Singapore is an island nation and city-state in the Southeast Asian maritime region. It is located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, about 85 miles (137 km) north of the equator, The country consists of the diamond-shaped island of Singapore and about 60 smaller islands; the main island occupies about 730 square kilometers. Singapore was also named the best solo travel destination for 2024 by Lonely Planet for the first time in Southeast Asia.
Singapore has a tropical rainforest climate, with warm and humid weather year-round. Average daily temperatures range from 25 to 32 degrees Celsius (77 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit). There is little temperature variation between seasons, making the climate relatively stable. Singapore receives heavy rainfall throughout the year, with no distinct dry season. The wettest months are usually from November to January, while the drier months are generally from May to July. However, even in the drier months, brief showers or thunderstorms are possible. Singapore is known for its high humidity, often over 80%. Humidity, combined with warm temperatures, can make people feel hotter than they are. It is recommended to stay hydrated wear light, breathable clothing when exploring the city, and try to go out in the mornings and evenings.
Singapore is known for its multicultural population, which includes Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Eurasian ethnic groups. The country has four official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. Singapore is also known for its cleanliness and safety. The city-state has strict laws and regulations, which makes its streets well-maintained and crime rates low, providing visitors with a sense of security.
Singapore’s efficient public transportation system, including buses, Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), and taxis, makes it easy for visitors to get around the city and explore its various attractions.
Singapore is known for its unique blend of cultures, vibrant city life, stunning skyline, diverse attractions, extensive bike paths abundant green spaces, and lush gardens. The country is also renowned for its food culture, which includes dishes such as Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, and chili crab. From hawker centers to Michelin-starred restaurants serving worldclass cuisine, there is always something to please your taste buds.
Shopaholics will be delighted by the many shopping options in Singapore. From luxury brands on Orchard Road to bustling street markets such as Bugis Street, visitors can find everything from high-end fashion to unique souvenirs.
Singapore is a melting pot of different cultures, including Chinese, Malay, Indian, and
Western. Visitors can explore vibrant ethnic neighborhoods such as Chinatown, Tiong Bahru, Geylang, Joo Chiat, Little India, Geylang Serai, and Kampong Glam and experience the rich cultural heritage, traditions, and delicious cuisine of each community.
Here are some attractions museums and hiking and cycling trails to explore:
- Gardens by the Bay, Travelers’ Choice Awards 2024. Ranked 8th among the top 10 attractions in the world, Gardens by the Bay features the Supertrees, Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, Outdoor Gardens, and Marina Barrage. It is recommended to visit between 3 and 4 in the afternoon to watch the Supertree light show before heading to Marina Bay Sands.
- Marina Bay Sands, attractions include casinos, shopping malls, ArtScience Museum, Spectra-Light and Water Show and Red Dot Design Museum.
- Singapore Riverwalk attractions include STPI (Creative Workshop and Gallery), SCDF’s Civil Defence Heritage Gallery, National Gallery, Old Parliament House Art House, Asian Civilisations Museum, Empress Place, Esplanade, War Memorial Park and Merlion Park, It is recommended to visit the museum and observation deck in the morning and afternoon and visit Empress Place and Merlion Park in the evening.
- Fort Canning Park, attractions include Battlebox. Fort Canning Park is a beautiful park known for its spectacular natural scenery and rich plant species. The park has vast lawns, lakes and gardens, providing an ideal relaxing place. Visitors can walk, picnic, bird watch, or enjoy flower exhibitions here. It is recommended to go there early in the morning to avoid the high temperature at noon and visit the nearby National Museum of Singapore in the afternoon.
- Sentosa Island, attractions include Universal Studios Singapore, Dolphin Island, S.E.A. Aquarium, Adventure Cove Waterpark, Sentosa Sensoryscape, Fort Siloso, Skyline Luge Singapore, Madame Tussauds, SkyHelix Sentosa, Sentosa 4D AdventureLand, Trickeye Singapore, iFly Singapore, Mega Adventure Park, Sentosa Musical Fountain, Singapore cable car and beaches. A two-day itinerary is recommended to cover the entire island.
- Mandai Wildlife Reserve, attractions include Bird Paradise, Singapore Zoo, Riverside Wonders and Night Safari. If you want to visit all four parks, you can consider buying a package.
- Singapore Botanic Gardens, attractions include SBG Heritage Museum & CDL Green Gallery. Singapore Botanic Gardens is the first and only tropical botanical garden on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is the first botanical garden in Asia and the third in the world to be listed. It is recommended to go there early in the morning to avoid the high temperature at noon and go to nearby Orchard Road for shopping in the afternoon.
- Orchard Road, attractions include the Museum of Ice Cream Singapore, National Museum of Singapore, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore Peranakan Museum, Singapore Children’s Museum and The Private Museum
- Chinatown, Tiong Bahru, attractions include Singapore City Gallery, Kreta Ayer Heritage Gallery, Chinatown Heritage Centre, Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, NUS Baba House and The SGH Museum
- Shenton Way, attractions include Singapore Musical Box Museum, Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre and Lau Pa Sat
- Little India, attractions include SG Mobility Gallery, Indian Heritage Centre, The Gem Museum and Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital Heritage Gallery
- Kampong Glam, attractions include Malay Heritage Centre (MHC), Vintage Camera’s Museum, MINT Museum of Toys
- Geylang, Joo Chiat, Geylang Serai, attractions include The Intan and Eurasian Heritage Gallery
- Singapore Sports Hub, attractions include Singapore Sports Museum, Shimano Cycling World
- Balestier Road, attractions include Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
- West of Singapore attractions include: Singapore Science Centre, NUS Museum, Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, Singapore Discovery Centre, Army Museum
- Singapore Air Force Museum
- East of Singapore attractions include: Jewel Changi Airport, Wild Wet Singapore, Changi Chapel and Museum and Singapore Navy Museum
- Haw Par Villa, attractions include Hell’s Museum
- Live Turtle Museum Singapore
- Pasir Ris, Changi, East Coast and West Coast Beaches
- Southern Ridges walking Trail comprise 10km of green, open spaces that connect Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, HortPark, and Kent Ridge Park, attractions include Gillman Barracks Art Precinct and Reflections at Bukit Chandu
- Central Water Walking Trail include Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, MacRitchie Nature Trail, Dairy Farm Nature Park, Windsor Nature Park, Thomson Nature Park, Upper Peirce Reservoir Park, Springleaf Nature Park and Upper Seletar Reservoir Park
- Rail Corridor cycling and walking Trail attractions include Former Ford Factory and Kranji War Memorial.
- North East cycling and walking Trail include Rower’s Bay Park, Hampstead Wetlands Park, Punggol Waterway Park and Coney Island Park and Lorong Halus Wetland
- Pulau Ubin, St. John’s Island and Lazarus Island
There are also several observation decks in Singapore
- Singapore Flyer measures 165 metres in height
- SkyPark Observation Deck situated at a height of 200 metres on Marina Bay Sands.
- LAVO Italian Restaurant And Rooftop Bar on the Level 57 of Marina Bay Sands Singapore
- CÉ LA VI Singapore on the 57th floor of Marina Bay Sands.
- SKAI at situated on the 70th floor of Swissôtel The Stamford.
- 1-Altitude stretches across the 61st to 63rd floor of One Raffles Place
- Tower Club at 62nd – 64th Floors of Republic Plaza Tower 1
- Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant feast on the 60th floor of UOB Building
- Atico Lounge & Bar at the ION Orchard 56 levels
- ION Sky on level L55/56 ION Orchard
- Capitaspring Sky Garden & Green Oasis (Free Admission) on the 51st floor of CapitaSpring Centre
- Pinnacle@Duxton skybridge is on the 50th storey Pinnacle@Duxton
- Rooftop Garden Skyville @ Dawson (Free Admission) is on the Skyville@Dawson Level 47
- Mr. Stork rooftop bar is located on Level 39 Andaz
- LeVeL33 bar at the 33rd floor of Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 1
- Las Palmas Rooftop Bar at the Level 33 Royal Square at Novena
- Moon Rooftop Bar and Lounge is located at level 27 within Hub Synergy Point building
- Vue on the Level 19 OUE Bayfront
- Singapore Chinese Cultural Roof Garden at the level 11
- Fort Siloso Skywalk Observation Deck at 43-metre tall.
- Supertree Observatory at a height of 50 meters
- Jelutong Tower is about 20m high
Singapore also has many annual festivals and events, possibly try to visit during the events
- Singapore Art Week is an annual event that celebrates the coming together of arts and cultural institutions, private galleries, non-profit arts organizations, independent artists, and curators to present diverse art events across Singapore. Light to Night Festival and Artwalk were also held around the same time. The 13th edition of the annual arts festival in Singapore and Artwalk Festival 2025 will be held from 17 – 26 January 2025 and Light to Night Festival 2025 around the period at the National Gallery Singapore, Victoria Theatre & Victoria Concert Hall and The Arts House. The Lunar New Year Lighting in Chinatown is an annual event in Singapore. Featuring bright colors and exhibits, it has sprung up across Singapore and certainly heralds the imminent arrival of the Chinese Zodiac Year. The event typically runs from early January to February. The lighting event will be held around Chinatown, Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall and Gardens by the Bay during Chinese New Year. 2025 Chinese New Year on January 29.
- The Thaipusam Festival is an annual Hindu festival that takes place in Singapore. It is a celebration of the Hindu god Murugan and is marked by a procession of devotees carrying offerings and kavadis (ornate structures) on their shoulders. The festival usually takes place in January or February. Thaipusam 2025 is on 11 Feb.
- Hari Raya, visitors can drop by Geylang Serai to enjoy the festival light-ups. The festivities typically occur along Sims Avenue and Changi Road, between Paya Lebar and Eunos MRT stations. 2024 festival light-ups running from 8 March to 10 April 2024
- i Light Singapore is a highly anticipated annual event that usually takes place at Marina Bay and neighbouring precincts. 2025 is 11th edition, 2024 event from 31 May 2024 — 23 Jun 2024
- The National Day Parade is usually held on August 9 yearly to celebrate Singapore’s independence from Malaysia in 1965. The parade is traditionally held at Marina Bay, with rehearsals taking place in the two months leading up to the parade. Fireworks are often set off during rehearsals.
- Singapore Night Festival is an annual street festival celebrating the arts and Singapore’s rich cultural heritage over the last two weekends in August. It is held annually in the Bras Basah and Bugis precinct at the heart of Singapore’s Museum District and Art Scene. Singapore Night Festival 2024 From 23 August to 7 September 2024
- The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated annually in Singapore. It is a time when families come together to celebrate the harvest season and enjoy mooncakes. During this festival, lanterns are lit up all over the island. The Mid-Autumn Lighting up of Chinatown and Jurong Lake Gardens is one of the most popular events during this festive season. Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese calendar. Is September 17 on 2024.
- The Deepavali Light-Up is held annually in Little India to celebrate the Hindu festival of lights. The light-up typically takes place over a month-long period from early October to early November.
- The Christmas Orchard Road Light Up is an annual event in Singapore. This tight event runs from Orchard Road to Marina Bay from early November to early January. The event features a spectacular light show and interactive Christmas-themed displays.
Overall, Singapore is a perfect blend of cultural experiences, modern attractions, food, and a safe environment, making it an ideal destination for tourists seeking diverse and memorable experiences.