Founded as a British trading post in 1819, the sparkling mega-metropolis of Singapore is one of the world's densest cities and busiest seaports. Travellers keen on visiting will find plenty of Singapore flights and hotels to choose from. 'The Lion City' is committed to its 'City in a Garden' vision to become sustainable and green.
Singapore's mélange of Chinese, Malay and Indian influences, world-class shopping options and culinary escapades have made the 'Switzerland of Asia' a hit destination with discerning travellers. Your flight to Singapore awaits.
The city is served by Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), a magnificent attraction in itself, and one of South Asia's busiest air hubs. Flights from London or Manchester to Singapore are quite easy. Visas are not required for British nationals for a stay of up to 30 days. However, your passport needs to be valid for at least 90 days following your arrival to Singapore.
The Singapore dollar (SGD) is the nation's official currency. Singapore is eight hours ahead of the United Kingdom. The country has four official languages; English, Mandarin, Tamil and Malay.
No matter the season, heat and humidity are quintessential to Singapore's weather, particularly between June and September. A warm tropical climate ensures a constant flow of visitors on city breaks in Singapore. The winter months, from November to January, bring cool rain. Your flight to and hotel in Singapore are best booked in advance.
Good times to visit are during the Great Singapore Sale and the Singapore Food Festival, which both take place between June and August. Meanwhile, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a lovely celebration of family, moon cakes and lantern processions. Chinese New Year celebrations in January/February feature stilt walkers, lion dancers, floats and colourful parades. Festivities, dance and music continue for days on end. Singapore package holidays are recommended to make the most of your time in the city.
Thanks to its super-efficient public transport system, Singapore is easy to navigate. With multicultural enclaves and jaw-dropping cable car rides, all tastes and sensibilities are catered to in the Lion City.
Start off your city breaks in Singapore with a stroll down Marina Bay, which also houses ArtScience Museum and the world's largest floating stadium (The Float). Evenings and nights are best spent at dazzling Marina Bay's abundance of nightclubs, concert halls, shops and casinos. For some background history on Southeast Asia, West Asia and China, the Asian Civilizations Museum (ACM) won't disappoint. Expect it all here, from shipwreck remnants to religious relics and sculptures.
The cultural enclave of Chinatown features highly during most Singapore weekends, for its ancient mosques and temples, striking architecture, karaoke lounges in Tanjong Pagar and the souvenir shopping on Pagoda Street. When the urban jungle gets to you, escape to the well-maintained Singapore Zoo, where animals are kept in enclosures quite similar to their natural habitats. The animal shows and educational night safari are particularly recommended.
If you also have time to explore the surrounding area, you can also rent a car in Singapore.
Singapore doesn't fail fastidious and adventurous gourmands, thanks to its profusion of world cuisines. Streetside food or hawker fare is delicious, cheap and hugely popular – stop in at Da Dong Prawn Noodles or try Singapore's national dish, chicken rice. Tickle your taste buds further with succulent and fleshy chilli crab, fish head curry cooked with vegetables, and laksa, a spicy coconut milk soup.
Creamy nasi lemak rice served with spicy sambal sauce is an absolute must, along with Indian speciality roti prata. Michelin-starred fine dining establishments dot Singapore's landscapes as well. Sign up for a midnight food tour, where you can meet new friends, discover neighbourhoods and, of course, try new cuisines.
A year-round destination for shopping, Singapore is one of Southeast Asia's biggest shopping meccas. Orchard Road is the go-to place for international flagship stores, while the city's ethnic neighbourhoods are treasure troves of eclectic takeaways. Eco-friendly malls such as City Square Mall, Star Vista, and JCube all use energy-efficient fixtures, making them a pleasure to shop in.
During Singapore weekends, browse for knick-knacks, cheap electronics, clothes and artisanal items at the popular shopping enclaves of Bugis Street, Haji Lane and the SCAPE Marketplace Flea Market.
If a city break in Singapore doesn't quite convince you, why not explore other exciting cities? Check out our amazing flight and hotel packages for your next holiday adventure!