Travel Guide Singapore
Singapore, off the south coast of Malaysia, is both a country, its capital and the name of the river on whose mouth it developed. The country has 64 islands, the main one being Pulau Ujong, which is urbanized and yet lush with greenery, and is home to the city of Singapore and 10 million tourists a year. The Padang district houses the colonial heart of the city with its 1830s cricket field, bordered by imposing monuments including the City Hall with its 18 Corinthian columns, converted into a National Gallery with 8,000 works of art. In China Town - China Town - you eat for three times nothing, visit the red and gold temple with the relic of a Buddha's tooth and fill up with souvenirs made in China at very low prices. The Indian district - Little India - takes you to India where you can eat... cheap Indian food and stock up on spices. A stone's throw away, you have a huge shopping area and the business centre that has made the site so successful. Singapore is in the top 5 countries with the highest GDP in the world. Singapore, the second largest port in the world, owes its fortune to its maritime location at the entrance to the Strait of Malacca, which makes it a commercial and financial hub between the Pacific and Europe. Singapore is constantly in a state of turmoil around finance, shopping and tourism. Singapore is also home to temples of all faiths, amusement parks, a zoo, museums, Sentosa Island and its natural parks, nightclubs and... the Merlion, a giant statue of a lion with a fish body, the city's emblem.
What to visit Singapore?
Suggested addresses Singapore
When to go to Singapore?
You can visit Singapore at any time of the year. There is not really a high tourist season nor a privileged season, except for the cooler and less humid period from December to April. Note however that Singapore is strongly affected by storms (186 days per year) during the monsoon season. Many visitors spend only one weekend in Singapore and it is a pity! Even if you can already do a lot in two days, there is so much to see that it would be a shame not to extend your stay.
The calendar of religious and non-religious holidays is very busy due to the multitude of populations, cults and cultures. In addition to Chinese New Year, Christmas, Good Friday, Aid el Kebir, Buddhist Vesak, Hindu Deepavali, there are art shows and sporting events. So there is always something going on in Singapore!
Weather at the moment
Located only one degree north of the equator, Singapore enjoys a warm and humid climate all year round. The average temperature is 26.7°C. The northeast monsoon season, from November to January, brings the most rainfall and is slightly cooler. It rains almost every day, but thunderstorms can then give way to beautiful clearings. The southwest monsoon, from May to September, also brings heavy rainfall.
Singapore City
The currency is the Singapore Dollar (SGD/S$). Life in Singapore is much more expensive than in the rest of Southeast Asia. However, you will be able to eat cheaply on the street in the ethnic areas and in the food courts of the big malls. Hotels in Singapore are for the most part luxury structures adapted to business travelers, so you will find it difficult to find low-cost accommodation unless you sleep in a dormitory.
No visa is required for Belgian, French, Canadian, Luxembourg or Swiss nationals holding a passport valid for another six months, for a stay of less than 90 days. You will be issued a visa (social visit pass) upon arrival. It is forbidden to bring chewing gum, chewing tobacco, pistol-shaped lighters, firecrackers and pornographic media into Singapore. And respect the laws if you don't want to get into trouble!
Hygiene and sanitary conditions are excellent in Singapore, so there is no particular risk. Moreover, the health system is top. The tap water is impeccable. There are vaccination and travel advice centers attached to each major hospital, often in connection with the infectious diseases or parasitology departments. The yellow fever vaccine is not mandatory, unless you are coming from an exposed area in Africa or Latin America. Vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria, poliomyelitis, and hepatitis A (unless you are immune) are recommended.
Practical information
- When to travel?
- Weather forecast
- Budget
- Formalities
- Health
- How to travel by yourself?
- How to get organized?
- Getting around
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How to go to Singapore? Our advice & tips
Tour operators offer Singapore in their Malaysia tours or Singapore alone. In both cases, you get a tour of Padang, China Town and Little India. For the Singapore tours, you can also visit the temples, amusement parks, zoo, Sentosa Island, shopping breaks and local cuisine.
Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destinationYou can easily organize a stay alone in Singapore. The city is accessible by plane from most major cities and by boat from neighbouring coasts such as Malaysia or Indonesia. On site, you will find hotels in all categories and can explore the different districts using public transport. And since this destination is very touristic, you will have no trouble finding sites of interest. You can also offer yourself a city tour to take the dimension of the city.
The bus network is dense. Buses are frequent and air-conditioned. The subway has 5 lines and 119 stations. And to save money, the Singapore Tourist Pass allows you to travel freely by bus and subway. Cabs are numerous and quite affordable. But it is mainly on foot that you will move to discover the districts of Singapore.
