In this article, I explain whether Singapore is worth visiting and share some interesting facts about this truly impressive metropolis.
The first time I visited Singapore, several years ago, it was a very short stop, just a few hours. Honestly, I don’t remember much, apart from the oppressive tropical heat and the feeling of being in a very modern city, quite different from any place I had visited in Europe. Still, it left me with a very good impression.
It was my first time in Asia, though, and as you can imagine, it is not easy to be completely impartial when you experience something like that for the first time. That’s why I was happy to return a few years later, and spend more time exploring the city, discovering its neighborhoods, and really getting a feel for what makes Singapore so unique.
Some considerations about Singapore
Since my first visit, many things have changed in my life. One of these is that I moved to China and honestly got a big jaded. I visited some of the biggest and most modern cities in the world, such as Chongqing and Shanghai, and got used to the chaos typical of Asian cities.
Places such as Bangkok and Hanoi are a fair representation of the Asian continent, but Singapore is a world apart. It’s the least Asian city in Asia, among all those I’ve been to: it’s not chaotic, it’s not cheap, alchool is expensive, coffee is rather cheap (a kopi in a neighborhood bar costs less than in Italy), tap water is drinkable, the law is very strict and is applied rigorously, the population is mainly composed of Chinese and Indians, and it’s an incredibly clean and tidy metropolis, even more than Hong Kong.
Singapore also has some of the best things that Asia can offer: the food is amazing, the city is one of the best examples in the world of a smart city, and people are very kind and helpful, even if crime exists (as in any other part of the world). Singapore is also a very safe city (there are warning messages all around the city that remember the penalty for harassing women), there are a lot of malls and museums to take refuge in when the heat becomes unbearable, public transport is very efficient (Rome when will you learn?!), smoking is forbidden almost everywhere (if you have spent some time in China you will understand why this is a very positive thing) and is not polluted like many other Asian cities.
Here are some interesting facts about Singapore that you may not know:
- Singapore is the second most densely populated country after the Principality of Monaco
- It is the fourth-largest financial center in the world
- Its port is among the top five in terms of activity and traffic on a world scale
- 42% of the population is foreigners
- It has one of the highest concentrations in the world of millionaires
- Singapore is often considered the most expensive city in the world, and although rankings vary from year to year, it always ranks in the first few places
Things to know before visiting Singapore
Singapore has not always been the model city it is today. In the past, it was controlled by the Japanese, Siamese, and Malacca. In the more recent past, the English and the Japanese controlled it, and for a short time, it was under the control of Malaysia. On August 9, 1965, Singapore became independent as the “Republic of Singapore”. A lot of people ask what country Singapore is located in. The answer is Singapore is a country that borders Malaysia in the north.
By the mid-twentieth century, most of the population was very poor, and the city was far from developed. Then, a series of reforms allowed Singapore to be gradually transformed into its current city.
If you want to visit Singapore, remember that the climate is equatorial, so there are no seasons. Temperatures vary very little throughout the year. That said, April and May are the hottest months, while November and December are the wettest. Between August and October, a cloak of smoke often comes from the combustion of shrubs in nearby Indonesia. This being said, I visited Singapore in October, but luckily, I didn’t have any problem with the smoke.
As you can imagine, accommodation in Singapore is expensive, especially compared to other countries in Asia. On Booking.com, there are often good offers, and you can also find good deals on Trip.com. However, booking your room a little in advance is a good idea because Singapore is a very popular destination for tourists from other Asian countries.
I also suggest you book a room as close as possible to the subway (also called MRT). If you don’t have any budget problems or want to do something special occasionally, you should consider staying at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, one of the most iconic in the world. The infinity pool with a view of the bay is worth the money.
Don’t miss this travel guide where I talk about what to see and what to do in Singapore. Don’t miss it.
Have you ever visited this city? What do you think? Let me know with a comment. Here, you will find the other pictures I took in Singapore. Here, you will find some recommendations for visiting nearby Kuala Lumpur.
