Singapore has been in the top ten list of the most visited cities in the world for years. Our small yet beautiful island deserves it as the city has all to satisfy any need of visitors: green and safe environment, cultural diversity, delicious food, world-class shopping malls, the latest fashion and electronics, vibrant nightlife, cheap and convenient public transport, and many more.
CURRENCY | Singapore Dollar (SGD) |
CAPITAL | Singapore |
TIME ZONE | Singapore is 2 hours and 30 minutes ahead of India (if it is 5.00 pm in India, it will be 7.30 pm in Singapore. |
POWER PLUG | Voltage: 230 V, Frequency: 50 Hz, Power sockets: type G |
INTERNATIONAL CALLING CODE | +65 |
TRAVEL SEASONS | MIN/MAX TEMPERATURE | SEASON |
June-September | 25 – 32°C | Summer – Hot |
October-January | 24 – 27°C | Monsoon & Winter Season |
February-May | 25 – 32°C | Spring Season |
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Rainfall (mm) | 175.1 | 111.1 | 131.8 | 152.9 | 151.2 | 120.3 | 129.1 | 130.0 | 132.8 | 161.6 | 235.4 | 244.9 |
The best time to visit Singapore is between February and April. Considered a dry season, these months experience lesser rainfall than other times of the year. Singapore is hot and humid throughout the year making it a year-round destination. To experience the best of the beaches in Singapore, the best time to visit is between June to August. For the shopaholic, the ideal time to visit Singapore is between July and August which is when the Great Singapore Sale is organised.
The street food is a way of exploring local cuisine. With a wide variety of food outlets, here you can enjoy Indian and Chinese food. On a visit to Singapore, it is recommended to try Chilli Crab, Katong Laksa, Satay with Peanut Sauce, and many other delicacies.
The sheer range of products and competitive pricing has rightfully turned Singapore into a shopping mecca. For many tourists this is the main attraction for visiting and silks, electrical goods, tailored clothing, handbags, jewellery and silverware are among the most sought items. Orchard Road and the Marina Square are where you will find more upmarket shopping while in and around Haji Lane and Sungei Road there is a more eclectic array of markets and boutiques. Singapore also hosts an annual shopping event when locals and visitors alike can avail of city-wide sales.
Being a potpourri of inhabitants from different religions, here many languages like: English, Tamil and Malay are widely spoken. However, English tops the list of spoken languages there.
1. GARDENS BY THE BAY
Nestled in Central Singapore, Gardens by the Bay is the botanic gardens of the future, the land of next-gen Supertrees groves, high-tech space-domes and outlandish sculptures. Home to almost 4, 00,000 plants, Gardens by the Bay is famous for the awe-inspiring contemporary architecture and the hypnotic Garden Rhapsody, the light and sound show.
The vast and colourful super park conservatory is spread across 250 acres of reclaimed land along the waterfront. Its famous Supertree structures, which are futuristic botanical giants connected by a commanding Skyway, offer a mesmerizing view as one traverse the skywalk over the gardens. The over-sized seashell-shaped greenhouse of Gardens by the Bay, called the Flower Dome, is the largest glass greenhouse in the world recreating chilly mountain climates.
2. SENTOSA ISLAND
A tiny resort-island off the southern coast of Singapore, Sentosa Island is home to themed attractions, sun-washed beaches, lush rainforests, amazing spas and some popular resort hotels.
Packed with attractions, Sentosa Island is speckled with panoramic gardens including a butterfly garden, amusement parks, a breathtaking aquarium (Underwater World), beach clubs with lively music, an ethnic village and the highlight of the island, a vast Merlion Statue.
Singapore’s only preserved fort, Fort Siloso, is also located on Sentosa Island. Siloso Beach is for those seeking solace at the beach with volleyball. The place can be easily approached by hired cars, bus, cable car or even Sentosa Express that costs SGD 4.
3. PULAU UBIN
Pulau Ubin is a 10.2 square kilometre island lying northeast of Singapore. Translating to Granite Island in Malay, it is one of the last two kampongs of Singapore – a place where one can truly enjoy and experience Singapore for what it used to be. The main attraction is the Chek Jawa Wetlands.
Whether it is the adventurous mountain biking or cycling around the pristine island, with lush green forests and wide rolling meadows, Pulau Ubin is an ideal relaxation spot. Flanked by the mini Puaka Hill with the chirping of birds reverberating in the background, it is also popular for hiking and bird watching. Visitors to this island also go kayaking among the mangroves and camp amidst the peaceful settings to watch the sparkling night stars.
4. SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS
The Singapore Botanic Gardens, located at Orchard Road, is the only tropical garden to feature as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 82-hectare green space boasts of more than 10,000 species of flowering plants and trees. The prime attractions are the National Orchid Garden, and Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden – the world’s first garden dedicated exclusively to children.
5. UNIVERSAL STUDIOS SINGAPORE
Universal Studios is a theme park paying tribute to the cults and classics of Hollywood. Star Wars, Shrek, Jurassic Park and many others in the genres of fantasy and Sci-Fi have made their way into the park. There are a range of rides, starting from kid’s level to adrenaline-pumping ones, along with shopping and dining options throughout the day and night. It is among the must-visit places in Singapore.
6. MERLION PARK
The Merlion structure, translates to ‘lion of the sea’, and represents the island’s history of a fishing village and the root of its Malay name ‘Singapura’ – the lion city. The Merlion is like a representative emblem for the city, and thus among the top 10 places to visit in Singapore. Overlooking the Marina Bay, the 8.6 meters tall, white statue of the mythical creature offers a great opportunity for a photo session and a nice view of the bay.
7. MARINA BAY SANDS
Marina Bay takes us to the grandest of the structures in Singapore. Marina Bay Sands is the number one destination on the Singapore attractions map, thanks to its all-encompassing presence right at the shore of the bay. The luxurious resort complex is also home to a high-end hotel, multiple restaurants and bars, the Art Science Museum and not-so-surprisingly, world’s highest infinity pool set at 650 feet in the Skypark – the city’s best vantage point.
8. CHINA TOWN
This place is like a small China within the city of Singapore and a must visit place in Singapore. From the red lanterns to the small shacks selling Momo and soups, from the heritage markets for souvenirs to the upscale bistros – the neighborhood has China running through its veins. Day starts here with the morning drum ceremony at the Buddha Tooth Relic temple and ends with the hustle of residents and tourists in the markets and eateries.
9. SINGAPORE ZOO
Regarded as one of the best zoos in the world, the Singapore Zoo is spread across a vast area of 70 acres in the Upper Seletar Region. Formerly known as the Singapore Zoological Garden or Mandai Zoo, it is famed for housing the largest captive colony of Orangutans in the world. Another major highlight is the Rainforest Kidzworld, a technicolour play area for the little ones.
10. SEA AQUARIUM
Part of the vibrant Resorts Sentosa World, the South East Asia Aquarium or the SEA Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the world, home to more than 800 species of aquatic wildlife. The chief draw of SEA Aquarium is the Open Ocean Tank – world’s largest viewing panel at 36-m long and 8.3m high. This is also the only aquarium in the world to house the giant oceanic manta ray.