When in Rome, one should eat pizza. When in Singapore, one must shop.
If a spot of shopping is one of your favourite past times, and you happen to find yourself in the electric city that is Singapore, be sure to set aside some time to check out the retail scene. You won’t regret it. From open-air markets and big department stores, to modern, trendy boutiques, shopping in Singapore is as impressive as its skyline.
Here’s the ultimate guide to shopping in Singapore:
Orchard Road
Begin your spending spree at the iconic Orchard Road. The sheer size and array of shops is a sight in itself. 2.2 kilometres of megamalls, home to luxury boutiques and designer brands. Considered to be the shopping hub of Singapore, this is the place to shop for clothing, electronic goods and homeware. Dotted throughout you’ll also find spas, beauty salons and restaurants. So all in all, a great day out.
Yellow Line Route, Stop: SVC Orchard
Mustafa Centre
Open 24-hours a day, the Mustafa Centre is the place that locals and tourists alike flock to. It’s a market style shopping experience in the heart of Little India. Known for its low price gold, this retail mecca is the one to head to when jewellery shopping in Singapore. And as it is permanently open, setting some time aside for your shopping doesn’t have to interfere with your sightseeing. Win win.
Red Line Route, Stop: Broadway Hotel
Chinatown
For an authentic shopping experience, head to Chinatown Street Market, where ‘made in China’ goods are plentiful and the haggling part of the fun. Pegoda Street, Sago Lane and Temple Street are areas to note. Then head over to Ann Siang Road, lined with shophouses, for some more traditional shopping in Singapore. Lastly, visit the China Square Central Flea Market, ideally on a Sunday, for lively shopping in the air-conditioning, where you can pick up toys, crafts and comic books.
Red & Brown Line Route, Stop: Chinatown
Marina Bay
For a somewhat more orderly shopping experience, the Marina Bay is where to browse. One of the modern areas to shop in Singapore, it’s worth taking a minute to also appreciate the architecture. The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is made up of hundreds of shops and world-class restaurants, so you can refuel and keep going…and going…
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Yellow Line Route, Stop: Marina Bay Sands
The Esplanade Mall
You can’t miss the Esplanade Mall, with its iconic durian shaped architecture. Located in the Theatres on the Bay, it’s worth a visit if you’re after arts, crafts and homeware. Then when you’re done shopping, you can catch a free performance along the waterfront, or sip a cocktail in the roof terrace bar. It’s alive with activity day and night, so you can fit it into your sightseeing itinerary with ease.
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Blue & Brown Line Route, Stop: Esplanade
The shopping scene in Singapore has it all. Heritage brands, home-grown designers, and international labels. From local markets, authentic shophouses to high tech shopping centres, the best advice we can give you is, pack a spare suitcase. We have a feeling you’re going to need it for all that "souvenir shopping". Enjoy! And when you're feeling all shopped-out, why not jump on a bus tour and let us take you for a sightseeing spin around the city.
