Little India Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Yeniece Low
Aug 10
3 min read

Why Little India Belongs on Your Singapore Plan

Little India Singapore is colour, fragrance, and sound in one compact district: incense from centuries-old Hindu temples, rainbow-painted shophouses, markets piled high with jasmine garlands and spices, and some of the island’s tastiest (and best-value) meals. This guide gives first-timers a simple, smart route so you see the highlights without backtracking.

Best Time to Visit (and Festival Notes)

Morning (9:00–11:00) for cooler temps and quieter temples.
Late afternoon to evening for photos and food streets lit up.
Deepavali/Diwali (Oct–Nov) brings arches, light-ups, bazaars and late-night shopping.
Thaipusam (Jan/Feb) features intense, sacred processions—plan for crowds and road closures.

Temple etiquette: Dress modestly (shoulders/knees covered), remove shoes, ask before photographing worshippers or inner sanctums.

One-Day Little India Itinerary (Easy Loop)

Time	Stop	Why it’s great
9:00	Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple (Serangoon Rd)	One of Singapore’s oldest Hindu temples; vivid gopuram (tower) and morning prayers.
9:45	Tekka Centre	Hawker + wet market. Try teh tarik, roti prata, or thosai; upstairs for textiles.
10:45	Little India Arcade & Campbell Lane	Spices, bangles, garlands; henna art and photo-friendly shopfronts.
11:30	Indian Heritage Centre	Compact, modern museum on South Asian culture in Singapore (air-con break!).
12:30	Lunch on Race Course Rd	North/South Indian choices—banana leaf meals, biryani, tandoori.
14:00	Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple	Serene temple tied to the Thaipusam route; quiet midday visit.
15:00	House of Tan Teng Niah	Iconic rainbow shophouse; quick stop for photos.
15:30	Kebabs & Kulfi / Mango lassi pit stop	Cool down and recharge.
16:00	Mustafa Centre	Legendary 24-hour mall; electronics, snacks, souvenirs.
17:30	Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple (option)	“Temple of 1,000 Lights”—Buddhist landmark a short hop away.
18:30	Dinner back near Tekka / Upper Dickson Rd	End with nasi briyani, fish head curry, or vegetarian thali.

Short on time? Prioritise: Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple → Tekka Centre breakfast → Indian Heritage Centre → House of Tan Teng Niah → Dinner.

What to Eat (Beginner-Friendly Picks)

Roti prata + fish or mutton curry (breakfast or supper classic).
Masala thosai with coconut chutney & sambar.
Banana-leaf rice—rice with curries and sides served on a leaf.
Biryani—fragrant rice with chicken/mutton/fish.
Sweet finish: gulab jamun, kulfi, or mango lassi.

Shopping Cheat-Sheet

Tekka Centre (textiles): Sarees, silk, tailoring.
Little India Arcade: Spices, incense, brassware, souvenirs.
Mustafa Centre: Value buys (snacks, cosmetics, electronics).
Campbell Lane: Fresh flower garlands & festival stalls (Deepavali season).

Safety & Comfort Tips

Hydrate; bring tissues & hand sanitiser.
Sidewalks can be busy—mind crossing points on Serangoon Rd.
Respect temple spaces; follow signs for non-Hindu visitors.
Midday heat is real—plan indoor pauses (Indian Heritage Centre, Mustafa).

How to Get There (and Get Around)

MRT: Little India (DTL/NEL), Rochor (DTL), Farrer Park (NEL).
Best for first-timers: a private chauffeur—easy drop-offs near each cluster, safe storage for shopping, and quick hops when storms roll in.