Singapore tours, sightseeing, things to do

Singapore

Trip Planning & Itineraries

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2:36 PM Sunday, Nov 8
Broken clouds. Hot.
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Singapore has traded in its rough-and-ready opium dens for towers of glass, and its steamy rickshaw image for hi-tech wizardry, but you can still recapture the colonial era with a gin sling under the languorous ceiling fans at Raffles Hotel.

At first glance Singapore appears shockingly modern, but this is an undeniably Asian city with Chinese, Malay and Indian traditions. It's these contrasts that bring the city to life.

Singapore 3-Day Itinerary

singapore tours things to do singapore

Singapore can't match the messy human chaos of Bangkok, the high-tech chaos of Tokyo or the grand outdoors of Sydney, but it does have all these things in small, Singaporean-sized pieces. Take a few days to discover more than just its stopover cliches.

Day 1: Chinatown & Around

Spend the first morning wandering around Chinatown and sampling its culinary wonders, then head to the World Trade Centre (WTC) and cable car your way up Mt Faber for a beer and a view of the city. While away the evening with a leisurely stroll along the quays and dinner at Empress Place.

Day 2: Museums, Shopping, Nightlife

On Day 2, wander around the Padang and visit the Asian Civilisations Museum, then take in a typical lunch at a hawker centre before bracing yourself for some Orchard Rd shopping action and dinner on trendy Club St. Or See a performance at the Esplanade theaters. The Esplanade is an amazing theater and arts complex (and yes, it's near a mall) featuring multiple world class performances in music, theater and dance at any given time.

Day 3: Little India & Singapore Zoo

Spend the next morning exploring Little India, then chill out at the Botanic Gardens. Next, it's a toss-up between a vegetarian snack (or three) in the exuberant side streets of Little India or an early dinner in one of the fine French restaurants on Ann Siang Hill in Chinatown, but I'm liable to just make a beeline for the Newton Food Centre to the north of Orchard Rd and sit down at the stall selling delicious stingray dishes. From here jump in a taxi and take the night-safari tram ride through the superb Singapore Zoological Gardens (Singapore Zoo). Finish up with a cocktail or beer in one of the dramatic shop-house bars on Emerald Hill Rd, just off Orchard Rd, and end with an early morning shisha (hooka-style pipe) on Arab St in Kampong Glam.

Best of Singapore: Places to Eat

Hurl a chopstick anywhere in Singapore and it'll land in something edible. All international cuisines are here, though Chinese, Indian and Malay dominate. The signature dish is Hainanese chicken rice, while Peranakan-style (Nonya) food combines Chinese ingredients with Malay sauces and spices. Go on one of our Singapore food tours to experience the amazing food first hand, or try one of our top food picks above.

Best of Singapore: Top Hotels

If you're looking for more choices than those below, check out these options for self catered accommodation in Singapore.

Pan Pacific Hotel Singapore

Singapore's Pan Pacific Hotel is a modern, stylish hotel in the middle of Asia's "most efficient" city. If you're not dazzled by the harbor facing rooms with their spectacular views or the recently renovated lobby, the 35-floor atrium will certainly get your attention. The rooms and suites are stylish, but not overbearing. Visitors can have a great meal at the Cantonese restaurant on the top floor (the best in the hotel) or take the hotel's aerial bridges to nearby malls for some shopping.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Singapore

Located in Singapore's city center only a five-minute drive from the business and financial districts, the Mandarin Oriental Singapore has just re-opened after a complete renovation. The six restaurants and bars at the hotel allow visitors plenty of variety in what they have to eat. About half of the hotel's 527 rooms have beautiful views on the bay, while those on the other side look over the city's skyline.

Shangri-La Hotel Singapore

The Shangri-La Hotel Singapore is in the center of the city, about 25 minutes from the airport. The hotel's glass walls overlook 15-acres of gardens and pools. The hotel provides plenty of dining options with 5 restaurants and bars, and the Singapore Botanical Gardens are only one block away.

Singapore: featured traveler photos
Father and daughter

Photo by: Alviera N, Australia

Doing what: Admiral Cheng Ho Singapore Harbour Dinner Cruise

Viator Pick: Singapore Zoo Morning Tour
Singapore Zoo Morning Tour with optional Jungle Breakfast

Singapore's zoo is justly famous across southeast Asia. You can have breakfast with an orangutan or take the popular Singapore Zoo Night Safari. Just make sure to bring the kids - they'll love it.

More Singapore Resources

Other tours & attractions in and around Singapore:
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