Singapore Hotels

Visiting Singapore – A City Guide

Modern, prosperous and dynamic, Singapore is a global hub for finance, high-tech industry and international trade. If you’re visiting on holiday, it’s a shopper’s haven and a foodie’s dream, with gleaming malls and a legendary food scene that takes in everything from street food to sophisticated fine-dining restaurants.

Singapore: City Layout  Top Attractions

Restored 19th-century colonial buildings cluster in the city and the Civic District near the Singapore River, with Chinatown close by. Little India and Bugis, with luxury Singapore hotels right in the city’s cultural heart, are north of the centre. Changi Airport, a state-of-the-art airport that’s considered a destination in itself, and the popular suburbs of Katong and Joo Chiat, lie east.

The city’s efficient transport system makes travelling around a breeze, and it’s easy to find accommodation within walking distance of a train station.

Travellers who want to be in the thick of the action should pick a Singapore hotel near Orchard Road, Singapore’s most famous shopping street, or close to the energetic nightlife hubs around Clarke Quay or Club Street.

Top Attractions in Singapore

The beautifully landscaped Gardens By The Bay is home to the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome greenhouses, filled with blooms from across the world. You can head to Sentosa island to soak up the sun on the beach, enjoy a leisurely round of golf or brave the thrilling rides at the Universal Studios Singapore theme park.

Singapore Zoo is home to white tigers, honey-loving sun bears and African lions. You can spot the giant pandas, Kai Kai and Jia Jia, at the River Safari, or nocturnal leopards on the Night Safari.

Changi Airport (SIN) offers travellers and Singapore visitors more than just planes. The Singapore airport attractions include an inviting rooftop pool, numerous themed gardens featuring sunflowers and orchids, shopping, dining and one of the largest kinetic sculptures, Kinetic Rain. 

Eating Out in Singapore

Singapore’s culinary scene lies at the heart of local life. Choices range from Chinese, Indian and Malay street food at budget-friendly hawker centres in Maxwell Road, Lau Pa Sat and Tiong Bahru Market, to award-winning fine-dining restaurants.

Foodies also head to Little India, the Katong neighbourhood for Peranakan cuisine and  Arab Street in Kampong Glam for Malay fare. If you’re looking for an authentic Singaporean experience, BonAppetour organises trips to local families’ homes for a traditional meal, and gourmet cooking classes.

Shopping in Singapore

Along Orchard Road you’ll find glamorous malls like Paragon and Ngee Ann City, filled with high-end boutiques, luxury labels and gourmet food products. For popular local brands, you can explore central malls like Marina Square or Millenia Walk.

The quirky streets of Little India, Chinatown and Kampong Glam are great for shopping for Asian antiques, artworks and colourful fabric as well as being home to budget hotels in Singapore.

Culture & Nightlife in Singapore

Singapore’s cultural scene reflects its unique racial mix. The streets of Chinatown, Kampong Glam and Little India are filled with traditional shophouses and temples. You can trace Singapore’s history through the art, artefacts and multimedia displays at the National Museum of Singapore.

Singapore nightlife takes in everything from sleek rooftop bars to chic beachside hangouts and stylish nightclubs. For an evening of feasting and late-night revelry, head to Clarke Quay or Club Street. The vibe is quieter at Robertson Quay, or Dempsey Hill, perfect spots to enjoy a relaxing evening.