Singapore travel guide
South-East Asia's buzzing island city, Singapore is a shopping and foodie mecca
South-East Asia’s powerhouse city state, Singapore is a bustling modern metropolis and a common stopover for travellers.
Famous for its shopping and its food, Singapore is also a great introduction to Asia. Clean, ordered and affluent, here you can dip your toe into Chinese, Indian and Malay culture with none of the hassle.
You don’t have to be a retail junkie or foodie to have fun in Singapore. Non-shoppers can potter around the mosques and cafés of the Arab quarter, nose into the shops of Chinatown, have breakfast with an orang utan at Singapore Zoo, catch a show at the Esplanade or have their fortunes told by a parrot in Little India.
Try to come during one of Singapore’s many festivals; children in particular love the Hong Bao Festival during Chinese New Year, when little ones are given money in red envelopes and fireworks light up the sky.
Wanderlust recommends
- Knock back a Singapore Sling, the classic cocktail, at Raffles Hotel
- Visit the rainforest at Bukit Timah Reserve
- Potter around Chinatown and tuck in at the food stalls while you’re there
- Pay your respects at the moving Second World War memorial at Changi Prison Museum
- Soak up the atmosphere at the Thian Hock Keng Temple
- Give your credit card a workout – at the giant malls or the tiny stalls in the backstreets
- Take a night safari at the impressive zoo
Wanderlust tips
When you’re ordering at a hawker stall, unless you’re really hungry ask for a small or medium-sized portion – otherwise you’ll be presented with the biggest and most expensive option. To get into the centre of Singapore from the airport, either jump on the MRT or get a Maxicab – a shared taxi which leaves regularly and will take you to any hotel in the city for a flat fare.