11 Reasons to Visit Singapore
Singapore sometimes gets a bad rap for being expensive and having strict laws, but personally, Singapore was a fantastic city to visit. It has some great attractions, is culturally diverse, extremely clean, and is one of the safest cities in the world.
The city is modern, 80% or more of the population speaks English, you can find anything you need, and it’s very well developed. It is the perfect introductory city for anyone who wants to visit Asia for the first time and is worried about cultural barriers.
Don’t make the mistake of skipping this small yet amazing country while on a trip through Southeast Asia. Try to spend at least three days in this lovely city. Here are some reasons to visit Singapore:
Reasons to Visit Singapore
Table of Contents
1. Cultural Diversity
One of the most notable things about Singapore is how culturally and religiously diverse this nation is. There are even four official languages, English, Malay, Tamil, and Mandarin.
This country has people with different backgrounds, it celebrates various religious holidays and gives a diverse culinary experience.
2. Cleanliness
Singapore is known as one of the cleanest countries in the world. This is due to strict rules they have about littering and spitting that come with hefty fines. Some people may find this wrong, but I liked walking around clean streets free of litter and bad smells.
3. Free Activities
Many people skip visiting Singapore because it’s an expensive city, but I found lots of free and awesome activities to see. You can wander the famous Gardens by the Bay, walk through Chinatown, take a photo with Merlion the lion, watch the free light show at the Marina Bay, roam the Marina Bay during the day, and tan at the beach.
4. The Delicious Food
Since Singapore is so diverse, this means the food is too. You can taste all types of flavors. If you want to save money, you can go to any hawker centers, food courts that offer all kinds of food options.
5. It's Safe
As a frequent traveler, one of my concerns is always safety. Traveling through Singapore means I can walk around later than usual. I don’t need to be on guard about my purse and phone and all those other safety concerns with traveling.
Of course, no city is perfect, and things do happen, but it feels nice to relax a little in this country.
6. Changi Airport
I know it seems odd to place an airport as a reason to visit a country, but seriously, this airport is impressive! It’s been named the best airport in the world for several years. It has shops, restaurants, art, cinemas, water installations, free massage chairs, and so much more.
This is the one airport in the world where I don’t mind having a long stopover. It’s also the central transport hub in Asia, so there is a possibility you will stop here. Don’t mind having a long wait; you can explore the airport.
7. The Architecture
Despite having many skyrise buildings, Singapore has beautiful architecture. Many of them look futuristic, others look contemporary, and other parts are colorful.
I loved wandering around the city, looking at all the buildings. My favorite area was Marina Bay, where you get a view of the lovely skyline.
8. Arts and culture scene
The city has it all; art, dance, music, architecture, and more. Just walking around the city, you find sculptures and all types of buildings with lovely creative designs. A lot of it encompasses the different cultures found in the city too.
9. Green Spaces
Despite being a concrete Jungle, Singapore has lots of green spaces. You will find one of the best zoos in the world (it’s not your typical caged animals zoo), it has a botanic garden, buildings are eco-friendly and have plants growing on them, there are parks, and plants are everywhere throughout the city.
10. Shopping
Singapore is a wealthy country; therefore, there are a lot of shopping malls for all the shopaholics out there. You can find shopping malls on every corner, and they carry the most expensive brands from all over the world.
11. Nightlife
Although I didn’t experience it, Singapore is famous for having incredible nightlife. It’s one of those cities that never sleeps. One of the most popular hang-out spots is over at Clarke Quay, where all the themed bars and venues are located.
What to Pack
Are you planning a backpacking trip soon? Check out some of my favorite items to pack:
11 Reasons to Visit Singapore
Travel Booking Resources
Book Your Flight:
To find cheap flights, check Skyscanner and Google Flights. These search engines check airlines to find you the best deals. The more flexibility you have, the better flight deals available.
Book Your Accommodation:
Booking.com is my favorite booking site for hotels but it also shows great deals on hostels and apartments. Plus, when you reach Genius Level, you get special discounts, included breakfasts, and upgrades on some hotel rooms. Hostelworld is specifically for budget travelers who enjoy hostels. This is the best place for finding great options.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance and Visa Applications:
Travel insurance will protect you against theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. Sometimes unexpected things happen during a trip and protections will keep you covered. Two great options are: Safety Wing and World Nomads. Also, iVisa can help you get a visa if you need one.
Book Tours:
Sometimes the best way to see a place is through tours. I recommend checking out Get Your Guide for some fun and unique adventures wherever you go.
Check out my other travel resources to help you book your trip!
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and purchase a product, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Please note I only recommend products and brands that I personally use or have used and believe in.
Why I Love Backpacking