Singapore is a city-state that fits into a long weekend and still surprises you on the third day. It is clean and efficient, but it is also a place of mixed cultures, with Chinese, Malay, Indian and colonial threads woven together in neighborhoods that sit a few MRT stops apart. The best way to see it is by neighborhood and by meal, with plenty of shade in between.
KapitelMarina Bay and the skyline
Marina Bay is the postcard side of Singapore: the Marina Bay Sands hotel, the Merlion statue and the glass domes of Gardens by the Bay. The Supertree Grove, towering steel structures covered in plants, is most atmospheric at dusk, when the evening light show begins. The Flower Dome and Cloud Forest conservatories offer an air-conditioned escape. For a view, the SkyPark observation deck on top of Marina Bay Sands gives a sweeping look at the harbor.
Draußen aktiv · Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
Sehenswürdigkeiten & Touren · Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, Singapore
Walk the promenade around the bay at night, when the skyline glows. The colonial district nearby has the National Gallery, the Fullerton Hotel and the historic Raffles Hotel, home of the Singapore Sling.
KapitelChinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam
These three districts are the cultural heart of the city, and each can fill half a day. Chinatown has the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, traditional shophouses and the Maxwell Food Centre. Little India has the vividly colored Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, the Tekka Centre hawker center and the huge Mustafa Centre. Kampong Glam, the Malay and Arab quarter, has the golden-domed Sultan Mosque, Arab Street's textile shops and the boutiques and street art of Haji Lane.
Dress modestly and remove your shoes when entering temples and mosques.
KapitelHawker centers, the heart of the city
Singapore's hawker centers, open-air food courts with dozens of stalls, are recognized by UNESCO as part of the country's cultural heritage, and they are the best way to eat. Order Hainanese chicken rice, the national dish, laksa, a coconut curry noodle soup, char kway teow, wok-fried noodles, and satay, grilled skewers, at the Lau Pa Sat satay street in the evening. Chilli crab is a famous, messy delicacy, usually eaten in a restaurant. For breakfast, try kaya toast, toast with coconut jam, with soft-boiled eggs and kopi, local coffee.
You will see tissue packets on tables: locals use them to reserve seats, a habit known as chope. Return your tray when you finish, as the rules require. Hawker centers are crowded at lunch and dinner, so go off-peak if you can.
KapitelGardens, nature and islands
The Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a calm, shaded escape, with the National Orchid Garden inside. For a short hike, the Southern Ridges connect parks with the Henderson Waves bridge, and the MacRitchie Reservoir has a treetop walk through forest. Pulau Ubin, a small island reached by boat, offers cycling and a glimpse of old Singapore. Sentosa, the resort island, has beaches and attractions. The Night Safari and Singapore Zoo are popular with families.
KapitelShopping and the modern city
Orchard Road is the main shopping street, a long stretch of malls that doubles as air-conditioned refuge. Newer areas such as Tiong Bahru, with its art deco apartments and independent shops, have a calmer character.
KapitelPractical notes
The MRT is fast, clean and easy, and you can tap in with a contactless card. Singapore has strict rules on littering, chewing gum, smoking in certain places and drugs, and fines are real, so follow posted signs. Tap water is safe to drink. Heat and humidity are constant, and sudden afternoon thunderstorms are common, so carry a small umbrella and plan indoor breaks.
KapitelBeyond the city
Johor Bahru, in Malaysia, is a short trip across the causeway, and ferries run to the Indonesian islands of Batam and Bintan. Check entry requirements before you travel.
KapitelWhen to go
Singapore is warm all year. February to April is somewhat drier, and the monsoon months bring more rain. Festivals such as Chinese New Year, Deepavali and Hari Raya fill the streets with color and food, and are a wonderful time to visit.
Check current details: Visit Singapore.
