Visit Singapura
Chinatown shophouses with red lanterns at dusk

Neighbourhoods

A different world in every district

Singapore is small enough to explore in an afternoon and diverse enough to keep surprising you. Here is where to start.

Chinatown heritage shophouses strung with red lanterns01

Temples, lanterns and old trades

Chinatown

Rows of restored shophouses, sprawling temples and some of the best-loved hawker stalls. Chinatown mixes tourist-friendly souvenirs with serious food and living heritage.

Don't miss

  • Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple, right in Chinatown
  • Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum
  • Chinatown Heritage Centre for the story of early immigrants
  • Pagoda and Temple Streets for souvenirs and lanterns

Eat here: Maxwell Food Centre and Chinatown Complex Food Centre for chicken rice, claypot rice and local desserts.

MRT: Chinatown (NE4/DT19) or Telok Ayer (DT18)

Colourful pastel shophouses in Little India02

Colour, spice and garlands

Little India

A loud, fragrant and wonderfully colourful district. Flower garlands, spice sellers, gold shops and some of the most vibrant street art in the city.

Don't miss

  • Tekka Centre, a market and hawker centre under one roof
  • Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, with its ornate, painted gopuram
  • Mustafa Centre, a 24-hour department store
  • Little India Arcade and Dunlop Street for crafts, henna and sweets

Eat here: Banana-leaf rice, butter chicken, fish head curry and fresh-from-the-pan roti prata.

MRT: Little India (NE7/DT12) or Rochor (DT13)

Sultan Mosque with its golden dome on Muscat Street in Kampong Glam03

Golden domes and indie cafés

Kampong Glam

The historic Malay-Muslim quarter, centred on the golden-domed Sultan Mosque. Today, it blends heritage with textile shops, vintage boutiques, murals and cafés.

Don't miss

  • Sultan Mosque, the island’s most prominent mosque, open to respectful visitors
  • Haji Lane for indie fashion and street art
  • Arab Street for textiles and Turkish lamps
  • Malay Heritage Centre in the former Istana Kampong Glam

Eat here: Nasi padang, murtabak, Turkish kebabs and specialty coffee along Bussorah Street.

MRT: Bugis (EW12/DT14) or Nicoll Highway (CC5)

Orchard Road lined with trees and malls at dusk04

The shopping boulevard

Orchard Road

Singapore’s famous 2.2 km shopping belt, a tree-lined avenue linking glass-and-steel malls, department stores and flagship fashion boutiques, all air-conditioned and connected.

Don't miss

  • ION Orchard, Paragon, Ngee Ann City and 313@Somerset
  • The Christmas light-up, one of the biggest displays in the region
  • Emerald Hill, a quiet street of Peranakan shophouses
  • A short walk to the Botanic Gardens

Eat here: From food-court classics in basement levels to destination restaurants and rooftop bars.

MRT: Orchard (NS22/TE14) or Somerset (NS23)

The Merlion with the Marina Bay skyline behind it05

Skyline, museums and sunsets

Marina Bay & the Civic District

The gleaming centre of modern Singapore, with the Merlion, the Esplanade and Marina Bay Sands, all within the walkable Civic District full of colonial landmarks.

Don't miss

  • Merlion Park and the Marina Bay waterfront promenade
  • National Gallery Singapore and the Padang
  • Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, nicknamed “the Durian”
  • Gardens by the Bay, a bridge away

Eat here: Satay by the Bay, Lau Pa Sat’s open-air satay street and polished hotel dining.

MRT: Bayfront (CE1/DT16) or Raffles Place (NS26/EW14)

Clarke Quay and the Singapore River at night06

Where the city began

Clarke Quay & Boat Quay

The original trading hub, where bumboats once unloaded goods from the world. Today, you will find restaurants, rooftop bars and riverside promenades.

Don't miss

  • A bumboat river cruise
  • Stroll across Cavenagh and Elgin Bridges
  • Fort Canning Park and the Battle Box
  • The Asian Civilisations Museum

Eat here: Chilli crab, seafood and riverside grills, plus lively bars after dark.

MRT: Clarke Quay (NE5) or Fort Canning (DT20)