My recent trip to Singapore was relatively last minute as I extended a layover en route to Bali. I’ve always wanted to visit but never made it a priority and now I can’t wait to go back! Here’s a quick guide on how to enjoy yourself in one of my new favourite cities.
Eat/Drink
You have to try at least one of the cheap Michelin Star dishes during your stay. Admittedly, you have to be very adventurous to eat at the hawker centres, but I went armed with reviews and recommendations and was not disappointed. I paid $4 (£2.30) for a bowl of noodles and $2 (£1) for a fresh juice at Hong Lim Food Centre and I still think about those noodles to this day.
I highly recommend trying Hainanese Chicken Rice, which is a signature Singaporean Dish and anything with pork. The pork dishes were always a hit!
Singapore has a good variety of dining options across low, mid and high price points so you can find something to suit your tastes and budget.
Explore
My favourite thing about the city is the abundance of green space. According to Wikipedia, Singapore has a total of 75 parks. I only visited Gardens By The Bay and the Botanic Gardens, both of which I highly recommend. You can capture some great images in Gardens By The Bay, day or night, so it’s worth visiting twice if possible.
If you have a bit more time in the city, or this is your second or third visit, definitely swing by Sentosa Island and/or Singapore Zoo. The world-famous zoo has been on my bucket list for a while, but due to time constraints, I didn’t go. Also, the weather is insanely hot, so you want to visit either first thing in the morning, or do the night tour instead.
I highly recommend just walking around exploring the different neighbourhoods. There’s no shortage of pretty buildings and Instagrammable backdrops in the city.
Experience
It goes without saying that you have to visit the Marina Bay Sands rooftop. You can either have a drink at the bar, make dinner reservations or go to the observation deck. The swimming pool is strictly for hotel guests only but in my opinion, the rates are reasonable if you have your heart set on taking a dip in the infinity pool. I would also recommend checking out the mall; the canal is pretty cool and the interior just screams opulence.
Shop
Orchard Road is the area to be! There’s a mixture of high and low-end with several malls on one road/area to fulfil all your needs. If you’re after crafts, check out Hajji Lane and Chinatown for gifts such as chopsticks, jade bracelets and ceramics.
Top tips for your trip to Singapore…
- In Singapore, they stand on the left. It took some getting used to as a Londoner but it’s worth remembering!
- It’s polite to exchange money and items of value with both hands.
- You can connect to ‘Wireless@SG’ hotspots at MRT stations and of course McDonald’s wifi.
- Make note of the local laws, there are many things we may do at home that are a big no in Singapore such as chewing gum and eating/drinking on public transport. Jaywalking can technically lead to a fine, but the roads are so wide, you’re unlikely to be tempted!
- At Changi airport, your bags are scanned at the gate so you’ll have to finish your water before entering the gate, then refill at the fountain.
Love this post brings so many memories of when I lived there myself! Chicken rice is the best!