Singapore
The famous destination of Singapore certainly lives up to the hype with a wide range of activities and a rich history as a key colonial trading hub.
Singapore travel guide
Singapore is made up of 62 little islands and a sprawl of reclaimed land. It’s known for being one of the safest places to live in the world, a progressive island state that is quite unique. This massive metropolis is an anomaly, known as a trading post throughout history, a heady mix of Eastern and Western traditions and cultures, evident in its fabulous skyline of skyscrapers that is juxtaposed with classic little Chinese houses and other traditional buildings.
The city’s strong personality exudes a pride that is almost tangible, a seriousness that belies its many entertainment and shopping offerings. And no wonder… Singapore boasts the largest and busiest harbour in the world.
You’ll find plenty of evidence of the city’s colonial past in buildings like the legendary Raffles Hotel, where life is languid, leisurely and luxurious, charming smatterings of Chinese tradition in Chinatown, with its fortune tellers, temples and iconic cuisine and colorful evidence of its Indian and Arab roots in distinct neighborhoods, too.
Jewel Changi Airport is renowned as one of the 7 best airports in the world, not only because it’s such a busy terminal, but also because of its incredible attractions that include the highest indoor waterfall on earth, the Jewel, that creates a Rain Vortex that recirculates rain water, used to feed an incredible display of tropical flowers including numerous species of magnificent orchids.
The iconic merlion statue is a famous symbol of Singapore found in the marina.
Best time to visit: The weather is superb here year-round. Peak season is from November till June, and there are various festivals occurring throughout the year.
Best Area for Sightseeing: It’s difficult to choose just one area to visit. See Things to do in Singapore below for some inspiration.
Shopping in Singapore: If shopping was a sport, it would certainly be an Olympic sport in Singapore! Orchard Road is the heart of the city’s shopping, with numerous vast department stores as the highlight. There’s also Suntec City, a massive indoor complex made up of different shopping arcades, eateries, cinemas and entertainment venues and The Centerpoint, Singapore’s largest and most popular shopping center. Visit Clarke Quay, an area filled with refurbished harbour warehouses that are now filled with shops selling antiques, clothing and souvenirs. And Chinatown is always a treat with its colorful, crowded streets and traditional tea shops and stores.
Food & Restaurants in Singapore: You can find every cuisine imaginable here, from Indian, Japanese and Malay to Western global dishes of every kind. Newtown Food Center is a popular place for food stalls offering a variety of dishes, from satay and noodles to lobster and everything in between. The Chinatown Complex offers traditional food and fine dining establishments and Timbre+ is popular with the young and trendy, home to numerous food stalls serving modern classics accompanied by live music.
Nightlife: Like its food scene, Singapore’s nightlife is legendary – and long, lasting through till the early hours.
Beaches: Sentosa Island’s Punggol Beach and Siloso Beach are both popular choices for some sun and sand.
Things to do in Singapore:
- Explore the lush Gardens by the Bay, a tropical paradise and an urban development that has transformed Singapore into a ‘city in a garden’.
- Visit the Observation Deck at the iconic Marina Bay Sands for unmatched views of the city and a spectacular rooftop bar.
- Hike along the Henderson Waves Bridge, the highest pedestrian bridge in the city.
- Visit sensational Sentosa Island for a variety of entertainment options.
- Explore the iconic Sultan Mosque with its cupola and minarets.
- Learn about Singapore’s military history at Fort Canning Park.
- Ride the Singapore Flyer, a tall Ferris Wheel offering panoramic views of the Marina Bay.
- Enjoy a traditional cocktail, a Singapore Sling, in the Long Bar of the legendary Raffles Hotel where it was first created.
Best way to get around: The city’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is excellent, clean, fast and safe. There are also plenty of buses to use.
Best Area for Families: Marina Bay This central neighbourhood is home to the legendary Marina Bay Sands Hotel and the extraordinary Gardens by the Bay, both of which you can visit if you stay in one of the numerous accommodation establishments located here. There is also plenty of other entertainment in this area for families to enjoy.
Separately take the cable car over to Sentosa Island to give the kids a truly amazing view of the incoming ships before enjoying the theme park activities and even some Segway racing!