Singapore Travel Guide

Updated: Oct 10, 2022

In this article, you will find out the top places to see and visit in Singapore!

Singapore is one of the top destinations I have ever been to! I loved Singapore, I loved everything about this country!

It is, without doubt, the cleanest and most organized place I have ever visited. It was an absolute pleasure to spend time in a country where all the religions and cultures live hand in hand and respect their differences, making them a strong unit that creates a peaceful society. I must admit Singapore is quite an expensive travel destination to visit, comparing it with other Asian countries, but it is definitely worth a visit and if you plan and research carefully you can create an affordable trip.

Singapore is a very diverse place where different cultures live peacefully side by side, they have created a strong society that lives together, and works toward common goals, creating a truly authentic eclectic, harmonious mix. Their children are educated from a very young about all the different cultures living within the country and they are passionate about their heritage, so they grow up appreciating and embracing their different customs while at the same time recognizing their similarities. They celebrate and contribute to society as one and all voices are heard. If only the whole world was like this!

How to get to Singapore
What to do and see in Singapore
Cultural districts within Singapore
Singapore’s interesting history
Prices In Singapore
Video

How to get to Singapore

Travelling to Singapore is easy, and there are three different options available to visitors, air, sea, or land.

Air - The most popular option is via air. Travellers can fly into Singapore at the Changi Airport, which houses over 100 different airlines, flying to over 400 cities.

Singapore has one of the best airports in the world. There are even a rooftop terrace and a free cinema, so choosing Singapore as a stop-over between countries is definitely a good choice!

Sea - Tourism in Singapore is a major part of the city’s economic structure, so it’s no wonder that it’s home to one of the world’s busiest cruise centres, Marine Bay Cruise Center Singapore. The largest and most luxurious ships all dock in the harbour, making cruising into Singapore a popular choice among visitors.

Land - Tourists also have the option to visit Singapore through a scenic drive from West Malaysia, entering one of two checkpoints: Tuas in the west or the Woodlands in the north.

Travelling through Singapore is an adventure in itself, as you take in the beautiful architecture and lush greenery. However, due to its size, the best way to go from neighbourhood to neighbourhood is on the Mass Rapid Transit subway system. There are taxis but from my personal experience, it is quite hard to catch them. There is a hop on hop off bus which is a great option if you only want to visit all the major landmarks and districts.

What to do and see in Singapore

Marina Bay is a very busy tourist place. I would say very fancy and expensive too. At the bay is one of the most iconic hotels in the entire world – the ‘Marina Bay Sands’. It offers a spectacular infinity pool overlooking the whole bay and gardens. There is a big shopping centre too, combining all the luxury brands, like Chanel, D&G, etc. Every night outside the hotel there are light shows. (Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday at 8pm and 9pm, Friday and Saturday at 8pm, 9pm and 11pm). For more info about the light show check it out here: https://www.marinabaysands.com/attractions/spectra.html

For me, the most spectacular place in Singapore was the ‘Gardens by the Bay’. A good tip I can recommend to you is to get up into the magnificent trees at the time of the light show on the OCBC Skyway, viewing the light show from the top is just simply amazing, it was one of the most beautiful moments of my life, honestly, it was that good! The first show takes place at 7.45 pm and the second show comes on at 8.45 pm. You can get up only with a ticket, but in general, the light show is free – no tickets are required only for your Gardens entrance. You can just show up at Gardens by the Bay's Supertree Grove and enjoy the lights and music. If you plan to explore all of the nature parks (Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, etc.) then I really suggest that you plan for at least 6 hours, to make sure you manage to see everything before the light show comes on at the Supertree Grove. For more information about the ‘Gardens by the Bay’ tickets, opening hours and light shows, take a look here: https://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en.html

Online people suggest that for nightlife you should go to Clarkes Way, but the best place for the party, in my opinion, is Haji Lane, because it is more affordable and has a really cool vibe around it. It is a busy street, full of street art and funky cafes, busy during the day and night. For food I can suggest ‘Blu Jaz’, the food was delicious, portions were big, and prices compared with other places were low!

On my trip, I managed to visit the ‘Raffles Hotel’. It is famous for creating the Singapore signature drink ‘Singapore Sling’. Story of the drink ---->

Cultural districts within Singapore

Cultural districts themself are worth the visit. Singapore is a diverse city, full of different cultures that bring a unique flair to each neighbourhood they inhabit. Singapore features four distinct cultural districts called neighbourhoods: Indian, Chinese, Muslim, and Colonial. Each one should be on your list of places to see in Singapore! Entering each one is like being transported to other areas of the world, all without leaving the city limits.

Indian

Little India is one of Singapore’s largest immigrant neighbourhoods and one of the most unique. It’s filled with statues of Hindu gods and demons overlooking you as you wander through the colourful streets. Traditional Indian food smells surround you, and you feel like you’ve made the trip to India, all without leaving Singapore.

Chinese

Singapore's Chinatown is a bustling neighbourhood full of Daoist shrines and Buddhist temples. You feel as though you’ve stepped into China as you meander through the authentic buildings full of traditional Chinese decor and welcoming people. Whether you’re in search of a delicious meal or prefer to meditate at one of the serene temples, Chinatown is a must-see stop on your Singapore trip.

Muslim

Singapore’s Muslim neighbourhood Kampong Glam is like non-other in the world. It contains a mixture of Indonesian, Malay, and Arab populations and dates back to the early 19th century. It was once home to the Malay aristocracy and now houses many shops, boutiques, and the Sultan Mosque.

Colonial

Although there are signs of colonialism scattered throughout Singapore, the Colonial district located in Boat Quay is home to the most extensive displays in the city. Once the centre of Singapore’s commerce, the area was a popular trading hub and featured many shophouses and restaurants meticulously restored to maintain their original beauty.

Singapore’s interesting history

Singapore’s history dates back to a trading post in the 14th century, but its modern roots truly began in the early nineteenth century. In 1819 when a British statesman negotiated a treaty allowing for the establishment of a British trading port within the city, opening the door for modernization and integration with western culture. In response to a devastating fire that swept the area in the mid-1960s, Singapore began rebuilding and modernizing its housing and manufacturing industry and investing in public education and infrastructure. This movement led Singapore to become one of the world’s most prosperous nations, with the highest per capita gross domestic product in all of Asia.

Prices In Singapore

It’s no secret that Singapore is an incredibly expensive city, whether you’re visiting or living there. In fact, it’s ranked as the second most expensive city in the world, so prepare to spend quite a bit of money while you're there. There are a couple of reasons why the city is so expensive: the size of the island makes property a high-commodity. The high demand for buildings and the small amount of space causes rent and living expenses to skyrocket, which is passed down to the consumer. It’s also common for Singaporeans to compare themselves and their belongings to others in the area, which drives up costs on everything from cars to food.

Some of the most expensive areas include Nassim Road in District 10, Ardmore Park in District 10, Bugis in District 7, and Marina Bay in District 1. The least expensive areas within the city are Bukit Panjang, the Woodlands, Choa Chu Kang, and Punggol. For example, rent in Bukit Panjang is more than S$300 (£163 / €196 / $222) cheaper than the national average. Things like cars are also significantly more expensive within the city, with a typical Toyota Camry selling for S$132,000 (£72468 / €86992 / $98697). Interestingly, food within the city is reasonably priced, costing around S$30 (£16 / €19 / $22) per day, which is quite affordable compared to other costs within the region.

Running out of time? Download the pdf and read offline!

I feel like I can’t describe this amazing country well enough in words, so better to watch this video as it shows more of the beauty, coolness and fantastic vibe of this place!

ALIKI TRAVEL BLOG