Singapore stands as one of the hottest travel destinations in Asia. Many travel enthusiasts have already visited the Lion City. However, there's still much to uncover in this small yet remarkable country. Besides the renowned attractions, Singapore boasts hidden gems known only to locals. So, where to go in Singapore to fully experience the essence of the island nation? Let's explore with Mytour in the following article.
1. Where to Go in Singapore - 5 Accommodation Options for Travelers
Depending on preferences and budget, travelers can choose from various accommodation options across the Lion City. Thanks to its cultural diversity, Singapore offers a wide range of experiences. Visitors can select a neighborhood to explore during their 2024 Singapore trip.
1.1 Exploring Singapore: Bugis and Kampong Glam Districts
Bugis and Kampong Glam districts are ideal accommodation areas for budget travelers exploring Singapore. This area offers a range of budget-friendly hotels, guesthouses, and homestays.
Moreover, staying in this area allows travelers to utilize the subway system for cost-effective transportation. The subway is considered the ideal mode of transportation for visitors to Singapore, with numerous stations conveniently located throughout the island nation.
Additionally, choosing to stay in Bugis and Kampong Glam enables travelers to immerse themselves in the local culture and lifestyle. Must-visit attractions in this area include Bugis Street Market, Haji Lane - renowned for its boutique shops, Bugis Junction shopping mall, Thieves Market flea market, Arab Street, Malay heritage center, and more.
1.2 Discovering Singapore: Little India District
For travelers seeking to explore Indian culture in Singapore while saving costs, choosing accommodations in Little India district is a great option.
Most hotels and guesthouses in this area offer budget-friendly rates, catering to travelers who prefer not to spend extravagantly on accommodation. Popular choices include One Farrer Hotel, Hotel Yan, The Nobel Hotel, V Hotel Lavender, and more.
Check in at a street in Little India district.
Additionally, the Little India district also has an MRT subway station, making it more convenient for travelers to reach other tourist destinations from here or vice versa. Hotels near the MRT subway station include Citadines Mount Sophia Singapore (500m away), Hilton Garden Inn (300m away), Wanderlust (600m away), and more.
In addition to affordable hotels and easy transportation, visitors in this area can also stroll around and explore many famous attractions such as Tekka Market, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, Serangoon Road, and more.
1.3 Exploring Singapore: Chinatown District
Alongside Bugis - Kampong Glam and Little India districts, Chinatown, the Chinese ethnic enclave, is also an ideal accommodation area for budget-conscious travelers. This area offers a variety of hotels ranging from luxury to budget-friendly options. Popular hotel choices in this area include Wink Capsule Hostel, Park Regis Hotel, The Club, and more.
Similar to Bugis - Kampong Glam, this area also boasts the Chinatown MRT station, allowing travelers to easily move around Singapore. Moreover, Chinatown is close to Clarke Quay, enabling visitors to quickly access this area for entertainment.
A temple in Chinatown.
Singapore is a multicultural country due to migration from various nations around the world. One of the top four countries with the highest immigration to Singapore is China. Over the decades, Singapore has embraced and cultivated Chinese culture, making it increasingly distinctive. Visitors who come here but do not visit Chinatown to experience this cultural atmosphere miss out on something significant.
Therefore, staying in Chinatown while traveling in Singapore allows visitors to explore numerous ancient temples, traditional markets, and shopping stalls. Travelers can wander around the Chinatown streets to discover famous landmarks like...
1.4 Where to go in Singapore? Sentosa Island
Singapore is composed of a total of 63 islands. Among the four largest islands, Sentosa Island is the most popular choice for tourists. Sentosa Island impresses visitors with its entire area dedicated to building parks, amusement parks, and nature reserves. It can be said that Sentosa is the ideal accommodation for those who want to spend a lot of time exploring this island.
Travelers can choose from the following hotels for their Sentosa Island exploration: Resorts World Sentosa, W Singapore, Siloso Beach Resort Sentosa, Hard Rock Hotel, Shangri-La Rasa,...
Sentosa Island is a must-visit destination when in Singapore.
Staying on Sentosa Island during your Singapore trip allows travelers to easily and quickly access many tourist attractions. Attractions on Sentosa Island include Universal Studios, S.E.A Aquarium,...
However, the Sentosa Island area lacks shopping areas, markets, and travelers have to travel by boat from the mainland to the island or vice versa, so transportation can be inconvenient.
1.5 Where to Go in Singapore? Clarke Quay Area
If travelers enjoy exploring the streets and nightlife, they should choose the Clarke Quay area. Clarke Quay is famous for its bars and lively streets at night. Travelers fond of this area can choose accommodation here for convenience in evening entertainment.
Famous hotels in the Clarke Quay area for tourists include Robertson Quay Hotel, Paradox Singapore Merchant Court, Studio M Hotel, InterContinental,...
The Clarke Quay area at night is an incredibly attractive destination.
Moreover, staying in Clarke Quay, travelers can easily reach the nearby MRT subway station to move to other locations in Singapore.
However, if travelers come to Singapore primarily to explore traditional culture, they should choose hotels in other areas instead of Clarke Quay as this area can be quite noisy at night.
1.6 Where to Visit in Singapore: Orchard Road District
For shopping enthusiasts who want to visit Singapore to both travel and hunt for their favorite items, choosing hotels in the Orchard Road area is ideal. Orchard is considered the shopping paradise of Singapore, with countless fashion stores and cosmetic shops ranging from mid-range to high-end segments.
Whenever brands launch new products or enter the big sale season, Orchard is packed with people lining up. Therefore, if travelers don't want to spend too much time traveling to Orchard for shopping, they can choose to stay in this area.
Some suggestions for hotels near Orchard Road are: Goodwood Park Hotel, Concorde Hotel, Vibe Hotel Singapore Orchard, Mandarin Orchard Hotel, Lloyd’s Inn Singapore,...
Despite only having fashion and cosmetic stores, Orchard still allows travelers to experience many other interesting aspects of Singapore with 2 MRT stations, Dhoby Ghaut MRT to the south and Orchard MRT to the north.
1.7 Where to Go in Singapore: Marina Bay Sands Area
The Marina Bay Sands area has the most expensive room rates among the listed areas above. However, in return, travelers can easily catch a glimpse of the Marina Bay skyline with iconic architectural landmarks and enjoy luxurious surroundings. The hotels most preferred by foreign tourists are Pan Pacific,...
Marina Bay Sands - The answer to the question of where to travel in Singapore.
Apart from enjoying some of the best views in Singapore, travelers opting to stay in this area can easily find restaurants, cafes, and more. However, it's important to note that the room rates in this area are quite high and there are hardly any budget hotels available.
2. Where to Eat in Singapore: 5 Must-Try Dining Spots for Travelers
2.1 Where to Go in Singapore: The Hainan Story
This dining spot is located at Changi Airport. Therefore, it's undoubtedly a dining destination that any traveler to Singapore should have on their list. Whether you're just arriving at Changi or going through departure procedures, The Hainan Story is an ideal spot to satisfy your hunger.
Despite being located at the airport, at The Hainan Story, travelers can enjoy the traditional flavors of Singaporean cuisine. The standout feature of the restaurant for diners is the perfectly balanced flavors of traditional dishes like Laksa noodles or braised beef.
Additionally, if travelers need a quick bite while waiting for their flight, The Hainan Story also offers a variety of pastries to satisfy hunger.
2.2 Where to Go in Singapore: Scaled by Ah Hua Kelong
One type of cuisine that travelers should not miss when visiting an island destination like Singapore is seafood. If travelers plan to indulge in seafood when visiting the Lion City, they can visit Scaled by Ah Hua Kelong.
What makes this eatery appealing to both international travelers and locals alike is its specialty in seafood sourced directly from their own farm. As a result, the prices of seafood here are lower compared to many other famous seafood restaurants in Singapore. Moreover, due to their self-cultivation and on-site processing, the restaurant can guarantee the freshest and most delicious quality seafood possible.
To enjoy seafood at Scaled by Ah Hua Kelong, travelers can head to Hamilton Road.
2.3 Where to Go in Singapore: Majestic Bay and Black Tap
If travelers spend the whole day exploring Marina Bay Sands and Gardens By the Bay, they can consider dining at two nearby establishments: Majestic Bay and Black Tap.
Interior space of Black Tap.
Located right within the premises of Gardens By the Bay, Majestic Bay allows travelers to save time and effort when visiting this famous tourist spot. At Majestic Bay, travelers can indulge in authentic Chinese cuisine amidst Singapore's multicultural atmosphere. A must-try at Majestic Bay is the iconic Singaporean dishes such as chili crab and salted egg crab.
As for Black Tap, it's the perfect eatery for travelers exploring Marina Bay Sands. Black Tap is ideal for travelers to take a break, grab a quick bite, and satisfy their hunger while visiting this renowned destination as it specializes in fast food items like burgers and fries. The milkshake is a famous beverage at Black Tap that travelers can try when passing by.
2.4 Where to Go in Singapore: Heap Seng Leong
When in Singapore, experiencing breakfast like a local is a must, and one place to do that is Heap Seng Leong. Here, travelers can enjoy a traditional Singaporean breakfast with Kaya toast - a famous grilled bread in Singapore.
Every morning, Heap Seng Leong welcomes many locals and tourists for breakfast. Locals typically enjoy their kaya by dipping it into soft-boiled egg with soy sauce or by spreading it on toast with butter. And of course, enjoying Kaya toast is incomplete without a cup of coffee.
2.5 Where to Go in Singapore: Chinatown Food District
To fully explore the culinary culture of a place, tourists should visit where the locals often dine. Therefore, Chinatown is the top choice when it comes to Singapore's Chinese culinary culture.
Travelers can stroll around and indulge in the culinary delights of Chinatown.
This is a diverse food district, so visitors can find many stalls within this area. Most eateries here offer traditional Singaporean dishes. Here, travelers can order dishes like Hainanese chicken rice, roasted chicken rice, prawn noodles, Chinese-style rice rolls, and more.
3. Where to Go in Singapore: 5 Lesser-Known Tourist Spots
If travelers want to experience a unique Singapore according to their own preferences, besides visiting famous attractions like Universal Studios, Merlion Park, and Gardens by the Bay, there are also many interesting lesser-known spots in the Lion City.
3.1 Where to Visit in Singapore: Sembawang Hot Spring Park
While famous tourist spots in Singapore showcase remarkable structures, Sembawang Hot Spring Park offers travelers a truly relaxing experience during their journey.
According to locals, this hot spring has been around for about a hundred years. Before being developed into a tourist attraction, it mainly provided hot spring water for the local residents.
A Relaxing Destination Worth Visiting.
Besides soaking and rejuvenating in the hot spring, travelers can also stroll, relax under the ginger trees' shade, swim in the tiered pools, or learn about the underground stream's cycle here. Additionally, a unique activity everyone should experience at the hot spring is boiling eggs.
To reach Sembawang Hot Spring, travelers can head to the northern part of Singapore, and along Gambas Avenue, they will find this hot spring park.
3.2 Where to Visit in Singapore: Park View Museum
Singapore boasts several museums catering to travelers interested in exploring aspects of cultural, historical, and scientific significance. The most renowned ones include the Science Art Museum, Toy Museum, Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National Museum of Singapore, among others. However, the Park View Museum remains relatively unknown to many tourists. Therefore, if travelers seek to discover unique museums, this is the place to go.
Park View Museum specializes in exhibiting artworks depicting creatures from the depths. It can be regarded as a private contemporary art gallery with an area of approximately 1400 square meters. Travelers wishing to visit this museum can find it on the second floor of Park View Square.
An interesting fact for travelers planning to visit this place: Park View Museum is currently home to the largest collection of Italian art in all of Asia, as well as a repository for many contemporary art pieces from Europe and Asia.
3.3 Where to Go in Singapore: Bollywood Veggies Ecological Farm
If travelers often think of Singapore as a bustling urban area where entertainment venues are always located in the busy city, then it's a pity. Because Singapore still has peaceful rural areas with farms for travelers who love relaxation, healing, and one of them is Bollywood Veggies Ecological Farm.
Bollywood Veggies Ecological Farm is one of the farms in the rural area of Kranji. It hosts almost all types of vegetables found in Singapore. Moreover, it's also known as the largest banana plantation in Singapore.
Certainly, travelers who adore organic living and enjoy eating vegetables will be captivated by the vegetable garden and vegetable stalls at Bollywood Veggies.
3.4 Where to Go in Singapore: Raffles Marina Lighthouse
For travelers seeking a hidden gem, a lesser-known spot to enjoy a tranquil space in their own way, the area of Raffles Marina Lighthouse is quite a noteworthy suggestion.
The lighthouse stands at the end of the breakwater, reaching about 12m in height. At first glance, its appearance may seem rather simple compared to many architectural landmarks in the city center, yet it remains one of the most attractive spots, producing numerous stunning artistic photographs.
Travelers can visit Raffles Marina Lighthouse in the afternoon to fully appreciate the beauty of the sunset over the sea and the sight of yachts docking.
3.5 Where to Visit in Singapore: Changi Village
Certainly, travel enthusiasts are bound to appreciate the tranquil scenery of a coastal village. If travelers seek to immerse themselves in such a unique atmosphere, they shouldn't overlook visiting Changi Village - the seaside village located in the northeast of Singapore.
The explanation for this beautiful yet less touristy village is that it's a place where locals often come to relax and seek peaceful surroundings.
The village is not too large, but it's loved by many for its small houses, green trees, a few cozy cafes, and Changi Beach to the west. Visitors here often opt for bicycles to move around the village, enjoying the fresh air harmonizing with nature.
Where to Travel in Singapore? - Tranquil Changi Village.
Singapore is renowned for its unique architectural landmarks, but for those fond of the Lion City, there are many other special places to explore. The mentioned locations are suggestions not only for travelers wondering where to visit in Singapore but also for those seeking new and lesser-known unique destinations.
Furthermore, for a perfect trip to Singapore, travelers should thoroughly research procedural issues such as whether they need a visa for Singapore, what is required for traveling to Singapore in 2024, or how much money is needed for a trip to Singapore. With this knowledge, travelers can be proactive in their preparations.
Singapore is not only the most developed country in Asia but also an amazing tourist destination that visitors should experience at least once. Travelers intending to visit Singapore or seeking advice on Singapore tours can contact the Mytour hotline Mytour for booking tours to Singapore at extremely competitive prices.
Related keywords: Does travel to Singapore require a Covid test? What are the expenses for independent travel to Singapore?