So far we’ve been to Singapore twice, which gives us about 11 days in total. Did we see everything? Not yet (Singapore Botanic Gardens and chilli crab are still waiting for our next visit). We’ve covered the touristy basics, spent time with locals, visited less popular areas and came up with this, very subjective, list. Here are our top 6 things to do in Singapore:
1. Pig out
Two words: Hawker Centres. Last year we didn’t go to one straight away, but this time around we knew that’s where we should be. The choice you get and the low prices are amazing, but what’s even better, you get a really good food. Don’t be scared, try new things and take advantage of having so many different types of food in one place. My most memorable food moment from this year? Eating a whole, raw, spicy chilli with Indian prawn donut (I’m not a big chilli eater, and almost cried afterwards, but loved the experience). We pick Hawker Centres over any fancy restaurant any time.
2. Chill out with the view
Book a hotel with the view (check out Naumi) – there is nothing better than cooling down in a pool, relaxing after long day of walking and still being able to soak up the city views. Another good idea, if you like cocktails, might be a visit to Sky on 57 at the top of Marina Bay Sands – we recommend getting up there for sunset.
3. Get lost in the streets
Really, fold that map and put it back in your bag. Walking around without any plans always pays off. In Bodrum, Turkey, we’ve found a charming little restaurant, with great food and much lower prices than everything 2 streets from there. In Singapore we stumbled upon the very hippie, beautifully colourful Haji Lane, which we didn’t know about before going in that direction. And it’s more fun too!
4. Explore Chinatown
There is something alluring about that part of the city. I’m absolutely in love in those tiny shophouses and backstreets so contrasting and different to the rest of Singapore. It’s very quiet in the morning and bursting with life in the evening, when all the lights come up and restaurants start serving dinner. And do not forget to look up and around, there are often pretty decors, lamps and colours at the top of the Chinatown buildings.
5. Gardens by the Bay
No matter if you have 2 or 6 hours, it’s worth to visit Gardens by the Bay. Cloud Forest with the world’s tallest indoor waterfall made a huge impression on us. We would recommend going in the late afternoon and staying until dusk – the waterfall looks even more spectacular at night and makes for a great photos background. There is also a light show worth watching, put up twice in the evening (7.45pm & 8.45pm) at the Supertree Grove. While you are there, and you don’t mind heights, go up to the Skyway – it’s only $5 and gives you the possibility to see the Gardens from a different perspective. And if you get hungry go to the Satay by the Bay, for a refreshing Tiger beer and yet another opportunity to try local food. Adult entry to the conservatories: $28.
6. National Museum of Singapore
Extremely interesting permanent exhibition about Singapore’s history is the reason we put this museum on the list. It is self guided with a help of multimedia device, which shows you videos, tells stories and gives descriptions of artefacts (although we ran out of battery before we finished exploring). Adult entry: $10.
What is on your “top things to do in Singapore” list?