Reimagine the Singapore you’ve seen before with our list of neighborhoods that every kind of traveler needs to explore during their trip!
Have you booked your flight to Singapore yet? We sure hope you did! Since travel to Singapore is finally back, you can once again make your way around the bustling city and rediscover what makes the Southeast Asian country a go-to travel destination. The best thing about the great Lion City is undoubtedly the endless number of things to do, whether you’re there for two days or two weeks!
To our fellow jetsetters still building out their Singapore itinerary, we’ve created a handy travel guide to Singapore neighborhoods for every kind of traveler. Get the low-down on the best neighborhoods to visit whether you’re a foodie, adrenaline chaser, or even an international influencer!
Must-Visit Singapore Neighborhoods for Every Kind of Traveler!
1. For Adrenaline Chasers – seek out exciting thrills with all that Sentosa has to offer
A visit to Singapore is never complete without a trip to sunny Sentosa. With thrilling theme parks like Universal Studios Singapore and some of the best beaches in the city like Siloso Beach, you’ll surely need more than a day or two to fully experience every exciting attraction. What we particularly love about the famed island district is that it’s a place for all ages – whether you’re young or young at heart.
Those traveling with little ones can spend a day under the sun at family-friendly water attractions like Adventure Cove Waterpark or in futuristic playgrounds at HeadRock VR. Traveling with a fellow Adrenaline Chaser? We highly recommend checking out the ultimate bonding experience during your trip – a tandem bungy jump experience at Skypark Sentosa! The 47m high leap of faith will have you freefalling for 2.5 seconds with the beauty of Siloso Beach as your backdrop.
Klook tip: When planning your itinerary, don’t forget to avail a Sentosa Fun Pass beforehand to enjoy discounts on your activities and make your trip even more worthwhile!
2. Foodies will love eating their way through Chinatown, Civic District, Katong, and Joo Chiat
Singapore isn’t called Food City for no reason! Home to a melting pot of rich cultures like Malay, Chinese, and Indian, there’s no doubt that Singapore is the perfect destination for traveling foodies out there. While Satay by the Bay and Newton Food Centre are must-visit spots, we’ve got four neighbourhoods we’d like to throw in for your consideration! Highly recommended by our local friends, trips to the neighbourhoods of Chinatown, Civic District, Katong, and Joo Chiat are not to be missed if you’re planning out a great food adventure in the city.
Each district stands out on its own and provide you with a rich mouth watering experience of the food culture it represents. Katong and Joo Chiat are the heart of Peranakan culture in the city, and one of the best places to get a good bowl of spicy noodle laksa and Malay-inspired nasi lemak. Chinatown, known for its wide selection of restaurants and bars, is also home to iconic Michelin-starred food stalls like Chan Hon Meng and the Maxwell Food Centre, where popular Hainanese Chicken Rice restaurant Tian Tian is. However, if modern eateries and flavors from around the world are what you crave for, Civic District can satisfy that hunger!
To those who prefer to not only taste the cuisine but also learn a bit more as they explore these neighbourhoods, we suggest checking out some of Klook’s food experiences like the guided walking tours around Chinatown or Katong and Joo Chiat. Level up your experience and unlock a new recipe with our Ultimate Food Journey that will not only take you from one hawker center to the next, but also teach you how to make Popiah (spring rolls) from scratch. Buffets more your style? Check out Edge in Pan Pacific Singapore for a theatrical dining experience.
Klook tip: Starting your morning at Katong and Joo Chiat? We suggest ordering a plate of one of Singapore’s signature breakfast treats: kaya toast and kopi! The popular jam made from eggs, sugar, coconut milk, and pandan leaves is usually paired off with an optional soft boiled egg and the strong coffee sweetened with condensed and evaporated milk.
3. Culture Vultures are invited to explore the historical gems on the streets of Katong, Kampong Glam, and Little India
If you’ve finished exploring the historical landmarks at the Civic District and Boat Quay, might we interest you in immersing yourself even more in Singapore’s rich heritage at Katong, Kampong Glam, and Little India? Culture Vultures thinking of learning about the stories of Singapore should make their way to these three neighbourhoods to experience each distinct side of the city’s history.
As mentioned earlier, Katong is the home of Peranakan culture. Peranakan is an Indonesian/Malay word for “local born”, often referred to locals with Chinese and Malay/Indonesian heritage. Once the weekend escape of wealthy locals from the city, Katong has since evolved to become a residential suburb bustling with good cuisine and heritage. Catch glimpses of what life was like in 20th-century Singapore as you pass by heritage shop houses and iconic restaurants.
To those interested in visiting the trendy and hipster spots of Kampong Glam, you should know that it’s actually considered as one of the oldest urban quarters of Singapore. Dating as far back as the 1820s, Kampong Glam was the neighborhood where Malay, Arab, and Bugis communities lived. The well-preserved neighborhood’s well-preserved stands today as a proud representation of Singapore’s Muslim culture.
People may want to visit Little India for its hip cafes and amazing street art, but the colorful historical district is actually two-centuries old! Experience the blend of modern and traditional culture through the age-old temples and specialty shops the distinct holds.
Of course, the best way to fully experience the wonders of the cultural neighbourhoods is with a dash of local insights as you go around. To our Detail Commanders figuring out how to tour the area, why not book a heritage and food Tour in Little India, a walking tour of Joo Chiat and Katong, or a "royalty to trendy" walking tour of Kampong Glam during your visit (or maybe even try all three out!)? It’ll be plus because you won’t even have to think too much about building another itinerary for the day!
Culture Vultures will also enjoy a day trip to the The Intan Peranakan Heritage Museum for an hour-long tour of the museum topped of with tea and homemade refreshments. Lastly, Scenic Enthusiasts will enjoy a day out rediscovering Singapore from the comforts of a stylish Vespa sidecar by Singapore Sidecars.
4. For shopaholics, Orchard Road and Civic District are unmissable stops for a memorable shopping spree
Orchard Road and Civic District are calling all shopaholics! Any avid shopper visiting Singapore should dedicate a day to weaving through these bustling destinations, whether it be for their big luxury brands or unique local boutiques. If you’re hoping to buy a luxurious item or two from brands like Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co., Orchard Road is where it’s at. Once an unnamed road to fruit orchards, nutmeg plantations, and pepper farms, it has now become the city’s most famous shopping location and home to shopping complexes like ION Orchard and Paragon and trendy malls like Far East Plaza and 313@somerset.
If you’re looking for something new and refreshing, head down to Design Orchard where you’ll find a naturalistic retail space featuring products designed by Singaporean designers. We personally like The Animal Project, Brewerkz, and Carrie K.
Though it may not be the first location you think about for shopping, one shouldn’t count out a trip to Civic District for a good ‘ol spending spree. Aside from being one of the city’s main historical and cultural spots, the district offers both local shops with one-of-a-kind finds like the art shops in Esplanade or commercial malls with your favorite fashion labels like Suntec City and Raffles Hotel Shopping Arcade as your options. You can definitely fit in a day of experiencing history with a dose of a shopper’s splurge when in Civic District.
When you’re finally ready to drop after you’ve shopped, why not wind down and rest your feet with a relaxing reflexology massage at Kenko Wellness in Orchard Road. It’ll re-energize you enough to once again conquer all the shops and malls you may have missed! If you’re looking for a different kind of energy boost, a trip to Coffeesmith at Orchard Gateway is a great place for some good old coffee and cake. And if coffee and cake is not enough to re-energize your spirits, why not treat yourself to a buffet lunch or dinner at Melt Cafe in Mandarin Oriental? You know you deserve it!
Klook tip: Try scheduling your trip during the Great Singapore Sale, one of the city’s biggest shopping events usually held around June or July. Though shopping in Singapore is top tier all year-round, we’re pretty sure epic sale prices and discounted finds will be an even sweeter deal to your pocket!
5. Nature lovers can reconnect with the wonders of the outdoors at Mandai, Sentosa, and East Coast
Breathing in the fresh air or meeting the fascinating wildlife of Mandai, Sentosa, or East Coast will have our Nature Lovers (and maybe even the Scenic Enthusiasts!) bursting with excitement on their day out! The three neighbourhoods are famously known for their outdoor experiences and zoos that travelers, especially families, love to stop by at.
Local and visiting sports and outdoor aficionados have most likely spent a day out at East Coast enjoying the sporting and entertainment attractions of the area. You’ll always be able to spot cyclists or roller bladers zooming past beach goers along the 15km stretch of sandy beach or find locals enjoying the scenic green landscapes of East Coast Park, the latter of which is actually a fantastic place to enjoy a memorable glamping experience.
Animal enthusiasts should drop by Mandai and Sentosa for some fun memories with the animals of the Singapore Zoo, S.E.A. Aquarium, and more. The two neighbourhoods are home to the award-winning wildlife experiences and even one of the world’s largest collections of live corals. We were pretty much wide-eyed and thrilled when we came face-to-face with the bottlenose dolphins of the Dolphin Discovery at Sentosa – a day to remember!
Klook tip: Travelers just arriving or about to fly out can still enjoy the peacefulness of nature at Changi Airport’s Butterfly and Sunflower Garden, located in Terminal 3 and 2 respectively.
6. International Influencers can pamper themselves in style at Marina Bay and Sentosa
Probably two of the most well-known neighbourhoods of Singapore, Marina Bay and Sentosa are the places to be for a glamourous time in the city. The glitzof the upscale district and island resort are peak examples of the new city living and high life to be experienced in Singapore.
The modern skyline of the city dotted with architectural icons like the Marina Bay Sands and Sands Skypark are clearly enjoyed by those in the waterfront district. International Influencers, your feed will be popping with quality content with all the Instagram-worthy spots around the area like popular Cloud Forest and the SuperGrove trees in Garden by the Bay.
If you’re spending most of your vacation at Sentosa, check out Equarius Hotel in Resorts World Sentosa. Near the tropical rainforest of the island, the 4.5-star hotel is the ideal island getaway that boasts panoramic forest and sea views in your modern and lush hotel room. Traveling with kids? While you’re there, make sure to check out Jumptopia or grab yourself a Sentosa fun pass for access to multiple attractions including the popular Wings of Time, Kidzania, the Butterfly Park and Animal Kingdom.
Klook tip: To those who want to ride around Singapore in comfort throughout the trip, consider booking a private transfer from Singapore Changi Airport, or even booking a limousine tour around the city for stress-free and stylish time on wheels.
There’s always something new to experience in Singapore
Now, seasoned travelers to Singapore may be wondering, “what else can I do that I haven’t done before?” Don’t fret because the city still has so much more in store for you aside from its many iconic attractions and landmarks. Merry Makers should watch out for upcoming festivals like Gastobeats & LightWave Singapore, an exciting street and hawker food festival with performances and playgrounds to enjoy. To those who’ve already visited River Wonders Singapore, you’ll definitely want to head back there again with and meet the first baby panda born in Singapore! Wellness Seekers visiting may want to try a digitized and touchless perfume making activity at the new Scentopia Sentosa. Take home a signature scent that best suits your personality but also enjoy the bonus augmented reality experience when you visit.
All that being said, with the exciting energy that Singapore has to offer, you’ll always have something new to look forward to with every visit to the city!
