Best places to go in Singapore
We’ve put together a guide to Singapore’s neighbourhoods and districts. Please speak to our specialists if you’d like more information on any of these locations.
Orchard
The heart of Singapore’s high-end shopping scene, Orchard Road is 2.5km of malls, department stores, cafes and eateries. It’s a busy place day and night but especially so on weekend’s, when the shopping-mad city descends to flash the cash or just hang out. ‘Orchard’ refers to the road itself and surrounding district, which runs from Scotts Road all the way down to Dhoby Ghaut at the mouth of the historic downtown core.
Bugis
Bugis, in the heart of downtown Singapore and once right on the island’s waterfront, offers a glimpse of historic Singapore with its’ low-rise buildings and traditional shophouses. It’s a microcosm of diverse Singapore with no dominant cultural community, but plenty of great hotels, restaurants, and shops, and highly convenient location in between Chinatown, Kampong Glam, Orchard, and the Quays. The name ‘Bugis’ relates to a Sulawesi ethnic group, known for the shipbuilding prowess, who made villages in this area way back in the early 1800s.
Kampong Glam
Just north of Bugis is Kampong Glam, Singapore’s Islamic centre. It’s Arab influences are clear to see with the impressive Sultan Mosque sitting adjacent to carpet shops, spice traders, and shisha bars. Recent gentrification has seen a spray of funky new restaurants and boutique cocktail bars opening in recent years, but you’ll still find great bargain shopping and street art along the highly photogenic Haji Lane. The Malay Heritage Centre is also an interesting visit for those keen to learn more about regional culture.
Chinatown
Designated by Stamford Raffles as a district specifically for Singapore’s migrant Chinese population, the Chinatown area is now an exciting mix of old and new, with medicinal centres and tea traders sharing space with upmarket offices and galleries. Chinatown Food Street is among the island’s best food destinations – check out the Char Kway Teow or oyster omelette! Confusingly, it’s within Chinatown where you’ll find the colourful Sri Mariamman Temple, built by Singapore’s Hindu Tamil population.
Little India
As you’d expect, Little India is colourful, vibrantly commercial, and a little bit chaotic. Situated to the west of Kampong Glam and north of Bugis, it’s a centre for jewellery, fabrics, and Indian snacks and sweets. You’ll also find colourful Hindu and Buddhist temples, banana leaf meals, and fortune-telling parakeets. Typically for Singapore there’s a notable mix of both Indian and Chinese communities living and trading within the historic neighourhood.
Marina Bay
Moving out of the historic neighbourhoods, Marina Bay is the face of glitzy, modern, Singapore. Sitting on reclaimed land which was open sea just a generation ago, the are now houses a dizzying area of skyscrapers and luxury malls. Two of Singapore’s most iconic sights – the ‘supertrees’ of the Gardens by the Bay, and the instantly-recognisable three-towered Marina Bay Sands Hotel – are located here, along with much of Singapore’s financial district.
The Quays
Moving up the Singapore River from Marina Bay, you’ll come across historic Clarke Quay and Boat Quay. Once the epicentre of Singapore’s trading and commerce, the two Quay’s have now long lost working status – superceded by super ports in Jurong and Pasir Panjang – but have transformed themselves into nightlife hubs, housing upmarket restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Both have a full range of international dining options which evolve into rowdy drinking dens as the night progresses.
Sentosa
With a wealth of things to see and do, some say a visit to Sentosa is like a rollercoaster ride without any stops, experiencing one high after another on an enchanting island just minutes from the mainland, accessed by bridge. Enjoy everything from lounging on picture-perfect beaches to witnessing the Wings of Time laser show and experiencing thrilling adventure parks.
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