Singapore travel guide

What to do, where to stay and why you’ll love it

Why you’ll love it

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Hanging off the bottom of the Malay Peninsula like a Christmas bauble, hyper-developed Singapore is quite unlike any other nation in Southeast Asia. Since independence from Malaysia in 1965, this one-time British territory has grown to be a financial powerhouse and a paragon of the virtues of planning and relentless organisation.

The sapping humidity and fastidious rules won’t be for everyone, but if it’s your first time in eastern Asia, Singapore certainly offers a safe introduction to the region. Before heading north to discover other Southeast Asian nations, this city-state shows what’s possible when order is prioritised over anything else.

Yet Singapore is more fun than its reputation suggests. You’ll find great theme parks, world-class sporting events and a very famous cocktail. Few cities on the planet can match it for high-end retail, either. Celebrity chefs and hoteliers are inevitably drawn to Singapore’s remarkable prosperity, but nowhere else has a culinary reputation that’s simultaneously built on fine dining and some of Asia’s most excellent street food. Sir Stamford Raffles’ city plan is still in use today, but there’s surely no way he’d have imagined it could be utilised so brilliantly.

Main photo: Little India, Singapore (Getty Images)

You’ll find great theme parks, world-class sporting events and a very famous cocktail

What to do

The word ‘unique’ is used so frequently in hotel marketing as to have been stripped of its meaning, but if it still applies anywhere, then it is surely to the doyen of Asian hospitality, Raffles. Built in 1887 during British rule, it has remained a remarkably durable, popular property and is now an attraction in its own right. Visitors tend to make a pilgrimage to its fabled Long Bar, the birthplace of the Singapore Sling.

Other remnants of the country’s colonial period remain worth visiting, too, including the remarkable Singapore Botanic Gardens. Those interested in zoos are also in for a treat — the rainforest-themed Singapore Zoo is regarded as one of the best anywhere in the world, with an admirable focus on sustainability and conservation. For more modern horticulture, the futuristic Gardens by the Bay has become an icon of the city since opening in 2012.

No trip to Singapore is complete without spending time on the mighty Orchard Road. A shopping thoroughfare comparable to the Champs-Elysées or Oxford Street, it offers every luxe brand imaginable — plus several you’ll never have heard of before — along its one-and-a-half mile stretch.

The famously regulated hawker centres are dotted around the city, and even if you have a reservation at a Michelin-starred restaurant during you trip, be sure to pull up a plastic seat with the locals and try specialities such as chicken rice and the much-loved Singapore rice noodles.

Where to stay

It’s important to understand Singapore’s rich mix of cultures — there’s far more here than relics of the British Empire and soaring modern skyscrapers. Chinatown and Little India on the eastern side of the Singapore River feel distinct from the wider city and each other. Cuisine and architecture reflect their individual heritages, as do the hotels, which tend to be on the more affordable side.

Things are unapologetically more ostentatious around Marina Bay. There are several high-end options, but dominating the skyline, Marina Bay Sands is surely one of Asia’s most extraordinary hotels. It may look as though an enormous ship has been neatly stranded on top of three skyscrapers after a biblical flood, but after Raffles this is Singapore’s most famous property.

For anyone visiting with shopping on their mind, it’ll be more important to be close to Orchard Road. Several recognisable international hotel brands are found around the Orchard neighbourhood, including Four Seasons and Hilton.

 

Don’t miss

Many of those who malign Singapore for being uptight haven’t been to Sentosa Island. Just off the southern shores of the Singapore mainland, it’s the nation’s dedicated leisure zone, stuffed full of thrilling theme parks, decorated restaurants and even a casino.

This former British military outpost has become the Lion City’s holiday centre and, much like the rest of the country, its transformation has been carefully planned and executed. There’s no ignoring the amount of entertainment on offer, though, especially for youngsters. The family-friendly Palawan Beach is serviced, like much of the island, by a tram system, while a bouncy suspension bridge over to Palawan Island makes for a fun break from the sand.

While KidZania was closed in 2020, Sentosa was able to launch Hydrodash, a floating water park in the form of a huge inflatable playground, in the same year. For a far grander experience, Universal Studios is unmissable. Highlights include the dizzying Transformers and Battlestar Galactica rides, but whole days can be spent on the attractions here.

Anyone looking to mix in a little history with their playtime should head to the northwest of Sentosa and to the museum at Fort Silosa. Built in the late 1800s, it saw action during Britain’s defence of Singapore during the Second World War.

Many of those who malign Singapore for being uptight haven’t been to Sentosa Island

When to visit

Thunderstorms and humidity can occur at almost any time in Singapore but are particularly likely in October and November; those coming to shop should target August and September to make the most of the Great Singapore Sale.

FAQs

What are the do’s and don’ts in Singapore?
Infamously described by William Gibson as “Disneyland with the death penalty”, Singapore is actually less draconian than many would have you believe. Fines can be issued for smoking outside of designated areas, littering and vandalism, much as they can in the UK. That said, Singapore’s fines are much heftier and, in rare circumstances, can also be accompanied with corporal punishment.

How expensive is Singapore?
Singapore is among the most expensive places in the world along with Hong Kong and Osaka. Money can be saved by acquiring a Singapore Tourist Pass for unlimited travel on the excellent public transport network, while hawker centres offer outstanding food for much more reasonable prices than traditional restaurants.

Is chewing gum really banned in Singapore?
The sale and import of chewing gum have been banned since the early 1990s, though there is an exception for certain nicotine and dental gums. Anyone found chewing gum otherwise — especially anyone spitting it out — will face fines. Safer to bring a packet of mints.

Currency: Singapore dollar

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