Singapore for a weekend? 5 must see!

Number one place for sure is of course Marina Bay Sands! Ok so I'm not saying you totally have to stay here, if you can afford it why not though. No, you can't enter the famours infinity pool if you are not a hotel guest. Please do not try. Singapore laws ain't no joke and the security at MBS is pretty good. I also do not recommend the mall side as a shoppping destination as the shoppes are pricey. But If you are looking for high end shoppes, go for it. It is definitely worth a stroll around the mall and outside to take some pictures of the city. You can visit the Skypark observation deck on the 57th floor.

I recommend to go there before sunset and watch the city going dark and city lights going on. Beautiful view! It's a one time entry fee and you can chill upstairs and enjoy the view for as long as you want. Have a stroll around the bay area as well and enjoy the views especially at night. 

Things to know! ✌🏽Marina Bay Sands Hotel 

Open all day. Mall shoppes close around 11pm. 

24/7 Food court available. 

Light show at the Bay available on Sun - Thu 8pm & 9Pm and Fri - Sat 8pm, 9pm, 10pm (FREE) Just go early and save a seat!

BEST AFFORDABLE DINING OPTION: Besides the foodcourt, I would choose Mozza Pizzeria. 

BEST DRINKS: Many to choose from but my favorite is Spago by Wolfgang Puck on 57th Floor. Sit at the bar for more fun and interaction.

One place I love myself very much is the Gardens by the bay. It has two conservatories that you can visit. One is the flower dome with seasional exhibitions of flowers and pretty displays plus collections of plants and flowers that can be found around the world. The second one is called the Cloud forest. The picture shows the urban waterfall design which looks pretty cool when you see it in person. Be aware that both domes have quite cold temperature.  So take a little cardigan with you if you are air conditioning sensitive. I absoluteley recommend to see the light show which is shown daily at the Supertree Grove. If you are going during lunchtime, do the domes first as it will be way to hot to stroll around the gardens itself. After 4-5pm ish you can start walk around. At nighttime, if you walk towards Marina Bay Sands, you will see a platform where you have a perfect view onto the Supertree Grove. Just like in Avatar as everyone says. 

Things to know! ✌🏽Gardens by the Bay 

Both conservatories open daily from 9am to 9pm

Tickets for both conservatories adults $28 and for children $15  (If you have a local with you he can get discounted tickets) 

BEST AFFORDABLE DINING OPTION: Satay by the bay, local food court. 

BEST DRINKS OPTION: Indochine. Right at the Supertree Groves and with rooftop access from Mon - Sun 10:30am until 5pm.  

One great area to explore on your weekend is the Bugis area. Bugis is the name of train station as well as the neigborhood. You have three shopping options here. One is the mall Bugis plus which is also connected to the second option, Bugis Junction mall. The third is "Bugis Street" which is very similar to those little street markets you can find all over asia like in Bangkok. You can also get your nails done here for cheap(er) and get some sandals which will last you for a bit of traveling through southeast asia. Great place for souvenirs too! Walk further up Victoria street and turn right into Arab Street und you will reach one of my favorite areas to explore. In Arab Street you can find the Masjid Sultan Mosque and a great hostel which is called the "Sleepy Kiwi". UPDATE: I believe the Sleepy Kiwi is under renovation but my second option to recommend would be the Green Kiwi in Lavender!  Walk further down Arab Street, turn right again and you find Haji Lane. During the day you have lots of cute little shops where you can buy local handmade jewelery, bags and lots of cafes and bars too. Great spot for instagram shots as you will see some street art painted at the side walls. At nightime Haji lane transforms into a meeting spot between locals and expats. You can come and smoke some shishas here or have drinks with live music at the Blu Jazz cafe (awesome place!). 

Things to know! ✌🏽Bugis area 

Shopping areas open until 10pm and some until 11pm on the weekends 

BEST AFFORDABLE DINING OPTION: Stroll along beach road towards golden mile food centre and you'll find loads of food places. Someone told me they had their best thai food here in Singapore at golden mile food centre! 

BEST DRINKS OPTION: Close by is the Atlas Bar which holds the largest Gin selection in the world (!) The building looks like out of Gotham City. Probably not the best affordable option but surely the coolest. For something more laidback check out Haji Lane at nighttime! 

SHOP TILL YOU DROP! Singapore offers some great shopping areas to explore. To be honest, if you are only here for a weekend there are two places I would recommend you to go, Orchard road and Suntec mall (Promenade MRT station). Orchard road has a huge variety of brands from super high end to your known ones such as H&M and Forever 21.

I would recommend for you to start at the main mall called ion at Orchard MRT station and walk your way down. You can even walk until Dhoby Ghaut MRT station and there you'll find a mall called Plaza Singapura. That might take you a while considering how many shops you can find on the way there :) 

If you are in need of a Pharmacy, look for the stores called Watsons and Guardians. 

Things to know! ✌🏽Orchard Road 

Most shops close around 10pm during the week and at 11pm on the weekend. There are tons of busses to get there and if you are going via the MRT just get off at Orchard MRT station for ion mall. 

BEST AFFORDABLE DINING OPTION: I personally like the "food court" in ion mall in the basement. Yes, it is more pricey then normal food courts but it is cheaper then eating in the restaurants in ion. Another option would be food republic (also a food court) in 313 mall in Somerset MRT.   

BEST DRINKS OPTION: After a long shopping spree I would suggest you to check out Emerald Hill road which is located next to the  Touristinformation center, right across 313 mall of somerset MRT station. Loads of bars to check out there! 

After all the sightseeing and shopping, go back to your hostel and get ready for a night out. The best and most convenient area to go to is surely Clarke Quay.

Get off at Clarke Quay MRT station and follow the crowd alongside the river. The center of clarke quay has a little fountain and exactly here is where you find some very popular places such as Highlander, the Pump room, Paulaner Haus, Cuba Libre and Prive bar. Look around and you will find many more small eateries and bars. Two famous clubs as well are Zouk and Attica, yet I must say the audience there is more towards the younger side :) Music wise you can find anything here! 

Things to know! ✌🏽Clarke Quay 

Most clubs close around 3am but highlander and pump room go longer. Both very popular because of the live music! 

BEST AFFORDABLE DINING OPTION: I would probably say that after a night out, grab a taxi and tell them "Spize in River Valley" He will know where to take you. Open from 12pm until 6am on the weekends, but no alcohol! Personal favorite is the Murtabak! 

BEST DRINKS OPTION: The cocktail prices are pretty much the same everyhwere ($22-&27) and yes even beer ain't cheap here but some places in Clarke Quay and Boat Quay offer some happy hours. One place I would recommend is called Oasis and is right above bar called Sahara (get it?). The do happy hours for $10 SGD for a pint of beer. 

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