I’ve visited Singapore several times before. Up to now, I’d never really fallen in love with the place. It always felt like any other big city in Asia, with a focus on business and not much else. On our most recent visit to Singapore something shifted. I saw more than just a hybrid of West meets East. Singapore is evolving into a country that’s really geared for tourists, not just a quick stopover destination or business trip as I’d previously thought.
Here are our best things to do in Singapore!
I’ve stayed in my fair share of 5 star hotels and resorts around the world and this is hands down, one of my favorites! Vic and I had done the touristy thing and visited this iconic building before but to really experience everything it has to offer you need to stay here.
We stayed in one of their suites and from the moment we stepped into our room we knew we weren’t going to want to leave…especially when Vic saw the bathtub! Which she’s now claiming is the most comfortable bath in the whole world. The room is designed to capture the best of Singapore’s views. One side of the room overlooked Gardens By The Bay, the other side an awesome cityscape. Amazing!
Now to the most important part…that famous pool! If you haven’t been there, you’ve most probably seen one of the pics of their rooftop infinity pool. It’s amazing and a stay here wouldn’t be complete without taking a selfie in the pool. At least it seems that way when you’re lounging poolside…I’ve never seen so many cameras and phones in a swimming pool before. You can only access the pool if you’re staying at the hotel, so that alone is definitely worth staying here for. Marina Bay Sands is known as THE place to stay in Singapore, so hang out at the pool and you may spot a celebrity or two! We were there during WTA Finals, and lots of the elite female tennis players were hanging by the pool too. Other regular a-listers include the likes of soccer legend David Beckham and TV’s celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.
If you’re looking for good food and a drink Marina Bay Sands have got you covered. The hotel is full of award-winning celebrity chef restaurants, each with their own unique signature cocktails. Even though we’re not drinking alcohol, the staff were always happy to whip us up a selection of tasty mocktails. Yep, we ate and drank our way all around the hotel!
Gardens By The Bay
I love coming here each time I visit Singapore. With over 100 hectares of gardens, there’s plenty to see. This attraction opened in 2012 and is part of the Singapore government’s vision of creating a “City in the Garden”. This time we wandered around the gardens during the day and again at night.
If you’re going to check out the gardens during the day, be prepared for the heat. There are two sections of the gardens that are air-conditioned that I haven’t checked out yet. It’s SGD$28 for your ticket and it’s meant to be amazing, we haven’t had the time to do this yet. Instead we did the aerial walk between the super trees, ideal for the blue-sky conditions and perfect for me to take some happy snaps with Marina Bay Sands in the background. At night the super trees are all lit up and could easily pass for a scene in the movie Avatar. If you’re a budding photographer like me, grab your camera and tripod as this is an awesome area to take some great night shots.
Hungry? Head to the Hawker Centers
We love to eat. And this trip to Singapore was filled with countless meals of mouth-wateringly good food. One of our favorite places to grab cheap eats and get amongst the locals is heading down to a Hawker Centre or two.
Our Singapore ex-pat mates took us to their fave, Gluttons Bay. Their top picks are the chicken murtabak and the scallop rolls! Besides great food, this particular Hawker Center is located near the harbor front, so after dinner you can stroll down and witness the night light and water show in front of the Marina Bay Sands.
Get Lost in Little India
I love the hustle and bustle of Little India. Day or night, this neighborhood is always buzzing! Vic hadn’t been before, so we went to check it out. Getting lost in Little India is a must if you’re heading to Singapore. Jammed with market stalls and shops it’s an experience that’s so different to the rest of Singapore.
Indian food is a firm favorite of ours, so eating some local grub was a must. Before we set off, Vic googled the best place to eat and we headed straight there. The Banana Leaf Apolo didn’t disappoint, we ordered up and waddled out with a full belly. Just thinking about it, makes me want to eat the whole meal again! So good!
Wander Around the Arab Quarter
Described by Rough Guides as one of the most atmospheric pockets of old Singapore, this colorful little neighborhood is great area to wander around for a few hours. The day that we went it was stinking hot, so we ducked into one of the many bars and cafes and enjoyed an icy cold drink.
If you’re into street art, there’s an alley in the Arab Quarter where you can get some great pics.
Have a Drink at Clarke Quay
Singapore has bustling nightlife and one of the current hotspots for locals and tourists alike is Clarke Quay. Nestled on the riverside this neighborhood is a great place to venture to at night. Bring your mates and enjoy a drink and some food at one of the many bars and restaurants.
There’s cuisine from all around the world, and agreeing on what you want to eat can be challenging, so don’t wait until you’re really hungry to decide otherwise there could be a fight! This place does get busy and like everywhere in Singapore, alcoholic drinks can be expensive, but don’t let that put you off.
If you want to get really silly, make sure you try The Chupitos Bar. They boast an extensive list of over 130 shooters, including Absinthe shooters. I know right, be very very scared! Hangover guaranteed!
Shop up a Storm on Orchard Road
Be warned, shopping along Orchard Road isn’t for the faint hearted. With over 5,000 retail, dining and entertainment options you’ll want to bring your comfy shoes! The shopping district here spans over 2.2 km and boasts over 800,000 square meters of retail bliss.
All I know is that every time I’ve been here I get seriously lost. I’m sure that some of the malls are designed like Vegas casinos where it’s easy to enter but finding the exit can break your spirit. If you’re busting for some retail therapy then this is the place to go.
Sentosa Island
Want to chillax and have some fun? Sentosa is a popular island resort 15 minutes from the city. Visited by over 20 million tourists and locals every year, there’s enough to do on Sentosa to keep you occupied for days. There are over 20 attractions including Universal Studios, flying trapeze, iFly (a giant wind tunnel where you can practice skydiving) and my personal favorite, the giant wave pool where you can bust out some sick surf moves. Or at least have a few drinks and have a laugh watching your mates try and stand up and ride the waves!