City Rating: Singapore
Population: 5,600,000
Date of visit: December 2019
Attractions & sights: 4/5
Nightlife: 3/5
Safety: 5/5
Infrastructure: 5/5
Low budget factor: 1/5
Total: 👍👍👍👍/5
Singapore in a nutshell:
The small Southeast Asian city-state is an ultra-modern city that has emerged over the last 50 years. Singapore may not be the most interesting city in terms of history, but it is still a very good stopover destination with an abundance of world-class restaurants, (rooftop) bars and luxury hotels. In addition, Singapore differs from other cities in the region in that there is almost no traffic jam and no smog.
Where to stay:
I stayed in the city center each time (once at the Swissôtel the Stamford and once at the Sofitel City Centre). That was always the best choice for me, as places like Chinatown or the Merlion Garden and Marina Bay are within walking distance. Of course, the city center is also more expensive than the quarters outside.
Since Singapore has a good metro and the Uber equivalent Grab allows affordable taxi rides, a cheaper hotel outside the city center can also be a good option if you’re on a budget.
The Good:
Singapore offers enough entertainment for two or three days. Classic sightseeing includes attractions such as Gardens by the Bay, Merlion Garden, the Marina Bay Sands, the Art Science Museum or Sentosa Island. Most of the attractions are relatively close together and can be visited in one day. If you want to add Sentosa Island, it will take another day.
Singapore is a multi-ethnic state and the many cultural influences can be seen everywhere. For example in Chinatown and Little India, which are like small Chinese and Indian cities within the ultra modern metropolis. Chinatown is within walking distance from the city center and Little India is only a short taxi ride away.
In general, transportation in Singapore is very easy. Grab is a cheap taxi option and there is also a metro which is even cheaper to get from one place to another. Singapore has very high car taxes and therefore strongly regulates the number of cars. This is the reason why the city is practically free of traffic jams. Even at rush hour, there is a high probability of getting around without traffic jams, which is unique in this part of the world.
Equally unique is the fact that there is no smog in Singapore. Compared to other Asian cities, the sky is mostly blue and the air clear.
Another strength of Singapore is the good food scene. Due to the cultural diversity it is not surprising that there are restaurants with food from practically all over the world. The range goes from cheap streetfood to Michelin restaurants, everyone will find something to suit their taste.
The bar scene is also excellent. The Boat Quay and the Clark Quay are very popular with tourists, where you can have excellent drinks and a good number of fine restaurants. I would still prefer the Boat Quay. The Clark Quay is also worth a visit, but it looks like a tourist mile in Cancun or Gran Canaria with bright lights and loud music.
But the real attractions are the rooftop bars of Singapore. Here, one is spoilt for choice, as there are so many in the city. We chose the CÉ LA VI from Marina Bay Sands Hotel and the 1-Altitude Bar. These sky bars have quite steep prices. The CÉ LA VI costs the equivalent of 20 USD entrance fee (including a drink that costs at least the same). The 1-Altitude has an even more expensive entrance fee. It goes without saying that you have to pay for the view. But I can only recommend the Marina Sands Bay Bar. 1-Altitude is higher, but is generally a mediocre bar.
Beside all these advantages, Singapore is also an excellent city for shopping. There are several shopping malls and stores in the city center and on Orchard Road. If that is not enough, at the airport there is “The Pearl”, one of the most beautiful shopping malls in the world.
And speaking of airports: Changi Airport is voted the best airport in the world year after year. And not without reason. This airport is an attraction in itself and if you have enough time, it is worth going there several hours before departure to have enough time to explore it.
The Bad & the Ugly:
All in all, Singapore is a fantastic city for a short stopover. However, it doesn’t take too long until you have seen everything of it. Therefore, I’d rather recommend Singapore for a stopover than a real holiday destination. There are also some other things to criticize about the small city-state:
Customs are strict. Many things that are considered normal in the rest of the world cannot be taken to Singapore. That’s why it is necessary to check your medications and see if you need a special permit to get them through customs. Certain medications such as sleeping pills or pain killers need a permit of the ministry of health.
Moreover, Singapore is anything than a budget-friendly destination and definitely the most expensive place in the region.
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