I walked down some of the coolest streets in the world's most Instagrammable city. They're a treasure trove for photographers — and travelers.

This is Kampong Glam, a vibrant neighborhood in the world's most Instagrammable city, Singapore.

Singapore was named the world's most Instagrammable city in 2022 by travel publication Big 7 Travel. The city-state beat out scenic destinations from around the world, including Hawaii, Tokyo, New York City, and London.

Kampong Glam, a historic Muslim quarter located in the center of the country, is one its most picturesque sites.

Sultan Hussein and his family acquired the 54-acre estate in 1824. It became a red-light district in the 1920s before being converted into a Malay heritage center in 1999.

Today, the eclectic neighborhood hosts some of Singapore's most vibrant street art and a bustling bar and restaurant scene.

On a recent weekday, I visited the neighborhood to explore everything from its alleyways to its landmarks.

In Kampong Glam, street art abounds. Graffiti and murals adorn the walls of alleyways surrounding the Sultan Mosque.

The Sultan Mosque was built by Sultan Hussein in 1824, according to government microsite VisitSingapore.

The mosque's iconic onion-shaped domes are made out of glass bottles that were donated by lower-income Muslims, per the microsite. The dome represents the contribution of Muslims from all financial backgrounds. 

In Muscat Street, a pair of back alleys leading up to the mosque, commissioned murals and graffiti decorate the walls. The street art creates an eye-catching juxtaposition of the traditional and the contemporary.

My first stop was in one of the back alleys that leads up to the mosque. There, I found life-sized paintings on brightly colored walls, like the one below, that resembled fine art found in museums.

Almost 30 pieces of art by local and international artists are hung on the walls of the back alleys. Curated by the Gelam Gallery, the walls of shophouses are turned into canvases. My favorite is this painting by Veronyka Lau, called "Scorched Earth."

The collection of art was dubbed the city-state's "first outdoor art gallery." It's a visual mishmash of high art, street art, motorcycles, and dumpsters. 

Down Bussorah Street, I explored a bazaar full of Turkish artifacts. The owner, Mehmet Gul, invited me in to share a meal with his friends.

The front of the shop was embellished with carpets, tea sets, and lamps. Gul led me to a room just behind the counter, where I found a table set for a meal.

I had just landed myself an accidental invite to his 39th birthday party. 

I took a seat at the table full of strangers and joined in the feast of rice, kebab, and bread. It was filling and delicious. The group of Gul's friends at the table, I soon found out, were expats from Turkey. They have been living in Singapore for almost 20 years. 

"Food is better when you are sharing," Gul told me. There was a real sense of jubilation among this small community, especially since COVID-19 restrictions had just been eased that very day.

At night, Bussorah Street is bustling with people looking to dine at the dozens of Arab, Malay, and Turkish restaurants.

The iconic street, lined with palm trees, is a melting pot of different cuisines.

Some of the restaurants are housed in Mediterranean-style shophouses, with blue tiles and gold-painted pillars. I spotted throngs of couples there on weekday dates.

At a bar in the corner of an alley, colorful murals become the backdrop to late-night conversations between friends.

At one local bar in a back alley, motorcycles were parked right in front of the small space.

It was the perfect speakeasy to get away from the bustling streets elsewhere in Kampong Glam.

The next day, I visited Haji Lane, a popular Instagram spot for locals and tourists alike.

One of my favorite places to hang out is Haji Lane, where restaurants and bars abound. Many of the walls are completely covered in art that's been created by local artists and those from abroad, including Colombian-born Didier Mathieu.

Initially, only pastel hues were allowed to be used in the artworks as the buildings are part of a conservation area, but many Singaporeans supported the vibrant street art.

Aileen Tan, the owner of local bar Blu Jaz and one of the first people who commissioned graffiti in Haji Lane, told me she loves seeing a colorful neighborhood. 

"Both young and older people love to come here. People who have never been to Kampong Glam come here to take photos," Tan said. "If we hadn't started [commissioning] the art, I'm not sure if Singapore would be as colorful as it is now," she added.

On Haji Lane, skyscrapers tower over the historical buildings, which house tattoo parlors, restaurants, and specialty stores.

Tan told me the restaurateurs have worked to remain respectful to Muslim practices. She said DJs or live bands stop playing music when the azaan, the Islamic call for prayer, is played.

"We are one big community," she said.

Haji Lane is a complete sensory experience: Not only is it a visual overload, it's also an eclectic mix of cultures and peoples.

"I enjoy window shopping here, and the food is pretty authentic," said Neva Kumar, a student at a local school. "There's also affordable happy hour promos," she added.

The neighborhood also has several capsule hotels, making it a popular spot for backpackers.

I spotted several capsule hostels. After my first experience backpacking in Singapore, I was curious as to what they looked like inside.

The hostels blended seamlessly into their busy surroundings. The Cube-brand hostel even resembled the Turkish-owned restaurants across the street.

Haji Lane continued to teem with life after dark.

While I visited in the middle of the week, there were hundreds of people enjoying themselves around the neighborhood.

I couldn't resist the temptation to sit down for an evening drink, and ended up spending the rest of the night taking in the gorgeous murals that enclosed the streets. 

As a photographer, Kampong Glam is a treasure trove. It's got some of the most picturesque views in Singapore, and is indeed perfect for a traveler's Instagram feed.