The city-state of Singapore has long been a popular solo travel destination, and there isn’t a lack of activities in the city for those looking to explore on their own. There is a network of cheap public transport available to efficiently take you from one place to another, and a mix of interesting activities to keep you occupied. These activities range from discovering museums and roaring rides in amusement parks to relaxing afternoon teas or having your fill of hawker food. With a fine contrast of naturalistic parks interspersed with towering skyscrapers, the lush greenery adorning them, the mix of cultures and cuisines, and the blend of old and new, Singapore is a fascinating place to visit as a solo traveler. Furthermore, the city is quite safe, making solo travel an absolute breeze.
Offering something for every budget, Singapore offers a great range of both free and ticketed activities to fill your day. There are several quirky activities to do in Singapore; things you wouldn’t even think were possible. Some highlighted solo activities in the city include the National Museum of Singapore – one of the oldest museums in the city that provides you with an intriguing walk through Singapore’s history, learning the stories of the communities that have lived there and anecdotes of city life – the Heartland Tour, visiting the Asian Civilizations Museum that showcases the art and history of the Chinese, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and West Asia (including Islamic) cultures and civilizations, exploring Chinatown and the several temples dotted around the city – Sri Mariamman Temple, which is Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple – and admiring the street art while doing so, a stroll along Orchard Street – the city’s primary shopping street, a visit to the ArtScience Museum, which houses a series of impressive traveling exhibitions, and touring The Lion City to get to know the history of the city.
Benefits of Solo Travel in Singapore
If you’re a solo traveler, Singapore is a gold mine of activities. For the solo traveler, Singapore has established many resources and activities to make its domestic and foreign travelers feel safe and comfortable. In Singapore, a solo traveler never has to worry about feeling or being considered lonely. They have so much at their doorsteps to keep them occupied. It’s never a lonely time in Singapore if you don’t want it to be. There are countless benefits to solo travel. You can engage more with the local culture and activities. After all, there’s no decision-making committee to decide how long you can stand the view or roam through the garden. If you like peace, you’ll find it. If you prefer the hustle-bustle of a crowd, you can find that, too. The thing is – it’s all up to you. You answer to no one but yourself on a schedule of your own making.
As a solo explorer, coming to Singapore is a major treat. People watching, shopping, dining, and sightseeing, of course, are wonderful ways to fill your days. You can do it all on your very own schedule. You can answer to no one but yourself. Sleep late, get up early, walk until your soles feel the heat. These are the things that bring joy to the solo traveler’s soul. Some days you may want to roam through Chinatown or Little India, and other days just sit at an outdoor table at one of the street-side cafes and watch the world go by. As a solo adventurer, make your schedule. And the best thing in life? You’re entirely completely responsible for how you will keep to it!
Freedom and Flexibility
Freedom and flexibility are one of the primary reasons for anyone to start solo traveling. Nothing offers better freedom and flexibility than deciding your itinerary according to your mood. Want to sleep in late and miss the popular touristy attractions? No problem! Want to mingle with the locals and try a local breakfast joint? Go for it! Want to detour prematurely when you see some upcoming street performances? Heck, just stop with the flow of the pedestrians and enjoy the show. If any of these absolutely unhurried pace lifestyle appeals to you, explore this list of activities you can consider taking when you are traveling solo in Singapore.
When is the last time you truly slow down and let the surrounding impress and entertain you? It is one of the main reasons to start solo camping. Nothing offers more freedom and flexibility than scheduling your trip according to your mood. Want to sleep all day and skip the popular tourist attractions? No problem! Want to mingle with the locals and try local breakfast? You can! Want to take an early detour when you see street performances while walking? Yes! Stop when a large number of people are walking at night. Does this way interest you? Check out the activities that can be done in Singapore when you free your time for yourself.
Cultural and Historical Exploration
When traveling solo, you have a chance to slow down your pace, taking your time to truly enjoy the nuances of the world. Next time you are wandering the streets of Singapore, remember that though you may be out on the streets alone, your amazing solo adventure is at your fingertips.
Visit the National Museum of Singapore
Heading to the National Museum of Singapore is one of the best activities for solo travelers to embark on. Besides, there are countless Singapore locals to interact with in the museum. This is also Asia’s oldest museum! Revamped a couple of years back, the museum’s entrance area is this stunning rotunda that would take your breath away. Brave up and ask someone to take a photo of you here and make friends while you’re at it. There’s also a stunning display of vintage toy cars that kids are loading and unloading. You might be intrigued too.
With permanent and special exhibits rotating, there are a lot of opportunities for you to look like a knowledgeable tourist, so do take the opportunity to induce conversation! Also, handsome guys look freaking hot in embroidered oriental jackets, and the museum is usually chockful of local tourists and history students. Guys, suit up! If you’re looking for more of a learning experience, the museum also has a myriad of paid guided tours for non-members at a pretty affordable price.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
Beach bumming and outdoor hiking, biking, or birdwatching might not be typical of activities that one may associate with urban Singapore, but here the activities are available around the year, thanks to the tropical climate. The west’s Pulau Ubin (rural island often compared to mainland Singapore as it was around the 1960s) and Pasir Ris, or the east’s high-end resort island of Sentosa, offer enough outdoor activities to make you seriously consider importing some trekking shoes and headgear for your visit.
At the North-Eastern Riverine Loop, you can rent a bike for free and cycle past Singapore’s spanking new and first park connector that cuts through Punggol, Serangoon, Hougang, Bishan and Toa Payoh. These bikes can be rented for free at Kallang network. Don’t forget the many natural reserves, including the Central Nature Reserves’ famed MacRitchie Nature Reserve, which houses a treetops walk of five suspended walkways for trekkers; and the Botanic Gardens’ 52-hectare site. Around 300 plant species grow on this hill, and it is a popular spot for birdwatchers wanting to spot up to 23 different bird species.
Hiking at MacRitchie Reservoir
If you want to enjoy a peaceful afternoon and unwind yourself, just take a taxi ride (about S$15.00-20.00 one way) to Mandai Lake Rd (on the northwestern part of Singapore). All taxi drivers know the location of this famous tropical rainforest. My favorite trail at this reservoir is the TreeTop Walk. MacRitchie Reservoir is the oldest reservoir in Singapore and it is the gateway to Singapore’s nature reserves. The 20-hectare of MacRitchie Reservoir Park lies near the entrance of the nature reserve, so it’s not only where people can enjoy the amenities but it also acts as a natural buffer. The park is full of rich natural beauty. Within the park, it offers different amenities and activities. The place is a great venue where outdoor sports events like cross-country running competitions are held. Many sports enthusiasts have also used this trail not for competitions, but rather for exercise purposes.
MacRitchie has a great natural view and rich flora and fauna, even rich in the history and myths that accompanied the place. One attraction that hikers must not miss is the TreeTop Walk. The TreeTop Walk is a 250-meter long freestanding suspension bridge between the two highest points (Bukit Pierce and Bukit Kalang) in MacRitchie. The bridge was pre-fabricated and hoisted to its 25m-high supports by cables and connects the two highest points. The famous TreeTop Walk affords a bird’s eye view of the community of plants and animals that live in the forest canopy. At such height, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Upper Peirce Reservoir and the scenery beyond. Along the way, explore the Charm and all four Rambutan Shoots. Expect to cross the bridge in about 10-15 minutes, then make your way down via the steep flight of stairs just after the bridge. Once at the forest floor, take a left turn onto a muddy steep path that leads to Peirce Track.
Culinary Adventures
It’s no surprise that food is an important aspect of your solo travel experience. Although some people feel a bit intimidated by the thought of dining alone, they will find that these 5 food-oriented adventures perfect for solo travelers are very rewarding! Treat it as an opportunity to sample as many dishes and flavors as possible to make the most of your meal.
Kampong Glam Halal Adventure: Take a tour of this colorful Malay enclave, where you can sample many delectable foods and drinks, such as briyani (fragrant rice cooked in herbs, ghee, and with various meats), prata (pan-changed flatbread), teh tarikh (fragrant, sweet tea), and desserts like waffles, brownies, or red velvet cupcakes. You might even want to experiment and take a sambal frying class!
Pasam Malam Night Market Adventure: Take an hour-long tour of this weekly night market and pick up food and drink, clothes, gifts, or fresh produce.
Michelin-star meal: A solo trip offers the perfect opportunity to experience fantastic food from world-renowned chefs. Din Tai Fung, Liao Fan Hawker Chan, and Song Fa Bak Kut Tae were awarded Michelin stars and are a great place to start.
Hawker center Tasting Adventure – With so many hawker centers to choose from and endless food options, the choice might be slightly overwhelming. This 3-tour plan brings you to 4 to 5 stalls where you can taste 7-8 kinds of local delights like chicken dumplings and tropical desserts.
Hawker Centers and Local Delicacies
Hawker centers can be seen as a solution to the food problems Singapore faces – the country imports over 90 percent of its food. Trading port expertise is put to good use at hawker centers. Not only is local food affordable compared to other cuisines at these centers, it can be speedily prepared and served. It was at a hawker center that I had fried carrot cake, oyster omelet, and sweet and sour fish for five Singapore dollars. These local delights are sold at affordable prices, so much so that those working near hawker centers need not have to prepare their meals. Trouble-free, quick, and delicious – it’s no wonder hawker centers are well received. Hawker centers also celebrate multiracial Singapore. These food courts are a melting pot of multiracial dishes, from Indian and Malay to Chinese, a perfect representation of the make-up of little red dot’s population.
Shopping and Markets
Shopping in Singapore is a treat. It is an experience that is lovely to share with others, but just as lovely to go through on your own. Throughout the moments of contemplation, choices about what to buy, and sampling of foods and drinks, there are always fabulous people-watching moments as well as a leisurely induced sense of solitude, despite being surrounded by others. Thankfully, Singapore offers an amazing array of places to satiate the desire to shop, and the desire to purchase international goods that might not be available yet at home. There are too many indoor malls, and many casual neighborhoods with rows of street shops to mention here, as wherever you are in Singapore, there is likely a mall or a line of street shops nearby. The most interesting shops associated with Singapore are those selling cultural pieces which can be great additions to one’s home or wardrobe, and there are numerous locations all around town, including Little India, China Town, and Sentosa.
A popular way to pass the evening is to visit one of the many markets in Singapore that are open at night. Some of these markets host food stalls and vendors conveying their wares on land. Others are floating platforms out on the water, selling a variety of goods. If Singapore is a destination for your shopping dreams, be sure to check the Singapore tourism board’s website for special deals a couple of weeks before you arrive, and I recommend the Orchard Road mall boulevard if you are not quite sure where to begin—just be prepared for a marathon walk as you walk between the different centers of commerce—no risk of boredom here!
Exploring Bugis Street
When a solo traveler explores Singapore, they might consider immersing in activity by going to the busy shopping district of Bugis Street. Bugis is unique because of the open-air stalls that sell everything you can think of: souvenirs, accessories, clothing, and many more locally made knick-knack items. There are also a few cafes which offer local refreshments such as kaya toast and coffee. Bugis Street is also a food paradise. While flexible with regards to dining arrangements, they aren’t flexible with the food they serve, and that’s a good thing. From savory snacks to sumptuous seafood, there is something for every traveler and every budget.
Must-tries are the Boon Tat Street BBQ Seafood which are very reasonably priced. Boon Tat Street BBQ Seafood outlets are just close to the main stadium, and the street food is delicious. Every sip, bite, or spoonful of your choice is authentic local cuisine. So step into any of the outlets and order the first thing that catches your eye, and you won’t be disappointed. There are also many trendy restaurants that usually have queues. Make a departure from traditional ingredients, and you’ll also be able to see more young families, expatriates, executives, and foodies who gather round to try the unconventional.
While most prefer to travel with a buddy, a spouse, or as a family, an increasing number of travelers who come to Singapore arrive on their own. As Singapore is a relatively safe and easy destination to navigate through, it is an excellent choice for solo travelers. Whether it is shopping, good food, sightseeing, or chilling out in the many capacious skyscrapers of the city center, nary a solo traveler will be lost in finding things to do while they are here. The several good hostels that house solo or budget travelers are also great resources (both human and in the wide array of pamphlets and itineraries that the staff can provide) for tourists looking to work out and plan their vacation.
The various activities in this section cater to the different dimensions of solo travel, including some that focus on meeting fellow travelers or some that focus on spending time alone. The different activities range from the typical (meeting people while going on a daily tour of the city) to the eccentric (learning to fix bikes!) to the self-care activities such as guided yoga and meditation sessions, or even an evening which involves visiting paranormal activities. The last one is for the slightly odd traveler who is looking for something remarkably different. Regardless of the personality of the solo traveler, there is something here that will suit most. Above all, this list is encompassed by the interests and personality of the author and viewer, the globe-trotting solo traveler. Bon voyage!
I’m proud to say that I have never felt lonely on a solo trip. For me, it’s a period where you will spend more time with your thoughts and appreciate the world you live in. It really allowed me to re-evaluate what is important to me. Without friends, family, or a local support group to help us out, we are thrown into manageable and carefully crafted experiences in order to expend that little time and money we can afford. However, when these security blankets are stripped away, we can be surprised by what we can do and our own personal strength. It can show you that you are bigger and a lot more capable than you think. It forces you to think on your feet and deal with issues or new opportunities in a shorter time span.
A solo trip really allowed me to connect with locals and Singapore itself. It’s always been a place I’d just stop over in. I loved just existing in their spaces. I will be the first to admit that time spent with ourselves is tough. We know that we are going to face delicate thinking and touchy recognitions. We all know that time put towards our hobbies and passions is needed. I encourage you all to follow what you enjoy, discover more about yourself, and reward your brain with a solo trip for once.