Singapore was my first contact with Southeast Asia. It was the city that welcomed me with open arms and offered me a unique experience. After this first trip to Asia, I returned much more eager to discover that part of the world, but at the same time, a piece of my soul remained there, in Marina Bay, on the streets of Chinatown, or in the shade of the "trees" at Supertree Grove.
As I have already mentioned, my first foray into Asia was through this city-state called Singapore, and like the rest of our travels, our vacation in Asia (besides Singapore, we also visited the fascinating Bangkok) was completely planned by us, based on all the experiences we had accumulated in the past.
We are a traveling couple," that's how we usually describe ourselves. We don't like to put down too many roots in one place, or waste time when we're on vacation. When we are away from home, we wander from one part of the city to another, creating fairy tale memories wherever we go, hunting culinary experiences, and collecting fridge magnets.
I have put together this little travel guide containing all the information we gathered on our trip to Singapore, as well as a few tips that will help you plan your own vacation 9,000 km away.
Reasons to Visit Singapore
If you haven't yet been to Southeast Asia, choosing a destination will be a very hard decision. You're likely to think of Bali's rice terraces, Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, the beaches in Thailand, the twin towers in Kuala Lumpur, the temples in Bangkok or the elephants in Chiang Mai, the seemingly heavenly beaches of Palawan, or even the city-state of the future, Singapore. The list is long and very enticing!
Today, I make a case for Singapore by giving you few main reasons to venture on a trip to Singapore.
Culture: Singapore is a mix of cultures and peoples living in complete harmony. In just a few days, you will get to know the Buddhist religion represented by the Chinese community, you will be carried away by the aromas and exoticism of Little India, and you will get a closer look at temples dedicated to Hindu deities; you might even learn a bit of Singlish (a Singaporean-English) and you will be able to know the Muslim face of the country.
From Singapore, you will leave with a very large cultural baggage!
Food: Singapore is the ideal place for foodies. In Singapore, you will find Michelin-starred restaurants selling a meal for 5 SGD, lots of food courts, also called Hawker Centers, which will tempt you with all sorts of dishes, stalls with durian, coconuts, juices, and fresh fruits. Singapore is a madness of colors and flavors!
Here I will give you the first tip, which you can take as a duty. If you get to Singapore forget about restaurants, McDonald's, fried potatoes and burgers, Coca-Cola, or pizza... and enjoy the local cuisine, chili crab and noodles with duck breast, Hainanese chicken, soups and satay, the coconuts and the sugar cane juice.
Singapore will carry you through an exceptional culinary journey!
Transport: You can opt for connecting flights operated by KLM, TURKISH AIRLINES, QATAR AIRWAYS, EMIRATES, or LUFTHANSA. During a long layover (6-9-12 hours) you can tick off the most important tourist attractions in a city. Moreover, some companies offer free city tours during the layover (Turkish Airlines offers a free tour of Istanbul, as does Qatar Airways for Doha).
Ideal Time to Visit: Singapore is located approximately 130 km from the Equator, and for this reason, the country enjoys high temperatures all year round as well as two seasons, one dry and one somewhat wetter.
Many people recommend visiting this country in the dry season, on the grounds that humidity in the winter months is very high and there are much more chances of precipitation.
We arrived in the area at the end of January, and the weather was quite good. Indeed, the humidity was quite high, but in the four days spent there, it only rained once for about 15 minutes. However, Singapore in January is absolutely fabulous. We arrived two weeks before the Chinese New Year, and this was fully felt. Chinatown was ready for the celebration.
Visa: Citizens from many countries, including the United States, Australia, Canada, and most European Union countries will not need a visa for Singapore. Unlike Thailand, where you need documents proving you have reserved accommodation, plane tickets for leaving the country, and sufficient money for the duration of your stay, things are much simpler in Singapore.
Already on the plane, you will receive a form that you must fill out with the data from your passport, the city you departed from, the address where you will stay in Singapore, etc. Upon arrival, you will go with that form and your passport to Immigration, your fingerprints will be taken, and you will receive a stamp on your passport.
The maximum term of stay in Singapore is 90 days.
Laws: In Singapore, there are numerous laws, some stranger, others perfectly normal that tourists would do well to know.
- The consumption of chewing gum is prohibited unless it is for purely medical reasons. Moreover, you will not find any chewing gum in supermarkets.
- You are not allowed to be naked, even in your own home, if there is a possibility of being seen.
- You are not allowed to feed the pigeons.
- You are not allowed to eat on public transport or in public spaces, except in those designated for this activity.
- It is advisable not to jaywalk.
- Hitchhiking is not legal.
- The consumption of alcohol at night in public spaces is prohibited.
- Drug possession is severely punished.
- You are fined if you do not flush after using a public toilet.
- Elevators have a sensor that detects urine because there is a law that prohibits urinating in elevators.
Currency: Singapore uses the Singapore dollar, One SGD is equivalent to 0.75 USD. To exchange money, it is recommended to have US dollars because it is said that they have a better exchange rate for USD than for Euros. Another option would be to withdraw directly from an ATM at a bank (you can find ATMs in subway stations, at the airport, or in the city).
Accommodation: Regarding accommodation, you can either opt for a hotel or for a room/apartment rented through Airbnb. It is good to know that Singapore is not as cheap as Thailand, Vietnam, or Cambodia, and the costs for accommodation tend to be a bit higher than you might expect.
Tourist Attractions in Singapore
Although it is not very large, Singapore has so much to offer that you will not have time to get bored.
First, we have the multicultural part of the city-state with its neighborhoods Chinatown, Little India, and the Arab quarter.
Secondly, we have one of the largest and most interesting zoos in the world, two conservatories, and a botanical garden that must not be missed under any circumstances.
And last but not least, we have the more modern part of Singapore which includes Marina Bay, Gardens by the Bay, and Sentosa Island, the latter being a true paradise for both children and adults.
That being said, here are the attractions you should not miss if you visit Singapore.
Chinatown: A colorful and lively neighborhood, where your senses will be flooded with all sorts of aromas. Besides the stalls selling food, sweets, or souvenirs, in Chinatown, there are also two temples, one Buddhist and one Hindu.
Little India: Alongside Chinatown, Singapore has another neighborhood that is just as colorful and vibrant, and that is Little India. If you have enough time available, and especially if you like Indian food, do not hesitate to spend a few hours on the streets of this neighborhood.
Gardens by the Bay Gardens by the Bay is one of the most famous locations in Singapore. Here we find those tree-shaped structures, the two conservatories Cloud Forest and Flower Dome, OCBC Skywalk, and Marina Bay Sands. This area best reflects how Singapore is developing. This country places a great emphasis on greenery, on green spaces, on nature, and on reducing pollution. From this perspective, Singapore is a little green paradise!
Marina Bay: Marina Bay is the perfect place for a walk, both during the day and at night. From Marina Bay, you can admire all the skyscrapers in the area, the Marina Bay Sands hotel, and the Merlion. You can sit in the shade of a tree, eat an ice cream from a coconut, and watch the pigeons (be careful NOT to feed them, as it is prohibited by law).
Also in Marina Bay is the famous Marina Bay Sands hotel. This mega hotel hosts a casino, 11 restaurants, a shopping mall, a convention center, two theaters, a museum, an observation deck, and an infinity pool. The latter is also the reason why the hotel is so renowned and why many people choose to stay at least one night at this hotel.
Singapore Zoo: The Singapore Zoo has a unique concept, being among the top most beautiful zoological gardens in the world. Why is it so special? Well, the garden is set up in a tropical forest, and the animals live in very large and unenclosed spaces, the only barriers being deep ditches, often filled with water.
It was really interesting to walk alongside giraffes or zebras and be just a small fence away. Also, the monkeys are free to climb from one tree to another, right above you.
Urban Transport: In terms of public transport, Singapore can only excel. Both the underground transport system and the buses are very well organized, so you will find it very easy to get around. However, if you are staying in the Chinatown/Marina Bay area, you will not need public transport (except for the airport transfer).
Food: A visit to Singapore wouldn’t be complete without a visit (or several) to the famous food courts (Hawker Centers). Out of the hundred or so places, I recommend just three.
- Maxwell Hawker Center – Here you will have the opportunity to eat cheap and good, just like the locals do. Maxwell Hawker Center was first on our list because of the Tian Tian stand. The chicken was absolutely delicious, and the juices were just right to keep us hydrated.
- Lau Pa Sat is another Food Center located right in the heart of the financial district, a few steps from Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay. Unlike Maxwell Hawker Center, Lau Pa Sat is much more elegant, more organized, and more akin to a mall food court area.
- Chinatown Food Street – This is the third place you must visit, after Maxwell Hawker Center and Lau Pa Sat. Located right in the heart of Chinatown, Chinatown Food Street is the perfect spot to enjoy a delicious meal or to have a late dinner. In fact, I actually recommend you visit this place after dusk.
My first trip to Asia was auspicious, awakening in me a desire to better discover that part of the world. About Singapore, I can say that it is rightly a state of the future, unlike anything I've encountered in Europe. It's a place that will welcome you with open arms and offer you the best and most beautiful it has to offer.
You will be fascinated by the harmonious blend of old and new, by the so different communities living together, by the buildings at Marina Bay, and by Gardens by the Bay. Your taste buds will be indulged with a variety of flavors, and the way Singapore lives will fill you with a lot of positive energy. You can't help but love it!
A part of my soul remained there, on the streets of Singapore!
