Best Neighborhood to Stay in Singapore

Best Neighborhood to Stay in Singapore

Picking the right accommodation location is one of the most important parts of planning a vacation. What can your budget allow? What kind of vibe are you looking for? What do you want to be near? Whether you're looking for a mix of things, or are more specifically target one parameter, we've got you covered.

Below, we've collated the best neighborhoods to stay in when you visit Singapore. So, whether you're looking to be by the city's most famous landmarks, in the thick of Singapore's nightlife, or want something a bit more traditional, we've found districts that will fit you like a glove. So read on, and find the perfect place for you!

Including

  • Marina Bay
  • Riverside
  • Downtown
  • Orchard Road
  • and more!
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Marina Bay

Bringing your family to Singapore? Then Marina Bay is arguably the best neighborhood for you and your clan to stay in. Though it may err on the pricier side, if you're bringing the entire family to the city, you probably have the cash to burn.

Location-wise, you'll be in the thick of the action. Marina Bay is a stone's throw from Clarke Quay and the Civic District, so you'll find plenty to keep busy. Plus, one of Singapore's top attractions, the Gardens by the Bay, is right on your doorstep.

If you can, book a room at the famous Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Not only are the rooms exquisite, but you'll also have easy access to the hotel's wonderous infinity pool.

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Riverside

Leaving the little ones at home and looking to explore the city's after-dark samplings? Look no further than Riverside. Here, you'll find Singapore's hub of nightclubs, bars, and affluent restaurants.

The once-busy docks have been transformed into Singapore's hippest evening area. Not only will you find plenty of rooftop bars where you can soak up some rays or see in the sunset, but you'll also don your dancing shoes at one of the area's many discotheques. Boogie woogie, and all that.

However, like Marina Bay, Riverside is on the dearer side of Singapore neighborhoods. Many of the city's top restaurants and night haunts are located there, and you'll be paying a premium to sample their delights. It's also the busiest district for tourism, so if you travel during peak season, expect to be rubbing shoulders with plenty of other travelers.

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Downtown

Singapore's financial district is, understandably, the city's most expensive place to stay. Reserved for traveling business people and the many clients they're visiting, accommodation can be on the pricier side. However, if you can afford it or are in town for business, why not splash the cash? Some of the city's best hotels are housed within, so if you've got it, why not flaunt it?

Stacked with skyscrapers and futuristic designs seen in shows like Westworld, you'll find plenty of photo ops around Downtown. But don't worry; it isn't all glass, steel, and concrete. In fact, you'll find plenty of shopping opportunities and even parks if you need to take a verdant break.

And yes, while most hotels are relatively expensive, hunt about, and you might find cheaper deals on some more reasonable places.

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Orchard Road

Calling all shoppers. Do you have expensive taste? Do you accept nothing but the biggest and best labels adorning your body and accessories? If you answered yes, then Orchard Road is the best neighborhood to stay in while visiting Singapore!

Even if you're not in the market for a new coat or bag, there are still plenty of reasons to stay in the area. You'll find classy cafes, wonderful restaurants, and smaller boutique stores where you can pick up unique items you won't find on the high street. And, when you finally hit your overdraft and have too much to bring back with you, you'll find easy connections to other parts of the city.

So, if you need to shop but also want a dazzling locale as your base of operations, check out Orchard Road.

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Chinatown

While we've mainly covered the higher end of budgets when it comes to neighborhoods in Singapore, you needn't break the bank to get the best. In fact, if you're looking for a more authentic cultural experience where rents are cheap, and food is affordable, you can't do much better than Chinatown.

A little piece of China in the heart of Singapore, Chinatown also offers all the wonderful delicacies you can expect from a little slice of the east. Food stalls selling myriad Chinese dishes and street food; welcoming shops full of cultural items and knickknacks, as well as great connections to some of the more expensive parts of the city. If you're not looking to break the bank and desire a bit of peace with your accommodation, Chinatown is more than worth a look.

Plus, you'll even find the city's cheapest Michelin-star restaurant within, so you can dine like a king without flogging the crown jewels.

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Little India

If you like the idea of Chinatown but prefer your cuisine with a little added spice, say hello to Little India. As a location, it shares many of the same benefits as its eastern partner, with cheaper rents, affordable food, and plenty of authentic shops and experiences to discover.

Food-wise, however, expect to find plenty of traditional offerings; curries of all shapes and sizes, pakora, vada pav, and many more. And, as it's located close to some of Singapore's best shopping districts, you'll have plenty of reasons to head out and explore, should you wish to.

And those are our picks of the best neighborhoods to stay in during your Singapore vacation! Now that you know where to set up your base camp, you'll need to plan the rest of your trip. If you're suffering from choice paralysis, let Go City ease your woes! Thanks to our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of the city's best bits and make huge savings while you're at it!

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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Win A Sailing Experience & Cable Car Sky Dining for two this Black Friday

Our Black Friday Giveaway has now ended. Take to the sea and the sky for an experience of Singapore like no other. First, you’ll head off on a four-hour afternoon adventure as you sail to the hidden beaches of Lazarus Island. Feel the wind in the sails as your boat zips through the water and ferries you to secluded destinations. Start off in style with bottle of cold champagne and watch the crew expertly set the sails. Then later it’s your turn to steer as you'll get the chance to take the wheel yourself! Next up, you’ll head for skies as you rise above the city by cable car to the top of Mount Faber. Enjoy a unique dining experience as you’re delivered authentic Singaporean flavors with freshly prepared Bento, in your own private cable car cabin. Treat your tastebuds and your eyes as you fly 100 meters above sea level and marvel at panoramic views of the city. You’ll get the best of Singapore, from around and from above, with this full-day excursion! How to enter For a chance to win this incredible prize, all you have to do is purchase any of our Singapore passes between 9AM Tuesday 22 November 2022 and 11:59PM Tuesday 29 November 2022. Once you’ve purchased, you’ll be automatically entered into the giveaway. Easy! If you’re the lucky winner, we’ll contact you by email by December 15, 2022, so look out for us in your inbox. Click here to view giveaway terms and conditions
Alice Padfield
Alice Padfield
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Adventurous Activities in Singapore

There’s oodles of adventure to be had in Singapore, a huge playground where activities range from giant swings to futuristic indoor surfing to outdoor adventures amid the vast tracts of lush jungle and tropical rainforest that cover around half of the entire island. Read on for our pick of the most adventurous activities in Singapore, including: The Singapore Flyer SkyPark Observation Deck Sentosa Island Forest Adventure Chestnut Nature Park Southern Ridges hiking trail Hawker centers for adventurous foodies Adventurous Activities in Singapore for Thrill Seekers Adrenaline junkies on vacation in Singapore are in for a real treat. Heck, you only have to look at the forest of skyscrapers in the Downtown district to know that this is a city that takes its dizzying highs seriously. Head to the SkyPark on top of the soaring Marina Bay Sands hotel and you’ll soon see what we mean. At 56 floors up, this observation deck is one of Singapore’s highest and affords splendid views across the city and bay. Evenings are particularly special, with spectacular light shows taking place far below at both the Gardens by the Bay and the Marina Bay Sands’ own Event Plaza. Also in the Marina Bay area, the Singapore Flyer is one of the planet’s tallest observation wheels, soaring to a heart-pumping 541 feet. Steady your nerves by booking a ticket that includes a glass of champagne or go native with a classic Singapore Sling. Best of Sentosa Island Sticking with the vertigo-inducing theme, hop on the cable car to Sentosa island for a thrill ride with a very gentle pace. The 15-minute journey across the bay carries passengers at around 200 feet above sea level. Essentially just a mode of traveling from A to B, it doubles as an adventurous Singapore attraction in its own right. Visitors with a passion for natural highs will be in clover once on Sentosa, where the SkyHelix spins heavenwards, reaching a dizzying 260 feet above sea level, with views from its vantage point on Imbiah Lookout that take in Singapore and the Southern Islands. This rotating ride lets you take in those glorious sunset vistas with a soda or slushie as your feet dangle underneath and you spend a full 10 minutes right at the top. Best of all, phones are permitted on the ride, so you’ll be able to fill your Insta feed with dozens of envy-inducing filter-free snaps. And, if you like your thrills a little more... high octane, you could always try the giant swing at Siloso Beach. What’s so thrilling about a giant swing, I hear you cry! Well, this one soars out above the palm-lined white sands at heights of up to 100 feet so, suffice to say, it is not for the faint of heart. There’s also bungee jumping here as well as a nearby luge track that winds through rainforest, down hillsides and around hairpin bends at hair-raising speeds. Splash down on the Double FlowRider at Wavehouse Sentosa’s Surf Cove, where beginners and pro surfers alike can wipeout in the huge artificial wavemaker. Back to Nature Singapore is one of the greenest cities on the planet, with almost 50% of its urban sprawl dedicated to green space. It stands to reason then that there are multiple outdoor adventures to be had here, whether in the city’s parks or beneath the jungle canopy that covers much of the rest of the island. Forest Adventure is as good a place to get a taster as any, its treetop obstacle course and multiple ziplines making for a fun family day out. Wobble across rope bridges high in the canopy and zip your way across the waterways; there’s quite literally hours of fun to be had. Or take to the waters in a kayak. This guided tour lasts 4.5 hours and takes you along the northeast coast by Pulau Ubin, a traditional Singaporean village set among the ancient mangrove forests. Your guide will steer you out towards the island of Pulau Ketam, where native wildlife includes kingfishers and herons, and where you may even be lucky enough to spot the occasional otter frolicking playfully in the shallows. Such lush countryside of course makes for world-class hiking and cycling opportunities. Saddle up, slap on the sunscreen and hit the Northern Eastern Riverine Loop, a 26km route that takes you through the parks, beaches, waterways and wetlands of Punggol. Or walk the stunning Southern Ridges Trail. This elevated walkway takes you through the treetops south of the city, where the canopy fairly teems with red-whiskered bulbuls, banded bay cuckoos, and other colorful native birdlife. Meanwhile, Chestnut Nature Park offers the best of both worlds, with 81 hectares of segregated hiking and biking trails that take in secluded streams and lakes and provide further opportunities to spot endangered bird species like the delicate orange-bellied flowerpecker. Adventures in Food There’s much for adventurous foodies to enjoy in Singapore, with over 100 hawker centers serving cheap and delicious street food across the city. The meeting of Malaysian, Chinese and Indian cooking here, melded with that of other neighboring nations, has created a unique cuisine with something for everyone, though lovers of seafood and spice are particularly well catered for. Our advice? Bodyswerve the ubiquitous burger and pizza joints and get straight to the heart of the action in the bustling hawker centers, where the aroma of sizzling satay and pungent fish head curry alone are enough to make a grown man weep. Spicy, sticky, peanuty satay is easy to track down here (just follow your nose!). It’s a national favorite and you’ll find purveyors of this heaven-sent treat in its many forms (chicken, pork, beef, fish) in any Singapore hawker center worth its salt. Try local favorite satay bee hoon, in which the spicy hot sauce is liberally smothered over a bed of rice vermicelli, often with prawns or pork. Sweet-and-savory-sauce-drenched chili crab – effectively the national dish – is another absolute must-try. Feeling bold? Up the ante with some of the nation’s more out-there delicacies. We’re talking turtle soup, live octopus, pufferfish, fried pigs’ fallopian tubes in piquant kung pao sauce and – for the truly adventurous – century egg, a highly, shall we say... aromatic dish of egg preserved in salt, lime and clay. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it! Save on attractions and activities for teens in Singapore Save on admission to Singapore attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Best Markets in Singapore
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Best Markets in Singapore

Nothing invigorates the soul quite like a bargain. Finding something of true value and getting it for a steal is a high many of us chase throughout the year. Discounts and deals are just in our blood. But stumbling upon one yourself gives you a rush like no other. So, if you're visiting Singapore this year and have an itch for bargain hunting, you're in luck. You'll find plenty of markets there. But which are the best? Rather than force yourself to delve into the tomes, documents, and online hearsay, we've done all the legwork for you. Read on, and discover our picks of the best markets in Singapore, and go hunt down some sweet, sweet bargains. Including: Chinatown Street Market Bugis Street Market So Gelam Market Little India Arcade Far East Plaza and more! Chinatown Street Market Let's kick things off in the Far East. Chinatown, to be exact, where you'll find the eponymous Chinatown street market. It's most famous for its delicious food offerings, with plenty of authentic Chinese and Singaporean dishes cooked fresh every day. If you have a taste for satay chicken, dim sum, duck, or laksa, you're bound to be in heaven as you wander the market, surrounded by all the brilliant smells. But that's not the only thing you'll find here. You can also pick up plenty of souvenirs to take back home, interesting nicknacks, and even clothes should you need an item or two. Bugis Street Market Looking to steal a bargain during your market travels? Then Bugis street market is one of the best in Singapore. You'll find plenty of bits and pieces around the place you can pick up for under a buck. Need some keepsakes to remember your trip, or want some presents to bring back for your friends? Bugis has got you covered. But it isn't all bargains - you can even find quality clothing and accessories if you comb the place hard enough. You might be surprised at the labels you'll find in tucked-away corners. And you certainly won't be paying high street prices for them, so what's stopping you? So Gelam Market So Gelam is the king of flea markets, but it's also a fickle beast. It only runs over the final weekend of the month, so if you're in town before that, you may miss out. However, if you're lucky enough to be around when the market's on, you're in for a real treat. Anything goes at So Gelam. You might find beautiful prints in one stall, and the next may be stacked with old electronics. If you're a collector of older, forgotten things, you'll have a field day here. But that's not all, because you'll also find freshly squeezed juice stalls, produce stalls, and even fresh food prepared on-site if you're feeling famished. Little India Arcade If you're in the market for Indian trinkets, spices, and shawls, then Little India Arcade is the perfect market for you. Given Singapore's large Indian contingent, it's hardly surprising there's a market dedicated to South Asian splendor. You'll find everything among its stalls, from traditional herbs and spices to incense, jewelry, and pashminas. Unlike some of the markets on this list, Little India Arcade is an indoor affair, so no matter rain or shine, you'll be more than welcome to brave its streets and find the perfect item! Image courtesy of pac_aleks/Shutterstock Far East Plaza Welcome to one of Singapore's oldest markets! Well, not a market in a traditional sense, at least. This ancient commerce site is now home to a six-story shopping complex replete with over 800 shops, stalls, and sellers. If you're looking for bargains on electronics, clothes, and accessories, then Far East Plaza is the place to be. It's so well known throughout the city that thousands descend on it every weekend to seek out bargains and go home happy. And alongside all those sweet bargains, they also have plenty of beauty shops where you can get a massage, mani/pedi, or facial. After an entire day of bargain hunting, you've earned some R&R. Haji Lane Jonesing for some up-market shopping? Haji Lane's got you covered. Journey through its myriad shops, and you'll find designer labels, unique boutiques, and even high-end homeware. Even visitors of a less permanent disposition will find things to take home with them. Craft jewelry has made a big splash in Haji Lane, with sellers offering exotic pieces you won't find anywhere else on Earth. And, if you need to take a load off, you'll also find cafes and bars to sit down and refuel before you head further into high-street heaven. Image courtesy of ZDL/Shutterstock Holland Village If you're visiting Singapore to escape the high-street bubble back home, head to Holland Village for some truly authentic fresh produce and cooked meals. Discover dozens of stalls filled with fresh fruit, veg, meats, and seafood. Perfect if you're staying in an Airbnb or a place with a kitchen. But, of course, with so much street food on offer, you may end up leaving full to the brim! Noodles, chicken, and rice dishes are the name of the game here, all soaked in authentic sauces and paired with Singapore beers and cocktails. You could even spend an evening exploring all of Holland Village's delights. Arab Street And finally, if you're in the market for Middle-Eastern treats, then Arab Market is one of the best markets in Singapore. Nestled in the Kampong Glam neighborhood, you'll find this bright lane flanked by small shops selling authentic Middle-Eastern food, garments, accessories, and pretty much anything else you could want. And those are our picks of the best markets in Singapore! Whatever your heart desires - and your wallet can afford - is bound to be found somewhere within the above! After all that shopping, you might be wondering what else Singapore has to offer. Don't worry; we've got you covered. Check out Go City and visit some of the best attractions in Singapore! With our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass, you can pick and choose the city's best bits for one low price.
Dom Bewley

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