Singapore packs a lot into a small island: futuristic gardens, colourful heritage neighbourhoods, a world-class zoo, and some of the best (and cheapest) food you'll eat anywhere. It's clean, safe, easy to get around, and perfect for a long weekend or a stopover that turns into something more.
- Entry
- Fill in the free SG Arrival Card online within 3 days before you arrive
- Currency
- Singapore dollar (SGD). Cards and tap-to-pay work almost everywhere
- Getting around
- Tap a contactless bank card or phone on the MRT and buses
- Tipping
- Not expected. Restaurants usually add a 10% service charge plus 9% GST ("++")
- Plugs
- Type G (three square pins, like the UK), 230V
- Time zone
- UTC+8, no daylight saving
- Weather
- Hot and humid all year (about 25–32°C), with short, heavy showers
- Emergency
- 999 police · 995 ambulance and fire
The must-sees
Gardens by the Bay
At Gardens by the Bay, the giant Supertrees are free to wander among, and at night they light up for the free Garden Rhapsody light-and-sound show. Pay to enter the two cooled conservatories: the Flower Dome, and the Cloud Forest, with its indoor waterfall. Come in the late afternoon and stay until dark.
Marina Bay
Walk the waterfront loop past the Merlion, the Esplanade (nicknamed "the durian" for its spiky roof) and Marina Bay Sands. In the evening, catch the free Spectra light-and-water show at the Event Plaza, or head up to one of the city's rooftop bars for skyline views.
Jewel Changi Airport
Even if you're not flying, Jewel is worth a trip. It's home to the Rain Vortex, the world's tallest indoor waterfall, pouring through the middle of a forest-filled dome. Visit in the evening to see it lit up.
Singapore Botanic Gardens
A UNESCO World Heritage Site (NParks) with tropical rainforest, lakes and the National Orchid Garden. The main gardens are free, and they're lovely first thing in the morning before the heat builds.
Wildlife: the zoo, Night Safari and Bird Paradise
The Mandai Wildlife Reserve in the north of the island includes the excellent Singapore Zoo, the after-dark Night Safari, River Wonders and Bird Paradise. Combo tickets save money if you're doing more than one.
Sentosa
Singapore's resort island has Universal Studios Singapore, the S.E.A. Aquarium, beaches and beach clubs, and the WWII history of Fort Siloso. Great with kids, but it gets busy in school holidays.
Neighbourhoods with character
- Chinatown: the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, the Hindu Sri Mariamman Temple, and two legendary hawker centres (Maxwell and Chinatown Complex).
- Kampong Gelam: the golden domes of the Sultan Mosque, textile shops on Arab Street, and the murals and indie boutiques of Haji Lane.
- Little India: colourful, fragrant and busy, with temples, spice shops, flower garlands and the food stalls of the Tekka Centre.
- Tiong Bahru: 1930s Art Deco flats, indie bookshops, cafés and a great market.
- Katong and Joo Chiat: pastel-coloured Peranakan shophouses and the home of Katong laksa.
A 3-day Singapore itinerary
The perfect long weekend
- Day 1Heritage & hawkersKampong Gelam and Haji Lane, then Chinatown's temples. Dinner at Maxwell Food Centre
- Day 2Gardens & skylineMorning at the Botanic Gardens, afternoon in Tiong Bahru. Gardens by the Bay at sunset for the Supertree light show, then a Marina Bay walk
- Day 3Your pickMandai (zoo + Night Safari), Sentosa, or Katong's shophouses and laksa. End at Jewel Changi before your flight
Tip: Have a long layover? Singapore is one of the best stopover cities in the world. With five or six hours you can get from Changi into the city, see Marina Bay and Gardens by the Bay, and eat at a hawker centre. Leave plenty of time to get back for your flight.
What to eat in Singapore
Hawker centres are Singapore's open-air food courts, and they're the heart of its food culture (recognised by UNESCO in 2020). Dozens of specialist stalls each cook one or two dishes really well, often for just a few dollars.
Dishes you have to try
- Hainanese chicken rice: silky poached chicken, rice cooked in chicken stock, and a chilli-garlic dip. Singapore's unofficial national dish.
- Laksa: spicy coconut curry noodle soup with prawns and cockles.
- Chilli crab: whole crab in a sweet, spicy, eggy tomato-chilli sauce. Mop it up with fried buns (mantou).
- Char kway teow: smoky wok-fried flat noodles with prawns, cockles and Chinese sausage.
- Hokkien mee: yellow and rice noodles fried in a rich seafood stock.
- Satay: grilled meat skewers with peanut sauce. Best eaten in the evening.
- Nasi lemak: coconut rice with fried chicken or fish, egg, peanuts, anchovies and sambal.
- Roti prata: crispy, flaky flatbread with curry for dipping.
- Kaya toast: the classic breakfast. Toast with coconut jam and butter, soft-boiled eggs, and strong kopi (coffee).
Where to eat
Hawker centres to start with
- Maxwell Food Centre (Chinatown): home of Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, one of the city's most famous chicken rice stalls.
- Chinatown Complex Food Centre: a huge, buzzing hawker centre with hundreds of stalls.
- Lau Pa Sat (CBD): a Victorian cast-iron market hall. In the evening, the street outside turns into Satay Street.
- Tekka Centre (Little India): great for roti prata, biryani and braised duck rice.
- Tiong Bahru Market: a local favourite for breakfast, including chwee kueh (steamed rice cakes with preserved radish).
Famous stalls and restaurants
- Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle (Crawford Lane): legendary bak chor mee (minced pork noodles), once awarded a Michelin star. Expect a long queue.
- Sungei Road Laksa (Jalan Berseh): a long-running stall famous for its curry laksa, still cooked over charcoal.
- Zam Zam (opposite the Sultan Mosque): murtabak (stuffed pan-fried bread) at a restaurant that's been running for over a century.
- The Banana Leaf Apolo (Little India): fish head curry served on a banana leaf.
- Ya Kun Kaya Toast (dozens of outlets): an easy, reliable kaya toast breakfast.
- Candlenut (Dempsey): Michelin-starred Peranakan cooking, if you want a special-occasion meal.
Heads up: Hawker stalls often close one day a week and may sell out early. Check opening hours before you make a special trip.
Hawker centre etiquette
- "Chope" a table: locals reserve a seat by leaving a packet of tissues on it. If you see one, the seat is taken.
- Return your tray to the tray-return points when you've finished. It's expected, and enforced.
- Bring cash just in case. Many stalls now take cards or QR payments, but not all.
Getting around
- MRT and buses are fast, cheap, clean and air-conditioned. Tap a contactless bank card or your phone at the gates. No special travel card needed.
- From Changi Airport, the MRT reaches the city in under an hour, and a taxi or Grab takes about 25–30 minutes.
- Grab (Southeast Asia's ride-hailing app) and taxis are easy to find, but can be slow at rush hour.
- Rules matter: no eating or drinking on the MRT, and chewing gum isn't sold. Fines are real.
Staying connected in Singapore
From Grab rides and hawker QR payments to MRT directions and attraction tickets, you'll lean on your phone a lot. A Singapore eSIM gets you online the moment you land at Changi. Free Wi-Fi exists, but it often needs a local number to log in. And if Singapore is part of a bigger trip, an Asia eSIM keeps you connected across the region. Planning more stops? See our guide to Japan.
When to visit
Singapore is warm year-round, so any time works.
- February to April tends to be a little drier and sunnier.
- November to January is the wettest season, with frequent short downpours, but Christmas lights on Orchard Road make up for it.
- Big events: the Formula 1 night race (usually September or October) and Chinese New Year (late January or February) are spectacular, but hotel prices jump. Book early.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Singapore?
Three days is perfect for a first visit. Two days covers the highlights if you're short on time.
Do I need a visa for Singapore?
Many nationalities can visit visa-free for short stays, but everyone must complete the free SG Arrival Card online before arrival. Check the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website for your passport, and Visit Singapore for official travel ideas.
Is Singapore expensive?
Hotels and drinks are pricey, but food doesn't have to be. A hawker centre meal costs a fraction of a restaurant meal, and public transport is cheap.
Will my phone work in Singapore?
Most unlocked phones from 2019 onwards support eSIM and work on Singapore's networks. Check yours on our compatible phones page.