Sights, scents, and flavours in Singapore

Merry Markets

Singapore's famous Hawker Centres, cooked food markets, are the place to go if you want to sample a variety of great quality local dishes - for a modest price tag. The most popular is Lau Pa Sat seating over 2000 people. The offering includes traditional dishes such as Hor Fun (a gravy rich meat dish) as well as new additions from Buddha bowls to flat whites.

For a more authentic experience head out to one of the locals’ favourite spots, the Old Airport Road Food Centre. Try the rice noodle dish Char Kway Teow or some Crispy Curry Puffs, buttery pastry puffs filled with a creamy curry.

When you are hungry first thing in the morning get a hearty breakfast at Tiong Bahru Market, where most stalls open at 7 am. Perfect early morning dishes include glutinous rice with soft peanuts or yam cakes.

If you want to do a bit of cooking yourself, check out the wet markets instead. Good ones include Empress Market, Tiong Bahru Wet Market and Tekka Centre.

Serious Shopping

Many travellers come to Singapore especially for shopping. Whether you are a tech geek, a fashion enthusiast, looking to find the latest in beauty or some serious bargains you are in for a treat.

Orchard Road is perhaps the best-known retail area and a home to thousands of shops and restaurants. Most visitors will make sure to have a look at TANGS, Singapore's oldest department store where you can browse through a huge variety of local brands and products. For something a lot more modern, Far East Plaza is a hub of street fashion and outlets.

If you want to do your shopping under one roof, choose one of the cities huge shopping malls. You could for example go for VivoCity, offering entertainment alongside shopping, or Paragon, the home of luxury fashion.

You could even take a trip within a trip by visiting Little India, selling traditional Indian saris, spices and jewellery or Chinatown, unarguably the cheapest place to shop in all of Singapore. 

Sunny Sentosa Island

Off the southern coast of Singapore is one of the main tourist attractions of the area, Sentosa. Every inch of its 500 hectares is filled with activities including theme parks, golf courses, indoor sky diving, aqua parks, beaches, bars, restaurants, and a casino. There are several hotels and villa accommodation on the island too if you want to stay around for a bit longer.

Nature lovers can enjoy the local flora and fauna on a nature trail or visit one of the largest oceanariums in the world, with over 100 000 marine animals. To wind down after a day of activities you can hop on a cable car and marvel at amazing views over the city.

Sentosa is easily reached from central Singapore in less than half an hour by walking, cycling, driving or public transport. The entry to the island is free.  

Gorgeous Greenery

Almost half of Singapore is green space, making it one of the greenest cities in the world. There are lots of lovely parks and nature areas on offer for when you want to unwind after your urban exploration.

By the Marina Bay Waterfront you will find Gardens by the Bay. It is a wonderfully landscaped area featuring modern architecture, a huge flower dome and a mist filled "cloud forest".

If you are looking for a place to run, cycle or take your dog for a walk, try Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, one of the biggest parks in central Singapore. There is a lotus garden and a river to admire while you get your exercise in.

For a slice of wilder nature go to Kranji Marshes, a freshwater marshland and a home to many tropical species of plants and animals. Bird spotters will also love this area, as there are 170 varieties of birds to keep an eye on.