21 Best Temples in Singapore
Most Popular Places of Worship in Singapore
Singapore is a place where you have total freedom to follow the precepts of your religion. There are many temple and churches in Singapore: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism. All have their places of worship in the City of the Lion.
From the tiered roofs of Buddhist temples to the hundreds of painted statues that cluster on the Hindu temples, these temples have both cultural significance and beautiful architecture. It’s fascinating to explore these beautiful buildings that can be found all over Singapore island.
1. Bright Hill Temple (Khong Meng San Phor Kark See Temple)
An impressive Buddhist temple with beautiful grounds
Good for: Families, History, Photo
Bright Hill Temple is one of the largest temples in Singapore. It was founded in 1921 and has developed into a dramatic modern construction covering 12 hectares. This impressive edifice features many grand halls, fine Chinese statues, shrines, and decorations. Golden dragons twine around scarlet columns and a huge golden Buddha watches over the worshipers. There is also a large turtle pool, a serene garden, and a crematorium in the temple grounds, as well as dozens of statues and other beautiful spots.
As it is a place of worship and there are many funerals and cremations at Bright Hill Temple on a daily basis, it’s advised to dress respectfully.
Location: 88 Bright Hill Road, Singapore 574117
Phone: +65 6849 5300
Bright Hill Temple (Khong Meng San Phor Kark See Temple)
2. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
Dramatic Buddhist temple in Singapore’s Chinatown
Good for: History, Photo
The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is a remarkable 4-storey temple in Chinatown. When entering the gate, you’ll immediately notice the stunning main hall with its high ceiling. The bell tower and drum tower are on the same floor. However, the main focus for most visitors is the solid gold 2-meter stupa on the fourth floor, which is the place where the sacred relic is kept.
Continuing up to the roof, you’ll find a pagoda that has a large prayer wheel. The temple is built in a style based on the Buddhist mandala and integrated with the Buddhism of the Tang dynasty. Read more
Location: 288 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058840
Open: Daily from 9 am to 6.30 pm
Phone: +65 6220 0220
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
3. Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple
Traditional Chinese temple dating back to the 1800s
Good for: History, Photo
Located on Waterloo Street, Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple is a famous Chinese temple that’s dedicated to Kwan Im, the Goddess of Mercy. First built in the 1880s, it was renovated and expanded 100 years later into the temple seen today.
Each day, large numbers of worshippers come to pay respect and ask for the goddess’s blessing. This major temple features Chinese-style roofs and granite tiles, and the interior decor is warm with red, gold, and yellow throughout the building. These colors traditionally symbolize luck, power, and prosperity in Chinese culture.
Location: 178 Waterloo Street, Singapore 187964
Phone: +65 6337 3965
Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple
4. Leong San See Temple
Impressively decorated Taoist temple
Good for: History, Photo
Leong San See is a Taoist temple located right across from a Thai Buddhist temple. It was built to honor Guanyin (sometimes referred to as Guanyim), the Chinese Goddess of Mercy, who is popular among childless couples who come to pray for her blessings.
Bold reds and yellows are used throughout this temple and its main structure resembles a Chinese palace. The elaborate interior decorations will leave you in awe. This impressive building is within walking distance from the Farrer Park MRT station.
Location: 371 Race Course Road, Singapore 218641
Open: Daily from 6 am to 6 pm
Phone: +65 6298 9371
Leong San See Temple
5. Siong Lim Temple
Sacred compound home to a temple, a monastery, and serene gardens
Good for: History, Photo
Siong Lim Temple was built in 1908, and is now classified a national monument in Singapore. The temple, which commemorates Buddha’s birth and death, has a highly decorated gateway, accessible only by bridge, which opens into a courtyard. Inside the temple you will find huge incense burners and a beautifully carved Buddha imported from Thailand.
The temple grounds also hold spectacular decorated gateways and the multi-tiered tower of the Dragon Light Pagoda. On top of these, you’ll find an elegant monastery, a smaller temple, and a rock garden.
Location: 184E Jalan Toa Payoh, Singapore 319941
Phone: +65 6259 6924
Siong Lim Temple
6. Temple of 1,000 Lights (Sakyamuni Buddha Gaya Temple)
A huge Buddha statue surrounded by sparkling lights
Good for: History
Sakyamuni Buddha Gaya Temple was established by the Thai monk, Vuthisara, in 1927 and is close to the Farrer Park MRT station. The architecture is mainly in Thai style and known for the imposing 15-meter-high Buddha statue seated inside the temple. There are also many smaller images around the temple.
It earned its name, the Temple of 1,000 Lights, from the numerous light bulbs that surround the main Buddha image, creating a dazzling display. Other things you should take a look at are the murals that cover the walls and the painted statues of big cats that guard the stunning golden entrance.
Location: 366 Race Course Road, Singapore 218636
Open: Daily from 8 am to 4.45 pm
Phone: +65 6294 0714
Temple of 1,000 Lights (Sakyamuni Buddha Gaya Temple)
7. Thian Hock Keng Temple
200-year-old temple with stunning gold-leaf decoration
Good for: History, Photo
Thian Hock Keng, or the Temple of Heavenly Happiness, is the oldest and among the most interesting Chinese temples in Singapore. Built circa 1820, this Taoist-Buddhist temple was dedicated to Ma Zu Po, the Mother of Heavenly Sages and the Protector of Sailors. You can find this colorful temple along Telok Ayer Street, in the middle of Chinatown
The temple, formerly at the waterfront before Singapore embarked on its land reclamation, was where many sailors and early settlers came to offer thanks for a safe journey by sea. The temple boasts elaborately painted doors, as well as highly-decorated beams and gold-leafed panels.
Location: 158 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068613
Open: Daily from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm
Phone: +65 6423 4616
Thian Hock Keng Temple
8. Sri Mariamman Temple
The oldest Hindu temple in Singapore
Good for: History, Photo
The oldest Hindu shrine in Singapore, Sri Mariamman Temple is one of the most prominent places of worship for Tamil Hindus in the country. It was built to honor Goddess Mariamman, the deity of disease and protection.
Originally erected in 1827 by Naraina Pillai, an Indian trader from Penang, the temple was modified to its present structure in 1862, though it has undergone several renovations since. Apart from being a place of worship, the temple has also acted provided asylum for new immigrants that belong to South Indian Tamil Hindu community. Read more
Location: 244 S Bridge Road, Singapore 058793
Open: Daily from 7 am to 12 pm and 6 pm and 9 pm
Phone: +65 6223 4064
Sri Mariamman Temple
9. Sri Krishnan Temple
Hindu temple decorated with many figures and effigies
Good for: History
Sri Krishnan is a Hindu temple dedicated to Sri Krishna and his consort Rukmini. Check out the impressive statues above the main entrance. The effigies of Hindu deities cover the roof and are presented in bold colors. It’s easy to find right next door to Kwan Im Thong Hood temple close to Bugis MRT.
This temple represents the multicultural nature of Singapore by having altars on the grounds not just to Hindu deities but also to Guanyin, Chinese goddess of mercy.
Location: 152 Waterloo Street, Singapore 187961
Phone: +65 6337 7957
Sri Krishnan Temple
10. Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
A National Monument of Singapore
Good for: History, Photo, Budget
This Hindu temple was built in 1855 and is dedicated to Perumal (or Vishnu). Visitors will be impressed by the vibrantly depicted legend of Vishnu’s nine reincarnations on the Gopuram, the entrance building. Within there are multiple statues of Perumal, recognizable by his blue skin, as well as statues of the goddesses Andal and Lakshmi. The temple was declared a national monument in 1978.
The current temple is the result of multiple renovations over the years, leaving its colorful decorations, both outside and in, bright to welcome visitors from all across the world. It also serves a key role in the annual Thaipusam Festival. Read more
Location: 397 Serangoon Road, Singapore 218123
Open: Daily from 6.30 am to midday and 6 pm to 9 pm
Phone: +65 6298 5771
Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
11. Sri Thandayuthapani Temple
South Indian-style Hindu temple that plays a key role in festivals
Good for: History
Sri Thandayuthapani Temple, also known as the Chettiar Hindu Temple, was built on the site of a former temple dating back to the 1850s. Constructed in the South Indian style, it has a number of shrines with glass-paneled roofs that are angled to catch the rays of the sun when it rises and sets. Sri Thandayuthapani Temple is where the culminations of the Thaipusam and Navarathiri Festivals are held every year.
The Navarathiri Festival, held in October, is the Hindu “9 Lights” celebration of the goddesses Dhurga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi. The Sri Thandayuthapani Temple is the focal point of the 9-day celebrations, which include dancing, music, joyous worship, and a dramatic procession on the final night.
Location: 15 Tank Road, Singapore 238065
Phone: +65 6737 9393
Sri Thandayuthapani Temple
12. Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
Popular temple in Little India dedicated to the goddess Kali
Good for: History
Originally the site of a shrine to the goddesses Kali and Parvati, the temple of Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple was built in 1881 to honor Hindu goddess Kali. Intricate statues of the goddess fill the interior. The spectacular entrance tower astounds passers-by with the many detailed figures that cover its roof.
Nowadays, it’s one of the busiest temples in Little India. The temple is filled with interesting reliefs with bold use of color. Admission is free. As with all Hindu temples, please remember to remove your shoes when entering.
Location: 141 Serangoon Road, Singapore 218042
Open: Daily from 8 am to 12.30 pm and from 4 pm and 8.30 pm
Phone: +65 6295 4538
Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
13. Abdul Gaffoor Mosque
National monument with inspirations from many cultures
Good for: History, Photo
The original Abdul Gafoor Mosque was built in 1859 by a southern Indian lawyer’s clerk named Shaik Abdul Gafoor Shaik Hyder to serve many of Indian Muslim merchants. The mosque has subsequently been through many restorations. The current one was completed in 2003.
The mosque’s impressive architecture draws the eye with its mix of Arabian, South Indian, and Roman styles with its many arches and central onion dome. Highly decorative columns hold up the hexagonal cupola, drawing the eye upwards. It earned the title of National Monument in 1979.
Location: 41 Dunlop Street, Singapore 209369
Open: Daily from 7 am to midday and 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm
Abdul Gaffoor Mosque
14. Al-Abrar Mosque
Mosque that grew from humble beginnings
Good for: History
Al-Abrar Mosque was built in 1827, and was originally just a small building so many people took to calling it the “hut mosque” as its nickname. These days, with its dramatic front, minarets, and many columns, the old name doesn’t really fit, especially with a prayer hall fitting hundreds of people.
The present building was erected in the 1850s and went through a major renovation in 1980s. You can find Al-Abrar Mosque in downtown Singapore, close to the Telok Ayer MRT station.
Location: 192 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068635
Phone: +65 6220 6306
Al-Abrar Mosque
15. Hajjah Fatimah Mosque
1800s mosque named after the woman who had it built
Good for: History
Hajjah Fatimah Mosque was built in 1846 and named after a charitable Malay woman who donated money to build it on the site of her old house. It was the first mosque in Singapore to be named after a woman.
The beautiful design is a mix of Malay and colonial styles and features an elegant minaret. The slight, but noticeable, tilt, has led to the minaret being affectionately called “The Leaning Tower of Singapore”. At the back of the Mosque you’ll find a number of old tombstones, including Hajjah Fatimah’s.
Location: 4001 Beach Road, Singapore 199584
Phone: +65 6297 2774
Hajjah Fatimah Mosque
16. Sultan Mosque
Spectacular mosque with golden dome
Good for: History, Photo, Budget
One of the biggest mosques in Singapore, the Sultan Mosque is situated at North Bridge Road, near Arab Street. It was originally built by Sultan Hussain Shah of Johore in 1824.
In 1928, the original structure was replaced by the current mosque, which was designed by Denis Santry. The façade of the mosque lives up to its royal name. Elaborate decorations, many towers and minarets, and a huge golden dome create a palatial image that’s impossible to miss as you walk past. Read more
Location: 3 Muscat Street, Singapore 198833
Open: Daily from 9 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 4 pm
Phone: +65 6293 4405
Sultan Mosque
17. Cathedral of the Good Shepherd
Neo-Palladian Catholic Cathedral with a fascinating history
Good for: History, Photo
The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd is one of the oldest Catholic churches in Singapore, dating back to 1843. Its construction actually triggered all-out competition between 2 great colonial architects of the time, D L Sweeney and J T Thomson. Thomson’s design was eventually chosen, and a 3rd architect, Charles Dyce, added a tower and a spire 1 year later.
Located on Queen Street, the church is now a designated national monument. The imposing Neo-Palladian exterior and antique oil paintings of the stations of the cross are well worth a look.
Location: A Queen Street, City Center, Singapore 188533
Phone: +65 6337 2036
Cathedral of the Good Shepherd
18. Church of St Gregory the Illuminator
The oldest Christian church in Singapore
Good for: History, Photo, Budget
Church of St Gregory the Illuminator is an Armenian church built in 1835. It was the first Christian church in Singapore and is dedicated to St Gregory, the first monk of the Armenian church. The tower had to be rebuilt twice in the 1800s for structural reasons, but the current spire has stood for over 150 years.
Now a national monument, the church is considered a masterpiece and was designed by colonial architect, George Coleman. These days it only occasionally holds services, as the Armenian population has decreased, so you probably won’t find it in use if you visit.
Location: 60 Hill Street, Singapore 179366
Phone: +65 6334 0141
Church of St Gregory the Illuminator
19. St Andrew’s Cathedral
Cathedral rebuilt after a lightning strike
Good for: History, Photo, Budget
This elegant Anglican cathedral at St Andrew’s Street was built after its predecessor, a church built by G D Coleman in 1838, was destroyed in 1852 by lightning strikes. The present cathedral was designed by Ronald MacPherson in 1856.
The peal of bells at the cathedral was expanded from 8 bells to 12 in the late 2010s and the largest of the bells is named Andrew. The cathedral’s first, Revere, bell is now on display at the National Museum of Singapore. A visitors center at the church displays photos, pictures, artifacts and a video of the church’s history. Guided tours are also available.
Location: 11 Street Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178959
Phone: +65 6337 6104
St Andrew's Cathedral
20. Central Sikh Temple
Award-winning gurdwara of shining white marble
Good for: History, Photo, Budget
The Central Sikh Temple at Towner Road is where many of Singapore’s 15,000 Sikhs come to worship. Also known as Wadda Gurdwara (Big Temple), it was built to commemorate the 518th birthday of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh guru.
The current gurdwara is a striking building of white marble with spectacular domes and fluted awnings. It won the Singapore Institute of Architects’ Design Award in 1986 and to this day it stands out as a gorgeous example of Singapore’s religious architecture.
Location: 2 Towner Road, Singapore 327804
Phone: +65 6299 3855
Central Sikh Temple
21. Maghain Aboth Synagogue
Spiritual home of Singapore’s Jewish community
Good for: History, Photo, Budget
Maghain Aboth Synagogue at Waterloo Street was built by Singapore’s small but significant Jewish community. Its elegant architecture veers towards the Victorian, with a western style and feel. Consecrated in 1878, it’s widely known as one of the oldest Jewish places of worship in Southeast Asia.
It stands close to the National Museum of Singapore and the shopping street of Orchard Road, so it’s not out of the way if you want to take a look. There are daily services and tours can be booked by email.
Location: 24/26 Waterloo Street, Singapore 187968
Phone: +65 6337 2189
Maghain Aboth Synagogue
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