Singapore - TravelTalk

Travelling to Singapore – a futuristic city, culture in the melting pot and world-class food

Singapore is one of Asia’s most striking and unique destinations – an ultra-modern city-state where futuristic architecture, green public spaces and cultural diversity exist side by side. On an area smaller than Bornholm, Singapore has created a global metropolis that combines efficiency, safety and innovation with deep cultural roots and a vibrant everyday life.

For many travellers, the city serves as the perfect introduction to Asia. English is an official language, the infrastructure is world-class, and the city is known for its order and sense of security. At the same time, Singapore is far from sterile or dull – on the contrary, the city is full of life, contrasts and a constant pulse that makes it a fascinating destination.

The metropolis can be experienced both as a destination in its own right and as a stopover on longer journeys through Asia. Whether you are seeking big-city experiences, gastronomy, culture, architecture, or simply a comfortable stay of high quality, Singapore delivers at a level that few other cities can match.

📄Quick overview

Best time to travel: All year round (tropical climate)
Languages: English, Chinese (Mandarin), Malay, Tamil
Currency: Singapore dollar (SGD)
Transport: Efficient metro (MRT), buses and taxis
Price level: High (cheap food – expensive accommodation)
Ideal for: City breaks, gastronomy, culture, stopovers

Top areas: Marina Bay • Chinatown • Little India • Kampong Glam • Orchard Road • Sentosa

💡Traveltalk Tip

Plan your days by neighbourhood – Singapore is compact, but packed with experiences.

Insider Tip

Eat where the locals eat: hawker centres such as Maxwell, Lau Pa Sat and Tiong Bahru Food Centre.

Hidden gems

Tiong Bahru
Southern Ridges Walk
Joo Chiat & Katong

Price examples: Hawker meal: approx. DKK 30–60.
Cocktail at a rooftop bar: approx. DKK 120–180.

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Why travel to Singapore?

Singapore is an obvious choice for travellers who want an Asian city with high comfort, efficient transport and clear structures. It is a place where everything works – from public transport and the airport to hotels, restaurants and sights.

The city is known for its ability to combine tradition and innovation. Historic temples, colonial buildings and traditional quarters sit side by side with skyscrapers, futuristic gardens and pioneering urban development projects. This balance makes Singapore a destination that feels both modern and culturally grounded.

Singapore is Asia’s green city

Gastronomy of truly world-class standard

Singapore is one of the world’s leading food cities. The city’s famous hawker centres serve authentic dishes from Chinese, Malay and Indian cuisines – often at very low prices and of high quality. At the same time, Singapore has an impressive number of Michelin restaurants, which makes the city unique in combining street food and fine dining at the same level.

Cool restaurants & high-class hangouts in Singapore

Chinese food from Beijing to Shanghai

Architecture, design and urban development

From Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay to innovative residential areas and futuristic metro stations, Singapore serves as a living laboratory for modern urban development. The city is known for thinking long-term, sustainably and with vision.

Changi Airport named the world’s best for the 12th time

Cultural diversity

Singapore is a cultural melting pot. Chinese, Malay, Indian and Western traditions live side by side and shape the city’s neighbourhoods, festivals, temples and everyday life.

Little India | Chinese New Year: traditions and origins

Singapore’s history and identity

The city was called Temasek long before it got its lion

Singapore was the name of a trading post long before it became a country. A Chinese account from the 200s refers to the island as Pu-lou-chung, “the island at the end of the peninsula”, and when the first real settlements emerged around the year 1298, the place was known as Temasek – the sea town.

The name Singapore itself comes from a legend. The prince Sang Nila Utama, from the capital of the Srivijaya empire, Palembang, went ashore on the island and spotted an animal he had never seen before: a lion. He founded a town on the spot and called it Singapura – from the Sanskrit simha, lion, and pura, city. The Lion City lived off its position on the Strait of Malacca, where ship traffic between India and China had to pass. It is the same geography that carries the city today.

Raffles drew up a plan in 1822, and the districts are still there

The modern city begins on 29 January 1819, when Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles went ashore. He was at the time British deputy governor of Bencoolen on Sumatra, today Bengkulu. The British Empire was looking for a port of call in the region – partly for its traders, partly to curb Dutch influence – and Raffles immediately saw what the place could become. A treaty made Singapore a British trading post, and the city grew at a pace that drew migrants, especially from China and India. The name lives on in the city’s most famous hotel, Raffles.

In 1822 Raffles put the city in order with the Raffles Town Plan, which assigned separate districts to the population groups: a European quarter, a Chinese one south-east of the Singapore River, an Indian one at Chulia Kampong, and Kampong Glam for the city’s Malay and Arab residents. The division is colonial history – and it also explains why Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam still sit where they do, and why they remain the neighbourhoods you explore. In 1924 the causeway to Johor Bahru was officially opened, and the island was physically joined to the mainland.

From a poor port town to one of the world’s richest states

Singapore’s modern identity is closely tied to the country’s history as a trading hub. The city was founded as a British trading post in 1819 and quickly developed into one of the region’s most important ports. After independence in 1965, Singapore faced enormous challenges, but has since undergone a remarkable transformation.

In just a few decades, this impressive city-state has grown from a poor country with no natural resources into one of the world’s richest and most well-organised states. This history still shapes the city’s mindset, in which efficiency, order and shared responsibility are highly valued.

For travellers, this background offers a deeper understanding of why Singapore works the way it does – and why rules, structure and planning play such a central role in everyday life in the city.

How to experience Singapore at its best

The small but remarkably advanced state – from business to green transition – is best experienced by combining structure with curiosity. The city’s metro system (MRT) makes it easy to move between districts, and many sights are within a short distance of one another.

A stay of 3–5 days is ideal for most travellers. It leaves time to see iconic areas such as Marina Bay, dive into the food culture and explore the cultural quarters. Travellers with more time can immerse themselves in the city’s green spaces, museums and local neighbourhoods.

Although Singapore is known for its order, travellers who venture away from the most touristy areas are rewarded. Local hawker centres, residential neighbourhoods and smaller parks give a more nuanced picture of the city.

Michelin street food for under 20 kr.?

Daily life and the city’s rhythm

Daily life is characterised by structure, efficiency and a high quality of life. The city is exceptionally clean, safe and well organised, creating a reassuring atmosphere for visitors. At the same time, the pace is brisk, especially in the business districts.

Locals spend a great deal of time on food, shopping and social activities. Hawker centres serve as natural gathering places, and this is where you truly feel the city’s pulse.

For travellers, the contrast between the bustling city life and the quiet green areas can be surprising – and this very balance is one of its greatest strengths.

Green spaces and nature

Despite its reputation as a concrete city, it is one of the world’s greenest metropolises. Parks, nature reserves and green corridors are woven into the fabric of the city.

Singapore Botanic Gardens, the MacRitchie Treetop Walk and the Southern Ridges offer surprising natural experiences in the middle of the metropolis. Even Gardens by the Bay is an example of how technology and nature can be combined.

This makes it particularly attractive for travellers who want big-city experiences without giving up green surroundings.

Singapore as a stopover and regional base

Singapore is one of the world’s most popular stopover destinations. Changi Airport has repeatedly been named the world’s best airport and makes arriving and departing exceptionally smooth.

Many travellers combine a visit with Malaysia, Indonesia or Thailand. The city’s strategic location makes it ideal as a base for onward journeys in South-East Asia.

As a stopover, it offers a maximum experience in minimum time – as a destination in its own right, the city offers depth and variety.

Changi Airport

Who is Singapore best suited for?

It suits particularly well travellers who want a safe and well-organised big-city experience in Asia.

First-time travellers will find it easy, safe and manageable.

Food enthusiasts gain access to one of the world’s most varied and affordable cuisines.

City travellers will find architecture, shopping and culture of the highest class.

Travellers seeking a beach holiday or wild nature should combine a visit with other destinations in the region.

Practical information

Transport

Public transport is efficient, inexpensive and easy to use.

Rules and culture

It has strict rules on litter, smoking and public behaviour. The rules are enforced consistently and contribute to the city’s high levels of safety and cleanliness.

Climate

A tropical climate all year round, with high humidity and short, heavy downpours.

Ready for Singapore?

It is an obvious choice for those who want a city break in Asia with high comfort, cultural depth and world-class experiences.

More about Singapore

Frequently asked questions about travelling to Singapore

When is the best time to travel to Singapore?

Singapore can be visited all year round. The climate is tropical, with high humidity and short downpours.

Is Singapore a good destination for first-time visitors to Asia?

Yes. English is widely spoken, the infrastructure is excellent, and the city is very safe and easy to navigate.

Is Singapore expensive to travel in?

Accommodation and alcohol are expensive, but food can be very cheap, especially at hawker centres.

How many days should you spend in Singapore?

3–5 days is ideal for most travellers. As a stopover, 2–3 days can also work well.

Are there strict rules in Singapore?

Yes, there are clear rules on littering, smoking and public behaviour, and they are enforced consistently.

Practical travel information

🛂 Visas and entry

Visa: Danish citizens can enter without a visa for short stays.
SG Arrival Card: everyone must complete the free SGAC no later than 3 days before arrival via the SGAC e-Service or the MyICA app — the health declaration is included in this.
Passport: must be valid for at least 6 months.

💰 Currency and money

Currency: Singapore dollars (SGD).
Card and mobile payments are used almost everywhere; carry cash for hawker centres and markets.
Tipping: not a set custom — a service charge has often already been added to the bill.

🚗 Transport, time and health

Flight time from Denmark: approx. 12–13 hours.
Getting around: the city’s MRT metro is cheap, efficient and covers most places.
Best time to visit: a year-round destination (tropical and humid); February–April is slightly drier.
Time zone: +7 hours compared with Danish winter time.
Languages: English is an official language alongside Malay, Mandarin and Tamil.
Health: no compulsory vaccinations; tap water is safe to drink.
Safety: one of the safest and cleanest places in the world — but note the strict laws and heavy fines (for example for chewing gum and littering).