We spent 3 nights in Singapore, during which we managed to get a good overall impression of the city and visit our desired sights. There is plenty to see in Singapore for a longer trip, and we would love to return.
Our trip coincided with Chinese New Year, a major celebration in Asia. Everywhere we went, from streets to malls to parks, was adorned with beautiful decorations and markets for the celebration. The exact date of the New Year (February 10th this year) was somewhat unclear to us during our trip, as various events were advertised throughout February. In 2025, Chinese New Year will be on January 19th. The festivities seem to span about two weeks on either side of the date.
Hotel in Singapore: J8 Hotel
We chose J8 Hotel in the Kallang area, about 2.5 km from Marina Bay. It was relatively well-located, with nearby attractions including the Little India neighborhood and Haji Lane. Public transportation was also convenient, with Lavender MRT station a 700-meter walk away. However, we prefer walking and exploring the surroundings, so we used public transport relatively little.
Otherwise, the hotel was not perfect; the room was a bit shabby and unclean. But this was somewhat expected, as it was a cheap hotel by Singaporean standards, costing 75 EUR per night. However, the room did have a window, which is not a given in many Singaporean hotel rooms. This was a necessity for us that we were not willing to compromise on. The lobby was clean but small, and the hotel had an attached restaurant.
Singapore Attractions
Marina Bay
Marina Bay is one of the most iconic areas in Singapore, home to the famous Marina Bay Sands hotel. We explored the area both during the day and at night, and both times are highly recommended for different atmospheres. During the day, you can admire the futuristic skyscrapers along the waterfront promenade, and at night, the lights create a truly magnificent ambiance.
There is plenty to see and do around Marina Bay, including the ArtScience Museum, Singapore Flyer, Merlion statue, and Gardens by the Bay. The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands mall is also worth a visit. Even if luxury shopping isn’t your thing, the mall itself is impressive, featuring a Venetian canal with gondola rides.
Gardens by the bay
The futuristic supertrees of Gardens by the Bay are also iconic landmarks of Singapore and are a must-see. The area is a lush park that provides a pleasant contrast to the urban cityscape. Like Marina Bay, Gardens by the Bay is worth visiting both during the day and at night. There is a light show every evening where the trees are illuminated beautifully. The light shows are at 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM. If you have to choose between visiting during the day or at night, we recommend the evening light show.
There were also Chinese New Year-related events here, with many beautiful light decorations, various performances, and food markets with carnival rides.
The park area also has two domed conservatories, Cloud Forest and Flower Dome, which we plan to visit next time.
Sky Garden at CapitaSpring
We came across a social media post about an observation deck in a skyscraper and decided to visit it. Sky Garden at CapitaSpring is a beautiful, park-like terrace with stunning views over the city and, best of all, it’s free!
However, we didn’t realize that you need to book a time slot for your visit in advance. We thought we could just show up, but found out on-site that the next few days were fully booked. We recommend planning your visit ahead of time and booking a slot. You can check the availability and make a reservation here.
This was a bit disappointing, but there are plenty of other sights in the world, and we weren’t dependent on just one spot. It left something for our next visit.
Singapore Changi Airport
We believe Singapore Changi Airport is one of the city’s attractions, as it has been repeatedly voted the world’s best airport. We’ve already detailed the airport’s attractions and their locations in a previous post. Here’s a quick summary of the must-see sights at Singapore Changi Airport: the world’s largest indoor waterfall, a cinema, numerous indoor and outdoor gardens, a treetop walk, and much more. You can easily spend a longer wait time here.
Read more in our post about Singapore Changi Airport ➛
Sentosa island
Sentosa Island is Singapore’s leisure hub, offering various theme parks like Universal Studios, beautiful beaches, a large aquarium, a water park, and a big mall VivoCity. You can easily spend several days exploring the attractions and activities on Sentosa Island. The island is easily accessible, e.g. by MRT.
Read more in our post about Universal Studios Singapore ➛
Neighborhoods and Streets
Chinatown
Chinatowns are always interesting neighborhoods, and Singapore’s Chinatown is no exception. The streets have a lovely atmosphere, adorned with colorful old Chinese shophouses that host numerous restaurants and small shops. Major attractions in Chinatown include the ornate Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple and the large, red Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, which houses a tooth of Buddha. Pagoda Street is considered the main street of Chinatown, where you’ll also find the Chinatown Heritage Centre museum, detailing the history of Singapore’s Chinatown.
Little India
Little India is known for its colorful houses and murals, which we admired while strolling the streets at dusk. The scents of food and spices waft through the streets, whetting your appetite. There are many food and goods stalls and restaurants along the streets, so you won’t go hungry, and there’s plenty to marvel at.
Little India also has the ornate Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple. We walked past it late at night when it was closed and unlit, so we didn’t see it at its best. Overall, Little India is a charming neighborhood that is worth exploring during your visit to Singapore.
Haji Lane, Arab Quarter
Haji Lane in the Arab Quarter is a very atmospheric, narrow pedestrian street lined with colorful and ornate houses, featuring cozy restaurants and cafes. The houses also boast beautiful and skillful murals. This street was conveniently on our way from the hotel to downtown, but it’s also worth visiting separately. Nearby Arab Street is also worth a visit, and other interesting spots in the area include the large Sultan Mosque and Malay Heritage Centre.
