Is Singapore Worth Visiting?

Many ask, “Is Singapore worth visiting?” Well, that depends on whom you ask. Your hardcore backpacker will emphatically say no, while your casual traveler might say otherwise. As one with aspirations to see every country on earth, my visit to Singapore was inevitable, but truth be told, it was not high on my list of places to see. However, I was in Vietnam at the time, the ticket to Singapore was only $100 one way, and I had a friend working there at the time.

Here are a number of things I recommend you do and see while in Singapore. After, I’ll highlight the negative aspects of Singapore.

1) Eat! The food is extremely good and pretty affordable if you eat at hawker stands. The food here costs the same as most cities in Southeast Asia. Given the diversity of the country, you have several options.

2) Visit Little India and Arab Street. Great places to sightsee. In Little India you can purchase a variety of spices and tea, almost the same ones you would see in India. Arab street is also great for shopping.

3) Check out the scenic views at night. The view at night is pretty nice, there are also nightly light shows at Marina Bay.

4) See Gardens by the Bay is a place worth a visit. It’s a very futuristic looking nature park.

5) Visit Merlion Park: Probably the most iconic place in Singapore. Not really exciting, but it makes for a cool photo. If money is not an issue, stay at the hotel in the background!

6) Try durian fruit. Ok, maybe this isn’t the highlight of Singapore, but getting your friends to try it and seeing their reaction makes for a funny video. Beside locals and mainland Chinese, you won’t find too many people who enjoy this fruit. I thought it tasted like a sweet rotten onion.

7) Clarke Quay: A riverside quay known for its nightlife. Here you can find great places to eat and  drink, it will cost you a bit though.

The downside to Singapore:

1) Accommodation is expensive: Dorm hostels that cost under $10 a night like many cities in Southeast Asia are limited. You’ll need to book a legit hotel and this is not cheap for those backpackers on a budget.

2) Small: you can pretty much see everything in one day if you wanted to.

3) No real adventure: nothing off the beaten path.

Overall, the question of whether you would want to visit really comes down to the individual person. For a hardcore backpacker, this is not the place for you. If you’re living nearby Singapore and have a few days or a weekend to spare, then sure, great place for a quick trip.

I would not recommend flying all the way from the U.S, Europe, or Africa to stay in Singapore.

I certainly don’t regret visiting and I enjoyed myself, but would I visit again? Likely not.