The story of Singapore
Long before skyscrapers rose over Marina Bay, the island at the tip of the Malay Peninsula was a trading post known as Temasek. By the 14th century it sat at the crossroads of Malay, Javanese and Chinese sea lanes, and later chronicles tell of a prince who named it Singapura, the 'Lion City', after glimpsing a strange beast on the shore. Rival regional powers fought over the strait, and by the 1600s the settlement had faded into a quiet fishing village under the Johor Sultanate.
Everything changed in 1819, when Stamford Raffles of the British East India Company struck a deal with local rulers to open a free port. Merchants poured in from China, India, the Malay world, the Middle East and Europe, and the colonial town was laid out in ethnic quarters whose echoes survive in Chinatown, Kampong Glam and Little India. Singapore became part of the Straits Settlements and grew rich on rubber, tin and shipping, its harbour one of the busiest in the empire.
Read the full history
The Second World War brought a shock: Japanese forces captured the island in February 1942 and occupied it until 1945, ending the myth of British invincibility. After the war, calls for self-rule grew. Singapore gained internal self-government in 1959, joined the new Federation of Malaysia in 1963, and separated to become a fully independent republic on 9 August 1965. Under its first prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, the young nation bet on trade, education, public housing and foreign investment, transforming itself within a generation into a global finance and logistics hub.
For visitors today, that layered story is everywhere. You can stroll past colonial landmarks along the Singapore River, eat your way through hawker centres where Chinese, Malay, Indian and Peranakan cooking sit side by side, visit temples, mosques and churches on the same street, and then step into futuristic gardens and rooftop bars. Few places pack so much culture, greenery and food into such a compact, easy-to-explore city.
Timeline
- 14th centuryTemasek thrives as a regional trading port
- 1819Stamford Raffles establishes a British trading post
- 1826Singapore joins the Straits Settlements
- 1942Japanese occupation begins during the Second World War
- 1959Singapore gains internal self-government
- 1963Joins the Federation of Malaysia
- 1965Becomes an independent republic on 9 August
- 2015Singapore Botanic Gardens named a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Entry rules depend on your passport and change often.
- ASEAN – ASEAN member – many Southeast Asian citizens have easier short visits.
- Commonwealth – Commonwealth member.
Before you book, check the official rules for your passport:
- Visa policy of Singapore (Wikipedia) ↗
- IATA Travel Centre – passport, visa & health rules ↗
- U.S. passport holders – State Department country pages ↗
- UK passport holders – GOV.UK travel advice ↗
The latest visa and entry news for Singapore appears below as soon as publishers report it.
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Things to do in Singapore
- Eat at a hawker centreGrab a plastic stool and feast on chicken rice, laksa and satay at a buzzing open-air food court.
- Gardens by the Bay at nightWatch the giant Supertrees glow and pulse with light and music after dark.
- Walk the Southern RidgesFollow elevated walkways and the wave-shaped Henderson Bridge through treetop jungle.
- Explore Little IndiaWander past flower-garland stalls, spice shops and the colourful Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple.
- Cycle Pulau UbinTake a bumboat to this rustic island and pedal past old kampong houses and mangrove wetlands.
- Night SafariSpot leopards, tapirs and fishing cats roaming in the dark at the world's first nocturnal zoo.
- Kampong Glam street artBrowse Arab Street textiles, Haji Lane murals and the golden domes of Sultan Mosque.
- River walk at Clarke QuayStroll the Singapore River from colonial Boat Quay to lively riverside bars as the skyline lights up.
- MacRitchie treetop trailHike through rainforest to a suspension bridge high in the canopy, keeping an eye out for monkeys.
- Peranakan heritage in KatongAdmire pastel shophouses and try nyonya cakes and laksa in this charming eastern neighbourhood.
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Where to go in Singapore
- Marina BayDowntown · skylineThe city's showpiece waterfront, with the Merlion, light shows and the iconic Marina Bay Sands towers.
- ChinatownCentral · heritageTemples, shophouses and some of the city's best hawker food, all within a few walkable streets.
- SentosaSouthern island · beachesA resort island with beaches, theme parks and cable cars, just minutes from the city centre.
- Singapore Botanic GardensCentral · UNESCO gardenA free, leafy oasis that is home to the National Orchid Garden and a patch of original rainforest.
- Little IndiaCentral · cultureA vibrant, aromatic district of temples, textile shops and superb South Indian food.
- 📍Pulau UbinNortheast island · natureA glimpse of old village life, with cycling trails and the Chek Jawa wetlands.
- 📍Sungei Buloh Wetland ReserveNorthwest · wildlifeMangrove boardwalks where you may spot monitor lizards, migratory birds and even crocodiles.
- 📍Kampong GlamCentral · Malay-Arab quarterHistoric Malay heartland with Sultan Mosque, indie boutiques and late-night cafes.
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- Eat at a hawker centre
- Watch the light show at the Supertree Grove
- Walk the treetop trails of MacRitchie Reservoir
- Explore the Jewel waterfall at Changi Airport
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- Hainanese chicken rice – poached chicken with fragrant rice
- Chilli crab – crab in a sweet and spicy tomato sauce
- Laksa – spicy coconut noodle soup
- Kaya toast – toast with coconut jam, eggs and coffee
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Best time to visit Singapore
Singapore is hot and humid all year, with daytime highs around 30–32°C and frequent tropical downpours that usually pass quickly. As a small island it has no real regional differences, so the main variation is between the wetter northeast monsoon and the slightly drier months.
Typical daytime highs and rain in Singapore (approximate averages).
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- January/FebruaryChinese New YearChinatown glows with lanterns, markets and lion dances, and the Chingay street parade adds floats and performers.
- October/NovemberDeepavaliLittle India is strung with lights for the Hindu festival of lights, with bustling bazaars and sweets.
- Varies (end of Ramadan)Hari Raya PuasaMalay families celebrate the end of the fasting month, and Kampong Glam fills with evening food bazaars during Ramadan.
- AugustNational DaySingapore's birthday on 9 August brings a big parade, aerial displays and fireworks over Marina Bay.
- September/OctoberMid-Autumn FestivalLanterns light up Chinatown and the gardens as people share mooncakes under the full moon.
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How many days in Singapore?
Day 1 covers Marina Bay, Gardens by the Bay and a riverside evening. Day 2 explores Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam with hawker meals in between. Day 3 is for the Botanic Gardens in the morning and Sentosa or the Night Safari later.
Days 1-3 follow the classic route through the downtown sights and ethnic quarters. Day 4 takes you hiking the Southern Ridges and MacRitchie treetop trail, and Day 5 to Pulau Ubin by bumboat. Day 6 is for Katong's Peranakan streets, Sungei Buloh's mangroves and a final hawker feast.
Backpacker budget: about $60–90 a day
- Hawker centres are the best-value meals in the city, and many stalls hold Michelin recognition while still charging street-food prices.
- Use a contactless bank card or a stored-value card on the MRT and buses – the network is cheap, fast and reaches almost everywhere.
- Budget hostels cluster around Chinatown, Little India, Bugis and Lavender, all close to MRT stations.
- Many of the best sights are free: the Botanic Gardens, Gardens by the Bay outdoor areas, the light shows, temples and nature trails.
- Tap water is safe to drink, so carry a refillable bottle to save money and stay hydrated in the heat.
Stay safe
- Singapore has very low crime, but keep an eye on bags in crowded spots like markets and festival areas.
- Laws are strict and strictly enforced – littering, jaywalking, smoking outside marked areas and drug offences carry heavy penalties.
- Carry water, sun protection and an umbrella; heat exhaustion and sudden thunderstorms are the most common hazards.
- Use mosquito repellent, as dengue fever occurs in the region year-round.
Money
- Cards and mobile payments are accepted almost everywhere, though some hawker stalls are cash-only, so keep a few small notes.
- ATMs are plentiful and money changers in malls often offer good rates.
- Tipping is not expected; restaurants usually add a service charge to the bill.
Emergency: 999 police · 995 fire & ambulance
Changi Airport is one of the world's major hubs, with direct flights across Asia, Europe and Australia. You can also arrive overland from Malaysia across the Johor causeway or by ferry from Indonesia's nearby Riau Islands.
✈️ Cheap flights to Singapore: airports, flight times & best time to fly →
- Singapore has four official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil.
- Selling chewing gum has been banned since 1992, apart from approved dental and medical varieties.
- The country has reclaimed land from the sea and grown by roughly a quarter since independence.
- Changi Airport's Jewel complex has the world's tallest indoor waterfall.
- Singapore is one of only a handful of sovereign city-states left in the world, alongside Monaco and Vatican City.
Singapore travel questions
Is Singapore safe for tourists?
Singapore is one of the safest cities in the world, with very low crime and excellent public services. The main things to watch are the strict laws on littering, smoking and drugs, plus the tropical heat.
What is the best time to visit Singapore?
Any time works, but February to April tends to be driest and sunniest. November to January is wettest, though rain usually comes in short bursts.
How many days do you need in Singapore?
Three days covers the highlights, food and main neighbourhoods. Five to six days lets you add nature trails, islands and a slower pace.
Do I need a visa for Singapore?
It depends on your passport – check the official government site or your nearest embassy before you travel, and complete any required arrival registration in advance.
Is Singapore expensive to visit?
Accommodation and alcohol are pricey, but food at hawker centres and public transport are very affordable. Many top attractions, such as parks and light shows, are free.
Approximate daily cost per person (stay, food, local transport).
The MRT metro and buses are fast, cheap and reach almost everywhere. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are also easy to use.
- Buddha Tooth Relic Temple – Ornate Chinatown temple said to hold a tooth relic of the Buddha
- Sri Mariamman Temple – Singapore's oldest Hindu temple, with a colourful gopuram tower
- Sultan Mosque – Golden-domed mosque at the heart of the Kampong Glam district
- Do not eat or drink on the MRT – fines apply
- Never litter or chew gum in public
- Use tissue packets only to 'chope' (reserve) seats at hawker centres if locals do
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