Did not find my Nick Young, unfortunately, but still had a great time exploring Singapore and met a now very good friend of mine in this unique city. During my week in Singapore, which is totally too long for Singapore, but anyway, I collected many great things you can’t (and some you can…) miss when going to Singapore! This guide will give you the perfect overview of things that you absolutely have to see, eat and experience while travelling to Singapore, based on my personal journey of trying to see and do as much as possible so you don’t have to. It’s perfect for first-time visitors to Singapore. All of the things to do in Singapore, including General tips and hidden gems and also the best food hot spots.
General things to know and my personal impression:
Time to visit:
The best time to visit Singapore is from February to April, but be aware of the rainy season or monsoon season from July until November. The weather changes in seconds, and especially in the evening, it happens pretty much every day that there will be strong rain. So take an umbrella with you.
My personal impression of Singapore and why you should visit:
To be honest, I didn’t love Singapore that much. But that is probably because I stayed there too long. I would still recommend visiting this city at least once, but I would recommend you to spend maybe a long weekend or just a longer layover in Singapore. And if architecture isn’t your thing, visit for the amazing food instead!
Singapore is very unique and special because of its modernity, multiculturalism, and cleanliness. Also, Singapore is very, very safe, so no problem for solo female travellers to stay in the city for longer.
DON’T FORGET:
The cleanliness comes with a price, so please don’t forget to remove the chewing gum from your bags because it is not allowed in Singapore!
Visa:
If you want to know more about visa options and how this works, I would highly recommend: https://www.wanderjournals.com/practical-matters-singapore for more information from our dear friend wanderjournals.nl for visa and other practical information.
Accommodation
My personal favourite was the cool capsule hotels. Price-wise, the cheapest and best-located are often the same. Singapore is famous for its cool capsule hotels, so definitely try those. But the one I picked was not my favourite, so check out Wanderjournal’s post for more information.
Melissa also has recommendations here: https://www.wanderjournals.com/accommodations-singapore
Things to do in Singapore:
In Singapore, there is so much to do, but it’s very expensive. If you are travelling on a budget, then you definitely need to plan it very well and know which things have higher priority than others. Thank god you found this amazing list of the top unmissable things to do in Singapore:
Gardens by the Bay with the iconic Supertree Grove and Cloud Forest
If I am doing things to do in Singapore, then of course I also have to include the Gardens by the Bay. There you can buy three different kinds of packages because it is really expensive to see all of these attractions in this area. Check out their official website for the right prices. I only bought one because I did not have enough money and I took the cheapest option with the floral fantasy and the Tree Top Walk. But now looking back, everyone said that the Cloud Forest is amazing as well, so maybe I should have done that as well.
But in general, the Gardens by the Bay are a must-visit, of course! The gardens themselves are so beautifully done. It’s really exceptional, I have to say! Visiting the Grove is like an unreal moment in my opinion, and especially if you are visiting at night, it is truly magical. I also did the Tree Top Walk, which I would recommend too, because you can walk up one of those trees and look down from above, having a great view over the hotel.
Chinatown
One of Singapore’s most famous cultural places. You will find the best Chinese food and cool little stalls all around with great souvenirs and also photo booths. This is also where the Sri Mariamman Temple is, which is astonishingly huge. I also bought one of my sets of cute little chopstick holders there and enjoyed some amazing Chinese Food.
Little India
But there is not only Chinatown, but also Little India, where I lived, with great Indian food as well. It truly feels like you are in a totally different country, just one street further, and the famous Tekka Centre is a must-visit Hawker Market as well. But what I love about this area is the many 24-hour restaurants that keep the area alive all around the clock.
Haji Lane
A personal favourite of mine! This is a little lane with cute street art and cool shops that are perfect for gift shopping.
A must-visit: There is this little Swedish store that I loved, where my friend and I bought so many cards and more cute souvenirs.
Botanic Gardens
I enjoyed this UNESCO World Heritage Site a lot, but in my opinion, it was not my favourite botanical garden I have ever seen. But it is surprisingly huge and free as well. So good for a chill walk!
Universal Studios
I know, I know, this is something to do with kids. And cheap are the Universal Studios not. But I still loved it so much. I loved everything about it. The food, the little Jurassic Park water ride, where we came out super wet (which dried pretty fast due to the high temperature). Maybe it was the company or the experience I never had, but I liked it. Do with this information what you want, but if you have never been and know you like universal films, then you should definitely go there for the plot.
But remember: to validate your ticket beforehand at the counter, because we were pretty much first in line to get in, but we forgot to validate them when we bought them online.
Fort Canning Park with Tree Tunnel
This park is not far from the centre. It is good for a quick breath of fresh air and maybe a short walk, but I would not say it is a must-visit. The Tree Tunnel is cute and fun, but it’s also hard to take pictures there because of the many people coming and going and having the same plans as you.
Southern Ridges Walk
Southern Ridges Walk, on the other hand, is a good walk to do, but also takes longer because it is further outside. The end is so beautiful, though, with a cute terrace and beautiful flowers. I would totally recommend it if you are staying longer, like me, and don’t know what to do that doesn’t cost a lot of money.
Science Museum and Art
This museum in Singapore always has different interesting exhibitions. The exhibition I wanted to see was already sold out that day, so I had to buy tickets for the next day.
Tip: If you are only in Singapore for a short time, book in advance.
I really loved the immersive exhibition that I chose, but it’s not something you have to do for that price. It’s fun, especially if you’re not alone or are with someone younger, but alone, I don’t think I would do it.
Orchard Street
A lot of shops are very pricey, but really cool to see. And there is also a very famous ice cream sandwich guy. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. But it was amazing and so cheap, and he was an absolute doll. I also had the pleasure of meeting a cute couple from Jeddah there who gifted me the sandwich, which was so sweet of them! I will never forget it!
Marina Promenade
A must. Experience the evening show at the Promenade and enjoy the Spectra, a light and water show, with many people. There are also some permanent parts of the F1 Track, which are so cool to see, at least for a fan like me. A definite must including a stop at the Merlion Statue and the city skyline. There is also a souvenir shop right at the Merlion, directly under the bridge, with cute Merlion-themed items, including small pins.
Koon Seng Road
Colourful houses in Singapore, perfect for taking cute pictures! Very iconic houses in a very sweet area of Singapore.
Eat and Drink:
Hawker Centres
An absolute must! There are a lot, so no worries. They have so many options, and I had no clue where to start. I wanted to try everything. The most famous one is the Maxwell Hawker Centre with soooo many options, it was unbelievable! But there’s also the Newton one, which is less touristy and more outdoorsy. I had such yummy food there and a cute talk with a Singaporean while it was pouring rain.
The food is incredible everywhere. There’s a saying: the stall with the grumpy owner and a long line is usually the best. I was never disappointed! But my favourite is Lau Pa Sat in the middle of the financial district. I had so much yummy food there, it is unbelievable. And yes, I love ice cream a lot, so here is another recommendation from me.
Netflix Street Food: Putu Piring
This is highly recommended by me. I loved the dessert I saw on the Netflix show; it was so good, I still think about it. Which you should know is the sign for good food! It was the perfect balance of sweet but not too sweet, and the owner was so nice!
Michelin Star Chicken Rice: Hawker Chan
I went there because I wanted to know if it’s really that good and because it is the cheapest Michelin-star food. It was okay. Like, chicken with rice and a bit of sauce. But if you’re hungry and it’s cheap, why not?
Ice Cream Shop: Birds of Paradise
Such interesting flavours, unique taste, and amazing ice cream cones, which I may have even liked more than the exotic flavours.
Durian (Ice Cream): Durian Lab
This is like a weird one, but if you like durian or always wanted to try it, then you have to go to Singapore. They are everywhere, but if you are like me and are scared to buy a whole durian somewhere that smells so bad, then try this little coffee shop that sells durian ice cream. Now I know that I really don’t like durian.
Kulon
Amazing and fast Indonesian Food near Haji Lane. A recommendation from me! I loved it there so much! Definitely a hidden gem.
I think this guide includes everything you should know from my personal experience in Singapore, the best food spots and attractions you need to see. In general, Singapore is a really interesting city, and nothing compares to it. Let me know your thoughts about it. I’m already looking forward to watching my favourite flight film, Crazy Rich Asians, again. If you know, you know.
Let us know in the comments what your thoughts are about Singapore and live a life to remember!
Emma
About the Author:
If Emma were a word, she would be „daydreaming“ - the kind of daydreaming that feels more active than dreamy. No matter where she is, you’ll catch her thinking about the artsy city of Melbourne, wishing to take a walk through Central Park, dreaming of seeing the Northern Lights, and so on. The list is long. What’s adorable and also very impressive is that Emma doesn’t stay lost in the haze of her dreams; it won’t be long before the first opportunity appears, and she’ll be on her way to fulfill them.
Emma
About the Author:
If Emma were a word, she would be „daydreaming“ – the kind of daydreaming that feels more active than dreamy. No matter where she is, you’ll catch her thinking about the artsy city of Melbourne, wishing to take a walk through Central Park, dreaming of seeing the Northern Lights, and so on. The list is long. What’s adorable and also very impressive is that Emma doesn’t stay lost in the haze of her dreams; it won’t be long before the first opportunity appears, and she’ll be on her way to fulfill them.
