Singapore Bucket List
A $3 chicken rice dish that has been awarded a Michelin star. Trees that become vertical gardens and light up in purple hues every night. Four layers of civilization compressed on an island smaller than many metropolises. Singapore is an impossibility that miraculously keeps working, and works better than just about anywhere else on this planet.
Why Singapore belongs on your bucket list
Singaporeans love food. Yes, they really do. If you ask someone what they had for lunch, be prepared for a detailed description of what they ate, which vendor they bought it from, who is the best vendor for that food, and why the Amoy street vendor hasn't been the same since 2019. Hawker centers represent the heart and soul of the city: food courts in the open air where dozens of vendors serve chicken rice, laksa, char kway teow, and roti prata at prices that seem like a mistake. One of these vendors was even awarded a Michelin star. A portion of that dish costs S $3.80. But in Singapore, it's not just about the food — it's about how incredibly well-organized everything is; from gardens that look like they came from another world, to streets so clean that they seem suspicious, and a public transport system that turns the New York City metro into a ridiculous car. It is a small, safe place to walk and full of surprises that you would never expect in a place so organized.
When to go
The weather is consistently warm and humid, with temperatures ranging from 28 to 32 degrees Celsius, comments that there aren't really distinct seasons. The dry season occurs from February to April. This period is generally preferred as the weather is slightly cooler and there's less humidity than other times of the year. Monsoon season takes place from November to January. Expect sudden afternoon downpours during this time; the rain falls so heavily that it's as if a tap has been turned on, but the showers typically last between 30 and 60 minutes. Don't let monsoon season deter you though, this can be a great time to visit, as long as you don't mind bringing an umbrella.
Must-visit places in Singapore
Gardens by the Bay
The Supertrees resemble structures that are not from this world. They are vertical gardens that are 50 meters tall with a skywalk allowing you to stroll in the air. During the night, these trees are illuminated during the Garden Rhapsody show (7:45 and 8:45 PM, free) creating a magnificent performance of light and music. The Cloud Forest has a dome with the most magnificent indoor waterfall globally, truly taking your breath away. Access to the outdoor gardens is free but you will need a ticket to enter the domes. My recommendation is to visit during the evening so you can experience the gardens in beautiful lighting and catch the light show after dusk.
Marina Bay Sands
You're probably familiar with that iconic boat-shaped tower and the swimming pool that has a seemingly endless edge. While the pool is strictly for hotel guests (and rates will make you say “ouch”), you can get an almost equally impressive view at the Skypark observation deck. Come back at night to catch the 15-minute-long Spectra light and water show at 8 and 9 PM. It's not the most incredible display you've ever seen, but it's free and worth it for a one-time visit.
Hawker Chan
It may sound impossible but a hawker stall has received a Michelin star. Each plate costs only S$3.80. The chicken is extremely tender and almost melts in your mouth, while the rice is rich with chicken oil and fragrant with pandan. The soy sauce that accompanies it is a perfect mixture of sweet and savory. You'll find a queue at Chinatown Complex every day, but it's well managed and moves quickly. If you order the roasted chicken, you'll be treated to crispy skin. The chicken is incredibly smooth if you order the soya sauce chicken. Again, you cannot go wrong with either one, so you might just have to try both!
Maxwell Food Centre
More than 100 stalls in one location. Anthony Bourdain ate here, nuff said. The congee here is amazing, with unbeatable texture. A classic. Another classic. Most delicious greasy snack with crunch and a whole lot of taste. There are few simple pleasures that attract more attention than the hawker center meal and 4 course dining for under S$15. Get here before 11 or after 2 if you want to skip the lunch crowd.
Lau Pa Sat
During the day, this place is just like any regular delightful Victorian-style cast-iron hawker center, but when the sun sets it transforms into a party. Boon Tat street closes for traffic and swarms of satay grills open up on the street. The smell of charcoal and peanut sauce is enough to lure you in from a block away, but once you're here, enjoy chicken, mutton, and prawn satay with ketupat (compressed rice cakes) and raw onion. This is the kind of meal where you wanna sit out and enjoy colonial architecture with the glow of the grills as mood lighting. It's the most atmospheric meal in Singapore, no argument.
Little India
You'll know you're there before you see the sign. The air gets thicker from the scent of cumin, turmeric, and mustard seeds popping in hot oil. The garland shops overflow with marigold and jasmine. It's a full sensory takeover from the rest of Singapore. Tekka Centre is the hawker center here, with fish head curry, murtabak, and dosai served on banana leaves. Eat with your hands if you're feeling authentic. The Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple is covered in Hindu carvings and worth a look. Sunday evening is when Little India gets the most lively.
Kampong Glam
The unmistakable golden dome of Sultan Mosque heralds the entrance to the Malay-Muslim quarter and is one of the loveliest buildings in Singapore. Haji Lane is a riot of indie boutiques and Middle Eastern cafes; next door, Bussorah Street’s carpet shops and perfume vendors could have stepped out of a time machine from a few decades ago. Do not miss the murtabak at Zam Zam (est 1908). Meanwhile, Hjh Maimunah is renowned for serving some of the best Malay food in town. Be there in the late afternoon – the light is beautiful and every corner is a picture.
Sentosa Island
An island resort you can reach via monorail, cable car, or simply strolling over a boardwalk. While Universal Studios gets top billing, the real stars here are the beaches – Palawan, Siloso, Tanjong. Thousands of tons of imported sand and coconut palms, all just ten minutes from downtown. The S.E.A. Aquarium is the world's second-largest. Got nothing to spare? Enjoy a Sentosa sunset instead. It's one of Singapore's best vistas (anchored container ships, the harbor, city in gold) and best-kept secrets.
Singapore Botanic Gardens
This is the sole tropical botanic garden on the UNESCO’s World Heritage listing. The National Orchid Garden (there’s a nominal charge) comprises over 1,000 kinds of orchids in 60,000 plants and orchid displays that will alter the way you feel about those sublime members of the botanical kingdom. The rest of the 82-hectare park is free entry. Joggers jog past Swan Lake, families unfurl picnic blankets on the lawns, and the rainforest is the kind of primordial loveliness likely to have you mentally check out of the city which surrounds it. Mornings-early and it’s just tai chi and birds.
Orchard Road
With 2.2 kilometers of malls upon malls, Orchard Road is the definition of glitzy shopping. ION Orchard, Paragon, Takashimaya – these are temples to the upscale. While a short walk away, Far East Plaza and Lucky Plaza are where you'll find the lowest of the low (budget products and bargain-basement prices). One of the things tourists fail to notice as they're scouring the basement antique markets or hunting through the third floor high-fashion consignment is that the food courts in these malls offer air-conditioned hawker food stalls serving the same quality you'd get at any popular hawker center, minus the heat. It's the Singaporean cheat code. The whole stretch gets lit up for Christmas (November to January) and the level of appropriate festive cheer is staggering. If you're in Singapore during this period, do it at night.
Singapore insider tips
- MRT: Purchase an EZ-Link card at any MRT station and never worry about transport again. The MRT reaches all of Singapore, it's air-conditioned (heavenly), and operates from 5:30 AM to midnight. It's so clean, you could eat off the floor. But don't – that might actually be against the law here.
- Hawker etiquette: Spot a packet of tissue paper on a table? That's been taken. It's called "choping," and it's a tradition that is respected by all. Do the same when you want to reserve a table. Return your tray when you're done eating. Bring money, as most individual stalls do not accept credit cards.
- Laws: No chewing gum (not even for purchase). No eating in the MRT. Fines for jaywalking are enforced. Now, it looks like a lot of rules, but trust me, it's the reason why the city is this clean and this efficient. Just remember, it's not that hard.
- Kopi: This is its own language. "Kopi" means coffee with condensed milk. "Kopi-O" means black coffee with sugar. "Kopi-C" means with evaporated milk. "Kopi-O-Kosong" means black coffee, no sugar. Memorize your order and use it at any kopitiam. Under S$2, and it packs a punch.
- Rain: It will rain. Hard. Usually in the afternoon, and usually for 30-60 minutes. Bring an umbrella or just wait it out – the city's covered walkways connect most MRT stations to major buildings. Singaporeans have designed for this.
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