The Ultimate Guide on Where to Stay in Singapore
The charming riverside Clarke Quay, the iconic and heart of modernity Marina Bay, the tree-lined entertainment boulevard Orchard Road, the vibrant and colourful Little India and the family-friendly beaches of Sentosa Island. Continue reading our guide on where to stay in Singapore!
Although Singapore is a major South-East Asian hub, you’ll feel worlds away from its surrounding neighbours. Known for being extremely modern and squeaky clean, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a European or an American city rather than an Asian one.
But dig a little deeper, explore past the towering glass skyscrapers and glitzy shopping malls and the Asian charm of the city with its traditions, cuisine and history will reveal itself.
The Lion City is a land of contrasts with incredible ethnic diversity. It’s a beautiful combination of Asian and European; historical and modern. You’ll quickly see why it’s been dubbed as the country where the East meets West.
Singapore is quite a compact city and you can explore the main highlights in a few days but there are many unique neighbourhoods you’ll feel like you’ve visited numerous countries just by walking between the districts.
Deciding where to base yourself can be a bit daunting. Here we’ve put together a guide on the different areas of the city to make your decision on where to stay in Singapore a lot easier.
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Contents
Clarke Quay
We’ll kick off our guide on where to stay in Singapore with Clarke Quay.
This charming riverside area has something to offer everyone. From alfresco-style dining to boutique shops, to pumping nightclubs to adrenaline-fuelled activities, you’ll never find a dull moment in Clarke Quay!
It hasn’t always been such fun and games here, however.
The Singapore River has been the centre of trade since modern Singapore was founded in 1819. The riverside streets were lined with warehouses and small riverboats would ferry goods from the large ships in the harbour to be stored in these warehouses.
Today, the warehouses still exist but they’ve been painted all kinds of bright colours and they’re a major entertainment hub hosting some of the cities nightlife hotspots.
This area is a favourite for Instagrammers with its delightful riverside setting and picturesque buildings. Basing yourself here is a great central location, within walking distance of a lot of the main attractions.
You’re also very close to Marina Bay but not paying the premium to stay there!
Marina Bay
Marina Bay has undergone a massive transformation and is the leader in the fast-paced development of Singapore. It’s the height of modernity and houses some of the cities most distinguished architectural treasures.
The focal point of the bay and renowned for transforming Singapore’s ever expanding skyline is Marina Bay Sands.
This integrated resort boasts luxury accommodation across three imposing towers that have what looks like a boat balancing across the top. This is the crown jewel of the resort; a rooftop pool offering sweeping views across the city!
If, however, you’re not staying at the hotel, you can visit the observation deck. In the mood for some retail therapy? Check out The Shoppes for endless luxury retailers.
Spend your evenings in some of the world’s finest eateries before heading to the casino, Marquee Nightclub or the Sands Theatre for some world-class entertainment.
Located by the waterfront is Gardens by the Bay; a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Meander your way around lush green conservatives full of flowers from across the globe or lose yourself in a cloud forest.
This horticultural masterpiece has won multiple awards educating visitors on plants rarely seen in this part of the world.
Another of Singapore’s iconic cultural landmarks is the ArtScience museum. The lotus design features ten finger structures symbolising Singapore’s welcoming hand.
Once inside, experience how this museum beautifully blends art and science to tell fascinating stories.
Our Top Tip: for unparalleled views across the city and Marina Bay, head to 1 – Altitude. Tickets are $40 and include 2 drinks.
Orchard Road
A wide 2.2km tree-lined boulevard providing a great base from which to explore the city. With over 5000 establishments in entertainment of some sort, it’ll be hard to drag yourself away.
Orchard Road dates back to the 1830s when fruit orchards and plantations stretched across the area. These have now made way for huge futuristic shopping malls; some of the world’s finest cuisine; nightlife hotspots from sophisticated cocktail bars to Japanese inspired drinking dens and endless entertainment options.
In contrast to the modern glitzy malls of Orchard Road, take a walk down Emerald Hill Road, a street frozen in time.
Most of the buildings here were built between 1900 and 1920 and it was once an upmarket residential neighbourhood for Chinese and Malaysian immigrants. The architecture is a pretty blend of art deco and Chinese Baroque style.
In this area, you’ll also find The Singapore Art Museum, The National Museum of Singapore and The Istana; where the president of Singapore’s office is.
Our Top Tip: make sure you don’t miss the Botanic Gardens. These beautiful gardens are the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and are perfect for exercising, enjoying a picnic or escaping the city’s hustle and bustle.
Little India
Little India is Singapore’s most vibrant and colourful area. Unlike the rest of the city, all glistening and orderly, this district is a bustling myriad of narrow alleys full of market stalls, temples and restaurants.
In the 1840s, this area was mainly housed by Europeans who lived here for the racecourse and social events. Then the cattle trade took off and the traders hired Indian migrant workers.
From here, mosques and Hindu temples were constructed and it has become one of Singapore’s most dynamic regions.
Little India very much retains its unique heritage. It’s a tantalising blend of old and new with modern street art and eateries nestled amongst age-old temples and market vendors.
It’s also one of the smallest districts and can be easily explored by foot or bike in a day or two.
An incredible area for shopping with endless options for everyone.
Head to the 24 hour Mustafa Centre selling over 300,000 items of everything you could possibly think of. Or head to the Tekka Centre for a genuine local shopping experience from Bollywood music to silk for saris.
Our Top Tip: arrive hungry! There are so many yummy delicacies you’ll want to try absolutely everything you can feast your eyes on! From the varied regional cuisine from South Asia to Northern Indian dishes; follow your nose and you’ll find some new favourites.
Sentosa Island
Singapore’s state of fun! Sentosa is a man-made island accessible by a road bridge and cable car and absolutely chocka with entertainment!
Prior to World War II, this island was a British military fortress. Once Singapore returned to British rule the island was renamed ‘Sentosa’ meaning peace and tranquillity.
Over the years, Sentosa has transformed into a sunny island full of adrenaline-fuelled activities, Universal Studios, tropical rainforest, relaxing nature walks and white sand beaches.
A favourite amongst families, if you’re looking for more of a resort-style base to explore the best of Singapore, Sentosa Island is the place for you.
Civic District
This is the birthplace of modern Singapore and lies at the heart of the city. Here you’ll find some of Singapore’s most historically important landmarks such as key government buildings, memorials, parks and fascinating museums.
Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore, assigned the area north of the river to the British. Here he had built banks, churches, clubs, hotels and offices to meet the needs of a thriving trade post.
Many of the historical buildings have been completely restored over the years with many also being reborn to fulfil another purpose.
If you’re looking for the City Hall and the former Supreme Court, you’ll now see the National Gallery of Singapore after a massive four-year restoration. Here you’ll find the world’s largest collection of South East Asian art.
It’d be a crime to visit this area of the city and not pop into Raffles. This magnificent world-renowned hotel was built in 1887 and now proudly stands as a Singapore icon.
Admire its colonial-era architecture, relax in the shaded courtyard with a book, shop in high-end boutiques in the Raffles Hotel Shopping Arcade or visit the exhibits in the Raffles Museum. Make sure you visit Long Bar to taste the original Singapore Sling!
If arts and culture are where your interests lie then centre yourself right in the heart of it and stay in the Civic District.
With fantastic MRT links and in close walking distance to Marina Bay, Clarke Quay and Orchard Road, this is a great base from which to explore the other areas of the city.
Bugis & Kampong Glam
These two diverse neighbourhoods were once an ethnic enclave for the Muslim community and have merged to become a melting pot of religion, architecture, shopping and cuisine.
Originally this area was a booming port town. In Malay, ‘Kampong’ means ‘compound’ and glam comes from the gelem tree which were found here and used for boat-making, medicine and seasoning in cooking.
Traditionally, the streets were filled with mosques, carpet shops and Middle Eastern cuisine and after-dinner entertainment consisted of shisha and apple tea.
More recently, however, the area has seen an increase in cocktail bars and live music venues that have a bit of a bohemian vibe about them.
Saunter amongst the picturesque streets with the beautifully restored shophouses offering some of Singapore’s unusual hole-in-the-wall boutiques selling cult labels and vintage clothing. Admire the quirky street art, quaint restaurants and bars and delightful cultural spots.
There are many culinary delights from all over the world here. From local delicacies to Japanese, Swedish, Mexican and Middle Eastern, you’ll have a hard time trying to decide what to eat next!
Chinatown
This is a Chinatown like no other. This district has a rich multi-ethnic culture and proudly has it on display. While historically this was an area of settlement for many Chinese immigrants, you’ll also find other cultural treasures in this neighbourhood.
It’s also the only Chinatown in the world where you’ll stumble across a Buddhist temple, a mosque and a Hindu temple on the same street.
Chinatown is adored for its fusion of old and new. Historic temples and medicine halls brushing shoulders with flashy new bars and fashionable shops.
The maze of narrow roads with the street hawkers and fragrant smells of traditional cuisine and souvenir shops selling crafts and antiques. While Club Street is full of trendy wine bars.
This neighbourhood is a riot of colour and perfectly located to explore the tourist hotspots of the city. If you’re interested in learning about a myriad of different cultures, this is the area to base yourself.
To Know Before You Go
What currency do I need for Singapore?
In Singapore, they use the Singapore Dollar which today 1 USD is approximately 1.36 SGD.
What plug socket do I need?
You will need plug type G which we have in the UK.
What is the best time to visit Singapore?
Singapore is typically a year-round destination but the driest months tend to be February through to April.
Do I need a visa?
As a UK passport holder, you don’t need a visa for stays up to 90 days.
How long should I spend in Singapore?
Singapore is one of those countries, that although is small, you can spend weeks here and still not have covered everything!
It’s a great stopover city if you just have 2 or 3 nights, you can see some of the main highlights. You can also spend a couple of weeks here if you base yourself on Sentosa Island so you have a great mix of city time and beach time.
With Singapore being such a major hub for a lot of airlines, it’s a very popular stopover city. It’s a great choice to break up a journey if you’re heading over to Australia or New Zealand as it’s about halfway.
Being so close to Malaysia it’s also a great choice if you’re planning on a longer trip here and also want to incorporate Singapore. Read our Kuala Lumpur post if you’re looking for some inspiration on what to see while you’re there.
With not as many flight options over to Bali as many other destinations, you may find yourself in Singapore for at least a couple of hours before your connecting flight. Why not add a couple of nights on your way out to break up the flights?
We hope you found this blog on where to stay in Singapore helpful. If you have any other questions, feel free to leave us a comment or get in contact!