Singapore

Asia

This progressive island nation and gateway to Southeast Asia is a dynamic mix of cultures, ideas and histories.

Overview

This progressive island nation and gateway to Southeast Asia is a dynamic mix of cultures, ideas and histories. Astounding 21st Century architecture, colonial buildings, Chinese and Indian temples, bazaars, flea markets, street vendors, churches and mosques all seem to find space to flourish between the numerous green spaces and parks. Perfect for a stopover and even better for a longer stay.

Highlights

Traditionally a stopover on a long haul flight, Singapore is a destination in its own right.

Explore Singapore's main attractions

A relaxing cruise along the Singapore River that offers scenic views of the city's colonial buildings and its modern skyscrapers can be combined with an extravagant afternoon tea in the Tiffin Room at the 19th Century Raffles Hotel or at Ah Teng's Bakery. And of course, no visit to Singapore is complete without a cocktail at the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel, where visitors are encouraged to drop peanut shells on the floor, just as Somerset Maugham and Rudyard Kipling would have done "back in the day".

Nocturnal night safari

The Night Safari is a must-see. Using special lighting techniques and set in lush rainforest, the world’s first night zoo reveals what over 2500 nocturnal animals from 130 species get up to after dusk, in naturalistic habitats and without barriers. To see the zoo, take a 50 minute tram ride and observe lions gnawing on their dinners, mountain deer in striking poses and a rhino taking a bath. At designated points, visitors can disembark the tram to follow four walking trails in order to get closer to flying squirrels, dangling bats and a leopard or two.

Dine in the clouds

Rooftop bars in Singapore are a hot topic, each of them offering something different. 1-Altitude is 63 storeys up at One Raffles Place and is both the highest and one of the swankiest place to drink. CE LA VI, at the top of Marina Bay Sands Complex, has separate zones including a restaurant, chill-out lounge and a poolside terrace, while LeVel 33 is the highest microbrewery in the world, with stunning views of Marina Bay, house-brewed craft beers and gourmet-style pub grub. Cover charges may apply but the views make it worth it.

Super Sentosa Island

Sentosa Island is where the city comes to play. Theme and water parks, the S.E.A aquarium, beaches, Sentosa Golf Club and much more just 15 minutes away from the city centre on a monorail ride or on the cable car from Harbourfront.

When to visit

Being in the tropics and hot and humid, there isn’t a particular season that’s better for sightseeing in Singapore, with fairly consistent weather year round and not much of a difference between the wet season and the slightly drier summer season. In May and June, the heat is at its peak and there may be haze from the forest clearing fires in Sumatra.