Singapore: a city of many identities

Singapore is a true melting pot: Chinese, Malay, Indian, Peranakan and many other influences layered together. In a single day you can wander past temples, mosques and churches, eat your way around half of Asia and move from historic shophouses to soaring glass towers in minutes.

It is also one of the easiest cities in the world to explore. The public transport system is clean, quick and intuitive, taxis are plentiful and affordable, and it feels incredibly safe and organised. At the same time, it has genuine heart and character if you know where to look.

On top of that, Singapore is an incredible hub for wider Asian adventures. From Changi International Airport (what an airport!) you can be in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan or beyond in just a few hours. It works beautifully as both a stand‑alone city break and a springboard into the rest of Asia.

Here are some of my favourite ways to experience Singapore, drawn from my own time living there.

Neighbourhoods that show Singapore’s different sides

Haji Lane & the Arab Quarter

Colourful shophouses, independent boutiques, vibrant murals and a great café and bar scene. This is one of my favourite areas for simply wandering, people‑watching and soaking up the energy, with the beautiful Sultan Mosque as a backdrop. You can snack your way along the streets, stopping for Middle Eastern bites, local coffee or a rooftop drink.

Little India

Little India is all about sensory overload in the best way: bright colours, incense, flower garlands, gold shops and fantastic South Indian food. It is a brilliant place to explore on foot and enjoy a very different side of Singapore to the usual sleek city images.

Chinatown, Tanjong Pagar & Duxton Hill

Chinatown is a blend of old and new: lantern‑strung streets, markets and traditional medicine shops alongside trendy bars and restaurants. It is home to some of the city’s most beautiful temples and excellent hawker food.

From here, wander into Tanjong Pagar  and Duxton Hill, where narrow side streets are lined with beautifully restored shophouses. This is one of my favourite areas to feel “modern” Singapore: tiny espresso bars, stylish cocktail spots, independent boutiques and busy local eateries all mixed together. Early evening, when the bars and restaurants start to fill up and the fairy lights come on, it has a wonderful buzz.

Orchard Road

Orchard is shopping heaven, but it is also a very “Singapore” experience. The malls connect underground in a cool, air‑conditioned network of walkways. You can move between them without stepping back out into the heat, discovering hidden shops and food courts as you go, from quick hawker‑style bites to glossy patisseries.

Gardens, greenery and iconic views

Gardens by the Bay

Singapore’s futuristic garden: towering Supertrees, climate‑controlled domes and imaginative planting. It feels like stepping into an alternative botanical world. Visit later in the day and stay for the evening light show when the Supertrees come alive.

Singapore Botanic Gardens

A complete contrast to Gardens by the Bay, the Botanic Gardens are lush, tropical and wonderfully peaceful. This is where you really feel the equatorial climate, with dense greenery, lakes and an excellent orchid garden.

Marina Bay & the riverside

I love taking a boat along the river from Boat Quay or Clarke Quay and then walking the promenade towards Marina Bay:

• Stroll past the historic Fullerton area
• Stop by the Merlion for that classic view back to the skyline
• Continue around the bay to admire Marina Bay Sands from every angle

For a real “pinch‑me” moment, head up to one of the rooftop bars at Marina Bay Sands and watch the city glow beneath you.

Singapore Flyer

The Singapore Flyer, similar in concept to the London Eye, offers sweeping views over the island, out towards the port and across to neighbouring Malaysia on a clear day. It is a lovely way to understand the layout of the city from above.

My favourite walk in Singapore

My favourite walk runs from the CBD at Raffles Place through to Tanjong Pagar, taking in Amoy Street and Telok Ayer Streets.

I love how this route unfolds:

• Traditional shophouses that once belonged to fishermen and early traders
• Hidden coffee shops, cocktail bars and tiny eateries tucked between the buildings
• Hawker centres serving local Singapore classics
• Slick skyscrapers and Michelin‑starred restaurants rising above it all
• Hindu temples, Buddhist temples and mosques sharing the same street

It is one of the best ways to see old and new Singapore literally side by side, and to taste just how international the food scene is.

My own must‑eats along the way include a steaming bowl of Vietnamese beef pho, a visit to one of the many Din Tai Fung Taiwanese dim sum restaurants, fresh coconut water drunk straight from the shell in a hawker centre and, a Singaporean chicken satay.

Island time: Sentosa & the East Coast

If you want a change of pace, hop over to Sentosa Island:

• Relax on the (man‑made but very enjoyable) beaches
• Spend the day at a chic beach club such as Tanjong Beach Club
• Keep the children entertained at Universal Studios, the aquarium and other family attractions
• Explore Sentosa marina with some fantastic waterfront dining options

For something more active, head to East Coast Park. You can hire bikes and cycle for miles along the waterfront, stopping for a swim, a picnic or fresh seafood at one of the park’s casual restaurants. It is a lovely way to see Singaporeans at play and enjoy the sea breeze.

Heritage, hideaways & hotel icons

Raffles Hotel

Even if you are not staying there, Raffles is worth visiting for its sense of old‑world glamour. Order a Singapore Sling, crunch a few peanuts and soak up the history and atmosphere.

Dempsey Hill

Set on a former military base, Dempsey Hill is now a leafy enclave of cafés, restaurants, galleries and lifestyle stores. It feels like an escape from the city without leaving it and is perfect for a lazy brunch or early evening drink.

Getting around & getting out

Singapore makes it wonderfully easy to explore:

• Public transport: The MRT is clean, efficient and excellent value, very similar in concept to the London Underground but far newer and easier to navigate.
• Taxis & ride‑hailing: Plentiful, relatively inexpensive and a great option in the heat or with children.
• Boats: River cruises and harbour trips offer a fun, scenic way to see the skyline from the water.

From Changi International Airport, a range of full‑service and low‑cost airlines connect you to the rest of Asia, and there are also road links into Malaysia and ferries out to nearby islands. This is why I so often recommend Singapore as either a stand‑alone destination or the perfect start or end point for a wider Asian itinerary.

Planning your Singapore adventure

Singapore is so much more than a quick stopover. With the right planning, it can be:

• A richly layered city break where you really get beneath the surface
• A family‑friendly introduction to Asia that still feels wonderfully easy and safe
• A stylish base for exploring wider Southeast Asia

If you would like to experience Singapore through the eyes of someone who has lived there, I would love to design a tailored itinerary for you, whether it is part of a bigger Asian adventure or a standalone escape. Contact me to start planning your Singapore journey, from rooftop cocktails and hidden temples to hawker feasts, cycling by the water and lazy days on Sentosa.