Singapore has been my go-to country whenever I would like to do a quick getaway. I had been there for five times now, and still feels there’s a lot left to discover.
We tried to do a 48 hours (2-day) challenge, wherein we cover the go-to places in the country, but still the time is not enough! So, let me share with you instead my favorite places to visit, and these are the places I recommend you add up on your Singapore trip.
Quick Tips:
- For regular cheap flights to Singapore, checkout Scoot (formerly known as Tiger airways). I usually get SIN-MNL flights at around Php 2,000 and MNL-SIN at less than Php 4,000 especially when booked earlier (at least a month)
- KLOOK is my bestfriend. Although if you are booking your wifi device through Klook, please be ready with your credit or debit card for security deposit purposes of the device.
- EZlink your way around the city!
- Best to bring USD then have it converted to SGD upon arrival. Although, you can always have a few bucks converted, and have it changed along your stay as money changers are around the city.
- Download the Singapore MTR mobile application to be updated with train schedules, and to help you plan out your itinerary — this will help you get familiarized with the city, at the same time, know the route of travel while not splurging your budget with transportation alone.
Where To Stay in Singapore:
- We usually stay with relatives, which is in Sengkang.
- Bugis
- Little India
- Geylang/Kallang
- Orchard
- Chinatown
Sentosa
For most people, especially the first time visitors, Sentosa is one of the highlights of their Singapore trip. Here, you will find Universal Studios Singapore (a.k.a. USS), which is usually jam packed with tourists and locals. It takes almost the whole day if you want to enter each rides.
There are two ways to get to Sentosa from Harbourfront:
- You can ride the Sentosa Express train, no need to purchase a train pass as you can use your EZlink card here
- Experience it all the way from the top, ride the cable car and choose from the two routes:
- Mount Faber LineMount Faber Station (for Mount Faber)
- HarbourFront Station (for VivoCity, HarbourFront MRT)
- Sentosa Station (for transfer to Sentosa Line at Imbiah Lookout)
- Sentosa LineImbiah Lookout (for Skyline Luge, Adventureland, MegaZip, Madame Tussauds)
- Merlion Station (for Sentosa Merlion, S.E.A Aquarium, Universal Studios Singapore)
- Siloso point. From there, you can explore the Siloso beach, and discover Singapore’s history and what they played during WWII or throughout the British colonization by visiting the Fort Siloso Skywalk and the armory.
- Mount Faber LineMount Faber Station (for Mount Faber)
You can book your Sentosa activities here:
- Universal Studios Singapore pass
- Skyline Luge
- S.E.A. Aquarium
- Wings of Time
- Madame Tussauds
- iFly Singapore
Chinatown
Singapore’s Chinatown is one of the conservative locations in the country. Home to a rich Chinese culture and heritage, it is where traditional Chinese meets modernization —- with a lot of new and hip stores around the district, its sharp contrast from the rest of the city is visible.
With its fragrant smell of Chinese cuisine, it is the place where you can find affordable, tasty and authentic local food, Chinatown is one of the places to visit. It homes the market-style Chinatown Food Street —- a roofed-street venue wherein vendors fills the spaces with their offers and you can dine.
Another go-to place to eat in Chinatown is the Maxwell Hawker Center where you can find cheap eats, and the Michelin Star Chicken and Rice combination of Tian Tian. Best to get there early to not catch the long lines.
I’ve noticed that stalls in Maxwell (might also apply to other hawker centers) accepts credit/debit cards, are up to date when it comes to other payment methods (Alipay, Grab Pay, etc.). Other thing is that they are available for delivery.
Make sure to also support Maxwell’s run for Unicef/Unesco by logging in your visit 🙂
Other Things To Do in Chinatown:
- You can get quality beef jerkies, and champoys in the area
- Looking for affordable souvenirs? You will find dollar-priced items near the Chinatown MRT (Pagoda Street)
- You can also have a small calligraphied copy of your name for souvenir purposes
- More affordable eating places
- Visit a temple. Chinatown homes ornate Chinese, Hindu and Buddhist temples
- Visit the Singapore City Gallery (45 Maxwell Rd, The URA Centre, Singapore)
- Shop at Chinatown Street Market (Smith Street, Chinatown, Singapore)
- Check out Hong Lim Square, also known as the Speakers CornerThis is where Singaporeans can speak their minds as long as they inform the police of their plans to speak
- Usually on weekends, there are debates happening here
Little India
Probably the most lively community in Singapore, whenever I come to visit there is always a celebration in Little India. The community loves to come together: in religion, in celebrations, and in feasts. During our visit, there was a gathering at an open space filled with market and food stalls.
Little India has been known for its traditional and authentic cuisine that you will find a lot of Indian restaurants in allies along Serangoon and Race Course Road. Aside from the food, you will find jewelry and tailor shops all aaround the district.
One of the landmarks you won’t miss when you visit is the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, a colorful wall filled with Hindu deities, and inside is a temple where the community gather to practice their beliefs.
Other Things To Do in Little India:
- Shop at Mustafa Centre
- Open for 24 hours, here you will find almost everything and anything. With 5 floors and two connecting buildings, you will find anything you need: from appliance, gadgets, jewelries, perfumes to a grocery/supermarket at the top floor, it’s quite hard to leave without buying anything.
- Explore the Little India Heritage Trail
- Visit the last surviving Chinese villa in the largely Indian community, the Tan Teng Niah. A colorful villa that definitely stands out in the community.
- Eat your heart out at the Tekka center. This hawker center is home to a good variety of low-priced street food.
- Try out the Indian food at this historically popular wet market known for its fresh produce
- The name Tek Kah is derived from a Hokkien word meaning “foot of the bamboos” — people says it’s a reference to the many bamboo plants that are growing along Rochor Canal.
- Spend an hour or two at the Indian Heritage Center — see the significant artifacts collection which promotes the culture’s diversity and heritage.
- Shop at the Little India Arcade, a collection of shop houses. The building has been well preserved, which retains and gives out some historical and nostalgic feel that dates back to its Colonial days.
Bugis
Bugis street is developed from New Bugis Street, as it was formerly known as Albert Street. Bugis Street Market is a go-to souvenir and food hub for tourists and locals alike, as it has become known to be the “largest street-shopping location in Singapore”.
Think Divisoria-Greenhills combined. You’ll find good quality clothes at a steal price, and cheap chocolates and snacks, plus fruits at the back, the place is the whole package. Along Albert Street, there’s another hawker center you can opt to eat at when you don’t feel eating fastfood and snacks.
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There are a lot of places/districts to visit in Singapore, it will really depend on your itinerary which ones to prioritise during your visit. I had been to Singapore multiple times, and still feels like there’s a lot of thing and places undiscovered.
Travel Tips:
+ You can add in more stamps to your passport! Allot a day or two to visit Indonesia through Singapore. You can visit and stay in Batam or Bintan via ferry. There are day trips you can book to visit.
+ Take a day or two to visit Malaysia — or a part of it. Klook offers day trips to Legoland or Sanrio village.
+ Make it an adventure, do a backpacker travel style and go on a multiple Asian country tour. Something you have to plan ahead and do more research on for your itinerary.
- You can choose from Malaysia- Singapore- Indonesia Tour or Thailand- Malaysia- Singapore- Indonesia Tour 😉
Watch our Quick Trip Here:
Hey Heather 