What to do in Singapore

Sightseeing in Singapore

Singapore is home to an eclectic mix of cultures, which means there are many varied sights to see during a stay in the island. The best way to get to grips with these is to wander around the various districts, especially Chinatown - where you’ll find the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, the Thian Hock Keng Temple, and Sri Mariamman Temple, among many other landmarks - and Little India, which is home to the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple.

The area around the riverside is the place to go to see many of Singapore’s colonial buildings, including the famous Raffles hotel, so just wandering the streets here for an hour or two is a good idea.

Other attractions you can visit on a holiday in Singapore include the city’s zoo, Baba House - which is built in the Peranakan style and dates from the 1890s - and the ArtScience Museum, which features exhibits about design and technology.

Retail therapy

Singapore is undoubtedly one of the world’s best shopping destinations, with dozens of malls selling everything from high-end fashion to the latest electronic gadgets. Orchard Street is the bustling retail hub of the city and where you’ll find several malls that are home to pretty much every shop you could ever want.

There are global high-street brands, iconic fashion houses and many more nestled alongside each other, while tech lovers will be in heaven as they wander around the vast electronics stores. Although they’re not quite as cheap as they once were, you can still pick up a host of gadgets and camera equipment for reasonable prices.

Ion Orchard Mall, Vivocity and Funan DigitaLife Mall are among the top spots to come to if you’re keen to splash a bit of cash.

In addition to the clothing and electronics, antiques, artworks, spices, crafts and a host of other goods are on offer around Orchard Road, not to mention in the streets of Chinatown where you can find a variedrange of quirky gifts and souvenirs.

Outdoor spaces

Despite being a city state, Singapore has its fair share of green outdoor spaces that you should visit to escape from the hubbub of the streets and enjoy a bit of peace and quiet. The Gardens by the Bay are undoubtedly one of the best, with this site spanning 101 hectares and featuring amazing sculptures, a waterfront promenade and an impressive cooled conservatory complex.

The Singapore Botanic Gardens are another popular spot in which to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, with the main attraction here being the incredible National Orchid Garden, where you can see over 60,000 plants and orchids.

There are also several nature reserves that you can visit during a holiday in Singapore, such as the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, which covers more than 3,000 hectares. It’s a protected area of rainforest, which is home to a staggering array of flora and fauna - there are actually over 500 animal species here, as well as more than 850 plant varieties.

Last but not least, the Bukit Batok Nature Park, the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and the Southern Ridges are just a few of the other reserves you can explore - they’re great places for hiking, or just getting away from everyday life.

Eating and drinking in Singapore

Singapore is home to countless restaurants and bars where you can enjoy wonderful food and excellent drinks. Don’t discount the street food though, because there are plenty of stalls where you can pick up delicious snacks and meals for bargain prices - perfect when you’re on the go during the day.

For evening meals, however, you won’t be short of options, with eateries offering all manner of cuisines. Naturally, Chinese, Indian, Malay and Singaporean flavours are on the menu, but there are also plenty of places serving up international fare.

Of course, you can’t visit Singapore and not sample its famous Singapore Sling cocktail. Head to Raffles for the ultimate experience, but if your budget won’t quite stretch to that, you’ll find plenty of chic, waterfront bars where you can sip on the gin-based concoction and enjoy spectacular views of the city’s skyline.