Agree or not but there is something about the megacity of Singapore that it lures tourists from around the world. Such is the compelling charm of Singapore neighborhoods that put them on the bucket list of every traveler. The country of Singapore is known as the land of diversity. Here you can find a beautiful mix of cultures, cuisines, and religions. Singapore is the home to people of all major Asian countries including India, Indonesia, China, and Malaysia. With such a huge diversity, people live in harmony – that’s the beauty of Singapore. There is so much more in Singapore to explore and experience that surely you don’t want to miss out. Hence, the best way to explore them is by visiting the popular Singapore neighborhoods. I have compiled a list of the best neighborhoods in Singapore where you can see the mix of cultures, meet local people, visit attractions, and try the local foods.
Table of Contents
Getting Around in Singapore
Singapore Chinatown
When it is about Singapore neighborhoods, Chinatown is considered to be the best amongst all. As the name itself says, Chinatown is home to around 80% of Singaporeans with Chinese heritage. It is one of the most vibrant places to visit in Singapore. Just to let you know, Chinatown is one of the oldest neighborhood areas in Singapore. Hence, you can expect to see the traditional shophouses that are well preserved. During the day time, you can go on a sightseeing tour as there are plenty of amazing things to do in Chinatown. This arts district in Singapore has museums, temples, art galleries, and the popular Chinatown Heritage Centre. But it is the night time when this place blooms up. The night markets are the key attractions. This is the time when you can enjoy an amazing street food tour in Singapore. Dim sum, chicken rice, and roaster duck are some must-have delicacies on your food tour to Chinatown Singapore neighbourhood tour .
Orchard Road
If you are an avid shopper, then Orchard Road is one of the best Singapore neighborhoods for you. Here you can go for ultimate browsing on the famous street in Singapore. Besides, there are high-end boutiques and dazzling malls. A fact to know is that Orchard Road is known as the most famous shopping street in Asia. The area has more than 20 shopping malls and around 6 shopping centers. The famous road in Singapore ION Orchard shopping center is also located in the area of Orchard Road. It is often touted as the futuristic-looking shopping center in Singapore because of its intricate design and architecture. It includes glass, steel, and marble facade. Another renowned attraction in this part of Singapore is the ION Sky Observatory that offers scenic 360-degree views of the district. The place also has plenty of options for food lovers. While on a visit to this area, be sure to splurge as such is the compelling charm of the shops and shopping centers here.
Little India
If Little India is on your list of neighborhoods to explore Singapore (if not, then you are ignoring a major part of Singapore tourism), then get ready to explore the city in a whole new way. It is one of the most vibrant and coolest neighborhoods in Singapore. As the name itself suggests, the place indeed gives you a tour of small India while in Singapore. This is the place that is the home to Singapore’s Indian community. However, history says that this area was once the hub of cattle trading, and many Indian migrant workers were hired in this business trade. With time, stores opened that used to serve the delectable Indian food. Thereafter, mosques and Hindu temples were built in this area.
Today, it not just serves as a popular tourist attraction but also a place that can solve your concern about where to stay in Singapore. Yes, here you can find affordable accommodation to enjoy a pleasing and comfortable stay. There are many amazing things to do in Little India, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple being one of them. It is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Singapore. Another key highlight of this neighborhood is its beautiful houses that are painted in rainbow colors. Not just this, like in India, you can even find tea stalls in every corner of this part of Singapore.
Kampong Glam
Just a short walk from Little India, there is Kampong Glam – another interesting area to visit in Singapore. This part of the city is known as the homes to the very famous Masjid Sultan Mosque that has an intricate design with a golden dome. It is indeed a must-visit attraction in Kampong Glam. Besides, this area is also a popular spot in Singapore to try delectable Turkish food. In addition, there are carpet shops. Interestingly, Kampong Glam also boasts a Singaporean youth culture, and hence, is known as the hip neighborhoods in Singapore. Hajj Lane is one of the most iconic streets in Singapore. It is a narrow street that is dotted with coffee shops, bars, and boutique shops. However, the key attraction of this part of Singapore is still the street art that attracts a huge footfall of tourists from around the globe. You can capture amazing Instagram worthy photos here in this region.
Marina Bay
Another interesting and unique area on this Singapore neighborhoods list is Marina Bay. As a tourist attraction, the area of Marina Bay never fails to impress tourists. Doesn’t matter how long you stay here and explore this place, the fact is – a single visit won’t be enough for you to get over this area. Marina Bay Sands is undoubtedly the most popular and iconic attraction here in this part of Singapore. Marina Bay region is the place where you can enjoy the best neighbourhood to stay in Singapore . There are plenty of luxury hotel options to choose from. If you are on a budget vacation, this area might be a little expensive for you as along with luxury properties, there are high-end shopping centers. The famous Art Science Museum is also a part of the Marina Bay region. Not to forget, the Gardens of the Bay is the most popular tourist site in this region. Marina Bay Lau Pa Sat market is also located in this part of Singapore. The market is perfect for a food tour and the best thing is it remains open all throughout the day. Apart from that, there are more amazing places to explore in Marina Bay region.
Joo Chiat
With such a huge diversity, sometimes, it becomes hard to select which area to visit. Joo Chiat is another popular area which is known to represent another new culture – Peranakan culture. Hence, this place is in this neighborhood district guide of Singapore. I know the odds, there could be higher chances that you have never heard of this culture. Thus, I am also here to impart you with knowledge as well. This beautiful culture dates back to the time when the Chinese migrants came to Singapore, settled here, and married the local Malaysians. It is often said that Peranakan culture is the best representation of Singapore. Joo Chiat area is the place in Singapore where you can get to know more about this beautiful culture. There are so many places to visit in the Joo Chiat area including the famous Peranakan Heritage Centre. It is a museum which houses a unique collection of Peranakan artifacts that represent various aspects of the culture. Apart from those many attractions that you can explore here, the area is also quite popular to serve a wide range of delectable street food in Singapore.
Tiong Bahru
If you love to explore the hippest places, then Tiong Bahru is the perfect option for you on your trip to Singapore. Even if you want to travel like us, then also this is a must-visit area in Singapore as we loved this place. Despite being the hippiest destination, Tiong Bahru is also one of the oldest neighborhoods in Singapore. The place boasts a unique mix of the history of modern culture. The streets here remain quiet most of the time which is quite a surprise for any tourist, after all, the hippest destination can’t be like this. Besides, there are also cafes, art galleries, and independent boutiques. In the downtown of this place, there is also Tiong Bahru Market. It is one of the biggest wet markets and food centers located in Singapore. If you are an avid shopper or a food buff, then surely there is plenty for you to explore and experience in Tiong Bahru.
Sentosa Island
Though it is not exactly a neighborhood, yet if you travel like us with this Singapore itinerary then your Singapore guide is incomplete with Sentosa Island. Hence, I have included it in my must-see Singapore neighborhoods. It is one of those places where you can literally have a lot of fun and relaxing time while holidaying in Singapore. Also, it is away from the mainland of Singapore, but you can easily reach here as it is located at a distance of just 15 minutes from downtown. You can get here via scenic cable car ride from Harbourfront or via a short monorail ride from VivoCity. Talking about what Sentosa Island has, well, there are long stretches of golden beaches, an adventure water park, golf course, spas, walking trails, restaurants, and much more. However, make sure to have an entire day to explore this part of Singapore.
Civic District
The Civic District is also renowned as the birthplace of modern Singapore. This area is dotted with some of the best attractions of the city. The iconic and very popular Raffles Hotels is located in this part of Singapore. Along with that, the other best attractions here in Civic District are Fort Canning Park and Singapore Art Museum. The museum is known to house the largest collection of Southeast Asian art in the world. Besides, there are also Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall which dates back to 1862. Civic District is not just a popular attraction to explore, but also a place where you can look to book a stay. There are plenty of hotel options in Civic District to choose from that offer pleasing and comfortable stay.
What To Expect – Singapore
Jalan Besar
An underrated area which is located near Little India in Singapore is Jalan Besar. It is the hotspot for all the socialites in Singapore as it is brimming with a good number of bars and cafes. Whether you have a desire to eat dim sums or want to grab a beer or look for a bakery, Jalan Besar is the place to be. Just to let you know, there is also a superhero-themed cafe – Hungry Heroes. It is one of the best places to enjoy food and beer here in this part of Singapore.
Keong Saik
Located in the suburbs of Chinatown region, Keong Saik is a professional area, well I call Keong Saik by this name. The reason is pretty evident; in Keong Saik, you will have media and baking professionals on the streets. But that doesn’t mean this place doesn’t have anything to entice tourists. For the fact, there are cozy bars and laid back restaurants to enjoy your social time. If you are on a vacation to Singapore with your partner or consort, you can find plenty of places here where you can enjoy a romantic dinner or an amazing lunch. Even if you are single and vacationing in a group, you can visit this place for a different experience.
BRING To Singapore
So, this is all about the neigborhoods of Singapore. I really hope this neighborhood guide will help you plan an ultimate Singapore vacation and will be the reason for those many indelible memories that you will make in Singapore. Do let me know your experience in this beautiful tropical destination. Cheers!
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