Destination guide: Singapore

Visiting Singapore for the first time?  

Gardens by the Bay isn’t your typical garden. It’s home to a vast array of plant life and is one of the best places to visit in Singapore. Both climate-controlled domes, the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest are very impressive conservatories.  

Kampong Glam is Singapore’s Muslim and Arab neighbourhood. It’s Singapore’s oldest urban quarter—in 1822 it was allocated by Sir Stamford Raffles (the founder of the city) to the Malay and Arab communities. Check out the city’s biggest mosque, the Masjid Sultan (or Sultan Mosque) - its huge golden dome and four minarets cannot be easily missed. 

A trip to Singapore is not complete without a visit to the remarkable 23 storey-high hotel, Marina Bay Sands. So many of the great things to do and see in the area revolve around this epic building and resort. The Bayfront MRT connects you directly into the hotel, making it easy to reach. 

Universal Studios Singapore: a great family attraction if you fancy a day of fun! Situated on the Sentosa Island in Singapore, get the MRT to Harbourfront MRT and transfer to the Sentosa Express taking you across the water to the island. 

Looking for something different?  

Explore Singapore’s wet markets. Discover the spots where locals shop for fresh produce, frozen meats, spices, dried foods, and more in neighbourhoods like Tiong Bahru (Tiong Bahru Wet Market), Chinatown (Chinatown Complex) and Little India (Tekka Centre). The best bit? You could venture out and explore the heartlands in these areas to see what the locals are really up to.

Try your hand at rock climbing at Kallang Wave Mall. There's also the Escape Room if you fancy working on puzzles in a limited amount of time.

Want to go further?   

Coney Island (also known as Serangoon Island) has long been the focus of sustainability and environmental initiatives and even led to it closing its gates to the public at one time. Now it has reopened, visitors can come and explore how the natural elements of the park are maintained and learn about water and energy conservation.

Visit Malaysia and take a day trip to Melaka. Jump on a bus from Singapore and visit the iconic landmark of Stadthuys – its vivid terracotta red buildings, that glow more salmon pink in the sun.