5 Things You Must Do in Singapore While Travelling Solo

Singapore is a popular tourist destination for millions of tourists every year, but it is such an enriching experience to visit Singapore as a solo traveller. My solo trip to Singapore taught me that the smallest of places can have so much character, with so much to discover and experience. To top that, Singapore is one of the safest cities in the world, ideal for a solo escapade.

Here are my suggestions on how to steer through Singapore as a solo traveller:

Walk Through Chinatown

Picture this: Little cobbled streets, rows and rows of little outdoor shops, lots of colourful bright colours, pretty souvenirs, little knick-knacks, and an elderly Chinese woman selling some very interesting articles. I had the time of my life buying local spices, souvenirs, clothes and jewellery. It was great fun interacting with the shopkeepers, bargaining and discovering some really quirky gift items for friends and family.

What to Buy: At the Chinatown flea market, buy anything from books, to retro clocks, vintage items, second-hand books. Bargain unabashedly.

Eat at a Local Food Court

One of the most unique things about Singapore are local food courts, which serve authentic Asian food, at throwaway prices. These are basically covered halls, with common seating and many hawkers serving local cuisine. The most difficult part is to choose what to eat, as it all looks so sumptuous and deliciously weird. It is a great experience to walk through all the hawker shops, and familiarise yourself with the variety of Singaporean cuisine. In a community style seating, these places make for some interesting food and great conversation with a local.

Must Try: Chicken rice, Fish head curry, Dry Laksa (a spicy noodle soup), Fried Hokkein Mee (egg noodles with pork), Sambal Stingray, Chilli Crab and Chicken Satay. This mouth-watering list can go on and on.

Popular Food Courts:

Maxwell Food Centre – One of the oldest food centres in Singapore, located in Chinatown

Old Airport Road Hawker Centre – Located in Katong neighbourhood, serving food from the 1970’s

Newton Food Centre – very close to Orchard Road, one the most popular hawker centres

Makansutra Gluttons Bay – A food court with a fitting name, located in the upscale Marina Bay District

Spend a Day at Jurong Bird Park

A bird park is usually a place people visit with their families, but my solo trip through Jurong Bird Park was almost a meditative experience. Countless species of birds, the feeding ritual and the wonderful colours of bird feathers made for brilliant photo opportunities. Alone, I took a relaxed stroll through the park, while the birds chirped in the background.

Things to know: The Park is open all days from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm (the last ticket sale is at 5.30 pm). Reach as early as possible, to spend more time in the park.

Shop at Orchard Road

For a shopaholic like me, it is truly a delightful experience to be able to shop all day. I don’t need company for this wonderful activity, just a lot of shops, money in my wallet and a large fun shopping area. The most fascinating characteristic of Singapore is that you don’t even need to go outdoors to get from one shopping centre to another. Most of the malls are interconnected through underground passageways, which are also filled with shops and eateries. Just like Disneyland for shoppers!

Must Visit: ION Orchard, Paragon, Orchard Central, Mandarin Gallery, Lucky Plaza and The Centrepoint are just some of the malls on this street. You can shop till you drop or run out of money, whichever comes first.

Let Your Hair down at Clarke Quay and Riverside

Singapore is one of the most cosmopolitan and happening places in Asia. An evening at Clarke Quay is a stark reminder of all the glitter, glamour and enjoyable nightlife that this fascinating island can boast of. The Riverside area, just as the name suggests, is on the waterfront, and attracts crowds for its array of bars, clubs and cafes. As I walked by the riverside, music reverberated from clubs, sounds of laughter and merriment echoed through the streets, and colourful lights glittered on the water. It surely is a happy place to be at.

Must Do: Indulge in Brizo’s famous Crab buffet, watch the spectacular laser show at Boat Quay, and visit Fort Canning Park to learn about Singapore’s colonial history.

 

Singapore is a fascinating country, and despite being small in geographical size, it’s a country with a large heart and an appetite to match. There is so much to explore in the little streets, local food centres, boutique shops, and the unique amalgamation of something old and something new.  Don’t think twice before booking your trip to this truly special place.

Book Your Singapore Holiday Now!