By The Diary desk · Last verified 7 October 2026
Singapore’s temples, mosques and churches are mostly open to respectful visitors, and the dress code is simple: cover your shoulders and knees, avoid see-through or very short clothing, and remove your shoes where asked, which is standard at Hindu temples and mosques. Some places set firmer rules. Sultan Mosque asks men for sleeved tops and long trousers, and women for long sleeves and bottoms to the ankle; it lends robes and is open to walk-in visitors Saturday to Thursday, 10am to noon and 2pm to 4pm, but closed on Fridays. The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple asks visitors not to wear shorts, mini-skirts or off-shoulder tops.
Visiting a place of worship is one of the warmest ways to understand Singapore, and a little preparation means you are welcomed as a guest rather than corrected at the door.
Quick facts
- Universal rule: cover shoulders and knees; carry a light shawl just in case.
- Shoes: off at Hindu temples and mosques; follow the signs elsewhere.
- Sultan Mosque: walk-ins Saturday to Thursday, 10am to noon and 2pm to 4pm; closed Fridays.
- Robes and shawls: lent at many sites, but not guaranteed when it is busy.
- Photos: usually allowed in public areas without flash; never photograph worshippers at prayer without asking.
- Voice and touch: speak softly, and do not touch statues, altars or offerings.
What should you wear?
| Place | What’s asked | Cover-ups |
|---|---|---|
| Sultan Mosque | Men: sleeved tops and long trousers. Women: long-sleeved tops, no cleavage, bottoms to the ankle. Nothing transparent. | Robes at the counter, first come, first served |
| Hindu temples (Hindu Endowments Board guidance) | Shoulders covered; trousers or skirts at least to the knee; nothing tight, short or revealing | Temples provide shawls and cover-ups |
| Buddha Tooth Relic Temple | No bare backs, off-shoulder tops, shorts or mini-skirts | Ask at the entrance |
| Churches | Rules vary by church; modest, smart-casual clothing with shoulders and knees covered is a safe standard | Rarely provided, so dress for it |
Etiquette, place by place
Mosques
At Sultan Mosque, visitors take off footwear, keep quiet and keep their belongings with them. The main prayer hall and the second-floor prayer hall are off-limits unless accompanied by mosque staff. Photography without flash is allowed; video needs approval. Visitors enter through Gate 5, facing Bussorah Street. Avoid visiting during prayer times, and expect closures on Fridays, the main congregational day.
Hindu temples
The Hindu Endowments Board, which manages temples such as Sri Mariamman, asks visitors to leave shoes outside, not to enter the shrines or sanctums, not to point their feet at deities, priests or other people when sitting, and to avoid loud talking and public displays of affection. Smoking and alcohol are banned in temples and their grounds.
Buddhist and Chinese temples
The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown asks for appropriate attire and bans non-vegetarian food and pets inside. At any Chinese temple, walk around worshippers rather than in front of them, leave offerings and joss sticks alone, and step over the raised threshold at the door rather than on it, a common courtesy.
Churches
Many churches are open outside service times. During a service, either join quietly and sit near the back or come back later. Switch your phone to silent, do not walk around taking photographs while people pray, and check the church’s website for visiting hours.
A simple checklist before you go
- Check the opening or visiting hours, especially for mosques on Fridays.
- Wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees, or carry a shawl and a light wrap.
- Choose shoes that slip on and off easily.
- Bring a small bag so you can carry your belongings, not leave them about.
- Ask before photographing people, and turn off the flash.
- Arrive outside major festival days unless you want the crowds; Thaipusam, Hari Raya and Christmas are joyful but busy.
The WahLiao Verdict
Dress for the strictest place on your route, and you will be fine everywhere: long, loose trousers or a long skirt, a sleeved top and slip-on shoes. Plan Sultan Mosque for any day but Friday, between 10am and noon or 2pm and 4pm, and treat every shrine as somebody’s sacred space, not a backdrop. A quiet voice and a smile will open more doors than any guidebook.
Questions people ask
Can non-Muslims visit Sultan Mosque?
Yes. Walk-in visits run Saturday to Thursday, 10am to noon and 2pm to 4pm. Groups can book tours for Monday to Thursday mornings, at least two months ahead.
Do I have to take off my shoes?
At mosques and Hindu temples, yes, and there is usually a place to leave them. At Buddhist and Chinese temples and churches, follow the signs at the entrance.
Can I wear shorts to a temple?
Best not. The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple asks visitors not to wear shorts, and Hindu temples ask for clothing that covers at least the knees.
Is it free to visit?
Most places of worship do not charge entry. Donation boxes are common, and giving is entirely up to you.
Sources: Sultan Mosque, visiting hours, dress code and conduct; Hindu Endowments Board, temple etiquette and dress; Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, attire and restrictions. The Diary explains; it does not advise.
Read next: Singapore Festivals 2027: The Calendar From Thaipusam to Christmas · Festive Light-Ups in Singapore: When Orchard, Chinatown, Geylang Serai and Little India Switch On · Back to The Diary
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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