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Highlights of Singapore
What to do in Singapore – Must SEE & Must DO
Regardless if you are going there for just a short stop over or for a couple of days, here are the things you should not miss.
Singapore
Singapore is an Island country and city- state in South East Asia.
It compounds of the main island and more than 60 small islands.
The total area is about 733km2 and its one of the countries with the highest population density or even the highest.
What language do they speak in Singapore
The official languages in Singapore are : Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and also English.
Most of the people speak English and I didn’t have any problem to get around. Only once, the bus driver, didn’t speak English but the people around were very friendly and helped immediately.
When is the best time to visit Singapore
Singapore is a year – round destination, although you will experience less rain, lower humidity druing March to September.
I have been there mid February and it was only raining on one of the days. Yes, it was raining heavily but also only for 1 hour, after that everything was perfect, maybe a bit cloudy but not raining.
How many days should you spend in Singapore
I would recommend you to stay at least a couple of days and not only for a short stop over, as there are a lot of things to see and do.
I spend 5 days in Singapore and I would recommend minimum 3 days .
Best way to get around in Singapore
The public system in Singapore is really very good and you can take the MRT ( Metro ) to almost every place in the city
Best way to do Sightseeing
Especially if you dont have so much time, I would recommend to book a Sightseeing hop on / hop off tour. Its really convenient. You will see all the Singepore highlights and get additional information via audioguide.
They sell 24 and 48 hour tickets. The buses go to Marina Bay , Chinatown, Kampong Glam and Little India. You can hop off on all the stations , explore and just take the next bus to continue . It is really convenient.
The Ticket also included a Singapore River Cruise .
Explore singapore on your own.
Singapore is a very safe country, you can walk or take the MRT ( Metro ) to most of the area in the city .
To use the MRT you can either purchase a card at the Airport or use your Visa / Master Card. Just tap the card at the entrance and while leaving the station. At the moment, they are not selling tickets at the individual stations. ( I’m guessing still due to COVID )
What to do & see – Singapores Highlights
Changi Airport
The first highlight is already there once you land in Singapore .. The Airport. Usually people try to leave airports immediately, but here in Changi Airport you can spend a couple of hours as there is so much to explore.
I’m sure you all know the big water fall which is in the airport, but did you know that there are also different gardens . Cactus , Orchid and Butterfly garden with more than 1000 different species
Merlion Park
MRT Station : Raffels Place
Merlion – The landmark or Iconic Symbol of Singapore with a head of a lion and the body of a fish. The fish part symbolizes Singapores Origin – A fishing village, and the Lion head – a lion city -Singapores original name in Sanskrit.
In Merlion Park you can find the original Merlion. The statue is 8.6 m high, but I have to say, I was a bit disappointed because I expected it bigger.
By the way, you can actually find other Merlion statues in different parts of the city.
Mount Faber, for examble has a statue of about 3 m hight. There was one on Sentosa Island as well, but unfortunately they demolished it.
I heard there are 7 status around the city …maybe you can find the rest of them
Marina Bay Sands
MRT Station: Bayfront
Marina Bay sands looks a bit, at least for me, like a boat on tree towers . In the towers, besides the hotel rooms you also have a lot of restaurants and shops .
The hotel is known for the highest infinity pool in the world ( Lets see until when, because I’m sure Dubai will come up with a higher one …) . The pool is surrounded with palm trees. With its 200 m above ground you really have an amazing view towards the city . However, the pool can only be used by hotel guest.
If you want to know the rates for one night in Marina Bay Sands Hotel you can check here at trip.com . With Luck you might find a good option.
Even if you are not planning to stay in the hotel, there are still options to enjoy the view over the city.
First option would be to visit the Skypark Observation Deck. Its better to book a ticket in advance so you don’t have to stand in a queue
It cost around 22S$ ++ per person
TIP: Go to Lavo for a drink. Yes you need to pay for the drink but you don’t need to pay the entry free and you are getting the same view. Furthermore, if you go before 18:00 they might even have some happy hour drinks . I got my beer for 14 S$ (incl), which is cheaper than the entrance fee 🙂 . Check with the concierge / FB reservations desk at Marina Bay Sands.
Spend a day at Gardens by the Bay
MRT Station: Bayfront
Explore the Gardens by the Bay and the Supertees. You should plan at least half a day here or even more. The park itself is very big and has a lot of attractions. You can get lost here of a couple of hours.
Besides the Supertrees which look stunning during the daytime and even more during the night time with all the lights, you can also stroll around and see so much more here.
I would suggest you to go once during the day and definitely come back in the evening for the light & music show .
Attractions:
Visiting the Gardens and seeing the light show is free but other activities are chargeable.
Light Show : 19:45 and 20:45 ( subject to change)
under the Supertrees – FREE
OCBC Skywalk: A 128 m long bridge in 22 m above ground
*9:00 – 21:00/ S$ 10 per adult ( 13 years + ) / S$ 6 per child ( 3-12 years)
Supertree Observatory: The tallest Supertree. You have an amazing view of Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay area
*9:00- 21:00/ S$ 14 per adult ( 13 years + ) / S$ 10 per child ( 3-12 years)
Flower Dome: When I was there the only had a combi ticket available . Flower Dome & Supertree Observatory
*9:00 – 21:00/ S$ 30 per adult ( 13 years+) / S$ 18 per child ( 3-12 years) ( Combi Ticket)
Cloud Forest: It was also only available in a combination ticket . Avatar: The Experience at Cloud Forest & Flower Dome
*9:00 – 21:00 / S$ 53 per adult ( 13 years +) / S$ 40 per child ( 3-12 years) ( Combi Ticke)
*subject to change. just check if they have other tickets availabe or maybe some promotions running.
Kampong Glam & Haji Lane
During the day you can explore the little shops and enjoy the street art in Haji lane and Arab Street . You can also find the Sultan Mosque and the heritage Center of Malay here.
I really enjoyed this part of the city , it is very bright and colourful. In the evening it get very lively here, with live music, bars and a lot of restaurants. If you have time, enjoy a evening here.
I have to say I found it much nicer and more colorful than Little India.
If you go in the morning, keep in mind that most of the shops don’t really open before 10-12 , but if you want to take some nice pictures and explore the street art than this is the best time to go.
Chinatown
MRT station Chinatown
If you love food and want to explore local dishes .. you are at the right place in Chinatown . Restaurants and also Hauka Centers where you will find a variety of local food stalls. If you are coming during the peak lunch or dinner time it might get difficult to find a place to sit but you can just ask at any of the tables if there is a seat available and join the locals … they might even give you a couple of insider tips of what to try .
Furthermore, Chinatown is also known for the Buddist Temple – Tooth relict and the Sri Mariamman Temple ( hindu ). Please keep in mind that you should be dressed accordingly in order to enter ( shoulders and knees should be covered )
Souvenir shops … of course you will find a lot of souvenir shops here .. otherwise it would not really be ChinaTown 🙂
Food you should try in Chinatown
Maxwell Center
*Hainanese chicken Rice – Tian Tian
If you are ok with fish head try
*Fish heaa bee Hoon soup – Jin Hua stall ( # 77)
Chinatown Complex Food Center
*Chicken rice and Noddle- Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce
Amoy Street Food Center
• Noodles – a noodle story ( #39)
Little India
If you have been to India than Little India is really just a light version of it, and I expected a bit more .
Yes you will see flower chains , woman in saris , a lot of spices, colourful buildings and cloth but also a lot of shops for electronics and “western” cloth which in my point of view ruined a bit the flare of “ Little India “
But if you like Indian food or food in general and just want to try it .. this is also a good place .. here they have a lot of restaurants as of course hauker stalls. In the hauker centers you try different dishes for a cheap price . Try the Tekka Center.
I had Biryani at Alladin’s Biryani stall and it was super delicious .
Did you hear about the Famous ” Singapore Sling” ?
Singapore Sling at Raffels Hotel
A famous cocktail which was inventd in 1915 by Ngiam Tong Boon, a bartender at the Long Bar in the Raffles Hotel in Singapore.
The “Long Bar ” and the cocktail became a real tourist attraction. If you reach in the afternoon, you probably will find a queue in from of the bar. I had to wait 10 min in order to get a seat at the bar, while entering I was a bit surprised … so many nut shells on the floor, however this is part of the experience . Eat and just through the shells on the floor.
I ordered the famous cocktail, which is by the way the most expensive drink on the menu . S$42 (incl of tax and service charge) . Can you believe it; S$ 42 for a cocktail. I think it was a BIT overprices but tourist , including myself, are actually paying it .
They also have other drinks on the menu which are more reasonable prices . Singapore Sling is also available in other bars for a cheaper price , but than you don’t have the
‘ Original” one in the ” Long Bar”
Enjoy a Evening at Clark Quay
Looking for a place to enjoy a nice evening dinner and drinks or just a nice walk ? You should try Clark Quay. It has a lot of restaurants, bars and cafes directly at the river. Some restaurants also have live music .
And of cCourse you have the option for Dinner and River Cruises
Singpore Flyer
Its the second biggest in the world ( I’m not counting the one in Dubai as it was operational only for a short period and since March 22 its out of ops)
I personally did not go for a ride. I just passed by. You can see it from the Helix bridge or the Gardens
Walk the Helix Bridge
The Helix, is a pedestrian bridge which goes to Marina bay and leading directly to the mall.
Light Shows
Gardens by the Bay : 19:45 and 20:45 ( subject to change) – under the super trees
Marina: 20:00 – 21:00( subject to change ) – in front of the shopping mall
Event Square or you can also see it from the roof top of Marina Bay Sands
Sentosa – Singapores southern coast
It has beautiful beaches, restaurants, resorts and adventure parks and a lot of other activities. To find out more , check here.
Mount Faber
You can combine Mount Faber and Sentosa , especially when you go with the Cable Car . Its an about 94 m hill, overlooking the city and Sentosa. Perfect for walking , hiking and cycling .
Other Hawker Centers with delicious must- try food
Tiong bahru hawker Center
Chwee kueh- steemed rice cake ( with shripms & chilli ) – Jian Bo shui Kueh ( #5)
Old Airport Road Food Centre
Hokkie Mee – ( fried noodles in seafood stock with pork and prawns ) – nam Sing Hokkien Mee