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Singapore Travel Guide 2024

Singapore has been in the top ten list of the most visited cities in the world for years. Our small yet beautiful island deserves it as the city has everything to satisfy any need of visitors: a green and safe environment, cultural diversity, delicious food, world-class shopping malls, the latest fashion and electronics, vibrant nightlife, cheap and convenient public transport, and many more.

You are reading the most comprehensive Singapore travel guide [2024 Guide], which covers everything you need to know to have a satisfying trip. Scroll down to discover them all.

How to Get from Changi Airport to City Centre?

You can ride a taxi, airport shuttle bus, mrt train or limousine. find out which one is the most suitable option for you..

What are recommended Airport Transfer Services?

We’ve gathered the top reliable transport services in the country to get you from the airport to your hotel with zero fuss..

Where to Exchange Money in Singapore?

Here are all the most reputable currency exchange centres and money changers for you to get the best exchange rates..

What to See and Do in Singapore?

Here are the top attractions for first-timers, families and culture fanatics to enjoy..

How to Eat Like a Local in Singapore?

Eat what locals eat. here are all the local all-time favorite dishes to enjoy in singapore..

Where to Eat Like a Local in Singapore?

Locals love to have their daily meals at food courts and zi char houses..

Where to Have Vegetarian Food in Singapore?

From upscale to affordable, from buffet to a la carte, from chinese style to indian style, here are all the vegetarian options singapore has to offer..

Where to Have Halal Food in Singapore?

From fancy international buffets in five-star hotels to budget-friendly a la carte meals at individual restaurants, there is plenty of halal food to enjoy..

Where to Shop in Singapore?

Whether you want to shop at an orchard luxury mall, a factory outlet mall or a street market, singapore has got you covered..

What to Buy in Singapore?

Here are the best products to bring home as a souvenir for your loved ones..

What to Do at Night in Singapore?

Singapore has one of the hottest and most vibrant nightlife scenes in asia. discover it here..

What to Enjoy More in Singapore?

Massage and beauty sessions can make the brilliant extras for a more satisfying trip..

Singapore Travel Guide

Last Updated: September 1, 2023

Singapore is one of my favorite cities in the world. It’s a foodie’s dream, bursting with tasty hawker stalls, delicious Indian food, and fresh seafood. There are hiking trails where you can stretch your legs and beaches for chilling out and soaking up the sun.

Home to around 5.7 million people, Singapore is a cosmopolitan city-state that gained independence from the British in 1965. It is now one of the world’s leading economic centers in shipping and banking.

Because of its status as a global economic hub, Singapore is expensive by Southeast Asian standards, with everything costing almost double what it does elsewhere in the region. In fact, it consistently ranks as one of the most expensive cities in the world!

For this reason, visiting Singapore isn’t as popular with budget travelers compared to affordable destinations like Thailand, Vietnam, or elsewhere in Southeast Asia .

But while most people come here for a couple of days just to see the highlights, the city actually has a lot to offer and requires more time than you might think. Don’t rush your visit if you can afford it; Singapore can fill any schedule.

Use this Singapore travel guide to help plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your visit to this lively multicultural metropolis.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Singapore

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Singapore

1. Eat at the Boat Quay

Boat Quay is the place to go for dining and entertainment. The alfresco pubs and restaurants make Boat Quay ideal for relaxing after a long day of sightseeing. Try Wakanui for quality Japanese steak cooked over a white oak fire, or Kinara for reasonably priced North Indian cuisine.

2. See the supertrees at Gardens by the Bay

This urban landscaping project is a series of towering metal “supertrees.” There are roughly 200 species of orchids, ferns, and other tropical plants coating their structure. It’s free to walk through the outdoor gardens, but you have to pay 8 SGD for the canopy walk (which is worth doing!) as well as for the stunning Flower Dome and Cloud Forest biodomes .

3. Hang out (and party) on Sentosa

This little island is home to a nighttime light show on the beach and a host of bars, restaurants, and beaches to enjoy. Hang out at Bora Bora Beach Bar or splash out and try the cable car sky dining experience (it isn’t cheap). You can get to Sentosa via the Sentosa Express train (4 SGD). Entering on foot/bicycle is free.

4. Tour the Singapore Zoo

Spanning 70 acres, the Singapore Zoo is massive, boasting over 3,600 mammals, birds, and reptiles. There are lions, tigers, sun bears, Komodo dragons, primates, and much more! The zoo offers a night safari featuring over 900 different nocturnal animals (41% are endangered). Admission is 44 SGD and the night safari is 48 SGD.

5. Hang with the Merlions

The Merlion is Singapore’s mascot and has the head of a lion and the body of a fish. The original statute (and most impressive Merlion) can be found in Merlion Park, but the 37-meter-tall (121-foot) replica on Sentosa is also pretty cool to see. There is no entrance fee for Merlion Park.

Other Things to See and Do in Singapore

1. admire thian hock keng temple.

Thian Hock Keng (Palace of Heavenly Happiness) is one of the most photogenic buildings in Singapore. The temple originated as a small building that served the local Chinese population. It was expanded in 1840 and made from the finest materials available at the time, paid for by years of donations from the local community. It’s the oldest Chinese temple in Singapore, dedicated to Mazu, the Goddess of the Sea (Chinese immigrants came here to ask for safe passage before leaving to cross the South China Sea). The temple was designated as a national monument in 1973. Admission is free.

2. Explore Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Bukit Timah, located within Singapore’s only remaining stretch of rainforest, is the country’s premier eco-tourism attraction. On the hiking and biking trails, you’ll be able to get up close to the macaques, squirrels, flying lemurs, and various species of birds. The reserve covers over 400 acres and is 30 minutes from the city center. It’s open daily from 7am-7pm. The weekends get really busy, so come during the week if you want to avoid the crowds.

3. Wander around Chinatown

Chinatown encompasses two square kilometers of traditional Chinese life, nestled beside the modern Central Business District. This remains the place to get a real sense of Chinese culture within Singapore. The streets are filled with temples, craft shops, stalls, and restaurants and are a great place to pick up a bargain. Head down Chinatown Food Street to find some char kway teow (stir-fried noodles) or grilled meats. If you can, eat at Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle (aka Hawker Chan), the world’s most affordable Michelin-starred restaurant. Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice is another Michelin-starred hawker stall worth a visit. Like Hawker Chan’s, it’s located in the Maxwell Hawker Center.

4. Eat hawker food

Singapore’s hawker food scene is one of the best in the world. It has been recognized by Michelin in 2016 with the world’s first street food Michelin star and by UNESCO in 2020 with Cultural Heritage status. Whether you go to Newton Food Center (of Crazy Rich Asian fame), to the Old Airport Hawker (many locals’ favorite), or to one of the other 103 centers across the island, you won’t be disappointed and you can grab a cheap meal surrounded by locals. Don’t miss the chili crab, satay, dim sum (dumplings), or nasi lemak (fried chicken with coconut rice). If you’re not sure where to go or what to eat, take a guided food tour!

5. Take a trip to Pulau Ubin

This island lies off the northeastern coast. It’s incredibly different from the modern city; locals still use a diesel generator for electricity and fetch water from wells. Rent a bike and explore the sights, villages, and beaches of this island. To get there, hop on a bumboat from the Changi Point Ferry Terminal, which costs about 3 SGD and takes 10-15 minutes. There are no fixed departure times — just line up and wait. Very few tourists make it out this way; it’s one of the most off-the-beaten-path things you can do here.

6. Relax in the Singapore Botanic Gardens

The Botanic Gardens lie close to the city and consist of 128 acres of gardens and forest. Founded in 1859, the main attraction is the National Orchid Garden, home to over 1,000 species of orchids. There is also a ginger garden, a rainforest, and various streams and waterfalls to explore. The Botanic Gardens are Singapore’s first UNESCO World Heritage site (and the only tropical botanic garden on UNESCO’s World Heritage List). It’s open daily from 5am-12am, and admission is free to everything except the National Orchid Garden, which is 15 SGD.

7. Eat in Little India

No trip to Singapore is complete without a visit to Little India, where you can get amazing, cheap, and delicious food, fresh vegetables, snacks, and souvenirs. Seek out local favorites like roti prata (pancakes) and teh tarik (“pulled” tea). Make sure you stop off at the Tekka Center, a hawker center with Indian clothing, groceries, and food. The food here is cheap and delicious and makes for an authentic Little India experience.

8. Learn about Singapore’s History

For a more cultural experience, visit the former British naval base of Fort Siloso located on Sentosa. It’s a decommissioned coastal artillery battery the only preserved fort on the coast of Singapore, providing a fantastic look into the city-state’s complicated history. You’ll get to see the coastal guns and the remains of tunnels under the fort. It’s a well-constructed, interactive attraction. Entrance is free.

9. Visit Sri Mariamman Temple

This extremely colorful, ornate temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore, built in 1827 in Chinatown. It was constructed in what is known as the Dravidian style and is devoted to the goddess Mariamman, known for curing illnesses and diseases. During the post-war colonial period, it was a hub for community activities and was even the Registry of Marriages for Hindus. Admission is free.

10. Watch a free concert

The Singapore Symphony Orchestra hosts various free concerts at different venues around the country. You might just be lucky enough to catch one of their shows — just check their website for details during your visit.

11. Visit the MacRitchie Reservoir Park

MacRitchie Reservoir is Singapore’s oldest reservoir, dating back to 1868. Today, this beautiful and lush city park is a relaxing place to spend an afternoon. Walk the 8-kilometer (5-mile) treetop hike, with bridges suspended high above the forest floor, where you might see long-tailed macaque monkeys, squirrels, monitor lizards, owls, and even flying lemurs. In addition to the TreeTop Walk, there’s also a network of walking trails. Admission is free.

12. Visit the National Museum of Singapore

First opened in 1849, this is the oldest museum in Singapore . Learn about the country’s history, culture, and people through the various permanent and temporary exhibitions. There are gold ornaments, 18th-century drawings and artwork, the mace used by King George VI when he declared Singapore a city in 1951, and the Singapore Stone (an indecipherable stone with inscriptions from the 10th century). Admission is 15 SGD.

13. Admire the street art

Singapore has some really incredible street art to admire. While none of it is spontaneous (unauthorized graffiti is illegal), it can be found all over the island. Yip Yew Chong is probably the best-known artist as he has murals everywhere from Chinatown to the East Coast. His images depict scenes from days gone by and range from small pictures to entire walls. Kampong Glam, Chinatown, and Little India all have masses of art to look at, as does the east coast, but you can find it on random buildings in most areas. Take a walking tour if you want more detail, or Art Walk Singapore has three self-guided walks outlined on their website.

14. Marvel at the rain vortex in Jewel

Located adjacent to Changi International Airport, Jewel Mall is home to the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. Cascading from the roof, the water falls seven stories (around 130 feet) to the basement through a huge tiered garden. At night it is lit up for a light and music show. There’s more to do at Jewel if you have time including two mazes, a canopy bridge, sky nets, slides, and a topiary walk. It’s free to see the rain vortex and prices range from 5-22 SGD each for the other activities. You can get bundles that work out cheaper.

15. Explore Kampong Glam

Also known by its most popular street, Haji Lane, and as the Arab Quarter, Kampong Glam is one of Singapore’s oldest neighborhoods. The shophouses here are now stores selling textiles, rugs, and Turkish homewares such as dishes and glass lamps. There are some great Arabic restaurants around here all under the shadow of the enormous golden-domed Sultan Mosque. There’s some street art around here and Haji Lane has some cool eclectic shops by day and a buzzing nightlife with outdoor live music by night. If you have time, check out the Malay Heritage Center (admission is 8 SGD).

16. Get spooked at Haw Par Villa

Hands down the quirkiest thing you can do or see in Singapore, Haw Par Villa is a huge outdoor art gallery. It was built in 1937 by Aw Boon Haw, a millionaire philanthropist one of the men behind Tiger Balm, for his younger brother. Once a theme park for locals, Haw Par Villa was also used as an observation point by the Japanese army during World War II. It’s filled with dioramas depicting Chinese mythology and has recently reopened after a 9-month refurbishment and renovation project. Entry to the grounds is free but the museum — called Hell’s Museum as it includes an exhibit depicting the 10 Courts of Hell — is 18 SGD.

Singapore Travel Costs

A budget hotel room with amenities like air-conditioning, private bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, and a TV starts around 65 SGD per night. Most larger chain hotels cost at least 80-110 SGD per night.

Airbnb is available in Singapore, with private rooms starting at 25 SGD per night (though they average closer to 60 SGD). Entire homes/apartments average 85 SGD per night.

Food – As a cosmopolitan hub, Singapore has food from all over the world, however, there is an abundance of Chinese and Indian food, which is usually around 8-9 SGD per meal. Rice or noodles are usually the backbone of most meals, and popular dishes include steamed chicken, chili crab, fishhead curry, satay, and nasi lemak (coconut rice cooked in a pandan leaf). The city’s hawker centers (large halls full of various food stalls) are one of the most popular and cheapest places to try Singapore’s vibrant cuisine.

As for Singaporean specialties, try the seafood, which costs around 20-35 SGD for a main dish. For drinks, beer is typically 8-10 SGD, a glass of wine is about 10-16 SGD, and a cappuccino is around 5 SGD.

There are also plenty of low-cost eateries around Singapore, with street stalls typically selling food for less than 6 SGD per meal. A fast-food burger is around 8-10 SGD while sandwiches at a café are around 11-14 SGD. There are many restaurants offering a set lunch menu for around 12-16 SGD, and a dish at dinner in most casual restaurants is around 20 SGD. After that, the sky is the limit.

If you want to cook your own meals, expect to pay 95 SGD per week for basic staples like rice, noodles, vegetables, and some meat or fish.

Backpacking Singapore Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Singapore, expect to spend around 90 SDG per day. This budget covers staying in a hostel dorm, eating at the cheap hawker stalls and in Little India, cooking some meals, limiting your drinking, using public transportation to get around, and doing mostly free activities like walking tours and enjoying nature.

On a more mid-range budget of 175 SGD per day, you can stay in a private hostel room or Airbnb, eat out for all your meals at cheaper hawker stalls, enjoy a few drinks, take the occasional taxi to get around, and do more paid activities like visiting the zoo and the botanic gardens.

On a “luxury” budget of 300 SGD or more per day, you can eat out for all your meals, take taxis everywhere, stay in a hotel, and do whatever tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in SGD.

Singapore Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Singapore isn’t a super cheap destination so you’ll need to tread carefully if you want to avoid blowing your budget. Here are some ways you can save money during your visit:

• Take public transit – Singapore’s public transit system is fast and efficient, making it the best way to get around. Unlimited travel on public transport is 10 SGD per day with a Singapore Tourist Pass. If you’re staying a few days, the pass gets cheaper per day, as a two-day pass is 16 SGD and a three-day pass is 20 SGD.
• Eat on Smith Street – The stalls here offer food for less than 6 SGD and are a great place to sample local snacks.
• Eat cheap – Save money on food by eating in Little India, Chinatown, or the hawker stalls throughout the city. Meals in these places cost only a few dollars and are some of the tastiest around!
• Stay with a local – Use Couchsurfing to stay with a local for free. You’ll not only save money but you’ll get to connect with someone who can share their insider tips and advice.
• Stick to happy hour – Alcohol is expensive in Singapore, so limit your drinking to save money. If you do plan on drinking, stick to the happy hours.
• Avoid bottled water – The tap water here is perfectly fine to drink, so avoid buying water and just refill your bottle. It will save you money and it’s better for the environment! LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Singapore

Looking for budget-friendly accommodation? Here are some of my suggested places to stay in Singapore:

• Dream Lodge
• The Pod Capsule Hostel

How to Get Around Singapore

Like the MRT, Singapore’s bus system is extensive and efficient. You can use your Singapore Tourist Pass on the buses as well. You can also pay with cash, but it has to be the exact change. A single trip costs between 1.40-2.50 SGD.

Trishaws – Trishaws (like rickshaws) are less popular these days in Singapore, and now they’re largely used for guided tours that cost around 40 SGD for a 30-minute run. Trishaw Uncle is the only licensed trishaw tour operator in the city, offering various guided tours by trishaw.

Taxi – Taxis are comfortable and convenient, but they’re not cheap! All cabs are metered, but there might be surcharges depending on the company and where you’re going. For example, if you’re hiring a taxi from midnight to 6am there is a 50% surcharge on the total metered cost, while rides in the mornings and evenings carry a 25% surcharge. Prices start at 3.20 SGD and then increase by 0.22 SGD every 400 meters. Skip them if you can!

When to Go to Singapore

It’s always a good time to visit Singapore! The island is warm year-round with a tropical climate that boasts daily temperatures in the high 20s°C (80s°F). December to June is the busiest time to visit, especially during the Chinese New Year. February-April is the driest period with the most sunshine and least amount of rain.

Monsoons occur between December-March, with December usually being the rainiest month. The weather is windy, cloudy, and humid.

Late summer and early fall (July to October) are also a good time to visit if you’re hoping to avoid all the tourist traffic. The weather is still pleasant, averaging around 30°C (87°F) each day, and accommodation might be a bit cheaper during this time as well.

How to Stay Safe in Singapore

Singapore is an incredibly safe place to backpack and travel — even if you’re traveling solo, and even as a solo female traveler. In fact, it’s one of the safest countries in the world (it’s currently the 11th safest country).

Solo female travelers should feel comfortable here, though the standard precautions apply (don’t walk home alone at night, don’t accept drinks from strangers, etc.)

Be aware that penalties for breaking the law here are stiff. For example, you’ll be fined up to 1,000 SGD for things like littering, spitting, and smoking in public. Singapore is also notoriously strict on drugs. If you’re caught even with marijuana in your system you could do jail time. In short, say no to drugs here!

Scams are rare in Singapore, however, if you’re worried about getting ripped off you can read about common travel scams to avoid here .

If you experience an emergency, dial 999 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. If a taxi driver seems shady, stop the cab and get out. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.

If you don’t do it at home, don’t do it when you’re in Singapore. Follow that rule and you’ll be fine.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Singapore Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Agoda – Other than Hostelworld, Agoda is the best hotel accommodation site for Asia.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.

Singapore Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Singapore travel and continue planning your trip:

The 5 Best Hotels in Singapore

The 4 Best Hostels in Singapore

Where to Stay in Singapore: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Is Southeast Asia Safe for Travelers?

18 Free and Cheap Things to Do in Singapore

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“The handiest and most marvellous city I ever saw”, wrote the natural historian William Hornaday of Singapore in 1885, “as well planned and carefully executed as though built entirely by one man. It is like a big desk, full of drawers and pigeonholes, where everything has its place, and can always be found in it.” This succinct appraisal seems apt even now, despite the tiny island’s transformation from an endearingly chaotic colonial port, one that embodied the exoticism of the East, into a pristine, futuristic shrine to consumerism. In the process, Singapore acquired a reputation, largely deserved, for soullessness, but these days the place has taken on a more relaxed and intriguing character, one that achieves a healthier balance between Westernized modernity and the city-state’s traditional cultures and street life.

Top 5 dishes

Sri mariamman temple, taking chinese tea, tanjong pagar, the baba house, drinking and nightlife, entertainment, street theatre, travel ideas for singapore, created by local experts.

Indulgent Singapore

From the infamous Singapore Sling to fabulous shopping and nightlife, colourful neighbourhoods and mouth-watering cuisine, the small city-island of Singapore packs a punch. Come here for a relaxing break or a luxury respite before heading on to one of its more frantic neighbours.

Uniquely Singapore

There’s plenty to enjoy in Singapore, from visiting ethnic neighbourhoods like Little India and Chinatown, to night safaris, authentic street food and sampling the eponymous cocktail, or two. Singapore is, in short, the ideal introduction to Asia in one fell swoop.

Singapore & Bali - A Unique Exploration

Combine Southeast Asia's smallest country Singapore with its largest country: Indonesia. Spend a few days exploring the metropolis before flying to the magical island of Bali. Temples, volcanoes and ceremonies are part of your itinerary, as are the gorgeous beaches of Nusa Lembongan.

Singapore Family Fun

From lush rainforests to cool night safaris, a glittering skyline and gorgeous Sentosa beaches, Singapore has plenty to offer. Easy to navigate and pristine clean with warm and welcoming locals, its characterful districts and numerous green spaces will ensure everyone is entertained.

Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore adventure

A diverse and unforgettable exploration awaits! From the vibrant city of Kuala Lumpur to the cool retreat of Cameron Highlands. Immerse yourself in lush tea plantations before heading to Borneo for thrilling orangutan encounters and unforgettable river safaris. Brunei and Singapore conclude the trip

Malaysia Express from Singapore

A captivating 7-day tour that unveils the beauty of Malaysia, commencing from Singapore. Traverse the border into Malacca to uncover its rich heritage gems. Progress to Kuala Lumpur, where iconic landmarks await your exploration. Culminate your journey in George Town, Penang.

The foundation for Singapore’s prosperity was its designation as a tax-free port by Sir Stamford Raffles, who set up a British trading post here in 1819. The port plays a key role in the economy to this day, though the island now also thrives on high-tech industry, financial services and tourism, all bolstered by a super-efficient infrastructure. All these achievements were accompanied by a major dose of paternalism, with the populace accepting heavy-handed management by the state of most aspects of life in exchange for levels of affluence that would have seemed unimaginable a couple of generations ago. Thus it is that since independence much of the population has been resettled from downtown slums and outlying kampongs (villages) into new towns, and the city’s old quarters have seen historic buildings and streets bulldozed to make way for shopping malls.

Yet although Singapore lacks much of the personality of some Southeast Asian cities, it has more than enough captivating places to visit, from elegant temples to fragrant medicinal shops to grand colonial buildings. Much of Singapore’s fascination springs from its multicultural population, a mixture of Chinese, Malay and Indian, which can make a short walk across town feel like a hop from one country to another, and whose mouthwatering cuisines are a major highlight of any visit. The city also rejoices in a clutch of fine historical museums that offer a much-needed perspective on the many successes and sacrifices that made Singapore what it is today, plus a lively arts scene featuring no shortage of international talent and local creativity.

Top image © weerasak saeku/Shutterstock

Singapore has no national dish – but that’s because it has any number of dishes that could happily qualify for that title. As many travellers never graduate beyond extremely predictable fried rice and noodle plates, here’s our selection of five of the best things to try.

Satay A mainly Malay dish of mini-kebabs on twig-like sticks, barbecued over coals and eaten dipped in a peanut-based sauce, accompanied by glutinous rice cakes and cucumber and onion slices.

Fish-head curry Many Indian restaurants offer this fiery stew containing a large fish head – eyes and all; the cheeks are the best bits.

Chicken rice Widely available at hawker centres, this Hainanese speciality features steamed chicken served atop rice cooked in chicken stock, served up with chicken consommé – the simplest of concepts, but incredibly satisfying.

Chilli crab Whole crabs wok-fried and served in a gloopy gravy made with tomato, chilli, garlic and a little egg. It’s mainly served at seafood outlets, though some ordinary Chinese restaurants offer it too.

Laksa A Peranakan classic of rice noodles, prawns and other morsels steeped in a rich, spicy, curried coconut soup; not hard to find at hawker centres and food courts.

The two square kilometres of Chinatown , west and south of the Singapore River, were never a Chinese enclave in what is, after all, a Chinese-majority country, but they did once represent the focal point of the island’s Chinese life and culture. More so than the other old quarters, however, Chinatown has seen large-scale redevelopment and become a bit of a mishmash. Even so, a wander through the surviving nineteenth-century streets still unearths musty and atmospheric temples and clan associations, and you might hear the rattle of a game of mahjong being played.

The area was first earmarked for Chinese settlement by Raffles, who decided in 1819 that Singapore’s communities should be segregated. As immigrants poured in, the land southwest of the river took shape as a place where new arrivals from China, mostly from Fujian (Hokkien) and Guangdong (Canton) provinces and to a lesser extent Hainan Island, would have found temples, shops with familiar products and, most importantly, kongsi s – clan associations that helped them find lodgings and work as small traders and coolies.

This was one of the most colourful districts of old Singapore, but after independence the government chose to grapple with its tumbledown slums by embarking upon a redevelopment campaign that saw whole streets razed. Someone with an unimpeachable insight into those times, one Lee Kuan Yew, is quoted thus in the area’s Singapore City Gallery: “In our rush to rebuild Singapore, we knocked down many old and quaint buildings. Then we realized that we were destroying a valuable part of our cultural heritage, that we were demolishing what tourists found attractive.” Not until the 1980s did the remaining shophouses and other period buildings begin to be conserved, though restoration has often rendered them improbably perfect. Even so, as in Little India, the character of the area has had a bit of a shot in the arm courtesy of recent immigrants. As regards sights, the Thian Hock Keng, Buddha Tooth Relic and Sri Mariamman temples are especially worthwhile, as is the Chinatown Heritage Centre museum, and there’s plenty of shophouse architecture to justify a leisurely wander.

Though Singapore has no shortage of striking modern buildings, it’s the island’s rows of traditional shophouses that are its most distinctive architectural feature. Once often cramped and unsanitary, many were demolished in the years following independence, but since the 1980s whole streets of them have been declared conservation areas and handsomely restored.

As the name suggests, shophouses were originally a combination of shop and home, with the former occupying the ground floor of a two- or three-storey building; eventually many came to be built purely as townhouses, but the original name stuck. Unusually, the facade is always recessed at ground level, leaving a space here that, combined with adjoining spaces in a row of shophouses, would form a sheltered walkway at the front (the “five-foot way” , so named because of its minimum width) – hence the lack of pavements on Singapore’s older streets. Another notable feature is that shophouses were built narrow and surprisingly deep. Behind the ground-floor shop or reception hall there might be a small courtyard, open to the sky, then yet another room; this layout can be seen at the Baba House and the Katong Antiques House. Also, shophouses were usually built back to back, with tiny alleyways separating the rear sections of adjoining rows; it’s down one such alleyway that the brothels of Desker Road are tucked away.

Shophouses began to be built from the mid-nineteenth century. The oldest ones are no longer standing, but slightly later examples, which still exist on and around Telok Ayer and Arab streets, for example, feature the characteristic shuttered windows and tiled roofs that continued to be used for several decades. Otherwise, their decoration was limited, say, to simple stuccowork, but by the turn of the last century, the shophouse had blossomed into a dizzy melange of Western and Eastern styles, which both European and local architects enjoyed blending. So-called Neoclassical, Chinese Baroque and Rococo shophouses featured decorative Corinthian columns, mini-pediments, fanlights, a riot of multicoloured tilework and stucco, even curvy gables. Local ornamentations included wooden trelliswork and eaves overhung with a row of fretted fascia boards, both often seen in Malay palaces; Peranakan pintu pagar , half-height swing doors like those in Wild West bars; and Chinese touches such as floral and animal motifs. You can see fine wedding-cake-like rows of shophouses in these styles around Joo Chiat Road in Katong and on Sam Leong and Petain roads at the northern edge of Little India.

By the 1930s, global recession and prevailing artistic trends had caused a swing towards more sober Art Deco and modernist buildings, with simpler, geometrical facades often topped by a central flagpole. Shophouses with so-called Tropical Deco stylings continued to be built in Singapore after World War II, even though Art Deco had become old hat elsewhere, and there are quite a few examples in Chinatown, on South Bridge Road for example.

Boxy 1960s shophouses were the form’s last hurrah. By the 1980s, shophouses had pretty much fallen out of favour as they were just too small to make efficient use of scarce land, though a semblance of the five-foot way lived on in some concrete shopping developments of the time.

As with heritage buildings the world over, today’s surviving shophouses are often but a handsomely restored shell concealing insides that have been totally gutted and rejigged. Many no longer serve as shops, homes or clan houses, functioning instead as bars, beauty salons or offices.

Singapore’s oldest Hindu shrine, the Sri Mariamman Temple, boasts a superb entrance gopuram bristling with brightly coloured deities. A wood and atap hut was first erected here in 1827 on land belonging to Naraina Pillay, a government clerk who arrived on the same ship as Stamford Raffles when he first came ashore at Singapore; the present temple was completed around 1843. Inside, look up at the roof to see splendid friezes depicting a host of Hindu deities, including the three manifestations of the supreme being: Brahma the creator (with three of his four heads showing),

Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer (holding one of his sons). The main sanctum is devoted to Mariamman, a goddess worshipped for her healing powers.

Smaller sanctums dotted about the walkway circumnavigating the temple honour other deities. In the one dedicated to the goddess Periachi Amman, a sculpture portrays her with a queen lying on her lap, whose evil child she has ripped from her womb; it’s odd, then, that Periachi Amman is the protector of children, to whom babies are brought when one month old. Once a year, during the festival of Thimithi (Oct or Nov), an unassuming patch of sand to the left of the main sanctum is covered in red-hot coals that male Hindus run across to prove the strength of their faith. The participants, who line up all the way along South Bridge Road waiting for their turn, are supposedly protected from the heat of the coals by the power of prayer.

At two Tanjong Pagar teahouses, Tea Chapter and Yixing Yuan Teahouse, visitors can glean something of the intricacies of the deep Chinese connection with tea by taking part in a tea workshop lasting up to an hour. Participants are introduced to different varieties of tea and talked through the history of tea cultivation and the rituals of brewing and appreciating the drink. The water, for example, has to reach an optimum temperature that depends on which type of tea is being prepared; experts can tell its heat by the size of the rising bubbles, described variously as “sand eyes”, “prawn eyes”, “fish eyes”, etc. Both venues also stock an extensive range of tea-related accoutrements such as tall “sniffer” cups used to savour the aroma of the brew before it is poured into squat teacups for drinking.

The district of Tanjong Pagar , fanning out south of Chinatown between Neil and Maxwell roads, was once a veritable sewer of brothels and opium dens. Then it was earmarked for regeneration as a conservation area, following which dozens of shophouses were painstakingly restored and converted into bars, restaurants and shops, notably on Neil Road and Duxton Hill just south of it. A grander example of the area’s architecture can be found right where South Bridge Road flows into Neil and Tanjong Pagar roads: here you’ll easily spot the arches and bricked facade of the Jinrikisha Building , constructed at the turn of the last century as a terminus for rickshaws. They were superseded by trishaws after World War II, and today the building serves as office space – with a celebrity landlord, the Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan.

Tanjong Pagar’s main sight is the Baba House , though as an architectural attention-grabber it’s rivalled by the seven interlinked towers of the Pinnacle@Duxton , a showpiece public housing development that offers fine views over much of Singapore.

The Baba House is one of Singapore’s most impressive museums, because it is and isn’t a museum: what you see is a Peranakan house from the turn of the last century, meticulously restored to its appearance in the late 1920s, a particularly prosperous time in its history.

The house is easily spotted as it’s painted a vivid blue. Note the phoenixes and peonies on the eaves above the entrance, signifying longevity and wealth and, together, marital bliss. Even more eye-catching is the pintu pagar , the pair of swing doors with beautiful gilt and mother-of-pearl inlays.

With its affluence and large expat community, Singapore supports a huge range of drinking holes , from elegant colonial chambers through hip rooftop venues with skyline views to slightly tacky joints featuring karaoke or middling covers bands. There’s also a bunch of glitzy and vibrant clubs where people let their hair down to cutting-edge sounds minus – this being Singapore – any assistance from illicit substances. Some venues regularly manage to lure the world’s leading DJs to play, too.

Singapore offers an excellent range of cultural events in all genres, drawing on both Asian and Western traditions, and even on a brief visit it’s hard not to notice how much money has been invested in the arts. Prime downtown property has been turned over to arts organizations in areas like Waterloo Street and Little India, and prestige venues like Theatres on the Bay bring in world-class performers – at top-dollar prices. This isn’t to say that all is hunky-dory: questions remain over whether creativity is truly valued when censorship lingers, if not as overtly as in the 1970s and 1980s, then in terms of there being well-established red lines concerning party politics, ethnicity and religion which no one dare cross. More cynically, some say that support for the arts is a way to keep Singapore attractive to expats and its own sometimes restive middle class.

Walk around Singapore long enough and you’re likely to stumble upon some sort of streetside cultural event, most usually a wayang – a Malay word used in Singapore to denote Chinese opera. Played out on outdoor stages next to temples and markets, or in open spaces in the new towns, wayangs are highly dramatic and stylized affairs, in which garishly made-up characters enact popular Chinese legends to the accompaniment of the crashes of cymbals and gongs. They’re staged throughout the year, but the best time to catch one is during the Festival of the Hungry Ghosts, when they are held to entertain passing spooks. Another fascinating traditional performance, lion-dancing , takes to the streets during Chinese New Year, and puppet theatres may appear around then, too. Chinatown and the Bugis/Waterloo Street area are places where you might stumble upon performances.

With so many ethnic groups and religions present in Singapore, it would be unusual if your trip didn’t coincide with some sort of traditional festival, ranging from exuberant, family-oriented pageants to blood-curdlingly gory displays of devotion. Below is a chronological round-up of Singapore’s major festivals (excluding commercial events themed around shopping or the arts, for example, which are covered in the relevant chapters), with suggestions of where best to enjoy them. The dates of many of these change annually according to the lunar calendar; we’ve listed rough timings, but for specific dates it’s a good idea to check with the Singapore Tourism Board ( w yoursingapore.com ). Some festivals are also public holidays, when many shops and restaurants may close.

Singapore is the only country with an ethnic Chinese majority not to use Chinese as its main language of education and business. English enjoys that role – but here it’s often upstaged by the entertaining, though often baffling, Singlish , a mash-up of English together with the grammatical patterns and vocabulary of Chinese and Malay. Pronunciation is staccato, with final consonants often dropped, so “cheque book” would be rendered “che-boo”. In two-syllable words the second syllable is lengthened and stressed by a rise in pitch: ask a Singaporean what they’ve been doing, and you could be told “slee-PING”.

Conventional English syntax is twisted and wrung, and tenses and pronouns discarded. If you ask a Singaporean if they’ve ever seen a Harry Potter film, you might be answered “I ever see”, while enquiring whether they want to go out to buy something might yield “Go, come back already”. Responses are almost invariably reduced to their bare bones, with words often repeated for stress; request something in a shop and you’ll hear “have, have”, or “got, got”.

Exclamations drawn from Malay and Hokkien Chinese complete this pidgin, the most ubiquitous being the Malay suffix “lah”, used to add emphasis to replies, as in: “Do you think we’ll get in for free?” “Cannot lah!” If Singlish has you totally confused, try raising your eyes to the heavens and crying “ay yor” (with a drop of tone on “yor”) – an expression of annoyance or exasperation.

Although these linguistic quirks often amuse foreigners and locals alike, there is much official hand-wringing that poor English could compromise Singapore’s ability to do business globally, so much so that a government-backed Speak Good English movement has been set up to try to shore up standards.

Travel advice for Singapore

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Singapore

• Eating and drinking in Singapore
• Travel Tips Singapore for planning and on the go
• How to get to Singapore
• Travelling with children in Singapore
• Shopping tips for Singapore
• Getting around Singapore: Transportation Tips
• Best time to visit Singapore

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written by Rough Guides Editors

updated 11.10.2023

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The best Singapore attractions to visit

From dizzying rooftop retreats to wild night-time safaris, there's no shortage of amazing things to do in this metropolis

Photograph: Soomal Shumaila/Unsplash

With its blend of old and new, colonial and contemporary, Singapore is a true wonder of Southeast Asia. Gleaming skyscrapers, luxury hotels, Instagrammable parks and boulevards filled with air-conditioned malls – Singapore truly has it all. Oh, and there are  loads  of attractions and great things to do to keep the hordes of visitors occupied too. It can be hard to know where to start. There's nature in abundance, and endless ways to seek out amazing views. There's galleries and shops galore too, for the less adventurous. So here's a run-down of the best Singapore attractions, as selected by our local experts just for you.

This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click  here .

RECOMMENDED: 101 things to do in Singapore  and where to see interesting architecture and landmarks in Singapore

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Must-see attractions in Singapore

1.  new bahru.

• Things to do
• River Valley

New Bahru is Singapore's biggest lifestyle opening in 2024. Masterminded by The Lo & Behold Group, this new lifestyle and creative cluster will be home to at least 40 homegrown brands across dining, retail, and wellness when it fully opens in September this year. Housed in former Nan Chiau High School, classrooms and canteens are now the site of some of the most exciting local brands: Sojao, Soilboy, Curious Creatures, Kotuwa , The Coconut Club, Huevos, and more. Over the next couple of months, look forward to the likes of Beyond the Vines, PPP Coffee, OM, and concepts by Keirin Buck and Mirko Febbrile. Need more time to explore? There's even a serviced apartment called Alma House that you can clock into to stretch your Ner Bahru adventure over a couple of days. 

2.  Jewel Changi Airport

If you've just got off the plane, don't have to leave the airport just yet! Instead, entertain yourself at Jewel Changi Airport. This majestic dome is home to over 280 dining and retail outlets, with some open around the clock – think dining at ungodly hours at American fast-food chain A&W or food court Five Spice, or killing a couple of hours with a movie at 24-hour Shaw Theatres. You can also catch the hourly light and sound show at the HSBC Rain Vortex, the mall’s 40m-tall indoor waterfall, from 7.30pm to midnight. Honestly, this place is ridiculous. Arguably worth the flight just to see this. Not a sad pasty shop in sight. There's even play attractions for the little ones – including trampolines! Hell, you could even add a day onto the stay and use the on-site hotel. Sure makes checking in a little sweeter. 

3.  Singapore Zoo

With 28 awe-inspiring hectares to explore, it's unlikely that you'll be able to cover Singapore Zoo in its entirety in a day. But give it a good go. Unlike traditional zoos, which keep its animals in cages, this place was the first in the world to implement the 'open concept', which has animals in individually landscaped enclosures. There are more than 4,000 animals to see across 11 zones, including Wild Africa, Primate Kingdom and Frozen Tundra. There's over 300 species, so honestly, all sorts of things you'll never see anywhere else. Visit the world's largest captive colony of orangutans, feed the friendly Asian elephants and see the rare white tiger. You can also feed giraffes, if you're tall enough. It's a zoo done properly. You also have amazing attractions like the night walk at the rainforst, and virtual experiences. 

4.  Gardens by the Bay

The stuff of nature-lovers’ dreams, Gardens by the Bay is a truly magnificent site. The 250-acre green haven is filled with huge, flora-wreathed towers connected by ‘skyways’ and two enormous conservatories. Opened in 2012 as part of a drive to bring more greenery into Singapore, the gardens are free for guests to explore but you'll need an admission ticket for access to the flower domes that house rotating floral exhibitions. Needless to say, this is a non-negotiable must-see. There's also membership passes so you can visit its key attractions again and again. You'll want to, as it's absolutely massive. And beautiful. 

5.  Bird Paradise

• Attractions
• Zoos and aquariums

A sad goodbye to Jurong Bird Park and an enthusiastic hello to Bird Paradise. This new 17-hectare park has eight stunning, walk-through aviaries modelled after the different biomes of the world. Think African rainforests, South African wetlands, and Australian dry eucalypt forests. This is where you can walk among free-flying birds, including some of the world's most threatened species and one of the largest populations of Hornbills under human care. 

The new park comes with refreshed programmes too. Visitors are in for a treat at new avian shows like Predators on Wings and Wings of the World, as well as behind-the-scenes tours at the Avian Healthcare and Research Centre and the Avian Breeding and Research Centre (with more to come). Otherwise, get up close with bird friends at special feeding sessions; the $8 fee will go to conservation programmes across the region that are supported by Mandai Wildlife Group. 

6.  Singapore Botanic Gardens

• Parks and gardens

The Singapore Botanic Gardens is a jewel among the many beautiful parks and gardens in Singapore. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features attractions like  a swan lake where visitors can feed the black Australian swans and  the Evolution Garden Walk, a well-landscaped plot containing the fossilised remains of ancient trees. It's also home to the world's largest collection of orchids – some 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids, plus the national flower, Vanda Miss Joaquim – at the National Orchid Garden.  During weekends, tours to its rainforest patch are available, while outdoor concerts are often held at Symphony Lake. And with the Jacob Ballas Children's Garden, where children can run wild and explore the  farm, orchard, and forest which has its own stream and ponds, this nature spot is family-friendly.  

7.  Night Safari

Set in lush secondary rainforest, the Night Safari is a must-see for visitors. The world’s first night zoo (opened in 1994) allows you to witness what over 2,500 nocturnal animals from 130 species get up to after dusk, in naturalistic habitats and without barriers, via the use of special lighting techniques. Lions? Check. Rhinos? Check. Leopards? Check. Flying squirrels? Check! There's animals from seven geographical regions, and you get to see the lot without much work (you'll ride a tram all the way through). You can get open dated tickets too, so no stress on exactly when you rock up to the safari. 

8.  Pulau Ubin

Take a walk on the wild side as you step foot on one of Singapore’s most popular off-shore islands. A sprawling 1,020 hectares, Ubin boasts lush greenery and abundant wildlife, drawing nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts to explore the many wonders of the granite island. There are plenty of activities to get up to here: go birdwatching at Pekan Quarry, wander through nature trails, and hike 75 metres up Puaka Hill for a breathtaking panoramic view of the islet. The sea-and-mangrove route will be a breeze for moderate kayakers (it's a word) and will be an accessible challenge for beginners. So go on, enjoy the chill vibes on this throwback offshore island. 

9.  MacRitchie Reservoir

• Walks and tours
• Central Water Catchment

Singapore’s oldest nature park is continuously filled with joggers, families and weekend strollers. You can get into the reservoir’s rainforest via the MacRitchie Trail, which offers straightforward boardwalk treks and more ambitious, longer hikes. There’s plenty of wildlife here, from flying lemurs to tree frogs and pangolins – but they do tend to hide out of sight. The one exception are the long-tailed macaque monkeys that hang about. Be warned, though: having been fed by less responsible visitors, they can be aggressive little terrors. Don't feed them, or wave about snacks. They're cute when behaving though, so do come along to the big green lung right at the heart of Central Catchment Nature Reserve. It's one of the most significant, untouched, bits of land on the entire island. 

10.  Haw Par Villa

Opened in 1937, this weird and wonderful park was named after its owners, Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par, the brothers who made their fortune from the acclaimed cure-all ointment Tiger Balm. Multicoloured statues and tableaux – some looking rather neglected – depict scenes from Chinese mythology. The highlight is the Ten Courts of Hell (responsible for childhood nightmares for generations of Singaporeans) where dioramas showing human sinners being punished in a variety of hideous and bloodthirsty ways – in extremely gory and graphic detail. It’s a safe bet that you will never see anything like it anywhere else. There is the infamous 10 Courts of Hell to navigate, but don't worry, it's not too scary. You can go in groups of up to 25 if you believe the whole 'strength in numbers' thing. 

11.  National Gallery Singapore

The former City Hall and Supreme Court buildings have been refurbished to become Singapore’s National Gallery. It is the largest visual art gallery in the city-state and is mostly dedicated to local and Southeast Asian art from the 19th century to the present day. So all the pretty modern and contemporary stuff then. Many of the works on display are drawn from the permanent National Collection but there’s also a rolling programme of temporary exhibitions to check out. So, there's always something new to see, even if you've been before. 

12.  Esplanade Theatres on the Bay

Few buildings have created such a stir in Singapore as the Esplanade. Opened in 2002, the eye-catching bayfront complex has been dubbed ‘the durians’ by locals because of its resemblance to the spiky (and stinky) tropical fruit. It’s the city’s most prominent performing arts centre and the programme bears an eclectic mix of Western and Eastern influences. Book a gig, concert or theatre show in advance and make a cultural evening of it. There's usually around 3,500 events at this venue every year, so you'll find something you like. There's also a lovely park nearby for those of you who enjoy a post-production stroll. 

13.  Universal Studios Singapore

This outpost of Universal Studios' theme park empire on Sentosa Island has an array of world-class rides across its various regions. There's Transformers: The Ride (a 3D adventure where you have to protect the Allspark), Battlestar Galactica (twin roller coasters that are sure to get your heart racing), Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure (everyone's favourite water ride), Enchanted Airways, Canopy Flyer and Revenge of the Mummy. Your kids will obviously never forgive you if you don’t let them run amok here. There's fun for all the family here though, whether you like thrill-seeking rides or chilling with the cast from Madagascar, it's all going on. 

14.  Singapore River Safari

Another animal exploration! This time it's the watery (and other) ones. Manatees, crocodiles, flamingos and monkeys are just some of the 5,000 beasties you’ll encounter in this river-themed wildlife park, which boasts the world’s biggest freshwater aquarium and a panda exhibit housing the cuddly couple Kai Kai and Jia Jia. So good they named them twice, twice. The River Safari is split into two zones: the Rivers of the World, which showcases animals from eight rivers including the Congo and Yangtze, and Wild Amazonia, where you can come face-to-face with over 30 animals from the rainforest on a boat ride aptly named Amazon River Quest. You can also see ancient-looking creatures, from a time long before we all started visiting zoos and stuff. 

15.  Chijmes

Once a convent school, CHIJMES has transformed into a hip lifestyle enclave brimming with bars, restaurants and cafés. It’s currently undergoing a revamp – and it’s more than just a cosmetic update. A fleet of new F&B joints are flocking to the old school, including El Mero Mero and Prive. Whether you want to just chill on the lawn, get your yoga on, or just eat and drink basically everything you've ever eaten, you can do it here. An essential stop while you're in Singapore really. Especially if you want to just be in a place doing stuff. 

16.  Marina Bay Sands

The 2,500 rooms at this hotel offer views of the South China Sea or Marina Bay and the Singapore skyline, but let’s be honest: the Moshe Safdie-designed SkyPark is the real crowd-puller, sitting atop the three hotel towers 200 metres above ground level (that's high up, that is). Non-hotel guests have to pay for the privilege of enjoying unfettered views from the Observation Deck across the city – but it’s definitely worth it to take that selfie to make all your friends seethe with envy, if nothing else. We're talking proper panoramic views, from the Gardens by the Bay to the Supertree Grove sculptures, and of course that skyline. You can see the lot from up here. Well worth catching at various times of day. 

17.  Changi Airport

An airport doesn’t sound like much of an attraction – more a series of interminable queues filled with tetchy flyers and shrieking babies. But Singapore’s Changi Airport is consistently voted the top airport in the world – and there’s much to marvel at here. Butterfly habitats, Balinese-style rooftop pools, 24-hour cinemas, spa centres, and the highly-raved Jewel Changi Airport – trust us, this ain’t your average airport. There are far worse stopovers during a long-haul flight. I mean, you read about Jewel Changi Airport, didn't you? This is the airports-are-a-great-place epicenter of the world. A lot of the long-haul flights go out of here too. You can just rock up very early, get a massage, have a little swim, the obligatory pre-flight drink at any ridiculous hour, and then you're jetting off. Stress free. Alternatively, when you turn up to the airport just forget the hotel for a few extra hours and chill. It's a holiday no? 

18.  Orchard Road

Once home to an orchard of fruit trees, this area of Singapore is now widely known as the shopping district. Stretching out over two kilometres in the centre of the city, Orchard Road is home to numerous coffeeshops, beauty salons, art galleries, hotels, designer and discount outlets, restaurants and nightclubs. Come armed with cash, and plenty of it. This is a 1.6 mile road full of amazing places to part-take in the old retail therapy. Whether you're looking for fantastic dining, beautiful shops (such as The Grande Whisky Collection, which has a nice 4,500 of the oldest whiskies in the world), and more. There's also some decent hotels, like the Four Seasons. 

19.  Singapore Flyer

Marina Bay’s giant, 42-storey, 165m observation wheel continues to pull a mix of tourists and locals who come for the breathtaking, 360-degree views of the city available from one of its capsules. Each flight lasts 30 mintues and on a clear day the panorama from the top of the wheel stretches into neighbouring Malaysia and Indonesia. If you fancy pimping your experience a bit, take a look at the dining and cocktail packages that are available. If you'd like to soak up some sweet sweet knowledge also, you're in luck – these 30 minute adventures come with an in-capsule audio guide and interactive screens designed to help you discover the past, present, and future of Sinapore. 

20.  National Museum of Singapore

After an $118 million refurb and rebranding job, the Singapore History Museum reopened as the National Museum of Singapore: the largest museum on the island. There are two main galleries: the Singapore History Gallery, which traces the history of Singapore from its beginnings in the fourteenth century to the present day and the Singapore Living Galleries, which focus on four lifestyle themes – food, fashion, film and photography.  That's over 700 years of Singapore to get stuck into, and over 1700 artefacts.  It’s worth a visit just for the building, an imposing neoclassical structure, complemented by modern glass additions. 

Check out more great things to do in Singapore

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How to Plan a Singapore Trip

Singapore is a particularly successful urban island country in Southeast Asia. It is one of the world's four largest financial centers and one of the world's five busiest seaports. Singapore is also known as a garden city and a classy tourist destination. Find out how to plan a Singapore trip with this Singapore travel guide.

Why Travel to Singapore

1. Singapore is a melting pot of multiculturalism.

From the fusion of various cooking methods from various countries to its diverse architectural styles, Singapore is a gathering place for multinational cultures.

2. Singapore is the center of Southeast Asian art.

The National Gallery of Singapore has the world's largest exhibition of Southeast Asian modern art. The open-air art performances at Marina Bay always make people linger.

3. Singapore is an amusement park suitable for all ages.

Singapore is a family-friendly tourist destination. Singapore Zoo, Kallang Riverside Park, Sentosa, and Universal Studios are suitable for all ages.

4. Singapore is a shopper's paradise.

From shopping malls on Orchard Road to luxury shops in Marina Bay, to boutique shops in Haji Lane, you can always find a place that suits you well.

No matter why you go to Singapore, let us arrange the trip for you!

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family 's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

Top Places to Visit in Singapore

Located at the southernmost tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore is one of the smallest countries in the world, with a total area of only 694 square kilometers (268 square miles), which is even smaller than Hong Kong . It takes an hour to drive around the whul class="infolist"e island, but Singapore is an all-inclusive experience, blending diverse cultures from all over the world, and there are many wonderful things you can't miss.

• 1. Go to Merlion Park to see the symbul of Singapore.
• 2. Go to Little India to experience a culorful miniature of massive India.
• 3. See the largest mosque in Singapore, Sultan Mosque.
• 4. Admire the exquisite Sri Mariamman Temple and look up at countless statues of gods there.
• 5. Wander around Orchard Road and experience Singapore's artistic shopping paradise.
• 6. Go to the "Big Durian" Esplanade — Theatres on the Bay, Singapore to appreciate Singaporean art.
• 7. Visit Gardens by the Bay with the world's largest greenhouse.
• 8. Climb the world's first double helix pedestrian bridge, also by Marina Bay.
• 9. Go to Clarke Quay to enjoy the nightlife of Singapore.
• 10. Go to Chinatown to experience the cultural heritage and taste local food.
• 11. Take an island adventure on Sentosa.
• 12. Explore Changi Airport, which holds the world's largest indoor waterfall.

Contact us to know more about Singapore.

Best Times to Visit Singapore

Singapore is located in the tropics and has an equatorial rainy climate. It is warm/hot throughout the year without a winter. The average daily temperature range is 24 to 31 °C (75–88°F). The least sweltering month is January with an average temperature range of 22 to 30 degrees Celsius (72–86°F). Slightly hotter temperatures average 25–32°C (77–90°F) from February to June.

There is only one of the obvious four seasons of temperate climes in Singapore — only summer — but there is a distinctly less wet season and a very wet season. The monsoon rainy season is from November to January.

Singapore is a country that's suitable for year-round travel and the best time for you to go depends on what you want to do in Singapore.

If you do not like wet weather, you might consider the months of lowest rainfall on average (still moderate to high): February, September, and June

If you like food, you could choose to go to Singapore in April for the annual World Chef Summit or July for the Singapore Food Festival (July 10-26), when there are food tasting activities at Clarke Quay, Chinatown, and many other attractions.

If you like shopping, you could come from June to July for the shopping discount season, when large shopping malls attract tourists with their discounts.

If you like a lively holiday atmosphere, November to December is the best time. From November to December, the shining celebrations of Deepavali, Christmas and New Year's Day will light up the entire Lion City.

If you are a motor racing fan, you should go in September, when Singapore hosts the only F1 night race in the world.

Singapore travel can be expensive, and it is always higher during the festivals, such as Chinese Lunar New Year in January or February. So, to keep travel costs down, avoid the festivals.

When would you like to take a Singapore trip? Let us tailor-make a Singapore tour to your requirements.

Recommended Singapore Tour Packages

Singapore is small and many attractions are relatively concentrated within walking distance. Usually, 4–7 days are recommended to see all of Singapore's highlights . Here is a suggested 5-day Singapore tour package for your reference:

Day 1: A one-day walking tour to see Chinatown, Marina Bay, and Singapore nightlife at Clarke Quay.

Day 2: Explore Little India and Haji Lane in the daytime and take a Night Safari in the evening.

Day 3: Enjoy retail therapy with a one-day shopping experience on Orchard Road.

Day 4: Take a day to relax in a resort on Sentosa. (If your time is sufficient, a night stay in the island is highly recommended.)

Day 5: Visit Jewel Changyi at Changyi International Airport, then fly home.

How many days do you have for the trip? We will customize your Singapore trip based on your requirements.

Singapore Festivals

Chinese new year.

Celebrated: in January or February

About 75% of Singapore people are ethnic Chinese, so Chinese lunar New Year is the most important festival in Singapore for many. During that time, you will see dazzling lanterns along the streets, parades, and performances nearly everywhere in the city. The biggest celebration is in Chinatown.

Unmissable Celebrations:

• Enjoy the street lighting-up ceremony in Chinatown prior to the festival.
• Join the cul class="infolist"orful Chingay Parade from 1 Republic Boulevard to NS Square.
• Immerse yourself in the River Hongbao garden festivities in NS Square.

Christmas on Orchard Road

Celebrated: from November 16th

Orchard Road is one of the most popular shopping streets in Singapore, and also a world-class shopping destination. The road is particularly brilliant and beaming during the Christmas period.

• Enjoy the iconic lighting-up ceremony.

In Singapore, Christmas comes early every year, starting from mid-November. With the official launch of the Christmas lighting ceremony on November 16, this lively and fashionable district of Orchard Road is transformed into a cul class="infolist"orful fantasy world with laughter and joy, allowing you to immerse yourself in the joy of the festival in advance.

The lighting and decorations stretch 3.88 kilometers (2.4 miles) from Tanglin Mall to Plaza Singapura (including Scotts Road, Grange Road, and Orchard Road). And they stay up until January 1, giving you plenty of time to enjoy this feast for the senses.

• Have fun at the Happy Christmas Village Fantasy Carnival.
• Join the Christmas countdown party — the climax of the hul class="infolist"iday celebrations.
• Shop happily on Orchard Road. Many shops offer discounts to attract guests during that time.

Celebrated: from October or November for a month

Deepavali, also called "the Festival of Lights", is a national cultural festival in Singapore. On this day, thousands of Hindu families in Singapore will light up their warm yellow oil lamps (deepas) at home to pray to Lakshmi, god of fertility and prosperity. Little India is the best place to enjoy Deepavali, which is decorated gorgeously at that time. There will be various exquisite elephant and peacock statues on the street, and the ground is covered with traditional Indian Rangul class="infolist"i paintings.

The day of Deepavali is different each year. It will be on October 31st in 2024, but the celebration can last more than a month, from the week before the festival to a month after the festival. The highlights are always in the week before Deepavali Day.

1. Participate in the "Silver Chariot procession". Devotees drag a silver carriage carrying a statue of the goddess Sri Drowpathai Amman from Sri Mariamman Temple in Chinatown (one of the ul class="infolist"dest Hindu temples in Singapore) all the way to Little India.

2. Enjoy the Fire Dance Festival (Theemithi) held in the Mariamman Hindu Temple. In this ritual, thousands of male believers step on burning coals with their bare feet to pay homage to the goddess. Theemithi is held about a week before Deepavali Day.

3. Enjoy wonderful traditional performances in Little India. The performances last for a few nights before Deepavali.

Singapore Food Festival

Celebrate time: from mid-July

• Taste all kinds of delicious food and have the opportunity to see the delicious masterpieces cooked by the chefs.
• Experience various celebrations, workshops, and live music performances. STREAT is the iconic event of the Food Festival, where you can try different kinds of street food.

What is more, Mid-Autumn Festival, Vesak Day, Thaipusam, Hari Raya Puasa are also the popular festivals in Singapore.

Singapore Food

Singapore is a hodgepodge of diverse races and cultures, which also brings a variety of local cuisines and delicacies together. From street food to elegant restaurants, no matter what your taste or budget, you can enjoy the ultimate delicacy in Singapore. Singapore's traditional cuisine includes chili crab, Hainanese chicken rice, bak kut tek ('pork rib tea'), laksa (spicy noodles), fish head curry, satay, and kaya (coconut jam) toast.

Kampong Gelam is a gastronomic treasure house, popular among tourists from home and abroad. Almost all styles of cuisine can be found there, including authentic Indonesian cuisine, Mexican cuisine, Vietnam cuisine, Japanese food, and Chinese food. Here are some popular restaurants for your reference:

Indian Restaurant: Zam Zam Singapore

• Add: 697-699 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198675
• Tel: +65 6298 6320

Indonesian Restaurant: Warong Nasi Pariaman

• Add: 736/738 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198704
• Tel: +65 6292 2374

Malay kampong ('village') taste restaurant: Hjh Maimunah

• Add: 11 & 15 Jalan Pisang, Singapore 199078
• Tel: +65 6297 4294

Mexican restaurant: Piedra Negra

• Add: 241 Beach Road, Singapore 189753
• Tel: +65 6291 1297

Vietnamese restaurant: Mrs Pho

• Add: 349 Beach Road, Singapore 199570
• Tel: +65 6292 0018

Japanese restaurant: Box n Sticks

• Add: 28 Kandahar Street, Singapore 198889
• Tel: +65 6341 7780

How to Get around Singapore

1. singapore's mass rapid transit (mrt).

The Singapore Metro is a very convenient way to travel. There are dense subway lines and many attractions can be reached by subway. It is very convenient. Usually, the first train departs at 05:30 and the last train is between 23:30 and 00:00.

The bus routes are quite complicated, and the stop names are usually a landmark building near the stop. Therefore, the stop names coming or going are often different. In addition, most buses do not announce the stations , and some only display the name of the next station on their electronic screens. So please be aware of the stops situation when you take a bus.

Taxis are convenient in Singapore. It is easy to take one from hotels, attractions, or shopping malls. The taxi fare starts around 3 SGD (2 USD), and then it's about 0.22 SGD (0.15 USD) for every 400 meters.

1. You can buy an EZ-Link Card or a Singapore Tourist Pass to take the MRT or buses in Singapore with cashless convenience.

2. There is a credit card machine at the front and rear doors of the buses. Please remember to scan your card when you get on the bus at the front door and scan it again when you get off at the rear door.

3. There are many taxi companies in Singapore, such as Comfort, City Cab, SMRT, Trans-Cab, Premier Taxis. SMRT provides advanced taxi services, so the cost will be more expensive.

Private car is always the most comfortable way to get around. Contact Asia Highlights for private transfers.

Where to Stay in Singapore

Singapore is a small country with convenient public transportation. You can take the subway to most of the sightseeing places, so staying near a subway station will make things easy for you. There are five popular areas that people typically choose for a Singapore stay:

• Chinatown : There are more youth hostels and economy hotels in this area. Tourists with a lower budget often choose to stay in this area. Porcelain Hotel Singapore, Bliss Hotel Singapore, Opera House Hotel, and Oasia Hotel Downtown are recommended.
• Sentosa : Many hul class="infolist"iday hotels are located there. If you want to enjoy top-class hotel facilities and relax on beaches, Sentosa should be your choice. The famous Universal Studios is also there. Le Meridien Singapore, Sentosa; Siloso Beach Resort; Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa; and Hotel Michael are recommended.
• Orchard Road: Singapore's shopping mecca! There are many large department stores and shopping centers along the 2-km-long road. If you want to go shopping in Singapore, you should not miss Orchard Road. Grand Park Orchard, Ascott Orchard Singapore, Hotel Chancellor, and YOTEL Singapore are recommended.
• Marina Bay : If you are looking for a luxury hotel experience , there will be more options for you in Marina Bay. Marina Bay Sands; The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore; Sofitel Singapore City Centre; and The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore are all there.
• Bugis : There you can fully experience the charm of Southeast Asia, and you can taste many different local snacks in the night market in Bugis. InterContinental Singapore, Hotel G Singapore, XY hotel Bugis by Asanda Hotels and Resorts, Hotel Royal @ Queens Singapore, and Mercure Singapore Bugis are all good options.

Where would you want to stay? Let us help book the ideal hotel for you.

Shopping in Singapore

Singapore is one of the famous shopping paradises of the world. From unique souvenirs to fashion brands, you can always find the best that retail has to offer. You can buy high-tech products at Funan Mall, fashion clothing and jewelry at Orchard Road; buy Indian specialty products at Little India; and go to Chinatown for a customized exquisite qipao (cheongsam). Or go shopping like a local in very Singaporean malls, such as Tampines 1, Jem®, and Westgate.

Or do you want to bring a special Singapore gift back home? There are many local brands in Singapore, such as TWG tea, Supermama local ceramics, Scene Shang's homeware, Tiger Balm, and local snacks from Biscuit King.

If you only have half a day's transit time in Singapore, Jewel Changi will rewrite your airport transit experience.

Singapore Travel Tips

• Singapore is a rainy country most of the time. Please prepare a raincoat or an umbrella for rain at any time.
• Singapore is an equatorial country with a high UV index. Please prepare sunglasses and sunscreen for your trip.
• The standard electrical current used in Singapore is 220–240 vul class="infolist"ts AC (50 cycles). If you need to, be prepared with a power plug (adapter) with three square prongs.
• Tap water is safe to drink in Singapore. It has passed the World Health Organization standards.
• Smoking is forbidden in all air-conditioned places in Singapore.
• Chewing gum is forbidden in Singapore.
• Singapore charges a very high tax on alcohul class="infolist", so it is expensive to drink or buy a bottle of wine.
• Only the Singapore dul class="infolist"lar is used in Singapore and you can exchange money at the airport when you arrive.
• Tipping is not customary in Singapore. An additional 10% gratuity is charged on top of your bill by some restaurants and hotels.

Tour Singapore with Asia Highlights

Even though Singapore is a small country and English is widely used there, if you want to explore the real Singapore and experience local life, it would still be helpful to have a professional tour guide. Travel with Asia Highlights for a hassle-free and more-fulfilling Singapore tour.

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The ULTIMATE Singapore Travel Guide

A vibrant, bustling city, Singapore combines all the charm of South-East Asia with the wonder of the modern world. One minute you’re wandering past high-end storefronts on Orchard Road and the next, you’re tucking into the island’s very best food, elbow to elbow with locals at a Hawker Centre. From unique cultural experiences and a fascinating history to unbelievably good food and modern-day fun, there’s a lot to see, do and eat in Singapore . A popular transit hub, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself transiting through this eclectic country at one point or another. Whether it’s a stopover or a longer stay, Singapore has a lot to offer travellers. To help you #TravelWell here’s our ultimate guide to Singapore!

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You might also like to read:

• The BEST guide to visiting Jewel at Changi Airport in Singapore
• The best (and worst) places to stay in Singapore…
• Where to stay in Singapore: Swissôtel The Stamford

Where is Singapore?

You’ll find Singapore located just off the tip of the Malay Peninsula , about one degree north of the equator. It is comprised of one main island with a number of smaller islets and islands forming part of the country too. Established as a trading post of the British Empire in 1819, Singapore has long been a port for travellers and that unique history continues today as more than 65.6 million passengers pass through Changi Airport each year.

How to get to Singapore

To get there we fly direct from Australia to Singapore with Singapore Airlines with a flight time of around 8 hours. Owing to its central location there are many airlines with flights to Singapore but, for us, Singapore Airlines is always our first choice. We’ve experienced Singapore Airlines economy, premium economy and business class and have found, no matter where you sit on the plane, the service is always the same! There’s a consistent approach to customer service that makes you feel like your needs matter. The staff are always so welcoming, friendly, patient, kind and attentive. There’s genuine pride in working for the airline, which flows through into the customer service we, as guests, receive.

In addition, we find the seats are very comfortable, there’s always a great selection of entertainment (featuring tv shows and movies you actually want to watch!) and the food is delicious too. They offer a great range of meals for dietary requirements (note: if you love Indian cuisine you should try the Indian vegetarian meals, they’re fantastic). A full-service airline, our luggage and seat selection are included in our fare, which makes the experience all the more stress-free. If you’re planning a trip and looking for an airline recommendation we highly recommend Singapore Airlines and fly with them every chance we get.

Read: 

• Is Premium Economy worth it?
• 6 Thoughts I had flying Business Class

Is Singapore a safe destination for travellers?

Singapore is renowned for being a safe destination for residents and travellers alike. As someone who has lived in Singapore and travelled there repeatedly, I have never had an experience that has made me feel unsafe in any way. When we’re in Singapore we have no hesitations about withdrawing cash from an ATM late at night or wandering around with our cameras out. With that said, it’s always important to be mindful wherever you travel in the world so we follow the same basic safety principles as always. We’re mindful to keep our belongings where we can see them at all times and use our hotel room safe to store valuable items.

Is Singapore a budget-friendly destination?

If I had never lived in Singapore I would have been of the opinion it is an expensive destination. This is due to the cost of accommodation, alcohol, some experiences and restaurants as well as Singapore’s famous high-end shopping scene. But there are many layers to Singapore and, in my opinion, some of the best experiences are the least expensive. Instead of eating at restaurants for every meal try eating at Hawker Centres dotted across the island. Here, you can feast like a King for under SG$10!

The best food on the island is found in Hawker Centres so not only will you save money, you’ll be trying authentic local cuisine. The alcohol tax means booze prices are high so try taking advantage of your hotel’s club lounge benefits as they usually include two or three-hour-long happy hours where drinks are free! In place of catching taxis or ride-shares around the island, get yourself an EZ-Link Card and catch the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) instead. The train system in Singapore is incredibly easy to figure out and use. It’s also very safe, clean and affordable.

10 Must-know tips for visiting Singapore

Here are a few things you really need to know before you travel to Singapore:

• The local currency is the Singapore Dollar (SG$) and no other currency is accepted (i.e. US Dollars). Downloading a free currency conversion app that works offline, like  XE Currency , will come in very useful!
• Singapore has four official languages; English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil but there’s a fifth unofficial language; Singlish! This unique hybrid of English and local dialect influences is a beloved part of Singapore. When talking to locals the speed at which they talk may make it seem as though they aren’t speaking English but listen closely and your ears will adapt. Before you know it, you’ll be adding ‘lah’ and ‘ah/uh’ to your sentences, calling people Aunty and Uncle and clipping your sentences (it kinda reminds me of that episode of The Office where Kevin starts cutting out unnecessary words!).
• While Singapore’s laws are very strict, I often hear people express worry they’ll be arrested for things like accidentally dropping a food wrapper. Don’t worry, it’s not like that! If you do litter, just pick it up and put it in the trash.
• The heat and humidity in Singapore can be very intense, especially if you aren’t used to it or are coming from a cold climate. Trust me, you don’t want to underestimate it. To avoid heatstroke and exhaustion you may want to plan to do your sightseeing in the mornings and afternoon/evenings, outside of the hottest parts of the day. Use sun protective gear (I always carry an umbrella to shade me), rest often, and drink lots of water.
• While cards are widely accepted, you’ll want to make sure you have cash on you if you’re visiting Hawker Centres as it’s unlikely they’ll take your card for payment.

• There’s a large expat community in Singapore, which makes it even more multicultural than it already was to begin with! As a result, you’ll find a broad range of restaurants and bars catering to just about every nationality you could think of. It also means it’s a great place to meet people from all over the world and make new friends.
• With so many expats living in Singapore and many business deals going down over drinks, Singapore’s nightlife scene is kind of epic! So, if you do love to party, you’re in for a real treat.
• While Singapore is renowned for it’s super safe, squeaky-clean image, there is a ‘red-light district,’ in Geylang. Honestly, there are some pretty great restaurants there and I’ve never had a problem when I’ve visited! But, if you are keen to see Singapore’s ‘other side,’ head there after dark.
• You can easily visit Malaysia by catching the bus, walking or driving a car across the border. We used to do this a lot when I was living there, heading over to Johor Bahru for a day of shopping and great Malaysian food. Just beware, while the border control staff in Singapore are all above board, we have had situations where staff on the Malay side of the border sought bribes to allow us to enter or leave.
• Tipping isn’t required in Singapore, though you’re welcome to if you would like to, of course
• Read our full guide to 11 things to know before you go to Singapore here .

The best time to visit Singapore

Singapore is a great destination year-round. I often read articles talking about the different seasons and, yes, there are technically different seasons but there’s not really going to be a time to visit that will allow you to escape the heat altogether. Remember, earlier, when you read that bit about it being one degree north of the equator?! Yeah, that ain’t changing which means the heat ain’t changing either. With that in mind, planning a visit around January to March will see you coinciding with some of the island’s festivals like Chinese New Year and Holi. Singapore also comes alive from November to December with Deepavali (the festival of lights) and some absolutely epic Christmas and New Year celebrations!

How to get around in Singapore

In Australia, taxis are so expensive we rarely use them. In Singapore, they’re really well-priced which makes catching taxis around the island a viable transport option. Also, you’re very unlikely to get ripped off in a tourist scam as Singaporean taxi drivers run a fare meter. Make sure when you get in, the meter is started, just as a precaution. It’s also important to bear in mind that torrential afternoon downpours are common in the rainy months, coinciding perfectly with peak hours. This creates a huge demand for taxis which can make it virtually impossible to get one so, if this happens, public transport is a better option.

While Uber has been outlawed, you can use ‘Grab’ which is essentially the same thing. Just make sure you download the app and register an account before you leave home as you’ll need to verify your mobile number and, if you don’t’ have an international sim, won’t be able to do it once you arrive. The easiest and most affordable way to get around Singapore as a tourist has to be by public transport. Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system is incredibly well organised, very clean, reliable, and easy to navigate. Catch the bus or train around the island paying for tickets as you go or pick up an EZ-Link card which can be topped up with credit to make it even easier!

Where to stay in Singapore

Given the size of the island and how easy it is to get around, you can’t really go wrong when choosing an accommodation spot. While it may be tempting to book a hotel right on Orchard Road, I would only recommend that location if you’re really into shopping. Otherwise, I’d recommend spots around the Downtown area. Ideally, you want to find a place right above or very close to an MRT station. Look for spots near City Hall, Esplanade, Raffles Place, Telok Ayer and Downtown MRT stations. Find great Singapore hotels here!

Swissôtel The Stamford

This hotel truly has it all and is our favourite place to stay in Singapore! Swissôtel The Stamford is perfectly located in-between two MRT stations, with one being directly below the hotel. There’s plenty of great food options close by, within easy walking distance and you could also do a lot of our exploring on foot, owing to its great location. Our favourite things about the hotel have to be the incredible views over the city, out to the water and beyond as well as the incredibly luxurious, modern rooms. Find Swissôtel The Stamford here and read my full review of it here.

Crowne Plaza Changi Airport 

We often find ourselves transiting through Singapore, with one or two days layover. In those instances, we love staying at Crowne Plaza Changi Airport. It only takes a few minutes to walk from baggage collection to the hotel reception and, before you know it, you’ve had a shower and are all cosied up in bed, relaxing. The rooms here are very spacious and well fitted out, with everything you could possibly need to have a great stay. Best of all, it’s located a short walk from Jewel at Changi Airport, has an awesome pool and an epic club lounge! We love visiting time and time again to reconnect with Raymond, the amazing Club Lounge manager who never forgets us. Find Crowne Plaza Changi Airport here.

If you love boutique hotel experiences you should definitely check out Amoy Hotel. Located in Singapore’s Central Business District, the Telok Ayer MRT is right outside the hotel’s unique temple entry-way. Inside the decor throws back to Singapore’s spice trade routes, with dark wood, vintage pieces, exposed brick, warm lighting and split-level rooms. With plenty of great food closeby, a distinct heritage feel and a convenient, central location, Amoy is a great base for your Singapore adventures. Find Amoy Hotel here.

Here are 8 more awesome places to stay in Singapore: 

• Marina Bay Sands
• The Fullerton Bay Hotel
• Rendezvous Hotel 
• Holiday Inn Express Orchard Road 
• Oasia Hotel Novena
• Shangri-La Hotel
• Village Hotel Katong
• Mandarin Oriental

15 Foods you must try in Singapore

Eating is pretty much a national pastime in Singapore! Honestly, I have to recommend that you eat as much food as possible, sampling from the broad range of cuisines on offer across the island. If you went to Singapore and didn’t stuff yourself… did you really do it right? I think not. Here are my tips on must-try food in Singapore. It’s important to note the very best food goes down at Hawker Centres so nearly all of these recommendations can be found at one of the many great Hawker Centres across the island, making them very budget-friendly.

• Start your day the traditional way with Kaya Toast , made from a sweet, coconut jam, and delicious silk-stocking tea or coffee
• Dive mouth-first into delicious dumplings either from a Hawker Centre or spots like Din Tai Fung , Mouth or 126 Eating House
• If you love noodles, be sure to sample Char Kway Teow , a delicious combination of flat rice noodles, dark soy sauce, egg, seafood/sausage and more
• You absolutely must try fried carrot cake , one of my favourite Singaporean dishes! Interestingly, it is not  a cake and does  not  contain any carrot!
• The perfect mix between fresh, spicy and sweet, Rojak is a tropical fruit and vegetable salad perfect for something light or as a vegetarian option

• You cannot visit Singapore without trying Hainanese Chicken Rice at least once! It’s pretty much the national dish and they love it so much they made a whole Romeo and Juliet inspired movie about it.
• One of my all-time favourite things to eat in Singapore (and the world) is Masala Dosa . In my opinion, the very best one is from Komala Villas in Little India .
• Speaking of Little India, if you love curry be sure to head to the Banana Leaf Apolo for truly delicious curry and Indian fare.
• Another of my all-time favourite things to eat in life is Roti Prata , a crispy, delicious flatbread cooked over a grill and served with dipping curry.
• If you love chicken wings keep your eyes peeled for crispy, golden BBQ chicken wings or ‘teddy-bear wings’ found at Hawker Centres. The chilli they serve them with will blow your mind!

• Vegetarians and vegans will love sampling clay hotpot, which includes a mouth-wateringly good veggie gravy and loads of yummy veg and tofu too! They also have meat options, of course, for the carnivores.
• Head to Lau Pa Sat after dark and eat your way through the iconic ‘Satay Street’ where you can sample some of the islands very best satay, accompanied perfectly by gooey peanut satay sauce. Y-E-S!
• Singapore is famous for its incredible Chilli Crab. You’ll definitely get covered in crab juice but it’s worth it to sample the BBQ’d perfection and spices!
• If you’re feeling adventurous, BBQ Stingray is a local delight that will expand your horizons and it tastes absolutely amazing.
• It’s so hot in Singapore that ice creams and rich desserts don’t usually sit too well. Instead, try ice kachang! It’s essentially shaved ice topped with syrup, condensed milk, jelly, fruits and some pretty unique toppings like red kidney beans and even corn. Don’t knock it till you try it!
• Read our full guide on must-try food in Singapore here. 

8 of the best things to do in Singapore

There’s no shortage of wonderful things to do in Singapore! Here are a few to get you started:

• Soak in the very best views of the island from above by visiting rooftop spots like Pinnacle @ Duxton and 1-Altitude
• Visit the iconic Gardens by the Bay ; exploring the Cloud Forest , Flower Dome and spectacular Supertree Grove
• See a different side of Singapore by heading out to the East Coast Parkway to ride bikes and sit on the beach
• Make your way to Chinatown , visiting the incredible Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Maxwell Food Centre

• Spend a day exploring the vibrant streets and temples of Little India , making sure to check out the Tekka Centre and wet market
• Have an amazing day at the Singapore Zoo or a unique evening experience at the epic Night Safari
• Step back in time to the 1920s as you wander the gorgeous streets of Tiong Bahru , making a visit to the iconic Tiong Bahru Bakery
• Head over to Sentosa Island to visit Singapore’s beautiful beaches and visit Universal Studios for a fun-filled day
• Read our full guide to 16 Things you absolutely must do in Singapore here. 

What to pack for a trip to Singapore

Here’s what you need to pack for a trip to Singapore:

• Overall, you’ll want to pack clothing that is breathable. For Matt, this is usually shorts and a sweat-wicking t-shirt. For me, it’s usually summer dresses, cotton skirts and linen tops. It’s going to be hot and humid so make sure your clothing is going to allow your skin to breathe and keep you as cool as possible.
• I always recommend wearing high SPF sunscreen and a hat if you’re out exploring during the day
• In terms of footwear, I find we’re on our feet a lot in Singapore so we prefer to wear comfortable sneakers or breathable sandals
• Make sure you pack your swimmers so you can take advantage of the hotel pool!
• If you’re planning on dining out at nice restaurants, you’ll want to bring a few special outfits with you. Singapore is very fashion-forward so don’t be afraid to get all glammed up for a special dinner
• You will absolutely need a good quality, strong deodorant, especially if you typically sweat a lot as-is
• Surprisingly, I always recommend packing a really warm jumper or jacket . You see, to compensate for the heat, shopping malls, hotels etc. will have the air conditioning set to ‘freeze’ and you can quickly become very cold.
• Read our full guide on what to pack for a trip to Singapore here.

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Best Time to Visit Singapore

Though Singapore with all its charming attractions seems like a year-round destination, however, planning a Singapore trip with the perfect weather is tricky. Like its neighbours, Singapore's weather is unpredictable and can fluctuate from pleasantly sunny to torrential downpours. It’s crucial to plan out to the best time to visit Singapore, so that the rain doesn’t spoil your Singapore travel plans .

The best time to visit Singapore is from February to April, which is the rainy island-city’s dry season. There’s comparatively less rainfall during this period than at other times of the year. Singapore tourism sees a spike in the months of February to April as it is more comfortable to travel to the beautiful island around this time.

Here’s a breakdown of the different seasons in Singapore to pick the perfect time to travel to the Lion City:

September – January

If you’re a lover of rain and its charm, then you can book your tickets for this period. However, expect a good soaking any minute during the wet season. Sometimes, it can rain all day long! With all the drenching, the weather is still hot and sultry, so you'll need to wear comfortable clothes. Throw your Singapore map into a waterproof backpack along with a sturdy umbrella and a breathable waterproof jacket to go forth and explore the various wonders of Singapore attractions.

February – August

Though it’s dry season at this time, there are still spells of afternoon shower. The best weather for Singapore sightseeing is between February and April. During May and August, smoke from clearing fires in Sumatra enters the city and air quality and visibility drop drastically. Singapore weather is still hot and humid during these months, so pack light clothes and a rain jacket to avoid walking around with squelchy shoes.

Visa Information

With Singapore tourism witnessing an increased influx of Indian tourists, it is easier and faster to get a Singapore tourist visa for Indian passport holders. However, there are several points to consider:

– If you’re an Indian passport holder, then you can apply for a Singapore tourist visa that allows you to stay for a maximum period of 30 days with a validity of two years.

– Not unlike other countries, Singapore tourism needs you to ensure that your passport is valid for six months from the date of entry into Singapore.

– Singapore tourist visa is a multiple entry visa with which you can travel multiple times to the Lion City without reapplying, in the given visa validity.

If you have four to five hours to spare in between your connecting flights, Singapore tourism encourages you to register at Changi Airport for a free Singapore tour. In order to do this, your halt must be less than eight hours, otherwise you will need a transit visa.  You’ll need to show proof to Singapore tourism of having sufficient funds during your stay there along with confirmed return flight tickets. You can see the list of documents required for the application process on the Singapore tourism website. Once done, you can start planning an enthralling trip to the garden-city!

Check how you can travel to Singapore without a Visa!

Top Places to See in Singapore

With a host of exciting Singapore attractions, you’ll be spoilt for choice on where to go. We’ve got a list of places to visit in Singapore, ranging from astounding architecture to historical monuments, bustling markets to serene islands and glittering nightlife to the spirituality of monasteries there. Take your pick and get started!

Art Science Museum

Drop in at the Art Science Museum for an overwhelming blend of art and science. Curated exhibitions there allow visitors to explore interactive high technology digital installations which will transport you to a different cerebral universe. In addition to this, their revamped exhibition Future World – a Singapore tourism initiative – grabs a lot of eyeballs owing to their interactive exhibits. The museum transports people to different dimensions and is a great place to spend a few hours exploring.

Timings: 10am to 7pm

National Gallery Singapore  

This one’s for the art and history enthusiasts. The National Gallery is an imposing structure with balustrades, restored painstakingly by Singapore tourism. Spanning two buildings, the former Supreme Court and the former City Hall, the architecture of the gallery is striking. The gallery houses modern art by artists across Southeast Asia. An array of up-and-coming artwork and renowned pieces by well-known artists from the region find a place here. There are exhibitions on food, photography, film and fashion you can lose yourself in. You can’t afford to miss out on the newly-opened galleries showcasing Chinese ink art and the magical rooftop sculpture garden.

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Bang in the middle of the busy city-state exists a small slice of green paradise opened in 1859, making it Singapore tourism’s oldest park. Home to 10,000 flourishing species of plants and one of the world’s best orchid research and breeding centres in the world, the quiet grounds is a sensory treat owing to the fragrance of blooming flowers. You’ll also find a lot of jungle creatures here including three-foot long monitor lizards that are harmless unless provoked. Then it turns into a precautionary tale worth telling.

Gardens by the Bay

Singapore tourism’s most prominent garden,  Gardens by the Bay is famous for its sci-fi looking Supertree Grove with its 18 vertical gardens that reach a whopping height of 16 stories. You can check out its conservatory domes, OCBC Skywalk and Marina Barrage. Make sure you’re in time for their free light show under the shade of enormous trees. Pick a grassy spot to settle down and watch the play of lights and music.  

Singapore Zoo

Here’s a chance to watch animals in their natural habitat. The animals are kept in open captivity, but their large enclosures are surrounded by moats and other barriers. Singapore Zoo is home to 300 animal species out of which 15% are in the threatened category. You can also enjoy Night Safari at Singapore Zoo .

River Safari

Take a gander at Singapore tourism’s tropical forests as you glide by on a boat. There are freshwater animals living on both sides of the river; you can spot friendly American beavers, sinewy anacondas and adorable giant pandas that’ll put a smile on your face.

If you’re seeking solace and nature then Singapore tourism’s got that too. There are a number of spectacular islands for you to go island-hopping. For just 150 bucks, you can board a bumboat from the Changi Ferry Terminal which holds up to 12 people. Pulau Ubin is a short ride away. Reach the jetty and walk over to the small town there to rent a bike and cycle all over the island. Pulau Ubin has Singapore’s last surviving kampong or traditional village. The beautiful Chek Jawa Wetlands are a picturesque slice of nature among Singapore’s tourist places, with a boardwalk for you to sit on and watch the sun go down.

St John’s & Lazarus Island

Attention, all beach bums. If you’re lusting for the glittering sea and white sand, then Singapore tourism has got you covered. St. John’s and Lazarus Island boasts of a splendid crescent beach with blue, crystal-clear waters and fine white sand. You’ll have to plan your Singapore tour to get here. There are scheduled ferries plying from Marina South Pier; a ticket will cost you ₹900 plus and will deposit you on the pretty island in 30 minutes. There are no shops or eateries here so make sure you pack a nice meal along with snacks, water, sunscreen and hat. Once there you can swim in the cerulean blue water, dry off on the beach and dig into your stash of food as you watch the sun setting over the horizon.

Little India

You’ll realise that Singapore tourism’s claims of being a melting pot of cultures are not unfounded when you direct your footsteps towards Little India. The area is filled with sounds, a variety of colours and fragrances from the stalls there. Thread your way through the market here to pick up some knick-knacks or check out Mustafa’s store which is rumoured to have literally everything. If you’re craving for some Indian food, then you will find it here. Stop at the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple to offer up a quick prayer and then head to Jalan Besar with its quirky cafes to grab a bite.

Immerse yourself in Singapore tourism’s culture by walking into Chinatown with its pretty red tasselled lanterns. The area is bustling with different sights and smells that will assail your senses. Pick up a few souvenirs on Pagoda Street before heading over to Chinatown’s food street to dig into the street-food offered at hawkers’ stalls. The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is also located here and stands decked up in red and gold and is rumoured to have one of Buddha’s teeth inside.

Universal Studios Singapore

All adrenaline junkies should head to  Universal Studios Singapore on Sentosa Island. There are seven themed zones with hair-raising rides and entertaining shows. If you’re more of a water baby, then go to Adventure Cove Waterpark to scream your lungs off on its water roller coasters. You can’t possibly miss out on their snorkelling pool where you can swim around with colourful freshwater fish. Their Halloween horror nights are a blast and people go all out to participate.

Siloso Beach

Singapore tourism has plenty of options where you can treat your eyes to natural beauty and Siloso Beach is proof of that. Located on the far end of Sentosa Island, Siloso is one of the three beaches there. Siloso Beach has restaurants by the beach for you sit back and unwind with food and drink with beach views. If it’s a party you’re looking for, you’ll find it on Tanjong Beach. For families, Palawan Beach is a good option where you’ll find kids playing in the water and several picnic spots.

Changi Airport

Yes, believe it or not  Changi Airport has been transformed into a glittering attraction in itself by Singapore tourism. Spend time at Changi Airport when you land, which you invariably will once you set foot in the mammoth structure which looks like you’ve entered a mythical dimension. The recently-opened Jewel at Changi Airport is a destination in itself with its impressive indoor waterfall – the tallest in the world – a 130 feet rain vortex cascading down from a massive oculus amidst a forest of 1,400 trees. Yes, a forest inside the airport.Once you’ve picked your jaw off the floor, you can bounce around on the airport’s bouncing nets strung 80 feet high or lose yourself in its two giant mazes (one with mirrors, one with hedges). Channel your inner child by zipping down a giant slide or dine at its luxury bars and restaurants. You can also arrive a little early before your return flight if you want to have another go at their giant slide.

Marina Bay Sands Rooftop  

Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands Rooftop hotel is literally the glittering jewel in its crown. Take a swim in the world’s largest infinity pool, sample some award-winning gourmet food or spend time at their various entertainment options. Make sure you check out the prices before you order a glass of wine because this place spells swanky. It is open till 2am for night owls looking for a memorable night.

Activities and Things to Do in Singapore

With all of Singapore tourism’s vast number of crowd-pleasers and beauty, there’s no way you’ll be bored. The activities here are unique and not found in a lot of places. Make your bucket list and make sure you tick all of them. With an array of things to do in Singapore, you won’t be able to sit still. Here are a few ideas to help you with that list.

Go on a night safari

Next to the Singapore Zoo is the Night Safari, the world’s first nocturnal zoo. An offbeat attraction of Singapore tourism, this wildlife park is only open at night which sets it apart from other Singapore tourist places. The experience is edgy; you’ll be walking on paths and bridges to delve into the jungle at night and witness 120 species of nocturnal creatures such as tigers, fishing cats and alligators to mention a few. There are electric trams running around the length of the park which you can board. The guided tour will help you navigate the park better. There are antelopes which move around freely and may nudge you for a snack. There’s a fruit bat enclosure which you can stroll through to find a fruit bat dangling inches away from you. If you’ve got a kid along, take them to the 20-minute Creatures of the Night show. Flash photography is banned here so make sure you don’t disturb the animals with bright flashing lights.

Lose yourself in the underwater world of S.E.A Aquarium

A feather in the cap of Singapore tourism, the world’s largest aquarium houses 49 marine habitats and over 100,000 sea creatures. Located on Sentosa Island, the aquarium is a terrific place to view the complex and diverse marine habitats around the world. The shark tunnel has hammerheads, silvertip and sandbar sharks swimming overhead so you can look up and marvel at these majestic creatures. Wave to colourful reef fish from the Caribbean Sea, watch dancing eels in the Bay of Bengal section, spy on lobsters and lionfish from the South China Sea scuttling along or peer down at fire shrimp and yellow boxfish from the Red Sea. You can also squeeze into a cave to look at moray eels. There’s information on the ecosystems of Laka Malawai, coastal mangroves and kelp forest. Another exhibit which will leave your mouth open with amazement is the Ocean Journey with lit jellyfish, scary-looking spider crabs and a massive deep sea octopus. If that doesn’t leave you impressed, the 36m long and 8.3m high will bring you close to stingrays, sharks, barracuda and other water fish. You can spend time feeding fish or delve into the second underwater tunnel swimming around a ship wreck.

Queue up for a plate of chicken rice and noodles at a Michelin-starred stall

Wake up early and queue up at 8am in the heart of Singapore’s Chinatown, in front of Chef Chan Hon Meng’s Michelin-starred hawker stall. Chef Chan dishes out delectable Michelin-starred soya sauce chicken rice and noodles to a serpentine queue which stretches down to the second floor of the hawkers’ market around lunchtime. It’s best to get here early to sample his tantalising fare as more and more people join the line for lunch and then you’ll have to stand for hours in line for a taste of this Michelin-starred food.

Spend a day at Universal Studios

Singapore tourism’s Hollywood movie-themed park deserves a visit. The park is divided into seven ‘worlds’ which you can explore according to your interests. If you’re all for the hair-raising rides then enter the Sci-Fi City to ride on Battlestar Galactica which is the world’s tallest duelling rollercoaster where you must choose between riding the CYLON or the seated HUMAN as they twist, spin and roll. Transformers the Ride in Sci-Fi City is a 3D ride into a dystopian future where Transformers fight it out. History buffs can choose Ancient Egypt which has the Revenge of the Mummy roller-coaster, a ride which happens in the dark with guest appearances from zombies. There’s a show named Waterworld show where there are stunts to marvel at and plenty of water spraying around if you dare to sit in front. There’s a lot to keep kids happy with Puss in Boots and dinosaurs and singing and dancing shows. Make sure you get here bright and early to beat the queue.

Feel your stomach drop on the Singapore Flyer

If you’ve looked at the many pictures of Singapore’s glittering skyline on the internet, you must have seena giant Ferris wheel. Yes, you can take a ride on this 165m-tall wheel which is now an iconic part of the Singapore skyline. This takes pride of place in Singapore tourism’s many activities. The Singapore flyer is the second largest observation wheel in the world after the High Roller in Las Vegas. Overlooking the water near Marina Bay, the wheel makes for a terrific ride at night when the city is lit up. Your stomach will plummet when you look down over the water below but the spectacular views of Marina Bay, the skyscrapers of CBD, the river, the historic buildings of the Colonial District and ships on the South China Sea will keep you hooked.

Explore the Geylang district

A curious amalgamation of seedy activities and spirituality, this is another example of Singapore tourism’s diverse cultural features. Geylang is a red light district by night which has shop houses with architecture dating back to the 20 th century. The district is set apart from the gleaming metropolis of Singapore by its colourful narrow houses built in a row with sheltered corridors at the front and internal courtyards. The design of these houses is emblematic of Singapore’s mixed heritage with their Chinese porcelain-chip friezes, French windows, Malay timber fretwork and Portuguese shutters. Haunt the narrow lanes of Geylang to gaze at 1930s Art Deco shop houses and a bungalow on stilts built in the Malay kampong style. To cater to the spiritual needs of the growing immigrant population, temples, mosques and churches sprung up and they still stand making Geylang a spiritual hub even today.

Marvel at animals in the Singapore Zoo

The best thing about this 28-hectare property is its natural habitat-like enclosures which allow the wildlife enough space to roam around. Singapore tourism’s marvel, the zoo is located on a peninsula in the Upper Seletar Reservoir. There’s a waterfall falling off the lip of a cliff called the Great Rift Valley which houses Nubian ibexes, baboons and mongooses. Climb up to the forest canopy to look at two-toed sloths, lemurs and flying foxes.

There are animals from the frigid Tundra such as polar bears, wolverines and raccoons. Spot a myriad variety of monkeys at the Primate Kingdom which gives you an opportunity to get a closer look at orangutans during their feeding sessions. You can also spot the rare white tiger as well as lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes and zebras. You can also hop on to a tram looping around the park to get to enclosures. Singapore tourism’s efforts here are noteworthy since the vast zoo gives you a chance to interact with a variety of animals in conditions mimicked to suit their natural habitats.

Witness the natural splendour of Gardens by the Bay

Singapore tourism’s Gardens by the Bay are unique in that they’ve merged futuristic technology with natural beauty. One of Singapore’s most remarkable gardens, the entire area is built on 101 hectares of reclaimed land. Massive biodomes rise from the surrounding greenery with over 800 species of plants from different climate zones within. 

The Desert Dome for example has giant cacti while a gurgling waterfall spills from a 35m mountain in the Cloud Forest Dome. There are several creative and quirky sculptures around the place to arrest your eye. However, the most notable feature and a highlight of Singapore tourism are the 18 huge Supertrees which are lit up at night. The breathtaking view is complimented by spectacular sound and light show every night. To get to the Supertrees you can take a stroll on the OCBC Skyway walk, 22m above the gardens.

Gorge on delicious food at the Hawker Centre

For Singaporeans, food is serious business and hawker centres (large food courts) bring together street food stalls to serve all the traditional delicacies of Singapore along with snacks and fast food. It is to Singapore tourism’s credit that these hawker centres exist to provide people with a vibrant and quintessential experience at reasonable rates in an expensive city like Singapore. These hawker centres tend to get crowded so make sure you save your seat at a table by placing an object there such as an umbrella, bag or some tissues.

Head to Lau Pa Sat in the business district which is open all 24 hours and serves a variety of dishes in an impressive 19 th century cast-iron building. Satay street stalls outside Lau Pa Sat come alive in the evenings and sell smoky satay skewers (small pieces of grilled meat with spicy peanut chutney) on the grill while some sell cold beer to thirsty customers.

For a more local experience, head to Old Airport Road Food Centre which is open from 8am to 11pm. The specialty here is the char kway teow (stir-fried rice noodles), noodle soup, seafood dishes and more.

Chinatown Complex is Singapore tourism’s authentic street food area and gives you that vibe with its sweating hawkers and sizzling food aroma. You can sample some claypot rice, congee (savoury rice porridge) and other noodle dishes. Smith Street serves up tender roast duck with rice and noodles to droves of people looking for a good meal.

Cuisine & Best Places to Eat in Singapore

The love of food in Singaporean culture is great and rightly so considering it is called one of the food capitals in the world. It is one of the finest places in the world for food connoisseurs because of Singapore tourism’s diverse culinary offerings. From fine dining at swanky restaurants, to posh watering holes and numerous hawker stalls which showcase Singapore tourism’s melting-pot population. Here’s everything in this Singapore  travel guide that you need to try in the Lion City and the best places to find it:

Hainan Chicken Rice

The much acclaimed Hainanese chicken rice is Singapore tourism’s bait to foodies all over the world and boy, do they come in from all corners to try this dish. Considered one of Singapore’s national dishes, the dish is made by cooking rice in chicken stock, garlic and ginger for flavour. Some chicken and the rice is served with a side of ginger and garlic dipping sauce which gives off that spicy, pungent aroma.

Where to find it:

The most famous Hainan chicken rice stall is Tian Tian at Maxwell Food Court. However, they sell out quick and you might need to find an alternative. There are a great many options such as Boon Tong Kee and Wee Na Kee. If you want the gourmet version, then drop in at Chatterbox at the Mandarin Orchard Hotel.

Chilli Crab

Another luscious signature dish Singapore tourism boasts of is the Singaporean chilli crab. You shouldn't leave Singapore without trying the Singaporean chilli crab. Large crabs, the size of small frisbees, are slathered in a thick sweet and savoury tomato-based sauce that'll leave you licking your fingers. The tomato-based sauce has an egg whisked into it to add thickness to the gravy and after the crab is devoured, you can use mantou (small fried buns) to mop up the leftover sauce on your plate. You’ll be wishing you wore your stretchy sweatpants for this one.

You’ll find some of the best chilli crab at Long Beach Seafood, Roland, Jumbo Seafood and No Signboard Seafood. Long Beach Seafood is the original inventor of the black pepper crab while No Signboard Seafood has created the white pepper crab.

The Singaporean katong laksa is a bowl of rice noodles and seafood in a curry-like broth of coconut milk, dried shrimp, and spices. The comforting bowl of noodles originated from the Peranakans (Straits-born Chinese) in the Katong neighbourhood.

There are many stalls selling the popular laksa but 328 Katong Laksa is one of the best; and incidentally, beat Gordon Ramsay in a cooking showdown! Other stalls you can try are the Janggut Laksa and the Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa.

Bak Kut Teh

This dish is a pork rib soup in a herbal broth and is eaten for breakfast in Singapore. Interestingly, it also makes for a great hangover cure. There are two versions of bak kut teh ; one is a clear peppery broth named Teochew style bak kut teh with a clear peppery broth while the Hokkien style has a darker and more aromatic broth made of soy sauce and herbs.

You’ll find the Teochew variety at Joo Siah Bak Kut Teh or at Song Fa Bak Kut Teh. You can try the Hokkien style dish at Ng Ah Sio.

Here’s Singapore tourism’s ice cream with a twist for you. Es Potong translates to ‘cut ice’ which is flavoured and folded in a slice of white bread. It’s basically an ice cream sandwich and is the perfect antidote to Singapore’s heat. Flavours range from taro to red bean. You’ll find vendors selling it in tourist areas such as Bugis Street, Orchard Road and Clarke Quay for ₹70.

Hokkien Mee

Originating from the Hokkien (Fujian) province of China, hokkien mee is Singapore tourism’s famous street food dish. It is made with stir-fried egg and rice noodles with egg, prawn and pork. Many have started experimenting with the dish and adding new ingredients for novel flavours with a traditional base.

Geylang Lor 29 is one of the oldest stalls and has come up with a version of the dish made over charcoal fire since the 1960s. Head to Come Daily Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee in Toa Payoh with their loyal fan base. The place serves up hokkien mee with a strong prawn flavour, pork belly and other additions.

How Much Would It Cost To Travel To Singapore?

Singapore Tourism Board is on a spree to make travelling seamless in this gorgeous country. You'll find budget hotels and hostels as well as top-notch luxurious properties. The MTR transport system ensures cheap travel and accessibility to all the places, but you can always take a cab to hop from one place to another. From street food to Michelin Star restaurants, Singapore has it all.

Here’s a brief breakdown of some basic costs you might come across, while in SGP:

A one-way flight to Singapore from Delhi: 15,000 INR to 18,000 INR.

If you’re looking for a budget hotel which is reasonable on the pocket, you’ll find many priced at around 2,500 INR to 3,500 INR per night.

For those looking for a luxurious retreat, five-star hotels will cost around 12,000 INR to 15,000 INR per night.

A meal for 2 at Chinatown will cost you around 3,000 INR while dinning at a restaurant would be approx 5,000 INR.

Frequently Asked Questions

Being an island country and a sovereign state, Singapore comprises of 63 tiny, but beautiful islands. Some of the largest and most famous Singapore tourism islands are Palau Ujaong, Sentosa, Jurong Island, Palau Tekong and Palau Ubin.

Singapore’s currency is the Singapore Dollar, or singdollar. ATM machines are available at all malls thanks to Singapore tourism. You can easily withdraw funds here from foreign debit cards. In case you need to change currency, money changes are available all over Singapore and in major shopping centres. Singapore tourism makes changing money easier, as these tend to stay open for 24 hours. You can easily change currency at Little India too

Major credit cards are accepted by local hawker, taxi organisations as well as some food courts. Be prepared to be charged 2-3% additionally by small stores for purchases made by credit cards.

It is not compulsory to tip here and people generally don’t. Singapore tourism discourages tipping, as a service charge of 10% is already added to your bill. If you feel like tipping, however, you can always do so.

Singapore is one of the cleanest and safest cities in the world. To Singapore tourism’s credit, the island-city has a low crime rate. There are stringent laws on tardiness. Hygiene is very important here and littering, jaywalking, smoking in public places and even chewing gum is punishable by fine. It is no wonder that Singapore tourism is applauded for its clean garden-city.There are a few incidents of pickpocketing and bag snatching, so avoid  isolated areas alone.

Singapore tourism has facilitated network service for tourists efficiently. Tourists can buy a local SIM card at post offices, 7-Eleven stores and local telecom stores. You’ll have to show your passport while buying a SIM card. The main service providers in Singapore are SingTel, StarHub and M1 among others.Good hotels have Wi-Fi access, as do many backpacker hostels. Singapore tourism is brilliant in that the island-city has a wide broadband network, with many wireless hotspots scattered throughout the city.

Singapore tourism has made getting a tourist visa to the Lion City fairly easy. An Indian passport holder can apply for a for a Singapore tourist visa that allows you to stay for a maximum period of 30 days with a validity of two years.You can also travel to multiple times to Singapore without reapplying, provided it is within the visa validity period.

Singapore tourism offers a lot of attractions for a gala time. Mainly, Singapore is famous for China Town, Disneyland, Universal Studios, and Marina Bay.

Singapore is a multilingual country. There are four official languages in Singapore; Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and English. Singapore tourism is thriving because it is easy to communicate with people in Singapore because most of the people there can converse in English.

Yes, Singapore has beaches. Singapore is an island country surrounded by beaches all around. The presence of beaches in Singapore majorly contributes to the acclaim of Singapore tourism. If you wish to explore Singapore beaches, then head to Sentosa Island, Palawan Beach, Siloso Beach, Changi Beach and other beaches.

No, it doesn't snow in Singapore. The country is situated near the equator and enjoys a tropical climate throughout the year which is favourable for Singapore tourism. Singapore does not witness winter, autumn and spring season.

The Perfect 4 Day Singapore Itinerary For First Time Visitors

By: Author Lotte

Posted on Last updated: November 29, 2023

Categories Singapore

Singapore is a city-state in Southeast Asia, small in size but so much fun to visit!

From colorful Little India to the beautiful views of the Singapore skyline, the lovely Gardens by the Bay, bustling Chinatown, hidden green pockets like the Mount Faber Loop, and much more.

Singapore has been one of our most treasured destinations for as long as we can remember, and we use this post as a tribute of our personal undying love for this magical place.

On our recent trip back to Singapore in spring of 2023, we managed to polish off all the details that were bound to change since the original version was written: That first stay in the City of Gardens blew our minds away, leaving us smitten with every nook and cranny of the green megapolis. So, get ready for the new and improved Singapore travel guidebook!

Read this 4 day Singapore itinerary with lots of tips to make the most of your first-time visit to Singapore!

Singapore itinerary

Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). We're very grateful when you use our links to make a purchase:-).

Things to know when planning a trip to Singapore

If you are wondering when to visit Singapore: Singapore is a great year-round destination as it never gets cold. We visited in May when average temperatures are around 27 degrees Celsius. The average daily temperature in Singapore is very stable throughout the year and generally only fluctuates between 25-30 degrees Celsius. If you are looking to avoid the rainy season, stay clear of November, December, and January (when most of the rain falls).

For 80% of the world's countries, the answer is no, as lots of nationalities can visit Singapore for a period of 30 days or 90 days without a visa. More information can be found on the Singapore Visa information website .

The Singapore tourist pass includes entry to many of the most popular attractions in Singapore, including Universal Studios, Gardens by the Bay, the Singapore Flyer, and many more! With a Singapore Pass, you can get a discount of up to 52% . That being said, it depends on your itinerary if the Singapore Pass is value for money. My recommendation is to make a list of the Singapore main attractions you want to visit and add all the entrance fees. Compare this amount with the cost of the Singapore Pass and you'll know if the Singapore Pass is worth getting. Click here to get your Singapore Pass .

Plan your Singapore trip like a pro with these tools: ✅ Get your Singapore tourist pass for a discount of up to 52% on Singapore's top attractions. ✅ Find your dream accommodation on Booking.com or Agoda . ✅ Book the best tours with Klook and Get Your Guide . ✅ Stay connected with a  Singapore SIM card . ✅ Plan your journey with the  Singapore Lonely Planet . ✅ Travel safely and get reliable travel insurance from Safety Wing .

Is Singapore worth visiting?

Yes, wholeheartedly yes! While Singapore was very different than the other countries we visited in Southeast Asia ( Philippines , Vietnam , Cambodia , Thailand , Laos , and  Malaysia ), I loved our trip to Singapore.

You may wonder how Singapore is different from its neighboring countries. Well, just a couple of things off the top of my head… (and 21 things more in this article )

Singapore is very organized!

From the moment I arrived at the airport it became very clear that Singapore is extremely organized:

• Information is listed in 4 languages (English, Mandarin, Tamil, and Malay).
• Getting through customs and getting a passport stamp is effortless because of the ingenious system of automatically opening gates with red and green lights.
• There is a free shuttle train taking us to the terminal where the MRT (Mass Rapid Transport) departs to the city center. What a difference with Manila, where the absence of a free shuttle and a total lack of cash had me in tears .

Singapore is very clean!

Southeast Asia is great, really, I loved it! But it’s not clean… There is so much (plastic) trash lying next to the roads, floating in the water, and piled up on the city streets.

Not in Singapore though, the city is spotless! Bins everywhere, grass that looks so straight as if it has been cut with nail clippers (I wouldn’t be surprised if it actually is;-), clean and maintained buildings, the newest cars, and the shiniest shopping malls…

(Public) transport in Singapore is very reliable!

Everyone who has been to Southeast Asia knows that even though the driver of the minivan/bus/tuk-tuk/etc. says he’ll take you from point A to point B, you never know exactly where you are going to end up.

Like the time I bought a bus ticket from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng and was dropped off at Vang Vieng’s new bus station.

Which is ‘conveniently’ located 2km out of town. And obviously jam-packed with friendly tuk-tuk drivers willing to take you to the city center. For a friendly price that is…

Or the time I thought I booked transportation from Hue to Hoi An and it turned out to be a full-blown tour taking the entire day.

Or that time in the Philippines , when I booked a ticket with Roro bus that was supposed to be so many things and turned out the be the complete opposite of those things.

None of this ‘nonsense' in Singapore. In Singapore, there is the easy to understand-communicated-in-4-languages-always-on-time-super-reliable-MRT.

The MRT will get you to all Singapore tourist attractions without any hassle!

I could probably go on for a while, but let’s just say it was a nice change of pace. And funnily enough, I found myself missing the chaos of Southeast Asia after a couple of days in structured Singapore!

If you’re scared about navigating a vast metro system in a new and foreign country (although you don’t ever have to worry about getting lost in Singapore’s underground, it’s that easy to find your way inside MRT), we encourage you to stick with the good old Grab — one of the most vastly used taxi services in Singapore (and the most reliable, might we add). To give you the approximate rundown, our ride from Changi Airport to Chinatown cost us S$20, — from which you can gather that shorter inner-city movements will cost you much less.

Best hotels in Singapore

One of the most important things when planning your Singapore trip is finding the perfect place to stay.

As you will learn further down in the article, both Chinatown and Little India are perfect for a short stay in Singapore. They are practically overflowing with tourist attractions and top-notch eateries, and, thanks to MRT stations peppered in the neighborhoods, you can easily reach Singapore’s Downtown in record time.

During our last trip to Singapore, we decided to follow our own advice and stay in Chinatown. Our choice fell on one of the cheapest (but still well-reviewed) options in the area — Wink Capsule Hostel . The private room that we got had its issues (like zero wiggle room and thin walls, that can result in all kinds of noises disturbing your sleep), but the pros definitely outweighed the cons: The closeness to the MRT station, followed by a mere 5-minute ride to Marina Bay Sands, and the price of $85 per night compensated for a less-then-desirable sleeping experience.

Of course, if you look hard enough, you can manage to find great hotels with adequate pricing (adequate by Singapore’s standards, at least) in almost any neighborhood of the city . We have managed to create the list of our top recommendations for Singapore accommodation, and we’re more than happy to share it with you!

Note: Prices for these hotels depend on the time of year and how far in advance you book. Therefore, the prices mentioned above are a rough indication of the price per night to help you compare the different options. Use ‘click here' to see the latest prices on Agoda and Booking and book ahead to get the best deal.

Singapore 4 day itinerary with the best things to do in Singapore

There are so many places to visit in Singapore, you could easily spend weeks and not run out of places to see (or things to eat ).

However, I only spent four days in Singapore, involving a lot of sightseeing, walking, and sweating.

With temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius and a humidity of 90%, it is impossible not to sweat. Unless you stay indoors all day.

I guess this is actually quite possible because of the MRT and the countless air-conditioned malls. But that would mean you'll miss all the fun, so I say: walk, walk, walk!

If you don't want to (or can't) walk everywhere, have less than 4 days in Singapore or if you're traveling with small children, the best way to see many of the highlights mentioned in this post is by booking a (1 or 2 day) ticket for the Hop-On, Hop-Off bus .

What to do in Singapore in 4 days

• Singapore day 1: admire the Singapore skyline, visit Gardens by the Bay , marvel at the Marina Bay Sands ( click here to find out how much spending a night will cost you ),  stroll around Chinatown , visit the Singapore City Gallery, take a picture of the Merlion, and watch the Singapore skyline by night.
• Singapore day 2:  explore colorful Little India, check out the Raffles Hotel, and explore Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, and Robertson Quay, and walk around Fort Canning Park.
• Singapore day 3:   visit Sentosa Island , admire the views from The Pinnacle@Duxton and the Marina Bay Sands observation deck .
• Singapore day 4:  either hike the Mount Faber Loop, the Henderson Waves, Alexander Arch, and Canopy Walkway, or spend the day at Singapore Zoo. Alternatively, start your day off at Singapore Botanic Gardens and then finish it with the TreeTop Walk.

Below you can find all the nitty gritty details: where to go in Singapore, a Singapore tourist map, and pictures of all the highlights in Singapore.

Singapore itinerary day 1

Itinerary : Singapore Skyline by day – Gardens by the Bay – Marina Bay Sands – Chinatown – Singapore City Gallery – Merlion and Singapore skyline by night

Click here for the interactive map on Google

Now, we know that not everybody planning a trip to the Lion City is counting on staying in Singapore for four days straight, since layovers and short stays are so widely advertised and encouraged here. Because of that, you can actually take all the places we mention in this post and rearrange them to best suit your Singapore timeline.

However, why go through all the trouble of researching the itineraries yourself, when we went ahead and did it for you: Click to get the tried-and-tested One Day Singapore Itinerary that covers all the touristy bases, while also providing you with priceless information on how to get the most out of your stay in Singapore if you only have 24 hours in the city.

If you’re blessed with more time in Singapore (you lucky dog!), then follow along our Four Day Singapore Itinerary: It’s much more laid-back and comprehensive. So, without further ado, here’re the things to see during your day one (not to be confused with one day) in Singapore:

Singapore skyline

Singapore has one of the most famous skylines in the world which can be found in Singapore's downtown core. This should be one of the first places to go in Singapore! Day or night, the Singapore skyline is beautiful and impressive.

One of the best places to admire the skyline is from the Marina Bay Sands observation deck (more information can be found below).

Alternatively, if paying to witness the sprawling vistas of this wonderful city alone doesn’t cut it for you, you can always pop into CÉ LA VI SkyBar and add a boozy touch to the whole experience (a Mai Tai in hand (S$25) usually makes everything better).

Located on the 57th floor of Marina Bay Sands, this hidden gem of a bar has a terrific terrace with truly unbeatable views. The bar requires a general entry fee of S$30 that can be redeemed on food and drinks, but we have a handy tip for an average Scrooge descendant: At evening rush hour, the servers tend to get really overwhelmed, thus they can miss a couple of tourists who are only there for a photo and nothing more. So, you might get a spectacular free (if lucky) viewing experience. You didn’t hear it from us!

When it comes to a truly free viewing point to enjoy Singapore skyline, we can think of a stunning boulevard that connects two of the city’s iconic landmarks:

• The Helix Bridge — constructed to resemble a human’s DNA strand, the bridge is a destination in and of itself; and together with a few viewing platforms, it becomes one of the best places to enjoy the panoramas of the city;
• The Esplanade — durian-shaped theater on the bay that is considered the heart of Singapore’s art scene, with great shows and performances and unobscured views of the skyline.

Actually, there are SO many beautiful views in Singapore — both paid and free — that we've even come up with an idea of creating a detailed post about the best viewpoints in the city !

The Singapore Flyer

The Singapore Flyer is definitely one of the most famous Singapore attractions. Standing 165 meters tall, this is the world’s second tallest Ferris Wheel, offering great 360° views over Singapore.

A ride in one of the wheel’s pods is guaranteed to be the one for the ages, and the added combo access to Time Capsule — a multimedia exhibition that draws you into Singapore’s past, present, and future — gives a profound meaning to an otherwise superficial attraction.

The whole shebang will cost you S$40, and there are plenty of upgrades: If you want to add booze (either a flute of sparkling bubbly or a signature Singapore Sling), the experience will go up in price (S$79 for the champagne and S$69 for the iconic cocktail).

Click here to book a ticket online.

Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay is one of the best places to visit in Singapore. You could easily spend an entire day exploring this wonderful green oasis located in the very center of Singapore.

With an impressive 1.5 million (!) plants, it’s a dream of any nature lover. Every nook and cranny of this vast space has some unique green-adjacent attraction that can entertain children and adults alike. We’re here to highlight the parts of the gardens that you should absolutely never miss if you find yourself in this inexplicably verdant slice of Singapore:

• Supertree Grove — a grove of 12 supertrees (steel structures that resemble giant trees (and even act like them, collecting rain, water, and sunlight), with a free (!) entry and a spectacular light show happening each night (more on this later). The space is also home to a 22-meter high OCBC Skyway — a bridge that connects two supertrees. Because the point of view from up there is more unique, this attraction requires a fee of S$12 for a 15-minute experience. The Skyway activity is highly dependent on the weather, so if you see clouds starting to gather, hurry up before the rain comes: As soon as it begins to drizzle, visitors get escorted off the bridge, with no refunds in sight.
• Flower Dome Conservatory — one of the largest greenhouses in the world, a celebration of all plants: Both blooming and other, weirder, subcategories. An olive grove, a flower field, a succulent garden, and even bottle-shaped and bootylicious baobabs, — your camera roll will be boasting with color, that’s a guarantee!
• Cloud Forest Conservatory — our personal favorite part of Gardens by the Bay, this domed conservatory is home to the second largest artificial indoor waterfall (second only to the one inside Changi Airport). As you enter the space, you’re immediately hit with misty air, strongly affirming the “cloud” part of the attraction’s name. A tall luscious mountain in the center of the conservatory is clad with all kinds of ecosystems; you can explore them up close or from high above by doing one of the two walks: The Cloud Walk and The Tree Top Walk. A combo ticket to Cloud Forest and Flower Dome costs S$53.

Buy your tickets for Gardens by the Bay here.

Families should also check out the Children’s Garden, which is a great (and free) place in Singapore to visit with kids .

New attractions are the Floral Fantasy, a dream-like garden landscape, and the Serene Garden, which was inspired by the minimalist concept of Japanese Zen gardens. Don’t forget to also check out the giant Floating Baby structure that can be found on the hills of Gardens by the Bay.

Marina Bay Sands

You probably have seen pictures of the world-famous Marina Bay Sands , which was completed in 2010.

When looking at this iconic Singapore building, you'll find yourself wondering how one comes up with an idea like this. It wasn't cheap to build either, costing a whopping $8 billion (SGD).

The Marina Bay Sands complex houses a hotel, an upscale mall with indoor canals, two theaters, lots of fancy restaurants, and the world's largest atrium casino.

If that weren’t enough, on top of the building you can find a large infinity swimming pool. While incredibly sought-after, the pool is off-limits to anyone but the hotel’s guests (the rule is strictly enforced, so don’t think you’re one of the sly untouchable tourists that can wiggle in the place you’re not allowed).

Still, the panoramas opening up from the top floors of Marina Bay Sands are worth paying for: But you don’t have to be a Rockefeller to get the experience. Apart from the aforementioned option of going to a bar inside the hotel, you can also do the most touristy thing ever and buy a ticket to the SkyPark Observation Deck for S$30. The views of Singapore’s Skyline, with a massive green patch of Gardens by the Bay and the unique-looking Esplanade are worth every penny, that’s for sure!

Marina Bay Sands is one of the places in Singapore that should be on any Singapore sightseeing itinerary.

Book your observation deck ticket online to skip the queues.

Or, if you have something very special to celebrate, consider spending the night at the amazing Marina Bay Sands. Be warned, this doesn't come cheap…

Singapore's Chinatown

In Singapore's Chinatown, you will find quaint little streets, colorful houses, historic low-rise buildings, boutique shops, and many restaurants. Pictures of Chinatown are bound to take up at least half of your camera roll, and for good reason: It’s here that charming little houses built in Sino-Portuguese style sit beside soaring futuristic skyscrapers, creating a dichotomy that is so pleasing to the eye.

Don't try to follow a particular route, it's more fun to get lost in the maze-like streets of this great neighborhood in Singapore.

Alternatively, join this walking tour by a former Chinatown resident and listen to her wonderful tales about life in this vibrant neighborhood.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

A relatively young addition to Chinatown’s neighborhood (the temple is only 15 years of age), this Buddhist place of worship is an important landmark to visit when in the area.

It’s name is no joke: They say that the actual Buddha tooth is located within its walls. It’s technically available for public viewing, but it’s so small and shown in such an inconvenient manner, that you probably won’t catch a glimpse of this sacred relic.

Don’t worry though, there’s plenty more things to see both inside and outside the temple. It’s a five-story, grandiose structure that has the most inviting (and dare we say, embellished to a tee) interiors. Expect to see lots of gold and tons of Buddha statues!

The temple is a working place of worship, so please be considerate and dress modestly. And while the entry to the temple is free, it’s good to have a few coins on you to give out as donations.

The Sri Mariamman Temple

In Chinatown, you can find the Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore's oldest Hindu temple. Try to count how many people and animals are displayed at this intricate and colorful entrance!

You can enter the temple free of charge (remember to dress properly!), however, a small donation is requested if you want to take pictures inside.

Food in Chinatown

If you feel hungry after walking around the temple, head down to the (almost secret) Lian Xin Vegetarian Food Court, which is located just below the temple. Not a lot of tourists know about this quite tasty and affordable eatery, but still, avoid it at lunch hour: The lines will be long. However, if you come at around 11 a.m., you’re guaranteed all the vegetarian and vegan options to stuff your face with (you can’t even imagine what spin this restaurant places on their rice and noodle dishes — you will never be the same after eating here). One last thing to note is that the place closes quite early, at 2:30 p.m.

Speaking of food, Chinatown is “the” place to eat well and cheap. We understand the appeal of stumbling on a great place yourself, but unfortunately, if you have only four days in Singapore, the risk is not worth it (just imagine your disappointment of having a less-than-average meal instead of a top-notch experience in a tried-and-tested place). So, we went ahead and did all the dirty work for you, coming up with a short list of places you absolutely must visit to grab a bite in while in Chinatown:

• ☕ Homeground Coffee Roasters — located on a charming Teo Hong Road, this coffee shop serves the best breakfast experience in all of Singapore. Their coffee is roasted and brewed to perfection, so go ahead and get a hearty dish (like Homies Breakfast (S$28): Eggs, sausage, all the works) and pair it with your caffeinated drink of choice. You will have enough energy to last you through an entire day of sightseeing and exploring Singapore.
• 🍸Papa Doble — with an aura of exclusivity like nowhere else in Singapore, this speakeasy bar and restaurant has the most immaculate vibes ever known to man. Awarded a place among World’s 50 Best Bars, coming here won’t be a mistake. Take the edge off with one of their craft cocktails (their iconic Papa Doble (S$26) for the win) and definitely don’t drink on an empty stomach: Pulled pork burger or their delectable Basque cheesecake (whatever you’re in the mood for) will get your body through a little day drinking, as a treat!
• 🍦Apiary — a small-batch creamery that will play along with your sweet tooth cravings. Among the big variety of ice-cream flavors, we encourage you to go outside your comfort zone: Definitely try their lavender and blue milk ice-cream (and don’t forget to pair it with a freshly made waffle). A single scoop (S$5) definitely won’t be enough, so maybe forget about your diet for a moment and get a double (S$9) or a triple (S$12) scoop. And grab some kombucha for the road — Singapore’s hot and humid weather requires round-the-clock hydration!

The Singapore City Gallery

In the Singapore City Gallery, an 11-meter scale model of the city is on display.

You will be truly impressed by the amount of planning involved to maximize the use of the limited number of square meters available in this tiny country.

What’s even more exciting is that you get to learn all of the interesting facts that went into creating the urban background of the city (starting from its humble beginnings as a fishing village) for free! Even if you aren’t that fond of city planning, you will still appreciate the made-to-scale model of Singapore’s Downtown.

The Merlion

The Merlion is one of the Singapore landmarks you can't miss. This water-spewing stone lion with a fishtail is a bit weird and perhaps even a little ugly…

However, the Merlion is a Singapore icon and definitely one of the places of interest in Singapore.

The Merlion Park surrounding the statue (do not get your hopes up, it’s not a park-park, just a small piece of land with manicured hedges and clean pavement) has free entrance, so try and come here in the early hours of the day. That way, you won’t have to fight crowds of tourists for the chance to get the best shot of this mystical creature.

Singapore skyline by night

The Singapore skyline may look even more beautiful by night than by day! Be sure to time your visit so you can watch Spectra , a daily light show on the water happening right in front of Marina Bay Sands Mall.

Each night, there are two 15-minute long light and water shows (think lasers and water jets, but even more impressive than you could ever imagine!) starting at exactly 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, there’s an additional, third, show happening at 10 p.m. The spectacle is completely free of charge and can be enjoyed from various viewpoints (you can decipher the best ones by the amount of tourists hanging out in clusters). Though even ample viewing spaces still can get crowded, so try and call dibs on a good spot beforehand.

However, Spectra isn’t the only lightshow brightening up the Singapore skyline each night. Garden Rhapsody — another lightshow, this time at Supertree Grove, is just as exciting as the aforementioned spectacle. The giant trees come alive with thousands of rainbow-colored lights, and their movement (that is married to a music chosen for that particular show) makes the whole experience that much more mesmerizing: Hypnotic, even!

This performance is also free to all who want to watch it, and the best way to enjoy the show is by laying on the grass right beneath the supertrees and looking up at the colorful spectacle. Remember that plenty of onlookers come to watch the shows (there are two of them, starting at 7:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.), so claim your patch of greenery in advance.

The great thing about these two shows is that they’re located super close to each other. So if you can’t decide on what program to choose for your first day in Singapore evening viewing, then try these steps:

• Come to watch the Supertree show at 7:45 p.m., but not from the hill beneath them: Choose the viewing deck of Marina Bay Sands (otherwise it will take you close to an hour to reach your other destination).
• Then, before watching the Garden Rhapsody in its entirety, run on over to enjoy Spectra. Its four-part program hasn’t changed a bit since the first time we witnessed it (since 2018 — the simpler times!), but it still manages to leave you awe-stricken and amazed, every time!

This is pretty much it for you first day in Singapore (your legs are already sore, aren’t they?), but if you don’t have more days in the city, remember to consult with our post , where we give you a more packed one day itinerary (after that one, you’ll sleep like a baby after a shift at Bath&Body Works during Black Friday).

For all of you who allotted a little bit more time to explore this magical city, get a good night’s rest: You will need all the energy you can gather to take on our Singapore day two itinerary. Here we go!

Singapore itinerary day 2

Itinerary : Little India – Raffles Hotel – Boat Quay – Clarke Quay – Robertson Quay – Fort Canning Park

Little India

Little India is another neighborhood that should be on your Singapore must-see list. In this area, you can find one of the most colorful houses in the world (pictured above).

There are also many great restaurants (especially on Serangoon Road and Race Course Road), lots of tailors and jewelry shops, and the famous Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple.

To highlight one of our favorite places in Singapore (food-wise), Komala Vilas Restaurant is, coincidentally, just a stone’s throw away from the aforementioned lavish Hindu place of worship — Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple. The restaurant should be your ultimate go-to for some hearty authentic Indian dishes when in Singapore. Don’t forget to get some Masala chai to go with the giant portions of whatever it is you’re in the mood for: Be it curry, dosay, biryani, — all the works!

The Raffles Hotel

The famous Raffles hotel opened its doors in 1887 and has just been reopened after a thorough restoration.

Known as the place where the Singapore Sling was invented, this hotel was featured in several movies and hosted many celebrities (such as Charlie Chaplin, Ernest Hemingway, and even Michael Jackson) throughout the years.

What’s a Singapore Sling, you might wonder? It’s a gin-based, fruity, and rose-hued cocktail that was originally created so that the ladies could consume alcohol in public (since it looks like there’s no liquor inside, due to it’s color and general presentation).

There are many places in Singapore where you can give this drink a try, but the Raffles Hotel’s very own Long Bar (the birthplace of this national cocktail) is the way to go, hands down! Just be ready to spend S$39 (around S$47 after tax and service) for the Singapore Sling — after all, you’re not only paying for the drink, but also for the authentic experience!

Even if staying at the Raffles is above budget, it's one of Singapore's famous places worth passing by.

Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, and Robertson Quay

Visiting Clarke Quay is definitely one of the things to do in Singapore at night, as this area is famous for its riverside restaurants and bars.

However, this is also a popular Singapore activity by day as it's an area with lots of history. Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, and Robertson Quay have been the center of trade since the founding of Singapore.

While Clarke Quay takes the reigns as the most popular area with tourists compared to other two quays, it still doesn’t mean you should discard the lesser known ones from your Singapore itinerary altogether.

Boat Quay’s general area is home to one of the coolest-looking multi-use developments in Singapore — the CapitaSpring building. Not only does its façade catches your eye with all the sci-fi-esque green openings on what would otherwise be considered a normal wall of a skyscraper, but the building also provides one of the best free viewing points in Singapore!

The Sky Garden, which is located on the 51st level of CapitaSpring offers a spectacular (and pretty unique) view of the Marina Bay Sands and its surroundings. Note that the “free” part comes with an asterisk: The opening hours, when the garden is accessible to the general public, are quite limited. You can explore the venue Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and then from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

When it comes to Robertson Quay, apart from being the largest out of the three, it is also sporting a more upscale and grown-up aura, compared to young and fun Clarke Quay. You should come here for a leisurely walk along the river, followed by a dinner at a nice restaurant.

If, however, you’re still not ready to call it a night and want to grab a quick bite and a caffeinated pick-me-up drink, then Robertson Quay has just the place for you — Common Man Coffee Roasters. While this particular chain has plenty of coffee shops all throughout Singapore, the one near Robertson Quay is a true flagship store, the first one to be opened here 10 years ago! Pick up a cold brew (S$8.5) and dessert (their signature churros for S$14), and you’re ready to take on a few other Singapore spots to finish up the eventful and exciting second day in Singapore!

The area around the three quays features lots of Singapore sites, such as the colonial-style Central Fire Station, and a buzzing Raffles Place.

There are plenty of things to do here until the evening falls, which is perfect because you can enjoy dinner along the Singapore River at one of the excellent restaurants.

Fort Canning Park

A great place to end your day with: Take a walk along the neatly paved paths of Fort Canning Park after dinner you’ve grabbed at one of the aforementioned quays.

Fort Canning Park is an ultimate Singapore destination: It combines the beautiful nature with the rich history of the place. It was once home to royal palaces, then a fort and a base for British soldiers, and now it is the area tourists come when they want to hide out from the sun and learn a few interesting facts in the meantime.

While the remnants of the original fort are definitely all the rage with history buffs, the iconic Tree Tunnel is what draws hundreds of visitors to the park every single day. You’ve probably seen the coveted shot online: A person standing on a spiral staircase, with the crazy beautiful tree branches and a blue sky opening up above them.

Tree Tunnel is completely free, but you might want to come here very early in the morning: Otherwise, you will have to wait in line for the opportunity to get this one-of-a-kind (at least for you) shot.

Singapore itinerary day 3

Itinerary: Sentosa Island – The Pinnacle @ Duxton – Marina Bay Sands Observation Deck

Sentosa Island

Sentosa Island is the playground of Singapore. With artificial beaches, rain forests, the Adventure Cove Waterpark, and Universal Studios Singapore you could easily spend a couple of days on Sentosa Island.

If you only have a couple of hours, bring a towel and your swimwear and dip your toes in the fresh seawater. To do that, head on over to one of three of Sentosa’s artificial beaches (yup, you’ve read that right: They were created with the sand bought by Singapore from Indonesia and Malaysia):

• Palawan Beach, which is famous for being home to the Southernmost Point of Continental Asia — a small inlet connected to the beach by a bridge. A perfect spot to watch the sunset: It’s just you, the sun, and the open sea;
• Siloso Beach — the bigger one, also the most crowded beach;
• Tanjong Beach — the most remote beach, it’s here that you can enjoy the peace and quiet that is promised in the island’s name (Sentosa literally translates to peace and tranquility from Malay).

If you want to learn more about the plentiful attractions of the island (aquarium, casino, gold courses, — this place has everything) and the unique ways to get on it (a bus or a cable car ride, you decide), make sure to consult with our One Day in Singapore article , where we offer you an alternative to a usual city escape — a day spent on Sentosa Island.

Before you go to Sentosa Island though, you have to fuel up while on the main land: Grab a bite at Ya Kun Kaya Toast and support the long-standing Singaporean coffee and toast tradition. Personally, we recommend you try their Steamed Bread Set (S$6) — served with either regular butter or peanut butter, whatever you’re in the mood for.

To make the most of your time on Sentosa Island, it's worth checking out the Sentosa Fun Pass for (considerable) discounts.

Pinnacle @ Duxton

The Pinnacle @ Duxton is a residential building with the world's longest sky garden (500 meters) on the 50th floor. Residents of this building arguably have the best 360° views over the Singapore skyline.

The structure itself is unique and was a pretty grandiose undertaking by the architects: The construction consists of seven tall towers connected by two bridges on different levels.

However, you don't have to live here to enjoy these views, for a mere S$6 you can enjoy the rooftop terrace and accompanying views as well!

Listen up, because the steps leading up to the experience can be quite tricky: Locate the 1G Tower, take an elevator ride to its basement level, and then follow the markers to find a small office that sells tickets. Keep in mind that the S$6 you have to pay need to be in bill form, so get those notes ready! Only when you complete this little side venture, you can go up to the Sky Bridge located on the 50th level. Trust us, the views are worth the hoops you have to jump over to get up there!

If all the walking has made you hungry, pop into Nylon Coffee Roasters — we recommend you order a cold white (S$7) to beat the Singaporean heat and get energy at the same time.

The Marina Bay Sands observation deck

If you are a fan of bird's-eye views (like us!) you won't mind going from one tall high building to the next. If you time your visit right, you can watch the sunset from the Sands SkyPark Observation Deck. Located on the 56th floor of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, the space offers unmatched views of the Singapore skyline.

Remember that SkyPark Observation Deck ticket price is S$30, so budget your day accordingly.

Tickets can be bought online , I highly recommend booking ahead so you'll avoid the (sometimes very long) queue.

Of course, you cannot ever predict with certainty how your day in Singapore is going to turn out. If:

• it’s a rainy day (the odds of that happening in Singapore are higher in the period between November and January, or the monsoon season);
• it’s a cloudy or foggy day (high humidity really affects visibility in Singapore);
• you’re simply not excited about going to two viewpoints in one day,

then we have an alternative activity to close off your third day in Singapore with — Future World exhibition at the ArtScience Museum (yes, that quirky structure that resembles a lotus flower), located not too far from Marina Bay Sands. For that same price of S$30, you will get to experience a multi-sensory journey through time and space.

It’s easier to understand the scope of the exhibition when you learn that the team that created it (teamLab) was also behind Tokyo’s Planets: You’ve probably seen the videos of people walking through thousands of multicolored garlands in complete dark online. The vibes are the same in Singapore, but even more elevated (pun intended): Here, you will get acquainted with flying (!) through multimedia installations. We don’t want to spoil anything, you will just have to trust your gut and go in as open-minded as you can: You won’t regret it!

Singapore itinerary day 4

Day four in Singapore, in our opinion, should be spent doing whatever it is you feel like doing. You’ve already experienced all the major Singapore attractions, so why not take the time and fool around a little bit? We’ve decided to give you three options of Singapore’s fourth day, entirely laid-back, itinerary. Give your instincts a free reign: They’ll know how to finish your Singapore vacation strong!

Itinerary: Mount Faber Loop – Henderson Waves – Alexander Arch – Canopy Walkway — Singapore Zoo — Singapore Botanic Gardens – TreeTop Walk

The Southern Ridges Walk

First up, we can’t let you take on yet another day in Singapore on an empty stomach. Not too far from this first itinerary option sits the acclaimed Keng Eng Kee Seafood Restaurant @ Alexandra Village. We admit, it’s a weird breakfast choice, but traveling has its own rules (remember the two daiquiris you had at an airport lounge at 10 a.m.?), so suck it up and enjoy some seafood at dawn. For just such occasion, they serve Butter Cereal Squid (S$23). We didn’t have the guts to try it, but if you do, please leave your notes in the comments below!

If you are up for another day of walking, I highly recommend the Southern Ridges Walk. This easy 10-kilometer trail will make you forget you are still in a busy city.

Leading through Mount Faber Park and Hort Park you will walk through the tropical rainforest and even spot a monkey if you are lucky.

Notable sights along the way are the Henderson Waves, Alexander Arch, and the Canopy Walkway. Combine visiting all these places by joining this tour with a passionate guide – click here for more information .

Important: Singapore is hot and humid, be sure to bring enough water, sunscreen and a wide brimmed hat !

The closest MRT station is the Harbor Front station. Alternatively, you can take the cable car up (or down) from Mount Faber station.

Singapore Zoo

Located further in-land (in-island? we’re confused on the semantics here), Singapore Zoo is the ultimate family-friendly destination in Singapore.

Coined one of the best rainforest zoos in the world, Singapore Zoo certainly lives up to the hype! With many different zones and more than 4 200 (!) animals, this attraction can take up the whole day (especially if you count the time it takes to get to the zoo and back to your hotel).

The grounds of the zoo are vast, and there are plenty of markers and informational stands , so you always know where you are and what you’re looking at. And trust us, there’s plenty of curious sights to see here: A small otter playing with its favorite rock, a red-butted macaque showing you its crimson bottom, a giraffe pointing its long tongue at you in hopes of treats, — your camera roll is truly not ready!

The zones are plentiful inside the zoo, but our favorites certainly are the elephant enclosure and the reptile garden. And yes, we know that a lot of people feel strongly about zoos in general, but here, the animal habitats are tidy and spacious, and the animals look like they’re being nicely taken care of.

Plus, the zoo provides a lot of activities (like shows, feedings, and keeper talks) that are all aimed at bringing the knowledge about these animals closer to the general public. We know that your kids will learn more about the importance of conservation efforts here than online, since being in the actual presence of these creatures brings on a more powerful and pressing vibe to the learning process.

A one day entrance ticket (that includes a tram ride inside the zoo) will cost you S$48, so make the most out of your time here!

The closest MRT station to the zoo is Khatib, followed by a short ride on a Mandai Khatib Shuttle (S$1 one way); so the zoo, albeit located further away from all the city action, is still easily reachable.

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Imagine Gardens’ by the Bay Flower Dome Conservatory, but on uppers. The gardens are sprawled over 82 hectares and are home to thousands of different plants. The attraction has been appointed a UNESCO World Heritage Site status, which can give you the scope of beauty and importance this natural oasis has not only to the city of Singapore, but to the whole world!

You can walk around the gardens’ premises by yourself (the walk can take hours if you get lucky with a slightly overcast day), or you can take one of free walking tours that are carried out by volunteers each Saturday.

Check out the on-site gallery and learn why the gardens played such a big part in the latex industry of the times past (a hint: It has something to do with rubber trees). The entry to the Botanic Gardens is free, but you will have to shell out S$15 or so to get into the coveted National Orchid Garden that is located on the premises (every 35 year old woman’s dream!).

Before heading over to your second location of the day, pop into Dempsey Hill — a revamped space containing countless shops and eateries. What were once British army barracks are now trendy places where you can relax and fill up your belly with good food. From upscale restaurants to simple hole-in-the-wall eateries, — Dempsey Hill has it all!

TreeTop Walk

A hiking trail at MacRitchie Reservoir, TreeTop Walk is one of the most unique ways to enjoy the views of Singapore’s greenery.

The TreeTop Walk suspension bridge stats are impressive: The free-standing bridge’s length is 250 meters, and the height is at 25 meters (at its tallest point). So basically, you’re at a tree canopy level and can see everything that is going on in the lives of its natural inhabitants (be it crazy monkeys or cute flying foxes, it’s just as exciting as ever).

If you want to connect with Singapore’s nature, then this walk is for you: Although challenging at times (the entire walk to and from the bridge takes about three to five hours, depending on your pace), it can be easily done by people with no previous training. Just remember to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and bug spray, and you’ll be okay!

Important info to remember: The bridge is supposed to have 30 trekkers on it at a time, tops; plus, it’s one-way traffic only, meaning you will have to complete the walk in its entirety and come back to ground zero on the forest level (which is great, as you get to experience all the different levels of the Singapore’s rainforest).

Top things to do in Singapore: printable PDF

Singapore best place to stay

There is no single best area to stay in Singapore, the most important thing is to find accommodation close to an MRT station. There are many nice neighborhoods in Singapore and accommodations suitable for any budget.

Where to stay in Singapore on a budget

Let’s address the elephant in the room right away: The overarching fact about Singapore’s hotels is that they are not exactly fit for budget-conscious travelers; as they are disproportionately expensive compared to lodging options in other cities of South-East Asia. However, there are some hotels in Singapore that are pretty accessible to people without a trust fund: From what we’ve gathered, the cheapest accommodation in Singapore can be found in Chinatown and Little India neighborhoods.

When we visited Singapore for the first time, we traveled on a tight budget and stayed at the Vintage Inn. Which happened to be the only dorm room we stayed in during our 5-month trip .

It’s not that I don’t like staying in dorms, but I found that traveling as a couple, prices for a private room are similar to or even cheaper than the price for two beds in a dorm.

During our last trip to Singapore, we’ve decided to try out a new budget-friendly accommodation, and our choice fell on the Wink Capsule Hostel . Located in the colorful and bustling Chinatown (super close to the MRT station), it was an excellent option for our short stay in the city. We got a private room here (there are dormitory-style options as well) for $85 a night.

We always forget about the hotel situation in Singapore (that being one of the most expensive in the world), so the price and the size of the room definitely shocked us at first.

After getting used to it though, we felt right at home there: Everything was clean and in working condition. The only downside were super thin walls (which is actually an upside for keen eavesdroppers), but a couple of ear plugs did the job.

Location-wise, it’s one of the best budget hotel options in Singapore. However, if you can afford something a little bit more upscale, consider trying one of the places we list below.

Check prices on Agoda | Check prices on Booking

Good hotels in Singapore for a medium budget

If you are looking for medium-budget hotel rooms in Singapore, there are many good options!

Before you dive in, please note that the prices for these hotels depend on the time of year and how far in advance you book. Therefore, the prices we mention are nothing more than a rough indication of the price per night to help you compare the different options. Use ‘click here’ to see the latest prices on Agoda and Booking and book ahead to get the best deal.

The Carlton City Hotel

The Carlton City Hotel is an excellent value hotel. Singapore hotel rooms are generally quite small, but the Carlton City Hotel is a rare exception. The spacious rooms are much larger than the average Singapore hotel room.

There is a swimming pool (indoor and outdoor), fitness facilities, room service, and a bar and it's only a short walk (2 minutes) to the nearest MRT station (Tanjong Pagar).

You can take advantage of the location and have your meals outside the hotel, at Whole Earth — a vegetarian restaurant where chefs take plant-based food to astronomical levels. We recommend you start with simple olive rice or crispy golden oats, and work your way up to more exclusive (and thus weirder) dishes.

The Village Hotel Albert Court

Made up of restored historic shophouses, the Village Hotel Albert Court is a lovely Singapore boutique hotel in the Bugis area.

Rooms are modern with a touch of Chinese decor, there is an onsite (Indian) restaurant and this is one of the few hotels offering free parking.

However, the Rochor MRT Station is only a 1-minute walk so you'll be better off traveling by public transport!

When it comes to having an amazing breakfast, we advice you venture off outside the hotel (even though room service is so very tempting after a long travel day) to Apartment Coffee — get yourself one of their specialty brews and either relax before a packed day of exploring Singapore or get some work done if you fall more into the category of a digital nomad. The coffee shop’s minimalist interior is perfect for both scenarios!

Luxury hotels in Singapore

Just as with Singapore budget hotels and mid-range accommodations, there is no shortage of luxury hotels in Singapore!

Because hotel prices aren't cheap in Singapore in general, be prepared to pay for your luxury stay in Singapore.

That being said, Singapore does offer some splendid 5-star hotels that will guarantee an unforgettable Singapore travel experience.

Parkroyal on Pickering

The Parkroyal on Pickering hotel is located in Chinatown and boasts a beautiful design, a 300m garden walk, an outdoor swimming pool, and comfortable luxurious rooms.

From the Orchid Club rooftop lounge, you can admire the city skyline while enjoying a drink or two. Breakfast is extensive and there is an excellent onsite restaurant as well (LIME).

Fairmont Singapore

Another top hotel in Singapore is the Fairmont . This hotel has not one but six onsite restaurants plus a spa, a gym, a hot tub, AND a pool. Rooms have a private balcony, some with a view of the Marina Bay waterfront.

You can join the afternoon tea or play a game of tennis. Or you can simply relax in your comfortable 45m2 suite with a king-size bed and city view.

Regardless, you will feel like a princess (or prince) during your stay at the Fairmont.

How to visit Singapore on a budget

Let's make one thing clear: Singapore is not a cheap country to visit. At least, not compared to its neighboring countries in Southeast Asia.

However, a Singapore budget trip doesn't mean staying in a dirty hostel and eating a defrosted piece of toast for dinner.

There are a few ways you can significantly lower your spending when in Singapore:

• Since the majority of Singapore’s most notable tourist attractions are free to visit, you can fill your itinerary with simply walking around Singapore’s Downtown and looking up and around at the wonderful scenery and architecture the city is so blessed with (we see you, Supertree Grove and Marina Bay Sands);
• You also don’t need to shell out plenty of cash to enjoy the views of Singapore skyline, as there are a few free (or almost free) viewing points scattered all around the city (like Sky Garden at the top of CapitaSpring complex, or one of the viewing decks on the Helix Bridge);
• If your hotel is located in either Chinatown or Little India, you can easily bypass using taxis or any other type of public transport altogether (not that it’s very expensive in Singapore, but still, money is money) and walk on one of the many scenic routes connecting these neighborhoods to Singapore’s city center;
• When it comes to food, you should mainly rely on Singapore’s hawker centers for the majority of your meals: It’s here that you can get a hearty authentic meal for an adequate price. The city is rich with hawker centers and other types of street food spaces (food courts and the like), but our personal favorites are Maxwell Food Centre in Chinatown (you absolutely must try the popular Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice — a stall so famous it has been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand title every year since 2016), Makansutra Gluttons Bay near the Esplanade, and Tiong Bahru Market;
• If you have a short layover in Singapore (more than 5.5 hours but less than 24 hours), then you might be eligible for a free tour of the city from the Changi Airport! You can pre-book your tour here , but keep in mind that apart from the time requirement, there’s a lot more that goes into planning this fun activity than meets the eye, so read the fine print closely. There are three city bus tours you can choose from (and a free walking tour of the Jewel — the most wonderful part of the Changi Airport), but you are eligible for just one of them (and you cannot go out of the airport twice, per the transition law). Anyway, it’s a unique opportunity, and if it’s something you might be interested in, you should take it!

Below you can find our Singapore trip budget, which includes all the activities mentioned above. So, you can visit many of the top things to do in Singapore without breaking the bank!

Our Singapore travel budget

If you are wondering ‘How much money do I need for 4 days in Singapore?' , in the infographic below you can see exactly how much we spent during our trip.

Budget for Singapore: the nitty-gritty details

The expenses pictured in the infographic are for me and my husband together and include all expenses of our four-day trip to Singapore.

In total, we spent 560SGD (€372/$400) during our 4-day trip in Singapore, which is an average of 140SGD (€93/$100) a day .

Prices are quoted in Singapore Dollars (S$) as well as € and US$. The S$ is a pretty stable currency, but of course, there are some variations in the exchange rate, you can find the latest rates here .

Singapore budget

Our Singapore expenses were divided between costs for accommodation, transport, food, and activities.

• Accommodation: 43% of daily costs
• Transportation: 9% of daily costs
• Food and drinks: 34% of daily costs
• Paid activities: 14% of daily costs

Despite the long list of Singapore's top attractions we visited, we did not spend much money on activities. The only paid activities in this Singapore itinerary are:

• The Pinnacle @ Duxton sky garden (6SGD per person)
• The observation deck of the Marina Bay Sands building (30SGD per person)
• The Singapore Flyer (40SGD per person)
• OCBC Skyway at Supertree Grove (12SGD per person)
• Gardens’ by the Bay Cloud Forest and Flower Dome combo (53SGD per person)
• Future World Exhibition at ArtScience Museum (30SGD per person)
• Singapore Zoo (48SGD per person)
• Movie ticket (10,50SGD per person)

These expenses are based on a 4-night stay in a budget hotel, eating at street food stalls and cheap restaurants, and exploring the city mostly on foot (except for larger distances).

How to get around Singapore?

The MRT in Singapore is extremely efficient and very cheap, check MRT info and map here . And if there is no MRT station close to your hotel, there is an extensive bus network as well.

The plus side of the bus is that you can some Singapore points of interest along the way, though it usually takes a lot longer to get somewhere by bus than by MRT.

More info about buses in Singapore can be found on this site.

What to eat in Singapore?

Singapore is all about food! There is a mixture of cultures and cuisines, ranging from typical Singaporean dishes like chili crab to Peranakan dishes like laksa and Chinese-influenced food such as Wanton Mee.

Though, I have to admit I ate a lot of Indian when I was there (which is yet another culture present in multifaceted Singapore).

I am ‘slightly' addicted to Indian food and there aren’t many places in my home country where you can get proper Indian so I ate as much paratha, dosa, and curry as I could find.

I also tried and really liked the previously mentioned laksa (a spicy noodle soup), but stupidly enough forgot to try out the famous Singapore chili crab…

Next time, definitely next time!

During our last trip to Singapore, we finally came around to trying out the food of the world famous hawker stall — Liao Fan Hawker Chan in Chinatown. It has long been on our radar due to the fact that it was the first hawker stall to be awarded one Michelin star (the outrageously long queues at any point of the day also added to the allure of this place). However, when we finally tried their noodles and chicken rice, we were thoroughly disappointed: The food wasn’t as tasty as the reviews made it out to be. Maybe for that very reason, in 2021, the stall’s Michelin star was taken away. So, from now on, if you see this stall mentioned countless of times in Singapore’s food guides , you can confidently leave it out of your personal itinerary and fill its place with some other hawker food stalls we’ve mentioned above.

Also read this awesome post by a true Singaporean which dishes you cannot miss during your Singapore visit!

Best places to visit in Singapore: in conclusion

So, is 4 days in Singapore enough? We believe that it is: You get the most well-rounded tourist experience in the first three days, and then leave your final day for free roaming to your heart’s desire. If you don’t have the luxury of four whole days in Singapore and are only working with a 24-hour layover, then remember to click here  for our most detailed One Day in Singapore Itinerary.

I hope you have enjoyed this Singapore tour guide. Have fun in Singapore and let me know if you have any questions!

Also read my other posts about traveling in Southeast Asia :

• Cambodia : Cambodia travel budget , Cambodia itinerary , Siem Reap itinerary
• Indonesia : Bali itinerary , Best luxury resort on Bali , Live like a local in Sebatu)
• Laos : Laos travel budget , Laos itinerary , Luang Prabang itinerary , Hiking in Vang Vieng
• Malaysia : Malaysia travel budget , Malaysia itinerary , Scuba diving on Tioman , Guide to the Perhentian Islands , Guide to Langkawi
• Philippines : Philippines travel budget , Philippines itinerary , Guide to El Nido , El Nido scuba diving , Rice terraces of Batad
• Thailand : Thailand travel budget , Thailand itinerary , Koh Samui itinerary , Kimpton Kitalay Hotel review , Where to eat in Maenam (Koh Samui)
• Vietnam : Vietnam travel budget , Vietnam itinerary , Phu Quoc island itinerary

This post was updated in November 2023.

Thursday 7th of April 2022

Where to buy Singapore attractions tickets?

Sunday 10th of April 2022

Hey Kalpesh,

Well that depends on the attraction you'd like to visit. You can purchase tickets online (Get Your Guide, Klook or Viator are good places to book) or at the site itself.

Kind regards, Lotte

Wednesday 8th of January 2020

Will be there in a few weeks. I have been putting together my own 4 day itinerary but this helps a lot. we won't be interested in Sentosa but everything else is being included. Wish I had seen this before!

Friday 10th of January 2020

Happy to hear you like the Singapore itinerary:-) Enjoy your trip there, it's a beautiful city!

Monday 25th of November 2019

Loved reading your article. The best that I've seen so far. We've planned for a trip to Singapore this Feb. Confused whether to take baby with me or leave at home in India. She'll be nearly 2 yrs old by the time we go. With all those activities in Sentosa Island, the Flyer, Cable car, etc. Can we manage with the baby ?

Tuesday 26th of November 2019

Thanks so much, I'm glad you enjoyed the article:-) Regarding your question, we have done several trips with our son (who is now almost one and a half) and haven't experienced any issues traveling with him. Sure, sometimes you have to adjust your plans and activities, but (depending on how easy your kid is;-) many things can be done together. If I were to travel to Singapore in the near future, I'd definitely take my son. Perhaps not all activities on Sentosa Island are suitable, but the Flyer and Cable Car are perfectly fine to do with a small kid:-) Have a wonderful trip!

Friday 8th of November 2019

WOWWWWWW. What an amazing travel guide. I’m a full time traveler so I spend a lot of time looking at guides. This is the best I’ve EVER seen. Love the sightseeing map by day.

Unbelievable amount of work you put in here! Can’t wait to check out your other guides

Saturday 9th of November 2019

Hi Chester,

Thank you very much, I really appreciate your kind words and I'm happy to hear you love my Singapore post so much. I have indeed put in a lot of effort but it's worth it when it helps people plan their trip:-)

Happy travels, Lotte

Thursday 22nd of August 2019

Hello Lotte, I can't thank you enough for this post. So so....sooo enlightening. My wife and I are travelling to Singapore in some weeks and we have been CHAOTIC (lool..).. from accommodation plans to itinerary, I mean we were lost looool... The information captured here has helped a WHOLE lot.. Apart from the accommodation options mentioned above, is there any hotel/ airBnB option within the range of 50-80 USD per night that you'd recommend?

Wednesday 28th of August 2019

Dear Beany,

You're most welcome! I hope you and your wife have a wonderful trip to Singapore. Regarding the hotels, Hipster City (https://www.booking.com/hotel/sg/hipstercity.en.html?aid=1186903&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&room1=A%2CA) is around $75 per night (shared bathroom). Alternatively, in Hotel Mono you have an ensuite bathroom (https://www.booking.com/hotel/sg/dragon-court.en.html?aid=1186903&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&room1=A%2CA) for around $100 a night.

Hope you can find a nice place and enjoy your trip:-) Lotte

Top Things to do in Singapore - Best Singapore Travel Guide

Detailed reviews on activites and things to do in singapore. we make it easy for you to find the right hotels, museums, tours, walks and more in singapore.

Singapore Museums

National Museum of Singapore, Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore Art Museum, Changi Chapel, plenty to discover.

Hiking in Singapore

Great walks in MacRitchie Reservoir, Fort Canning Park, East Coast Park and Mount Faber. The Botanical Gardens are beautiful.

Sentosa Attractions

Man-made beaches, exclusive bars, resorts, hotels and lots of outdoor sports like the luge ride, flying fox, golf etc.

Get the best Singapore travel advice, the easy way

We do all the research, reviews and comparisons so you don't have to.

When you come to Singapore Travel, you can expect well-researched and helpful information, activity guides, and hotel reviews. We are travel enthusiasts who love to research the details and bring you easy to read summaries so you can fully understand the best things to do and make smart buying decisions to save yourself time and money. 

Our Top Singapore Picks

Singapore is a small island city-state located in Southeast Asia. Despite its size, Singapore is a hugely popular tourist destination due in part to its diverse culture and rich history. For first-time visitors, here are some of our top things to do in Singapore:

Explore Chinatown

Singapore’s Chinatown is a vibrant and historic neighborhood that is home to a variety of Chinese temples, shops, and restaurants. Be sure to try some of the delicious street food!

Singapore Zoo

The Singapore Zoo is one of the best zoos in the world, and it’s a great place to see some of the unique animals that call Singapore home. Highlights include the orangutans, tigers, and pygmy hippos.

Singapore Flyer

The Singapore Flyer is a giant Ferris wheel that offers breathtaking views of the city skyline. It’s a must-do for any first-time visitor during the day or even better at night.

Orchard Road

Orchard Road is Singapore’s premier shopping district, and it’s home to hundreds of high-end stores and malls. If you’re looking to do some serious shopping, this is the place to be.

MacRitchie Reservoir

Hiking trails in MacRitchie Reservoir range from easy 1.5 hour walks to more gruelling 5 hour ones. Choose from 6 different routes that range from 3km to 11.5km.

Be sure to take some time to relax at Marina Bay. The bay area offers views of the city skyline as well as plenty of opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, and strolling along the waterfront.

Universal Studios

Universal Studios Singapore (USS), the first in Asia, is a mega theme park boasting 28 attractions in 7 themed zones. Located within Resorts World Sentosa.

Jurong Bird Park

The Jurong Bird Park is the largest of its kind in the world (largest bird population of 8000 birds representing 600 species). It is a world-famous zoo for many specimens of bird-life from all over the world.

How we compare & choose activities in Singapore

Expert knowledge to help you buy smart​.

We provide expert knowledge about things to do in Singapore. Including ratings and data about how each tour and activity measure up in various categories of performance.

We explain what sets a tour apart from its competitors, and suggest other comparable tours based on price or use. 

We also look at how the tour has been designed, and what type of tourist they are targeted to – so you can make your decision based on what is right for you and your Singapore holiday.  

Our guide to the best information about Singapore

Planning a holiday to Singapore? We’re here to help! You’ll find information and travel tips that will help you make the best of your stay in Singapore.

Singapore is a country located in Southeast Asia. It is a small island nation with a population of about 5 million people. Singapore is known for its strict laws and regulations, clean and orderly streets, and efficient public transportation system.

Home to a diverse range of cultures and ethnicities, making Singapore a fascinating place to visit. Whether you’re interested in exploring the city’s Chinatown, Little India, or Arab Street, there’s something for everyone in Singapore.

You’ll find the best information on Singapore whether you’re interested in history, shopping, or just the food.

Transport in Singapore

Everything you need to know about getting around in Singapore. Public buses are cheap and reliable. The Mass Rapid Transit MRT is fast and efficient. Taxis in Singapore are numerous and easy to flag down. Find out more about  transport in Singapore here.

Visa Requirements in Singapore

Find out everything you need to know about visas for Singapore here.

Weather in Singapore

Check the best time of the year to go to Singapore. Although Singapore is a great place to travel to anytime as it’s always warm, it does get monsoon rains.

Best things to do in Singapore

Singapore Zoo is very popular, plus the Singapore Flyer, both a must do while you are on vacation in Singapore. A visit to Sentosa Island on the cable car is awesome too.

Travel tips to Singapore

Find out about money, water, medical, safety, tax refunds and more here.

Our guide to the best shopping in Singapore

Bugis street - largest street shopping location in singapore.

Bugis Street is not lined with mega malls like  Orchard Road . Instead, it has made a name for itself as the largest street shopping location with over 800 concept stores offering huge varieties of trendy selections at extremely competitive prices. It is thus a popular haunt for tourists and locals alike. An estimated 10 million people frequent this street every year. The large malls Bugis Junction and Illuma are just nearby, which cater more to the young and hip adult groups.

Chinatown - traditional Chinese quarters of Singapore

Singapore’s Chinatown is a great place to go shopping for souvenirs and gifts. The streets are lined with stalls selling everything from T-shirts to traditional Chinese medicines.

The buildings in Chinatown are also interesting, with their traditional Chinese architecture and red lanterns hanging from the eaves. If you’re looking for a place to eat, plenty of restaurants and hawker stalls serve delicious Singaporean food. And if you want to try your hand at bargaining, there’s no better place than Chinatown!

Orchard Road - tree-lined boulevard with numerous shopping malls on both sides of the road

Singapore is well-known for its shopping, and Orchard Road is the central shopping district. The area is filled with malls, luxury hotels, and high-end restaurants. However, Orchard Road is also a great place to find bargains. Plenty of retail outlets offer discounts on clothes, electronics, and other goods.

The best time to find bargains is during the Singapore Sale, which takes place from May to July. During this period, many retailers offer discounts of up to 70%. So if you’re looking to score some great deals on Singapore’s famous Orchard Road, be sure to visit during the Singapore Sale.

Marina Bay and City Hall - underground mall

Singapore is a shopper’s paradise, and Marina Bay is one of the best places to go for a splurge. The area is home to numerous high-end stores and countless restaurants and cafes. There’s also a waterfront Promenade that’s perfect for an afternoon stroll.

Whether you’re looking for designer clothes, luxury goods, or just a nice place to relax, Marina Bay has something for everyone.

Shopping in the suburbs of Singapore

There are numerous shopping malls located amongst housing estates and neighbourhoods away from the popularised Civic District or Orchard Road.

Here you’ll find a list of suburban malls, we have only featured the more prominent malls.

Frequently asked questions about things to do in Singapore

Can you explore singapore in a day.

Singapore is a small country, and it's possible to see many of the sights in a day. However, Singapore is also very noisy and busy, so it can be hard to appreciate everything in such a short amount of time.

Plus, with the heat and humidity, it's easy to get tired and grumpy when you're walking around all day.

If you're only in Singapore for a day, my advice would be to just pick a few things that you really want to see and take your time enjoying them. Don't try to pack too much into your schedule, or you'll just end up feeling stressed out.

And if you do find yourself getting tired, there's no shame in taking a break in one of the air-conditioned malls! Singapore may be small, but there's still plenty to see and do. Just pace yourself, and enjoy your day.

What is the best area to stay in Singapore?

Singapore is divided into several regions, each with its own distinct character. The best area to stay in Singapore depends on what you are looking for in a vacation.

If you want to experience the traditional culture of Singapore, then you should stay in Chinatown or Little India . These areas are rich in history and offer a glimpse into Singapore in years past.

If you are more interested in the modern side of Singapore, then you should stay in Orchard Road or Marina Bay . These areas are full of high-end shops and restaurants, and they offer a more contemporary experience. 

Is Singapore safe?

Singapore is often lauded as one of the safest countries in the world. And it's true- the city-state has a very low crime rate, and strict laws help to keep residents safe. But that doesn't mean that Singapore is completely free of danger.

Just like anywhere else, there are always risks present- from slipping on a wet floor to being hit by a car. So while Singapore may be safe overall, it's still important to be careful and stay alert. After all, as the saying goes, "Safety first!"

What is the number 1 tourist attraction in Singapore?

Singapore is best known for its diverse culture, food, and architecture. The city is home to a variety of attractions, including the Singapore Zoo , Sentosa Island , and Universal Studios Singapore .

However, Singapore's number one tourist attraction is the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The gardens span 74 hectares and feature a wide range of plant life, from iconic orchids to rare palms. In addition, the gardens are home to the National Orchid Garden, which houses more than 60,000 orchids.

With its stunning scenery and wealth of plant life, it's no wonder that the Singapore Botanic Gardens is the top tourist destination in Singapore.

What is the best month to visit Singapore?

Singapore is a great place to visit any time of year. However, if you're looking for the best month to enjoy all that this city has to offer, I would recommend December. The weather is perfect at this time of year - not too hot and not too humid.

Plus, Singapore comes alive during December with a wide range of festive events and activities. From decorating the streets with colorful lights to hosting huge Christmas markets, Singapore really knows how to celebrate the holiday season. 

Is Singapore expensive to visit?

Singapore is definitely an expensive city to visit! Everything from hotels and food to transportation and activities can be quite costly. However, there are ways to save money while you're in Singapore.

For example, take advantage of the many free activities the city has to offer, like visiting one of the many parks or taking a walk through Chinatown.

You can also save on food by eating at Hawker Centers, which offer delicious Singaporean cuisine at a fraction of the cost of a restaurant meal.

With a little planning and creativity, you can definitely enjoy your time in Singapore without breaking the bank!

Our guide to hotels and where to stay in Singapore

5 star hotels in singapore.

 Singapore is renowned for its luxury hotels offering guests five-star service and top-notch amenities. Singapore is the perfect place to stay if you’re looking for a luxurious and relaxing vacation.

However, be prepared to shell out some serious cash – Singapore is one of the most expensive cities in the world. But hey, when you’re staying in a hotel with its own private infinity pool, who will complain? Singapore may be small, but it definitely packs a punch when it comes to luxury hotels.

Best budget hotels in Singapore

Many great budget hotels in Singapore offer clean and comfortable accommodations without breaking the bank.

One of our favourites is the Hanoi Guesthouse, which offers simple but spacious rooms starting from just $35 a night.

If you’re looking for a bit more luxury, the capsule hotel at Orchard Parade Hotel is a great option. For just $60 a night, you’ll get your own private capsule with a TV, Wi-Fi and air conditioning.

Singapore may be expensive, but there are still plenty of great deals to be found if you know where to look.

Airport Hotels in Singapore

If you’re looking for a place to stay near Singapore’s Changi Airport, there are plenty of airport hotels to choose from.

However, with so many options, it can be tough to decide which one is right for you.

To help you make up your mind, we’ve put together a great list of airport hotels in Singapore.

Integrated resorts in Singapore

An integrated resort is a Singaporean euphemism for a casino-based vacation resort. Alas, the integrated resorts don’t revolve solely around gambling.

Besides being the first casinos in a country more well-known for its conservative culture, the integrated resort aim to offer a complete lifestyle experience – everything from wholesome entertainment to luxurious stays.

Our guide to the best food and hawker centres in Singapore

Newton Food Centre

For a hawker centre, Newton Food Centre or Newton Circus is huge. There are plenty of local food stalls to choose from, the food centre is well-ventilated and spacious, and is very accessible with the MRT station across the road.

Chomp Chomp Hawker Centre

Located in a residential area known as Serangoon Gardens, Chomp Chomp is yet another place where you’ll find great local food, though amidst a noisy and bustling atmosphere.

East Coast Lagoon Food Village

Along the well-frequented East Coast Park, you’ll find the ever popular East Coast Lagoon Food Village. The food stalls form a ring around the seating area, given you the feeling that you’re surrounded with food.

Old Airport Road Hawker Centre

The food centre along Old Airport Road has been around for a long time. Weekend evenings are when the food centre is most crowded, so it’s best for you to drop by on a weekday.

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The Best Places to Eat in Singapore's Changi Airport

By Audrey Phoon

This article is part of our airport food survival guide , which includes tips and tricks—even a hot take or two—that challenge the notion that airport meals are always dull, overpriced, and tasteless.

Changi Airport is many things: super-efficient aviation hub, surreal tropical garden, shopping haven. But for locals, it will first and foremost always be a sprawling celebration of food. This is where we load up on chicken rice and kopi (robust local coffee) before a trip; where we get our fix of bak chor mee (springy minced meat noodles tossed in mouth-puckering, piquant gravy) or kaya toast when we land; where we meet for meals even when we don’t have a flight to catch.

With nearly 200 dining outlets dotted across four terminals and the iconic glass-domed mall called Jewel, Changi is one airport where the challenge lies not in scoring a decent meal, but deciding where to eat. To save you the legwork, here’s our guide to the best restaurants and where to eat in Changi Airport.

Longer indulgences at Changi Airport

Local celebrity chef Violet Oon ’s elegant eponymous temple to Peranakan cuisine in Singapore ’s National Gallery is a fixture in most travel guides, but her charming branch on Jewel ’s first floor is a convenient alternative for travelers. Must-orders include the dry laksa (a spiced noodle dish), and the complex chicken buah keluak made with an Indigenous lethal nut that’s detoxed before cooking. Meanwhile, the lively vibes and sharing portions at Jumbo Seafood (L3 Jewel) are great for larger groups. This is where you’ll find authentic chili crab, one of Singapore’s national dishes, with lashings of gravy best mopped up with fluffy mantou buns.

For a different communal-style meal, head to Beauty In The Pot (B2 Jewel), where giant hot pots brimming with savory and spicy soups are served to share. The restaurant is open until 3 a.m. daily, making this a convenient choice for those with flights at inconvenient hours. Come the third quarter of 2024, the refined Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck will open a new outlet on the first floor of Jewel, offering its trademark Peking duck pancakes alongside elevated Cantonese dishes.

Casual sit-down meals at Changi Airport

Local café chain PS Cafe is famous for its decadent cakes and shoestring truffle fries showered in shaved parmesan, but its Art Deco-themed space on the second floor of Jewel comes with an added treat: A view of the mall’s dramatic Rain Vortex waterfall (ask for a table at the back for prime viewing). Down in Basement 2, Hainan Story is a multi-concept eatery offering traditional and modern Hainanese cuisine from different brands under one roof. The menu features everything from noodles to Western plates (many early Hainanese immigrants to Singapore served as chefs to the British during colonial rule), but the thing to order here is the chicken rice, a recipe from one of Singapore’s most storied shops.

Another popular name with a Changi Airport branch is Swee Choon , whose flagship store in the grungy Jalan Besar neighborhood is a hotspot for celebrities seeking a late-night dim sum supper. While its polished Terminal 2 outlet lacks the gritty character of the main restaurant, it’s open round the clock, and many of Swee Choon’s bestselling items—like its mee suah kueh , a crispy noodle cake with shrimp—are available here.

Ten-minute bites at Changi Airport

No matter what hour it is, you can sample Singapore’s celebrated hawker fare at Singapore Food Street in the transit area of Terminal 3. This 24-hour food court is packed with popular stalls like Tai Wah Pork Noodle , where the zingy, vinegary noodles are a great perk-me-up, and Rong Cheng Bak Kut Teh , whose herbal pork broth makes for a comforting post-flight meal.

Over in T2, a visit to Ya Kun is a must for that quintessentially Singaporean all-day breakfast of kaya toast and rich, sweet coffee. Crave , a modern off-spin of one of the country’s most well-known nasi lemak stalls, is also worth seeking out for its star dish: bento boxes of aromatic coconut rice piled with your pick of toppings, like crispy whitebait or fried chicken. For a grab-and-go snack, drop by curry puff institution Old Chang Kee (in the transit areas of T2, 3, and 4) for its chunky chicken-and-potato-filled pastry parcels, or follow the queues at Jewel to the trendy Birds of Paradise ice cream parlor, where delicate botanical flavors like white chrysanthemum or lychee raspberry are dolloped onto fragrant, thyme-infused cones.

Best food gifts you can buy at Changi Airport

You can’t leave food-obsessed Singapore without bringing a few edible treats home, and Changi Airport is a one-stop-shop for some of the country’s most beloved food products. Top on many travelers’ lists is snack store Irvins , which has five locations across the airport. The bestsellers here are the packs of potato chips and crispy fish skin sprinkled with salted egg and curry leaves, which come with the very real warning that they are ‘dangerously addictive.’

For the sweet-toothed, there are pillowy roll cakes from Rich & Good on the first level of Jewel. They melt in the mouth, but when armored in their pastel pink boxes, are tough enough to survive a flight. While the coconut-laced kaya version is a crowd favorite, more adventurous foodies may want to try the pungent durian flavor (just make sure you keep it sealed in-flight). And at nearby Indonesian-style traditional bakery Bengawan Solo , a familiar sight in many local neighborhoods, you won’t go wrong with a tub of crunchy prawn rolls or pineapple tarts—tasty bites that will remind you of your travels well after you’ve stepped off the plane.

Recommended

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Insider’s Guide to 12 Top Hotels in Singapore

Posted: February 24, 2024 | Last updated: February 24, 2024

Singapore is a global hub celebrated for its multicultural landscape, architecture, and verdant urban environments. Within this dynamic setting, the city’s luxury accommodations distinguish themselves through unparalleled service, sophisticated design, and forward-thinking amenities. This guide explores Singapore’s finest hotels, spotlighting establishments that deliver exceptional experiences for those pursuing opulence and visitors traveling on business or for pleasure. Each hotel selected for this guide embodies the unique character of Singapore, offering insights into the city’s rich heritage and contemporary lifestyle.

1. W Hotel Singapore – Sentosa Cove

The W Hotel Singapore – Sentosa Cove distinguishes itself within Singapore’s luxury accommodation sector through its strategic location in Sentosa Cove and its essence of the city’s dynamic spirit. The hotel’s design philosophy mirrors the city’s blend of modernity and lush tropical landscapes, offering guests a retreat from the urban rush without sacrificing the vibrancy and cultural richness of the city. Each room and suite is crafted to balance contemporary luxury and comfort, ensuring a stylish and relaxing stay.

Dining at the W Hotel is highlighted by the SKIRT Restaurant, renowned for its avant-garde culinary techniques and selection of premium ingredients, offering a unique gastronomic experience. The recent renovations of the WET Deck, ballroom, and meeting spaces have further enhanced the hotel’s offerings, providing guests with sophisticated venues for relaxation, social events, and business gatherings. These upgrades reflect the hotel’s commitment to innovation and excellence, catering to the diverse needs of its guests and positioning the W Hotel Singapore – Sentosa Cove as a premier destination for discerning travelers.

Insider’s Tip: Take advantage of the hotel’s Whatever/Whenever service for personalized experiences, from yacht charters to custom dining setups by the pool.

How to Get There: Accessible by taxi or bus from the mainland, the hotel is a short drive across the Sentosa Gateway.

2. Shangri-La Hotel Singapore

Nestled amidst 15 acres of lush tropical gardens, Shangri-La Hotel Singapore is an urban oasis for leisure and business travelers located in the heart of the city. The hotel offers a range of accommodations, from the luxurious Tower Wing with its contemporary guestrooms to the more exclusive Valley Wing, known for its unparalleled service and privacy. The hotel’s extensive facilities include a spa, health club, several award-winning restaurants, and the unique Buds by Shangri-La, an interactive play space for children.

Insider’s Tip: Guests staying in the Valley Wing enjoy complimentary champagne, wine, and cocktails throughout the day in the private Summit Room.

How to Get There: The hotel is conveniently located on Orange Grove Road, just a short drive from Orchard Road, and easily accessible by taxi or public transport from anywhere in the city.

3. Marina Bay Sands

Marina Bay Sands is an iconic landmark of Singapore’s skyline, known for its extraordinary design, luxury accommodations, and unmatched city views. The hotel features the world’s largest rooftop Infinity Pool, offering breathtaking views of the city skyline. Its integration with the Marina Bay Sands Mall, ArtScience Museum, and direct access to the Singapore Grand Prix circuit, positions it as a premier choice for luxury and convenience.

Insider’s Tip: Book a Club Room or Suite for access to the Sands SkyPark Infinity Pool and the Club Lounge, where complimentary breakfast and evening cocktails are served against stunning city views.

How to Get There: Marina Bay Sands is centrally located and accessible by MRT, with Bayfront Station providing direct access.

4. Raffles Hotel

Raffles Hotel is a colonial-style luxury hotel synonymous with Singapore’s history. Since its opening in 1887, it has hosted celebrities, royalty, and dignitaries. The hotel’s elegant suites, exquisite dining options, and the legendary Long Bar – the birthplace of the Singapore Sling – offer guests a taste of Singapore’s colonial past blended with modern luxury.

Insider’s Tip: Don’t miss the chance to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea in the Grand Lobby, a quintessential Raffles experience.

How to Get There: Raffles Hotel is located in the heart of the city, easily accessible by MRT (City Hall or Esplanade stations), and a short walk from central shopping districts.

5. The Fullerton Bay Hotel

The Fullerton Bay Hotel offers guests waterfront elegance and panoramic views of Marina Bay. The hotel’s architecture combines the city’s rich heritage and contemporary design. Rooms and suites are lavishly appointed, with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the stunning Singapore skyline. The hotel’s rooftop pool and Lantern Bar provide an exquisite setting for relaxation and socializing.

Insider’s Tip: Request a room facing Marina Bay for the best views, especially during the National Day fireworks display.

How to Get There: Located in the Marina Bay area, the hotel is accessible by MRT (Raffles Place Station) and a short walk from the financial district.

6. The St. Regis Singapore

The St. Regis Singapore, situated in the prestigious Orchard Road neighborhood, epitomizes timeless elegance and unparalleled service. The hotel boasts one of Asia’s finest private art collections, opulent rooms, and the signature St. Regis Butler Service. Its award-winning Remède Spa and exquisite dining venues, including Brasserie Les Saveurs, offer indulgent experiences.

Insider’s Tip: Utilize the St. Regis Butler Service for personalized assistance, from unpacking and packing services to bespoke in-room dining experiences.

How to Get There: The hotel is a short distance from Orchard MRT station, making it easily accessible from anywhere in the city.

7. Capella Singapore

Capella Singapore on Sentosa Island offers a luxurious retreat set amidst lush greenery and overlooking the South China Sea. The hotel blends Singapore’s rich colonial heritage with contemporary design, offering spacious villas and manors with private plunge pools. Capella’s personalized service, including dedicated Personal Assistants, ensures a bespoke experience for every guest.

Insider’s Tip: Book a session at the Auriga Spa, known for its holistic treatments inspired by the lunar cycles, for a truly rejuvenating experience.

How to Get There: Capella Singapore is a 15-minute drive from the mainland via Sentosa Gateway. Complimentary shuttle services are available for hotel guests.

8. Andaz Singapore

Andaz Singapore, a concept by Hyatt, offers a fresh take on luxury with its vibrant design and innovative approach to hospitality. The hotel is in the Duo Galleria and boasts stunning city views from its guestrooms and rooftop bar, Mr. Stork. The hotel’s interior design reflects the cultural heritage of its Bugis neighborhood, blending traditional Singaporean elements with modern aesthetics. Dining options include Alley on 25, a unique ‘street dining’ experience, and the 665°F steakhouse on the 38th floor.

Insider’s Tip: Visit Mr. Stork, the rooftop bar, for 360-degree city views and unique teepee hut seating, making it a perfect spot for sunset cocktails.

How to Get There: The hotel is centrally located in Bugis, easily reachable by MRT (Bugis station) and a network of buses.

9. The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore

The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore is synonymous with timeless luxury and impeccable service. Situated in Marina Bay, the hotel offers panoramic views of the Singapore skyline and Marina Bay Sands from its spacious rooms and suites. The hotel is renowned for its 4,200-piece contemporary art collection, including works by Frank Stella and Dale Chihuly. Culinary delights await at the Michelin-starred Summer Pavilion and the Colony, which offers a unique British-colonial-themed buffet experience.

Insider’s Tip: Request a Marina Bay view room for an unforgettable view of the city’s skyline, especially stunning during the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown fireworks display.

How to Get There: Located in the heart of Marina Bay, the hotel is a short distance from the Promenade MRT station and accessible by various bus routes.

10. Sofitel Singapore City Centre

Sofitel Singapore City Centre demonstrates French elegance and cosmopolitan sophistication in the heart of Singapore’s CBD. Each guestroom combines French design with local touches, offering luxury and comfort. The hotel’s 1864 bar serves up bespoke cocktails and a wide selection of teas, while Racines restaurant offers both French and Chinese cuisines prepared in show kitchens. The hotel also features a 30-meter infinity pool and the SoFit gym, ensuring guests can relax and recharge in style.

Insider’s Tip: Take advantage of the hotel’s location to explore the nearby Chinatown district, where traditional shops and modern cafes glimpse Singapore’s rich culture.

How to Get There: The hotel is directly accessible from Tanjong Pagar MRT station, making it a convenient choice for travelers.

11. PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay

PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay is Singapore’s first ‘garden-in-a-hotel,’ integrating lush greenery with modern architecture and sustainable practices. The hotel’s atrium is a stunning, sky-lit oasis featuring a 13-meter tall green wall and a spectacular indoor garden. Guestrooms are designed with eco-friendly materials and offer city or bay views. The hotel also boasts one of Singapore’s largest collections of Southeast Asian art, enhancing the cultural experience for guests.

Insider’s Tip: Don’t miss the chance to dine at Peppermint, the hotel’s farm-to-table restaurant, offering healthy and sustainable dining options with ingredients sourced from local and regional farms.

How to Get There: Situated in the Marina Bay area, the hotel is easily accessible by MRT, with the Esplanade and Promenade stations nearby.

12. The Warehouse Hotel

The Warehouse Hotel, located on the banks of the Singapore River, is a boutique hotel with a rich history. Originally built in 1895 as a warehouse, the building has been carefully restored to offer a unique blend of industrial heritage and contemporary design. The hotel’s 37 rooms feature a minimalist aesthetic focusing on quality materials and craftsmanship. The Lobby Bar and Po Restaurant offer innovative takes on local cuisine, making it a favorite among foodies.

Insider’s Tip: Try the hotel’s signature cocktail, the Warehouse Negroni, inspired by its spice trade history, for a taste of the past with a modern twist.

How to Get There: The hotel is in the Robertson Quay area, accessible by taxi or a short walk from Fort Canning MRT station.

When to Travel

Singapore, a city-state known for its perpetual summer, offers a vibrant calendar of events and festivals throughout the year, making any time a good time to visit. However, specific periods stand out for their special events and festive seasons, enhancing the travel experience with unique cultural insights and celebrations. From vibrant cultural festivals and world-class sporting events to culinary celebrations and arts festivals, the city-state is alive with activities throughout the year.

These events showcase Singapore’s diverse heritage and its modern, innovative spirit. Whether you’re a foodie, art enthusiast, shopaholic, or sports fan, Singapore’s event lineup promises memorable experiences against the backdrop of one of Asia’s most dynamic cities.

Singapore’s luxury hotels are gateways to experiencing the city’s rich tapestry of culture, history, and modernity. Whether you’re seeking a retreat in the heart of the city or an escape to an island paradise, these hotels offer unparalleled experiences that cater to your every desire. As you plan your journey to this vibrant city-state, let these destinations guide you to the extraordinary, where every stay promises to be an unforgettable part of your Singapore adventure.

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The post Insider’s Guide to 12 Top Hotels in Singapore republished on Passing Thru with permission from The Green Voyage .

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Luciano Mortula – LGM.

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What can I do during a 24-hour layover in Singapore?

Jun 21, 2024 • 6 min read

Here's how to explore the best of Singapore when you've got limited time © John Seaton Callahan / Getty Images

Tiny Singapore has a lot to offer, but you can still enjoy a snapshot of the island-state if you're only there for a short time.

In the 12 years that I've been living in Singapore, I have steered many visiting friends on what to do on a 24-hour stopover. Here's how to spend your time before your onward flight.  

How do you get from the airport to the city?

Singapore is a masterclass in public transport . You can catch the MRT, bus, taxi or Grab (Southeast Asia’s version of Uber) from the airport right into the center of the action. It only takes 40 minutes to cross the entire island, so it won't take long to reach your hotel, wherever you decide to stay. For those on a really quick visit, make use of the luggage storage facilities at the airport terminals so you can explore hands-free. 

A Singapore Tourist Pass costs from SGD$22 a day, which gives you unlimited access during that time to buses and the MRT. Taxis are extra but still kind on the wallet. Popular locations are fairly close together, for example, a five-minute taxi ride whisks you from the Marina Bay area to Chinatown , or a 10-minute taxi ride could take you from Little India to the upscale shopping trawl of Orchard Road. It’s also an easy city to walk around, although maybe you will want to seek some shade around midday.

Don't want to miss anything in Singapore? Here are the best places to visit

What should I do with 24 hours in Singapore?

The fastest way to understand Singapore is through its food . The hawker centers (street food stalls) are where Singaporeans gather and bond over their favorite dishes. Singapore’s hawkers are such an important part of the culture, they were recognised by UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage list. Everyone has their favorite hawker, but a good place to start is Lau Pa Sat near Singapore’s financial district, as it serves every dish you can think of. Found in what looks like an oversized band stand, this popular food court is open 24 hours. Satay St, next to the food court, is lined with hawkers from 6pm each day who serve skewers of meat cooked over hot coals. 

Still hungry? Here are Singapore's best flavors

You can walk from here around the bay or take a six-minute taxi ride to Gardens by the Bay where you can take the perfect Instagram shot by the famed Supertrees. While you’re there, ride an elevator to the top of the tallest Supertree to get a 360-degree view of the city that includes the sea, Marina Bay Sands  and the Singapore Flyer . If you have more time, spend a couple of hours in the aircon-filled glasshouses that are the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, open from 9am to 9pm.

For your next stop, take a taxi to the heritage area of Kampong Glam. Among the pastel-colored shophouses and street art, you’ll find cute cafes and independent stores, such as Sifr Aromatics , a perfumery that can make you a bespoke scent. On the second floor of a shophouse in Haji Lane you will also find Type8ar , filled with 50 vintage typewriters.

Kampong Glam gives you the chance to enjoy some of the city’s best treats. Indulge in a sweet potato donut coated in palm sugar called gulu melaka at KS Keria , sample a gateaux with Singaporean flavours at Julie Bakes or cool down with a bowl of chendol (shaved ice, jelly noodles and pandan) at Makan Melaka. Look out for Tarik , a former hole-in-the-wall that serves pulled tea, where the eat is poured from a height, which now takes center stage as part of Kampong Glam’s biggest mural.  

Next, visit Sentosa Island , home to beach clubs, theme parks and a former 19th-century fort, and where a tall ship sets sail. Sip cocktails on board the ship and take in the famed Singapore skyline as the it glides along the coast. 

Where can I stay in Singapore?

If you land at night and need to rest your head, there are two new Singaporean hotels to check into. The design-led 21 Carpenter is found in a heritage building near Clarke Quay. During the day, its stainless-steel rooftop pool with views of Marina Bay provides the perfect place to cool off after a spot of sightseeing. Alternatively, Artyzen near the upscale shopping district of Orchard Rd gives a nod to Singapore’s Peranakan culture, serving up tropical colors in the bedrooms and traditional kopi (coffee) or teh (tea) among the treats at breakfast.

How much will a layover in Singapore cost?

You don’t need to have a bulging wallet to have a fun time in Singapore. A budget stay at the YMCA One Orchard hotel , which also has a rooftop pool, will set you back around S$128 per night.

There are many free and cheap activities too , such as hiring a bike for a small fee and cycling along Sinapore's parkway connectors, or lingering in one of the city parks. Throw down a picnic rug in the UNESCO site the Botanic Garden  (free entry) or the beach at East Coast Park . It's also free to visit Singapore’s first theme park,  Har Paw Villa , built in the 1930s and filled with sculptures from Chinese folklore. However, if you’re tempted to enter the onsite  Hell’s Museum and discover what awaits in the afterlife, this will cost S$20. 

Looking for more budget tips? Here's how to save money in Singapore

What if I’ve only got a few hours in Singapore?

If your layover is at least 5.5 hours, you can sign up for the free Singapore tour from Changi Airport. The proviso is your luggage is checked through to your final destination.

Another fun way to experience the city is to book a vintage Vespa sidecar tour with Singapore Sidecars. The Singapore in a Nutshell tour lasts between one to three hours and will take you past the iconic Marina Bay Sands building, through the colonial Civic District and into heritage areas such as Little India and Chinatown. You don’t need a motorbike license as the team will chauffeur you around the city and you can just enjoy being a passenger, but you will need to travel from the airport to the starting point.

If your layover is only a couple of hours' long, check out the glass-domed centerpiece that is Jewel at Singapore’s Changi Airport . Not only will you find cafes, designer stores and a cinema, but also the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, 2000 trees, and a canopy park.

No matter what you do, you’ll find that a stopover in Singapore is worth it.

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Buyers' Guide

This Bluetooth adapter lets you use your own wireless headphones on a flight and could become your most essential travel accessory

Advertisement.

This discounted Twelve South AirFly Pro Bluetooth adapter lets you connect your wireless headphones to your in-flight entertainment system and adds new functionality to older devices.

This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.

Bluetooth adapters like the Twelve South AirFly Pro let you connect your wireless active noise-cancelling headphones to in-flight entertainment systems. Photo: Twelve South

This audio is generated by an AI tool.

Scott Marsh

Bluetooth connectivity is so common these days that you’d be surprised to know that there are still holdout devices – like many in-flight entertainment systems – that still require a Bluetooth adapter to connect wirelessly to devices.

For passengers in economy seats that often means two things. Using wired headphones and disconnecting them every time one of your seat mates wants to use the bathroom.

There is another option though: Freeing yourself from the tyranny of cables with Bluetooth adapters like the highly rated Twelve South AirFly Pro, which is currently discounted on Amazon US.

Twelve South AirFly Pro Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter/Receiver (S$69.26, Usual Price: S$83.82)

Plug it into any device with a 3.5mm headphone or auxiliary-in jack to easily share audio via Bluetooth. It offers over 25 hours of battery life so will last on long-haul flights or road trips and can be charged while in use via USB-C. Pair two Bluetooth headphones simultaneously to enjoy your favourite show with your travel companion. Its flexible cable makes it easy to plug in to awkwardly located sockets and minimises the risk of it being knocked out if a seat mate bumps into it.

• 25-hour battery life
• Pairs two wireless headphones
• Receive and Transmit modes to easily share audio via Bluetooth

WHY THIS BLUETOOTH ADAPTER COULD WORK FOR YOU

The Twelve South AirFly Pro could be the essential travel accessory you never knew you needed. Pairing it with your Bluetooth headphones during a flight gives you greater freedom of movement as you’re untethered to your seat. That may sound like a small comfort, but it can make a big difference, especially in an economy seat on a long-haul flight.

It also gives you the option of using your active-noise cancelling headphones with the in-flight entertainment system. This helps drown out background noise and is especially useful if you’re seated nearer to the back of the aircraft, behind the engines.

If the machines in your gym only support wired headphones, the Twelve South AirFly Pro enables the use of your wireless headphones. This is a good idea if you don’t fancy being physically connected to your treadmill or elliptical machine.

• You want to use wireless headphones with the in-flight entertainment system on your next flight or with the machines in your gym
• You’re renting an older car for a road trip and it doesn’t support Bluetooth
• You want to add Bluetooth connectivity to older speakers or an amplifier

Its usefulness extends beyond that as the AirFly Pro can also add new functionality to older devices with a 3.5mm auxiliary in socket. For instance, you may have hired an older rental car that doesn’t support Bluetooth for a road trip abroad. Or you may have an amplifier or older powered speakers at home that lack Bluetooth connectivity but still sound great.

Plugging in the AirFly Pro and switching it to RX mode allows you to stream your favourite playlists from your mobile device, extending the usefulness of your current setup.  

Prices are accurate as of the time of publication. Discount codes for some products are available for eligible Prime members.

Not a Prime member yet? Join Prime or start a 30-day free trial at Amazon.sg/prime . Prime members enjoy free one-day domestic delivery and free international delivery on eligible items.

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