Famous for its food (its hawker culture is inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and it also has nearly 50 Michelin-starred restaurants), Singapore is home to four distinct cultural enclaves – Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Gelam and Katong/Joo Chiat – that provide an intoxicating mix of old and new. Meanwhile, plenty of parks, gardens, tranquil nature spots and hiking trails in and around the city centre, including the UNESCO-listed Singapore Botanic Gardens, mean this is a true city in nature.
With Singapore open to fully vaccinated travellers and only requiring a pre-departure test for quarantine-free travel, we have looked into a fabulous itinerary that allows you to discover the wonders of this brilliant city.
Over nearly a week in Singapore, you can take in a vast amount of its attractions and sights under the themes Culture shapers, Collectors, Explorers, Action seekers, Socialisers and Foodies, with each day taking in incredible food, drink, shopping, art experiences and activities for the perfect blend of fun and discovery.
Cultural highlights of the itinerary range from taking an art trail walk through Little India, where murals tell the story of the neighbourhood’s proud heritage including parrot astrologers, dhobi (washermen) and other labourers, to touring the National Gallery of Singapore, which has the world’s largest collection of Southeast Asian art. And don’t miss the Victoria Theatre & Victoria Concert Hall, Singapore’s oldest performing arts venue and home to the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) – performances here are unique for their mix of Western and Chinese compositions.
Foodie experiences are a major part of any day in Singapore: think everything from barefoot dining on sharing platters of North and South Indian dishes to an evening meal at the world’s only Michelin-starred Peranakan joint. Then there are the famous hawker centres such as the locals’ favourite and legendary Old Airport Road Food Centre, where specialities include lor mee (noodles in a vinegary gravy) and hokkien prawn mee (stir-fried prawn noodles). And Singapore’s bar scene is something else - at Smoke & Mirrors, for instance, bartender Jorge Conde creates artistic concoctions inspired by works of Picasso, Dali and Van Gogh.
For working up an appetite, there’s zip-lining, bungee, luge and indoor climbing and bouldering. A great place to head for is MacRitchie Reservoir Park for some safari-style exploring of its lush rainforest, home to long-tailed macaques and flying lemurs. There’s also the Southern Ridges 10km trail through three parks and a nature reserve, with the Henderson Waves Bridge a prime illustration of how Singapore integrates contemporary architecture with unspoilt nature.
A Bloomberg study has shown Singapore to be Asia's healthiest nation, partly thanks to its sporting scene – something you will fully appreciate at the Singapore Sports Hub with its many water-sports opportunities including wave-riding at Splash-N-Surf. For more adrenaline surges, Sentosa is the place for all kinds of thrilling activities including the Mega Adventure Park with its zip-line, bungee platform and Skyline Luge.
Alternatively you’ll burn up plenty of energy shopping on Orchard Road with its luxury, cult and high-street brands. Alternatively, the Kampong Gelam neighbourhood stands out for its eclectic combination of Muslim shops, hip boutiques, old-school sundries shops and long-established textile stores where you can have a sari or baju kurung – the traditional garb of Indians and Malays – tailor made for a truly unique souvenir of your time here.
Iconic Chinatown is also worth some serious time in its own right, whether you’re feasting on a weekend brunch or watching elderly locals gathered around tables of play games of chess, Chinese chess and checkers.
To find out more or book your Singapore holiday, contact your local Travel Counsellor.
There are so many great reasons to experience certain destinations in the shoulder seasons – that sweet spot between a region’s peak season and off-season. Think fewer crowds and queues for major attractions, better-value flights and other travel, and a more authentic experience of the destination. We’ve put our heads together to share a few of our favourite places that can be just as good or even better outside of high season.
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