Sarah’s 5 Favorite Things to do in Singapore
If you’ve traveled anywhere in Asia, or possibly even to Oceania, odds are you have probably had a layover in Singapore’s Changi Airport. Don’t fall into the trap of mistaking this bustling city state as just another stop on your way to somewhere else. Take a few days and give this city the time and attention it deserves – you won’t be disappointed!
Singapore is one of my all time favorite cities. This city state is situated right next to the equator and its neighbors include Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Being so close to all of these other countries, Singapore quickly became a melting pot of peoples, cultures and languages. Singapore has four official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil (1). Overwhelmingly, a large majority of Singaporean citizens identify as ethnically Chinese, and Singapore has developed its own pigeon language called Singlish – Singaporean English. It mixes English with Mandarin and also includes some words from other languages like Malay. Singlish incorporates tons of slang and can be difficult even for native English speakers to understand if you haven’t had prior exposure.
If you couldn’t tell based on that last paragraph, Singapore is one of my favorite cities because of its diversity. I love the mix of cultures – especially the food and the architecture. You can get world-class international cuisine without having to travel far. Want mind-blowing authentic dim sum? Done. Fresh Pad Thai? Easy. Hot baked naan and some Chicken Tikka Masala? Of course! It’s so easy to sample so many different foods, and the hawker stalls (more info below) make it exceptionally easy to try a wide variety at once.
Another reason I really like Singapore is the ease of transportation. The subway system here is one of the simplest and most intuitive systems I have ever been on. Lastly, the cleanliness of the city is remarkable! There are over 5 million people living in such a small space, but you rarely see trash on the ground anywhere. Singapore has very strict litter and cleanliness rules (like the fact that you can’t eat or drink on the subways – don’t make this mistake!) which help keep the city looking immaculate.
Long story short: Singapore should definitely be more than just a stop on your layover to somewhere else.
Here are my 5 favorite things to do in Singapore:
1.) Visit the Hawker stalls for some delicious food.
Hawker stalls are like giant food courts. Some are indoors and some are open-air with fans everywhere to help circulate the hot air (and the tantalizing scent of scrumptious food š). At these stalls you can get great quality food for even better prices. Singapore is pegged as one of the most expensive countries to visit (right behind Scandinavian countries like Norway and Denmark). I’m not going to lie, Singapore can definitely be pricey. However, it’s not hard to find food for a bargain at Hawker Centers. My friend, Isabel, grew up in Singapore and she always tells people that in Singapore you can get a meal for ~$5 or $30+ and there’s not much in between. Check out all the vendors and try a variety of dishes from lots of different places! Tiong Bahru and Makansutra Gluttons Bay are two of the most popular hawker centers, but you can find them all over the city. Chicken & rice is a Singaporean staple, and I also recommend trying radish cake (aka Singaporean Carrot Cake) and fresh pressed sugar cane juice.
2.) Eat chili crab š¦
This dish can be quite expensive, but there’s a reason that it’s so famous in Singapore. I don’t think I’ve ever had a crab more tasty or more tender than chili crab. It can be a bit spicy š„ but it’s well worth the pain. JUMBO is a well-known restaurant in Singapore for chili crab and they have multiple locations throughout the city. Be sure to schedule time and set aside some money in your budget for this treat!
3.) Watch the Garden Rhapsody light show at Gardens by the Bay
The gardens here are beautiful during the day and are definitely not to be missed, but the light show at night is possibly even more incredible. If you’re worried about spending too much money in Singapore, this is a great activity because simply watching the lights are completely free! The light show doesn’t last too long so you’ll have plenty of time explore and do other things at night.
Typically, this show occurs at two different times every night (7:45pm & 8:45pm) for 15 minutes each. The light show usually changes once a month featuring new music and a different spectacle. Sometimes the new shows and music will correlate to the season or an upcoming holiday. For more up-to-date information, visit their website here.
4.) Check out the views of the city from a rooftop bar
Singapore is even more impressive from above. You might even get lucky and see some fireworks! If you want an authentic Singaporean experience, grab a Singapore Sling, the city’s signature drink šø But be warned, it’s quite strong!! š„“ There are tons of different rooftop bars to choose from; the one we went to (which was recommended by a local) was Urbana Rooftop Bar. It had a swanky poolside vibe (complete with an actual pool!), and we had the treat of watching fireworks going off not too far from the bar, which made for an even more magical night. If you’re looking to save some money while visiting Singapore, a rooftop bar may be something to skip. You definitely pay a little extra for those killer views.
5.) Stop by the Cloud Forest
This is the indoor part of Gardens by the Bay (#3 above). It’s one of the most stunning conservatories I have ever been to. You can stroll through the gardens and take some pictures by the awe-inspiring giant indoor waterfall. They also have an extensive orchid garden to browse. There are a few different options for tickets. One will get you into the Cloud Forest only – where you can see a massive indoor waterfall, a variety of flora, and includes a small skywalk to observe some of the plants higher up. Another ticket will get you into the Flower Dome – this is more or less what it sounds like. The Flower Dome is a dome filled to the brim with a variety of plant life; there are some themed areas and some incredible wood carvings hidden throughout. The Flower Dome was named the largest glass greenhouse in the world according to the 2015 Guinness World Records (2). You may also purchase a combination ticket that gives access to both the Cloud Forest and the Flower Dome (this is what we purchased when we visited). Additionally, you can purchase a ticket for the OCBC Skyway – a giant skywalk spanning between the various Supertrees. We opted out of this option because Isabel, our Singapore-native friend, mentioned that there are other places to get great views of the city without paying for this particular skywalk.
BONUS:
Eat kaya toast
– Kaya is a coconut jam that can mostly only be found in this area of the world. It’s commonly spread on toast for a Singaporean breakfast. It has become so popular that there are tons of kaya toast shops throughout the city. You can also find kaya in jars in any supermarket in the city.
Walk along the Southern Ridges elevated boardwalk for some beautiful views
– Instead of paying for the views at the OCBC Skywalk, you can walk through this gorgeous park and sneak some great views of the city for free. They won’t be the exact same views of downtown that you’d get from the Skywalk, but I personally like that this boardwalk is much less crowded and it shows a more diverse swath of the city. It stretches from Harbour Front to Kent Ridge. Make sure to bring water and a hat if you plan to walk for long. There is shade here, but Singapore gets HOT and it’s quite humid, so you’ll need lots of water if you’re outside for too long.
Head to Santosa and visit the Southernmost point of Continental Asia
– To get to the island, you have to take a tram from the main part of Singapore. The island of Santosa has lots of activities and adventures to be had. Many of these activities are seemingly tourist traps, but the island itself is beautiful – filled with golden sands, turquoise blue water, and littered with palm trees. You have to walk along a short rope bridge to get to the section of the island with the sign stating that it’s the southernmost point. Near this sign we spotted a Comodo dragon slithering through the underbrush!
Have you ever been to Singapore? Where are some of your favorite places in Singapore? Have any recommendations for hidden gems in Singapore? Let me know in the comments below!
Save one of these images to Pinterest so you can come back to this post when youāre planning your next trip (or extended layover) in Singapore! š„³
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