Hotels near Little India

Little India stretches around Serangoon Road and is the most sensory neighbourhood in Singapore - the smell of jasmine garlands and spices, Tamil signage, sari shops, and South Indian temples. Tekka Centre is the wet market and hawker centre at the southern end; the wholesale gold shops cluster around Buffalo Road. The Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, with its colourful Dravidian-style tower (gopuram), is the most-photographed Hindu temple in Singapore.

The 24-hour Mustafa Centre on Syed Alwi Road is South Asia's most comprehensive shop in Singapore - 6 storeys, 75+ departments, electronics to gold to groceries. Free to wander. South Indian vegetarian thali meals at Komala Vilas (140 Serangoon Road, S$8-12) are the local benchmark. Banana leaf meals at Muthu's Curry are the upmarket option. The district is open 24/7 but liveliest 17:00-23:00.

Pro Tip: Visit on a Sunday evening for the most vibrant atmosphere - South Asian migrant workers congregate in the area on their day off and the neighbourhood transforms. Try a hand-painted henna design at any of the Buffalo Road stalls; tip 5-15 SGD depending on intricacy.