Explore things to do on a Singapore city break. Discover what to do on a Singapore city break. Plan a city break in Singapore with these helpful tips.
Singapore is a fantastic place to visit if you are looking for an easy introduction to Southeast Asia and is an excellent hub for travel around Southeast Asia.
Singapore is safe, clean, and easy to get around (Changi Airport is one of the best airports in the world).
Whether you are visiting Singapore for first time or you are a return visitor, I think you'll find plenty of Singapore attractions to keep you busy. Just mind the heat and humidity!
Here are my recommendations for cool things to do on a Singapore city break based on my personal experience.
1. Sample Street Food at a Grade 'A' Market Hall
The best way to get to know a place is to try its street food and in Singapore you can do so safely. All food stalls have a prominently displayed health rating.
If you stick with the 'A's you'll have lower risk of the SE Asian equivalent of 'Delhi Belly' ruining your trip. We ate breakfast at a local food hall each day.
I especially loved these little nutty roll-ups. For dinner, skewers of chicken satay and a large beer took the edge off Singapore's extreme heat and humidity.
Chinatown is home to the Maxwell Road Hawker Centre. It's worth stopping here whether you are a first, second, third, or infinite visitor to Singapore!
I always go for a nutty pancake and kopi (Singaporean coffee optionally made with sweetened condensed milk).
We stuck with A and B rated establishments and our stomachs thanked us.
Chinatown is home to the Maxwell Road Hawker Centre. It's worth stopping here whether you are a first, second, third, or infinite visitor to Singapore!
I always go for a nutty pancake and kopi (Singaporean coffee optionally made with sweetened condensed milk).
We stuck with A and B rated establishments and our stomachs thanked us.
2. Try Ice Kachang
In Singapore, we had one of the most unusual desserts I've ever tasted. Ice Kachang is a mountain of shaved ice with Jello cubes and kidney beans inside with corn and a bit of condensed milk added over the top. You can find it in the food court at any of the shopping malls.
3. Hang with the Monkeys In and Around Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
It's possible to get to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve using a combination of public transit, taxi, and walking. The reserve sits very close to a residential neighborhood and we were amazed to see monkeys playing in the street!
SIDEWALK SAFARI SPOTLIGHT: Interested in experiencing other Asian cities but not sure where to go? I recommend:
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4. Window Shop Your Way Down Orchard Road
Orchard Road is the premier shopping destination in Singapore and a favorite thing to do in Singapore among locals (the malls are always crowded). Mall after air-conditioned mall offers welcome relief from the heat as well as high end goods to meet every need and interest.
5. Admire the Orchids at Singapore Botanic Gardens
Not far from Orchard Road, the Singapore Botanic Gardens is a delightful diversion. In particular, the collection of orchids are amazing to behold.
6. Channel Your Inner Disney on Sentosa Island
While in Singapore, I had the sense that it was somehow familiar. It took me a while to realize what it was.
Because Singapore is so neat, orderly, and clean, it's almost like being in a controlled environment like Disney World. This is no more true than on Sentosa Island which features beaches, rides, shopping, and restaurants.
7. Relive WWII History at the Battle Box
We've developed an interest in World War II history as a result of our extensive travels around the world. Check out the Battle Box in Singapore to see the underground command center constructed at Fort Canning.
We could just imagine the tension thinking back to what the military must have been feeling as the Japanese were blitzing their way down the Malay Peninsula. It was at this location that Singapore was surrendered to the invading Japanese during WWII.
8. Go Around the World Without Leaving the City (Chinatown and Little India)
Singapore is culturally mixed and you can effectively go around the world without even leaving the island. Chinatown and Little India are welcome contrasts to the western style skyscrapers and expat communities.
9. Catch a Dragonboat Race
Dragonboat racing is a popular pastime. We heard drums beating on the river and arrived just in times to see crew teams straining toward the finish line.
10. Go on a Night Safari
Singapore Zoo offers a unique attraction, a Night Safari. In fact, even if you are spending just a few hours layover in Singapore you may be able to squeeze this in.
Once again, it felt a bit Disney-esque as we queued up to board our zebra-striped vehicle. The animals enjoy wide open spaces and the barriers between you and the wild are hard to discern. It is actually almost like being on a real safari.
11. Singapore's Gardens by the Bay
The Gardens by the Bay features a cluster of over-the-top attractions and should definitely be on your list of things to do in Singapore if you are a first-time visitor.
Supertrees
The supertrees are the most iconic element at the Gardens by the Bay. Giant man-made structures tower above the ground with foliage grafted on.
Cloud Forest
The Cloud Forest at the Gardens by the Bay was pretty awesome. Located inside a giant dome (greenhouse), a waterfall and tropical plants dominate the scene.
When exploring the Cloud Forest, you'll ascend a series of elevators, escalators, and staircases to reach the top and get up close to this tropical microcosm in the middle of Singapore.
Flowers
The Gardens by the Bay in Singapore also features an impressive botanical garden. Once again housed in a climate-controlled dome, you can explore nature in utmost comfort. Wooden sculptures add to the atmosphere.
When we visited, tulip displays were fashioned to resemble paintings by van Gogh. I've come to expect nothing less than over-the-top in Singapore so this turn of events didn't surprise me at all.
May the 4th Be With You
We happened to visit the Gardens by the Bay on May 4th and arrived just in time for the May the 4th be With You Star Wars event. Characters were on hand for photographs and you could queue up for a picture with Chewbacca himself.
12. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
We spent a fair bit of time in Singapore's Chinatown. The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is worth a stop. See countless colored glass Buddhas lined up in the center of the hall. It was a striking display.
13. Visit Kampong Glam
Kampong Glam is a fascinating neighborhood in Singapore that we missed on our first visit. Grab a coffee at Tolido's Espresso Nook to fuel up before a walk around this section of town.
14. Geylang Serai Hawker Stalls
For a more local and slightly edgier take on street food stalls, check out Geylang Serai.
We sampled a cakey, coconut flavored dessert which was outstanding after tasting a Malaysian laksa. Pro-tip: look for the stalls that have the longest queues to figure out which food is best.
15. Admire the Architecture at Katong and Joo Chiat
From Geylang Serai, we made a foray into Katong and Joo Chiat. This primarily residential neighborhood of Singapore features historic and colorful Peranakan shophouses.
For more on things to do in Katong, head on over to the Rustic Nomad.
SIDEWALK SAFARI SPOTLIGHT: Southeast Asia is an amazing part of the world to explore, but where should you go? I recommend:
- Spending some time in Vietnam where you can discover great things to eat in Hanoi along with other Hanoi highlights, take an overnight Halong Bay cruise, go on a Hoi An bike tour, check out the dragon bridge and other things to do in Danang and discover Vietnam War sites plus non-touristy things to do in Ho Chi Minh City. Did you know that you can get around Vietnamese cities easily using Grab Vietnam?
- Cambodia is another fantastic destination in Southeast Asia. Discover things to do in Phnom Penh and dive into Cambodia's tragic history with a visit to the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. There are plenty of things to do in Siem Reap City. Discover the mysterious Angkor Wat temples with a private car and driver and then take a Siem Reap food tour. Find out the pros and cons of visiting Cambodia during the Khmer New Year.
- If city breaks are more to your liking, check out activities to do in Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok.
SIDEWALK SAFARI SPOTLIGHT: Southeast Asia is an amazing part of the world to explore, but where should you go? I recommend:
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16. Take a Walk on the Beach at East Coast Park
We decided to walk off our ice kachang dessert along the beach at East Coast Park. East Coast Park was a fascinating spot for people-watching in Singapore. We visited on a Sunday and tons of locals were out hanging out with friends and having a picnic.
17. Take a Dusk Walk in Fort Canning Park
Fort Canning Park is a huge greenspace in the center of Singapore. It's a great spot for a walk, especially when the sun starts to go down and the heat of the day eases off a little.
18. Explore the Tiong Bahru neighborhood
19. Do Brunch with the Common Man (Coffee Roasters)
As second-time visitors to Singapore, we had the luxury of playing it cool like the locals do. Brunch is popular in Singapore and we queued up at Common Man Coffee Roasters.
The coffee at Common Man was outstanding, as you might expect, but the food also really hit the spot. Gourmet pancakes will satisfy your sweet tooth and eggs with savory greens have got you covered if you're looking for a healthy breakfast that packs a protein punch.
20. Sip Happy Hour Beers in Clarke Quay
To be honest, Clarke Quay feels a little bit fabricated in a Disney sort of way. Restaurants and bars sit in the shade of the canopy along the Singapore River. Clarke Quay is admittedly a great spot to grab a well-priced drink during happy hour, especially if you are staying nearby.
21. Take a Morning Walk at MacRitchie Reservoir
MacRitchie Reservoir is where locals and expats go for a hike. We charted a course through the trails around the reservoir. We were hoping to see the monitor lizards that are known to frequent the area.
Best Things to Do In Singapore Map
Click on the image of the map below to open up an interactive version in Google Maps to help you connect with fun things to do in Singapore on your trip to the island.
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