Why should you holiday in Singapore?

When British colonist Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles founded the port in 1819 and later divided the city into four areas housing different ethnic groups, he sowed the seeds of the Singapore we know today.

On a holiday in Singapore, you will experience a melting pot of cultures, and there are few places in the world where you’ll find such diversity as you do here. The array of different cultural impressions that you experience here helps make Singapore the must-see destination that it is.

Our tours in Singapore

At present, we offer tours in Singapore combined with other destinations, such as Australia, Malaysia, and Bali in Indonesia.

The itinerary in Singapore has been left open for you to choose what you do, and despite being South-east Asia’s smallest country, Singapore has plenty of exciting experiences to choose from.

Read more about selected highlights below.

Charming neighbourhoods

Singapore’s diversity is at its most evident in the city’s charming neighbourhoods, each with its own specialities and characteristics that really have something to offer.

Discover Singapore’s multi-ethnic culture in Chinatown; taste Little India’s myriad of tasty, traditional dishes and experience the Malay district Kampong Glam’s explosion of colour and special mix of old and new.

Gardens by the Bay

The green oasis Gardens by the Bay is perhaps Singapore’s most famous attraction.

The park is part of Singapore’s vision, first presented more than 50 years ago, to transform Singapore from a metropolis with a garden into a metropolis in a garden.

Covering an area of more than 100 hectares, the park is scenically located on the waterfront in Marina Bay. It is particularly famous for its 18 works of art, the so-called SuperTrees, vertical gardens rising up into the sky. A footbridge connects some of the artworks, so you can experience the park from above.

Sentosa Island

A mere 15 minutes from the centre of Singapore, to the south of the city, is Sentosa Island.

“Sentosa” means “peace and tranquillity” in Malay, and while the island’s history as a British military stronghold may not be the stuff of peace and tranquillity, you’ll certainly find a little of that here.

The island is known particularly for its tropical beaches and exciting family and adventure activities, e.g. Universal Studios or Mega Adventure for the more adventurous.

Other highlights of Singapore

On our tours, you can also experience:

• Singapore’s local cuisine – there’s something for every taste and budget here. You might like to visit one of Singapore’s Hawkers Centres – halls with lots of food stalls where you can enjoy authentic street food. Visit, for example, Maxwell Food Centre in Chinatown, which is one of the best places for cheap Chinese food.

• Outstanding shopping. Whether you want to browse in luxury boutiques and department stores or buy locally produced souvenirs to take home with you, you’ll find it all in Singapore.

• Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple, Sri Mariamman, which – funnily enough – is located in Chinatown. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Mariamman who was known for her ability to cure disease. The colourful, spectacular temple is brimming with exquisite details and creative decorations, which give it a completely different appearance to other temples.

Combine with Malaysia

Pair Singapore with a tour to Malaysia, where striking contrasts and a diversity similar to Singapore await.

In Malaysia, for example, you can experience:

• The capital, Kuala Lumpur, a lively and modern metropolis brimming with exciting attractions. Discover charming neighbourhoods like Chinatown and Little India, the world-renowned twin Petronas Towers, and the Batu Caves, one of Malaysia’s major attractions.

• The UNESCO city of George Town on Penang, which showcases a piece of Malaysia’s colonial history. Just outside the city, you can visit Penang Hill, offering stunning views over George Town from 830 metres above sea level.

• The island of Langkawi, famous for its pristine white sandy beaches, charming promenades, and breathtaking landscapes – the perfect destination for a beach holiday.

Combine with Australia

Travel down under by combining Singapore with a tour to Australia. The country boasts fascinating cities, extraordinary wildlife, and some of the world’s friendliest people, which you can experience on a classic tour or a self-drive tour.

In Australia, for example, you can experience:

• The country’s largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, where history, culture, delicious cuisine, and excellent shopping vie for your attention. You can look forward to iconic sights like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, as well as surrounding attractions such as the Blue Mountains, located outside Sydney, and the Great Ocean Road near Melbourne.

• One of the world’s largest monoliths, Uluru, rising from the red, barren desert at the heart of Australia. There’s nothing more magical than witnessing the sky shift from rust-red to orange and then to black as the sun sets over this colossal monolith.

• Tropical Cairns in northern Australia. Cairns is a vibrant city filled with activities and hosts a large artificial lagoon where you can soak up the sun. It also serves as a great base for excursions to the Great Barrier Reef – the world’s largest coral reef.

Combine with Bali

Several of our tours to Bali can be extended with experiences in Singapore.

Bali, known as the Island of the Gods, is part of Indonesia. With its numerous temples, it’s easy to see why it earned this nickname. In addition to temples, the island offers a beautiful blend of fascinating culture, stunning nature, and gorgeous beaches.

In Bali, for example, you can experience:

• The mystical artisan town of Ubud, regarded as the cultural heart of Bali, where art and craftsmanship are celebrated.

• Thousands of beautiful temples, such as the Besakih Temple, gracefully perched atop Mount Agung, the serene water temple Ulun Danu, often depicted as a symbol of Bali, and the Hindu temple Tirta Empul, located near 12 sacred springs and a site to which Balinese people bring daily offerings.

• The tranquil town of Munduk, set in Bali’s highlands, and one of Bali’s best-kept secrets. Here, you can hike through stunning surroundings, exploring coffee plantations and beautiful waterfalls.

Any questions about our tours?

We’ve put together all our practical, travel-related information about Singapore on our “Practical information about Singapore” page. You’ll find everything you need to know before, during and after your tour here.

If you have any questions about Singapore or our other tours to Asia, you’re always welcome to contact our travel specialists.

We look forward to sending you on the holiday of your lifetime!

TourCompass – From tourist to traveller