly serene in the day, and buzzy at night, it's the perfect spot for a casual date night or a hangout sesh with the guys or gals. 

DO Sample Latteria Mozzarella Bar's offerings at a steal with the lunch set menu. At night, get some fancy Mexican at Lucha Loco, contemporary Indian cuisine at Firangi Superstar, or browse vinyls with a cocktail in hand at RPM by DBespoke. 

Word's out on the street that Jalan Besar is the next Tiong Bahru. The area is home to more than 230 shophouses, but the most beautiful and well-preserved are the 18 1930s shophouses along Petain Road. These ornate terraced houses are designed in the Chinese Baroque style, and have made it through several threats of demolishment to achieve official conservation status in 1991. 

DO Get swanky at The Vagabond Club, indulge in local eats at Sungei Road Laksa, or chill out Melbourne-style at The Bravery. Up for more? Check out our ultimate guide to Jalan Besar. 

Kerbau Road in Little India is yet another riot of colourful shophouses. Its distinct character shines through a diverse mix of convenience stores, beauty salons, recording studios and film shops catering to the Indian community. Most eye-catching is the House of Tan Teng Niah, a large bungalow that has been given a fresh coat of paint – once pure white, it's now a medley of bright yellows, reds and blues. 

DO Visit this vibrant ethnic enclave for tantalising South Asian dishes at the likes of Madras New Woodlands Restaurant, cultural sites like the Indian Heritage Centre and contemporary street art along Kerbau Road and countless other streets. Dive deep into Little India with our ultimate guide.