Singapore

Travel in Singapore is a joy. A modern, vibrant city state with world class public transport, a fascinating culture and a deep and interesting history.

Singapore Travel Guide – History

Travel in Singapore should involve exploring its history.

Singapore’s nickname of the Lion city arose because of a legend involving a local prince, Sang Nila Utama, who saw a lion when shipwrecked on an island. He then named the island Singapura (Lion City in Malay). That lions have never existed in Singapore and it was probably a tiger shouldn’t get in the way of a good story.

Singapore’s position in the Malacca Strait in southeast Asia means that it’s been a major trading hub for centuries. However, it wasn’t until 1819 when Sir Stamford Raffles negotiated a treaty with the Johor Sultanate, which would lead to the establishment of a Crown Colony that modern Singapore was born.

Singapore became a jewel in the crown of the British Empire, so its surrender to the Japanese in World War 2 was a shocking blow. This became one of the war’s key events which, despite Japan’s eventual defeat, led to the fall of Britain’s global domination.

After reverting to British rule post war, Singapore, with a brief dalliance with Malaysia, became independent in 1965.

Since then, it has gone from strength-to-strength, growing to become one of Asia’s premier financial and technological hubs. It has also focussed on its development as a world class tourist destination. Singapore has leveraged its position as one of the major airline hubs in Southeast Asia to become one of the best places in the world for tourists to visit.

Food and Drink in Singapore

Singapore is a paradise for food lovers. It is a literal melting pot of cuisines with the wide variety of styles available reflecting the country’s history as a trading crossroads.

Singapore is famous for its hawker centres. Normally, street food comes with a health warning, but Singapore is different. Hawker centres like Maxwell Food Centre, Lau Pa Sat, and Newton Food Centre are so good, that some of their stands have received coveted Michelin stars.

Singaporean dishes which visitors to the Lion City must try include:

• Hainanese Chicken Rice – Poached chicken served with fragrant rice and chilli sauce.
• Chilli Crab – A savoury and spicy crab dish served with mantou (fried buns).
• Laksa – A rich and spicy noodle soup with coconut milk and seafood or chicken.
• Hokkien Mee – Stir-fried noodles with prawns, squid, and a rich seafood broth.
• Satay – Skewered and grilled meat served with peanut sauce.
• Roti Prata – A crispy, flaky Indian flatbread often served with curry.
• Kaya Toast – A traditional breakfast of toasted bread with coconut jam and butter.

Best Time to Visit Singapore

Singapore has a tropical climate with high humidity and temperatures ranging from 25°C to 31°C year-round. The best time to visit is between February and April when the weather is relatively dry. However, Singapore is a year-round destination, and visitors can enjoy different festivals, such as Chinese New Year in January/February, Hari Raya Puasa, Deepavali, and the Singapore Grand Prix in September.

Things to see in Singapore

Singapore travel should include visits to iconic hotels like Raffles and the Marina Bay Sands hotel. These hotels have become destinations in themselves. 

Tourists flock to world class attractions such as the Gardens by the Bay, and Universal Studios Singapore. Hosting tier one events like the Formula 1 Grand Prix have made Singapore one of the world’s premier tourist destinations.