A melting pot of fascinating Asian cultures, Singapore is a concrete jungle with stunning botanical gardens, natural reserves, a mind boggling history and a tradition of feasting on scrumptious culinary treats. Needless to say, it is one of Asia’s most prominent travel destinations that welcomes you to explore a plethora of historic and cultural influences. It also happens to be one of the cleanest.
This fascinating island allows you to experience multiple cultures and travelers find themselves captivated with the exalting sites of Chinese and Hindu temples. Food is by far the most rewarding experience to enjoy in Singapore, and you can feast on a variety of traditional cuisines, as well as street food.
Singapore offers an exciting mix of cosmopolitan adventures, natural reserves, and historical heritage, and in order to have a rewarding experience of this unique Asian island, you absolutely must add the destinations listed below to your itinerary.
A specimen of spellbinding architecture and historic heritage, the Thian Hock Keng Temple stands tall and proud as the oldest temple constructed by the Chinese. Erected as a tribute to the Goddess of the Sea, Mazu, by Chinese immigrations back in 1840, it was constructed with the finest material that stand tall and sturdy till this day. In 1973, the temple was declared as a national monument, and it is home to countless ancient relics that beg to be explored.
A stunning rainforest in the midst of Singapore’s vast concrete jungle, the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve are indeed the breathing lungs of the island. This immensely popular ecotourism destination is a visual treat for bird watching enthusiasts as it is home to some of the most exotic bird species, including flying lemurs, macaques, and squirrels. Nature enthusiasts can explore splendid hiking and biking trails that offering scenic views of the island.
Tucked behind the cosmopolite Central Business District, Chinatown is a splendid corner of Singapore that will infuse your sense with Chinese tradition, heritage and history. Sprawling over two square kilometres, this place is the only remnant of traditional Chinese influence on the island, and it allows you a distinctive experience of real Chinese culture. You can explore the bustling marketplace lined with Chinese handicraft shops, restaurant, street food joints, Chinese medicines, temples, and stalls where you can find the glorious home essentials, clothing and much more. Be sure to feast on some grilled meat and char kway teow, the traditional Chinese stir-fried noodles.
Nestled towards the northeastern coast of Singapore, the island of Pulau Ubin is striking different from modern Singapore as the locals prefer the traditional way of living. It is the perfect setting to explore the pleasures of a quaint and peaceful life as you explore villages, scenic routes and spectacular beaches.
Singapore’s Botanic Gardens sprawl over 52 hectares of beautiful gardens and lush forest that is home to countless species of orchids, herbs, exotic birds and much more. Registered as Singapore’s first UNESCO World Heritage site, the Gardens are open for visitors every day, and admission is free. You get to explore a lovely ginger garden, a mysterious rainforest, and multiple waterfalls, streams and more. You absolutely must explore the National Orchid Garden, which hosts more than 1000 different species of orchids.
Little India is indeed the most mysterious corner of Singapore, and its marketplaces are bustling with exciting offerings of traditional cuisine and street food varieties. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Little India is the food capital of Singapore, and here you can find scrumptious and affordable food, innovative snacks, fresh vegetables, fruits, and more. Be sure to try their pulled tea, which is known as teh tarik, and prata, which is basically a savory pancake.
The oldest Hindu temple in Singapore, the Sri Mariamman Temple is a splendid visual feast of rich and vibrant colors. This ornate temple was erected as a tribute to Mariamman, a goddess revered for eliminating diseases and illnesses. It was erected back in 1827, and today, it stands proud and tall as a poignant reminded of the Dravidian style of architecture.
Shopaholics have much to cherish in terms of retail therapy as Singapore is brimming with a variety of spectacular shopping malls, where you can find a variety of Asian brands, alongside high-end European and American fashion houses. Travelers adore finding amazing fashion bargains and discounts at high-street brands and even luxury designer houses.
The bustling marketplaces of Singapore offer a distinctive variety of streetwear produced by local and international designers, and you will have to walk around to find good bargains. The marketplaces are brimming with exquisite Indian saris, quirky pieces of art, Chinese herbal medicines and even rare Persian carpets.
Singapore is home to many Michelin-starred fine dining establishments, and even the cheapest street food hawker will beguile your senses with aromatic and rich, traditional treats. The locals are extremely serious about food, and their passion is visible as soon as you set out exploring the streets of the island. Singaporean food revolves around rice, rich curries, a variety of noodles, chicken seasoned with aromatic herbs and eastern sauces, seafood, and colorful assortment of fish-based curries.
The island is bustling with local street hawkers, coffee shops, cafes, fine dining restaurants and street food stalls, and you can enjoy a scrumptious meal without spending a great deal of money. We strongly advise you to try chili crabs, the most iconic dish on the island, prepared in a savory tomato-chili sauce. You must also try the Hainanese chicken served with rice and be sure to check out Little Island for some incredibly rewarding gastronomic adventures.
Singapore allows you to experience a wide multitude of experiences and entertainment opportunities. The city is not as lively as most other Asian cities, but there are plenty of opportunities to attend live concerts, and the Casino offers plenty of entertainment, with breathtaking views enjoyed from the top of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel.
Singapore is home to some of the most stunning resorts, alongside budget-friendly rooms and hostels. The cheapest room will cost you around $7-8 per night, and travelers often book private apartments and houses. However we recommend staying in one of the many global hotel brands like Marriott, Hilton or Hyatt.
Singapore has a hot and humid climate throughout the year, so if you’re planning to escape the heat, you’ll be best served to visit one of the large shopping centers. The wettest months of the year begin from November until January, when the monsoon season comes to an end, and it is highly recommended to avoid these months if you want to escape the rain. However, this period is also the coolest and most pleasant, and highly suited for travelers who find it hard to bear the Southeast Asian sun.
The driest time of the year begins from June and lasts until July, while the months between February and August are generally considered hot and sunny, and very humid. Travelers believe that July is the ideal time to visit as the weather is fairly present, as you can also attend two of the most anticipated events on the island, the Singapore Food Festival and the Great Singapore Sale.
Singapore is brimming with a wide range of offerings that will attract both, cosmopolitan travelers and nature enthusiasts. You can head out to explore the many nature trails nestled across the stunning beaches of Pulau Ubin, and you can explore the streets of Little India and Chinatown for a burst of cultural inspiration and exciting arts and crafts. Shopping is by far the best entertainment in Singapore, and the shopping malls and streets will offer you amazing bargains and unique offerings. Lastly, the distinctive nature of the Singaporean cuisine and food presentations will keep you entertained throughout your trip. The beaches also offer a variety of water sports, luxury cruises, scuba diving and other activities.
The best way to reach Singapore is with a major international carrier such as Singapore airlines. Singapore’s state of the art Changi Airport of Singapore efficiently connected to multiple Indian cities and travellers can book regular flights from different cities.
Traveling across Singapore is extremely easy and doesn’t take much time. It is home to one of the fastest, wide ranging and efficient public transport systems in the world, and you can easily travel from one place to another.
For instance, if you start your day exploring the majestic temples of Chinatown, you can catch a ride on the MRT system to Little India for lunch without wasting much time in transit. After lunch, you can jump aboard the new metro lines and stop by the Marina Bay for some restorative retail therapy.
Travelling across Singapore is not that expensive, and on average, the daily cost of a traveler falls around $100-150. For a week-long trip, travelers will need at least $1000 to spend on transport, accommodation, food and entertainment. The local currency is the Singapore dollar and most major credit cards are accepted.
If you decide to go away, book your hotel, flights and activities through our trip concierge for discounts and benefits. We offer free upgrades, free breakfasts, free hotel credit and VIP gifts at many luxury hotels for the same price as the hotel’s own websites. (Book direct and you don’t get these benefits so why would you?). Our packaged vacation prices tend to be considerably cheaper than flight and hotel prices available online.
