With so much to do, the following will only be a starting point for your travels in Singapore. Don’t worry about accommodation after your days of fun though – Singapore is filled with great places to stay, from budget hotels to comfortable 5-star hotels, Singapore hotels will spoil you for choice!

Arts Scene in Singapore

Considered the arts capital of South East Asia, Singapore is home to a number of art galleries and art walks which travellers can enjoy at their own pace for free. Take to the streets and admire sculptures by famed artists including Roy Liechtenstein, Salvador Dali and Henry Moore.

Singapore is a city full of life and with over 400 event days a year, visitors are sure to be in town when a festival is taking place. In August observe the sounds and sights of the Festival of the Hungry Ghosts, or book your trip in February to cheer on the annual Chingay parade.

Orchard Road

Orchard Road, Singapore’s first glass-covered air-conditioned shopping street, is shopping heaven. Sidewalk kiosks, boutiques, specialty shops, cafes and restaurants line the street. All housed in well-linked shopping malls, shoppers can choose from the best in fashion, beauty, jewellery, antiques, electronics and even homeware. Amongst several huge malls is CK Tang’s, Singapore’s most famous department store.

More information on Orchard Road

Bugis Village Night Markets

Head to Bugis Village Night Markets to try out your bargaining skills. With everything from fashion and jewellery to leather goods and souvenirs, the Night Markets is a destination not to be missed by lovers of retail therapy.

Chinatown

The cultural centre of Singapore, Chinatown is a maze of streets and alleyways, crowded with shops and street vendors day and night. Here you’ll find traditional Chinese herbs and medicines, exotic foods, handicrafts and fortune-tellers. Visit the Chinatown Night Markets for unique gifts to bring home and sample authentic Chinese favourites at Chinatown Food Street. Chinatown is a short walk from Outram Park MRT Station.

Chinatown Night Markets

The bustling night-time street market, a familiar and integral part of Chinatown’s street scene in the past, has made a comeback! With over 200 stalls now open for business, and operating daily from 5pm till late, the night markets are set to bring back the vibrant Chinatown of yesteryear.

The market stalls line Pagoda, Trengganu and Sago streets and offer local residents and visitors a wide and interesting selection of retail items to choose from. Contemporary items such as bags and bracelets sit side-by-side traditional wares such as Feng Shui or geomancy-related products, Chinese calligraphy, artwork and handicraft, as well as customary Chinese wedding items including traditional “dragon and phoenix” candles.

Nightly performances will also add to the lively atmosphere at the Night Markets. Visitors to Chinatown can look forward to two shows every night from 8.30pm to 10.30pm. These shows, ranging from cultural dance performances to plays and concerts, are free of charge, and will be staged at Pagoda Street, Chinatown Food Street and Kreta Ayer Square. In the coming weeks, visitors and local residents can expect to be entertained by lion and dragon dances, stilt-walkers, wushu martial arts performances, Chinese operas, Indian and Malay dances and acrobatic and Chinese orchestra performances.

Little India

Hunt for a gift with a difference in the endless sari shops, Indian goldsmiths, spice stores and ayuverdic wellness shops along Serangoon Road. Singapore’s first 24-hour department store – Mustafa – is located in Little India and showcases a plethora of products under one roof.

Arab Street

Arab Street offers shoppers a relaxed shopping experience with its charming shophouses selling authentic products from the Malay culture including luxurious fabrics, health tonics, traditional costumes and intricate jewellery.

Sentosa Island – a recreational playground

A short cable car or ferry ride takes you to Sentosa Island, known for its palm-fringed beaches complete with imported white sand. There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy including pedal cars, aqua-bikes, swimming and canoeing.

More information about Sentosa

Botanic Gardens

Singapore is also known as the Garden City and boasts a fantastic array of beautiful parks and gardens which can be enjoyed for next to nothing. Entrance to the stunning Botanic Gardens is free and while there, pop into the National Orchid Gardens for just S$2. Here you can enjoy the sights and scents of over 2700 orchids and hybrids, or for an equally enchanting and affordable experience, visit the Chinese and Japanese Gardens.

Singapore Zoo

Have a Wild Breakfast at the world famous Singapore Zoological Gardens and mingle with furry friends. Tour one of the best zoos in the world and don’t miss the popular animal shows. Attractions include the Elephants of Asia, Hamadryas Baboons – The Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia and Fragile Forest.

Jurong Bird Park

This is one of the world’s largest bird parks, home to 8000 birds of some 600 species. Take the air-conditioned Panorail through the Park or stroll along the footpaths and admire these beautiful creatures at your own pace. From 9am to 11am daily you can enjoy a hearty buffet breakfast in the company of parrots, pelicans and other friendly feathered critters.