Singapore was the second most popular Asian city in 2015 with foreign visitors – and it’s easy to see why. It is so easy to visit and get around this English-speaking city that I call it Asia for Beginners. If you are planning a visit for just a day or a few, check out the top things to see and do in Singapore after the break.
Parks & Gardens to relax: It might come as a surprise, but Singapore is a very green city with lots of parks and gardens to relax and getaway from the city. My personal favorite when I lived in Singapore and the Number 1 sight on TripAdvisor are The Gardens by the Bay. An amazing park with huge Supertrees you can see from afar, two domes featuring different climates that only Singapore could build and a beautiful park around. A little further from the city and a place to relax without the crowds is the Chinese Garden in the West of the island with beautiful Pagodas along peaceful lakes with winding paths you might just have all to yourself. And if you want to do a little more hiking and enjoy views over the city, try out the Southern Ridges and Mount Faber!
Shopping: While it might not be high on the list of attractions, it’s top of the list for many visitors: Shopping in one of the countless malls around Singapore. Orchard Road is still the prime shopping stretch with one mall next to the other. Depending on where you are staying, the upscale Marina Bay Sands mall or the giant VivoCity near Sentosa are great alternatives. For something uniquely Singapore, I’d recommend the Mustafa Center in Little India – it’s open 24h and is a mix of market and mall with everything you can imagine at budget prices! And if you are planning to buy the latest gadgets, try Sim Lim Square with its 6 floor of stores and stalls selling all kinds of electronics and accessories. Just make sure you know a fair price – it is a bazaar atmosphere!
History: Singapore is proud of it’s multi-ethnic history and has managed to maintain a peaceful coexistence of its different groups. You can see old Chinatown with its stores, stunning temples and narrow streets, Little India and Arab Street, with its mosque and fabric shops, all in one afternoon for a tour of the different cultures, all side by side!
Entertainment: If you are coming with family or are looking for some entertainment, Singapore has you covered as well. With two large casino complexes at Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa, you can enjoy gambling in stylish casinos. Singapore knows how addictive gambling can be and restricts visits for locals – foreign visitors have to watch out for themselves! Sentosa Island is very family friendly – with Universal Studios and beaches right next to each other!
All of these sights are easy to reach with Singapore’s excellent public transportation (see getting around Singapore), so you can put together your own itinerary of things to see and do. Many people just spend a day or two, but there is certainly more to see!