GCI Places

Curated collection · Solo afternoon

Bookshops Worth the Trip

Four independent shops that survive on knowing one thing well — Islamic and Malay-world titles, art and design, picture books, and the general second-hand trade of a building given over to books.

Assembled and reviewed by Global City Intelligence on 2026-09-08. The order below is a suggested route, not a ranking.

The route

  1. Wardah Books

    Rochor and Kampong Glam

    On Bussorah Street facing Sultan Mosque, specialising in the Malay world.

  2. Basheer Graphic Books

    Downtown Core

    In Bras Basah Complex, the building Singapore calls its book centre.

  3. Cat Socrates Yong Siak Street

    Bukit Merah

    On Yong Siak Street, part of the row that made Tiong Bahru a retail destination.

  4. Woods in the Books Katong

    Marine Parade

    On East Coast Road, given over entirely to illustrated books.

4 of 4 places shown on the map. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.