Singapore is ‘shiok‘. It’s the place everybody wants to be in Asia right now, including Hollywood stars (Jet Li and Jacky Chan are two notable celebs who live here), tech entrepreneurs (Eduardo Severin, co-founder of Facebook), and even the giant otters, whose growing population has even got David Attenborough singing Singapore’s praises on the BBC for ‘rewilding’ the city and cleaning its rivers. Attenborough likes the place so much he even followed up with a documentary on Singapore’s rainforest. We lived in Singapore for 10 years. Singapore is where we met, where our journey began, and we have seen Singapore blossom and transform before our eyes. We were there before the now-iconic symbol of Singapore was constructed – Marina Bay Sands, and the incredible Gardens By the Bay next to it. We were there before the magnificent Singapore Flyer was built, Asia’s largest observation wheel. We were there before Sentosa’s Resorts World and Casino was developed, along with Universal Studios. We were there before the roof was put over the adult party playground of Clarke Quay. We were even there before the hip bohemian enclaves of Joo Chiat, Tiong Bahru, Telok Ayer and Duxton Hill became popular. The Little Red Dot has experienced incredible growth and a surge in popularity as its status as a finance, trade, entertainment and travel hub has rocketed. The Formula One night race held here is the most popular in the calendar. And remember Crazy Rich Asians? That was filmed here. It’s now shiok to speak Singlish. Though we have lived away from Singapore for 6 years now, it always draws us back. It always feels like coming home. We are big fans of the racially diverse population, reflected in the culture, architecture, and food – an exotic blend of Indian, Malay, Chinese and Eurasian. We love the hawker centre vibe, great food and beer at low prices – a visit to a hawker centre is a quintessential Singapore experience. We adore the mix of old and new, the heritage and the modern. Singapore has done remarkably well in preserving many of the old Peranakan shophouses, and even the old British colonial-era black and white bungalows still have a place and a purpose. We are fond of Singlish, we understand it even if we still can’t differentiate between the ‘lahs‘ and the ‘lehs‘ and the ‘lors‘. We absolutely love the fact that Singapore is a well-positioned hub, well-connected to the rest of South East Asia and beyond. We would spend many a weekend when we lived here in Bali, Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Ho Chi Minh, Phnom Penh, Vientiane…those were halcyon days of sun-kissed mornings, lazy afternoons and balmy, tropical evenings. We spent 5 weeks there recently, escaping the clutches of Covid policies in Hong Kong. Here are our top 33 things to do in Singapore (and check out places we also like but haven’t featured in this edition: Bugis Street Market; MacRitchie Reservoir; Bedok Reservoir; Sungei Buloh Wetlands and Sixth Avenue too!). Let us know your favourites!
1. be a beach bum in sentosa
Singapore does beach clubs really well. It’s a Sunday tradition amongst many in Singapore to spend the day at Sentosa, a playground for children and adults alike. Take the skytrain from the shopping mall Vivo City and get off at Siloso beach. Here you can do all kinds of fun things, the indoor sky-diving, the karting, and when you’re tired hit one of the beach clubs – many of them have swimming pools too! We also highly recommend Palawan Beach for something more rustic, Tanjong Beach and the famous Tanjong Beach Club!
Note: if you want to get into a beach club, it can be good idea to reserve in advance – they get pretty popular at the weekends!
2. Enter the Avatar film set at Gardens by the baY!
OK, not the Avatar film set, but it certainly feels as though that movie inspired Gardens by the Bay. Come in the day for the magnificent Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest. Come in the night for the mesmerising Garden Rhapsody Show as you wander around an enchanted garden of ‘Supertrees’ in Supertree Grove. These Supertrees are huge vertical gardens, and come alive in the evening as they are beautifully lit. Take the elevator up to 22 metres above ground level to join the OCBC Skyway – a beautiful 128 metre long aerial walkway suspended between two Supertrees. And if you want a unique experience, you can even dine in the tallest Supertree at the Supertree Observatory. We love spending time here – the gardens are so beautiful and tropical, and the backdrop of Marina Bay Sands is spectacular!
3. Take a dip in the world's highest infinity pool
57 levels high, sat in the 150-metre infinity pool, peering over at the Singapore skyline stretching out below you, cocktail in hand….an unbeatable experience! You need to be staying at the Marina Bay Sands hotel though to enjoy it, so if the budget won’t stretch, you can still enjoy a view of the pool from the SkyPark, a giant observation deck which offers you unobstructed views of Singapore’s skyline. Remember to toast to another wonderful day in Singapore at CE LA VIE, or splurge on a romantic meal at LAVO Italian restaurant and rooftop bar!
4. Eat with the Locals at Lau Pa Sat Hawker centre
Though housed in a beautiful and elegant historical building dating back to the time of Sir Stamford Raffles, there is nothing elegant about dining in Lau Pa Sat, but therein lies its appeal. Order a sugar cane juice or a beer from the central beverage counter – but make up your mind quickly – this is fast-paced service and the aunties and uncles have no time for dawdlers! Inside Lau Pa Sat you will find a wonderfully exotic mix of hawker stalls selling everything from local favourites sambal stingray, chicken rice and hokkien mee, to more international options, including Mexican at our new favourite Las Patrones. Grab a table and try everything. It’s all affordable and delicious. It’s not just Lau Pa Sat where you can fill your boots with delicious food though, just outside lies one of the best places for satay in Singapore, the aptly-named ‘Satay Street.’ Here, choose from over 12 satay stalls. Also look out for the roaming murtabak men and women – you can’t leave Singapore without trying either satay or murtabak – so have both and wash down with an ice-cold tiger beer! Lau Pa Sat is the perfect place to start – or end – your night out in Singapore.
5. Cycle in East Coast Park
Hire a bike or a pair of rollerblades and enjoy a lovely day riding or skating past the swaying palms and pausing occasionally to relax on some of the 15km of beach by the Singapore Strait. We normally hire our bike at Changi Village and ride until we’ve had enough and drop the bike off at one of the numerous partner bike rental places en route. Along the beautiful route expect to see lots of locals enjoying BBQs and relaxing by their tents. You’ll also pass by tempting hawker centres like the East Coast Lagoon Food Village, a recommended stop for BBQ seafood and huge coconuts to drink from.
6. Shop till you drop in Orchard road
Orchard Road is the retail heart of Singapore. There is something for everyone here – from high-end malls like Ion and Takashimaya where you can find the usual designer brands, to more wallet-friendly malls like Lucky Plaza and Far East Plaza which house more independent fashion stores – and are also good spots to pamper yourself with a massage, a pedicure, or a haircut. Stop for refreshments at the flagship Prive, or pop to Palais Renaissance for chic boutique shops and perhaps a gin and tonic or a glass of wine and a cheese board at Merci Marcel. Closer to Somerset you can also find a good range of shops, coffee shops and restaurants, including the fantastic Marche Movenpick, a basement food hall that looks and feels like something you might see in the Swiss Alps (if you’re imaginative enough!). A good spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner. A stroll up and down Orchard Road at dusk can be quite a magical experience, especially as this is the time that thousands of starlings and mynah birds return to the trees to roost, creating quite a noise!
7. Coffee by day, margaritas by night in dempsey
We used to live right next to Dempsey, so perhaps we’re biased, but it is a beautiful, natural place to enjoy a drink or a meal, especially in the evening when the trees are tastefully and romantically lit. Dempsey is a tranquil enclave of classy restaurants and bars, a place where the well-heeled come to dine, if the number of Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches parked outside the restaurants are anything to go by. Our favourite places are Da Paulo, great for coffee and digital-nomading in the day especially, as is one of our favourite cafes – P.S Cafe, set in a wonderfully leafy natural setting; Margaritas for some authentic Mexican, and Red Dot Brewhouse for a good meal, live music, and a good selection of locally-brewed beers. Seafood lovers are spoiled for choice too, with a branch of Jumbo Seafood here. For those looking for something a bit different head to Tuga – a celebration of all things Portugal (and you know how much we love all things Portugal after living there for two years!). You could also visit, of course, for a relaxing spa, beauty treatment, or perhaps to browse around some of the local artisan stores. Dempsey is also a place where locals come to load up on quality meat from Huber’s Butchery for a BBQ (it’s always BBQ weather in Singapore!), or drop their dogs off at posh dog hotel The Wagington for some pampering.
8. Go temple hopping followed by wine bar hopping in telok ayer
Once a rather unsavoury part of town full of sleazy kareoke bars, now trendy Telok Ayer has been transformed into a chic area with little wine bars and restaurants spilling out onto its tree-lined streets, reminiscent, perhaps, of similarly chic European dining streets. Come in the day to visit the grand Thian Hock Keng temple, the Nagore Dargah Indian Muslim Heritage Centre, or to stroll around Telok Ayer Green and look at its interesting sculptures. Come in the night to eat and drink to your hearts content in the lively surrounds.
9. Join the in-the-know locals and expats in bohemian Joo Chiat
The Cider Pit in Joo Chiat is a wonderfully time-trapped pub serving a tantalising range of old scrumpy. It’s rough around the edges, but the ciders soon take that edge off. If you can prise yourself away from the bar, you’ll find Joo Chiat has a lot to offer. In fact, it is one of coolest most bustling neighbourhoods in Singapore. Lovely colourful heritage shophouses, local food, especially Peranakan cuisine (laksa is a popular dish here), bakers, gastropubs….you could almost be in Notting Hill!
10. Catch a performance at esplanade, pose next to the merlion, drink at some of the fullerton heritage options and party in the sky!
Well, even if you are not in town when a performance is taking place, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay , and the surrounding Esplanade Park and the ever popular Merlion are must-sees when in Singapore. Dubbed ‘The Durians’ by locals (and head to the night markets of Geylang if you want the best of these stinky ‘king of fruits’!), Esplanade hosts a broad range of acts, and is one of the busiest arts centres in the world. It’s impossible to miss the water-spouting Merlion when you are here – make sure you pose for that iconic photo next to it with Marina Bay Sands as the backdrop! The Merlion is the official mascot of Singapore – a mythical creature half lion, half fish. It only makes sense in the tropics. A short walk from here along the waterfront takes you to One Fullerton with a range of drinking and dining options (we like Brewerkz), or walk past these options until you come to Fullerton Bay Hotel where you can enjoy a rooftop drink at classy Lantern Bar, or at one of the excellent choices at Customs House further along the waterfront. Afterwards, take a stroll in Esplanade Park, one of Singapore’s oldest heritage parks. It’s a short walk from there to Raffles City, a mall where you can seek air-conditioned refuge from the heat, or perhaps take in the view of Singapore from above at the classy Skai bar (it was called New Asia BAr when we used to party here) on the 70th floor of the Swissôtel The Stamford.
11. Vroom into the weekend watching the F1 race
If you time your arrival in Singapore for September, you should definitely grab a ticket for the Formula One night race! It’s a three-day event for both F1 enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts alike. It’s so much more than just the races. We’ve been three times, and love just wandering around and watching the many famous bands that play here and lend a festival atmosphere to the event. The after-parties are legendary too. It’s the best time to be in Singapore – there’s a real buzz in the air. Just remember to remind your friendly taxi driver that he’s not competing in the race this year!
12. Party in Clarke quay
A designated party zone, Clarke Quay is an adult playground with something for everyone. If you’re feeling brave (and haven’t just had your dinner or a load of drinks) try the G-Max Reverse Bungee. Dine at one of the restaurants on the water, then lose yourself in the many bars and clubs dotted around the central fountain. We like to go the other side of the river first to one of our favourite Mexican restaurants – Cafe Iguana – before heading back across the bridge into the madness of places like Highlander and Cuba Libre!
13. Relax on a boat ride on the singapore river
Day or night, a river cruise is a lovely way to see the Quays, The Fullerton Hotel, the Merlion, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, One Fullerton and Fullerton Bay Hotel, and Marina Bay Sands from different vantage points. You sail in a traditional bumboat, and there’s commentary on the way. We especially enjoy it at night, it adds a lovely romantic ambience to the evening.
14. Get into nature on the green corridor and bukit timah nature reserve
We once lived in a condo right next to the 24-km long Green Corridor, and used to regularly walk down the old rail line (which used to be part of a railway line connecting Singapore and Malaysia) to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, a haven for all kinds of tropical birds and creatures, and plenty of marauding long-tailed macaques! For a challenge try to climb to the top of Bukit Timah Hill, the highest point in Singapore at…. 163m! Try to avoid the Green Corridor at the weekend, as it becomes choked with ‘hikers’ and cyclists.
15. Be a holland villager for the day
Our first home in Singapore, there’s a lot to love about this little bohemian enclave. Holland V is essentially just one small street packed with everything you could ever need. Hawker centres vie for space with resturants, bars, coffee shops, beauty centres, pet stores, dentists, doctors, tuition centres, banks, a 24-hour supermarket, pharmacies….there really is everything. Our favourites in the village are Wala-wala (upstairs used to be a live-music favourite of ours) and Tangoes, and right down at the bottom you’ll find a ‘dive bar’ of sorts serving craft beers, The Pit. For a more refined experience, cross the road towards the new shopping centre and in the street behind it, Chip Bee Gardens, you will find a quaint strip of coffee bars and restaurants. Try Original Sin, Tiong Bahru bakery, and Da Paulo pizza bar. Oh, and % Arabica is perfect for a pick me up coffee too!
16. Sip a Singapore sling at raffles hotel
Tourist! But this is a lovely excuse to wander the elegant lushly-landscaped courtyard of the iconic Raffles Hotel. Head to the famous Long Bar and follow in the staggering steps of Kipling and Hemingway by ordering an extravagantly-priced Singapore Sling. It’ll come with a serving of peanuts. You’re encouraged to throw the shells on the floor – it all adds to the slightly quirky colonial atmosphere. After your drink, have a stroll down to trendy South Beach for more drinks and dinner, perhaps at the ever-popular Harry’s or The Armoury.
17. explore the eclectic neighbourhood on a hill - duxton hill
The hip neighbourhood of Duxton Hill is a tranquil, lush corner of fabulous food and daring drinks. Lucha Loco is our go-to for Mexican – try to get a seat at a table in the lovely garden, while Latteria Mozzarella bar is a must-visit for mouth-watering Italian cuisine. Duxton has its share of cocktail and wine bars, independent galleries and bars too, so set aside a few hours here before continuing around more of Tanjong Pagar’s eclectic watering holes.
18. Charter a boat and visit the outlying islands
There is nothing better than just messing about on a boat. Head to Marina Keppel Bay and hire your boat for a trip to the many outlying islands. We recommend Lazarus and St John’s. Trips are fully customisable, and boats come loaded with kayaks and floaties. We tend to bring our own food and drink – the crew can BBQ the meat for you on board! Sailing back you can take in the beautiful Singapore skyline at sunset time…a perfect way to end a perfect day!
19. Get your bangles banghra and bollywood in little india
Little India feels a world away from anything else in Singapore. An explosion of colour, sounds, smells and tastes, it is an assault on the senses but in a good way! Come for the shopping (there are some lovely markets to buy bangles and other jewellery – or try the 24-hour Mustafa Centre), get a henna tattoo, wander the narrow, busy streets that remind you more of Delhi than Singapore, visit the temples (we find the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple particularly fascinating) and, of course, eat the best Indian food in Singapore. Our favourite places are Swaadhisht and Gurkha Palace as they are a little off the tourist trail, but any on Racecourse road and the side streets are good bets (Banana Leaf Apolo and Komala Vilas spring to mind). We love the brown rice thalis, the Mysore masala dosais, and the momos. Washed down with an ice-cold kingfisher or a lovely masala tea. We still haven’t dared try the famous fish head curry – but they say it’s delicious!
20. Soak up the culture in chinatown and party at club street
If you can look past the tacky souvenir shops selling ‘Singapore is a fine city’ magnets in busy Pagoda Street, Chinatown charms, with Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) players solemnly considering their next moves in front of tea houses, historic temples (the Buddha Tooth Relic temple, Thian Hock Keng Buddhist temple and the Hindu temple Sri Mariamamm are some of the most notable), bustling markets and food centres (Maxwell Food Centre is perennially popular), and colourful old shophouses housing hipster coffee joints. Once you are done exploring, head to Ann Siang Hill and Club Street to cool down on a breezy rooftop terrace or at one of the many trendy restaurants, coffee shops and bars in this happening area.
21. Explore the ethnic enclave of kampong glam
Once a go-to for sheesha lovers (sheesha smoking is now banned) and gangs of Malay youths who would gather to drink the bright pink drink Bandung and show off their flashy motorbikes, Kampong Glam has expanded its repertoire, and now offers an array of gentrified drinking and dining experiences in its atmospheric narrow lanes, and great shopping too (this is the place to come for that Persian rug or Turkish lamp you’ve always been after!). Visit the magnificent Sultan Mosque and the Malay Heritage Centre, then just wander the streets of Haji Lane and Arab Street and you are sure to discover something you like!
22. Get off the beaten track in pulau ubin
You board the bumboat at Changi Point Ferry Terminal, and 15 minutes later you arrive in a place that appears to be stuck in the ’60s. The Singapore ’60s. A place of beautiful quarries, lush greenery, and a chilled atmosphere. Just the ticket after a stressful week in Singapore. Many come to Pulau Ubin to rent a mountain bike and pedal away their big city frustrations on the many trails that criss-cross this tiny island. Cool down afterwards with a fresh coconut or a cold tiger beer and chat with one of the old locals, living history in this, one of the last kampongs in Singapore.
23. be a culture vulture at the National Gallery and the National Museum
Singapore packs a lot of cultural punch into its small size, and has plenty of great museums to spend the afternoon and evening in (inside many museums in Singapore are some of the coolest bars in the city). Housed in the City Hall and the former Supreme Court, the magnificent National Gallery houses the world’s largest collection of modern Southeast Asian art. There is also a beautiful courtyard where you can relax in one of the many bars and restaurants, or head up to Smoke and Mirrors for a drink and some incredible views of the city. The National Muesum of Singapore is another gem. The elegant restaurant Flutes is a good choice for dinner here once you have finished exploring.
24. Get into the wild at Singapore zoo, River Wonders and night safari
Probably the best zoo in the world to be a zoo animal. Singapore Zoo’s ‘open-concept’ rainforest environment enables you to see animals in carefully replicated habitats rather than through the bars of a cage. The breakfast experience with orangutans at Ah Meng restaurant is a must-do. River Wonders, the only river-themed wildlife park in Asia, is a fun experience where you sit in a boat that takes you through a variety of riverside habitats. The Night Safari is the first nocturnal-animals themed wildlife park in the world, and doesn’t disappoint with its tram rides, walking trails and Creatures of the Night live show. This is a place we always took visitors when we lived in Singapore, it always has that ‘wow’ factor!
25. Get your thrills at Universal studios, S.E.A Aquarium and Adventure Cove Waterpark.
Combine all of these attractions in one bumper day of experiences, or do them one day at a time….but make sure you experience at least one of these fun attractions at Resorts World Sentosa. Universal Studios needs little introduction. We come here for the thrills, rides, shows, street entertainment and the great food! A good day out in Sentosa, especially if you combine it with the incredible S.E.A aquarium next door, which boasts over 1,000 species of marine species over almost 50 different habitats. The Open Ocean habitat is the highlight, with one of the world’s largest viewing panels where you can be mesmerized by watching around 50,000 marine animals. Adventure Cove Waterpark is great fun with a bunch of friends, with some incredible waterslides if you’re in the mood, or a gentle float down the Adventure River if you’re not.
26. fool yourself into thinking you are in europe for the day at robertson quay
Our favourite quay. Strolling down the bustling riverside full of open-air cafes and into the plaza with its collection of hip wine bars and restaurants, you could be forgiven for thinking you’re in Amsterdam or Porto or Seville on a balmy European summer evening. In the morning you can grab a coffee and people watch at Carrotsticks and Cravings. In the evenings we like to start at Wine Connection, then head to any one of the lovely restaurants by the river. For a good curry and beer we recommend Bar Bar Black Sheep, or for a nice pizza Rosso Vino.
27. Eat snd drink to your heart's content in bustling boat quay
Robertson Quay is mature and elegant, Clarke Quay is young, polished and mainstream, Boat Quay is boisterous, touristy on the river front, and bit rough and ready in the edgy backstreets. Pushy promoters can overwhelm the unseasoned traveller, but the seafood, Indian or Italian restaurants they promote serve good food and often have a great deal on the drinks to entice you in. Weekdays after work finance workers crowd bars like The Penny Black and BQ Bar, and at the weekends the backstreets come alive in places like Molly Malones and Public House. Boat Quay is always a fun night out. You can escape the lairiness of it all by simply walking up to the iconic Fullerton Hotel and having a drink in more refined surroundings in Lantern Bar, or cross the bridge in front of The Fullerton to the other side of Boat Quay and visit the elegant bars and restaurants that line the waterfront. We like to go to Timbre for excellent live music in beautiful settings, especially if Raw Earth are playing.
28. Bar-Hop around Peranakan shophouses at emerald hill and cuppage terrace
Always one of our favourite after-work spots for happy hour martinis, Emerald Hill is an enclave of colourful shophouses home to some great watering holes. Alley Bar and No.5 bar are two of our favourites, both atmospheric places where fun and good music is guaranteed. Try Acid Bar too. Start you evening in Emerald Hill before strolling a short way down Orchard Road to Cuppage Terrace, a lovely strip of bars and restaurants housed in Peranakan shophouses. We like Wine Connection with their competitively-priced wine and cheese platters, or the Indian restaurant The Curry Culture. For something a bit different, walk all the way to the end and have a drink at Cable Car 1890’s Saloon Bar.
29. Take a time out at the Botanic Gardens
One of the most beautiful gardens in Asia, dating back to 1859. A place I would often go during my lunch break or at the end of the day to relax surrounded by greenery (if I wasn’t accosted by one of the huge monitor lizards that swagger around the park that is!). This UNESCO World Heritage site boasts extensive gardens home to an array of tropical plants and trees, picturesque lakes full of swans and turtles, and lovely restaurants. An ideal place to go for a jog, a stroll, or just relax. and a have a picnic while watching outdoor theatre of jazz performances.
30. seek out the hidden gems at Chijmes
One of our favourite places to drink and dine in Singapore. Elegant alfresco bars and restaurants in beautiful courtyards are set inside a historic complex, the centrepiece being Chijmes Hall which looks over the serene scene. We like Senor Taco and Carnivore Brazilian Churrascaria. If you are still thirsty but have had your fill of the delights of Chijmes, pop next door to Odeon Towers, where you will find one of our favourite rooftop bars, little known to tourists – Loof.
31. Be a crazy rich asian at newton food centre
If somehow the economic miracle that is ‘The Monaco of the East’ Singapore’s meteoric rise from a third world colonial outpost to the first world success story it is today escaped anyone, Hollywood put Singapore on the tips of everybody’s tongues when Crazy Rich Asians was released. One scene in particular got the tongues of foodies wagging – the one filmed at Newton Food Centre. This theatre of culinary delights is a fantastic place to spend an evening soaking up the authentically steamy Singapore atmosphere. Grab a sugar cane drink or a fresh coconut to wash down the hokkien mee, chili crab, murtabak, fish head curry, chicken rice, nasi lemak, char kway teow or any other local delicacy that takes your fancy – make sure you arrive hungry!
32. step into both the past and the future in historical and hip Tiong Bahru
A weekend morning in Tiong Bahru is a relaxed affair. You’ll see hipsters sipping coconut lattes in the many hip cafes of this hip historical heritage neighbourhood. Join them for an acai bowl, before wandering the old but fast-gentrifying neighbourhood. Spend the evening at the Tiong Bahru Wet Market and order some delicious chicken rice, or bar hop in any one of the trendy spots that has opened. Tiong Bahru is both a look back to the past and a nod to the future, a juxtaposition that is pleasantly tasteful. Tiong Bahru has old school charm in spades.
33. feel you never want to leave at Changi Airport
A destination in itself, Changi Airport is a great place to begin and end your trip to Singapore, and a lesson to most other airports in the world in how to make a great first and last impression on your visitors. Boasting great restaurants, a butterfly garden, cactus garden, canopy park and the crown jewel – Jewel, where you can walk across the canopy bridge and see the incredible waterfall, the world’s tallest indoor one at 40 metres. You’ll leave Singapore feeling as awe-inspired and delighted as you felt exploring its many wonders. What a great way to end your time in this truly inspiring, magical city. Majulah Singapura!
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