Traveling to Singapore is popular among travelers for a variety of reasons. Singapore is a small island city-state on the bottom tip of the Malay peninsula in Southeast Asia. And is often referred to as the Lion City.
Singapore’s diversity is a huge part of what makes it so incredible. From ethnic enclaves, each with its own traditions, to shiny skyscrapers that soar in the skyline, the city boasts an enticing blend of old and new. Singapore offers some delicious food, historic temples, wildlife reserves, and luxurious shopping malls, so it’s no wonder Singapore is a popular destination.
With so much to see and do in Singapore. A visitor to Singapore will never be bored. The aim of this Singapore Travel Guide is to cover the basic information and things to do in Singapore.
Read More On Singapore
- Singapore Dos And Donts
- Things To Do in Chinatown Singapore
- Things To Do On Sentosa Island
- Can You Drink Tap Water in Singapore?
- Fun Things To Do In Singapore
- Is Singapore Worth Visiting?
- Reasons Not To Visit Singapore
Basics Before Visiting Singapore
Getting A Singapore Tourist Visa
Most nationalities do not need a visa or do not need to apply for a visa before they travel to Singapore if the visit is less than 30 days.
If need more information on visa requirements or if planning on going to Singapore, you can visit their nearest embassy or visit their website.
You simply need proof of onward travel, proof that you have sufficient funds, and a passport valid for at least 6 months.
If you are from North Africa, the Middle East, and a few other destinations you will probably need a visa beforehand.
Get Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is cheap and more than likely you will never need to use it but you will have peace of mind if something does happen, you are covered in case of an emergency.
Where To Stay In Singapore
Singapore by no means is cheap. A very basic small hotel room prices start from $35.
Alternatively, if you’re on a budget, check out Airbnb where you can rent a room or apartment from a local!
Safely, Pickpockets And Scams
Singapore is one of the safest places to visit in Southeast Asia. Anyway, you should always be careful and use common sense will your belongings and your safety while traveling.
Like any other country, Singapore has its scams and bag snatching. Like being at home be vigilant at ATMs and beware of pickpockets. You should be careful. Remember to report a crime.
It’s helpful to check the hotel or hostel reviews on booking.com, Agoda, and TripAdvisor before booking it.
As there may have been incidents of things being stolen from the hotel. Check that there is a safe and bring your own lock.
Downtown Singapore
During colonial times it was the center of trade and commerce. Today, Downtown is the economic core of Singapore. Should be part of any travel guide to Singapore.
This includes key districts such as Raffles Place and key administrative buildings such as the Parliament House, the Supreme Court, and City Hall as well as commercial buildings and cultural landmarks.
Things To See And Do In Downtown Singapore
Everything in Downtown Singapore is compact enough that it can be explored in a few days.
You’ll find places Downtown that reflect Singapore’s colonial period and its modern culture.
Visit Gardens By The Bay
Gardens by the Bay is located near Marina Bay Sands. There is a lot to see at the Gardens by the Bay like the Supertree Grove.
The most recognized landmark of the park features 18 “supertrees” that support the OCBC Skyway, a 419-foot-long aerial walkway that affords views of both the surrounding gardens.
Visiting the outdoor gardens is free, you need to buy a ticket to visit the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest conservatories. Explore by walking and going around the gardens as there’s plenty to see.
Take your time and make sure to see the glowing and dancing lights of the Super Trees at night.
Explore Marina Bay
Simply put, Marina Bay is Singapore’s main tourist attraction. Marina Bay is home to some of the city’s main attractions more notably the towers of Marina Bay Sands.
As well as numerous opportunities for entertainment like the Art Science Museum and the Float at Marina Bay.
Walking around the Marina Bay area you will find the F1 track, Singapore Flyer, Merion Park, and Gardens by the Bay. And some of the city’s best lookout spots overlooking the bay.
Visit The Museums
Exploring Singapore’s museums, you will see the best art collections at the Singapore Art Museum or learn about Singapore’s history at the National Museum of Singapore.
There is an entrance fee for the museums ranging from S$6 to S$16.
Chinatown
Chinatown in Singapore is a great place to visit. No visit to Singapore would be complete without a visit to the Chinatown area.
Singapore’s Chinatown is filled with loads of restaurants, bars, shopping centers, and markets selling a wide range of stuff from fruit to touristy souvenirs as well as visiting museums and religious temples.
Things To See And Do In Chinatown
Compared to Singapore in general, Chinatown is a good bit cheaper. And even if you’re not looking to do much shopping, the food alone is more than worth the visit.
It may not be the largest Chinatown but it’s arguably one of the cleanest. Here are a few things to do in Chinatown Singapore.
Read more about things to do in Chinatown here.
Explore Chinatown
Chinatown offers both expensive and cheap options, it’s worth looking around to see what you fancy.
Chinatown is famous for its food and you will find a variety of restaurants and street food that offer the dining experience and sample the local food for a tasty and fair price.
Visit The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is an outstanding four-story temple that is located in the Chinatown area. The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum were officially started in 2008 and officially opened in 2007.
It is claimed that the relic of Buddha from which it gained its name was found in 1980 in a collapsed stupa in Myanmar. The relic can be viewed by the public on the 4th floor of the temple.
Remember it’s a Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, so a dress code is expected that dress code. This means, no shorts or short skirts, and no off-the-shoulder shirts.
Visit The Sri Mariamman Temple
The Sri Mariamman Temple is Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple. It was built in 1827, just eight years after the East India Company set up a trading settlement in Singapore.
The temple has undergone numerous restorations but still preserves its heritage, architecture, and customs. The Gopuram entrance is a colorful collection of statues depicting the deities and their animals.
Check Out The Tintin Shop
Well considering there are less than five official stores in Asia, the Tintin shop is worth checking out and just to say you were in a Tintin store.
Read more about things to do in Chinatown here.
Sentosa Island
Sentosa Island can best be described as an entire island resort dedicated to fun. So, if tired of sightseeing and want to just relax and have fun, Sentosa is the place.
Things See And Do On Sentosa Island
Sentosa island is full of resorts and activities. On Sentosa Island, you will find Universal Studios Singapore, Adventure Cove Waterpark, iFly Singapore, Mega Adventure, the Flying Trapeze, S.E.A. Aquarium, and of course the beach including Palawan Beach.
Read more about things to do in Sentosa Island here.
Visit Universal Studios Singapore
The Singapore Universal Studios movie theme park is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. All these attractions are based on the studio’s blockbuster films as well as television series with 18 of its 24 rides specially designed for just Sentosa! There are seven movie-themed zones.
Prices for a one-day ticket are for Adults (Ages 13-59) – SGD76 and kids (Ages 4-12) – SGD56. Other attractions to look forward to are the Transformers Ride: The Ultimate 3D Battle and the Shrek 4-D Adventure.
Play At Adventure Cove Waterpark
Adventure Cove Waterpark is an aquatic adventure park and is for people of all ages. Prices for Adults is around SGD38 and for kids are SGD30.
At Adventure Cove Waterpark, you can take high-speed water slides, laze the day away drifting on a lazy river, snorkel with 20,000 tropical fish over a colorful reef, wade among rays, and even come face to face with sharks!
Visit Madame Tussauds Singapore
Madame Tussauds can also be found on Sentosa Island. There are 8 well-themed interactive zones and a new ride called “Spirit of Singapore”.
Ticket prices range for Adult (Age 13+) – SGD30 to SGD69 and Child (Age 4 – 12) – SGD22 to SGD55.
It’s cheaper to buy the tickets for Madame Tussauds online.
https://www.madametussauds.com/singapore/en/tickets/
Some of the popular zones include sports, music, film, and the A-list Party. This special zone adopts a glamorous party scene nestled on a gorgeous roof terrace that overlooks Singapore’s dazzling skyline.
Read more about things to do in Sentosa Island here.
Little India, Arab Street, And Orchard Rd
Little India is one of Singapore’s more vibrant districts but not always on everyone’s Singapore Travel Guide. As you explore Serangoon Road and its neighboring streets, you will discover a mix of Hindu and Chinese temples, mosques, and churches.
Arab Street is the heart of Singapore’s Muslim community. The streets are full of stalls and little shops with a vast array of goods, from baskets and camel skin bags to cloisonné boxes.
Orchard Road is Singapore’s retail heart, with discount outlets, department stores, and upscale boutiques, alongside luxury hotels.
Things See And Do In Little India, Arab Street, And Orchard Road
Little India, Arab Street, and Orchard Road are full of shops and restaurants. Depending on how much time you have, it can be explored in a couple of days or more.
Here are a few things to see and do in Little India, Arab Street, and Orchard Road.
24/7 Shopping In Little India
There are countless places to shop in Little India, but the main place you shouldn’t miss is Mustafa Centre.
This gigantic superstore features three combined malls and is open 24 hours a day. It’s the place for spices, electronics, DVDs, sporting goods and healthcare, stationery, foreign exchange, and the list goes on.
Also, Little India is home to Singapore’s densest concentration of stores that specialize in selling and buying gold, diamonds, silver, and an assortment of precious and semi-precious stones.
Jewelry making, particularly with gold, has been an integral part of Indian culture for millennia.
See The Sultan Mosque
The Sultan Mosque in the Arab Street Kampong Glam district is able to accommodate 5,000 people for mass prayer and the building dates back to 1824.
Please note that you can enter the mosque only if dressed appropriately, meaning long trousers and long-sleeve tops, plus the obligatory head cover for women.
Go Shopping On Orchard Road
Orchard Road is a renowned shopping district in Singapore. It is full of shopping malls with tons of international brands. There are flagship stores like Gucci, Zara, Bershka, and many more.
These shopping malls are spread along Orchard Road and are easily accessible from MRT exits.
USEFUL TRAVEL RESOURCES
Book Accommodation
Booking.com has a large range of properties from hotels, hostels, guesthouses, and resorts where you will find the best deals. Airbnb and Hostelworld also have a good range of places to stay at good prices.
Booking Flight
Skyscanner is a flight search comparison website that searches millions of flights all at once. Ultimately it is the best flight comparison website online at the moment.
Booking Transportation & Things To Do
Rome2rio and 12Go are useful to plan how to get anywhere by searching train, bus, car, and ferry routes. Especially useful in countries like Vietnam or Thailand. While Klook is great for exploring things to do in each place.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is cheap and more than likely you will never need to use it but you will have peace of mind if something does happen, you are covered in case of an emergency. World Nomads have great customer service and competitive prices.
Check out our resource page for the best companies to use when you travel.
Wrapping Up
Finally, Singapore has something for everyone, even those on a budget. You will not be bored when visiting Singapore as you can see there is a good variety of things to do in Singapore and this is only a basic shortlist. Like any trip, you’ll get the most out of it by learning all you can before you arrive.
And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on the Singapore Travel Guide has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if you go.