THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SINGAPORE

Singapore, also known as the Lion City, is the pearl of Southeast Asia. Its where the future meets tradition and gardens. Singapore is perfect to be explored as a long layover and as a separate destination as it has much to offer. Singapore is a melting pot of cultures and despite its small size, I am sure you’ll have an unforgettable trip!

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Before you start

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good to know

Entry Requirements - Singapore has specific entry requirements depending on your nationality, therefore check on the ICA website what applies for you. For example, citizens of the EU do not need a visa for short-term stays, but citizens of countries such as India need to apply for visa. You also need to fill in an arrival card prior to entering Singapore. it can be done online or at Changi Airport.

Currency – Singapore’s currency is called Singapore Dollar. Most places accept cards or phone wallet, but you can take out some cash for food stalls that do not.

Language – Singapore has 4 main languages – Chinese, Malay, Tamil, and English.

Safety – Singapore is one of the safest countries in the world, but nevertheless exercise general precaution.

Climate - Temperatures typically range from 25°C to 32°C (77°F to 90°F), with high humidity levels.

Power Outlets - Singapore uses the Type G power outlet, which has a three-pin configuration and operates on a 230V supply voltage. Travelers from countries with different plug types may need a plug adapter and voltage converter.

Tap Water - Singapore's tap water is safe to drink, meeting stringent quality standards set by the authorities.

Stay Hydrated - Singapore's weather is hot and humid year-round, so it's essential to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, especially if you're exploring outdoor attractions or walking around the city.

Chewing Gum - Yes, this is true! The sale and import of chewing gum are restricted in Singapore due to regulations aimed at keeping public spaces clean.

Metro - Singapore’s metro system is very well functioning and not expensive. So, make sure to use the MRT. You can get an EZ-Link card or pay with your contactless card. And no durian allowed on the metro.

Durian - No durian on the metro, you'll see a lot of signs about it.

Taxis - Taxis in Singapore are metered and generally safe and reliable. Most drivers speak English, and there's a strict licensing system in place to ensure service quality. Ride-hailing services like Grab are also widely available and convenient.

Tipping - Tipping is not a common practice in Singapore, as most restaurants and hotels include a service charge in the bill.

How to get to singapore

air

Singapore is home to Changi Airport, one of the best airports in the world. The airport is home of Singapore Airlines, but many other carriers fly here. The airport is well-connected with the rest of the island by buses, MRT and taxis. It consists of four main terminals (Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4) and Jewel Changi Airport, a mixed-use complex featuring attractions, retail shops, dining outlets, and the world's tallest indoor waterfall, the Rain Vortex. Currently, a fifth terminal is being built.

land

Visiting Singapore by land involves crossing the border from Malaysia. There are several land checkpoints between Malaysia and Singapore, including the Woodlands Checkpoint in the north and the Tuas Checkpoint in the west. There are several bus companies that operate routes between Malaysia and Singapore from most major cities. The Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) train service connects Malaysia and Singapore via the Johor-Singapore Causeway. The Shuttle Tebrau train runs between Johor Bahru Sentral in Malaysia and Woodlands Train Checkpoint in Singapore.

best time to visit

Singapore is a tropical destination where weather can change in an instant year around. Typically, dry season is considered February through June, while wet season is November through January. I found vising in December and March more pleasant than end of May. It was too hot and humid.

Photos courtesy of Joakim Karlsson @oakimk

Where to stay

Hotel prices in Singapore vary based on location, hotel category and seasonal demand. With that said, Singapore is known for an overall more expensive destination. Accommodation was one of my largest expenses when visiting. Here is a general overview of hotel prices and hotel recommendations:

Luxury hotels – The hotels in the Marina Bay area or on Sentosa island can be costly. They can range from $300/night and above.

PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay	Book a stay here
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering	Book a stay here

Mid-range hotels – The typical costs for a room vary between $150 to $300 per night. The areas to check out are Clarke Quay or Orchard Road.

Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay	Book a stay here
JEN Singapore Tanglin by Shangri-La	Book a stay here

Budget friendly – It is not impossible to find great hotels below $150. These ones might be a bit further away from Downtown core, but the MRT brings everything closer.

30 Bencoolen	Book a stay here
Hotel YAN	Book a stay here

gardens by the bay

A trip to Singapore is not complete without visiting Gardens by the Bay. This is probably the image that pops in your head when thinking about Singapore - the Avatar looking Super trees next to Marina Bay. The gardens occupy 101 hectares of Marina Bay with an array of viewpoints, trails, exhibits and walkways. And the best part is that most of the gardens are free to visit!

It’s worth visiting both during the day and evening for two very different experiences. There is a lightshow every evening called Garden Rhapsody, the show timings are at 7:45pm and 8:45 pm at Supertree Grove. The show has a changing theme which you can check on the official website.

If you are lucky, you might spot the otter family that lives nearby or my favorite water monitor at the Water Lily pond. Let me know if you do!

Supertree Grove

Supertree Grove is the home of 12 of the Gardens' 18 Supertrees! Rising up to 50 meters above ground, these iconic giants provide shade in the day and come alive with an exhilarating light and musical show at night. The area is open from 5am to 2am. My favorite times for visiting are early morning and during the lightshow, by laying down under a supertree and watching it "dance" in light.

Cloud Forest

Home to one of the world's tallest indoor waterfalls, Cloud Forest is home to various plants and orchids. Don't miss the misting time occurring every 2 hours starting by 10 am. Recommended visit time is 1,5 hours. Get a combo ticket with Flower Dome for the best deal.

Photos courtesy of Joakim Karlsson @oakimk

Flower Dome

The world's largest glass greenhouse. It is organized into several gardens with different plants and blooms. Recommended visit time is 1 hour. Get a combo ticket with Cloud Forest for the best deal.

Floral Fantasy

Probably one of my favorite paid attractions in Gardens by the Bay. It is home to more than 15 000 (!!!) freshly cut, dried and preserved blooms hanging from the ceiling. It's so beautiful inside, you have to see it with your own eyes! The price for non-residents is 20 SGD. It is a bit pricey but it is worth it. Recommended visit time is 1 hour.

OCBC Skyway

A 128m aerial walkway suspended between two Supertrees at 22 meters above ground. It's a nice way to see the Supertrees from above, but in my opinion, not worth the price of 14 SGD. The recommended visit time is 15 minutes.

must visit places

Singapore is home to many other iconic spots, make sure to check the map below for the proper location!

Little India

One of the most colorful neighborhoods, home to the House of Tan Teng Niah, Little India is the place for authentic Indian food, Hindu temples and vibrant street murals.

Kampong Glam

Home of trendy cafes, artisanal arts and crafts, here you'll find the gorgeous Sultan Mosque with its golden domes and minarets. It is located on Arab street, where you'll also find many Middle Eastern Restaurants. Make sure to stop by Haji Lane, there are some interesting shops and photo booths. In Kampong Glam, you can also find not one, but two Swedish-themed establishments - Fika café (which even serves meatballs with lingonberry jam!) and Konditori (a bakery that offers cinnamon buns and semlor among other sweets).

Photo courtesy of Joakim Karlsson @oakimk

Joo Chiat Colorful Houses

Home to Peranakan culture in Singapore, Katong-Joo Chiat is is probably most famous with the laksa and the colorful Peranakan houses on Koon Seng Road. The candy colored houses are a reminder of the past when they were homes to the Peranakan Chinese. Be mindful when strolling around and keep a low voice as these are residential homes to not disturb their inhabitants.

Library@Orchard

Singapore's first lifestyle library, focusing on design. It is located on the 3rd floor of Orchardgateway shopping center, the MRT station is Sommerset.

Museum of Ice Cream

Welcome to pink paradise. A fun activity for a rainy day, the Museum of Ice Cream offers unlimited ice cream and an interactive experience in various pink rooms. Prices start from SGD 35 for adults and the museum is CLOSED on Tuesdays!

Singapore Botanic Gardens

The Gardens have been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. The Gardens is the first and only tropical botanic garden on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The gardens are open from 5am to midnight and are free to visit. They are also home to the National Orchid Garden, which has separate working hours 8.30am - 7.00pm daily (last ticket sales and entry at 6.00pm). The admission price is SGD 15.

Old Hill Police Station

Currently, the Ministry of Information, Communication & Arts resides here, so the building is also known as the MICA building. The building has 927(!) windows painted in the colors of a rainbow. It's an absolute delight to look at. The building is on a quite busy road, so if you want to admire the colors in peace, make sure to visit early in the morning.

Fort Canning Park

A lush green oasis in the heart of the city. Visit the spice garden or just stroll around between all flowers and historical buildings. The most famous spot of the park is the Spiral staircase where many people opt to take a photo. I went around 8am and there was no queue. Make sure to bring a wide angle lens.

Chijmes

A former Catholic convent known as the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ), now a dining and entertainment haven. Love the ambiance here. It's also perfect for weddings as you might have seen in the movie "Crazy Rich Asians".

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

Tang-style Chinese Buddhist temple, located in the heart of Chinatown. It has 7 floors. The first level is the main prayer hall while the second level offers an elevated view of the prayer hall with exhibits of realistic wax figures of previous monks and leaders of the temple. The last floor is a rooftop garden. Photos and videos inside are not allowed. The dress code is also strictly enforced. The temple closes quite early, at 5pm.

Jewel Changi Airport

An airport as a must-visit? Make sure to time your flights right and visit Jewel, the adjacent shopping mall to Changi, home to the world's tallest indoor waterfall, The Rain Vortex, located in the heart of the forest valley. HOWEVER, the Rain Vortex Waterfall doesn't operate 24/7! It has operating hours as follows: Mon - Thu: 11:00AM - 10:00PM, Fri - Sun, including Public Holidays: 10:00AM - 10:00PM. Make sure to check out the light and music shows happening every day at 8pm and 9pm. From Fridays to Sundays, also at 10pm, same for public holidays.

Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery

The largest Buddhist temple monastery in Singapore. The monastery is adorned with intricate Buddhist decorations and statues, creating a spiritual atmosphere. It's a great place for meditation and reflection. The gardens surrounding the monastery are well-maintained and offer a calming escape from the city. I spent many hours here just strolling around and enjoying the peace and quiet of the gardens.

Sri Mariamman Temple

Step into Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple to admire the ornate carvings and soak in the vibrant atmosphere. The temple is always busy and there are shrines of several gods. It is worth a visit if you are nearby and want to see more of Singapore's rich cultural and religious landscape.

Mustafa Center

Do you need to buy something? You can find it here. You can find everything in Mustafa Centre. From food to home supplies and rainbow umbrellas(now you know from where I got the umbrella from the photos 🤭).

Must try foods

Singapore is a culture paradise in terms of nationalities and that is reflected in the cuisine. Some of the must-try dishes are:

Hainanese chicken rice - Tender poached chicken served with fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth, accompanied by chili sauce, ginger paste, and cucumber slices.

Rojak - A fruit and vegetable salad with a sweet and tangy dressing made from shrimp paste, lime juice, and chili, often topped with peanuts and crispy dough fritters.

Laksa - Spicy noodle soup with a coconut milk-based broth, including shrimp, chicken, tofu, fish cakes, and hard-boiled eggs.

Bak Kut Teh - Pork rib soup infused with herbs and spices, served with steamed rice and tea.

Roti Prata - Indian-influenced flatbread served with savory or sweet accompaniments such as curry or dal

Kaya Toast - toasted bread spread with coconut and egg jam and butter, served with soft-boiled eggs.

Durian – just don’t bring it on the metro!

Bak Chor Mee - Noodles covered with sauce with minced pork, mushrooms, fish cake slices, and crispy pork lard, often accompanied by vinegar and chili

Hokkien Mee - Stir-fried noodles with prawns, squid, pork slices, and a savory seafood broth, served with sambal chili and lime.

Popiah - Fresh spring rolls filled with vegetables, tofu, shrimp, and sometimes egg, seasoned with sweet sauce and chili paste.

Cafes, Restaurants & Boba

In case you need more than a hawker center food, check my map below for some great cafes and restaurants. Keep in mind that alcohol is expensive in Singapore so a visit to a restaurant or a bar can be costly.