Explore Singapore - An Exclusive Guide

A perfect day in... Singapore

There’s never a dull moment in Singapore. The futuristic city is home to some of the world’s most innovative green spaces, as well as incredible architecture, great museums and some of the best street food in the world.

What to see in Singapore

Start off with a visit to the spectacular Gardens by the Bay, one of Singapore’s best-known attractions. Located in the luxurious Marina Bay Sands resort right in the city center, take in the awe-inspiring 165 ft space-age vertical gardens at Supertree Grove before checking out the Flower Dome, the world’s biggest column-free greenhouse, and the Cloud Forest’s vertiginous indoor waterfall.

Singapore is one of the few destinations where you can trek through rainforest without ever leaving the city. Do just that at the Southern Ridges, a 6-mile route that connects Kent Ridge Park to Mount Faber and the Labrador Nature Reserve. The highlight of the hike is Henderson Waves, an extraordinary undulating footbridge suspended 118 ft above the ground. For a further hit of green, head to the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the only tropical botanic garden on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Meander along pathways lined by lush greenery before stopping to admire the 20,000 orchids on display in the National Orchid Gardens.

For the best views in the city, book a 30-minute ride on the Singapore Flyer, the world’s second highest observation wheel. You’ll be able to spot Malaysia and Indonesia during the first half of the ride, while the descent offers up a picturesque panorama of the Marina Bay skyline.

What to do in Singapore

To learn more about Singapore’s artistic heritage, make a beeline for the National Gallery. Set in the city’s beautifully-restored former Supreme Court and City Hall buildings, the Gallery houses the world's largest public display of modern Southeast Asian art. While you’ll be captivated by the extensive selection of artworks on display, the buildings themselves are something to behold, offering a glimpse of old, colonial Singapore.

A five-minute walk away is the Asian Civilizations Museum, which explores the history and traditions of pan-Asian culture. Located in the stately, neoclassical Empress Place Building by the Singapore River, it houses the region's most comprehensive collection of pan-Asian treasures, with 11 thematic galleries covering everything from art and fashion to maritime trade.

Next, head to Kampong Glam, known for being the nucleus of Malay life in Singapore. Here you can visit the historic Sultan Mosque, the focal point for Singapore’s Muslim community, and stroll along Arab Street, where you’ll find all manner of colorful textiles, spices and handicrafts.

And for a spot of shopping, head to Orchard Road, an area dedicated entirely to malls, boutiques and shopping centers. The ION, Ngee Ann City and Paragon will tick off any retail therapy needs.

What to eat in Singapore

Singaporeans are renowned foodies, so it’s no surprise that the city is famous for its fantastic food offering, most famously in its flavor-packed street food. The city is filled with hawker centers serving traditional Singaporean cuisine to stroll around and sample what’s on offer. Two of the best are Chinatown’s Maxwell Road Food Centre and the Newton Food Centre, which featured in the 2018 movie Crazy Rich Asians.

Must-try dishes include Hainanese chicken rice, the unofficial national dish, where bite-sized slices of chicken are served alongside fragrant rice, spicy chili and ginger paste. And don’t miss chili crab, where the star of the show is the sauce, a spicy blend of tomatoes and chili paste, thickened with ribbons of beaten eggs. Mop it all up with steamed buns and then order another portion.

 

For more information, go to visitsingapore.com