15 reasons why you really want to go to Singapore (again) in 2021

28 December 2020

Anyone who's been following Your Little Black Book for a while knows that Singapore was the number one destination I ticked off my bucket list last year. It was a dream to travel to this city for the first time. To discover all the food hotspots, admire the unique architecture up close, and immerse myself in the culture of green Singapore. It's also the number one destination I've thought about most often this past year during the pandemic. I can't wait to go back in 2021, because I have only one travel wish: to rediscover the city with my husband and little Manuel after the pandemic. The same recognizable and iconic skyline, yet the experience will be different. Perhaps even better.

Follow @yourlbb on Instagram

MOOD 👀, I woke up really early today and was scrolling through my photos of Bangkok 🌴. Then I thought: how nice if we share our booked and wishlist destinations for inspiration? I have a safari in Malawi & Zimbabwe 🐆 in the books with a stopover in Nairobi. I'm also going to Paris for a few nights by train with Manuel. So excited! I'm going to visit all the Parisian clichés and more with him ✌🏼. Also on the wishlist: China (May holiday), a midweek trip to Athens & the coast (summer), London (always a good idea), Amalfi & Rome (Manuel's dream for the autumn holiday) & Japan (Christmas holiday including skiing, tips welcome ☺️). My resolution for 2026 is also to plan more fun day trips/nights away in the Netherlands. And I would love to go to Japan solo, but oh well... first I have to get back to work 😅😉. Speaking of which: Happy new week!! I'd love to dream about your travel plans. 😘 🖊️ @anne_de_buck
NEW YEAR'S DAY IN THE NETHERLANDS 🖤 March = the month in which my favorite Sunday markets start up again in full swing. So my Sunday plans are quickly made: stroll along stalls, discover new food trucks and go home with a bag full of organic produce or a great vintage find. What I like about it? Every market has its own vibe. • @feelgoodmarket for creativity and live music in Eindhoven • Vintage heaven at @ijhallen • @sundaymarket with creative makers and food trucks • Curated vintage & design gems at @cabinetamsterdam • @fairpricedvintage for scoring vintage clothing at many locations in NL Have fun! ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck Follow @yourlbb for the best markets, restaurants, travel guides and more tips to make the most of your free time. #zondagmarkt #markteninnederland #vintagemarket #weekendtips #yourlittleblackbook
If you only go to one terrace in Amsterdam this weekend, make it @caferestaurant.meyer! What a great addition to the Amstelveld 😍. Open from 10am, a very nice lunch menu, a wine list with a bottle of rosé for €20, but also olive ice cream with caviar (incredibly delicious!). I'll be back soon to try the evening menu too. Tip: you can make a reservation on the terrace! And did I mention there's a playground next door? Have a great weekend 😘 🖊️ @anne_de_buck PS: follow @yourlbb & @yourlbb.amsterdam for more Amsterdam tips and travel guides for destinations around the world. ___________________________________________ Best terrace in Amsterdam, best new terrace in Amsterdam, lunch in amsterdam, family friendly amsterdam
My fav spot for freddo cappuccino in Amsterdam that transports me back to Greece. Add a slice of spanakopita and you have the best breakfast to enjoy along the Amstel river. My motto for the coming spring is to take more walks, so expect a lot of recs for coffee and other drinks to go in this new series! ☀️ Where should I go next? ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck
**Due to COVID-19, souvenirs are now available in bulk ❄️ Note to self: always keep room in your suitcase for 'souvenirs'. During my ski trip to Méribel, I popped into the local pharmacy just before leaving, and these are the beauty products I took home. I've tested them extensively and they're all more than YLBB-approved. Save them for your next trip to France (or your online beauty store). Which souvenirs always make it back in your suitcase? I'm curious! ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck PS: Follow @yourlbb for tons of tips to make the most of your free time — from travel tips to travel guides and more.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by VisitSingapore (@visit_singapore)

Re-imagine Singapore on your (next) trip

Over the past few months I have been closely following how entrepreneurs in Singapore They've reinvented and reimagined their businesses and services. Not only with the goal of welcoming COVID-safe guests, but also to make the experience for guests and visitors even better. This actually starts the moment you board Singapore Airlines in Amsterdam. On board, for example, you can now control the inflight entertainment system via a smartphone app, and the planes are equipped with a HEPA filter that filters 99,97% of viruses and bacteria from the air. Once you arrive at Changi Airport (in my opinion: the most beautiful airport in the world), everything will be completely contactless. They are now a zero-contact terminal! Furthermore, there are robots that ensure everything is even cleaner according to the SG-Clean protocol, and all companies must operate according to these hygiene standards.

singapore airlines

There's so much to see and do in Singapore and the surrounding area! Protocols are in place for tourist attractions and other venues to ensure a safe visit. I've compiled a handy list of everything we'll be doing in Singapore once we can board the plane again. Let's (re)discover the "new" Singapore together! My favorite tips, summarized in this blog post, are all reasons why you'll want to (re)visit Singapore for a well-deserved vacation! Enjoy the tips, because especially these days, good preparation is half the battle.

15 reasons why you really want to go to Singapore (again) in 2021

The magic of Gardens by the Bay: When you think of Singapore, chances are Gardens by the Bay urban nature park immediately comes to mind. A magical fairytale, like the towering "trees" that come to life as soon as darkness falls. It's by far the most beautiful light show I've ever seen. To manage visitor numbers, you buy a timed ticket in advance so everyone can safely enjoy this magical spectacle.

Gardens by the Bay

Go eat Chili Crab at Jumbo Seafood: I still think back every week to the divine food at Jumbo Seafood. I tried so many delicious things I'd never tasted before. If you think you've tried every variety of squid, you have to try the baby squid at Jumbo Seafood. But... the real reason you want to go to Jumbo Seafood is the chili crab. You can opt for a set menu, but I'd recommend taking a good look around at the tables next to you and where the waiters are walking around. Make sure you don't eat too much before your visit so you can sample as much as possible. Because believe me: you'll want to!

Jumbo Seafood

Take a bike tour: I always find cycling in a big city an adventure. In Singapore, you can book various bike tours with Let's Go Bike. I highly recommend doing this at the beginning of your trip! It's a really fun and quick way to get a good feel for the city and its various neighborhoods. I've personally done the Historical Singapore Tour And it's highly recommended to learn a lot about the city's history and its unique landmarks. Good to know: you can also book a private bike tour for your own travel group.

Cycling in Singapore

Discover the Botanic Gardens: In Singapore, you don't have to go out of your way to surround yourself with greenery. The city is exactly what I imagined: a city immersed in nature! On our first day, we went to the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Highly recommended for a soft landing in this cosmopolitan city. The Botanic Gardens also have an Orchid Garden you can visit, filled with the rarest orchids. A great place for lunch in the middle of the Botanic Garden is The Halia restaurant, where you can enjoy authentic Singaporean dishes with a modern twist.

Singapore Botanic Garden

Island vibes at Sentosa Island: Fancy a few days' holiday with a sea view? You can, on Sentosa Island in Singapore. This unique spot just outside the city is a paradise for families. There's so much to do! Take the cable car up there, and you'll have a fantastic view of the island. We started the day on Sentosa Island with lunch and a stroll along the beach at Tanjong Beach Club. Once you're there, you might even forget you're in a city. Sea views and an infinity pool lined with palm trees give you the ultimate beach vacation feeling. Sentosa Island is also home to the world-famous SEA Aquarium. Tickets can be purchased online in advance for a time slot of your choice.

Tanjong Beach Club, Sentosa Island

Eating at Hawker Food Centers: I've rarely eaten as well every day in a city as I do in Singapore. I especially love the Hawker Food Centers, a great change from the trendy restaurants. They're open-air food courts with a wide variety of restaurants and seating areas where you can enjoy everything in peace. These centers are an important part of Singapore's culture and a meeting place for locals. A nice touch is that there are even stalls in these Hawker Food Centers that have been awarded a Michelin Guide star or a plate for their specialties in a specific dish. On my next trip, I want to try as many of these stalls as possible. Believe me, it'll be hard to choose what to eat when you're wandering around these Hawker Centers. Everything looks so incredibly delicious! My tip: share as many dishes as possible with your travel companion so you can sample everything. My favorite Hawker Center during my last trip to Singapore was Newton Food Centre, which you might recognize from the movie Crazy Rich Asians. But... there are many more! Check out the tips for Hawker Centers here >>

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by { YourLittleBlackBook } (@yourlbb)

Wander through Chinatown: One of my favorite neighborhoods in Singapore is Chinatown. This vibrant district is endlessly exciting! Everything comes together here, from shopping to culture, and from authentic eateries to the newest restaurant hotspots. A great place to start a stroll through Chinatown is the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in the heart of the district.

Chinatown

Have a Singapore Sling at The Raffles: Staying at The Raffles in Singapore is high on my bucket list of experiences to do during our world trip. On the way back from my visit to Singapore, I saw a wonderful documentary about this iconic hotel. I have a soft spot for heritage hotels anyway, but the documentary really touched me. The Long Bar at The Raffles hotel is where the famous Singapore Sling was invented: a cocktail with lemon juice, gin, and cherry brandy. The bar still exists and is the place to enjoy a Singapore Sling. A fun detail: with your order, you get a basket of peanuts, the shells of which you can throw on the floor. This way, the floor is oiled by guests every day!

Singapore Sling

Visit the ArtScience Museum: One of the most enjoyable museums I've ever visited is the ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands. The building is a true architectural masterpiece, representing Singapore's "welcoming hand" with ten fingers. Because of the fingers, all the exhibits are flooded with natural light. This museum brings art and science together. Future World, the permanent exhibition, is a must-see. It features a fantastic infinity room and other installations where you become part of the art. I also really enjoyed the digital fish aquarium. You can draw a fish there, which is scanned and then swims past in the digital aquarium. Fantastic!

Art Science Museum

Singapore, city in nature: I've mentioned it before, but Singapore is so beautifully green. If you have more time during your trip, you could also spend a half-day at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. This national park, about a 40-minute drive from the city center, is known for its unique flora and fauna. At low tide, you can see mud skippers in the wild, fish, and amphibians all at once! The nature reserve is also known for its unique birdlife. A fun fact: from Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, you can see Malaysia.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by { YourLittleBlackBook } (@yourlbb)

Join Hawker Chan: I've mentioned it before, but some hawker stalls are so good they've even been awarded Michelin stars. One of the most famous is Hawker Chan, who was the first to receive a Michelin star for his soy sauce chicken. Besides the soy chicken, the Roasted Pork and Char Siew are also highly recommended!

Hawker Chan

Take a sunset boat trip: After a day exploring Singapore on foot, a boat trip from Clarke Quay is a wonderful way to unwind. As you cruise along the Singapore River, you'll discover that the modern and historic architecture looks even more impressive from the water. Check the sunset time in advance and book a sunset boat trip. It's so beautiful when the sun's rays paint the buildings of Marina Bay Sands golden.

Clarke quay

Go shopping on Orchard Road: The streets around Orchard Road are the heart of Singapore's shopping paradise. Here you'll find all the well-known shops, luxury department stores, and plenty of restaurants. I personally found the store Design Orchard Really cool! They sell lifestyle and fashion items from local Singaporean makers and designers. It's the perfect place to shop for unique souvenirs. Next to the shop is a staircase leading to the rooftop terrace, which offers a lovely view of Orchard Road.

Orchard Road

Discover the colorful Joo Chiat: A must-visit for a dose of culture is the vibrant Joo Chiat Road and the Katong district. Here you'll find colorful shophouses with unique boutiques, coffee shops, and restaurants. Grab a coffee to go at Homeground Coffee and stroll the streets. Look up! Each facade is more beautiful than the last in this historic part of Singapore. End your walk Kim Choo and taste the authentic Nyonya Rice Dumpling.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by { YourLittleBlackBook } (@yourlbb)

Visit The Jewel at Changi Airport: You'd almost want to stay in Singapore another day to spend it all at The Jewel. Changi Airport is easily the most beautiful airport I've ever been to. Believe me, a long layover here was never a bad thing, but with the opening of The Jewel in April 2019, it's practically a must to spend some time here. The indoor waterfall is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. You can stare at it forever, because it feels like you've landed in a futuristic Garden of Eden. There's also excellent shopping and plenty of good restaurants.

The Jewel, Changi Airport

I can't wait to go to Singapore with my men next year. Stay safe, so we can rediscover Singapore next year!

YourLBB's latest lists

Tip the editors

Do you have a great tip about Singapore that fits in Your Little Black Book? Or do you just want to share a fun story with a travel memory about Singapore? Let us know via the button below and TIP THE EDITORS! I'd love to hear from you!

 Tip the editors

Are you already receiving the weekly Your Little Black Book newsletter in your inbox? It includes the Amsterdam Weekend Guide and an overview of all the new hotspots and most popular articles.

More (TRAVEL) tips from Your Little Black Book:

⋙ Are you following me on Instagram yet? @YOULRBB I share (almost) every day personal tips about delicious food, new places to eat, and a personal glimpse into my life as an entrepreneur and mom of a two-year-old. Do you like kids' tips? Then also follow my dedicated @TRAVELKIDS.CO account about family travel and fun things to do with kids.

⋙ Tip for anyone with wanderlust. Daydream about my travel books: Staycation book (22 guides for the Netherlands and Belgium), Feed Your Wanderlust (with tips for tours / far-away destinations), Wanderlust – Your Urban Travel Style Guide (full of tips for planning the perfect city trip).

With love,

Anne

In collaboration with Singapore Tourism Board 

| PS: Do you know Your Little Black Book's Green PolicyHere you'll find my personal tips on how to travel and live greener, and I'll explain why and how I offset the CO2 emissions from all the trips #teamyourlbb makes.

Discover more tips in the
Little Black Book lists

Click here

Train City Trips

view all 5 tips here

Travel Essentials

view all 36 tips here