This is not a “X must try foods in Singapore” kind of post. There are enough of those out there. Instead my approach was “Where to eat” while you’re in Singapore. Since you have to be mindful of where you eat, when you want to keep up with an itinerary to make the most of your time. Singapore has several iconic places to eat at, as well as iconic food. These two characteristics overlap sometimes, but not all the time.

This post contains affiliate links to things like tours and hotels. These help me earn a small commission at no additional charge to you. Every affiliate link is marked with a *.

Overview of where to eat in Singapore

• Where to eat at and what to eat there
  • Hawker Centres
  • Bettr Coffee
  • Cheerful Goat Cafe
  • Nova
  • FreakyCones
  • Bee Cheng Hiang – Bak Kwa
  • Chin Mee Chin Confectionery
  • Heavenly Wang
• Michelin rated food

Sometimes they overlap (since you can find some of the must-try foods at the places I mention), so I would still recommend reading everything for a comprehensive overview.

Where to eat at and what to eat there

Hawker Centres

What is a hawker centre? A hawker centre usually is a big building or hall, in which former street merchants and street food vendors set up shop. Southeast Asia is well known for street food and street merchants and it was much the same in Singapore. In the 1960s the Government of Singapore built the hawker-centres we know today, as a place to congregate and organise street vendors. This was part of nationwide registration and licensing projects, during urban renewal and hawker resettlement schemes. A few decades later a hygiene license project followed.

Because of it’s origins Singapore’s hawker culture has a somewhat turbulent history (you can learn more about it in the National Museum of Singapore). Today the hawker centres are a big part of the (food-) culture of Singapore and one of the things the country is known for internationally. In 2020 hawker culture was even declared part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Albert Centre Market & Food Centre

I am starting at this hawker centre, simply because it was closest to where I stayed and because the food and drinks were delicious. I had my first Singapore breakfast here: White carrot cake (it’s an oyster omlette) from 时代风味 Carrot Cake and a Kopi to go from Hua Ling Hng Coffee Stall, for only 1.4 SGD. Originally I had come to this centre for glutinous rice from Thong Kay Delight, but alas: they were closed that morning. On the last picture in the gallery below, can guess what’s inside the golden Margarine tub? Wrong. It’s ground coffee.

Lau Pa Sat

Lau Pa Sat (meaning “old maket”) was founded in 1824 as Telok Ayer Market, the first market in the country. Back in the day the market was located on the former shoreline of Singapore. The market we see today was constructed in 1894. In the late 1960s the wet part of the market was closed and rebuild into a Hawker Centre.

I had a chicken cutlet and fried egg on top of rice for 7 SGD at a food stall here. Sadly it looks like the food stall I ate at (Danlao) doesn’t exist anymore.

I know that many people today say that Lau Pa Sat is overhyped, too expensive (and it is more expensive than other hawker centres) and you shouldn’t eat there. However, it is also a piece of history. Even if said history now exists mostly in the building itself.

Telok Ayer Market – 1824

Lau Pa Sat – 2026

Satay Street

Every day Boon Tat Street in front of Lau Pa Sat turns into Satay Street. On weekdays from 7 PM to 3 AM and on weekends from 3 PM to 3 AM the entire street is lined with satay stands, filled with tables and chairs and the air is thick with smoke.

I went there, very excited to try grilled meat, seafood or vegetables with delicious dipping sauces. However the amounts and prices of food seem to be geared only at families or groups of friends. With no exceptions.

Maxwell Food Centre

Bettr Coffee

They call themselves “Singapore’s Largest Impact Driven Coffee Brand” and focus on the sustainability, ethic sourcing and human connections behind every coffee bean they use. Coincidentally one of their locations Bettr Coffee @Foundry was in short walking distance to my hotel, close to Bencoolen station and Bugis station, and became my go to morning-coffee spot.

I can’t say much about other locations, but Bettr Coffee @Foundry was a tranquil breakfast cafe, with a lot of foliage around, giving it garden vibes.

The chilli crisp eggs were on point, although I wish it had been a little more. If you eat a lot for breakfast you’ll probably want to order a second dish.

The white coffee was good every time, the sesame latte I tried off their menu as well.

Cheerful Goat Cafe

The Cheerful Goat Cafe is a sub-brand of TIMEMORE, a coffee equipment brand. I have some of their equipment at home, so I was interested to see what this brand would do in a café.

I had the Kenya Nemrys Trinity Set. It consist of three drinks: A black Americano, a milk coffee and a Cold Brew Coffee Cocktail with Blackcurrant, Plum Wine, Raspberry and Jasmine Tea. The beans used for all three drinks are single-origin beans from Kenya.

I liked the concept of presenting the same coffee (-beans) in different ways to show off how different the same coffee can taste, depending on how you brew it and what you add to it.

Nova

Nova is a bar on top of the One Raffles Place building. 282 meters above the ground it offers a stunning, almost 365 degree view over the city. On one side you have the Marina Bay Sands building, which is often lit up at night, 30 degrees against the clock you can see the Asian Civilisations Museum, former Supreme Court and the former City Hall, turn even further and you can see Chinatown.

The entrance fee of 28 SGD includes admission to the rooftop and a drink. The cocktail was mediocre at best and going by the menu amounted to 20 SGD. I have been told alcohol in Singapore is very expensive, but I have nothing to compare it to.

While the wind and them opening only after dark makes it an enjoyable climate in the bar, the music is far too loud for my liking and not really my style, but the other guests seemed to enjoy it.

But let’s be real, you don’t go here for drinks, you go here for the view:

FreakyCones

Freaky Cones stands for handcrafted Ice Cream and the best waffle I have ever had. They are located at the Northeastern edge of Chinatown.

Their “golden waffle” is the height of a Belgian Waffle, but without the crystalline sugar clumps, the size of a medium pizza and perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

Paired with their ice cream – I went for once scoop of Matcha and one scoop Earl Grey Lavender – which was not too sweet, very flavourful and very creamy, it was the perfect combination.

And yes, the scoops are as big as they look in the picture.

Just to be clear: They didn’t pay me to write this and I fully paid for my meal, I just loved it.

Bee Cheng Hiang – Bak kwa

On the airplane they had a series with mini documentaries about Singapore in the entertainment library. One of them was about bak kwa. I have linked it here. But was is bak kwa? It’s ground meat, seasoned and grilled in thin sheets over bamboo until it has a similar texture to jerky (it’s softer though).

Chin Mee Chin Confectionery

Chin Mee Chin Confectionery is one of the oldest coffeshops in Singapore, which first opened over 100 years ago. They are best known for their Kaya Toast, with soft boiled egg. This Hainanese-Singaporean dish is a staple breakfast food until today, served with a Teh or Kopi of your choice. They are located in the Katong District.

Heavenly Wang

Another shop serving Kaya Toast, boiled eggs and Kopi or Teh. And yet the Kaya Toast at Heavenly Wang could not be more different from the one at Chin Mee Chin Confectionary.

Instead of Brioche-like buns the spread is served between crispy sheets of brown toast. You can choose if you want Kaya alone, Kaya and Butter, Kaya and peanut or just peanut spread.

This might be your first or last time eating Kaya Toast in Singapore, since they have a whopping six locations (March 2026) at the airport alone. Or, in my case, it was the first AND last time eating the jam whose name I share.

Honorable Mention

This honorable mention goes out to the “Singapore Sling“. The now world famous cocktail was invented at the Raffles Hotel in 1915! You can visit “The Long Bar” at the hotel without staying as an overnight guest. But since the cocktail is based on pineapple, which I am allergic to, I refrained from doing so.

Michelin Food

While Singapore doesn’t have the most Michelin Stars (38) of any country (here is the current leaderboard), they do have a large number of Michelin Bib Gourmand (89) and Michelin Plate (175) rated food. There is – as far as I know, and looking at the 2025 Michelin Guide Singapore didn’t tell me anything contrary – only one hawker stall with a Michelin star: Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle.

Some of the otherwise Michelin rated food can be found in close proximity to each other, for example at Lau Pa Sat you could eat:

• Black Fried Kway Teow, White Fried Kway Teow, Laksa at Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow – Stall 74 – 75
• Curry Chicken, Braised Pork, Peranakan Chicken Wing, Curry Chicken Ramen at Nana Curry – Stall 63
• Char Siew Cheong Fun, Prawn Cheong Fun, Scallop Cheong Fun at Pin Wei Chee Cheong Fun – Stall 1A
• Mee Soto & Mee Rebus at Warong Pak Sapari – Stall 58

Ji Ji Signature Char Siew Wanton Noodle – Dry

Inside the Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, North of Chinatown and South of Clarke Quay, you’ll find the stall of Ji Ji Wanton Noodle Specialist.

Their dish of Ji Ji Signature Char Siew Wanton Noodle – Dry has gotten the “Michelin Plate Accolade” every year since 2016. So I was very excited to try it when I was in the area.

The queue was long, even during off-hours I waited over an hour for this plate of food. And the Michelin rating is definitely contributing heavily to that waiting time. In my opinion it was good, but I had better within Singapore.

Main Post Picture – of the Hawker Centre “Chinatown Complex” – by: Dennise Anorico

Der Beitrag Where to eat during your first time in Singapore erschien zuerst auf Kaya Wanderlust.

This post contains affiliate links to things like tours and hotels. These help me earn a small commission at no additional charge to you. Every affiliate link is marked with a *.

Overview of the museums in Singapore

• National Museum of Singapore
• Asian Civilisations Museum
• Four Peranakan Museums
• Red Dot Design Award Museum
• National Gallery of Singapore
• Free Museums in Singapore

National Museum of Singapore

The National Museum of Singapore is the oldest museum in Singapore and it’s exhibitions focuses on art, culture, history and people who shaped the country. It gives a comprehensive overview about the country and is the ideal starting point for museum hopping, as the other museums are more specific and sometimes feel like deep-dives into topics you first encounter at the national museum.

Imagine my shock, when after having to pay for an all access ticket (the only choice you have as an adult tourist without concessions) the Singapore History Gallery was closed, with a sign stating it is set to reopen in October of 2026. However while I was at the National Museum of Singapore they had two special exhibitions instead: Once Upon a Tide: Singapore’s Journey from Settlement to Global City and Singapore Odyssea – A journey through time.

Once Upon a Tide: Singapore’s Journey from Settlement to Global City

This special exhibition was created in celebration of Singapore’s 60th year of independence and covers 700 years of Singaporean history. It starts with ancient maps, showing how the knowledge about Singapore changed and expanded between Malay and Chinese traders, how it became a settlement and finally how it first became known the to European explorers, before then becoming a British settlement.

The second part focuses on the Singapore River as the lifeline of the city and shows how it and it’s influence on daily life changed over the centuries – and how, in some cases, it stayed the same. Afterwards the exhibitions follows the history of land reclamation, as well as the technology behind it: with the countries ever changing coastlines in an interactive map-table and the previous plan of urban planning in Singapore hanging on the wall. I especially liked the comparisons between cityscapes 100 years ago and today, showcased through paintings, photographs and postcards.

Finally the last two parts of the exhibition focus on people. First on the people of the past who made Singapore what it is today: the merchants, settlers, entrepreneurs, immigrants, migrant workers and their children and grandchildren. Photos, videos, audio statements and in older cases diaries showcase the life of people from multiple cultures, religions and stages of life. And in the last area on the people of the present, Singaporeans who “play on the worlds stage” so to say, from inventors to athletes, innovators to authors, doctors to designers and so many more.

Guided Tour of Once Upon a Tide

The museum offers guided tours of this exhibition, for no extra cost. A guide takes you through the exhibition and focuses on the main exhibits while telling you more about the story. It’s good for a quick, but comprehensive overview of the exhibition if you’re strapped for time, or, how I did it, an introduction to the exhibition, after which you then walk through it at your own pace and stay longer at the spots you found most interesting.

Each tour slot is limited to 15 people and you can only register once inside the building. The slots are given on a first-come-first-served basis. The tours are held in English, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean and French. All on different days and at different times. The museum posts the offered tours on their website every week here.

Singapore Odyssea

The Singapore Odyssea is an immersive light display, again about Singaporean history. You pick an RFID wristband at the entrance, green, blue or orange and with it your animal companion for the exhibition. It starts with a globe-light-show about Singapores connection to the world, followed by a floor-to-ceiling display of how Singapores skyline changed over the centuries.

Afterwards you walk though the development of Singapore, from early humans, over traders, settlers to the modern day. Along the way your companion spawns in at key points and offers explanations on some key moments in history, myths- and folktales. By the end of the exhibition an almost 365 degree room has interactive walls and an interactive floor, showing glimpses of the city as if you are there in person. Then, the room where you give back your wristband and say goodbye to your companion, acts as an underwater experience, complete with marine wildlife and a giant crab that slumbers under the tree of life.

Tip: If your companion doesn’t show up at the first spawn point turn around and get a new wristband.

Asian Civilisations Museum

The Asian Civilisations Museums tagline is “Understanding Asia Through Singapore“. It turned out to be my favourite museum in Singapore! I expected to spend an hour here, maybe two hours, but ended up staying for five. It’s so much bigger than you think when you see it from outside.

Inside the museum are three permanent galleries, each with dedicated sub-areas:

1. Maritime Trade
   • Tang Shipwreck
   • Maritime Trade
2. Faith & Belief
   • Ancestors and Rituals
   • Ancient Religions
   • Christian Art
   • Islamic Art
   • Scholars
3. Materials & Design
   • Ceramics
   • Fashion and Textiles
   • Jewellery

Once inside with an AA = all-access ticket (the only one available of you’re a tourist without concessions) you can join guided tours every hour for no extra money. They have a museum highlights tour, specific tours inside the three galleries and tours about their special exhibitions. Most tours end in time to catch the next one – if you are interested in more than one and / or simply want to get your monies worth.

When I was there it was just in time for the Materials & Design Gallery tour. We started with Ceramics, then continued to textiles and ended with jewellery. Right after that I went on the Museum Highlights Tour, which started (and spend a lot of time) in the Maritime Trade Gallery, continued in the Ancestors & Rituals and Ancient Religions areas and then ended with a short overview of the Jewellery area. This time I was not in time, but still close enough that I managed to catch the tour of the special exhibition on Asian Games as well. Truly a great day for a museum lover!

They had three special exhibitions while I was there, of which I visited two: Let’s Play – The Art and Design of Asian Games and Garden of Senses: A Tea Reverie. While the one about games felt more like the rest of the museum, with carefully selected exhibits and to-the-point explanations, the one about tea felt more art-nouveau, very design forward and more like it was a giant installation in itself.

Let’s Play – The Art and Design of Asian Games

This special exhibition was focused on Asian games. From those centuries old – drawn on the ground and played with stones, to board games like chess – still played in world championships today. From games that started out as a religious teaching method, then travelled internationally – like snakes and ladders (original name: Gyan chaupar) to the game that became the base for QR codes: Weiqi.

Gallery legend from top left to bottom right:

• Ancient jewellery
• Front point of a boat and ancient statues
• Chess World Championship Singapore 2024 (edited picture since the two screens where too far apart)
• Opium pipe and portable opium case
• Ancient board game

Peranakan Museums

Peranakans are (in the most abbreviated version of a few centuries of history) a group of people within Singapore whose culture developed from (most often) a marriage of Chinese merchants / immigrants with Malaysian women. This mix of cultures was then influenced by the European settlers / colonizers and a new culture was born.

To my knowledge there are four museums in Singapore that focus on the Peranakan culture:

The Intan is a „house-museum“, meaning that you visit someones house which has a rich history and is filled to the brim with memorabilia, fashion and historic artifacts from a specific time or cultural group. In this case the Peranakans.

Secondly the Peranakan Mansion Museum, a beautifully decorated building that was and still is a shophouse today, with shops downstairs and the private museum on the upper floors where the living quarters used to be.

Third, the Baba House, a traditional Peranakan pre-war terrace-house in Chinatown. It was owned by the family of a 19th-century shipping tycoon. The three storey house impressively shows how families with lots of money lived back in the day.

And finally the Peranakan Museum, a more traditional museum that dives more into the history of Peranakan cultures, as well as the different kinds of Peranakans and how they came to Singapore, which languages they spoke and how the culture came to be. They frequently host special exhibitions, for example on the symbol of the peacock across different cultures globally, with a strong focus, again, on Peranakan culture.

Exploring Peranakan Culture in Singapore

Red Dot Design Award Museum

This museum understands itself as a “physical embodiment of the Red Dot Design Award” (direct quote).

Inside you can find selected products and prototypes which have won the award in the past on the ground floor.

When I was there they also had an exhibitions on currently nominated products, designs and design concepts. But to my understanding that special exhibition changes regularly.

It’s an interesting museum, especially the exhibit on the recent winners. As in interesting what won, compared to other winners. It’s cold inside. The AC is turned on full blast. The staff seemed surprised when I asked to buy a ticket. Most people just look around the museum shop I guess?

Side note: the second worst toilets of any museum in Singapore.

I only included pictures of actual products here, prototype or already in production. On the left is a full set of dishes, all stackable into a big globe that then serves as decoration. Next are sleek walkie-talkies, which also have a very wide range and long battery time. And the last picture has the firephant, a fire extinguisher that takes design inspiration from an elephant trunk.

Spoilers: More than half of the recently nominated things include AI and just made me angry for one reason or another.

National Gallery of Singapore

The National Gallery of Singapore is located in the Former Supreme Court and Former City Hall of Singapore. The two historic buildings have been connected to become a new landmark.

Once you have a general admission ticket to the Gallery you can take part in as many tours as you’d like, with no extra charge. For example the DBS Singapore Gallery Guided Tour with the focus on “Singapore through its art, artists and artistic heritage from the 19th century to present”, the UOB Southeast Asia Gallery Guided Tour, which covers over “300 artworks that highlight how sociopolitical changes were deeply connected to artistic influences across Southeast Asia” or the Highlights of the Gallery Guided Tour that gives a deep insight into key architectural features of the two historic buildings, before diving into “selected masterpieces from our long-term exhibitions that showcase the art and heritage of Singapore and Southeast Asia”.

I highly recommend joining at least one of the tours during your visit, though not every tour is offered every day. Find out which tour is happening when you visit on the National Gallery Website.

Did you know you can visit the Former Supreme Court Building and the Former City Hall Building for free? I wrote about it in this article “Free things to do in Singapore“, telling you exactly which parts of the building you can visit and how you can get in for free!

Free Museums in Singapore

Which is your favourite museum in Singapore?

I know I haven’t listed nearly close to every museum here, but there are just so many! Which one is your favourite? I’ll make sure to visit it next time.

Der Beitrag Museum hopping in Singapore erschien zuerst auf Kaya Wanderlust.

Overview of free things to do in Singapore

• Building Highlights tour of the former Supreme Court and City Hall
• Central Fire Station & Civil Defence Heritage Gallery
• Step into living history at Raffles hotel
• Explore Chinatown
• Visit Joo Chiat / Katong District
• Discover Muscat Street & Arab Street in Kampong Glam
• Futuristic Architecture
• Merlion Park and other viewpoints
• Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay
• 20 free things to do in Singapore – List

Building Highlights tour of the former Supreme Court and former City Hall

There are many tours offered for free at the former supreme court and city hall of Singapore, but under normal circumstances all of them require a general admission ticket to even get inside.

However, with the “Building Highlights” Tour you don’t need to buy an admission ticket, nor do you have to pay for the tour. You just have to register at least 30 minutes before the tour starts. Then you show up about 10 minutes before the tour starts and you get a sticker that allows you to enter both buildings during the tour.

The tour starts with an overview of the two buildings and how they have been connected to become a new landmark. Then you stop by the old Holding Cells, the Chief Justice’s Chamber & Office, the City Hall Chamber with it’s impressive marble columns, the Supreme Court Historical Lobby with the foundation stone of the building in the centre and several more places.

From Thursday to Sunday the English tour starts at 10:30 AM at the Visitor Services Counter. Up to date information on time/day/content changes, as well as all the info you need on where to register is on the Website of the National Gallery of Singapore here.

Central Fire Station Singapore & Civil Defence Heritage Gallery

Inside the iconic striped building you’ll find not only Singapore’s oldest fire station, but also the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery. A small museum about the story of firefighting and everything related to it, which you can visit for free. It covers the first establishment of a designated firefighting squad, the evolution of fire-trucks (and mopeds), as well as hazmat fire fighting, water-based firefighting (as in fires on ships, offshore platforms, etc.) and the newest hazard: How to put out the fire of an electrical car.

Some stations are interactive with holograms, at others you can shoot a water gun or learn more about the most devastating house fire in the recorded history of Singapore and how it changed the country.

After I had finished viewing the exhibition the older fireman manning the gallery asked me where I am from. After my “I’m from Germany!” reply they excitedly showed me a glass case with many German fire station badges they have been gifted or exchanged against a Singapore one through the years.

Just down the road is the amazingly colourful Old Hill Street Police Station. You can’t visit inside (to my knowledge), but it’s a nice photo spot when you’re already in the area.

Step into living history at Raffles Hotel

The raffles is a landmark I more stumbled upon than anything else. Even the street leading up to it is fancy! This hotel gives strong vibes of “the glory of days long past” (if you could afford it – similar to today). You can walk through some of the premises and even enter the courtyard with the fountain for free.

The hotel is named after Sir Stamford Raffles, a British diplomat and often called the “founder of modern Singapore”. It first opened its doors on 1st December 1887, with the main building finished in 1899. In 1987 – 100 years after its opening – the hotel was even declared a national monument. However, this was officially celebrated in 1992 – after extensive restoration in the meantime. In 2011 the hotel was bought by a Qatari Hotel group, renovated again in 2017 and reopened in 2019 – which is the hotel you see today. Just so you know: They have a resident historian working at the hotel, who has been working there for over 50 years already. That’s how much history this place has.

Apparently the cocktail “Singapore Sling” was also invented in this very hotel in 1915! You can visit “The Long Bar” and drink it without staying at the hotel. Since the cocktail has pineapple, which I am allergic to, I refrained from doing so.

Tip: They have clean public toilets if you need to go.

Explore Chinatown – Singapore

Since it was Lunar New Year while in was there a lot of the city was decorated for the celebrations, especially Chinatown. Moreover Chinese Architecture is mostly found in Chinatown, though influences of it can be found all over the city. Chinatown is also the biggest of the “ethnic enclaves” with five official districts. At the Chinatown Heritage Centre you can get an overview over the history and changes of the area and you can book a free 2.5 hour walking tour or a 6 hour audio-guided walking tour.

You can also visit Kong Chow Wui Koon 冈州会馆 for free, the headquarters of the Cantonese clan association. During Japanese occupation it was repurposed as a clinic and survived destruction. Today it’s a community museum.

The Maxwell Food Centre is also located in Chinatown, but more on that later in the post about “Where to eat during your first time in Singapore“.

The two most famous temples of Chinatown

Located inside Chinatown are also two temples which are free to visit. First the Sri Mariamman Temple, the city’s oldest Hindu temple. You’ll recognize it immediately when you walk past by it’s tower, ornamented with dozens of colourful mini sculptures of Hindu deities. If you want to go the inside you’ll have to leave your shoes on a shelf by the road.

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is not far away. Its a Buddhist temple in the style of the Chinese Tang dynasty. Inside you can marvel at the ornate rooms, catch a glimpse of religious relics and, if it is open, get a breath of fresh air in it’s rooftop garden.

Visit Joo Chiat / Katong District

The Katong District is where you’ll find mainly Peranakan architecture. This culture, which developed from marriages between people from two different cultural backgrounds, has its own unique style of architecture. It’s combined of Chinese, Malay, and European elements, colourful and ornate. Along some roads, it feels as if you’re walking through the Singapore of days long past (if you can ignore the cars).

Some houses along Joo Chiat Road also feature beautiful paintings, like the Phoenix Mural in the featured image of this post.

When you’re already there, there is much more to discover about the Peranakan culture: Exploring Peranakan Culture in Singapore, though not for free.

Discover Muscat Street & Arab Street in Kampong Glam

Kampong Glam holds a special significance for the Malay and Muslim communities in Singapore. It was also once a hub for Arab traders during Republic of Singapore’s early history. In the 1822 plan for the development of Singapore the west of the district was allotted to the Arab community, while the area to the east was set aside for the Bugis: Immigrants from Java, Banjar, Bawean, Sumatra and Malaya.

Muscat street was named in 1908 after the capital of Oman. Murals decorate some walls along the street, showing glimpses of the maritime and trade connection between Republic of Singapore and Sultanate of Oman, which have continued to this day. Muscat Street was named in 1908 after the capital of Oman and redeveloped in 2012 together by the Republic of Singapore and the Sultanate of Oman.

Arab Street has even more colourful murals and Haji Lane to the south is another street with many vibrant colours, small shops and restaurants. Between these two famous streets the Sultan Mosque with its golden dome rises high above the low-lying houses.

Find modern / futuristic Architecture in Singapore

At least in Germany Singapore is known for being very advanced in many ways, one of those being their modern and even futuristic architecture. Walking through the city there are many types of Architecture, old houses, very old houses and modern “glass and steel” skyscrapers. Some in interesting shapes, others adorned with greenery. In some areas the modern and somewhat futuristic architecture blends seamlessly older buildings and nature, creating a very unique atmosphere. In others it almost feels like the older houses are about to be crushed as skyscrapers begin dominating the cityscape and encroach further and further into their space.

Some examples of the modern and futuristic architecture you can visit are the Jewel of Changi Airport, Marina Bay Sands and the Red Dot Design Museum.

Merlion Park & other viewpoints

You can try not to get overstimulated when visiting the Merlion for free.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s an iconic spot, but during the day it’s way too packed. I took exactly one picture and it is featured here (on the right on the laptop and below on mobile).

I got there and turned right back around. And even without the people I can’t really see why one would stay longer to be honest.

If you go here for the view of the Marina Bay Sands and the ArtScience Museum, stop at the Clifford Pier Jetty instead. It’s a pier next to The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore.

Or book a spot at the Sky Garden 15 days in advance. It’s a rooftop garden on the 51st level of the CapitaSpring building which is only a 2 minutes walk from Raffles Place MRT.

Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay

tWhile you can visit park on Nibong Island for free, the Gardens by the Bay with the artificial trees require an admission ticket. And if you want to walk through the trees on the OCBC Skyway you have to buy another ticket. Similarly the greenhouses Cloud Forest and Flower Dome also need separate tickets. You can see the artificial trees and big greenhouses from the paths through the park sometimes and they are lit up at night.

Inside (and on the middle roof) of the Marina Bay Sands you can also see the Rain Oculus, an artificial indoor waterfall. It looks like a miniature version of the rain vortex inside the Jewel.

Honorable mention: T5 in the making

Terminal 3 of the Changi Airport is the current location of the exhibition “T5 in the making” about the construction of the new terminal five of the airport. I wrote about my visit in my post “24 hours at Changi Airport Singapore“. It is only an honorable mention, since it is set to close its doors on the 31st of March 2026

20 free things to do in Singapore – List

1. Building Highlights tour of the former Supreme Court and former City Hall
2. Visit the Central Fire Station
3. and learn about firefighting in the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery
4. Visit the Old Hill Street Police Station
5. Step into living history at Raffles Hotel
6. Explore Chinatown with a free walking tour
7. While you’re there stop at Chinatown Heritage Centre
8. and Kong Chow Wui Koon 冈州会馆,
9. Sri Mariamman Temple
10. and finally at the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
11. Visit Joo Chiat / Katong District
12. Discover Kampong Glam (Muscat Street),
13. Arab Street with the Sultan Mosque
14. and colourful Haji Lane.
15. Marvel at futuristic Architecture in Singapore
16. Merlion Park
17. View of the Marina Bay Sands from Clifford Pier Jetty
18. Book a spot at Sky Garden for a 365 view over Singapore
19. See the Rain Oculus at Marina Bay Sands
20. Take a stroll through the park on Nibong Island

Do you know any more places to visit or things to do and see in Singapore for free?

Please share in the comments, so more people can experience this country without breaking the bank.

Der Beitrag 20 free things to do in Singapore erschien zuerst auf Kaya Wanderlust.

This post contains affiliate links to things like tours and hotels. These help me earn a small commission at no additional charge to you. Every affiliate link is marked with a *.

Overview of Peranakan Culture in Singapore

• Who are the Peranakans?
• Peranakan Museum
• Peranakan Mansion Museum
• The Intan – Peranakan House Museum
• Baba House – Virtual Visit
• Peranakan Cuisine
• Peranakan Architecture

Who are the Peranakans?

“The Peranakans” are not a singular group of people. In the Peranakan museum of Singapore they explain that there is no single Peranakan culture but rather many expressions of it. However, their unifying trait is the combinations of different ancestral cultures: Chinese, Indian, Arabic & European with the indigenous cultures of Malaysia & Indonesia.

In this article I will mostly be talking about the Chinese/Malay Peranakans of Singapore – the Nyonya and Babas – who additionally draw a lot of cultural influences of former colonial powers like England.

Simplified Malay was the lingua franca of Peranakans, but was adapted over centuries into “Baba Malay”, which mixes in Hokkien as well.

Peranakan Museum

The Peranakan Museum is a good starting point to explore Peranakan culture in Singapore. Their exhibits start with the origins, then dive deeper into family and community life, as well as fashion and art.

One of the most fascinating exhibits to me was that of Peranakan Embroidery. Born from traditional Chinese embroidery and the use of beads in Malay embroidery this colourful handcraft could be found in all aspects of life, from accessories, to slippers (kasut manek), bed-curtains to entire tablecloth spanning meters. In some of the older pieces you can also see beads with a cut-glass effect from Germany, but the import stopped after WWII.

In the past the beadwork of a woman was used to judge her patience, skill, and suitability as a wife. That means her craftsmanship influenced the prospects of marriage!

While I was there they had a special exhibit about the Peacock and it’s significance for cultures across the globe, with a focus of the motif in Peranakan Culture. It’s always super interesting to see how the same animal or symbol was used in many different cultures and countries all over the world. It should remind us that at the core there are more things that unite us than divide us.

Peranakan Mansion Museum

The Peranakan Mansion Museum describes their building as a “Crazy Rich Asian’s 1928 home”. This beautifully decorated building was and still is a shophouse today with shops downstairs and the private museum on the upper floors where the living quarters used to be. The ticket includes a complimentary 30 minute guided tour in either English or Mandarin, but you can walk around the house and get a closer look at the exhibits before or after the tour.

The table decorations, many pieces of pottery showing off wealth, but with no other use, and the colourful beaded everyday items are mostly arranged in the house as they would have been when it was still lived in and offer a look into the past.

Inside the museum they also offer many different colourful Sarong Kebaya & Batik Shirts you can rent to take pictures or have your picture taken. If you are more interested in hands on workshops they also offer beading*-workshops (book here on klook*), tile painting*-workshops (book here on klook*) and shophouse sketch-& watercolour*-paint-workshops (book here on klook*). If you are super interested in the clothing rental, the beading and Peranakan sweets you can even go for a four-hour experience* that includes all of those things (book here on klook*). However those are limited to very few days each month and none were happening while I was in Singapore.

The Intan – Peranakan House Museum

The third museum on this list is the smallest, but has an extensive exhibition of items from Peranakan culture. It’s also very special: It’s a house museum. That means it’s a museum inside someone’s house who lives there. That someone is Alvin. He is Peranakan himself and shares his appreciation of his culture with guests from Singapore and all over the world. His house museum is officially recognized by the National Heritage Board of Singapore.

During the tour (and also just in general) Alvins love for his culture is palpable, he speaks passionately about every artefact and freely shares how he came to open his house as a museum in the first place.

You can book your visit, which includes a tour of the house, the gallery upstairs – no pictures allowed, let yourself be surprised by the treasures from this culture Alvin has collected over the years – as well as tea, and home made Peranakan cookies.

You can book the experience online on klook* and get a Peranakan tile sticker with your visit.

Baba House – Virtual Visit

The Baba House is a traditional Peranakan pre-war terrace-house in Chinatown. It was owned by the family of a 19th-century shipping tycoon. The three storey house impressively shows how families with lots of money lived back in the day. The Museum is manages by the NUS Museum / Centre for the Arts of the National University of Singapore. Currently it’s closed for visitors (until 2027). There are ways to book a tour, but it’s complicated when you’re just visiting for a short time. Instead everyone can visit the hourse virtually on their website. A 360 degree view of all three storeys is available for free: Virtual Baba House

Peranakan Cuisine

Peranakan Cuisine, like the rest of Peranakan culture, has influences from many cultures. There are some places in Singapore who explicitly serve Peranakan cuisine, but you won’t get a recommendation to any of them from anyone who actually is Peranakan. Not because they aren’t good, but apparently because any recommendation that isn’t their mothers cooking is an insult to their mother.

Chin Mee Chin Confectionery

This place is one of the oldest coffeshops in Singapore. Opened over 100 years ago this shop serves kaya toast, kopi, teh and much more. They have different options for breakfast, but the original is the best choice. For $6.20 SGD it comes with two half buns with Kaya spread and squares of butter, served with two soft boiled eggs for dipping and a Teh or Kopi of your choice, this is THE Singaporean Breakfast when you’re out exploring the Katong District.

Update: I have since been informed that Kaya Toast with soft boiled eggs is of Hainanese-Singaporean origin, not Peranakan. So I have corrected & edited that part. It’s still a good place for breakfast though and a Singaporean staple.

Bibik Violet

Located in the Temasek Shophouse this Café / Restaurant serves Peranakan dishes, as well as Malay Cuisine. I went for the Kueh Pie Tee – small crispy cup-like shells, served with shredded turnip, carrot, tofu and bamboo shoots, topped with egg, chilli and sweet sauce. You can fill them yourself – to taste, so I went for less chilli. Afterwards I had one of their Nyonya Kueh for dessert, by just asking which one they’d recommend. It was a rice-pudding cake base with blue butterfly pea, topped with Kaya (young coconut jam) jelly.

Peranakan Architecture

Peranakan Houses are colourful and feature decorative tiles (often with flower motifs), intricate wood or stone carvings and ornate window-frames. Some houses still have swinging doors (pintu pagar) which were a trend at one point for homeowners looking to show off their wealth and that they were going with the times.

Many houses built in the Peranakan Architectural style have been preserved in Singapore, specifically in the Joo Chiat area of the Katong District. Their architecture mixes Chinese, Malay, and European elements. Most of the houses in this style were shophouses with shops on the ground floor and the living quarters on the upper floor(s).

Along Koon Seng Road in the Katong District rows of pre-war terrace houses have survived and are being kept in good condition. They are known simply as as “Peranakan Houses” in Singapore and on Google Maps. Today, even though still inhabited, they are a well-liked photo background.

Der Beitrag Exploring Peranakan Culture in Singapore erschien zuerst auf Kaya Wanderlust.

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Overview of my 24 hours at Changi Airport in Singapore

• Hour 1 – Baggage drop off
• Hour 2 – T5 in the making
• Hour 3 – Changi Experience Studio
• Hour 4 – Snack and drink
• Hour 5-8 – Exploring the Jewel after sunset
• Hour 9 – 11 – Changi Lounge
• Hour 12 – Visit The Wonderfall and go through Security
• Hour 13 + 14 Explore different Gardens
• Hour 15 – Dreamscape
• Hour 16 – 19 – Nap at the relaxation area
• Hour 20 + 21 – Free Movie Theatre
• Hour 22 – Cactus Garden
• Hour 23 – Breakfast
• Hour 24 – Head to your gate
• 10 Tips to make your stay better

Hour 1 – Baggage drop off or storage (1 PM)

Depending on the airline you’re flying with you can drop off your bags up to 24 hours before departure at the Jewel Early Check-in Facility (located at Level 1 of Jewel Changi Airport)! I was flying with Scoot, so I had an 18 hour window. That means I had to deal with my luggage for the first 6 hours at the airport. Which in turn meant I had to pay for baggage storage since I didn’t want to carry it with me.

At Smarte Carte you can store your luggage starting at 11 SGD for a small suitcase and 16 SGD for a large suitcase for 24 hours. They have all their locations linked on their website.

Hour 2 – T5 in the making (2 PM)

After dropping off my luggage at the Jewel I made my way via Skytrain to Terminal 3 to see the exhibition of the construction of the new terminal five of the airport. The exhibition sign up is located inside the public area of the Terminal 3 Arrival Hall on Level 1 near McDonald’s, the actual exhibition can be accessed from outside Terminal 3. You can book a ticket for free here on the official website: T5 in the making

The “T5 in the making” exhibition is divided in five zones:

1. Zone: Another Bold Singapore Chapter
2. Zone: Built on Firm Foundations
3. Zone: From Vision to Reality
4. Zone: Cool Tech Warm Touch
5. Zone: Come Imagine with T5

It was very informative and very well designed. Better designed than some museums I have been to and definitely worth a visit when you’re at the airport and have any interest in aviation, technology, ecological economic expansion, inclusive design or advanced robotic technology.

For kids and those collecting mementos from their travels: You get a “boarding pass” as your ticket which you can stamp at every zone.

Hour 3 – Changi Experience Studio (3 PM)

The Changi Experience Studio* is the “older brother” of the T5 in the making exhibition. It is a permanent interactive exhibition where visitors can learn about the airport and the aviation industry, about planes, pilots and the ground staff that make the airport work in a gamified way. You can spend well over an hour in here, especially when you come with children.

Hour 4 – Snack and drinks (4 PM)

First I went to Chow Zan Dessert and got Mua Chee with peanut and black sesame, then paired it with an Osmanthus Oolong Milk Tea from CHA MULAN. With these two things bought I went to the Shiseido Forest Valley and found myself a nice spot amidst the greenery.

Hour 5-8 – Exploring the Jewel after sunset (5 – 9 PM)

While exploring the Jewel at the airport during the day is also very nice, there are only so many hours and I chose to spend most of the daylight time inside the city itself. So after the exhibitions it was time to explore the illuminated building and all it has to offer.

There are many attractions to experience, but if you want to see all of them it’ll get expensive fast. After weighting the options I opted to buy a ticket for the Walking Net. When you buy a ticket for any of the bigger attractions you get a ticket to the Canopy Park for free. That includes the Discovery Slides, the Foggy Bowls, the Petal Garden and the Topiary Walk.

You can buy a combo ticket on klook here* to save on the ticket admission. Most attractions close at 9 PM and the last admission is 30 minutes earlier.

Of course you can explore other parts of the airport for free! Places like the Shiseido Forest Valley around the Jewel Rain Vortex (which has light and sound shows every day, every hour between 8 PM and 10 PM, as well as 1 PM on Fridays and weekends).

Hour 9 – 11 – Changi Lounge (9 – 11 PM)

When I was there it was still the conjunction period with the Lunar New Year, which meant that the “Lite Package” was not available. Normally the light package costs 28 SGD ≈ 29 € and includes 3 hours lounge access with a free flow snack bar.

The “Classic Package” to access the lounge – at a price point of 39 SGD ≈ 25 € includes:

• 3h lounge access
• Free flow snack bar
• One hot meal
• One beer

If you are planning on using the shower facilities, go for the “Premium Package” instead. It includes all of the above and costs 50 SGD ≈ 33,50 €. Buying a classic package (39 SGD) and a separate shower pass (20 SGD) would be ≈ 39,50 €.

The shower slot comes with towels and toiletries. You get a 20-minute shower slot (the last shower slot is at 9:25 PM), which you have to buy over the counter directly at the lounge. You can book your ticket directly online here on klook*.

Hour 12 – Visit The Wonderfall and go through Security (Midnight)

Going through the main security at Changi Airport is quick. They check your passport and your visa and that’s it. That’s because the security check we all know from the airport where you and your luggage get scanned happens in front of the gate before you fly.

Which is why you have more than enough time to visit The Wonderfall (Terminal 2) before you go. The Wonderfall is a mutli-storey LED panel covered wall (there’s several hundred of them, all aligned perfectly to make it seem like a giant screen) that displays a giant waterfall rushing down over the security gate. It is surrounded by live greenery and accompanied by an original composed music and natural sounds of rushing water.

Hour 13 + 14 Explore different Gardens (1 – 2 AM)

Inside the Changi Airport Terminals are many different gardens, from a Butterfly Garden (Terminal 3) to a Sunflower Garden (Terminal 2) , a Water Lily Garden (Terminal 1) , a Cactus Garden (I went to that one later). Of course these gardens are much nicer to see during the day, but at night you have them to yourself

Did you know that you can “visit” these gardens virtually from your own home? On the official blog NowBoarding by Changi Airport you can see three of the airport gardens:
www.nowboarding.changiairport.com/discover-changi/changi-airport-gardens-virtual-tours

Hour 15 – Dreamscape (3 AM)

The Dreamspace at Changi Airport Terminal 2 is a a mix between live fish in ponds, curated plants from all over the country, a giant screen on the ceiling that displays the current weather of Singapore (accurate to a 30 minute window), or a magical underwater landscape – accompanied by soft music and nature sounds.

Hour 16 – 19 – Nap at the relaxation area (4 – 7 AM)

There are free so called “Snooze Lounges” at every Terminal of Changi Airport. Those are designated areas with lounge chairs where you can nap (and charge your electronic devices). Since my next stop was in Terminal 3 I went there first, but at this hour all the chairs were taken. So I took the skytrain and napped at one of the lounges at Terminal 2 instead. There’s a list on the official Changi Website where you can find all the lounge locations.

Hour 20 + 21 – Free Movie Theatre (8 – 9 AM)

Like I said previously, my next stop was the free movie theatre located in Terminal 3, next to the Ambassador Transit Hotel.

I shows movies almost 24/7, only being closed for a few hours for maintenance every Thursday. During the time I was there they were showing the third Frozen movie.

Hour 22 Cactus Garden (9 AM)

The Cactus Garden is inside the transit area of Terminal 1. Since it was getting closer to my boarding time I had left this garden for last. It was honestly my favourite out of the gardens, despite the number of people smoking. It is nicely curated and as soon as you leave the main area you have the garden to yourself (or at least it feels like it). It was a great breath of fresh air after all the time inside.

Hour 23 – Breakfast (10 AM)

For breakfast I went to Heavenly Wang, also inside the transit area of Terminal 1. There I had the Kaya Peanut Toast Set with two boiled eggs and a Teh (Teh with no additional letter is dark tea with condensed milk).

Hour 24 – Head to your gate (11 AM)

As I said, the security check happens at the gate, so it’s best to head there early. I went 30 minutes before boarding and they were already done with most of the security check, so I hurried to pour out my water (there was a drinking water fountain after security where you can fill up the bottles again) and get through the check.

Tips to make your stay at Changi Airport better

These tips are a mix between official tips from the Changi Airport Group that also found helpful and some things I wish I had known before my time there, which I will happily share with you here:

1. Make a plan

It sounds easy and almost negligible to say, but you’d be surprised how much walking you’ll do if you don’t plan ahead. Even with a plan I walked over 3km inside the airport! Save the things you want to see in a maps app of your choice and know from which terminal you’ll be flying out. Especially if it’s Terminal 4, since it is a ways away from Terminals 1-3.

2. Changi App

It can be a pain sometimes to find the places you’re looking for at the airport. To make things easier you can download the Changi App. I did once I was sufficiently fed up while looking for a specific food stall. You can read more about the app on their official website here: Changi App

3. Early check-in and luggage drop off

While you can use the Jewel Early Check-in Facility, you can also just go for an early check-in at the terminal as long as your airline allows it. There’s a list of which airlines allow early check-in and baggage drop-off a while before departure on the official airport website.

4. Luggage Storage

If you want to explore the airport and more specifically the Jewel after you land you can store your luggage at one of the storage points. The Baggage Storage by Smarte Carte have many locations throughout the airport.

5. Buy combo tickets online for the best offers

You can book many tickets to attractions at the Jewel online on klook*. These tickets come as combo-packages and can save you money compared to buying single tickets everywhere.

6. Showers outside of the Changi Lounge

If you want to shower, but don’t want to pay for full lounge access you can also shower at Hub & Spoke Lounge in the public area at Singapore Changi Airport. A ticket for a shower slot can also be booked on klook* here. You can choose between a ticket with a towel and one without. Since I always carry my travel towel I would opt for the option without one.

However, there are few things you need to know:

1. Lockers are too small for anything other than a carry-on
2. Bring flip flops or waterproof slippers, the floors are not clean
3. Some of the lockers don’t have numbers anymore. DO NOT pick one of those or remember which one is yours. I didn’t pay enough attention to that and when I panicked when the locker didn’t open (it had my phone, my wallet and my passport) and the cleaning staff got a staff member from the cafe they berated me AND the cleaning lady since they are only allowed to open one locker. And if that’s not the correct locker they have to call the airport security on you. Exactly what you want while you’re standing there in your underwear. After a lot of discussion (and the other women in the showers with me at the time vouching for me) they did help me. Turns out the lock was so jammed that even with the key they had trouble opening it. No wonder my code did not work. :/ Being awake for over 40 hours at that point it was just a lot of unnecessary panic.

7. A longer lounge stay AFTER going through security

If you want to shower after going through security skip the Changi Lounge and go for the Singapore Changi Airport Lounge Service by Plaza Premium Lounge instead. They also have showers, food, free wifi and comfortable seating. You can book a ticket online on klook* to save money on the admission.

8. Sleep in a proper bed, with a private bathroom

Book a room at the YOTELAIR* inside the Jewel at the Airport. A premium queen bed cabin with an en-suite bathroom is around 112€ when you book it online on klook*. They have rooms with a capacity for up to four people.

9. Free Singapore Bus Tour

If you don’t have this much time, or don’t want to spend your stopover at an airport and rather see the city, check if you’re eligible for a free bus tour of Singapore! You are eligible if you have a layover of at least 5,5 hours and up to 24 hours. At Terminal 2, near Gate F50 is the information kiosk where you can pick which type of tour you’d like to take – like the Sentosa Tour, the City Sights Tour, the Cultural Heritage Tour (my recommendation) or the Singapore River and Marina Bay Sands Tour.

Since you have to pass immigration to do the tour make sure your country doesn’t need a visa or you have a visa.

Afterwards you can even get 20% off Canopy Park attractions in the Jewel

10. Even more things to do at the airport

There are even more things to do at the airport that I haven’t had the time to do, but you can read up on them on the official airport blog here: www.nowboarding.changiairport.com/discover-changi/things-to-do-at-singapore-changi-airport

Der Beitrag 24 hours at Changi Airport Singapore erschien zuerst auf Kaya Wanderlust.