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Shows six centuries of Singapore history, also the recent history of the city. We loved the digital 3D artwork presented in the Glass Rotunda, Story of the Forest. Peranakan Museum (D)

Tells the story of the rich heritage of the Peranakans which are the Chinese descendants in Singapore, their culture, arts and crafts, spirituality, and food.

Tells the story of the rich heritage of the Peranakans which are the Chinese descendants in Singapore, their culture, arts and crafts, spirituality, and food. National Gallery Singapore (F)

This is the most stunning national gallery we have ever visited. The building in itself is impressive (the old City Hall and Old Supreme Court buildings), housing more than 8000 pieces of 19th-century and modern Southeast Asian art pieces. Make sure to head up to the rooftop bar/ restaurant for a fantastic Singapore skyline view.


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This is the most stunning national gallery we have ever visited. The building in itself is impressive (the old City Hall and Old Supreme Court buildings), housing more than 8000 pieces of 19th-century and modern Southeast Asian art pieces. Make sure to head up to the rooftop bar/ restaurant for a fantastic Singapore skyline view. Asian Civilisations Museum (G)

Located in a beautiful yellow and white colonial building, its galleries give you a great insight into Singapore´s heritage as a port city of trade between Southeast Asia, China, India, and Europe. One of the highlights is the Tang shipwreck that sunk more than 1000 years ago, where lots of the ceramics (the ship had over 60 0000 ceramics) are on display. We joined a free guided tour of the museum which was awesome! Highly recommended!

The museums have opening hours: 10:00 – 19:00, although some of them close later on Fridays and Saturdays (21:00 or 22:00, check their web pages).

♦ Estimated time visiting museums: 2-3 hours


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♦ Estimated time visiting museums: 2-3 hours

4. Lunch in Purvis Street

Purvis Street (I on the map above), next to the Raffles Hotel, is filled with excellent restaurants and cafes.

Here you will find something for every taste and budget, like Garibaldi serving Italian food (a bit expensive), Jai Thai that has mouth-watering and cheap Thai food, Killiney Kopitiam where you can get old Malaysian inspired food, Mexican food (we had some delicious tacos here), and French food at Saveur. Plenty to choose from and I promise that you will not leave Purvis Street hungry! 🙂

♦ Estimated time for lunch: 1 hour

Afternoon Walking Tour Day 1

After lunch, it is time to head towards the waterfront for another walking tour through the Marina Bay district and the Quays district.

This part of Singapore is filled with modern architectural masterpieces, some spectacular light-and-music shows, and lively restaurants and bars by the river.


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See our recommended Afternoon Singapore Walking Tour – Day 1 below:

5. Merlion

From Purvis Street where you had lunch (A on the map above), walk south to the river and the Quays district.

Cross the Esplanade Bridge to the Merlion Park where you find the famous Merlion statue (B) – the official mascot of Singapore.

Merlion is a statue of a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish. It was created as a PR-stunt by the tourism board back in the 1980s, and it soon became the icon of Singapore.

Enjoy the view of Marina Bay with the iconic Marya Bay Sands and the glittering The Esplanade Theatres on The Bay.

You can also jump on a boat cruise to get a full guided tour of Marina Bay and the Singapore River.

♦ Estimated time for this afternoon walk: 1-2 hours

6. Gardens by the Bay

Head north along the Esplanade Bridge towards Esplanade Theatres on the Bay, and continue to walk east along Marina Promenade to the Helix Bridge (C).


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Take in the stunning view of the Singapore skyline while you cross the Helix Bridge. Have an ice cream at the ice-cream vendor (an old man) standing at the end of Helix Bridge.

When you get to the Marina Bay Sands side, take a left and walk over to Gardens by the Bay (D).

Spend at least a couple of hours wandering around the Gardens by the Bay, and don´t miss the Flower Dome, Cloud Forest Dome, and Supertree Grove with its OCBC Skyway (a 22 m high walkway between the Skytrees) as they are awesome!

If you want to avoid the long ticket queue and save money, buy your discounted e-tickets here in advance. The tickets are flexible, so you can book them now and use them any time within the next 180 days.

And last but not least, see the daily light-and-music show Garden Rhapsody at 19:45 and 20:45 when the Supertrees come alive in a spectacular colorful light show. It is a real must!

⇒ Read more about Gardens by the Bay and what you should not miss here


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⇒ Read more about Gardens by the Bay and what you should not miss here

Opening hours: The Gardens is open every day 05:00 – 02:00, the Domes and OCBC Skyway is open 09:00 – 21:00 (last ticket sale is 20:00)

The Gardens by the Bay show: 19:45 and 20:45 every day

Ticket price Gardens by the Bay: Free

Ticket price Flower Dome + Cloud Forest Dome: S$28 (adult) = US$20, and S$15 (child 3-12 years old) = US$11

Ticket price OCBC Skyway: S$8 for an adult = US$, S$5 for a child (8-12 years old) = US$4

♦ Estimated time at Gardens by the Bay: 3-4 hours

7. Marina Bay

From Gardens by the Bay, walk over to the nearby Marina Bay Sands (E) along the bay promenade.

Marina Bay Sands looks like a gigantic stranded ship, but it´s an architectural masterpiece by an Israeli-born architect housing a hotel, casino, theatre, exhibition, museum, and a huge shopping mall. The price for building this glittering architectural star was S$5,7 billion!


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The “ship” on top of the three 55-story towers is the Marina Bay Sands Hotel´s infinity pool. Yep, the view from the rooftop swimming pool is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Sadly, only guests staying at the hotel are allowed to use the infinity pool, but you can head up for a drink in the Cé La Vi Skybar and enjoy the same view just not with the same Instagram-wow-factor. 🙂

You can pay the S$30 entrance fee to the Sands SkyPark Observation Deck, or just go to the bar and order something to drink and enjoy the same kind of view but with a drink in hand. Supersmart if you ask me 😉 You enter the bar via the lobby of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel.

But the real reason why should head over to Marina Bay Sands is to catch another impressive light-and-music show, called Spectra.

The show is shown at the outside and on the actual Marina Bay Sands building every night at 20:00 and 21:00 + 22:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.


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Grab a seat at the benches in front of the shopping mall Marina Bay Sands and take in the lights, water fountain, and music that will appear in front of you. The show lasts about 15 minutes and is free. You can also watch it from the other side, the city side, but I think it is more spectacular from the Marina Bay Sands side of the bay.

♦ Estimated time at Marina Bay Sands: 1-2 hours

8. Dinner at Makansutra Gluttons Bay

End your great sightseeing day with some delicious food at the Makansutra Gluttons Bay hawker stall market (F) on the other side of the bay (outside the Esplanade Mall).

If you want to have dinner at the Marina Bay Sands shopping mall, head to the excellent hawker-style food court in the basement serving local Singapore food.

Opening hours Marina Bay Sands food court: 07:00 – 22:00

Opening hours Makansutra Gluttons Bay street food market: 17:00 – 02:00 Monday – Thursday, until 03:00 Friday and Saturday, and 16:00 – 01:00 on Sundays

9. Clarke Quay Nightlife


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9. Clarke Quay Nightlife

If you have more energy left, head over to Clarke Quay (G) to wind down at one of the many bars and pubs and enjoy the Singapore nightlife.

The Quays is the area by the riverfront and consists of three quays connected by the Singapore River: Boat Quay, Robertson Quay, and Clarke Quay. Clarke Quay is the most popular and lively part of the Quays, lined with restaurants, bars, and clubs. Have some drinks and dance the night away.

Or you can end your night a more sophisticated way by heading up in the sky to the previously mentioned “Cé La Vi Skybar” at Marina Bay Sands or the rooftop bar “Smoke and Mirrors” on the top of National Gallery. Both have an excellent view of the Singapore skyline.

DAY 2 – Shopping & Wild Life

Orchard Road, Little India, Kampong Glam & Night Safari

1.Shopping Bonanza In Orchard Street


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Orchard Road, Little India, Kampong Glam & Night Safari

1.Shopping Bonanza In Orchard Street

Take the MRT to Orchard Station or Somerset Station and start your day in the famous shopping mecca Orchard Road. Here you can shop till you drop or till your credit cards are empty.

Orchard Roads is packed with huge shopping malls. Here is the best shopping in Singapore, in my opinion:

ION Orchard Mall

Singapore´s poshest and biggest megamall with the observation deck ION Sky on level 56. This shopping mall is located directly above Orchard MRT Station. The basement floors have brands like Zara, Esprit, Uniqlo while the upper floors have more posh and expensive brands like Singapore´s famous fashion label In Good Company.


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Singapore´s poshest and biggest megamall with the observation deck ION Sky on level 56. This shopping mall is located directly above Orchard MRT Station. The basement floors have brands like Zara, Esprit, Uniqlo while the upper floors have more posh and expensive brands like Singapore´s famous fashion label In Good Company. Paragon

A see and be seen kind of shopping mall with very posh and expensive upper-class brands like Burberry, Prada, Gucci, Armani, and Jimmy Choo.

A see and be seen kind of shopping mall with very posh and expensive upper-class brands like Burberry, Prada, Gucci, Armani, and Jimmy Choo. Ngee Ann City

An old mall that looks a bit old fashion on the outside, but it´s great on the inside with seven floors of shopping bonanza and a cinema. It has the best bookshop in Asia, the Kinokuniya, and also houses the best food court in Orchard Road, the Takashimaya Food Village.


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An old mall that looks a bit old fashion on the outside, but it´s great on the inside with seven floors of shopping bonanza and a cinema. It has the best bookshop in Asia, the Kinokuniya, and also houses the best food court in Orchard Road, the Takashimaya Food Village. Orchardgateway

A shopping mall that spans on both sides of Orchard Road and is connected by an underground walkway as well as an above-ground bridge. It has a dedicated floor for men’s clothes and stuff. It has big brands like Zara and H&M and lots of nice restaurants and cafes.

There is a hotel, the Jen Orchardgateway Hotel on the upper floors (reception is on the 10th floor of Orchardgateway mall). We stayed at this hotel and loved it, especially their rooftop swimming pool which is gigantic with a fantastic view of the Singapore skyline.


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A shopping mall that spans on both sides of Orchard Road and is connected by an underground walkway as well as an above-ground bridge. It has a dedicated floor for men’s clothes and stuff. It has big brands like Zara and H&M and lots of nice restaurants and cafes. There is a hotel, the Jen Orchardgateway Hotel on the upper floors (reception is on the 10th floor of Orchardgateway mall). We stayed at this hotel and loved it, especially their rooftop swimming pool which is gigantic with a fantastic view of the Singapore skyline. Tanglin Shopping Centre

A retro mall that has Asian art and antiques like carvings, jewelry, paintings, furniture and so on.

♦ Estimated time for shopping in Orchard Road: 3 hours (can, of course, be much, much longer….)

2. Wind down In Emerald Hill Road

Have a well-earned break and something cold to drink at one of the bars in the renovated shophouses in the cozy and atmospheric Emerald Hill Road.


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Go for a short stroll along this road and admire Singapore´ s most beautiful terrace houses, some of them dating back to early 1900. Although this road is just a stone throw from the busy Orchard Road, it feels like a completely different area.

♦ Estimated time for cafe/ pub and walking around in Emerald Hill Road: 1 hour

3. Little India

The Little India district of Singapore is excellent to explore on foot. Here is our recommended walking tour of Little India Singapore:

Take the MRT to Little India Station (A on the map above), where you start your walking tour of Little India.

Once you step out of the station, it is like you have teleported yourself to India! It is just completely different from the rest of the posh, clean, and glossy Singapore.

Walk around in the small lanes between Serangoon Road and Jln Besar and take in the smells, sounds, and the bustling and vibrant atmosphere. The area gets very crowded on Sundays.


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Although Little India has some beautiful temples, we come to this part of Singapore for the delicious and authentic Indian food. So make sure to grab some Indian food along the way.

Our favorite Indian restaurant is the Shish Mahal Restaurant next to Village Hotel Albert Court just on the outskirts of Little India (close to Little India MRT Station). Try their butter chicken with naan bread; it is heavenly good.

If you are a coffee addict and like hip and cool cafes, visit the cool Chye Seng Huat Hardware cafe (in Jalan Besar, close to Lavender MRT Station).

Housed in an old shophouse, this was originally one of many hardware stores in the Jalan Besar area (a part of Little India). It has now been restored into a cozy hipster cafe selling delicious coffee, tea, cakes, and other small dishes. You can also take home a bag of coffee beans roasted in the cafe.

They also arrange coffee workshops and a one-hour coffee tour where you can learn about the process of roasting coffee beans.


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Chye Seng Huat Hardware cafe Delicious chocolate cake at Chye Seng Huat Hardware cafe

After coffee and cakes at the atmospheric Chye Seng Huat Hardware Cafe, it is time to go for a walk and burn off some calories. This walking tour takes you to the best things to do in Little India Singapore:

Tekka Centre (B on the map above)

A bustling shopping center with lots of spices, saris, Indian textiles, shoes, and so on. It also has a street hawker section that serves some excellent and cheap Indian street food like Murtabak (stuffed pancake), Roti (dough-flour pancake), Biryani, Dosa (very thin lentil-flour pancake), and Teh Tarik (pulled tea, my favorite). The perfect place to grab something to eat!

Indian Heritage Center (C)


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Indian Heritage Center (C)

A relatively new (opened in 2015) museum and cultural center, costing S$12 million to build. It shows the heritage of Singapore`s Indian community and people and has artifacts, maps, and photos on display, as well as multimedia and a lovely rooftop garden. The building in itself is pretty cool where the facade becomes transparent at night where you can see a colorful mural.

A relatively new (opened in 2015) museum and cultural center, costing S$12 million to build. It shows the heritage of Singapore`s Indian community and people and has artifacts, maps, and photos on display, as well as multimedia and a lovely rooftop garden. The building in itself is pretty cool where the facade becomes transparent at night where you can see a colorful mural. Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple (D)

The most impressive and colorful Hindu temple in Singapore, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali, and constructed in 1881.


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The most impressive and colorful Hindu temple in Singapore, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali, and constructed in 1881. Mustafa Centre (E)

A 24/7 shopping mall that has absolutely everything! So if you can´t sleep at night due to for instance jetlag, head of to Mustafa Centre and go shopping. 🙂

A 24/7 shopping mall that has absolutely everything! So if you can´t sleep at night due to for instance jetlag, head of to Mustafa Centre and go shopping. 🙂 Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple (F)

A Buddhist Temple with a huge 15 m tall Buddha weighing 300 tonnes. You will also find Hindu gods Brahma and Ganesh, which is a bit odd for a Buddhist Temple. The entrance is flanked by two big yellow tigers and a huge mother-of-pearl footprint of Buddha (to your left when entering the temple) which is a replica of the footprint on the top of Adam´s Peak in Sri Lanka.


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End your walking tour of Little India at Farrer Park Station (G). From here, take the MRT to Bugis Station to explore the next district of Singapore – Kampong Glam & Bugis.

♦ Estimated time for this walking tour of Little India: 2-3 hours

4. Kampong Glam & Bugis

Kampong Glam district, also called Arab Street, is located right beside Little India. You can either walk here from Little India or take the MRT to Bugis Station.

Our recommended walking tour of Kampong Glam & Bugis:

Start your walking tour of Kampong Glam and Bugis at Bugis MRT Station (A on the map above).

Kampong Glam area has a great mix of hipster cafe, trendy restaurants, cool shops, and Islamic culture and mosques.

The most famous and fashionable street in Kampong Glam is the Haji Lane (B on the map above).


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The most famous and fashionable street in Kampong Glam is the Haji Lane (B on the map above).

Haji Lane is a walking street full of street art murals, packed with relaxed cafes and trendy boutiques selling everything from hipster clothes, design stuff, shoes, backpacks, and third-wave jewelry. I love walking around in this area, popping into the small boutiques and cafes.

There are lots of cool shops in Haji Lane selling everything from clothes, shoes, hipster backpacks, jewelry, and souvenirs. Also, check out these nice shops:

Supermama

Local designers, excellent for souvenirs and gifts to bring back home

Local designers, excellent for souvenirs and gifts to bring back home Scene Shang (next to Supermama)

Cool furniture, stone wear, and art

Cool furniture, stone wear, and art The textile and silk shops along Arab Street

Kapok, located in the National Design Centre

Sells cool designer clothes and sandals


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Kapok, located in the National Design Centre

Sells cool designer clothes and sandals

Make sure to visit the Sultan Mosque (C on the map above) with its beautiful golden topped dome sparkling in the sun. The mosque is the signature building of Kampong Glam.

If you are hungry, Kampong Glam is the perfect area to eat or grab some snacks, coffee, or a cup of tea. You will find Malay, Italian, Chinese, Indian, and Middle Eastern food. We had delicious woodfired Italian pizza at cozy Cicheti.

Make sure to grab some pastries at the Konditori, a Swedish bakery and cafe. They have the best pastries in Singapore in my opinion! I loved it!

If you have the time and love movies like us, then a visit to the independent and supercool cinema Projector (D on the map above) is a must. We saw a very cute animated film here. They also have a cool cafe in the lobby of the cinema.


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Bugis is a small part of Kampong Glam where you among other shopping centers will find Bras Basah Complex (E on the map above) with some cool shops like the Basheer Graphic Books (fourth floor). They sell lots of film books, art books, photography books, as well as books on design, typography, interior and architecture. The bookshop also has Singapore´s best selection of international niche magazines. Love this bookstore!

♦ Estimated time for this walking tour of Kampong Glam & Bugis: 1-2 hours (more if you want to eat here or see a movie at the cinema Projector)

5. Night Safari

After all this city sightseeing, it is finally time to leave the urban jungle and head into the wilderness in the north of Singapore.

Jump in a taxi or use the Grab app, and head north to join the famous Night Safari, which is located next to Singapore Zoo. The drive takes about 30 minutes.


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The Night Safari part of Singapore Zoo opens at 19:15, and the park closes around midnight. If you want to see the animals in daylight, you should instead visit the Singapore Zoo (opening hours: 08:30 – 18:00), or you can, of course, visit both the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari.

If you want to skip the ticket line and save money, I recommend that you buy e-tickets for the Night Safari in advance here.

The tickets are flexible, so you can buy them now and use them any time within the next five months. Very easy and convenient!

When you buy the tickets, you also get the option of taking a shuttle bus to the Zoo. So if you want to save even more money, you should go for the shuttle bus as well. You can also buy a bundle discounted ticket for both the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari here if you want to visit both parks.


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At Night Safari you take open-sided shuttle trams that drive you on a guided tour of the park where you get to see leopards, babirusas, Malay tigers, giant flying squirrels, etc. You can also walk specific trails of the park.

Don´t miss the Creatures of the Night show; an interactive 20-minutes show that is great fun especially for kids. The show is at 19:30, 20:30, and 21:30 + 22:30 on Fridays and Saturdays. The show is awesome and I loved it!

⇒ Read our experience of the Singapore Zoo here

Buy your e-tickets in advance here to save money and skip the ticket line

♦ Estimated time at Singapore Night Safari: 3 hours

DAY 3 – Beach, Entertainment & Dining

Sentosa Island & Chinatown

After all that city sightseeing, museums, temples, and shopping, it is time to head to the “tropical beach” and have some fun on Sentosa Island.


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There are several ways to get to Sentosa Island from Singapore city: Cable car (take the MRT to HarbourFront Station where the cable car runs from between 08:45 to 21:30), The monorail Sentosa Express (goes from VivoCity beside HarbourFront Station), taxi, or just walk across the Sentosa Boardwalk from VivoCity (the walk takes about 15 minutes).

1. Universal Studios & SEA Aquarium

There are plenty of fun activities to join on Sentosa Island. Head there early in the morning to beat the crowd.

Here are the best things to do in Sentosa Island:

Universal Studios

A gigantic theme park packed with activities, rides, and shows. Great fun, especially for the kids!

SEA Aquarium (SoutEast Asia Aquarium)

The world´s biggest aquarium with sharks, mantas, octopus, jellyfish, seahorses, and lots of colorful fish.

Wave House

An artificial wave where you can try out your surfing skills.

An artificial wave where you can try out your surfing skills. MegaZip Line


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An artificial wave where you can try out your surfing skills. MegaZip Line

Tempting to go in 60 km/h on a zip line 75 m above the ground through the jungle and down to the beach? Then this is it!

You can easily spend a couple of days exploring everything on Sentosa, but since this is your last day in Singapore, you should try to wrap up your time in Universal Studios and SEA Aquarium during the afternoon.

The Beaches At Sentosa Island

Wind down and relax at one of the three beaches on Sentosa:

Palawan Beach

A relaxed part of Sentosa popular among families with kids as you will find a children’s playground here

A relaxed part of Sentosa popular among families with kids as you will find a children’s playground here Siloso Beach

Singapore’s hippest beach with bars and discos and parties in the evening

Singapore’s hippest beach with bars and discos and parties in the evening Tanjong Beach


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Singapore’s hippest beach with bars and discos and parties in the evening Tanjong Beach

Relaxed and quiet, a nice place to chill. It has beach hammocks, Tanjong Beach Club and FOC Sentosa. This beach is very romantic in the evening with candlelit tables where you can have dinner, also infinity pools with comfortable daybeds.

And best of all, visiting the beaches is free! Yay! 🙂

♦ Estimated time at Sentosa Island: A full day. It depends on what you want to do, but after 8 hours you will be pretty exhausted.

2. Chinatown

In the evening, head back to Singapore city and take the MRT to Chinatown Station (A on the map below).

Walk around Chinatown where the best things to do in Chinatown Singapore are (in our opinion):

Chinatown Heritage Centre (B on the map above)

This museum tells the story of Chinatown’s colorful and chaotic history. There is an excellent audio tour included in the ticket.


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This museum tells the story of Chinatown’s colorful and chaotic history. There is an excellent audio tour included in the ticket. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple (C)

A beautiful and huge five-story temple that has the left canine tooth of the Buddha. The tooth is kept inside a 420 kg heavy gold stupa on the 4th floor. The temple is packed with Buddha figures and has a nice rooftop garden. (opening hours: 07:00 – 19:00, free entrance)

A beautiful and huge five-story temple that has the left canine tooth of the Buddha. The tooth is kept inside a 420 kg heavy gold stupa on the 4th floor. The temple is packed with Buddha figures and has a nice rooftop garden. (opening hours: 07:00 – 19:00, free entrance) The mural by Yip Yew Chong on Thian Hock Keng Temple (D)


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A 44-meter long mural painted on the rear wall of Thian Hock Keng Temple. It is painted by the famous Singaporean artist Yip Yew Chong. The mural is beautiful and tells the story of Immigrants to Singapore, from leaving China to arriving at their new home in Singapore. Start from the right end to “read” the mural.

After a stroll around Chinatown, you must be hungry and thirsty. Grab some street food at the hawker center Maxwell Food Centre (E on the map above) or Chinatown Complex (F). If you want some more up-class dining, head to Amoy Street (G) or Telok Ayer Street (H).

Time to finish off your time in Singapore with a drink or two in one of the many cool rooftop bars in Club Street (I) or Ann Siang Rd (J) which becomes a walking street after 19:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

♦ Estimated time walking tour of Chinatown: 2-4 hours (depending on how many drinks you want to drink…. 🙂 )

DAY 4 – Wild Life, Greenery & Flowers

Singapore Zoo & Botanic Garden

1. Botanic Garden


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DAY 4 – Wild Life, Greenery & Flowers

Singapore Zoo & Botanic Garden

1. Botanic Garden

Start your day with breakfast at the lovely PS Cafe before heading over to Botanic Garden for a morning walk.

Or stack up on delicious hawker dishes at the Holland Village Market & Food Center (address: 1 Lor Mambong) like chicken rice and prawn noodles, or buy food at one of the many gourmet delis at the streets Holland Village and Dempsey Hill, and head to the Botanic Gardens for a picnic.

There is also a nice collection of hawker food stalls outside the Botanic Garden´s Healing Garden called Food Canopy (next to the Raffles Building). There you find everything from the old traditional Singapore breakfast kaya toast (toast with coconut jam) and kopi (coffee), to Indian roti (bread), noodles, and roasted duck.


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After all this food for breakfast, go for a walk around the stunning Botanic Garden. For me, the highlight is the National Orchid Garden (opening hours: 08:30-19:00), the largest display of orchids in the world. Orchid is my favorite flower, so I love walking around in this part of the Botanic Garden.

The Ginger Garden part of Botanic Garden is also beautiful and houses the atmospheric Halia restaurant with several ginger-based dishes on the menu. The Learning Forest with its elevated walkways and boardwalks is the newest part of the Botanic Garden. It has a cool canopy web where you can lay down and listen to the sounds of the forest. If you have kids, head to the Jacob Ballas Children´s garden.

⇒ Read more about our visit to the Botanic Garden HERE

♦ Estimated time at Singapore Botanic Garden: 3-4 hours

2. Singapore Zoo


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♦ Estimated time at Singapore Botanic Garden: 3-4 hours

2. Singapore Zoo

If you only have done the Night Safari part of Singapore Zoo, and you have more days in Singapore, you should visit the Singapore Zoo part. Make sure to take a break and an ice cream at Ben&Jerry´s (our favorite ice cream).

We bought our Singapore Zoo tickets here and got huge discounts. We could also skip the very long ticket line once we got to the Zoo, and could walk straight into the park. Very easy and convenient! The tickets are flexible, so you can buy them now and use them any day within the next five months. You can also buy discounted bundle tickets for both the Singapore Zoo & Night Safari here if you want to visit both.

⇒ Read more about our visit to the Singapore Zoo here

How to get to Singapore Zoo: It is easiest to take a taxi or Uber (a 30 min ride)

Opening hours Singapore Zoo: 08:30 – 18:00


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Opening hours Singapore Zoo: 08:30 – 18:00

Ticket price Singapore Zoo: S$33 for an adult, and S$22 for a child under 13 years old. I recommend that you buy your discounted e-tickets here in advance, which will save you a lot of money and time. The tickets are flexible so you can buy them now and use them any time within the next five months.

♦ Estimated time at Singapore Zoo: 5-6 hours

DAY 5 – Cafes & market in a cool hipster neighborhood

Thiong Bahru

Take the MRT to Thiong Bahru Station, and you will find yourself in the hippest residential neighborhood of Singapore with hip boutiques, cool bars, and cozy cafes. You will not see any high skyscrapers here, mostly low-rise buildings as this was Singapore´s first public-housing area. The apartments now have an art deco vibe and are very popular among young hipster Singaporeans and expats.


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Thiong Bahru is said to be where rich Chinese businessmen housed their mistresses. Now you find a refreshing mix of chic cafes and old Chinese restaurants and shops.

Go for a walk in the neighborhood and visit:

To Market or Thiong Bahru Market & Food Centre

Dating back to 1955. Here you will find a wet market on the ground floor selling vegetables, fruits, flowers, fish, and meat. They sell some delicious Thai mangoes! Upstairs, however, is a hawker stall center with all kinds of Asian dishes and drinks. (opening hours: 08:00 until late)

Dating back to 1955. Here you will find a wet market on the ground floor selling vegetables, fruits, flowers, fish, and meat. They sell some delicious Thai mangoes! Upstairs, however, is a hawker stall center with all kinds of Asian dishes and drinks. (opening hours: 08:00 until late) BooksActually

A cool independent bookstore. There is a small museum in the back. (opening hours: 10:00 – 20:00 Tue-Sat, until 18:00 Mon & Sun)


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A cool independent bookstore. There is a small museum in the back. (opening hours: 10:00 – 20:00 Tue-Sat, until 18:00 Mon & Sun) Tiong Bahru Bakery

Love this cozy bakery that sells delicious and cute French pastries and coffee of high quality. It has a nice sitting area both inside and outside. (opening hours: 08:00 – 20:00 Sun-Thur, until 22:00 Fri-Sat)

Love this cozy bakery that sells delicious and cute French pastries and coffee of high quality. It has a nice sitting area both inside and outside. (opening hours: 08:00 – 20:00 Sun-Thur, until 22:00 Fri-Sat) Merci Marcel Cafe

Another cool hipster-like cafe (French) selling quality coffee and pastries. Located next to Thiong Bahru Bakery. They have a lovely back garden area with tables.

Another cool hipster-like cafe (French) selling quality coffee and pastries. Located next to Thiong Bahru Bakery. They have a lovely back garden area with tables. Plain Vanilla Bakery


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We first fell in love with this bakery at the ION Orchard Mall, but they have a bigger cafe and bakery in Thiong Bahru. They sell Singapore´s best and cutest cupcakes, along with other delicious temptations. (opening hours: 08:00 – 19:00 Mon-Sat, 09:00 – 18:00 Sundays)

We first fell in love with this bakery at the ION Orchard Mall, but they have a bigger cafe and bakery in Thiong Bahru. They sell Singapore´s best and cutest cupcakes, along with other delicious temptations. (opening hours: 08:00 – 19:00 Mon-Sat, 09:00 – 18:00 Sundays) Nana & Bird

A cool little boutique next to Plain Vanilla Bakery that sells independent fashion clothes, shoes, and accessories.

A cool little boutique next to Plain Vanilla Bakery that sells independent fashion clothes, shoes, and accessories. Creamier

On the other side of the street from Nana&Bird, they make delicious handmade ice cream and coffee.


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On the other side of the street from Nana&Bird, they make delicious handmade ice cream and coffee.

On the other side of the street from Nana&Bird, they make delicious handmade ice cream and coffee. Forty Hands

Close to the ice cream place Creamier, a small cafe serving excellent brunch and coffee.

There you have it, our recommended Singapore Itinerary with all the coolest things to do in Singapore. In our opinion, you need at least three days to explore the highlights of Singapore fully. With five days you don´t have to rush around that much and can spread out this itinerary over more days.

Where To Stay In Singapore

There is no getting around that Singapore is a pretty expensive city when it comes to accommodation. But on the plus side, the hotel standard is very high, and there are some genuinely wonderful hotels here. Below are some of our favorites hotels at different price ranges.

Top End

Fullerton Hotel


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Top End

Fullerton Hotel

The Fullerton is widely regarded as Singapore’s most luxurious hotel. While the Raffles hotel is under renovation, the Fullerton Bay Hotel is the best choice for old-school five-star colonial-style luxury and world-class service.

If it is within your budget, staying here is an experience in itself. The 25m rooftop swimming pool overlooking Marina Bay is truly spectacular!

Click for the latest prices

Hotel Fort Canning

We loved the peaceful park surrounding Hotel Fort Canning. The hotel has two large swimming pools. Our awesome room at Hotel Fort Canning

Surrounded by the green and peaceful Fort Canning Park this beautifully restored old colonial fort-made heritage boutique hotel is a quiet oasis in the heart of the city. The rooms are large and beautiful with high ceilings, hardwood floors, and super comfortable beds. We loved the spacious bathroom with its stylish bathtub.


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There are two large swimming pools and a well-equipped gym. It has a very central location, within walking distance to both the main shopping street Orchard Road and the Colonial District with all the main museums and sights.

Click for the latest prices

Parkroyal on Pickering

Parkroyal on Pickering Hotel is eco-friendly Our beautiful and huge room at Parkroyal on Pickering

Parkroyal on Pickering is something as rare as an eco-conscious five-star hotel. It shows through in everything from the small touches like the daily refilled glass water bottles to pens made of bamboo to the architectural marvel of the green hanging terraces that decorate its facade.


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Downstairs is a classy and cool wine bar, and the burger bar “Twenty Five Degrees” on the corner serves some of the best burgers in Singapore. Try the truffle chips, they are heavenly!

Click for the latest prices

⇒ Click here to read our complete guide on Where To Stay In Singapore, with tips on how to find the best hotel and area to stay in for you

PIN IT FOR LATER!

Hover over the pictures below and press the red “Save” button that pops up:

Have you been to Singapore? Have we missed something on this itinerary? What are you most looking forward to for your next trip to Singapore? Please leave a comment in the comment area below. We would love to hear from you! If you find this article useful, please share it on social media. Thanks! 🙂Link: https://www.visitsingapore.com/editorials/where

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Title: Where to drink in Singapore


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Title: Where to drink in Singapore

The city’s nightlife offerings are diverse and you’ll be spoilt for choice on the places to drink in Singapore. Whether you’re looking for rooftop bars or a watering hole for you and your vino-lovin’ pals, we’ve got you covered with this list.

Clarke Quay/Boat Quay

The riverside Clarke Quay and Boat Quay districts may be known as party central but there’s plenty more to discover. The live music scene is noteworthy: start at Clarke Quay’s Crazy Elephant bar to listen to the blues and Cuba Libre Café & Bar for Latin music.

Sports enthusiasts should head to Boomarang Bistro & Bar and Hero’s. Be serenaded by local bands and singers, in between the exhilarating matches.

For a no-frills night, visit Irish pub Molly Malone’s. During important sporting events, they screen live sports and attract throngs of diehards, kicking up into a frenzy.


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If you’re planning a romantic date over cocktails, be sure to check out chic rooftop bar Southbridge. Enjoy a panoramic view of the Singapore skyline, while pairing your cocktails with oysters.

Ann Siang/Club Street

For a change, head to the Ann Siang Hill and Club Street area. Lined with bars and restaurants, this cozy enclave is popular for after-work drinks.

Start with restaurant-bar Oxwell & Co, which offers British-style bar staples to go with delicious cocktails. Skip your usual gin and tonic and opt for the bar’s specially invented drinks, which are made with fresh produce from Oxwell & Co’s herb garden.

For a hearty meal, head to PS.Café or try Gem Bar, which is known for its chunky gourmet burgers. Craving Japanese food? IZY Dining and Bar does small plates Japanese-style and has an extensive sake menu.

Need more drink-spiration? Check out Nutmeg and Clove for bespoke cocktails made just for you, or try Japanese-style bar Cache for whiskey, sake and craft beer.


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Marina Bay

There’s far more than shopping and art-viewing to be done along this glitzy stretch of malls, museums and luxury hotels. It’s a nightlife hotspot too.

Begin your bar-hopping journey at Post Bar at the Fullerton Hotel. You'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurant-bars with waterfront views: popular picks include Kinki Rooftop Bar, Lantern Bar at The Fullerton Bay Hotel, as well as the 1919 Restaurant & The Rooftop Bar and Overeasy which are close to the Merlion Park.

For a cosier cocktail spot, check out Orgo at the Esplanade, which is located at the arts venue’s rooftop. Here, you’ll get great views, while avoiding the crowds at the waterfront.

If you’re in the mood for a special treat, go for an epicurean experience at fine dining restaurants Spago, which boasts a lounge section with stellar views from the 57th floor.


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Amp up your cocktail hour by zipping to the tallest rooftop bars in the vicinity. Favourites include Cé La Vi at Marina Bay Sands®, as well as 1-Altitude and LeVel 33. You’ll feel like you’re on top of the world!

Holland Village

Filled with almost door-to-door lines of restaurants, pubs and eateries, this bustling neighbourhood continues to be a hive of activity.

First up is Wala Wala Café Bar, which has been around for over 20 years in Holland Village and is known for live music performances. Restaurant-bar PARK is another popular pick. Dine on hearty steaks and burgers, then stay on for drinks after.

Looking for international grub? Head down to Baden Restaurant & Pub for German-style beers and bites. Or check out the Cambodian and Vietnamese-cuisine at restaurant-bar #WineTapasFriends by Indochine. We recommend having the spicy bar bites with plenty of beer.

For more drinking options, check out this list.Link: https://www.tallship.com.sg/blog/new

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Title: Where to Go for New Year Celebration: Singapore Countdown 2024

New Year Countdown 2024: Where to Go for New Year Celebration in Singapore?

Not sure where to go for the best Singapore New Year celebration to 2024? Look no further! Whether you’re traveling solo, with a few friends, or your whole family, there are plenty of New Year celebrations across Singapore for the new year countdown to 2024! From extravagant parties and incredible live entertainment performances to delicious food and stunning fireworks – we have compiled a comprehensive list of places that offer something special for everyone’s New Year celebrations. So wave goodbye to 2023 in style and get ready for an unforgettable night as you usher in the countdown to 2024!

Set sail onboard the Royal Albatross – A seafaring New Year celebration onboard Asia’s only luxury tall ship


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Get ready to set sail onboard the Royal Albatross for an unforgettable Singapore New Year Celebration! This New Year’s Eve, be prepared to be wowed by the stunning views of the city skyline as you countdown to the new year of 2024! The highlight of the night would be the dazzling fireworks display that will light up the night sky. Treat yourself to a luxury dining experience as you sail under the stars. Raise a glass and toast to the new year in the midst of a magical setting like no other. This is a New Year’s Eve celebration you won’t forget!

Countdown at the Marina Bay Sands Skypark – Watch fireworks from across the city


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Countdown at the Marina Bay Sands Skypark – Watch fireworks from across the city

Marina Bay is well-known for its vibrant and exciting Singapore New Year celebration, and this year is no exception! Hop on the Marina Bay Sands Skypark this New Year’s Eve for perfect spot to ring in the new year. Join the countdown with thousands of others and watch in awe as fireworks light up the skyline across the city. With stunning views of the Marina Bay area, including the iconic Singapore Flyer and Gardens by the Bay, this is a truly unforgettable experience. Get ready to be dazzled by the incredible display and start the new year off with a bang!

Celebrate at Clarke Quay – A massive street party with live music and champagne showers

Welcome to the most vibrant Singapore New Year celebration at Clarke Quay! Get ready for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve as you join thousands of people in Singapore’s most exciting year-end party!


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Clarke Quay comes alive with a massive street party filled with heart-pumping live music and epic champagne showers as you welcome the new year in style! Let yourself go and join in the fun as you enjoy the rhythm and beat of exciting live bands and DJs. Soak up the lively atmosphere of Clarke Quay, and let the party take you on an unforgettable ride to usher in 2024 with happiness, joy, and overwhelming excitement! Don’t miss this chance to celebrate with the world and welcome 2024 with a bang at Clarke Quay.

Party at Sentosa Island – Countdown to 2024 at the lovely Siloso Beach

Ring in the New Year like never before at Singapore’s biggest year-end celebration on Sentosa Island! Join thousands of party-goers at the stunning Siloso Beach and celebrate the countdown to 2024 with an unforgettable experience!


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From dance floors and DJ booths to spectacular fireworks displays, the atmosphere at Siloso Beach is simply electrifying. The party starts early and lasts until the early hours of the morning, so make sure to fuel up with the variety of delicious cuisines available and dress to impress for this grand occasion.

There’s no better way to welcome the New Year than with Singapore’s vibrant culture and stunning beaches, so mark your calendars for the ultimate New Year’s Eve celebration at Sentosa Island.

Pick your Singapore New Year celebration and countdown to 2024!


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Pick your Singapore New Year celebration and countdown to 2024!

Singapore provides the perfect backdrop for ringing in the New Year. Whether you want a unique seafaring experience onboard the Royal Albatross, a special view of fireworks from Marina Bay Sands Skypark, an energetic street party at Clarke Quay, or just raving at the Siloso Beach on Sentosa Island, there’s something to suit all types of celebrants this New Year. There’s definitely never been a more thrilling and more diverse way to usher in 2024 than by experiencing any of these offerings in Singapore – leave your old year behind as you celebrate and welcome the new one with grandeur. Make your pick and start planning your Singapore New Year celebration experience today!Link: https://www.visitsingapore.com/content/desktop/en/singapore

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Title: Where to Shop Till You Drop in Singapore

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Title: Where to Shop Till You Drop in Singapore

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In Singapore, shopping is not just about buying things: it’s exploring different worlds where retail, nature, tech and heritage meet. Cruise into Funan Mall on a bicycle. Browse shops around a rain vortex in Jewel Changi. Indulge in luxury brands at international flagship stores along Orchard Road. Take home cultural memorabilia at our ethnic enclaves; or get involved in craft workshops by independent brands. There’s a surprise around the corner for every kind of collector.Link: https://nerdnomads.com/where

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Title: Where to Stay in Singapore – Our Favorite Areas & Hotels

Are you traveling to Singapore and wondering where to stay? Then look no further; here, we give you the ultimate guide on where to stay in Singapore (updated 2023). It includes the most popular neighborhoods and our favorite hotels at all price ranges.


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If you’re flying into Singapore straight from the US or Europe, it may at first feel like you have not traveled very far at all. On the surface, it is perhaps the most “non-Asian” of all Asian countries. The radio hosts speak English, the cab driver will insist that you wear your seatbelt, and prices are just as high as back home.

But dig a little beneath the surface, and Singapore will reveal its charm, diversity, and ethnic roots. Even though the island city-state of Singapore is quite small, it has many unique neighborhoods and a well of accommodations. Therefore, deciding where to stay in Singapore can feel a bit overwhelming.


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It is almost like you are visiting several different countries and cultures just by walking between the different neighborhoods of Singapore. From the lively and colorful Little India to the charming hipster-like Kampong Glam, to the enormous shopping malls along Orchard Road, the impressively posh and futuristic Marina Bay, the bustling nightlife of the Quays, the beautiful colonial buildings of the Colonial District, and the kid-friendly entertainment and beach hub Sentosa Island with Universal Studios.

We first visited Singapore in 2002, on our way back home to Norway from Australia, where we studied, and we immediately fell in love with this city/ country. We try to visit Singapore every time we are in Asia, which means almost every year, and we have stayed in many different hotels all over the city and at different price ranges.


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For a while now, we have been wanting to write more articles about Singapore, but things can change fast, and we did not want to just rely on past experiences. So we booked a flight and spent a month in Singapore exploring the city like never before.

One of the results is this guide on where to stay in Singapore with all the little hotel gems we could find. Here we reveal what we think are the best areas to stay in Singapore and why. We have listed our favorite hotels at any budget for each area – Top-End, Mid-Range, and Budget.

Latest Updates: We last visited Singapore in April 2023 to thoroughly update this guide to Singapore’s best hotels and areas. We wanted to see if our old hotel favorites were still going strong, and along the way, we also discovered some new favorites that we are excited to share with you!

Where To Stay In Singapore


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Where To Stay In Singapore

Whether you are looking for that once-in-a-lifetime luxury hotel, a small intimate boutique hotel, a value-for-money mid-range hotel, or a budget guesthouse, Singapore has a comprehensive collection of them all.

You must be warned, though, that Singapore is among the most expensive cities in Asia. Singapore has been dubbed the world’s most expensive city to live in for the fifth year in a row, which is also reflected in the hotel prices. That said, in this guide, we reveal some good value options for your money, so there is no need to panic. 🙂


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Singapore is also the only major city where we have experienced landing at the airport, only to be told that the city’s hotels are all fully occupied and that no rooms are available anywhere! Thankfully, it turned out to be a slight exaggeration, but a huge dentist conference was happening, and every major hotel was full. We managed to find a place to stay in the end, but we had to pay far more than we had budgeted, and ever since then, we always book ahead when visiting Singapore.

The hotels recommended in this article are primarily places we have stayed at (and, as always, paid for) ourselves. However, to make this as complete and helpful a resource as possible, we have included some recommendations from travelers we know personally and whose opinions we trust.


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Important: None of the hotels in this guide are paid placements or have sponsored our stay in any way. If you book through any of our links, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps keep our site going – so thank you in advance for your support! ♥

We hope you find this guide helpful in choosing the best place to stay in Singapore.

Singapore’s 9 Best Areas To Stay In

Although Singapore is rather small, 728.6 km², it has almost 6 million inhabitants from all over the world. The different neighborhoods have their own character, which reflects their people and culture in a unique way.

Where you base yourself matters, both when it comes to whether or not the attractions are within walking distance and if you have many different restaurants, cafes, and shops to choose from. That said, Singapore is a fairly easy city to get around in, both by taxi/ Grab and public transport like the metro and buses.


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We have decided to divide Singapore into nine areas that are suitable for tourists and visitors to stay in.

Here is an overview of Singapore`s nine most popular areas to stay in (updated in 2022):

Orchard Road Area

Singapore’s main shopping area. The whole street is lined with huge modern shopping malls. The most central area to stay in, you can walk to most of the main attractions. Several of the big international hotel chains are located here. Colonial/ Historic District

Beautiful old colonial buildings, museums, and art galleries. Here you find some of Singapore’s most iconic and luxurious hotels, like the Raffles. Marina Bay Area

The iconic Marina Bay Sands shopping mall and hotel are designed like a ship. Staying at the futuristic luxurious Marina Bay Sands Hotel is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so if you can afford it – go for it! Chinatown


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A unique historical area with a mix of Chinese architecture, temples, shops, cafes, and modern highrises in the nearby CBD. A wide range of upscale and mid-range hotels. Bugis & Kampong Glam

Singapore’s hippest area, with lots of cool coffee shops, cafes, restaurants, and pubs. Budget-friendly hotels and hostels. The Quays Area

Singapore’s canal and river area is packed with restaurants, cafes, and bars. It is a fun area to stay in, with some fantastic hotels and nightlife. Little India

A vibrant area with lots of delicious Indian food. Budget-friendly hotels and hostels. Sentosa Island

A kid-friendly area where you find Universal Studios, Singapore Aquarium, and beautiful beaches. Big resort hotels, perfect for families with kids. Thiong Bahru

Residential neighborhood with several cool hipster cafes, coffee shops, bakeries, and restaurants. Lots of ex-pats living here. Budget-friendly hotels and apartments.


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Read on to find out where you want to stay when visiting Singapore. We have also listed our favorite hotels in each area below:

The 9 best areas to stay in Singapore: 1. Orchard Road, 2. Colonial/ Historic, 3. Marina Bay, 4. The Quays, 5. Bugis & Kampong Glam, 6. Chinatown, 7. Little India, 8. Sentosa Island, 9. Thiong Bahru

1. Orchard Road

Orchard Road is home to what is arguably the world’s best upscale shopping. Along the wide Orchard Road (2,5 km long), enormous modern shopping malls line both sides of the street. If you can’t find what you are looking for here, chances are you will not find it anywhere in the world.

Why stay in the Orchard Road area?

To sum it up in one word – shopping! You should stay in the Orchard Road area for the shopping! From luxury fashion clothing brands to electronic and camera shops, Orchard is a shopper’s dream destination.


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But there is more to Orchard than just shopping. Venture into the smaller side streets, and you will discover plenty of cool bars, restaurants, and a more relaxed atmosphere.

There are cinema multiplexes inside the shopping malls and plenty of restaurants, food courts, and cafes for that shopping break. Food courts are a particularly good value for money.

If you are a book lover like us, do not miss a visit to the branch of Kinokuniya Book Store inside the Ngee Ann City Mall (on level 4). It is the world’s largest bookstore, and we have spent more hours than I care to admit digging for book treasures there.

Just north of Orchard Road, you can escape the city´s hustle and bustle in the green lung Istana Park, where you will also find the President’s Residence.


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MRT lines connect the area well, and you are never far from the nearest station, making it easy to get around the rest of the city from here. There are currently four major MRT stations in the Orchard Road area: Orchard, Orchard Boulevard, Somerset, and Dhoby Ghaut MRT stations.

Things to see and do in the Orchard Road area

Shopping, shopping, and some more shopping, as well as eating, are the main things to do in the Orchard Road area. It indeed is a shopping mecca! Orchard Road is one of the best shopping streets in Asia, maybe the best.

ION Orchard Mall

Singapore´s top-notch mega mall. Check out its observation deck, ION Sky, on level 56, with an amazing view over the city.

Singapore´s top-notch mega mall. Check out its observation deck, ION Sky, on level 56, with an amazing view over the city. Emerald Hill Road

Go for a walk and admire these beautiful heritage architectural buildings. Some popular and cozy bars are also in the old renovated shophouses near Orchard Road.


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Go for a walk and admire these beautiful heritage architectural buildings. Some popular and cozy bars are also in the old renovated shophouses near Orchard Road. Cathay Gallery

Cathay Gallery is the perfect museum for us film nerds! Here you find cool old movie posters, local Singapore film history, and cameras.

Cathay Gallery is the perfect museum for us film nerds! Here you find cool old movie posters, local Singapore film history, and cameras. Istana Park

A lovely little landscaped park of 13 km² that opened in 1996. Istana Park’s centerpiece is the Festival Arch (26 m tall), surrounded by a reflecting pool. The arch symbolizes the gateway to Orchard Road.

A lovely little landscaped park of 13 km² that opened in 1996. Istana Park’s centerpiece is the Festival Arch (26 m tall), surrounded by a reflecting pool. The arch symbolizes the gateway to Orchard Road. Istana Heritage Gallery


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You will also find the Istana Heritage Gallery inside the park (opened in 2017), which showcases the history of Istana’s transition from being the Colonial Governor’s House to its present role as the Official Residence of the President. Here you can see a range of heritage displays with state artifacts, artworks, and a collection of gifts presented by foreign countries to Singapore’s Presidents and Prime Ministers.

You will also find the Istana Heritage Gallery inside the park (opened in 2017), which showcases the history of Istana’s transition from being the Colonial Governor’s House to its present role as the Official Residence of the President. Here you can see a range of heritage displays with state artifacts, artworks, and a collection of gifts presented by foreign countries to Singapore’s Presidents and Prime Ministers. Eat At Food Courts


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Check out the many food courts in the Orchard Road area. Almost all the malls have one selling cheap, freshly cooked food from all over the world. Our favorite food courts in Orchard are: Takashimaya Food Village – At B2 in Takashimaya Department Store Food Republic – At level 4 in Wisma Atria Food Opera – At level B4 in ION Orchard Mall

Check out the many food courts in the Orchard Road area. Almost all the malls have one selling cheap, freshly cooked food from all over the world. Our favorite food courts in Orchard are: Singapore Botanic Gardens

You find the world’s only tropical garden that is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the western side of Orchard Road – Singapore Botanic Gardens. It is free and open every day from 05:00 am until midnight. Our favorite part of the garden is the National Orchid Garden (last entry at 18:00/ 6 pm, ticket: 15 SG$).

What’s the catch?


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What’s the catch?

It gets busy, particularly on the weekends and holidays, and while there are plenty of cinemas, the nightlife is a little limited.

The hotel’s prices here are on the higher end. There are not that many hostels and cheap hotels for budget travelers on Orchard Road.

Where to stay in the Orchard Road area

There are plenty of quality hotels from the top international hotel chains in this area.

Top End

Four Seasons Hotel

Currently ranked as #2 of all hotels in Singapore (almost 400) on TripAdvisor, the Four Seasons Hotel Singapore is one of the very best hotels in the city. It has everything a top-notch five-star hotel should have; great service, excellent food (two restaurants and a lobby bar), beautiful rooms, a well-equipped gym, and a stunning and relaxing swimming pool on the 20th rooftop floor. Plus they have an indoor and outdoor tennis court.


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It is located right in the middle of everything on Orchard Road. So by staying at the Four Seasons Hotel, you will have a short walking distance of all the shopping, cinemas, cafes, and restaurants in the main shopping area of Singapore. From here, you can easily access taxis/ Grab cars and MRT/ trains, so you can get around the rest of Singapore. By far one of the best and most luxurious hotels in Singapore.

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Shangri

La Hotel

The luxurious Shangri-La Hotel has a perfect location at the west end of Orchard Road, right in the middle of all the amazing shopping opportunities Singapore offers. With its world-class friendly service, this hotel truly makes you feel like a queen or king.


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The hotel has an incredible six hectares of tropical gardens, a swimming pool, a pond with a small waterfall, orchids galore, and plenty of palm trees. There are three different wings to choose from. If you stay in one of the rooms in the bungalow villa-styled oasis Garden Wing, it is like staying at a resort. The Tower Wing has newly renovated rooms, each with a unique theme. The American president chose to stay at Shangri-La during the summit with North Korea’s leader in 2018.

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Goodwood Park Hotel

This is one of Singapore’s grand old heritage hotels with a lot of history. From the moment we walked into Goodwood Park Hotel, we felt like we were stepping back in time. Although the hotel is newly renovated, they have kept the old and grand vibe and decor.


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The hotel dates back to 1900 and was built for the German Gentlemen’s Club. Everything from the lobby to the restaurant and the room design is super elegant and classy! From the lush landscaped garden, marble tiles, and colonial architecture to the wide stairways, the whole hotel oozes old-world colonial charm.

The hotel only has three floors with a mix of modern and heritage rooms. We stayed in Heritage Room no. 4 on the 2nd floor, which was spacious (31 sqm) and designed with warm, elegant colors in a classic style.

We stayed in this beautiful Heritage Room Very comfortable bed


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We stayed in this beautiful Heritage Room Very comfortable bed

We particularly loved the bathtub and the toiletries by Salvatore Ferragamo. Also, the work desk was great and wide with ergonomic seating, and the internet was fast. On the downside, the bathroom had no separate shower, so we had to stand in the bathtub to shower. We were also a bit unlucky as some teenagers had booked the neighboring room and were throwing a birthday party all night. We can honestly say soundproofing is not the best in this old building.

The Goodwood Park Hotel has the perfect location close to Orchard Road (a 5-min walk). We loved the swimming pool, which is located on the ground floor, set in a green and lush garden with plenty of sunbeds, perfect for relaxation. The hotel also has studio apartments with a kitchen. The hotel’s L’Espresso Cafe serves a popular afternoon tea buffet from 11 until 19, which is well worth checking out even if you are not staying there.

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Mid Range


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Mid Range

JEN Singapore Orchardgateway by Shangri-La

Oh boy, what an infinity swimming pool the JEN Singapore Orchardgateway Hotel has! It must be one of the best in Singapore! It is huge and located on the rooftop with an excellent view of Singapore’s skyline. And it is open until 23:00, so it’s the perfect place to enjoy a drink or a swim under the stars. We ♥ it!

There is a lifeguard on duty by the pool, and there are three pools in total, including a children’s pool.

We had only booked two nights at the JEN Singapore Orchardgateway Hotel, but we liked it so much that we extended our stay. This is one of our top favorite hotels in Singapore.

The location of the JEN Singapore Orchardgateway Hotel is perfect! The hotel is located as part of the Orchard Gateway Mall on Orchard Rd (the reception is on the 10th floor of the mall).


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The Orchard Gateway Mall also houses the MRT Somerset Station, which is very convenient for getting around Singapore. You can just take the hotel elevator down, and you are in the middle of all the restaurants and shops that Orchard Gateway Mall, Orchard Central Mall, and 313 Somerset Mall have to offer (they are all connected).

Right behind the hotel is a street called Killiney Rd, lined with cozy and cheap restaurants, everything from delicious Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Malaysian. Great for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Our room was big, comfortable and modern, and extremely quiet. We could not hear anything either from our neighbors or the cleaning staff in the morning. Fast and free internet. And the hotel even has a robot (!), the cute Jeno, which delivers room service food, etc. We called reception and asked for some water, and Jeno the robot, came to our rescue. 🙂

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Quincy Hotel Singapore by Far East Hospitality


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Quincy Hotel Singapore by Far East Hospitality

This boutique hotel is a smart and well-worth-the-money option close to Orchard Road (just a 7-minute walk away) and located on a quiet street. We booked a Premier Room, which was spacious (32 sqm) and comfortable, with a great city view (our room was on the 14th floor). I loved sitting on the sofa by the window, looking out.

The hotel offers plenty of free perks, which makes this hotel a good deal. We especially enjoyed the free drinks (2 glasses of beer, wine, or mocktails each) and delicious canapes between 18/ 6 pm and 20/ 8 pm every evening.

Free canapes and wine between 18/ 6 pm and 20/ 8 pm every evening Me enjoying the wine and canapes

There is also 24-hour lounge access with complimentary light refreshments like tea, coffee, sodas, snacks, and fruits in the cafe by the reception.


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When we checked it, we could choose five items from a minibar list (a selection of drinks and snacks), which we were given for free as our complimentary minibar.

We also got free ice cream sandwiches (instead of welcome drinks)! You could choose between three different flavors. We chose the Mint Chocolate, which was delicious. Even if you choose not to stay at the Quincy Hotel, you should check out The Ice Cream & Cookie Co in Singapore – super good ice cream!

We also highly appreciated the excellent wifi with a speed of 300/220Mbit – super fast! Could stream all the movies and series we wanted.

There is a swimming pool, gym, lounge area, and sauna on the 12th floor. The pool is, however, under the roof (but open-air), so not ideal for sunbathing. But there are a few sunbeds next to the pool. On the plus side, the pool is open 24/7, which is awesome!

Maria's fantastic salmon breakfast Espen's avocado, egg, and bacon sandwich


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Maria's fantastic salmon breakfast Espen's avocado, egg, and bacon sandwich

We found the complimentary breakfast to be very tasty, and we really appreciated that we could order it until 3 pm/ 15:00 in the afternoon! Awesome if you want to sleep in a bit and get over the jetlag. We actually had our breakfast after we had checked out at 12:00, which was so convenient. You can choose from a set menu. I had the avocado toast with smoked salmon and porched eggs – so good!

All in all, Quincy is a great hotel with lots of awesome free perks, great service, and high-class food!

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Lloyd´s Inn

We liked Lloyd´s a lot and had a great stay here. It is a good value for the money in this central area of Singapore, as it includes breakfast at the famous cafe Killiney Kopitiam or a nearby bakery.


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Lloyd’s is an excellent, clean, minimalistic boutique hotel with a real Zen vibe. All 34 rooms have some elements of nature. Our room had an outdoor shower which we loved! Some rooms have big windows and even a terrace out to a green and lush garden. Some rooms even have a bathtub outside! Super cool!

Our room faced the street, so we did not have the best view. I would say it is worth paying extra for a room with a garden view.

The rooms are stylish like they were taken from an Ikea catalog, and have everything you need.

Lloyd’s is located in a quiet residential area. So even if our room faced the street, there was no noise, and we slept well.

Our small but comfortable room. Maria planning our Singapore itinerary in the cozy garden.


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Our small but comfortable room. Maria planning our Singapore itinerary in the cozy garden.

You can easily walk from Lloyd’s Hotel to the shopping area on Orchard Road and the river and canal area – the Quays. It is also close to Killiney Road, with cozy and cheap restaurants, everything from delicious Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Malaysian. We had breakfast, lunch, and dinner on this street.

The hotel has a lovely outdoor relaxing area in the garden with sunbeds, a hammock, and cool rotting chairs. There is also a dipping pool in the backyard. The receptionist delivered cookies to our room every afternoon, a nice extra touch. 🙂

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2. Colonial / Historic District

Why stay in the Colonial/ Historic area?


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2. Colonial / Historic District

Why stay in the Colonial/ Historic area?

This is our favorite area to stay in Singapore as it is very central and in the middle of the other areas of Singapore. You can easily walk to the bars and restaurants in the Quay area and Marina Bay and the delicious street food in Bugis & Kampong Glam area or Little India, and get to Orchard Road with all the great shopping.

The area has lots of beautiful architectural masterpieces and is a lovely area to go for a stroll. You can do some running or walk in the great Fort Canning Park. This is the area where you will find most of the museums in Singapore.

So if you love museums and history and want to be within walking distance to the nightlife in Quays and Marina Bay area, as well as quickly get to Orchard Road, Little India, and Bugis / Kampong Glam area, this is where you should stay.


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The area has several MRT stations and two lines (from City Hall Station), making it easy to get all over the rest of Singapore.

Things to see and do in the Colonial/ Historic District

Fort Canning Park

Fort Canning Park is beautifully situated on a hill and has a fantastic history. It once was the center of Ancient Singpura (in the 14th century) and housed the palace of the King. This is the place where the Union Flag was hoisted to mark the signing of the Singapore Treaty with Stamford Raffles and the birth of Singapore. Later, in 1823, Raffles built his residence on the hill. He also established Singapore’s first botanical garden on the hillside. Later, in 1861, Fort Canning was built on top of the hill to defend the harbor. The fort was, however, a failure and was demolished in 1907. Today you can see the gateway of the fort and two nine-pound cannons here.


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Fort Canning Park is beautifully situated on a hill and has a fantastic history. It once was the center of Ancient Singpura (in the 14th century) and housed the palace of the King. This is the place where the Union Flag was hoisted to mark the signing of the Singapore Treaty with Stamford Raffles and the birth of Singapore. Later, in 1823, Raffles built his residence on the hill. He also established Singapore’s first botanical garden on the hillside. Later, in 1861, Fort Canning was built on top of the hill to defend the harbor. The fort was, however, a failure and was demolished in 1907. Today you can see the gateway of the fort and two nine-pound cannons here. Battle Box at Fort Canning Park


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An underground bunker consisting of 30 rooms was then built inside the hill. The decision to surrender Singapore to the Japanese in 1942 was also made here. Today, the bunker (formerly the Underground Far East Command Centre) is known as Battle Box , and you can join a fun guided tour of the whole facility.

An underground bunker consisting of 30 rooms was then built inside the hill. The decision to surrender Singapore to the Japanese in 1942 was also made here. Today, the bunker (formerly the Underground Far East Command Centre) is known as , and you can join a fun guided tour of the whole facility. National Museum of Singapore


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The National Museum of Singapore is Singapore’s oldest museum, dating back to 1849 when it was called Raffles Library and Museum. It is housed in a beautiful old colonial-style building, and here you can learn everything about Singapore and its history and culture. They also have special exhibitions and events. We joined a guided tour, and it was great! They run English-guided tours on Monday – Friday at 11:00 am and 14:00 and Saturday – Sunday at 11:00, 14:00, and 15:00.

The National Museum of Singapore is Singapore’s oldest museum, dating back to 1849 when it was called Raffles Library and Museum. It is housed in a beautiful old colonial-style building, and here you can learn everything about Singapore and its history and culture. They also have special exhibitions and events. We joined a guided tour, and it was great! They run English-guided tours on Monday – Friday at 11:00 am and 14:00 and Saturday – Sunday at 11:00, 14:00, and 15:00. National Gallery Singapore


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The National Gallery Singapore has the largest collection in the world of South East Asian modern art. But here you also find the biggest collection of Italian Renaissance paintings (outside of Italy) and great paintings by European painters from the 15th to the 19th century, like Turner, Leonardo, Velázquez, Titian, Constable, Botticelli, Monet, Caravaggio, and Vermeer. The top three most popular paintings at the National Gallery Singapore are van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait, Holbein’s Ambassadors, and Van Gogh’s Sunflowers. We also loved the photography exhibitions at the gallery. Buy your tickets to National Gallery online here, and skip the ticket line.


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The National Gallery Singapore has the largest collection in the world of South East Asian modern art. But here you also find the biggest collection of Italian Renaissance paintings (outside of Italy) and great paintings by European painters from the 15th to the 19th century, like Turner, Leonardo, Velázquez, Titian, Constable, Botticelli, Monet, Caravaggio, and Vermeer. The top three most popular paintings at the National Gallery Singapore are van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait, Holbein’s Ambassadors, and Van Gogh’s Sunflowers. We also loved the photography exhibitions at the gallery. Buy your tickets to National Gallery online here, and skip the ticket line. Raffles Hotel


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The stunning British-colonial-style luxury hotel Raffles was first built in 1830 as a beach house. It became a hotel in 1878. The Raffles Hotel went through a major two-year renovation and reopened in 2019 with all 115 rooms refurbished and soundproofed, with new technologies installed. The hotel also got a brand-new marble floor. Head to Raffles’s historic Long Bar for its famous drink Singapore Sling.

The stunning British-colonial-style luxury hotel Raffles was first built in 1830 as a beach house. It became a hotel in 1878. The Raffles Hotel went through a major two-year renovation and reopened in 2019 with all 115 rooms refurbished and soundproofed, with new technologies installed. The hotel also got a brand-new marble floor. Head to Raffles’s historic Long Bar for its famous drink Singapore Sling. St Andrew’s Cathedral


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The beautiful white Neo-Gothic architectural style of St Andrew´s Cathedral was first built in 1836. It was struck and destroyed by lightning twice (!!) in 1852. Today’s church building was constructed in 1856–1861. The church was used as an emergency hospital during World War II, after the fall of Singapore, to the Japanese in 1942. Saint Andrew’s Cathedral was declared a Singaporean National Monument in 1973 and is well worth a visit.

What’s the catch?

It is not an area with much action; it is quiet, especially in the evening after 22:00. The accommodations are quite expensive here, and you will not find many budgets or hostel options in this area.

Top End

Hotel Fort Canning

This stunning luxury hotel used to be a British military headquarters, and the building (from 1910) is beautiful! Located on a hill, the green and lush Fort Canning Park surrounds the hotel. You can just step out the hotel door to go for a walk, run, or just lie down in the park to relax.


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The two huge outdoor swimming pools are lovely, although we unfortunately only got a few hours by the pool as it started raining. They also have a great spa. The best part about the room (which is stunning, too) is the big bathtub which we loved! We particularly enjoyed the free flow of wine and canapes in the relaxing area by the lobby each afternoon (18 – 19). 🙂

Our awesome room at Hotel Fort Canning Maria loved the free wine hour every afternoon

There is a little bit of walking to get to the MRT station Dhoby Ghaut and the restaurants and shops, but not far, only about a 5-10 min walk.

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Raffles Hotel

Singapore’s most famous hotel, the iconic Raffles Hotel, is finally open again after having been closed for a complete renovation. The beautiful white colonial-era building and the lush green garden have been beautifully restored, and the Raffles Hotel appears again in all its glory.


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This is an old-world luxury as you can get, and no other hotel in Singapore can match its historical nostalgia. Here is the bar that created the world-famous Singapore Sling drink and where legends such as Ernest Hemingway, Charlie Chaplin, and Michael Jackson have stayed.

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Swissotel The Stamford

The 5-star Swissotel The Stamford has a perfect location right in the heart of central Singapore. It is located just next to the Raffles City Market (connected at level 3 of the hotel) with many eateries. The MRT is just a few steps from the hotel (in the same building). We took the MRT from the airport and paid only S$4 for both of us, which took half an hour. Great deal!

The SKAI restaurant and bar on the 70th floor have a fantastic 360-degree view of Singapore. The breakfast and lunch buffet at Cafe Swiss is excellent.


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Although the hotel is in the middle of everything in a busy area, the rooms are very quiet. The free Nespresso and TWG tea in the room is a nice bonus, and most of the rooms have balconies. Ask to get one of the newly refurbished rooms. The circular swimming pool is fantastic too, as well as the well-equipped fitness center and 6 (!) tennis courts.

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Mid Range

Citadines Connect City Centre Hotel

The 4-star Citadines Connect Hotel is like a breath of fresh air centrally located in the historic district of Singapore. When it opened its doors in July 2022 with 172 rooms, we immediately knew we had to check it out on our next Singapore trip.


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The rooms are quite small, ranging from 16 to 26 sqm. We booked a Deluxe Queen Room (18 sqm) and got one on the 4th floor. They have some really cute Loft rooms as well, and I regretted a bit that we did not opt for a Loft instead. But our room was fresh, new, and stylish, compact with a smart layout and had a kind of cool 60’s vibe to it.

The complimentary minibar with free chips, soda, water, and juice was a nice surprise. The bed was very comfortable, and our room also had a big brand new TV, a sofa and table, an ironing board, as well as slippers, although no robes.

Our room had everything we needed Our Deluxe Queen room on the 4th floor


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Our room had everything we needed Our Deluxe Queen room on the 4th floor

Unfortunately, we checked into the hotel pretty late in the evening, as we arrived by bus from Melaka in Malaysia. We immediately headed up to the rooftop swimming pool where the hotel’s restaurant was located – the Edition Rooftop Bar & Restaurant (open 07:00 – 02 at night). It is such a cozy little restaurant and bar, where Espen had a delicious hamburger, and I had a tasty pasta bolognese and some wine.

The next day, we got to try out the rooftop swimming pool, which is open from 07 until 21. It’s a nice place to hang out and relax, with sunbeds and seating groups. There is a small gym next to the pool, where some of the gym equipment (like the rowing machine) is in the pool, which they call Aqua Gym! The first time we have seen that in a hotel.


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We did not try out the cozy cafe Natsu downstairs by the reception (serving a fusion of European and Japanese food, open 08:30 – 17:30) as we walked over to the Tiong Bahru Bakery in the neighboring Fort Canning Park to grab some lunch.

The hotel is conveniently located next to Fort Canning Park, with Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station just across the road (a 3-min walk, exit B). National Museum is just a 10-min walk from the hotel, and you can easily walk to the shopping malls on Orchard Road in 10-min or so.

This is a great hotel to stay at if you want to do our recommended Singapore itinerary. The starting point of Day 1 of the itinerary (Singapore breakfast at Killiney Kopitiam) is just a 9-min walk from Citadines Connect City Centre Hotel. This is one of the cheapest hotels in this central area of Singapore and is such a great value.

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Rendezvous Hotel Singapore by Far East Hospitality


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Rendezvous Hotel Singapore by Far East Hospitality

With an excellent location just opposite the road from the Bencoolen MRT Station and on a side street from the National Museum of Singapore, the Rendezvous Hotel was a positive surprise for us. Although the Rendezvous Hotel is not the newest in town, it was completely refurbished in 2018. We think it offers good value in a central and otherwise expensive location.

We stayed here for three nights and found the hotel very conveniently located, within walking distance of the shopping on Orchard Road.

Our favorite was the hotel’s swimming pool, set in a lovely little garden on the 3rd floor. Loved chilling out here after the shopping in Orchard Road. There is also a gym on the same floor.

We stayed in a Superior Double Room, which was spacious (26 sqm) and clean. The interior design of our room was not the most modern, but it had its cozy charm, and we had a modern Samsung TV.


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There are some restaurants and cafes, a 7-Eleven, in the basement of the hotel, and a Foodrepublic food court with lots of excellent and cheap food just opposite the road. We had lunch there several times, and the food was delicious. It is easy to get to and from the Rendezvous Hotel to Changi Airport by bus no. 36, which stops right outside the hotel.

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3. Marina Bay

If you continue further east along the river from the Quay area, you will get to the booming, modern, and futuristic Marina Bay.


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It is home to some of Singapore’s biggest landmarks and attractions like Marina Bay Sands (the big skyscraper shaped like a gigantic ship), the Merlion Statue (a mythical creature created by the tourism board of Singapore in the 1980s, a half fish, half lion), Gardens by the Bay (a breathtaking futuristic botanic garden with Supertrees like taken out of the movie Avatar), and Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay (an architectural masterpiece with theater performances and concerts).

If you don´t plan to stay in this area, visiting here is a must! Make sure to be at Gardens by the Bay at 19:45 or 20:45 when the Supertrees glow and perform a spectacular light and music show. Also, the 15 min light and music show in front of the Marina Bay Sands is amazing and well worth seeing. It is played every evening at 20:00 and 21:00 and also at 22:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

Why stay in the Marina Bay area?


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Why stay in the Marina Bay area?

The hotels in this area have a great view of the bay and the city. You will find some of Singapore’s biggest and most luxurious hotels in Marina Bay. It is a beautiful area overlooking the harbor. This area is quite central, and you can easily walk to many of the top attractions Singapore has to offer.

Things to see and do in Marina Bay

Gardens By The Bay

The ultra cool “Avatar Trees” park and futuristic botanic gardens are our favorite thing to do in Singapore. It is a must-visit! The garden consists of two domes: Flower Dome (the world’s largest greenhouse) and Cloud Forest (with the world’s largest indoor waterfall at 35 meters tall). The Supertree Observatory (where you get to go up into the artificial trees) is also fantastic! Read all about why we love Gardens By The Bay so much here.

Buy your tickets online here, and skip the ticket line.


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Buy your tickets online here, and skip the ticket line.

The ultra cool “Avatar Trees” park and futuristic botanic gardens are our favorite thing to do in Singapore. It is a must-visit! The garden consists of two domes: Flower Dome (the world’s largest greenhouse) and Cloud Forest (with the world’s largest indoor waterfall at 35 meters tall). The Supertree Observatory (where you get to go up into the artificial trees) is also fantastic! Read all about why we love Gardens By The Bay so much here. Buy your tickets online here, and skip the ticket line. Marina Bay Sands

This “ship”-designed Marina Bay Sands hotel and gigantic shopping mall is the icon of Singapore, and you cannot avoid noticing this out-of-the-world futuristic building right by the harbor.


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Check out the Marina Bay Sands Observation Deck (on the 57th floor) with the most awesome infinity pool (the pool can unfortunately only be used by guests staying at the hotel) and view of the city. Buy tickets online here, and avoid the ticket line.

This “ship”-designed Marina Bay Sands hotel and gigantic shopping mall is the icon of Singapore, and you cannot avoid noticing this out-of-the-world futuristic building right by the harbor. Check out the Marina Bay Sands Observation Deck (on the 57th floor) with the most awesome infinity pool (the pool can unfortunately only be used by guests staying at the hotel) and view of the city. Buy tickets online here, and avoid the ticket line. The Merlion Statue


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As you go for a stroll around the harbor area of Marina Bay, you will notice this white statue spitting water. The Merlion Statue is a mythical creature created by the tourism board of Singapore in the 1980s. It is white, half fish and half lion, and has become the symbol of Singapore. Taking a selfie with The Merlion is a must-do.

As you go for a stroll around the harbor area of Marina Bay, you will notice this white statue spitting water. The Merlion Statue is a mythical creature created by the tourism board of Singapore in the 1980s. It is white, half fish and half lion, and has become the symbol of Singapore. Taking a selfie with The Merlion is a must-do. Helix Bridge

The Helix Bridge (or just The Helix) is a pedestrian bridge linking Marina Centre with Marina South. You have a great view of the Singapore skyline on the bridge.


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The Helix Bridge (or just The Helix) is a pedestrian bridge linking Marina Centre with Marina South. You have a great view of the Singapore skyline on the bridge. ArtScience Museum

The ArtScience Museum looks like a giant white lotus from the outside. Inside, however, this cool museum connects art, media, design, technology, and science. They had a Marvel Studios exhibition when we visited, which was awesome.

The ArtScience Museum looks like a giant white lotus from the outside. Inside, however, this cool museum connects art, media, design, technology, and science. They had a Marvel Studios exhibition when we visited, which was awesome. Esplanade

Singapore’s main theater and concert hall, the Esplanade runs theaters, music shows, concerts, and workshops every day.

What’s the catch?

Marina Bay is a costly area; everything from hotels and food to activities is on the upper end of the money scale. There are no budget or even mid-range accommodation options here.

Top End


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Top End

Marina Bay Sands

With its iconic shape of a ship and the fact that you can see it from all over Singapore, Marina Bay Sands must be Singapore’s most easily recognizable hotel. It has everything that one would expect from 5-star accommodation.

The rooms are great and spacious and spotless, but the infinity pool is the real star of this hotel. The view from this pool on the 54th floor is AMAZING!

There is so much to do at this hotel that you don´t necessarily have to leave it at all. It has a huge mall with a casino, a water ride (yep, the mall has an indoor canal with boats), several restaurants, a club, a bar, and everything you need basically! Staying at the Marina Bay Sands is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you will never forget. If you can afford it, go for it!

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Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay


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Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay

The hotel’s interior is super stylish and like taken out of a magazine! Very Instagram-friendly. Next to the reception on the 4th floor, you will find a cafe, bar, and restaurant. This area is popular for photographers, and several wedding couples were on photoshoots here when we stayed there. I love the design of this hotel, from the big airy reception area with lots of greens, to the birds singing, making the whole hotel into a greenish jungle-kind of experience.

The building housing Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay used to be Marina Mandarin Hotel. It underwent a complete renovation and transformation before it reopened in December 2020 as Parkroyal.


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We booked a Signature Marina Bay room and got one on the 13th floor with A-M-A-Z-I-N-G views of Singapore Harbor, the iconic Marina Bay Sands, and the Gardens by the Bay! We even had a small balcony, perfect for taking photos of the water and light show Spectra (every evening at 20:00 and 21:00, Fridays and Saturdays also at 22:00).

Me standing on our room balcony Photo taken from our balcony

Our room was big (32 sqm) and super comfy (the beds were heavenly good, and the blinds completely darkened the room). The bathroom was very spacious with both a bathtub, a separate shower, and bide. There was a separate tap in the bathroom with filtered drinking water.

The TV was gigantic, and the room had a workspace/ desk, plus an electric water kettle and a Nespresso capsule coffee machine. The room service menu had a great selection of food and drinks, which we ordered through the convenient personal digital assistant.


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There is also a big swimming pool, a well-equipped gym (even a spinning room) where you can book a personal trainer and a spa on the 5th floor. The pool is like a large open terrace with a cozy bar/ cafe (the Skyline Bar) and many sun beds, sitting groups, and lounge beds.

The hotel has a great location, close to both Marina Bay and the Historic district of Singapore. National Gallery is, for instance, only a 10-min walk from the hotel. One of our favorite food courts, the Makansutra Gluttons Bay food night market, is just opposite the road.

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The Fullerton Bay Hotel

The Fullerton Bay Hotel, currently ranked as no. 1 of all Singapore hotels by travelers on Tripadvisor, offers pure luxury with a great riverfront location. The pool is terrific, and the staff is friendly and professional and always on hand with cool and wet face towels, iced water, lychee lollies, and chilled fruit.


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Apart from the high price, this is close to the perfect hotel. Everything from the lovely rainfall shower in the bathroom to the bathrobes (I love hotel bathrobes!), which are the softest and fluffiest I have ever tried!

The breakfast is superb (try the pancakes!). A visit to the rooftop Lantern bar for a glass of champagne and a view of the Marina is a must!

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Hotel Telegraph

This 5-star luxury boutique hotel is located in a beautifully restored old heritage building from 1927. Singapore’s oldest architectural firm designed it, and it used to house Singapore’s telecommunication company, therefore the hotel name.

It was fully refurbished and turned into this lovely hotel in 2022. With its 134 rooms, Hotel Telegraph is a member of the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World.


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We booked the smallest and cheapest room – Cosy Room (24 sqm) and loved the room design where they have managed to keep the historical “look” yet in a fresh and modern comfort. The ceiling was particularly cool, and I loved the wooden floor. A welcome touch is complimentary juice, water, and snacks in the minibar.

The rooftop swimming pool was one of our favorite parts of the hotel. Very relaxing pool area with a good vibe, and a cool bar.

Location is key to this hotel, as it is practically within walking distance of Chinatown, the Central Business District (CBD), as well as Marina Bay, and the Quays. And only a 5-min walk to the Metro station.

The famous Victorian-covered hawker center Lau Pa Sat (open until 3 am at night) and the great Satay Street are just across the road from the hotel. The concierge was fabulous and made us feel right at home.

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4. Chinatown & Central Business District (CBD)


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4. Chinatown & Central Business District (CBD)

Chinatown lies in the shadow of the ever-expanding Central Business District (CBD) with its tall skyscrapers packed with offices. The houses in Chinatown are much lower, more like three to four stories tall, and many have been beautifully preserved.

Although Chinatown has some nice and beautiful temples, it lacks the big attractions and sights, but the delicious food found in this part of the city is a big enough reason to both stay and at least visit this area of Singapore. You can find everything from cheap hawker food to top-notch fancy restaurants serving food from all over the world. Head to Ann Siang Rd and Club Street in the evening for a splendid meal and a drink or two at one of the many lovely rooftop bars.

Why stay in the Chinatown area?


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Why stay in the Chinatown area?

If you stay in Chinatown, you are in the middle of the action with great eateries, pubs, bars, and nightlife. Lots of things to see by wandering the streets, like several beautiful temples.

Chinatown is the most authentic and atmospheric area with old Chinese medicine shops and hawker food places.

There are many different accommodation options, from high-priced top-end boutique hotels to budget hostels.

Chinatown is the perfect area to stay in for backpackers seeking cheap accommodation, business travelers working in the nearby Central Business District (CBD), and those who want to see the cultural sights and the roots of Singapore.

Several MRT stations (Chinatown Station, Telok Ayer Station, Outram Park Station, Tanjong Pagar Station, and Raffles Place Station) make this area a great place to stay when it comes to getting around the city quickly.

Things to see and do in Chinatown

Chinatown Street Market


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Things to see and do in Chinatown

Chinatown Street Market

The Chinatown street market is set along Pagoda Street, Trengganu Street, Sago Lane, Smith Street, and Temple Street. It is mostly a day market, and most stalls close around 20/ 8 pm. Here you can find souvenirs, clothes, and some handicrafts.

The Chinatown street market is set along Pagoda Street, Trengganu Street, Sago Lane, Smith Street, and Temple Street. It is mostly a day market, and most stalls close around 20/ 8 pm. Here you can find souvenirs, clothes, and some handicrafts. Chinatown Heritage Centre

The Chinatown Heritage Centre is a lovely museum that explains the history and culture of Chinatown with lots of old photos and personal stories of the families that used to live and now live in this area.


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The Chinatown Heritage Centre is a lovely museum that explains the history and culture of Chinatown with lots of old photos and personal stories of the families that used to live and now live in this area. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple was completed in 2007 and houses what claims to be the tooth relic of Buddha. The tooth is 7,5 cm long, so way too long for any human. You can view the tooth on the 4th floor of the temple. The temple is huge, consisting of four stories, where you will find a theatre and a dining hall in the basement (serving vegetarian meals only, which is free, but a donation is welcomed).


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The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple was completed in 2007 and houses what claims to be the tooth relic of Buddha. The tooth is 7,5 cm long, so way too long for any human. You can view the tooth on the 4th floor of the temple. The temple is huge, consisting of four stories, where you will find a theatre and a dining hall in the basement (serving vegetarian meals only, which is free, but a donation is welcomed). Thian Hock Keng Temple & Mural Street Art

Thian Hock Keng Taoist Temple is Singapore’s oldest Chinese temple, built in 1839. The temple is stunning and is a grand example of traditional Southern-Chinese architecture style. We love all the small details of the temples, the beautiful carvings and statues of dragons, deities, phoenixes, and other creatures. The temple is declared a Singaporean National Monument.


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Also, you cannot avoid noticing the fantastic 44 m-long wall painting on the outside rear wall of the Thian Hock Keng Temple. It is made by the Singaporean artist Yip Yew Chong. The mural tells the story of Singapore’s early Hokkien immigrants.

Thian Hock Keng Taoist Temple is Singapore’s oldest Chinese temple, built in 1839. The temple is stunning and is a grand example of traditional Southern-Chinese architecture style. We love all the small details of the temples, the beautiful carvings and statues of dragons, deities, phoenixes, and other creatures. The temple is declared a Singaporean National Monument. Also, you cannot avoid noticing the fantastic 44 m-long wall painting on the outside rear wall of the Thian Hock Keng Temple. It is made by the Singaporean artist Yip Yew Chong. The mural tells the story of Singapore’s early Hokkien immigrants. Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple


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The Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple was founded in 1827 by the government clerk Naraina Pillai from Penang. He first arrived in Singapore with Sir Stamford Raffles (the founder of Singapore) and started Singapore’s first construction company and textile trading. He quickly became the leader of Singapore’s Indian community. The temple is so colorful and full of details. It is declared a Singaporean National Monument.

The Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple was founded in 1827 by the government clerk Naraina Pillai from Penang. He first arrived in Singapore with Sir Stamford Raffles (the founder of Singapore) and started Singapore’s first construction company and textile trading. He quickly became the leader of Singapore’s Indian community. The temple is so colorful and full of details. It is declared a Singaporean National Monument. Singapore City Gallery


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At Singapore City Gallery you can learn about Singapore’s impressive urban development over the last 50 years and the philosophy behind creating this modern and futuristic city. The gallery also shows future plans for Singapore. We love how they have managed to make the exhibitions interactive and fun. It was also fun getting an overview of the entire city center of Singapore on the scale replica (you find it on the second floor).

At Singapore City Gallery you can learn about Singapore’s impressive urban development over the last 50 years and the philosophy behind creating this modern and futuristic city. The gallery also shows future plans for Singapore. We love how they have managed to make the exhibitions interactive and fun. It was also fun getting an overview of the entire city center of Singapore on the scale replica (you find it on the second floor). Ann Siang Rd and Club Street


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The two streets, Ann Siang Road and Club Street are the perfect place to head for dinner and a drink at a rooftop bar. The streets are lined with beautifully restored old Chinese shophouses, which now house restaurants, cafes, shops, fitness studios, and bars. Here you will find some of the best restaurants and bars in Singapore. For the best pizza in town, check out our favorite Ristorante Luka nearby!

What’s the catch?

It can be a crowded and noisy area, especially in the evenings and weekends when many tourists head to Chinatown for the nightlife.

Top End

The Clan Hotel

The 5-star The Clan Hotel is one of the hottest hotels in Singapore (opened in 2020). From the minute we walked into the hotel entrance and were greeted by the concierge, we knew we loved this hotel. The service and stunning and delicate interior made us feel like we were in Japan. After check-in, we were given a tea ceremony as a welcome drink by a real tea master; so cool!


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The complimentary tea ceremony on check-in was a cool surprise! The beautiful lobby at The Clan

We stayed in a corner room on the 12th floor (room 1206) that was stunning and huge. Loved the big floor-to-ceiling windows from where we had a fantastic view of Chinatown and the Business District.

Loved the gigantic Samsung smart-tv and the free snacks in the minibar (chips, fudge, exclusive Chinese tea beautifully wrapped in a small box, and The Clan Beer!). The room was well-equipped with ironing boards, umbrellas, bathrobes, slippers, a tea maker, and a Nespresso coffee machine.

Our bathroom was also huge, with a Japanese toilet (with eating, bidet, air, and everything). The bathroom has a filtered water tap for drinking water; so convenient.

The rooftop infinity pool, Sky Pool, on the 30th floor was amazing and was, to our surprise, open until midnight! Also, the gym – Sky Gym on the same floor, was huge and extremely well-equipped.


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The breakfast in the restaurant on the 4th floor was great too, not buffet, but we could order from a set menu. We went with the “Chef Daily Special,” which on this day was beef in pita bread with a salad and potatoes; delicious! The hotel arranges different workshops too, and free guided tours of Chinatown. Highly recommend this hotel! One of our absolute favorite Singapore hotels; we will certainly be back!

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Parkroyal On Pickering

The fresh and earthy architecture of the Parkroyal On Pickering Hotel blew us away. A green hanging garden covers the whole building facade. The walkway to our room was open-air and full of greenery, so cool! Even though it is a big 5-star hotel, it has an impressive focus on being Eco-friendly. We loved the complimentary water in glass bottles (refilled daily), saving nature from even more plastic bottles.


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We found the infinity swimming pool amazing, with a fantastic view of Singapore and the beautiful hanging gardens at the hotel. There is also an excellent gym by the pool. We loved the hotel’s 275 m garden rooftop walk, too; it felt like we were in a park and not in the middle of Singapore.

We loved the infinity pool at Parkroyal On Pickering Hotel The whole hotel building is covered by a green hanging garden

We booked a Lifestyle Premier King Room, which was spacious (32 sqm) with a sofa, a table and chair, and a fantastically huge bathtub. We had an amazing view of Singapore City. I loved lying in the bathtub overlooking the Singapore Skyline.

Loved the huge bathtub Our beautiful and huge room at Parkroyal on Pickering


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Loved the huge bathtub Our beautiful and huge room at Parkroyal on Pickering

The wifi is stable and fast. Their restaurant Lime serves excellent Asian and Western food, and the breakfast was the best we had in Singapore; it contains just everything you can imagine. We found the Parkroyal On Pickering Hotel to have a very convenient location. It is located right beside the MRT Chinatown Station. A mall is next door with several excellent restaurants, bakeries, cafes, a big supermarket, and shops. I can’t wait to revisit this hotel!

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Mid Range

AMOY by Far East Hospitality

If you are looking for a unique boutique hotel full of charm that is a little different from ordinary hotels, then AMOY is it! When stepping through its entrance, which is through the Fuk Tak Chi Chinese temple from 1824, you really feel like stepping back in time.


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The old temple is restored into a small museum where you can see model ships of old Chinese trading ships and models of how the streets surrounding the hotel looked like in 1800. So cool!

The renovated and modern Amoy hotel only has 37 rooms. All rooms have a unique layout and design inspired by old China and the Zhangzhou people who came from China to settle in Singapore. We loved the custom-made beds, furniture, and room decor.

We stayed in a Deluxe Room (22 sqm), which faced the courtyard, so there was no car noise. Such a cozy room, and we loved the tall old-style windows. Other highlights were the rainfall shower (Espen’s favorite!), several Western TV stations, a capsule coffee machine, and fast wifi. We particularly loved the FREE minibar! Yay! 🙂

We had breakfast included in our hotel booking and got a delicious breakfast at the neighboring Dean and DeLuca Cafe. We got to choose from a set breakfast menu, which was then freshly made for us, so not a buffet.


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We found the Amoy Hotel to have a convenient location right in the heart of Chinatown and the Central Business District of Singapore. There are many bars and restaurants close to the hotel. The Telok Ayer MRT Station (the blue Downtown Line) is located across the road from the hotel, and the Chinatown MRT Station (the blue Downtown Line and the pink North East Line) is only a few blocks away, making getting around the city and to all the attractions a breeze. You can easily walk to the river, Marina Bay, and the Quays.

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Capri by Fraser China Square

Capri by Fraser is one of our absolute favorite hotels in Kuala Lumpur. So when Capri by Fraser opened in Chinatown in Singapore in 2019, we knew we had to try it out. And it did not disappoint!


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We stayed in a Deluxe Double Room (26 sqm) on the 11th floor, which was fresh and airy, with a small kitchenette (with a microwave, a fridge, tea kettle, and espresso machine). Loved the huge TV with a soundbar. The bathroom sink was integrated into the room with a separate shower room and toilet room, which was fine by us.

There is a rooftop infinity swimming pool (on the 16th floor) and a well-equipped gym (open 24 hours). The pool is open until 22, which is great as we love evening swims.

The hotel has no room service, but since all rooms have a kitchenette with utensils, bringing takeaway food to our room was no problem. The kitchen has filtered drinking water. Our room was very quiet, but we heard others with connecting rooms (door to the neighboring room) complain about the noise. The hotel has a great location, close to many restaurants and cafes.

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Budget

Atelier


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Budget

Atelier

Walking into the Atelier Hotel feels like walking into someone’s home! That’s how cozy and homey it is. Here you sleep in capsule bunk beds (mixed, female-only, or men-only). The shared bathrooms are clean and have free shampoo and shower wash. The hotel has a small and lovely cafe downstairs serving breakfast, or you can use the shared kitchen. The hotel is beautifully decorated and has super friendly and welcoming staff.

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5. Bugis & Kampong Glam

Bugis and Kampong Glam, also referred to as Arab Street, is a mix of Islamic and hipster chic cafes and restaurants. It is the place to head to for third-wave cafes, cool boutiques, hip and trendy cafes and restaurants, and cool street arts.

The streets of Kampong Glam, especially Haji Lane, really come alive in the evenings with live music gigs and a bustling nightlife.


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Bugis & Kampong Glam has lots of excellent restaurants, both Malaysian, Italian, Mexican, Vietnamese, and Chinese, at all price ranges. So plenty to choose from, and Little India is just a short walk away.

Just north of Kampong Glam is the hip and cool street Jalan Besar, where old architecture meets new hip and cool hipster Singapore. This is an up-and-coming area part of the Lavender District. Head here for nice artisan cafes and coffee houses.

Why stay in the Bugis & Kampong Glam area?

This area has some of Singapore’s most beautiful boutique hotels, with a perfect mix of budget, mid-range, and top-notch luxury hotels.

If you want to save money and sleep and eat cheap, you should stay in Bugis & Kampong Glam area, or if you enjoy nice, smart cafes and cool small shops. 🙂

The area has MRT Bugis Station and one of Singapore’s biggest bus terminals, the Queen Street Bus Terminal.

Things to see and do in Bugis & Kampong Glam

Sultan Mosque


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Things to see and do in Bugis & Kampong Glam

Sultan Mosque

Singapore’s largest mosque is beautifully illuminated after dark. Go for a stroll in the nice pedestrian street lined with palm trees leading up to the mosque. This street is lined with cozy restaurants and cafes.

Singapore’s largest mosque is beautifully illuminated after dark. Go for a stroll in the nice pedestrian street lined with palm trees leading up to the mosque. This street is lined with cozy restaurants and cafes. Malay Heritage Centre Museum

The Bugis & Kampong Glam area of Singapore was the seat of the royal family of Malaysia back when Singapore was a part of Malaysia. The beautiful palace was built for the last sultan of Singapore and is now a museum – Malay Heritage Centre Museum.


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The Bugis & Kampong Glam area of Singapore was the seat of the royal family of Malaysia back when Singapore was a part of Malaysia. The beautiful palace was built for the last sultan of Singapore and is now a museum – Malay Heritage Centre Museum. Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple

This is a traditional Chinese Buddhist temple founded in 1884.

This is a traditional Chinese Buddhist temple founded in 1884. Bugis Street Market

A popular place to go shopping for both locals and tourists. Here you can find cheap souvenirs, clothes, accessories, electronics, houseware, and cosmetics. You can also find different types of food and drinks here. And best of all, the market is covered by a roof, so you can head here to escape the heat and rain. The market is open until late in the evening (around 22).


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A popular place to go shopping for both locals and tourists. Here you can find cheap souvenirs, clothes, accessories, electronics, houseware, and cosmetics. You can also find different types of food and drinks here. And best of all, the market is covered by a roof, so you can head here to escape the heat and rain. The market is open until late in the evening (around 22). Haji Lane

A tiny lane decorated with street murals and packed with cool small shops, restaurants, and cafes. One of our favorite streets in Bugis. And it is pedestrians only.

A tiny lane decorated with street murals and packed with cool small shops, restaurants, and cafes. One of our favorite streets in Bugis. And it is pedestrians only. Projector Cinema

The Projector Cinema is one of Singapore’s few independent cinemas left. Showing both international and Asian movies. It has a cool bar too, where you can buy food and snacks. We saw a super cute Asian animation movie here.

What’s the catch?


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What’s the catch?

A little bit far away from the city center (25 min by MRT to Orchard), and since it is popular in the evening, it can be a struggle to get a taxi. But the area has several MRT stations.

Top End

InterContinental Singapore

We were very impressed by the service, decor, restaurants, and, most importantly, the room at this hotel. The design and decor take you back in time but with a modern and elegant feel. Loved it! Our room was spacious and newly refurbished.

We loved the delicious Chinese food at the Man Fu Yuan in-house restaurant. The city view from the rooftop garden and pool is spectacular, and we used the well-equipped 24-hour gym several times. The pool area is a lovely retreat from the hustle and bustle of the streets, and there is a poolside service so you can have a tasty lunch and a cocktail.


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Another highlight of the InterContinental is the lounge – it’s amazing! Breakfast, afternoon tea, and cocktail hour are great. Booking a club room gives you free access to the exclusive club lounge and free cocktails and canapés each evening.

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Hotel Naumi

From the moment we walked through the front door of this beautiful small boutique hotel, we knew we would love our stay here. The hotel is filled with designer furniture and art from big international names making the hotel super chic.

We especially liked the infinity pool on the rooftop, with fantastic city views and a lovely little pool bar – the Cloud 9. The hotel has an excellent Indian restaurant, Table by Rang Mahal, on the ground floor by the lobby.


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We stayed in a Habitat Room (26 sqm), which was very modern and with a fresh and chic design. They also have rooms with a little garden, the Patio rooms, which look gorgeous. We highly appreciated the free minibar and Nespresso coffee machine in our room. Our minibar was filled daily with juices, sodas, and water.

Do notice, however, that although the toilet and shower (rainwater shower) are in two separate rooms, the sink and mirror are a part of the bedroom. So the bathroom and bedroom are one open room. The glass walls and doors surrounding the toilet and shower rooms change from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button for privacy.

We found the Naumi Hotel to have a great location, close to shops, museums, MRT stations, and the Marina Bay area. The neighboring street, Purvis Street, has many nice restaurants at all price levels. We ate there many times and loved it!

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Andaz Singapore – A concept by Hyatt


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Andaz Singapore – A concept by Hyatt

We only stayed one night at this modern 5-star hotel and had a great stay! Our room, a King Room, was enormous (38 sqm) and beautifully decorated with impressive city views. Loved lying in bed looking at the view from the huge roof-to-ceiling windows. Our room also had a couch/ day bed by the window. The hotel is designed by the award-winning André Fu from Hong Kong.

Another highly appreciated perk was the complimentary mini-bar with snacks and soft drinks (no alcohol, however). Espen particularly loved the rain shower in the bathroom.

The rooftop infinity pool on the 25th floor is fantastic, with breathtaking views. We could see all the way to the sea! There are plenty of comfortable sunbeds by the pool, too, so it is a great place to relax. I even got to work on my tan. 🙂


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The hotel has a rooftop bar – Mr. Stork, and a restaurant – Alley on 25, both on the top floor. We found the Andaz Hotel to be conveniently located, only 230 m from the Bugis MRT Station, making it super easy to get around the city.

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Mid Range

Hotel G

This modern, fresh, and trendy hotel has a perfect location in the middle of Bugis, with Bencoolen MRT station right around the corner. From Hotel G, you can easily walk to the museum area, the shopping on Orchard Road, and Little India.

The cheapest rooms (Double Room) are a bit small, so we upgraded to Great Room King, a slightly bigger room to fit all our luggage, and our room size was ok for the two of us (13 sqm). The hotel is modern, chic, and cool interior-wise and is excellent value for the money.


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It has two restaurants on the ground floor, and if you are coming to the hotel by the MRT or bus, you must walk through one of the restaurants, the Ginett Restaurant & Wine Bar, to get to the elevator and take it up to level 2 to get to the lobby.

If you come by taxi as we did, the taxi drives through the parking center to level 2. We loved the 25 Degrees Burger & Liquor Bar and ate there three times! 🙂 You HAVE to try their burgers!

The only drawback to this hotel, in our opinion, is that it does not have a swimming pool (there is a gym). Other than that, we loved it!

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Budget

The Pod – Boutique Capsule Hostel


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Budget

The Pod – Boutique Capsule Hostel

This modern hostel has dorm rooms that sleep around 11 people. It is clean, and you get a screen that you can roll down for privacy. You can choose between male/female-only rooms or a mix. There are shared bathrooms with excellent showers with good hot water pressure. The free coffee machine, laundry service, and breakfast is a plus, as well as the free wifi.

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6. The Quays – Clarke Quay, Robertson Quay & Boat Quay

Connected by the Singapore River and occupying roughly the area in-between the old Colonial District and the Central Business District are the three Quays of Singapore:

Clark Quay Robertson Quay Boat Quay

Once the heart of commercial trade along the river and an important trading station for ships coming into the harbor, the Quays gradually lost its importance, and by the late 80s, the area consisted of old abandoned warehouses.


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Today, the area has transformed into an entertainment center with many bars, tourist shops, microbreweries, restaurants, and nightclubs lining the river on both sides, as well as the smaller side streets.

Why Stay In The Quays Area?

The Quays is the nightlife center of Singapore. So if you want to stay in an area with plenty of options for dining and late-night partying, this is an excellent choice. Another tip is to explore the side streets to find the best restaurants.

Marina Bay and Chinatown are both within walking distance of the Quays. With the Clarke Quay and Fort Canning Park MRT stations nearby, it is also easy to reach other parts of Singapore.

Things to see and do in The Quays area

Boat Quay

This is the closest area to the old harbor and is declared a conservation area by the government of Singapore. It is packed with upscale bars (a bit touristy), shops, and waterside restaurants.


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This is the closest area to the old harbor and is declared a conservation area by the government of Singapore. It is packed with upscale bars (a bit touristy), shops, and waterside restaurants. Clarke Quay

The second colonial governor in Singapore was named Clarke and gave this area of the harbor its name. Being the most popular area on the Quay, it has lots of nice bars, clubs, and restaurants.

The second colonial governor in Singapore was named Clarke and gave this area of the harbor its name. Being the most popular area on the Quay, it has lots of nice bars, clubs, and restaurants. Robertson Quay

Storage buildings once dominated this harbor area, but now you will find bars and members-only party places here. It has a more sophisticated and calm vibe than the other two Quays, with more wining and dining places than party places.


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Storage buildings once dominated this harbor area, but now you will find bars and members-only party places here. It has a more sophisticated and calm vibe than the other two Quays, with more wining and dining places than party places. Asian Civilisation Museum

The Asian Civilisation Museum has Asia’s most comprehensive collection of Asian treasures. It is well worth a visit. When we visited, they had an exhibition about Angkor in Cambodia, which was fantastic!

The Asian Civilisation Museum has Asia’s most comprehensive collection of Asian treasures. It is well worth a visit. When we visited, they had an exhibition about Angkor in Cambodia, which was fantastic! Cavenagh Bridge

A Beautiful bridge that was made in Scotland and reassembled in Singapore in 1869. The bridge is illuminated at night.

What’s the catch?


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What’s the catch?

It’s fun for an evening out, but the menu-clutching touts that are continually trying to usher you into their riverside restaurants and the over-the-top colorfully designed nightclubs can get a bit much. You won’t find that many cultural attractions in this area.

Where to stay in the Quays

Top End

The Fullerton Hotel

The Fullerton Hotel is widely regarded as one of Singapore’s most exclusive hotels. Located in an old building that used to be Singapore´s general post office, the Fullerton Hotel is a grand and majestic hotel that oozes classic 5-star luxury.

The rooms are elegant and beautiful, but the real diamond at this hotel is the 25 m-long terrace pool. The hotel has excellent views over Marina Bay. The Italian rooftop restaurant and bar are well worth a visit, even if you are not staying here. The views are amazing!

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Mid Range

Riverside Hotel


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Mid Range

Riverside Hotel

The Riverside Hotel is located at Robertson Quay. Not that it matters much since all the Quays (Robertson, Clarke, and Boat) are located just next to each other along the riverside, and you can easily walk between them.

The hotel itself is a little dated, but it is one of the most affordable options in the Quays area, as most hotels here are costly.

We had a nice clean room, with everything we needed. We particularly liked the floor-to-ceiling windows with great views of the river.

The swimming pool is also excellent, quite big and has many sunbeds. There is a full-service bar and restaurant at the swimming pool, where we ordered lunch and drinks. Overall we had a very comfortable stay at Riverside Hotel Robertson Quay. It is a good value for money in this expensive area of Singapore.

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Budget

Hotel by Wassies


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Budget

Hotel by Wassies

Such a cute little hotel (opened in 2023) in Boat Quay with super friendly staff and a fun vibe to it. Although the rooms are on the smaller side (12 sqm), they have a smart and compact layout with a private bathroom, smart TV, electric kettle, free toiletries, and air-conditioning. The hotel has a central location, and you can basically walk to most of the main attractions in Singapore. Love the cute theme of this hotel, with small penguins called “Wassie” everywhere. 🙂 The price of this hotel is unbeatable; probably one of the best deals in Singapore. The rooftop swimming pool and terrace are a big plus too.

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KINN Capsule Hotel


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KINN Capsule Hotel

This fresh, stylish, and modern capsule hotel is spotlessly clean, with a perfect location in Boat Quay. Here you get your own little air-conditioned capsule to sleep in, in a room with ten capsules (male-only, female-only, or mixed). The capsules have privacy blinds, a folding table, and electric sockets beside the bed. The hotel has a great shared lounge, also a rooftop terrace where you can hang out and socialize with other guests and travelers. The shared bathrooms are clean and have hot water showers. You can also use the laundry machines and a shared kitchen. Love the interior design of this capsule hotel, clearly inspired by Japan, and it even has a tree inside! So cool!

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7. Little India

Little India is a lively, vibrant ethnic district located north of the Singapore River.


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Little India is a lively, vibrant ethnic district located north of the Singapore River.

While the area is predominantly Indian, Mosques and churches stand alongside Hindu temples and posters for the latest Bollywood blockbusters.

Head to Serangoon Road to experience Little India’s colorful shops selling textiles, cheap fashions, spices, and bargain electronics. Spice racks on display fill the air with mouth-watering smells, and the eateries along Serangoon Road serve up a mix of Indian, Chinese, and Arabian cousins. Whether you are looking for a tasty, cheap curry served on a banana leaf South Indian style or an upscale dining experience Little India rarely disappoints.

In the evenings, the streets fill up, the colorful street light comes on, and Little India becomes a lively place popular with both locals and visitors. Little India is as close to India as you will get without actually going to India.

Why stay in Little India?


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Why stay in Little India?

Many of Singapore’s best guesthouses and hostels are found here, making it a popular destination for budget travelers, but there are also some excellent mid-range boutique hotels available here.

Little India is the place to stay if you are looking for cheap accommodation options and eating delicious Indian food.

Whereas parts of Singapore can feel a bit “sterile,” Little India is an excellent place to stay if you want to escape the modern shopping malls and experience Singapore’s ethnic roots.

Little India’s two MRT stations (Little India Station and Rochor Station) also make it a convenient base from which to explore the rest of the city, only 15 min to the city center.

Things to See and Do in Little India

Tekka Centre


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Things to See and Do in Little India

Tekka Centre

Explore the lively market stalls of Tekka Centre. Head to the ground floor if you are hungry. Here you find stalls selling vegetarian dishes from India, China, and Malaysia. There is also a wet market on the same floor, with lots of vegetables, seafood, and fruits.

Explore the lively market stalls of Tekka Centre. Head to the ground floor if you are hungry. Here you find stalls selling vegetarian dishes from India, China, and Malaysia. There is also a wet market on the same floor, with lots of vegetables, seafood, and fruits. Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple

Visit the colorful Hindu temple Sri Veeramakaliamman, one of Singapore’s oldest and most famous Hindu temples, constructed in 1881. There are several other temples in this area too.

Visit the colorful Hindu temple Sri Veeramakaliamman, one of Singapore’s oldest and most famous Hindu temples, constructed in 1881. There are several other temples in this area too. Mustafa Centre


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Little India’s landmark shopping center is old, packed, and simply unmissable.

What’s the catch?

Little India can get extremely packed and noisy, especially on Sunday evenings when all the Indian foreign workers have their day off. Nightlife is a little limited and ends early.

Top End

One Farrer Hotel & Spa

We were surprised when entering the One Farrer Hotel for check-in as we had not expected this big, modern, comfortable, and posh hotel in Little India!

We loved this hotel from the moment we stepped into the lobby, and it is such an excellent value for your money as it is cheap compared to other 5-star hotels in Singapore. The service is also fantastic.

One Farrer Hotel is located next to Farrer Park MRT station and is only a short walk from the big shopping center Mustafa Centre; that is open 24/7 and is quite an experience. The hotel has a fantastic view over Singapore all the way to Marina Bay from the upper levels.


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The huge swimming pool on the 3rd floor is bliss with plenty of sunbeds and sitting groups as well as a bar and cafe with delicious hamburgers. The gym is huge, almost as big as a gym center, and also located on the 3rd floor.

The mini bar in the room is free; yay! 🙂 We got a free room upgrade (I don´t know why it was our lucky day, I guess), and our club room was terrific. To conclude, this is how we felt about our stay at the One Farrer: We did not want to leave! 🙂

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Mid Range

Wanderlust

We stayed in a wonderful Studio Loft apartment (Loft 408) at the Wanderlust Hotel and loved it. The bed was on the loft, while we had a living room (with a sofa, tv, and desk), a fully-equipped kitchen (with a fridge, microwave, coffee machine, and tea kettle), and a comfortable bathroom (with rainwater shower) downstairs. The kitchen sink had filtered tap water for drinking. Our room was 24 sqm.


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We stayed in a Loft room where the bed was on a loft Maria in our kitchen corner

The Wanderlust Hotel is a fantastic, small boutique hotel (29 rooms) housed in a renovated heritage 1920s Art Deco-style building. The interior design is like taken out of a design magazine. Loved it!

The rooms have different sizes and designs, and some have bathtubs. We particularly loved the complimentary washing machines and dryers (with detergent, open 24h) in the common areas on the 2nd floor; they were such a lifesaver. There is also a kitchen on the 2nd floor, which all guests can use.

Our room was so fresh and stylish. I could have stayed there forever. We also loved the rooftop lounge area with seating groups and green plants. Such a lovely place to chill and relax; we particularly enjoyed the plunge pool (open from 9 am until 21/ 9 pm).


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The hotel’s ground-floor Kotuwa restaurant serves delicious food, a fusion of Srilankan curry and Asian (the chef is from Sri Lanka, and his previous restaurant got a Michelin star). The restaurant is extremely popular (you should pre-book a table if you want to eat there). But there is also plenty of street food and restaurants around the hotel.

You get a portable phone allowing you to use Google Maps on your way around Singapore, which is very handy! The hotel is right around the corner from the Jalan Besar MRT station and close to the hipster enclave of Jalan Besar. This beautiful boutique hotel is such a gem with a great location!

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Budget

Dream Lodge Hostel


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Budget

Dream Lodge Hostel

If you are looking for affordable hostel accommodation, then this is perfect – clean, tidy, and quiet. The dorms have single and double beds for couples, all with a curtain for some privacy. You get a lockable locker that easily fits a backpack. There are plenty of (shared) bathrooms that are kept spotlessly clean. There is a kitchen area downstairs, a supermarket nearby, and several cafes and restaurants. The closest MRT Station is about a 10-minute walk away.

Click for latest prices

8. Sentosa Island

Sentosa Island is a favorite resort island just south of downtown Singapore. The island used to be a British military fortress but was renamed “Sentosa” and handed over as a part of Singapore after World War II.

Sentosa means “tranquility and peace” in Malay, which is a suitable name for the island with white tropical beaches, beautiful landscapes, luxury resort hotels, and lots of attractions.


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Developed as an entertainment center, the small island of Sentosa is packed with activities and experiences to keep you busy. There are two golf courses, a couple of Casinos, and several theme parks, including Universal Studios Singapore and SEA Aquarium, along with boardwalk cafes, restaurants, and a 2 km long human-made white sand beach. You will never have a dull moment at Sentosa!

You can quickly get to and from Sentosa with the cable car, the monorail Sentosa Express, or by walking over the nice pedestrian bridge (a 10 min walk), all from HarbourFront Station (purple North East Line and orange Circle Line).Link: https://www.hellosingaporetours.com/where

to

stay

in

singapore#sentosa

Title: Where To Stay In Singapore — Hello! Singapore Tours


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Title: Where To Stay In Singapore — Hello! Singapore Tours

Characteristics: The Civic District and the Quays are at the very core of Singapore and are best known for its important government buildings such as the Supreme Court, Central Fire Station and National Library. You can also find fascinating museums, protected parks and memorial spaces.

Transport: This is where you are right in the middle of everything and can take any bus or any MRT to anywhere in Singapore!

Pros: From the Civic District take a bumboat ride on the Singapore River, and visit the Quays - our beloved nightlife district and tourist hotspot, with buzzing bars, eclectic eateries and iconic clubs spread across Robertson Quay, Boat Quay and Clarke Quay.

Cons: If you are not into nightlife this area might not be the right one for you to stay.Link: https://nerdnomads.com/where

to

stay

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lofoten

islands#comments


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Title: Where To Stay In The Lofoten Islands (Norway) – Lofoten’s Best Rorbuer & Hotels

Are you planning a trip to Lofoten and wondering where to stay in the Lofoten Islands? Here we give you a complete guide to what we think are the best places to stay in Lofoten, with our favorite Lofoten hotels and rorbuer. We hope this where-to-stay guide to Lofoten can help you plan your Lofoten trip. 🙂

The Lofoten Islands is a nature paradise with tall peaky mountains, fjords, and islands with beautiful beaches. Tucket, in between the mountains, along the fjords, you find small fishing villages with restaurants, cafes, art galleries, museums, and last but not least, excellent hotels and cozy fishermen’s cabins (called rorbuer in Norwegian).


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Loften is excellent for outdoor activities, and every year climbers, hikers, surfers, and kayak paddlers come to explore the rugged nature. And if you are a photographer, you’ll find stunning Instagram-worthy shots no matter where you point your camera lens.

Add in the Northern Lights in the autumn and winter (September – April) and the Midnight Sun in the summer (end of May – mid-July), and hardly any place beats a visit to Lofoten when it comes to breathtaking scenery.

There is so much to experience in Lofoten that we’ve written a guide with 41 Amazing Things To Do In Lofoten Islands, filled with all our must-see and do favorites.

If possible, we recommend that you have at least five days in Lofoten, ideally ten days, to fully explore the Lofoten islands and their highlights. You find our recommended Lofoten travel itinerary here: The Ultimate Road Trip Adventure To Lofoten Islands.

If you’re just getting started planning your Lofoten trip, then see our Lofoten Travel Guide.


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If you’re just getting started planning your Lofoten trip, then see our Lofoten Travel Guide.

How To Find The Best Lofoten Accommodation

Lofoten is a relatively small and compact archipelago where you can drive from one end to another in just a few hours. You should still think about where you want to stay in the Lofoten Islands to make the most out of your time in Lofoten.

The first question you should ask yourself when planning where to stay in the Lofoten Islands is: Do you want to base yourself in one place for your entire Lofoten trip? And make day trips around the islands from there? Or do you want to move around, changing accommodations every night?

Having One Base In Lofoten

If you want to have one base in Lofoten, at one hotel or rorbu, then I recommend staying somewhere in the middle of Lofoten.


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Our favorite place to have as one base in Lofoten is Ballstad. Ballstad is a cozy and still active fishing village where people live and work. In Ballstad, Hattvika Lodge is our favorite place to stay. Read more about Ballstad and why this is our favorite one-base-place in Lofoten further down in this article.

Moving Around In Lofoten

Another option is to move around, staying in multiple places during your Lofoten trip so you don’t have to head back to your base each evening. In that case, you should check out our Lofoten Itinerary. Here you will find a complete road trip with the best route to take through all of Lofoten’s highlights, the best hotels at each place, and how many days you should spend at each place.

Book Your Lofoten Accommodation Well Ahead


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Book Your Lofoten Accommodation Well Ahead

Over the recent five years or so, Lofoten has exploded as a tourist destination, largely thanks to Instagram and social media. Lofoten gets packed during summer, especially in July when we local Norwegians have a summer holiday. There are actually queues on the narrow roads around the Lofoten islands in Norway’s main holiday weeks in July. And really difficult to find a parking spot at the most popular hiking trails and villages.

In 2023, the main summer holiday in Norway is 7. July – 30. July. The school holiday in Norway is from around 22. June until around 21. August (this differs a bit from city to city in Norway).

Although Lofoten has a lot of hotels and accommodations, you should book well ahead, especially if you are visiting during in high season in summer (June – August). When it is high season, hotels and rorbuer tend to sell out, and it can be challenging to find a place to sleep.


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My friend Kristine and I discovered this the hard way on our girl’s trip to Lofoten in July. We had no bookings, and almost everywhere was fully booked! One night we ended up sleeping in someone’s basement….not that fun.

Tenting In Lofoten

While Norway is well known as a tenter’s paradise, Lofoten is not where I recommend basing your trip on tenting out in the wild for free. As most of Lofoten is private property, it is hard to find a place to camp. Furthermore, more and more beaches and mountain tops in Lofoten have made it illegal to put up a tent. Reinebringen Mountain is one place where you cannot put up a tent.


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The general rules for tenting in Lofoten are as follows: You can tent for free in Norway’s nature, like in the woods, mountains, and coastal areas/ beaches. But, the tent must be placed at least 150 meters from houses or cabins. And you can only tent in the same spot two days in a row. However, if you are tenting remotely in the mountains and far away from houses and people, you can tent in the same spot for longer.

If you plan to camp in Lofoten, I recommend that you put up your tent (or park your campervan) at one of the campgrounds in Lofoten, like:

They charge around 200 NOK = US$ 22 for a tent (and car) per night. Free Wifi and use of the toilet and showers are included.

Otherwise, you can find a map of where you can camp for free in Lofoten (with a tent or camper van) here.


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Exploring Lofoten with a camper van has exploded during the last couple of years. You can rent camper vans in Lofoten, Bodø, Tromso, Harstad, or Narvik. Several camping sights around Lofoten cater to camper vans.

Types Of Accommodation Available

Lofoten is famous for its fishermen’s cabins (called “rorbuer” in Norwegian). Staying in a rorbu is the most unique and popular way to stay in Lofoten and a must for at least a couple of nights to get the complete Lofoten experience.

Btw, if you plan to head to Lofoten in late autumn and winter (October – April), you may find that many restaurants are closed for the low season. In that case, it might be a good idea to choose accommodation with a kitchen.

Lofoten Rorbuer/ Fishermen’s Cabins

You have probably seen the rorbuer in photos from Norway. The typical Norwegian red wooden cabins clingingin to the shore along fjords with steep mountains as a backdrop. These red cabins are rorbuer or fishermen’s cottages.


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In the old days, from around 1100, thousands of men from all over northern Norway came to Lofoten to participate in the cod fishing season (January – April). So naturally, they needed a place to stay, and small fishermen’s cabins were built and rented out along the coast of northern Norway, especially in Lofoten.

You might wonder why these small cabins are called the strange name “rorbu.” Well, the word “ror” comes from the word rowing, while the “bu” means a small house/ cabin.

Today, the fishermen’s cabins have been renovated into modern accommodations, although they usually have kept some old timber and interior. As a result, the rorbuer are often a bit rustic in design with a homey feel.

Lofoten rorbuer are like tiny houses and usually have a kitchen (or kitchenette) with a fridge and stove, a private bathroom (toilet and shower/ bathtub), a living room with a couch, armchairs, and dining table, one or two bedrooms, and a terrace.


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Since the rorbuer are located just next to the sea, you have a fantastic sea view from your rorbu, and it is a great place to watch the Northern Lights or the Midnight Sun.

You can usually park just outside your rorbu, which is very convenient. Most rorbuer have free Wifi, although not all have a TV, so bring your laptop if you want to watch some series or a movie.

If you plan to visit Lofoten during winter, you should opt for accommodations with a kitchen, as many restaurants are closed for the season. The exception is Svolvær City, where you will always be able to find open restaurants and cafes.

And if you have the time to stay at different places around the Lofoten islands, you definitely should do so, as you then get to explore the different areas of Lofoten.

Lofoten Hotels

Svolvær City

There are also a few modern hotels in Lofoten. Most of them are in Svolvær city, where our favorites are (yes, we have stayed at them all):

Henningsvær


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Henningsvær

Henningsvær also has a lovely hotel beautifully located by the sea and with a central location, where we stayed two nights – Henningsvær Bryggehotell.

Reine & Å

If you plan on staying in the southern part of Lofoten (in the Reine and Å area), we had a great stay at the new and modern hotel – The Tide Hotel (opened in 2022).

The Tide Hotel is conveniently located halfway between Reine and Å. It is also only a 5-min drive from Moskenes ferry port for the ferry to/ from Bodø. The rooms are modern and comfortable, and the hotel has a fantastic restaurant, Havet Restaurant & Bar (which can be translated into The Sea Restaurant), with the most fantastic sea view and delicious food. We actually had the best meal on our entire Lofoten trip here.

Other than these five Lofoten hotels, there are primarily apartments and fishermen’s cabins/ rorbu for rent in Lofoten Islands.

Our fresh and modern room at The Tide Hotel Fantastic view from Havet Restaurant at The Tide Hotel


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Our fresh and modern room at The Tide Hotel Fantastic view from Havet Restaurant at The Tide Hotel

Where To Stay In The Lofoten Islands

Here is a list of what we believe are the best places to stay in Lofoten, along with our favorite Lofoten hotels and rorbuer.

The 7 Best Places To Stay In Lofoten

Our seven favorite places to stay in the Lofoten Islands are:

Ballstad – The Most Convenient One-Base Place In The Middle Of Lofoten Nusfjord – Lofoten’s Coziest Historic Fishing Village Reine – Lofoten’s Most Picturesque And Famous Area Henningsvær – Lofoten’s Hippest Fishing Village Svolvær – Stay In Lofoten’s Capital City With Great Shopping And Restaurants Kabelvåg – Small Town Feeling Close To Svolvær City Gimsøy Island – Lofoten’s Best Place To Stay For Northern Lights & Midnight Sun

Read on to find out why these are our favorite places to base ourselves when visiting Lofoten and our favorite hotels and rorbuer at each place.

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A map of what we consider to be the best hotels & rorbuer in Lofoten

1. Ballstad – The Most Convenient One-Base Place In Lofoten

The fishing village Ballstad has a convenient location right in the middle of the Lofoten Islands.

It is a great place to have as your base for exploring Lofoten, as you can easily make day trips around Lofoten. Examples of driving distances to/ from Ballstad to popular day trip destinations:

Ballstad – Svolvær city/ Svolvær Airport: 78 km, 1 hour 15 min

Ballstad – Leknes city/ Leknes Airport: 10 km, 10 min

Ballstad – Henningsvær: 71 km, 1 hour 15 min

Ballstad – Lofotr Viking Museum: 23 km, 25 min

Ballstad – Haukland Beach: 19 km, 25 min

Ballstad – Reine: 61 km, 1 hour 15 min

Ballstad – Moskenes Ferry Port for ferry from/ to Bodø: 65 km, 1 hour 20 min

Ballstad – Å: 69 km, 1 hour 25 min


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Ballstad – Å: 69 km, 1 hour 25 min

Ballstad is still an active fishing village today. In fact, it is Lofoten’s largest fishing village. Unlike, for instance, fishing villages like Å and Nusfjord, which are more like open-air museums than villages where people live and work.

Ballstad is only a 10-min drive from Leknes city, one of only two cities in Lofoten (the other is Svolvaer). In Leknes, you find big grocery shops, petrol stations, shopping malls, restaurants, and cafes. Leknes also has an airport. And last but not least, Leknes has a Vinmonopolet!

You might not know this, but Vinmonopolet is the only shop in Norway where you can buy wine and liquor. You cannot buy wine at grocery shops. Most grocery shops sell beer, however, but in Lofoten, only until 20:00 on weekdays and 15:00 on Saturdays (all grocery shops are closed on Sundays). There are only two Vinmonopolet in Lofoten – in Leknes and Svolvaer.


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Ballstad is a great place to stay any time of the year as the shops and restaurants in Ballstad and Leknas are open all year round, and not just in the summer season.

Ballstad has several nice accommodation options. Here are our favorites:

Hattvika Lodge – Ballstad

Hattvika Lodge in Ballstad has some of Lofoten’s most stylish architectonical cabins/ rorbuer. The ten architect-designed cabins constructed in 2020 are modern and minimalistic, located on a small hilltop right by the sea.

Their large windows give you a fantastic view of the sea. Here you can lay in a warm, comfortable bed while watching the Northern Lights dance across the sky or admire the Midnight Sun during summer.

However, the biggest perk at Hattvika Lodge is its fantastic sauna with big windows. The sauna sits on poles at the edge of the wooden pier, perfect for a dip in the Arctic sea. If you are lucky, you get to see the Aurora too.

Great sea view from Hattvika Lodge The cool seafront sauna at Hattvika Lodge


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Great sea view from Hattvika Lodge The cool seafront sauna at Hattvika Lodge

The Hattvika Lodge is family-run, owned and run by Guri Jentoft and her husband, Kristian Bøe. The property has been in Guri’s family for six generations. Although it became a modern rorbu hotel in 2016, it dates back to the 1870s.

At Hattvika Lodge, you also have the option to stay in one of the sixteen more traditional rorbu/ cottages (the red ones in the photos above). They have been modernized and have all the facilities a modern traveler needs, like a kitchen and bathroom. But they are not as stylish as the ten newbuilt design cottages. If you want to stay in the new design cabins, they are called “Deluxe Studio” on Booking.com.


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The cabins are different in design and size; some can house up to eight people. Hattvika Lodge also has a restaurant – Restaurant Fangst, where you can indulge in traditional dishes made from seasonal local Lofoten ingredients. The menu is based on daily caught seafood and dried/salted fish. The restaurant also has a rooftop balcony with a fantastic view of Ballstad, the sea, and the mountains.

Click here for more info and the latest prices at Hattvika Lodge

Hemmingodden Lodge – Ballstad

We stayed five nights at Hemingodden Lodge, where we stayed in a cozy rorbu and had a great stay. We got a warm welcoming from the owners Trond-Ketil and Ellen, the perfect hosts. The Hemmingodden Lodge is a small family business.


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We stayed in the old traditional “Linbua,” which was a bit rustic. It was actually the only one they had left; everything else was fully booked (we visited in July, which is peak season). But we liked the rorbu Linbua. It was clean and had a small kitchen (with a fridge and stove), a bathroom, and beds in the attic. They do have modern new apartments and modern cabins. The best part of the rorbu was, however, the terrace with excellent views of Ballstad harbor, the fjord, and the mountains.

We also got to try their new restaurant, Heim Restaurant (which can be translated into “Home Restaurant”), which serves fantastic food and has the most excellent sea view. Hemmingodden Lodge also arranges fishing trips with Kato, an experienced fisherman who knows all the “secret” and best fishing spots. You can also rent a boat at Hemmingodden Lodge, and take a boat trip to, for instance, the beaches Kvalvika and Bunesstranda, or visit Reine (a 1-hour boat trip from Hemmingodden).


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Hemmingodden Lodge now has a newly built sauna, which can house up to ten people and is beautifully located right by the sea. It was not finished when we stayed here, so we can’t wait to try it out on our next visit!

Click here for more info and the latest prices at Hemmingodden Lodge

Solsiden Brygge Rorbuer – Ballstad

Solsiden Brygge Rorbu Hotel has thirty beautiful and newly renovated rorbu apartments and designer suites. They all look stylish and comfortable. The rorbuer varies in size and design, with 1-3 bedrooms, a kitchen, and a private bathroom.

We had dinner at Solsiden Brygge’s fantastic restaurant, Solsiden Restaurant, which serves Neapolitan pizza and seafood. We really enjoyed their specialty – grilled Stockfish. It was delicious and a must-try!

I was enjoying grilled Stockfish at Solsiden in Ballstad Grilled Stockfish is one of Lofoten's specialties


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At Solsiden Brygge, you can rent your own boat, kayak, or sup board or join a fun fishing trip with the historic wooden ship “Sira.” Solsiden also has a fantastic sauna, which is actually an old barn from the 19th century! You can see the beautiful old timber of the barn when relaxing in the sauna. The barn was used to store food like flour and dried meat.

Click here for more info and the latest prices at Solsiden Brygge Rorbuer

2. Nusfjord – Lofoten’s Coziest Historic Fishing Village

Nusfjord is a small historic fishing village in the heart of the Lofoten Islands, mentioned by the Unesco World Heritage Site.

At Nusfjord, you get a feel of how life used to be in this fishing village’s heydays at the beginning of 1900 when over 1500 fishermen lived here.


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Today, the whole town has been turned into a fantastic open-air museum where you can walk around and look at the old fish oil factory, smokery, blacksmith, bakery/ shop, and boathouse. Nusfjord also has an excellent art gallery, Salteriet Galleri (which can be translated into “The Saltery Gallery”). When we visited Nusfjord, the art gallery hosted an exhibition by the Queen of Norway, Sonja, and Magne Furuholmen from the pop-band A-HA. The queen was actually present on the day we visited, which was awesome.

Not many people live in Nusfjord; it is mainly inhabited during summer.

Driving distances to/ from Nusfjord:

Nusfjord – Svolvær city: 92 km, 1 hour, 30 min

Nusfjord – Leknes city: 27 km, 30 min

Nusfjord – Lofotr Viking Museum: 37 km, 40 min

Nusfjord – Reine: 41 km, 50 min

Nusfjord – Å: 49 km, 1 hour

Nusfjord only has one hotel with rorbuer:

Nusfjord Arctic Resort Rorbuer


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Nusfjord only has one hotel with rorbuer:

Nusfjord Arctic Resort Rorbuer

Of all the accommodations we stayed at in Lofoten, I must say that Nusfjord Arctic Resort was the coziest. The 20 traditional cabins/ rorbuer at this resort have a fantastic location, right in the heart of tiny and tranquil Nusfjord.

The cabins have been newly renovated, where they have kept the old vibe but blended it with a modern touch and comfort. The result is stunning! I love how they have kept the old timber in the walls.

The high-end cabins have a bedroom (the beds are heaven!), a living room, and a modern bathroom (with a waterfall shower, some have a bathtub, too), and some have a kitchenette (including a Nespresso machine, tea maker, and fridge). I also love that they have bathroom essentials from Molton Brown (especially the shampoo, which smells fantastic).

The cabins next to the sea have a private waterfront terrace. Free parking close to the rorbu.


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The cabins next to the sea have a private waterfront terrace. Free parking close to the rorbu.

Homey living room at our rorbu Maria enjoying the view of Nusfjord and the sea

We stayed in cabin 30, right by the sea and Nusfjord harbor. Our tiny house cabin was excellent and beautiful and even had some art on the walls made by the Queen Sonja of Norway.

I loved the small details and touches at this rorbu hotel, like that a Norwegian chocolate Kvikklunsj was welcoming us at the kitchen table. The bathrobes and slippers were super soft and gave us a luxury feel.

A small kitchenette with coffee machine and fridge A Kvikklunsj chocolate was waiting for us in the kitchen

The only downside was that the cabin did not have a tv. Not that we felt we needed it. We also had our laptops with us (strong free wifi is included) to watch the news and a Netflix series in the evening. 🙂


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The breakfast at Nusfjord Arctic Resort was among our best on our Lofoten trip! Unfortunately, we did not eat dinner in the restaurant, but we went to the pub one evening and tried their wood-fired pizza, which was great.

Nusfjord Arctic Resort has some of Lofoten’s most luxurious and stylish rorbuer. You will not go wrong by staying here!

Click here for more info and the latest prices at Nusfjord Arctic Resort

3. Reine – Stay In Lofoten’s Most Picturesque Area

Reine area (which includes the small islands Sakrisøy and Hamnøy) is, without doubt, Lofoten’s most famous and most visited place. It is famous for its breathing scenery of red and yellow fishermen’s cabins dotted along the turquoise-colored fjords surrounded by tall peaky mountains.

Reine is Lofoten’s Instagram star, and of all the Lofoten photos you have seen on social media, most are from the Reine area.


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The Reine area is the best place to base yourself to explore the southern part of Lofoten with short driving distances to, for instance, Å, Sund, and the ferry to/ from Bodø city (Moskenes).

There are several restaurants and cafes in the Reine area, like Anita’s Seafood on Sakrisøy with Lofoten’s best fish burger, as well as a grocery shop (Coop Prix Reine located on Sakrisøy Island) and a petrol station (Circle K in downtown Reine).

Reine also has one of Lofoten’s most spectacular and popular hikes – Reinebringen Mountain.

Almost all visitors to the Lofoten Islands stop in Reine. Therefore, it can get pretty packed, especially in July, and it can be difficult to find a parking space. Therefore, I recommend staying at least a night or two in the Reine area. We loved walking around in the Reine area in the evenings when all the day-trippers had left. It was all so peaceful and quiet and we could really enjoy this little fishing village.


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In the Reine area, we also include the two small islands Hamnoy and Sakrisoy (connected by bridges) which you drive past (main E10 road) on your way to Reine. It only takes about 10-min to drive from Hamnøy to Reine and 5 minutes from Sakrisøy. You can actually easily walk or bicycle from Hamnøy and Sakrisøy to downtown Reine.

Other driving distances from/ to Reine are:

Reine – Svolvær city: 121 km, 2 hours 20 min

Reine – Leknes city: 56 km, 1 hour 10 min

Reine – Å: 9 km, 10 min

Reine – Moskenes Ferry Port for the ferry to/ from Bodø city: 5 km, 7 min

Eliassen Rorbuer – Hamnøy Island

If you have seen some photos of red fishermen’s cabins/ rorbuer with tall peaky mountains as a backdrop on Instagram or social media, you have most likely seen Eliassen Rorbuer. This rorbu hotel is probably Lofoten’s most famous and photographed!

Of course, we had to take the famous Lofoten/ Eliassen Rorbuer Insta-shot too. You can see it below. 🙂


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Eliassen Rorbuer is situated on the tiny island Hamnøy (connected by bridges), just a short 10-min drive from Reine, 20-min from Lofoten’s end-point Å, and a 15-min drive from the ferry to Bodø (Moskenes Ferryport).

Here you can walk around the drying racks for fish while admiring the beautiful landscape of fjords, mountains, and islands surrounding Eliassen Rorbuer.

Eliassen Rorbuer’s 69 cabins/ apartments used to be old fishermen’s cabins, dating back to the mid-1870s, but have been renovated into modern accommodations with a lovely design. One of my ancestors, Wulff-Nilsen, built the fishing industry and manor house (my last name is Wulff) that you can still see at Eliassen Rorbuer (the manor house now houses the reception).


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You can choose between one-, two- or three-bedroom apartments or cabins. Each has a fully equipped kitchen, a large living and dining room with comfortable furniture, and a modern bathroom with a shower. Free high-speed free WiFi access is available throughout the whole resort. Free parking is right outside the cabin.

Eliassen has a newly renovated restaurant – Gadus (opened in 2020), which serves high-quality food, a fusion of Norwegian and Italian. Try their homemade fresh pasta; it is heavenly good!

Click here for more info and the latest prices at Eliassen Rorbuer

Sakrisøy Rorbuer

You have most likely seen Sakrisøy Rorbuer and its yellow fishermen’s cabins in photos from Lofoten on Instagram and other social media. It is one of Lofoten’s most photographed places.


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The small island Sakrisøy which is beautifully tucked between tall peaky mountains and fjords is one of Lofoten’s oldest fishing villages, dating back to 1874. Here you can choose to stay in one of the newly renovated rorbuer/ fishermen’s cabins or the big stylish manor house:

The fishermen’s cabins, or rorbuer, on Sakrisoy, are located right by the sea with a fantastic view of Reinefjord and the famous mountains of Reine. The cabins are yellow, which is unusual as most fishermen’s cottages in Lofoten are painted red.

The cabins are beautifully renovated and have all the modern facilities that a modern traveler needs, like wifi, a private bathroom with floor heating, comfortable beds, a kitchen, a bedroom (some of the cabins have two bedrooms), and a cozy living room. The cabins do not have a TV, however.

You can choose between several types of cabins/tiny houses with one or two bedrooms.

Click here for more info and the latest prices on Sakrisøy Rorbuer


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Click here for more info and the latest prices on Sakrisøy Rorbuer

Olstind Cabin – Sakrisøy Island

One of the finest cabins on Sakrisøy (in my opinion) is the Olstind Cabin which belongs to the restaurant Anitas Mathus. The Olstind Cabin has been beautifully renovated, and I love that they have kept the old timber walls.

Through the huge panoramic windows, the view of Olstind Mountain is breathtaking. Watching the Northern Lights from this cabin must be a dream come true.

Click here for more info and the latest prices on Olstind Cabin

Sakrisøy Gjestegård/ Manor House

A unique place to stay is in the big white elegant mansion house of the old Sakrisøy fishing village.

The house was originally constructed in 1880. It has been transformed into a beautiful boutique hotel by the fifth generation of the family Gylseth.

The beautiful white Manor House at Sakrisøy Anitas Mat on Sakrisoy sells Lofoten's most famous fish burger


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This boutique hotel has 14 rooms (double beds or twin beds), some with a private bathroom and some with a shared bathroom. If you want to feel like the owner of the fishing village (the “væreier” in Norwegian), you should opt for the top floor suite (Olstind suite), which has a private kitchen and a private balcony with amazing views of the mountains and fjords. It looks fantastic!

The guests can use the shared rooms of the house like it was their home, like the kitchen, big living room, balcony, and beautiful garden.

Click here for more info and the latest prices on Sakrisøy Gjestegård

Catogården Boutique Hotel – Downtown Reine

The beautiful white mansion house in downtown Reine has been converted into a stylish and homey boutique hotel – Catogården Boutique Hotel.

Here you can sleep in uniquely designed rooms in one of the oldest properties in Lofoten, dating back to 1775.


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However, the old house burned down during World War II and was rebuilt after the war by Mr. Cato Sverdrup (that is how the hotel got its name, “The Cato House”). Later the house served as a school, a dance hall, and the city hall.

Today, the house consists of ten unique hotel rooms, each filled with a great mix of modern comfort and antique furniture and decor. And the view from the hotel windows is breathtaking! Each room has its unique color palette and design, but none of the rooms have numbers. Instead, you are encouraged to write your name on the room door to make it feel like your home.

The rooms have shared bathrooms. There are six bathrooms altogether, so almost one per room, and they are spotlessly clean.

As a guest at the boutique hotel, you can join a daily morning Kundalini Yoga class for free (it starts at 08:00 am and lasts for about 90 min). No previous Yoga experience is required; everybody can join in. You are also welcome to use the gym room for free.


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You can park for free at the property, but they don’t serve breakfast as the hotel does not have a restaurant yet. There is, however, just a short walk from Catogården to the Gammelbua Restaurant and the Bringen Cafe (try their cinnamon buns!).

The boutique hotel has a shared balcony with breathtaking views of the sea and mountains. Here you can have coffee, tea, or wine, meet other guests and travelers, and enjoy the Midnight Sun or the Northern Lights. The living room downstairs is also cozy, where you can hang out and enjoy some “hygge” in front of the fireplace.

Complimentary tea and coffee are available all day, and there is a small kitchenette in the living room as well. If the weather is good, you can do some barbeque in the garden.

Reine is one of the most famous fishing villages in Lofoten Ragnhild who owns and runs Catogården is such a nice lady!


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The hotel also runs a kayak center where you can book kayak tours. Last but not least, the owner and hostess of this boutique hotel, Ragnhild, is the sweetest woman and so welcoming.

Click here for more info and the latest prices on Catogården Boutique Hotel

4. Henningsvær – Stay In Lofoten’s Hippest Fishing Village

If I were to live in Lofoten, I would have picked Henningsvær. Henningsvær has it all, fantastic nature and hiking options, nice and cool shops, and some of Lofotens best restaurants and cafes. You should not miss the cafes and restaurants Klatrekafeen, Lysstøyperiet, and Trevarefabrikken.

In Henningsvær, you also find two fantastic art galleries – Kaviar Factory and Gallery Lofoten.

Henningsvær is very popular, especially in summer, so it can be really difficult to find a parking space. We were so glad that we spent two nights here so that we could park for free right outside our accommodation – Henningsvær Bryggehotell, located right in the downtown of Henningsvær.


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Also, a lot of people only come to Henninsvær on a day trip. It was great to experience Henningsvær in the evening when all the day-trippers had left, and we could walk around the streets in peace and quiet.

Driving distances to/ from Henningsvær:

Henningsvaer – Svolvaer city/ Svolvaer Airport: 25 km, 30 min

Henningsvaer – Lofotr Viking Museum: 48 km, 50 min

Henningsvaer – Leknes city: 61 km, 1 hour

Henningsvaer – Reine: 113 km, 2 hours

Henningsvær Bryggehotell

We stayed three nights at Henningsvær Bryggehotell and loved it!

The beautiful white wooden hotel has the perfect location right by the harbor of Henningsvær, and it is only a few minutes’ walk to all the action of downtown Henningsvær.

The rooms are cozy and newly renovated in a classic style. The service was excellent, and the staff was so welcoming.


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Our room was not the biggest (14 sqm) and had no TV, but it was very clean, comfortable, nicely decorated, and had a radio and a private bathroom. I loved the comfy beds, which had down duvets (warm and soft!). Our room also had a coffee machine.

The lobby is cozy, and we enjoyed the outside area where you can relax and hang out and have a drink on the terrace overlooking the sea and harbor of Henningsvær.

I loved the breakfast with lots of choices, one of the best we had in Lofoten. Tea and coffee are free for the hotel guest the whole day, and complimentary bike rentals are convenient for exploring Henningsvær and its surroundings.

Me enjoying the breakfast view at Henningsvaer Bryggehotell Fantastic breakfast at Henningsvaer Bryggehotell

In addition, there is free parking and chargers for electric cars right outside the hotel, which is excellent as there is a lack of parking spaces in Henningsvær in general.


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Click here for more info and the latest prices at Henningsvær Bryggehotell

Trevarefabrikken – Henningsvær

Trevarefabrikken (which can be translated into something like “the carpentry fabric”) is the new and hippest place in Lofoten these days. Even if you choose not to stay here, you should visitTrevarefabrikken for something to eat or drink.

An old concrete factory building has been transformed into a trendy and fresh hotel, restaurant, cafe & bar, ocean sauna, Yoga place, hike organizer, and music scene. It has a central location by the sea and is right in the middle of downtown Henningsvær.

Their five individually designed rooms are airy and have a modern and edgy Scandinavian design with a fantastic view of the ocean or the village.


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The rooms range in size from the smallest (which can accommodate two people), “Carpenters Double,” which is 22 m², to the biggest (for 2-6 people), “The Big Loft” of 45 m² and a kitchenette. All rooms have a private bathroom and include breakfast in the cozy cafe. Free parking is right outside.

Trevarefabrikken also has a wooden sauna with huge glass windows where you can sit inside in the warmth from the sauna oven and enjoy the view of Vestfjord and maybe the Northern Lights or the Midnight Sun. Or, if you dare, why not have a dip in the Arctic fjord? I promise you it is refreshingly cold. 🙂 You can book the Sauna even if you are not staying at Trevarefabrikken.

Did I mention that Trevarefabrikken has one of Lofoten’s best pizzas? Their hand-made pizzas filled with delicious local ingredients are baked in the wood-fired brick oven outside the factory, right by the sea. The pizzeria is open from April until October.


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In addition, their restaurant & cafe, Hermetikken, is open from March until December, while their wine bar Trandamperiet is open from mid-June until mid-August.

Click here for more info and the latest prices on Trevarefabrikken

5. Svolvær – Stay In Lofoten’s Capital City

Being the capital city of Lofoten, Svolvaer is Lofoten’s main transport hub, with an airport and harbor for the coastal ferry, Hurtigruten. When you drive into the Lofoten Islands from the mainland (via the main road E10 through the Lofast Tunnels), Svolvaer is one of the first places you reach.

In Svolvaer, you find lots of restaurants and cafes, grocery shops, shopping malls, and Vinmonopolet. It is a very convenient place to stay as you have everything close by. From Svolvaer, you can also do boat tours to the famous Trollfjord, and other great tours.

Driving distances to/ from Svolvaer City:

Svolvaer – Henningsvaer: 25 km, 30 min

Svolvaer – Reine: 121 km, 2 hours, 10 min

Svinøya Rorbuer


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Svolvaer – Henningsvaer: 25 km, 30 min

Svolvaer – Reine: 121 km, 2 hours, 10 min

Svinøya Rorbuer

Svinøya Rorbuer is one of the most charming places to stay in Lofoten’s capital city Svolvær.

Svinøya Rorbuer has 38 rorbuer and apartments, which are all modernized and cozy. The cabins, located on the small island of Svinøya, are only a short walk from downtown Svolvær (over a bridge).

The cabins have one to three bedrooms, private bathrooms, a living room, and a fully-equipped kitchen. You can also choose to stay in one of their several historic houses, like the storehouse, bell house, telegraph house, or foreman’s house: such a cool and authentic experience.

Even the big Manor house is possible for rent (for special occasions as it can accommodate 17 people). If you’d rather stay in a modern apartment, Svinøya Rorbuer also has five apartments for rent in the summer months.


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The tiny island of Svinøya, a part of Svolvær city, is a beautiful area to explore on a walk around the island.

Svinoya Rorbuer has one of Lofoten’s best and most renowned restaurants – Børsen Restaurant. Eating here is a must, and their grilled stockfish is world-famous. Make sure to pre-book a table, as Børsen Restaurant often gets fully booked, especially during summer (July).

Click here for more info and the latest prices on Svinøya Rorbuer

Other great accommodation options in Svolvær include Anker Brygge, which also has fishermen’s cabins and a central location in downtown Svolvær.

However, if you want to stay in a more regular and modern hotel in Svolvaer, we recommend Thon Hotel Svolvær, where we had a fantastic stay. Thon Hotel Svolvær is faily new (opened in 2021) and has a convenient location right in the middle of downtown Svolvær.

6. Kabelvåg – Small Town Feeling Close To Svolvær


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6. Kabelvåg – Small Town Feeling Close To Svolvær

Kabelvåg is a small town just outside of Svolvaer City (a 10-min drive). So if you want to stay close to the capital city of Lofoten with all its restaurants and shops, but not in the city itself, then Kabelvåg is perfect.

In Kabelvåg, you also find some of Lofoten’s biggest sights and attractions: Lofoten Aquarium, Gallery Espolin, Lofoten Cathedral, and Lofoten Musuem.

Nyvågar Rorbuhotell

Located in Storvågan in Kabelvåg, Nyvågar Robuhotell has a great location only a few minute’s walk away from some of Loften’s biggest attractions – Lofoten Aquarium, Lofoten Museum, and the Art Gallery Espolin.

See what else you should not miss in Kabelvåg here.

It only takes 10 min to drive from Nyvågar Rorbuhotell to Svolvær City and 16 min to drive to Svolvær Airport.

At Nyvågar Rorbuhotell, you can stay in modern rorbuer/ fishermen’s cabins right by the sea, surrounded by mountains and fjords.


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The 30 rorbu/ cabins all have two bedrooms (4 beds) and are 50 m² in size. The cabins have two floors and have everything you need – a private bathroom (toilet and shower), a cozy living room with a TV, and a fully equipped kitchen (with a cooker, kettle, and fridge).

WIFI, cleaning, towels, bedding, and free parking, are all included.

All cabins have a terrace or balcony where you can sit and enjoy the scenery and maybe even the Northern Lights or Midnight Sun. Or why not try their sauna and go for a refreshing dip in the sea. And if you want to have a barbeque, there are barbeque facilities right on the property. There is a kid’s playground at the hotel as well.

The hotel also has an excellent restaurant – Nyvågar Restaurant, where you can have local dinner while enjoying a fantastic sea view. They serve dinner every day and lunch on Saturdays and Sundays.

Click here for more info and the latest prices on Nyvågar Rorbuhotell


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Click here for more info and the latest prices on Nyvågar Rorbuhotell

7. Gimsøy Island – Lofoten’s Best Place To Stay For Northern Lights & Midnight Sun

Picture yourself sitting inside a warm, modern, comfortable cabin next to a fireplace with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine in your hand, and the Northern Lights or Midnight Sun is showing off right outside the huge cabin windows. This is real “hygge” for us Norwegians. If this is your dream, too, then Lofoten Links Lodges is your cup of tea!

With its remote and stunning location right by the beautiful white sandy Hov Beach on Gimsoy Island in Lofoten, this is the perfect place to watch the Northern Lights in winter and Midnight Sun in summer. Here you can get those crispy sharp photographs of the Aurora dancing across the sky as there is no light pollution in this area.

Driving distances from/ to Gimsøy Island (connected by a bridge):

Gimsoy – Svolvaer city: 40 km, 40 min

Gimsoy – Leknes city: 50 km, 1 hour


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Gimsoy – Svolvaer city: 40 km, 40 min

Gimsoy – Leknes city: 50 km, 1 hour

Gimsoy – Reine: 100 km, 1 hour 50 min

Lofoten Links Lodges

The newly built, modern, and luxurious cabins at Lofoten Links Lodges are warm and comfortable, also in winter.

The eight lodges each have three bedrooms, all with a private bathroom (so three bedrooms and three bathrooms). The lodges have a fully-equipped kitchen and living room with a fireplace and a terrace where you can sit and watch the Northern Lights or Midnight Sun. The cabins have huge floor-to-roof windows with a fantastic view. Free parking is right outside the cabin. Unfortunately, pets are not allowed inside the cabins.

Lofoten Links Lodges is a 40-min drive from Svolvær city & the airport.


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Lofoten Links Lodges is a 40-min drive from Svolvær city & the airport.

If you are a big group or family or just want an entire cabin for yourself, you can opt for the whole cabin (which can accommodate up to six people) or one of the two Deluxe Standard Lodge 10 or 11. Lodges no. 10 and 11 have three bedrooms, one shared bathroom, and a wood-fired hot tub on the terrace (lodge no. 11 also has a private sauna).

The Lofoten Links Lodges are a part of the Lofoten Links Golf, a spectacular 18-hole championship golf course tucked between the Arctic Sea and mountains.

Breakfast is not included. But just a short walk from the Lofoten Links Lodges, you find the Hov Farm with its lovely and rustic Restaurant Låven. Here you can enjoy a local breakfast, lunch, and dinner made of local ingredients from Lofoten.


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A popular activity at the Hov farm is horse riding. You can go riding on “Viking horses” all year round on trails used by Vikings 1000 years ago. Nothing sounds more romantic than riding under the Midnight Sun in summer or under the Northern Lights in winter. The farm has about 50 beautiful Icelandic horses. You can also rent the Sauna at Hov Farm.

Click here for more info and the latest prices on Lofoten Links Lodges

There you have it, our favorite 10 best places to stay in the Lofoten Islands.

We hope you got some ideas and inspiration on where to stay during your Lofoten trip!

Quick Summary – Where To Stay In The Lofoten Islands

If you plan on only staying one place in Lofoten (as a base), you should opt for Ballstad – Hattvika Lodge, Hemmingodden Lodge, or Solsiden Brygge Rorbuer.


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If you want to travel around the Lofoten Islands and see most of the highlights, but are short on the number of days, then I recommend that you stay a few nights in the northern part, in Svolvaer or Kabelvag – Svinoya Rorbuer, Anker Brygge, Thon Hotel, or Nyvågar Rorbuhotell. And a few nights in the southern part, in the Reine area – Eliassen Rorbuer, Sakrisoy Rorbuer, and The Tide Hotel.

If you have more days in Lofoten, around one week (or preferably ten days or two weeks), our favorite places to stay in Lofoten are Nusfjord Arctic Resort and Henningsvaer Bryggehotell.

And as always, don’t hesitate to leave us a comment if you have any further questions or think we have forgotten something. If you have already been to Lofoten, what is your favorite Lofoten accommodation? We would love to hear from you! 🙂

Read next – start planning your Lofoten trip here:

In

depth Lofoten Destination Guides:

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Hover over the pictures below and press the red Save button that pops up:Link: https://nerdnomads.com/where

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Title: Where To Stay In Tromso, Norway – A Local’s Guide To The Best Hotels In Tromsø

Tromsø is my hometown, where I`ve lived most of my life. Knowing the city inside out and having worked in Tromso’s hotel business, I have an excellent knowledge of the best hotels in Tromso. With lots of friends and family visiting over the years who have stayed at many of the Tromsø hotels, I have a pretty good idea of my top picks for where to stay in Tromso.

Tromso is a relatively small city with 75,000 inhabitants above the Arctic Circle in Norway. It is the most prominent city in Northern Norway and the fifth-largest in Norway, with one of Norway’s biggest Universities (more than 17,000 students). This makes Tromsø a vibrant city with great nightlife and many cafes and restaurants.


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During the past ten years or so, Tromso has become hugely popular as a tourist destination, as there is plenty to see and do in Tromso and its surroundings. In winter, people come to see the Northern Lights, the snow, and the whales. In summer, the Midnight Sun shines all night, and the unspoiled nature and wildlife is the main attraction. Tromso is one of the best places to go mountain hiking and fjord fishing. With direct flights from several European cities and many cities within Norway, it is easy to get to Tromso.

The increasing number of visitors has led to a boom in the number of hotels and accommodations in Tromso, and visitors now have lots of options when deciding where to stay in Tromso.

In this article, we will give you a list of what we consider to be the best places to stay in Tromso. Here, you will find the best Tromso hotels and accommodations (in our opinion).

What Is The Best Accommodation In Tromso?


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What Is The Best Accommodation In Tromso?

For us, the perfect Tromso accommodation has big enough rooms to store all our luggage and still have some space to walk around. We are massive fans of big, comfortable beds so that we can sleep soundly at night. And, of course, free and fast wifi is a must-have! Luckily, most hotels in Tromso meet these demands and have a high standard.

Norway is relatively expensive when it comes to accommodation, and Tromso is sadly no exception. Here, we have collected what we think are the best Tromsø accommodations for any budget. So, this article is for you whether you are looking for a top-end boutique hotel, a unique experience in a wilderness cabin, or a self-serviced apartment to save some money.


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While most visitors to Tromso stay in the downtown area, staying outside the city has become popular with visitors who wish to be closer to nature to go skiing, hiking, fishing, or Northern Lights hunting. We have, therefore, included accommodation options for the most popular areas outside of Tromso – Sommaroy Island, Senja Island, and the Lyngen Alps.

Why You Should Not Stay At Airbnb In Tromso

The number of Airbnb accommodations in Tromso has exploded over the last few years. Investors buy up entire apartment buildings just to rent them out to sky-high prices on Airbnb, which has led to a housing shortage in Tromso. Airbnb has become a big problem for people, especially students, who struggle to find a place to live. Therefore, I strongly discourage booking an Airbnb in Tromso.

Instead, you should book an apartment at an apartment hotel through, for instance, Booking.com.


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Instead, you should book an apartment at an apartment hotel through, for instance, Booking.com.

Important: None of the hotels recommended here are paid placements or have sponsored our blog in any way. I have worked in the hotel business in Tromso, so I know most hotels in Tromso quite well. We have also had friends and visitors stay in many of these hotels and provide us with valuable feedback. If you book through any of our links, we make a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps keep our site running – so thank you in advance for your support! ♥

We hope you find this guide helpful in choosing the best place to stay in Tromso.

Where To Stay In Tromso – The 7 Best Places To Stay In Tromso

In this guide on where to stay in Tromsø (our hometown), we give you our favorite Tromso hotels.

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7 areas to stay in Tromso & around, with our favorite hotels

We have divided Tromso and its surrounding areas into seven areas:


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We have divided Tromso and its surrounding areas into seven areas:

Downtown Tromso (red on the map above) – The Best Tromso Hotels Tromso Island (brown) Tromdalen (yellow) Kvaloya Island (blue) – Best Accommodation In Tromso For Northern Lights Sommaroy Island (purple) – 1-hour drive from Tromso Lyngen Alps (black) – 1,5-hour drive from Tromso Senja Island (green) – 3-hour drive from Tromso

Most visitors stay in downtown Tromso (the red area on the map above). This is the main island of Tromso city (called Tromsøya or Tromso Island), where you find Tromso Airport and Tromso’s downtown with shops, restaurants, cafes, hotels, and museums. There are plenty of accommodation options on Tromso Island, most either by the harbor or on the streets close to Tromso’s main shopping street, Storgata.


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Tromsoya Island is only 22.8-square-kilometer (8.8 sq mi), located between the mainland Tromsdalen (yellow area on the map above) and the big island Kvaloya (meaning Whale Island in English, blue area on the map above), where I live.

Bridges and tunnels connect Kvaloya Island, Tromso Island, and Tromsdalen; these three are considered Tromso City. It only takes about 15 minutes to drive from downtown Tromso to Kvaloya and 5 minutes from downtown to Tromsdalen.

It`s easy to get around Tromso by foot, bicycle, car, taxi, or bus. In downtown Tromso, everything is within walking distance. There are, however, no trains or underground in Tromso.

If you are planning on exploring the areas around Tromso, like Sommaroy Island (the purple area on the map above), Senja Island (the green area), and the Lyngen Alps (the black area), I recommend that you rent a car. Public transport is pretty limited once you get out of Tromso city.


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Please continue reading to learn more about our favorite areas and hotels in Tromso. We hope you find this guide useful when planning your stay in Tromso. Have a fantastic visit to Tromso! ♥

1. Downtown Tromso

Harbor Area – Tromso’s Best Hotels

The hotels in the Tromso harbor area are the best in Tromso, in my opinion. They all have a fantastic sea view, including Tromso Harbor, Tromso Bridge, Tromsdalstinden Mountain, the cable car, and Tromso’s most famous landmark – The Arctic Cathedral.

Top End

Clarion Hotel The Edge

The Edge (a 4-star hotel) is the closest you get to a luxury hotel in Tromso, as there are no luxury 5-star hotels in the city. When you ask us locals, “What is Tromsø’s best hotel?” most will answer The Edge. It has a central location right by the sea, just a short walk from downtown Tromso’s only shopping mall, Nerstranda.


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The Edge also has Tromsø’s only Skybar on the 11th floor with a spectacular panoramic view of Tromsø and the sea. The Skybar is very popular among the locals. We have dined several times at The Edge’s restaurant, The Social, and the food is excellent. We particularly like The Social Burger.

Just across the street from The Edge Hotel is the “Havneterminalen,” also known as “Prostneset” – the Port Of Tromsø. Here, you find shops, restaurants, Hertz and Europcar car rentals, and tourist information Visit Tromsø. The speed boats to Harstad, Finnsnes, and several other places in Northern Norway depart from here. Clarion Hotel The Edge is ranked no. 2 at TripAdvisor.

Click here for the latest prices and availability at The Edge Hotel

Scandic Ishavshotel


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Click here for the latest prices and availability at The Edge Hotel

Scandic Ishavshotel

The 4-star Scandic Ishavshotel has a great location right on the pier, and the building looks like a big ship, meaning that the rooms have an excellent view of the sea. They renovated all the rooms a few years back, so it`s all fresh and modern.

Ishavshotel is famous for its amazing breakfast, which has won the “Best Breakfast in Norway” award several times. The Hurtigruten anchors up just outside the hotel, so this is a convenient place to stay if you plan on taking the Hurtigruten.

The open space between Scandic Ishavshotel and Radisson Blu Hotel is the pickup place for many sightseeing tours in Tromsø. So, Scandic Ishavhotell is a convenient place to stay if you plan on booking and going on a guided tour, like a dog sledding tour, northern light tour, fjord cruise, or reindeer tour. Scandic Ishavshotel is ranked no. 3 on TripAdvisor.


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Click here for the latest prices and availability at the Scandic Ishavshotel

Clarion Collection Hotel With

Hotel With, as it is known locally, is a 4-star hotel with a perfect location right by Tromso Harbour. You get a beautiful view of the sea, the Arctic Cathedral, the Tromso Bridge, Tromsdalstinden mountain, and Fjellheisen by staying here.

You are right in the middle of everything if you stay at Hotel With, close to all the city’s restaurants and shops.


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An extra plus at this hotel is that you get free coffee/tea and Norwegian waffles with sour cream, jam, and brown cheese (Espen`s favorite!) in the afternoon (from 15 to 18 o`clock) and a free meal in the evening (from 18 to 21 o`clock). This makes Hotel With a good value for your money. Clarion Collection Hotel has been ranked no. 1 on TripAdvisor for years due to its freebies like complimentary breakfast, coffee/ tea all day, afternoon waffles, and evening dinner. I recommend getting a room facing the harbor, as the fantastic sea view is worth it.

Click here for the latest prices and availability at the Clarion Collection Hotel With

Clarion Collection Hotel Aurora

Next door to Clarion Collection Hotel With, you will find its sister hotel, Clarion Collection Hotel Aurora (a 4-star hotel). It is a newer hotel than With, with an excellent location right by the sea and a great harbor view.


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This hotel also has breakfast, free waffles in the afternoon, and an evening meal included in the price. As food is expensive in Tromso, staying at Hotel Aurora is a good deal. It is also one of the few downtown hotels with onsite parking.

The extra plus of this hotel is the rooftop jacuzzi and sauna! Here, you can relax in the evenings and watch the northern lights from the hot tub. An awesome experience if you ask me!

Click here for the latest prices and availability at the Clarion Collection Hotel Aurora

Around The Main Shopping Street Storgata – Budget Hotels With Central Location

The walking street Storgata runs right through the downtown of Tromso. The hotels in the streets around the main street, Storgata, are a bit cheaper than the ones by the harbor.

The hotels in this area don`t have the same spectacular views as the harbor hotels, but they are just as centrally located, and everything is still within easy walking distance.

Top End

Radisson Blu Hotel Tromso


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Top End

Radisson Blu Hotel Tromso

Radisson Blu Hotel is a big, modern 4-star hotel with a great location in the middle of everything. The hotel’s gem is the rooftop sauna on the 10th floor (free for all guests) overlooking the harbor. It is fantastic to relax and heat up here after a night out hunting for northern lights in the cold. There is a gym on the 10th floor. I used to work here on weekends when I studied Computer Science at the University of Tromso, so I know this hotel very well. 🙂

The hotel has a booking desk for information and booking of tours like dog sledding, reindeer trips, and northern light trips. Radisson Blu and the open space outside the hotel entrance is the pick-up place for many guided tours in and around Tromso. Radisson Blu Hotel was completely renovated in 2016, and its 269 rooms are all fresh with a modern, Scandinavian interior design.


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Radisson Blu is a popular conference hotel, often booked by the University of Tromso. It might get fully booked if they are the host of a big conference, so make sure to book this hotel early if you want to stay here.

This hotel owns and runs the popular pizza place Yonas Pizzeria (try their specialty Taco Pizza, my favorite!) and Norway’s most famous pub Rorbua. The popular Norwegian TV show “Du skal høre mye” was recorded at Rorbua Pub from 1987 until 2003. Rorbua has live music from Wednesday to Saturday. The pizza place and the pub are both located just next to the hotel.

Click here for the latest prices and availability at the Radisson Blu Hotel Tromso

Quality Hotel Saga

Known to us locals as the “Gold Hotel” due to its bright and shiny golden facade, the 4-star Quality Hotel Saga is one of the oldest hotels in Tromso. However, parts of the hotel are newly renovated, and that`s when they got their golden front.


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The 103 rooms are spacious, but some bathrooms could need a facelift. All bathrooms do have heated floors, however, which is nice.

The hotel is pet-friendly, and you get free coffee and tea throughout your stay and free waffles in the afternoon (from 15:00). Some rooms face the harbor and have a beautiful sea- and mountain view.

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Budget

Thon Hotel Tromsø & Thon Hotel Polar


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Click here for the latest prices

Budget

Thon Hotel Tromsø & Thon Hotel Polar

The Thon Hotel Tromsø and Thon Hotel Polar are similar 3-star hotels located across the street from each other. They have a central location just 100 m from Tromso’s main shopping street, Storgata. They serve excellent breakfasts with many choices, and Nespresso coffee machines are in all rooms and the lounge area. All rooms have a private bathroom and TV with a chrome cast. The rooms at both hotels are between 15 and 20 sqm. Pets are allowed at Thon Hotel Polar but not at Thon Hotel Tromsø. Thon Hotel Polar seems slightly more expensive than Thoel Hotel Tromsø, but it varies throughout the year. Otherwise, they are basically the same.

Click here for the latest prices and availability on the Thon Hotel Tromso

Click here for the latest prices and availability on the Thon Hotel Polar

Enter City Apartment Hotel


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Enter City Apartment Hotel

The 4-star Enter City Hotel is an apartment hotel with excellent value for your money! It has a central location just 100 m from Tromso’s shopping street, Storgata.

The rooms are well-equipped apartments (16 – 28 sqm) with a small kitchen, which is convenient for making breakfast, lunch, or even dinner. That way, you can save some money by shopping at one of the nearby supermarkets and cooking your own food. You get tea and coffee for free at the hotel.

The price includes no breakfast since all rooms have a small kitchen, but you can buy breakfast at one of their sister hotels nearby. All rooms have a private bathroom with a heated floor.

The hotel has a laundry room (washing machines and dryers) that the guests can use for free. Very handy as dry cleaning is expensive, and there are no other options in town if you want to get your clothes washed. The Superior Twin Rooms (28 sqm) can house up to four people and have a dishwasher in the kitchen.


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Click here for the latest prices

Comfort Hotel Xpress Tromso

Comfort Hotel Xpress is a budget 3-star hotel with an excellent and central location in Grønnegata, adjacent to the city’s shopping street, Storgata. It is probably the cheapest hotel in Tromso, with prices around US$ 70 for two adults if you book well ahead.

The hotel rooms are clean, modern, and cozy but a bit small (12 – 14 sqm). If you are out all day on tours and sightseeing, then the tiny rooms will not be a problem. All rooms have a private bathroom with a heated floor and a TV.

There is no daily housekeeping service. They clean the rooms every fourth day, but you can pay extra if you want it cleaned daily. The hotel has no restaurant, but it is very close to all of Tromso’s restaurants and cafes.

You can buy snacks and drinks from the lobby shop, which is open 24-7. Another highlight of this hotel is the washing room (with washers and dryers), where you can do your laundry (very convenient).


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You can buy breakfast at the hotel (sandwiches, juice, tea, and coffee). Unfortunately, there is no kettle in the rooms, but hot water is available in the lobby free of charge all day and night.

Click here for the latest prices and availability on the Comfort Hotel Xpress Tromso

Vervet – Tromso’s Newest & Hippest Area

The newest and hippest area in downtown Tromso is Vervet. There used to be an old shipyard here, but over the last few years, this harbor area of town (next to the Tromso Bridge) has been completely renovated and constructed into a hip area of apartment buildings, restaurants, bars, and a bakery. Vervet is often compared to Oslo’s Aker Brygge.

Here, you find my favorite Tromso restaurant, Maskinverkstedet, and my favorite cafe in Tromso, Vervet Bakery. I l-o-v-e their cinnamon buns (a must-try!) and macarons.

Delicious macarons at Vervet Bakery Vervet Bakery makes Tromso's best cinnamon buns


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Delicious macarons at Vervet Bakery Vervet Bakery makes Tromso's best cinnamon buns

The views from Vervet are also spectacular and well worth a visit, even if you don’t plan on staying here.

At Vervet, you also find some of Tromso’s biggest tourist attractions, like Skansen Fort and the Polar Museum. And since it is just next to Tromso Bridge, you can easily walk over the bridge to the Arctic Cathedral and the Cable Car.

Scandic is building the biggest hotel in Northern Norway at Vervet – Scandic Vervet Tromsø Hotel. It will have 305 rooms and plans to open in 2025.

TA Apartments Vervet

Total Apartments (TA) rents out apartments at the brand-new apartment building at Vervet, both short-term and long-term. The apartments have a high standard, a fully equipped kitchen (including a dishwasher, oven, coffee machine, and fridge), a private bathroom (with a washing machine and dryer), a TV, and a seating area. All apartments have a balcony.


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There is a rooftop terrace at the top of the building, with a garden. Private parking in the basement parking lot (perfect if you plan on renting a car). I love the modern interior design of the apartments and the fabulous sea-, city-, and mountain views. They have two types of apartments for rent:

TA Vervet Gjøa – Has a minimum length of stay of 2 nights. One-bedroom apartments (42 sqm, up to four people) and two-bedroom apartments (52 sqm, up to five people).

Click here for the latest prices and availability on TA Vervet Gjøa

TA Vervet Fram – Two-bedroom apartments (50 or 60 sqm, up to four people) and three-bedroom apartments (80 sqm, up to six people). Some of these apartments have a fantastic sea view and a fireplace. Fun fact: “Fram” is the name of the ship that the Norwegian explorers Fridtjof Nansen, Otto Sverdrup, Oscar Wisting, and Roald Amundsen used to explore the Arctic and Antarctica in 1893 – 1912. You can see the Fram ship at the Fram Museum in Oslo.


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Click here for the latest prices and availability on TA Vervet Fram

2. Tromso Island

Enter St. Elisabeth Suites

This 4-star hotel is one of Tromso’s newest (opened at the end of 2022) and is located a 10-minute walk south of Tromso’s shopping and restaurant area. This is an apartment hotel, and the apartments are beautiful, with a fully-equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, dining area, TV, and a private bathroom with a heated floor. The hotel serves breakfast (cost extra) and has a fitness room and a terrace with a spectacular 360-degree view of Tromso. The hotel will open a spa (with a pool) at the end of 2023. There is a big private parking lot right outside the hotel. The stylish apartments are quite big (35 sqm) and can house up to four people. Some apartments have a fabulous sea view. There is a washing machine in some apartments as well.

Click here for the latest prices and availability on the Enter St Elisabeth Suites

Moxy Tromso


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Click here for the latest prices and availability on the Enter St Elisabeth Suites

Moxy Tromso

Tromso’s newest hotel star is Moxy Tromso (opened in April 2023), located close to Tromso airport. It is a 10-minute drive from downtown Tromso, within walking distance to Tromso’s biggest shopping mall, Jekta. Moxy Tromso is Marriott Bonvoy’s northernmost hotel.

The highlight of Moxy Tromso is its view! The reception, Sky bar, and restaurant are on the top floor with floor-to-ceiling windows and a spectacular view of the sea and mountains on Kvaloya Island. Checking in here gives you the best welcome to Tromso ever.


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The 208 rooms are all 18 sqm, so they are not the biggest, but they are smartly furnished to maximize the space and have all the amenities needed. The rooms facing south have spectacular views of the sea and mountains. All rooms have air-con, a 55-inch TV, and a private bathroom with a heated floor. I love the modern, Scandinavian-style interior design. Pets are allowed, and the hotel has a fitness room and a big parking lot right outside (convenient if you plan on renting a car). The breakfast is served in the top-floor restaurant where you can eat and enjoy the fantastic sea- and mountain view. The rooms have blinds on the windows so you can get a good sleep during the summer (with the Midnight Sun), and are soundproof so you will not hear the planes taking off/ landing at the nearby airport.

Click here for the latest prices and availability on the Moxy Tromso

3. Tromsdalen (Mainland)

♦ Best Place to Stay On A Budget


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3. Tromsdalen (Mainland)

♦ Best Place to Stay On A Budget

Tromsdalen is on the mainland of Tromso and is only a 15-minute walk over the bridge from downtown Tromso. It is a nice and quiet residential area to stay in, with mainly private homes. The accommodations in Tromsdalen are generally cheaper than in downtown Tromsø and are a great place to stay for budget travelers.

Tromsdalen houses some of Tromso’s most famous landmarks – The Arctic Cathedral and the Cable Car up to Floya Mountain, a few restaurants (like Alegro Pizza), a shopping mall (Pyramiden), and Tromso Alpine Center.

Tromso Lodge & Camping


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Tromso Lodge & Camping

Tromso Camping is a good value for your money. Here, you can stay in cozy modern cottages, all with beds, a seating area, and a TV. The cabins have either shared or private bathrooms. They all have a small patio, and some have a kitchen. There is also a kitchen in the main building that everyone can use. Free parking and WIFI. You get access to a sauna and a bar, and a football field is right by the camping.

This place is beautifully located in Tromsdalen (mainland) by the Tromsdal River, a five-minute drive from downtown Tromso. From here, you can easily step out for a hike or walk in the beautiful nature or hike up to Floya or Tromsdalstinden mountain. Kroken Alpine Center is also close by.


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There are no restaurants nearby, but the bus stop is a 10-minute walk away and there is a supermarket 20 minutes walk from Tromso Camping. It is close to the Arctic Cathedral. Tromso Camping is located in a quiet area, and it`s the perfect place to watch the Northern Lights.

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Tromsø City Apartments


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Click here for the latest prices

Tromsø City Apartments

Located only a short walk from the Arctic Cathedral (less than 1 km), Tromsø City Apartments offers fresh and newly renovated one-bedroom apartments (can house up to three people). Each apartment has its own kitchen (with a dining area), a living room (with a sofa), a private bathroom, plus access to a patio and a lovely garden. You can go cross-country skiing in the tracks (“lysløypa”) close to the apartments. I love the fresh and modern design of the apartments; the large windows and the interior wood make it feel very homey and cabin-like. You can easily walk into downtown Tromso (a 20-minute walk) or take the bus (the bus stop is only a 5-minute walk away). Free parking.

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Arctic Villa In Tromsø


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Arctic Villa In Tromsø

Here, you can stay in one of Tromso’s oldest and most stunning villas. You have a fantastic view over the city and the fjord from the lovely garden and balcony of the house. You can choose between a big three-bedroom apartment (up to six people) and a smaller one-bedroom apartment. Each apartment has a kitchen, a private bathroom, and a living room (with a sofa). The cable car is just behind the house. Free parking. Barbecue facilities in the big garden that surrounds the house.

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Aera Panorama Glass Lodge


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Aera Panorama Glass Lodge

Aera is probably the most unique place to stay in Tromso. Here, you get to stay in brand-new (opened in August 2023) and super cool cabins with a glass front (floor-to-ceiling windows on all walls and a glass roof!). The 360-degree view is spectacular, and I can imagine how awesome it must be to lay in bed watching the Northern Lights, sea, and mountains from the warm and cozy bed! It can hardly get any better! However, not all cabins have a 360-degree glass front, so be aware when you book. The cabins are 18 – 30 sqm in size (some with a separate bedroom) and have a well-equipped kitchen and a private bathroom. The cabins are a part of Skittenelv Camping and is the only accommodation in Tromso with a swimming pool (outdoor and only open in summer). Skittenelv Camping has a restaurant and bar and free parking. Breakfast is included. It takes about 30 minutes to drive from downtown Tromso to Aera Panorama Glass Lodge one way.


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Click here for the latest prices and availability at the Aera Panorama Glass Lodge

4. Kvaloya (Whale Island)

♦ Best Accommodation In Tromso For Northern Lights

Kvaloya, where I`m from, is a big, beautiful island located next to Tromsoya (downtown Tromso). It is connected to Tromso Island by a bridge located next to the airport. It takes about 15 min to drive from downtown Tromso to Kvaloya, and you can easily get there by bus.

Kvaloya is the perfect place to enjoy nature and go hiking, skiing, fishing, Northern Lights watching, dog sledding, whale watching, kayaking, and snowshoeing.

Kvaloya has some of the best mountains in Tromso for hiking, climbing, and off-piste skiing and snowboarding, with the area Kattfjordeidet as my favorite and the place with the most spectacular mountains.

Kvaloya is also the best area to watch the Northern Lights, with Kattfjordeidet and Ersfjord being my favorite places, as there are few artificial lights there.

Yggdrasil Farmhotel Retreat & Spa


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Yggdrasil Farmhotel Retreat & Spa

This beautiful accommodation is located on a farm on Bakkejord on Kvaloya, a one-hour drive from downtown Tromso. It is run by the super friendly couple Eivind and Maria and is surrounded by sea, fjord, and mountains. It is an excellent place for hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, and Northern Lights watching.

You can enjoy a real Norweigan outdoor jacuzzi, a sauna, go for a boat trip on the fjord with the owner Eivind, or rent skis here.

A delicious breakfast is included in the price, and you can have dinner (delicious home-cooked Norwegian dinner made by the owner Maria) here. There are free WIFI and parking on site.

You stay in cozy cabins, where some have a private bathroom and some shared bathroom. You can use the shared kitchen and lounge with a stunning view over the fjord. And if you like animals, you can help out feeding the farm’s chickens, say hello to the goats, sheep, and horses, or play with the dogs, cats, and rabbits.


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This is pretty remote, so expect to have complete silence when you sleep and wake up. The only thing you can hear is the ocean and the animals on the farm.

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Ersfjordbotn Brygge

Located in the beautiful fjord Ersfjord on Kvaloya (a 30 min drive from downtown Tromso), Ersfjordbotn Brygge is a great place to stay if you want to get out of town, see the Northern Lights, have some peace and quiet, and be in one with nature. It is right by the fjord with spectacular views of Ersfjord and its surrounding mountains.

All apartments have a private bathroom, a sitting and/or dining area, and a kitchen. The apartments are quite big (67 sqm), and have two bedrooms that can sleep up to five people. All apartments have a balcony with fantastic views over the fjord. There is free WI-FI in all units and free parking on site.


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Ersfjordbotn Brygge offers a transport service to the airport, city center, and supermarket, or you can take the bus out here, but having a rental car is more convenient. You have to bring your own food, but the kitchen is well equipped, and on your way out to Ersfjord you pass the best supermarket in Tromso – Eide Handel where you will find all the food you need and did not know that you needed. 🙂 The supermarkets are, however, closed on Sundays in Norway.

Ersfjord is one of the most popular and beautiful fjords around Tromso and is a trendy area for Northern Lights photography. Ersfjord also has a famous and popular cafe, Bryggejentene, which is open every day except Sundays.

Ersfjord is also an excellent place for hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing, and you can hike several mountains like the Nattmålstiden/Klokka Ti mountain and Buren from here. Pets are allowed, and there is a washing room (with washing machines and dryers). They only accept at least 2-night bookings.


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Vengsøy Rorbuer

Vengsøy Rorbuer is not on Kvaloya Island but on a small island outside of Kvaloya called Vengsoy Island, a short 30-min ferry trip from Belvik on Kvaloya Island. The ferry trip is stunning; you can see fjords and small islands.

The fishermen’s cabins (called rorbuer in Norwegian) at Vengsøy Rorbuer are beautifully located by the sea with a fantastic fjord and mountain view. The cabins have three bedrooms (can house up to six people), a fully-equipped kitchen, a private bathroom, and a patio right on the pier. It is the perfect place to watch the Northern Lights. You can rent a boat or have a dip in the hot tub. A grocery store is right across the road from the cabins, which is very convenient. Vengsøy Rorbu Hotel is owned and managed by the lovely Maria, the sweetest and most friendly host.

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5. Sommaroy (Summer Island)

A 1-hour drive from Tromso city


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5. Sommaroy (Summer Island)

A 1-hour drive from Tromso city

Outside of Kvaloya is a small island called Sommaroy (Summer Island). It is connected to Kvaloya by a bridge and is a 1-hour drive from downtown Tromso.

Sommaroy is a small fishing community with houses, cabins, a church, a school, a kindergarten, and a nice hotel – the Sommaroy Arctic Hotel.

Sommaroy is my favorite place to visit when I want to get out of the city and feel the sea air in my hair, especially during summertime, as it has some beautiful beaches and stunning sea views. Many people come to Sommaroy for a picnic or an overnight tent trip. From here, you can watch as The Midnight Sun hovers just above the waterline yet never quite sets into the ocean. It is the best place to see the Midnight Sun in Tromso, and we make sure to come here at least one time each summer.

There are also several outstanding hiking options in the area.


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There are also several outstanding hiking options in the area.

During the winter (September – April), Sommaroy Island is a great place to watch the northern lights as the light pollution is much less than in the city.

Stop at the excellent grocery shop & cafe Eide Handel on your way out to Sommaroy. Buy some of their delicious and famous sausages, “Eidepølsa” and have a barbecue on the beach at Sommaroy.

Sommaroy Arctic Hotel

Sommaroy Arctic Hotel is the perfect place to stay if you want to have a modern and comfortable stay with the service of a hotel while having peace and quiet, and being in one with nature. Sommaroy Arctic Hotel is located on the beautiful small island of Sommaroy just outside of Kvaloya (a 1-hour drive from downtown Tromso).

This hotel offers standard hotel rooms, apartments, and cabins (Rorbue) right by the sea and beach. The cabins have several bedrooms and can house a big family or group of friends.


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Part of the hotel is newly refurbished and has excellent sea views. All rooms and apartments have a private bathroom.

The hotel has a restaurant where you can have delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and you can enjoy a wood-fired sauna and an outdoor hot tub where you can enjoy the Northern Lights (if you are lucky) or the Midnight Sun.

You can book many activities at the hotel, like a fjord boat trip, whale safari, and kayak trip. The hotel is perfect as a base for outdoor activities like hiking, and you can hike both Ørnfløya and Hillesøy Mountain from here.

The hotel is popular for conferences and workshops, and I have stayed here several times when I worked at the University of Tromso.

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6. The Lyngen Alps

A 1,5-hour drive from Tromso city


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6. The Lyngen Alps

A 1,5-hour drive from Tromso city

Lyngen, with its peaky mountains that go straight down into the fjord, is a breathtaking area north of Tromso, about an hour and a half from downtown Tromso by car and ferry. Lyngen is excellent for hiking, ice climbing, glacier trekking, skiing, kayaking, fishing, and mountain or road biking.

We drive through the Lyngen Alps on our way to our family cabin in Kvaenangen, and I love this Arctic and alpine landscape.

To get to The Lyngen Alps, drive from Tromso to Breivikeidet (a 1-hour car ride). Take the ferry from Breivikeidet to Svendsby in Lyngen (the ferry trip takes 20 min). Taking the ferry is well worth the trip in itself as it is a beautiful ferry trip across a fjord with a fantastic view of the Lyngen Alps and its breathtaking mountain and fjord landscape.


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From Svendsby, you can drive through Lyngen to Lyngseidet and take another ferry from Lyngseidet to Olderdalen. From Olderdalen, you can drive back to Tromso. The drive from Olderdalen back to Tromso City takes about 2,5 hours (without taking any ferry).

You can find the full driving route Tromso City – Breivikeidet – Lyngseidet – Olderdalen – Tromso City (about 5 hours in total), including the two ferries, here (Google Maps).

Aurora Fjord Cabins

Located just next to the famous Bivrost Spirits and Whisky Distillery, the Aurora Fjord Cabins are beautifully located at the seashore. The ten mini houses all have a spectacular view of the fjord and mountains. Here you really get to enjoy nature, go hiking, and skiing, or sit in the outdoor hot tub watching the Northern Lights or Midnight Sun. I love the floor-to-ceiling windows, and that all cabins have a fully equipped kitchen. The cabins are quite big (25 sqm), and have one bedroom, living room, private bathroom, and a kitchen.


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Click here for the latest prices and availability on the Aurora Fjord Cabins

XLyngen

The red, cozy, and modern fishermen’s cabins (called rorbuer in Norwegian) at XLyngen are perfectly located right by the sea in Nord-Lenangen in the Lyngen Alps. Here, you stay in apartments with a fully-equipped private kitchen, free wifi, flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom. All cabins have excellent fjord views. A bonus is a sauna and hot tub on the pier, perfect for watching the Northern Lights or enjoying the Midnight Sun. You can also rent a boat here to go fishing or head out on the fjord for a boat trip. It is a great place to stay to hike the Lyngen Alps (like the popular Blue Ice Water or “Blåisvannet” in Norwegian).

Click here for the latest prices

Koppangen Brygger


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Click here for the latest prices

Koppangen Brygger

The new and modern Koppangen Brygger is located right by the fjord and seaside, a 20-minute drive from the Lyngseidet town center (with shops). Here, you get to stay in comfortable and modern rooms with amazing views of the fjord and mountains of the Lyngen Alps. It is the perfect place to view the Northern Lights as there is no light pollution here.

You can choose between apartments (2, 3, or 4 bedrooms) perfect for families or a group of friends or double rooms. Each room/ apartment has free WIFI, a private bathroom with a shower, a TV, and a patio to sit outside and enjoy the spectacular views. You get access to a fully equipped kitchen, including a dishwasher and a microwave. Koppangen Brygger also has a hot tub that you can use for free as much as you want, as well as barbecue facilities, meeting rooms, ski storage, and ski equipment hire. You get free parking.


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You can hardly stay any closer to nature than at Koppangen Brygger. This is the perfect place to stay if you want to go fishing, skiing, mountain hiking, or biking.

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Farmstay At Solheim Fritidsgård

If you love animals and nature and have always dreamt of staying at a farm, then Solheim Fritidsgård is the place to stay! It is located on Svendsby, close to where the ferry from Breivikeidet arrives and is beautifully located by the sea and in between mountains.

The units have a fully equipped kitchen, laundry facilities, dining area, and a terrace. The farm owners can organize a dog sledding or snowmobile trip for you. You can also say hi to the cow, take the dog for a walk, or try fresh cow milk.

Click here for the latest prices

7. Senja Island

A 3-hour drive from Tromso city


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7. Senja Island

A 3-hour drive from Tromso city

Another popular area to visit and stay close to Tromso is Senja Island (a 3-hour drive from Tromso). Senja is a beautiful island with stunning nature, beaches, fjords, and mountains. It is the perfect place to see the Northern Lights and the Midnight Sun.

You can drive there either by the road inland or out to Sommaroy and take the ferry to Senja (Botnhamn) from Brensholmen. The ferry now runs the whole year round. You can find the driving route from Tromso Center to Senja Island here (Google Maps).

Hamn i Senja

The drive from downtown Tromso to the hotel Hamn i Senja takes about 3 hours and is breathtaking! You drive through a beautiful landscape of fjords, mountains, and islands.


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Hamn i Senja is my favorite place to stay on Senja. The property is stunning, modern, and well-maintained. Here you can stay in apartments (two or three bedrooms) and rooms (double, twin or triple room), with great views over the sea and fjord. All rooms have a private bathroom.

You get free WIFI and free parking. They also have a great restaurant, bar, and a nice gift shop. This hotel is excellent for outdoor activities, like hiking, fishing, skiing, kayaking, and snowshoeing, and you can rent a bicycle at the hotel and explore Senja Island yourself. The hotel arranges many different tours for their guests.

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Aurora Borealis Observatory

The Aurora Borealis Observatory is an accommodation in Silsand on Senja Island (a 10-minute drive from Finnsnes town). It is a fantastic place to see the Northern Lights as there is hardly any artificial lightning in the area. They have an impressive Instagram account with a huge amount of followers.


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Here, you can go skiing (they have skis for rent), snowshoeing, or hiking in the summer, and enjoy the fantastic hot spring bath (while hopefully seeing the Northern Lights). All apartments have a kitchen, seating area, dining area, and a private bathroom. Some have a patio. You can choose between different-sized apartments/ cabins. The biggest villa has three bedrooms and can house up to six people.

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Unique Places To Stay In Tromso

Tromso Ice Domes

Spending a night at the amazing Tromso Ice Domes Hotel will surely be a night to remember! This is probably the most unique Arctic accommodation ever! The entire hotel is made of ice, even the bar, hotel rooms, and restaurant. How cool is that?! 🙂


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Included in this overnight stay is the transport from and back to Tromso (a 75 beautiful drive each way through a mountain and fjord landscape), a guide for your entire stay, a guided snowshoeing/ Northern Lights trip in the evening, dinner cooked on an open fire, a non-alcoholic drink in the super cool ice bar, breakfast the next morning, and all the warm clothes and equipment that will make this a comfortable and fun experience.


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You will get picked up in downtown Tromso at 17:00/ 5 pm and will arrive at the Ice Domes Hotel at 18:30/ 6:30 pm where you will be greeted by your personal guide, who will help you through your entire stay. At night, you will be sleeping on a real, normal, and comfortable mattress (not of ice or snow) covered in reindeer skin. So warm and comfortable! So don´t worry, you will not freeze to death during the night! It is actually quite warm inside the ice rooms. You will head out on a nice evening snowshoe walk with a guide where you can see the Northern Lights (if the sky is clear).


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The next morning, after a warm and comfortable night, you will be served a delicious breakfast at 09:00. You can then go for a snowshoe walk in the beautiful surroundings of the mountains, and join a dog sledding, snowmobile, or reindeer sledding/ feeding tour. You will be transferred back to downtown Tromso by bus and back in the city by 15:30/ 3:30 pm. This is a unique and memorable winter wonderland adventure that you will never forget!

Click here for information and the latest prices on an overnight stay at Tromso Ice Domes Hotel

Overnight Dogsledding Tour

I love dog sledding! The feeling of silently gliding through the stunning landscape of mountains and fjords that surround Tromso, pulled by huskies, is a fantastic experience! I highly recommend that you go on a dogsledding trip as it is great fun! You can, of course, do it as a day trip or an evening Northern Lights tour.


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But you will have an even more adventurous wildlife experience if you do this 2-day overnight Aurora Camp, which includes dog sledding. Transportation, all food and drinks, and the overnight stay are included.

Overnight Fjord Kayaking Tour

A big part of Tromso is the sea and islands, as Tromso city consists of several big and small islands. To truly experience this city by the sea, you should head out to the fjords and experience the landscape and wildlife at sea.

Kayaking is a great way to experience Tromso’s fjord and island landscape and has become extremely popular among tourists and locals.

You can, of course, go on a Kayaking day trip, but it is even more fun and rewarding also to spend the night at a remote island. You can choose a two or three-day tour to experience the islands north of Tromso city, to the nature reserves island called Rebbenesøya.


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You will sleep in a comfortable and warm Yurt (a portable, round tent covered with skins or felt) on a remote island with no roads. If you are lucky, you can even sleep under the Northern Lights. During the kayaking trip, you will see Arctic sea animals like white-tailed eagles, otters, seals – even dolphins pass the camp occasionally.

Although Tromso is a relatively small city, it has many accommodation options, everything from hotels and hostels to private homes, apartments, glass domes, ice domes, tents, and Norwegian rorbuer/ cabins.

People who visit Tromso also tend to want to see the surroundings of Tromso and get out into the arctic nature to see the Northern Lights or the Midnight Sun. It can be nice to spend a night or two in the remote parts of Tromso, like Kvaloya, Sommaroy, Senja, or Lyngen. I, therefore, think it`s best to rent a car, although there are bus and boat options as well.


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There is plenty to see and do in Tromso City itself, so if you only have a couple of days or a weekend in Tromso, you should choose accommodation in the downtown of Tromso. You will have more than enough activities to choose from by staying in Tromso city itself.

Since it`s pretty cold in Tromso year-round, you should pack a little differently than on your usual city trip to a city in further south Europe.

Hopefully, you now know a little bit more about Tromso, its areas and surroundings, and what accommodations Tromso has to offer, and it has become easier for you to decide where to stay in Tromso. Good luck, and have a wonderful stay in the capital of Northern Norway, Tromso – The Paris Of The North and The Gateway To The Arctic! 🙂

PIN IT FOR LATER!

Hover over the picture below and press the red “Save” button to Pin:


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PIN IT FOR LATER!

Hover over the picture below and press the red “Save” button to Pin:

Have you been to Tromso, or are you planning a trip to Tromso? What is important to you when searching for Tromso accommodation? Do you prefer to stay in downtown Tromso, or stay outside the city? Please leave a comment in the comment area below! We`d love to hear from you! If you like this article and find it useful, please share it on social media. Thank you! 🙂Link: https://www.visitsingapore.com/editorials/whisky

bars/

Title: Whisky bars in Singapore

Sip on it neat, on the rocks or shaken up as a cocktail—despite whisky’s intimidating reputation, there’s no wrong way to drink it.

The city counts the spirit as one of its favourites, even hosting Whisky Live, the region’s premier whisky event that houses over 100 renowned labels under one roof. This weekend-long affair is packed with experiences, rare bottles and cocktails whisky buffs will enjoy.


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Even if you’re not in town for the occasion, these five whisky bars will do the trick. Here’s a tip for our sweltering weather: order a highball, which is whisky mixed with soda water and served with ice.

La Maison du Whisky


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La Maison du Whisky

For whiskies the world over Escape the roaring crowds of Robertson Quay when you duck into this quaint and idyllic space dominated by shelves upon shelves of bottles. Rest assured, though, because La Maison du Whisky is not your average masculine, leather-bound whisky bar. Its mission is to make the spirit accessible to all. It does so by keeping prices affordable—a bottle of single-malt Kavalan, made at the award-winning Taiwanese distillery, won’t cost you an arm and a leg—and by representing the many whisky-producing regions of the world. Hundreds of expressions from Ireland, Japan, the US, England, the Czech Republic and, of course, Scotland can be sampled from the comfort of its long bar. La Maison du Whisky also stocks other craft spirits (quinoa vodka, anyone?) if you’re looking to switch things up while you’re there. The Pier@Robertson Quay. 80 Mohammed Sultan Road #01-10, Singapore 239013. +65 6733 0059.


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Mon-Thu 6pm-1am; Fri & Sat 6pm-2am; Sun 6pm-midnight.

The Whisky Distillery

For the ultimate Scotch experience

This new establishment at the Downtown Gallery treats you to its growing collection of over 200 whiskies sourced from across Scotland. Become a more discerning imbiber by attending The Whisky Distillery’s specialised tasting sessions and private events. You’re also welcome to simply walk in and tell their whisky experts what whisky characteristics are your favourite, so that they can introduce you to a dram or two that you’ll get along swimmingly with.

Downtown Gallery. 6A Shenton Way #01-11 Downtown Gallery, Singapore 068815. +65 9818 4287.

Mon

Fri 11am

8pm, Sat 11am

4pm.

The Single Cask

For a laid

back experience


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Mon

Fri 11am

8pm, Sat 11am

4pm.

The Single Cask

For a laid

back experience

“Small-batch”, “bespoke” and “welcoming” are the calling cards of The Single Cask at CHIJMES, an enclave of restaurants and bars set against grand, colonial-era architecture. But where The Single Cask lacks in size (it only seats up to 25), it makes up for in hospitality—and, of course, the 350 expressions of whisky and other spirits, mostly cult favourites, that rack its walls.

If you’re unfamiliar with the many types of the nectar on offer, suss out the bar manager and he’ll pick you a poison based on your preferences—if you like sweet, spicy or smoky flavours, for instance—and pair it with a chocolate, too. Like what you’re tasting? Then ask for the whisky stirred into a cocktail, like an Old Fashioned or Whisky Sour. At this fuss-free bar, no one will frown upon your choice.

CHIJMES Caldwell House. 30 Victoria Street, Caldwell House #01-25, Singapore 187996. +65 6837 0953.

Mon

Sat 5pm

midnight.


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For a deeper understanding of dram Imagine a grand old private library. Smell its leather and mahogany as low lights cast a glow upon handsome Chesterfield sofas. Now, swap all the books with bottles of whisky—that’s the vibe of this local whisky institution. The Auld Alliance is one of the city’s oldest whisky bars, and, with more than a thousand expressions on offer, the most comprehensive. There are limited editions, rare labels, classic Scotches, bottlings from up-and-coming distilleries… you can even sample an 1863 vintage if you—and your wallet—are up for it. So it comes as no surprise that the tome-like menu can be daunting, especially if you’re a budding connoisseur. Thankfully, the chirpy and knowledgeable staff are on hand to soften the perceived stuffiness of the bar and recommend you a tipple to start with (prices available in store). Otherwise, you can always embark on a flight of whisky or whiskey (that’s an assortment of 15-millilitre pours) to get a feel for the spirit


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of whisky or whiskey (that’s an assortment of 15-millilitre pours) to get a feel for the spirit while soaking in the golden atmosphere. RendezVous Hotel Gallery. 9 Bras Basah Road #02-02A, Singapore 189559. +65 6337 2201.


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Mon-Thu 5pm-1am; Fri & Sat 5pm-2am; Sun 5pm-midnight.

The Grande Whisky CollectionLink: https://www.visitsingapore.com/editorials/gpss

visit

singapore/

Title: Why GPSS is the best time to visit Singapore

No other circuit on the FORMULA 1 calendar can boast an experience like Singapore’s. It is the sport’s first night race, whose sharp twists and turns have witnessed sparks, collisions, crashes and everything in-between. With the race held in the heart of the city, drivers and fans will have a sparkling skyline as a backdrop to the adrenaline-fuelled action.

But there is so much more to the FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX than the race itself. The Grand Prix Season Singapore (GPSS) sees the city transform into a hotbed of parties, shopping experiences, feasts, festivals and more—all within a quick walk or subway ride from the racetrack. Here’s why the GPSS is the best time to visit Singapore.

Parties get the city grooving deep into the night


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Parties get the city grooving deep into the night

After the roar of engines quietens for the night, Singapore dances to another beat. Clubs in the city centre, such as Empire, 1-Altitude and Zouk, put on wild post-race parties with local and international DJs that get the dance floors bumping and grinding. If there are two after-parties you should check out, make them Amber Lounge and The Podium Lounge—they’re extravagant affairs that are attended by celebrities, FORMULA 1 drivers and other A-listers. Close to the race circuit, you’ll find the Marina Bay enclaves of entertainment offerings. Hit up Zero Latency for some immersive virtual reality quest, Bang Bang to party the night away, and Sunshine Nation to treat yourself to a day of good vibes at its iconic rooftop. These places hold promotions for race ticket holders too.

You will never go hungry


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You will never go hungry

Have a case of the midnight munchies after hours of dancing? The late-night supper spots in Singapore will sort you out. Restaurants like Tim Ho Wan (Lavender Aperia) and 2am:dessertbar dish out bite-sized Chinese snacks and classy sweet treats, respectively. There are also many hawker centres, such as Newton Food Centre and Lau Pa Sat, that remain open until the wee hours—go for your fill of local fare such as satay (grilled skewered meat) and sambal (spicy chilli paste) stingray. You can even head to these hawker centres for a traditional breakfast of kaya (a traditional jam made from coconut and eggs) toast and a strong kopi-o (local black coffee).

World-renowned entertainment acts set the city alight


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World-renowned entertainment acts set the city alight

Queen, Maroon 5 and Kylie Minogue were just three of the dozens of internationally acclaimed music acts who took to the stage at previous GPSS editions. Held within the circuit park, on the Padang, these nightly show-stopping gigs are worth the FORMULA 1 ticket price alone.

You can shop to your heart’s content

Shuttle from racetrack to art gallery in a heartbeat

The grand colonial buildings you see drivers screaming past on the circuit are certainly worth a deeper visit—they are Singapore’s foremost museums and galleries. The National Gallery Singapore boasts the world’s largest public collection of Southeast Asian art, while the Asian Civilisations Museum along the Singapore River is home to hundreds of ancient artefacts from across Asia. Even the Singapore Art Museum, the Peranakan Museum and National Museum of Singapore are a short stroll away from the racetrack.

Singapore’s diversity is in full bloom


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Singapore’s diversity is in full bloom

The Hindu festival of Deepavali and the Mid-Autumn Festival, a Chinese celebration, are just around the corner from GPSS. But the streets will come alive in revelry during the season itself. The former sets Little India awash in colour and lights, while the latter sees lanterns, folk performances and a bazaar descend upon Chinatown. Diversity on the island goes beyond culture, too. Looming over the vivid flora of Gardens by the Bay are the shiny skyscrapers of the Central Business District, with the racetrack itself at their feet.

Even Bernie Ecclestone, the man behind FORMULA 1 for 40 years, dubs Singapore the “crown jewel” of the sport. But it isn’t only because of the race. The entire city teems with music, parties, food and good cheer during GPSS—that’s why it’s the best time to come and experience the best that Singapore has to offer.Link: https://nerdnomads.com/pancakes

in

tokyo

Title: Why Is Tokyo Crazy About Pancakes?!


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in

tokyo

Title: Why Is Tokyo Crazy About Pancakes?!

Finally, after almost two hours wait the perfectly fluffy light brownish stack of pancakes sits in front of me on the table. It is beautifully decorated covered with yellow passionfruit sauce and sparkled with a dash of cream and fresh blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and peeled orange.

I cut a piece of it and put it in my mouth. It melts on my tongue and tastes delicious with its perfect combination of sweet and slightly sour flavor from the passionfruit sauce and fresh berries. Yummy! 🙂

While in Tokyo we did something I never thought we would ever do; we queued for over an hour just for a plate of pancakes!! Yep, PANCAKES! 🙂

I know it sounds stupid, but the Tokyoites are crazy for pancakes and there are long queues outside the most popular pancake places every day. We were looking for a place to eat breakfast in Tokyo and ended up at one of the many pancake places in Tokyo.


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This Tokyo pancake craziness started about four years ago when the first of Tokyo incarnation of the popular Hawaiian breakfast spot opened. Since then a pancake boom has swept the Japan capital in a tide of batter and maple syrup.

You will find these pancakes cafes/restaurants all over Tokyo, especially in the Shibuya area, and a walk down the Avenue between Harajuku and Omotesando stations is like stepping from queue to queue of drooling shoppers eager to get a taste of the latest culinary pancake experience.

If pancakes are not your thing, you can always join the long lines outside the gourmet popcorn shops Garrett and KuKuRuZa, or wait forever in the queue outside Max Brenner for a chance to taste their famous chocolate fondue. Mmmmm, plenty of good stuff to choose from! 🙂

Why Tokyo Pancake Mania?


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Why Tokyo Pancake Mania?

But how did Tokyoites manage to become so crazy about a dish that is so, well, unremarkable like pancakes?! How does a stack of pancakes get people to queue for hours outside in the burning hot sun during summer and freezing cold wind and rain during winter?! It sure is a mystery!

Apparently, pancakes were not the first imported dish to drive Tokyoites wild. Back in the 80s, the big thing was crepes, and it was all about the cloying, cream-clogged creations from the shop Marion Crepes in Harajuku.

The people waiting for hours outside the most popular and fancy pancake restaurants might be there to satisfy their pancake craving, however according to Tomomi Nakagawa (a writer with a background in food and drink PR, interviewed in the TimeOut magazine) it has just as much to do with the ritual and the feeling that they are up to date with the latest trends.


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The young fashionable Tokyoites are genuinely obsessed by the latest trends, both when it comes to clothes, accessories, and gadgets, but also food. They want to participate in the hottest and latest trends, and be where it “happens”.

Urban atmosphere at Bills

But there is also more to it than simply the “trend” aspect. To go out for breakfast has never really been a part of the Japanese culture. Even the bakeries in Japan usually opens after 10 a.m., unlike bakeries in Europe which open around 6 a.m. so that people can grab some pastries and coffee on their way to work.

This all changed only a few years back when there was a boom in morning activities in Tokyo, know in Japanese as “Asakatsu”. It became fashionable to squeeze in a session of yoga, pilates or a language class before heading off to work. Around this time the media also started to focus on breakfast spots in Tokyo.


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Relaxed and cool atmosphere at Bills Super tasty Ricotta Hotcakes with banana and honeycomb butter at Bills

Luckily for the first pancake restaurant in Tokyo, Eggs`n Things, this happened around their opening. As there were not that many breakfast spots in Tokyo to choose from back then, they got a lot of publicity and became extremely popular quite fast.

Overall there is a trend in Tokyo for gourmet western food like popcorn and burgers, all with very high quality. We tried out several of the fashionable burger places and found our favorite burger at The Great Burger.

The Great Burger restaurant Like a real American diner The Great Burger has a super cool gift shop too

Delicious burger at The Great Burger Mmmmm, tasty chocolate milkshake at The Great Burger

It seems like the young and trendy consumers of Tokyo are becoming food critics, and that the bar is being raised.


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According to Tomomi Nakagawa (a writer with a background in food and drink PR) the next trend in Tokyo will be French toast! Hmmm, I guess we will have to wait and see… 🙂

Where To Eat Pancakes In Tokyo?

Ah, there are LOTS of pancake places in Tokyo! We visited two of them; Bills and Moke`s which both were awesome with delicious pancakes.

The queue at Bills was very long when we were there and we waited over an hour, while it was shorter at Moke`s where we waited about 20 minutes for a table. In my opinion, Moke`s has better pancakes than Bills. They are bigger, more fluffy and softer and the passion fruit sauce and fresh berries are heavens! We actually ate there twice. 🙂

I simply LOVE ♥ pancakes, but Moke`s pancakes are actually so big that we ended up over-eating the first time we were there and had to head back to our hotel to sleep it off, hehe. The second time we shared one pancake….. 🙂


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Loooooong queue to get a table at Bills! We waited almost two hours! Mmmmm, lovely pancake at Moke`s with pink Mixed Berry sauce and fresh blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. Heavenly good!

Here are some of the best and most popular pancake places in Tokyo:

Do you have a craving for pancakes after reading this? I sure do! 🙂 Why not make it yourself?! Check out these great pancake recipe books, and make your own delicious pancakes:

Travel Guides

We used Lonely Planet`s Japan Travel Guide on our trip. You can get that and other great books by clicking on the pictures below which will take you to Amazon.com (affiliate links):

PIN IT FOR LATER!

Hover over the image below, and press the red “Save” button that pops up:

Do you like pancakes? Would you eat it if you went to Tokyo, or would you just eat Japanese food? Please share your thoughts in the comment area below. If you enjoyed this post and found it useful, please share it on social media! Thanks! 🙂

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[text

blocks id=”affiliate” plain=1]Link: https://www.hellosingaporetours.com/blog/why

quality

of

life

in

singapore

is

one

of

the

best

in

the

world

Title: Why Quality of Life in Singapore Is One of the Best in the World — Hello! Singapore Tours

1.) Accessible Lifelong Learning Opportunities

The quality of a country’s educational system has a direct impact on the quality of life enjoyed by its residents. Singapore’s advanced public education system is especially notable for providing subsidised adult education through various initiatives. SkillsFuture funded courses, for example, are typically designed to help new and seasoned employees update their skills, especially if they work in industries that are deemed by the government to be very important for the country’s future economic development. That being said, they are also popular with older learners who cannot find the time to take on conventional graduate studies.

2.) An Effective Low

Cost Healthcare System


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2.) An Effective Low

Cost Healthcare System

Singapore has a unique tiered healthcare system where citizens, permanent residents, and the state share the cost of healthcare. The government also actively takes steps to ensure that the cost of delivering high-quality healthcare consistently remains low.

The way the system is implemented makes it a unique alternative to both conventional universal healthcare systems and privatised care. Healthcare outcomes in Singapore consistently remain among the best in the world, even with the country’s relatively low healthcare spending, significantly contributing to the nation’s high quality of life.

3.) Convenient Mass Transit System


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3.) Convenient Mass Transit System

While cars are incredibly expensive to own in Singapore, owning one is not at all necessary. Most of the country is accessible through several mass transit lines. The Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) has several lines providing affordable access to all inhabited districts in the city-state. Supplementing this system are licensed taxis and an expanding network of bicycle paths, both of which offer access to the few places you couldn’t get to without a car.

4.) Easy Access to Parks and Green Spaces


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4.) Easy Access to Parks and Green Spaces

Green spaces aren’t just pretty to look at. They can provide a boost to our mental health as well. Singapore is specifically laid out so that every resident is within a short walk of a public park, garden, or other green space. The country is also covered with wildlands, national parks, and other natural spaces that have been intentionally left unurbanised, improving the country’s air quality and giving residents with many opportunities to commune with nature.

5.) World-Class Recreation and Cultural Attractions


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5.) World-Class Recreation and Cultural Attractions

Singapore offers a wide selection of highly-rated recreation options and cultural attractions. The country has a huge selection of nightclubs, dining destinations, and shopping districts. It also hosts world-renowned resorts, casinos, theme parks, and international sporting events. Singapore’s zoos, botanical gardens, museums, and art galleries are also some of the best in Asia and a few of them are regular stops for some of the world’s most popular touring exhibits. Needless to say, you won’t be lacking things to see or do in the country.

6.) Policies That Attract and Cultivate World-Class Talent


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6.) Policies That Attract and Cultivate World-Class Talent

Singapore’s government has long invested billions into continuously improving its human development index (HDI), putting it near the top of the world in this area. The country also actively courts the world’s top talents and entrepreneurs, taking measures to encourage extraordinary individuals to create value within the country. These policies ensure that the country enjoys a vibrant talent ecosystem that contributes to innovation and high living standards within the city-state.

7.) World

Leading Infrastructure


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7.) World

Leading Infrastructure

The quality and breadth of public infrastructure have a direct impact on the quality of life enjoyed in the country. It may come as no surprise that Singaporean public infrastructure consistently ranks among the best-regarded in Asia and the world. The country’s transportation infrastructure, schools, recreational spaces, utilities, and digital frameworks are often used as exemplars of how these public assets should be built and managed.

8.) Low Crime Rates

Singapore residents enjoy one of the lowest crime rates in the world. While criminal activity isn’t entirely absent, the incidences of petty crimes like theft are so low that some stores don’t even bother locking up at night.


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Several factors contribute to the lack of the types of petty crimes common in other major urban centres. Singapore’s culture and its social support systems do much to prevent disadvantaged individuals from turning to criminality. Likewise, the country’s strategy of crime deterrence through strict penalties and the abundance of police cameras in public spaces all ensure that residents and tourists alike can enjoy Singapore’s environs in relative safety.

9.) A Stable, Tropical Climate

If you hate being stuck at home during winter, you might enjoy Singapore’s abundance of sunny weather. The country enjoys a sunny albeit humid climate all year round. Being close to the equator, Singapore only has two seasons, a dry season lasting from around March to August, and a wet season from around September to February.


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Though torrential rains do occur during the wet season, extreme weather events such as tropical cyclones and floods are also exceedingly rare in Singapore. This means the country is not constantly forced to spend on reconstruction and disaster relief, which allows it to spend more on other areas important for maintaining high living standards.

Apart from its modest geographical advantage, the biggest reason for Singapore’s high living standards is its culture. Singapore was able to successfully channel its communitarian culture to build a nation that is extraordinarily responsive to the needs of its people.

While all of these may be great for Singapore, it means that other nations seeking to emulate its formula for success have the difficult task of reconfiguring it to suit their own culture. Despite this, the country’s singular strategy for uplifting its people is likely to inspire policymakers elsewhere for generations to come.Link: https://nerdnomads.com/travel


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insurance#content

Title: Why We Never Travel Without Travel Insurance

Dear Reader: We may get commissions for purchases made through links in this article, at no extra cost to you. This helps keep the site running and free for all. Thank you! ❤️

My friend had packed his bags, and he was all set for his flight the next morning. It would be his first time traveling to South-East Asia, and I had dropped by to see him off. We sat for a while, talking excitedly about all the adventures that awaited him.

“Are you sure you got everything?” I said. “Yes, all packed“, he said and slapped his clearly overstuffed backpack. “Got your passport?” “Yep“, he replied. “Plane tickets?” “Sure thing!” “Travel insurance?” “No, too expensive“, he said. “Why?! Do you think I need travel insurance?“


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It was a good question. When I first started out traveling, there was this saying that if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. Since then, I have seen way too many people get into trouble because of a lack of insurance, not to realize how true that is.

What Is Travel Insurance?

Travel Insurance is financial security against accidents that may happen on your trip. It will provide you with medical coverage if you get sick or injured on your journey, reimburse you if your new mobile gets stolen, your flight gets canceled, or if a family member dies and you need to go home. It’s protection against those emergencies that can come out of nowhere and cost you dearly if you are unprepared.

Since most health programs will not cover you overseas and credit cards often provide minimum protection, buying a good travel insurance is a no-brainer.

Why Buy Travel Insurance?

I can’t speak for others, but I can tell you why I never travel without travel insurance.


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I can’t speak for others, but I can tell you why I never travel without travel insurance.

For me, it’s peace of mind knowing that if I get sick, I do not run the risk of potentially running up huge medical bills and that there will be someone there to pick up the tab if I get unlucky and need to go to the hospital.

It means I can do the activities I love, like skiing, surfing, diving, and kitesurfing, without worrying about the financial consequences of an accident.

Us skiing in the midnight sun in Tromso, Norway

It means that there is someone I can call if I am in the middle of Cambodia with malaria symptoms, who will tell me which hospital I should go to or, even more importantly, which ones I should avoid.

And if my bags get lost or stolen, I know I haven’t lost everything. I have someone to call that can help me with some emergency money if all my credit cards and money are stolen.

But what If I’m Only Going To Cheap Countries?


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But what If I’m Only Going To Cheap Countries?

Sorry, but inexpensive countries don’t mean affordable medical care. Thailand, for instance, is among the world’s most expensive countries to get hospitalized in. And if you do get sick in some remote part of South East Asia, chances are you may need to be airlifted to Bangkok or Singapore for proper treatment. That stuff is crazy-expensive.

And it gets worse, in some countries like, for instance, Japan, hospitals can refuse to treat you if you can’t show them valid travel insurance!

Have You Guys Used Your Travel Insurance?

Yes! Thankfully not for anything major, but our travel insurance has paid for itself many times over. Like when our brand new Nikon DSLR camera got stolen on New Year’s eve in Bangkok! Oh, what a fun New Year’s eve that was at the Bangkok police station.

Or when Maria got salmonella poisoning after having had a dodgy chicken meal at a night market in Thailand and had to be given intravenous fluids.


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Is Travel Insurance Expensive?

The price can vary depending on your age, medical history, where you are going, how long you will be traveling, and what you plan to do during your trip.

Activities like hiking in Nepal which is considered a high-risk activity with potentially enormous costs for medical evacuation, will, for instance, often add a bit to the price of insurance.

But on average, we are talking a few dollars per day for regular travel insurance. Less than you spend on a smoothie, a coffee at Starbucks, or a beer!

What We Look For In A Travel Insurance?

Not all travel insurance is created equal. Make sure you read the fine print of your policy. I can only tell you what we look for when deciding on travel insurance, and you will have to decide for yourselves. We look for travel insurance that:

Has sufficient coverage to pay for any medical expenses. Typically at least 100.000 USD, preferably more.

Covers both injury and sudden illness


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Covers both injury and sudden illness

Covers emergency evacuation and care, so if I get injured on a trek in the jungle, it will cover the expenses to get me to the hospital.

Will pay for transportation back home to my own country if necessary

Includes the activities that I enjoy. If you think you might do a scuba diving course, then make sure your insurance covers you for that. Sometimes you need to purchase extra coverage for more extreme activities like kitesurfing or horseback riding.

Covers the countries I want to visit. Make sure your insurance covers you in high-cost countries like Japan and the US if you are traveling there.

Can be extended while traveling if our travel plans change

Covers my most important valuables should they get lost or stolen

Has a twenty-four-hour emergency contact number I can call to get help

Covers cancellations if myself or a family member get sick and we can’t travel after all


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Covers cancellations if myself or a family member get sick and we can’t travel after all

Covers any political unrest or emergency situations that may result in the trip getting cut short

Claims can be filed online

Maria snorkeling with manta rays in Komodo National Park, Indonesia

What A Travel Insurance Is Not

Travel insurance is not a license to behave like an idiot. In fact, if you get injured because you were incredibly reckless, then you might find that your travel insurance may refuse to cover you. For instance, you can’t drive a motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol and expect to be covered. Also, any third-party damage you cause is often not covered.

Some insurance will refuse to cover adventurous activities, and their definition of adventurous can vary greatly. Read the policy carefully, so you are sure you know what it will and won’t cover.

Which Travel Insurance Should I Get?


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Which Travel Insurance Should I Get?

There are tons of companies offering travel insurance. We have traveled for a long time and have researched a lot of travel insurance providers over the years. I can’t tell you what travel insurance is right for you, but I can tell you what we ended up with.

Our favorite is True Traveller. We have used them several times over the last ten years and have been very happy with them. Their customer service is, in our experience, top-notch, the insurance can be bought and extended online while traveling, and it covers quite a few of our favorite adventurous activities. The only downside is that Truetraveller insurance is only available to residents of the UK and Europe.

By the way, if you’re wondering what happened to my friend, he bought travel insurance before he left, and thankfully he never had to use it. But he said he slept much better, knowing he was covered if anything should happen.Link: https://www.visitsingapore.com/editorials/animal


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lovers

guide/

Title: Wildlife paradise for animal-lovers

Besides its natural habitats, wealth of diverse flora and lush green spaces, Singapore is home to a multitude of ecological parks, aquariums and farms, making it a great destination for animal-lovers in search of adventure and discovery.

Whether you’re journeying beneath the waves at S.E.A. Aquarium™ or discovering teeming wildlife amidst the natural habitats of the Singapore Zoo, these locales are bound to deepen your love for all creatures and the rich habitats they inhabit.

Singapore Zoo—To walk with majestic wildlife


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Kickstart your journey of discovery at Singapore Zoo, home to over 2,400 animals across 300 species. Unlike conventional zoos, Singapore Zoo prides itself in a unique open zoo setting, where animals can roam freely in habitats simulating their homes in the wild. Encounter free-roaming animals as you journey through Fragile Forest, and hang out at the world’s first free-ranging orangutan habitat where these arboreal primates swing, lounge and play right above you. To maximise your experience, participate in many feeding and photo-taking opportunities with your favourite animals such as giraffes, elephants, rhinoceros and more. For a more in-depth encounter, sign up for the Wild Discovery Tour where an expert guide shows you and your little ones around the most popular exhibits, share secrets about the animals and their daily care routine. This exclusive “backstage pass” even lets you interact with the rhinoceros or giraffes, and giant tortoises. Singapore Zoo. 80 Mandai Lake Road,


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interact with the rhinoceros or giraffes, and giant tortoises. Singapore Zoo. 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826. +65 6269 3411.


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Step under the cover of darkness and get ready for a wild night out at the world’s first nocturnal wildlife park, Night Safari. This award-winning attraction is perfect for animal-lovers looking for an after-dark adventure. Night Safari is home to almost 900 animals across 100 species, of which 41% are threatened. Animals that call the Night Safari home include Malayan Tapirs, Sunda Pangolins and park icon Chawang, the majestic Asian Elephant. Learn more about nocturnal wildlife onboard the Guided Tram Ride, which journeys through six of the world’s geographical regions, and soak in the sights and sounds of the night along four walking trails. Witness the natural talents of fascinating creatures such as civets, binturongs, capybaras and more at the Creatures of the Night show, and catch the newest Southern Three-banded Armadillo at the new Explorer Outpost along the Fishing Cat Trail. To maximise your visit, register for the Safari Adventure Tour where an experienced guide shows you


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To maximise your visit, register for the Safari Adventure Tour where an experienced guide shows you the best kept secrets of the Night Safari on a buggy ride on the Leopard Trail. Learn more from the keepers about the amazing gentle giants in an exclusive elephant feeding session. Night Safari. 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826.


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+65 6269 3411.

Daily 7.15pm

11pm.

S.E.A Aquarium™—To uncover aquatic treasures

Make the depths of the ocean your new world to explore at S.E.A Aquarium™, which comprises of 50 different oceanic habitats and 100,000 aquatic creatures, from leopard sharks to manta rays. The establishment’s various attractions include the interactive Coral Garden, the Shark Seas Habitat and the Open Ocean Gallery. The latter is one of the world’s largest aquariums and home to over 800 species of marine life, from outgoing bottlenose dolphins to deadly hammerhead sharks. Resorts World™ Sentosa. 8 Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098269.

Opens daily 10am, closing time varies. Please visit the official website for more information.

River Wonders—To voyage along rivers


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Freshwater habitats are as fascinating as their briny counterparts, as evidenced by the myriad charms of the River Wonders. Explore the world’s iconic river habitats which is home to over 7,500 aquatic and land animals representing close to 240 species. Ride on the rapids of the Amazon Quest Boat Ride to spot the well-camouflaged and elusive Amazonian wildlife such as the Giant Anteater and Jaguar. Don’t forget to visit giant pandas, Kai Kai and Jia Jia in the region’s largest panda exhibit. For a cosy encounter with the manatees, sign up for the Manatee Mania tour to learn more about their quirks, partake in their training and even have a go at hand-feeding them during meal time. Before you leave, catch the latest animal presentation – Once Upon a River – where you can learn more about Giant Pelicans, cute Hedgehogs, and even the largest living rodent, the Capybara. You may even get a photo opportunity with your favourite animal stars after the show. River Wonders. 80 Mandai Lake


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a photo opportunity with your favourite animal stars after the show. River Wonders. 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826. +65 6269 3411.


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Daily 10am

7pm.

Gallop Stable—To hone your horse-riding skills

If you’ve always dreamed of being a cowboy or a knight on horseback, Gallop Stable will bring you one step closer to achieving your goal. While revolvers and medieval armour aren’t included, this beloved establishment is a popular destination for those looking to hone their horse-back riding skills. You’ll find a plethora of horse-related activities to embark in, including lessons, trail rides and pony feeding for the little ones. Gallop Stable at Horsecity (Bukit Timah). 100 Turf Club Road Singapore 287992. +65 6463 6012.

Tue-Sun 8am-8pm. Gallop Stable at Pasir Ris. 61 Pasir Ris Green Carpark C, Singapore 518225. +65 6589 9665.

Tue

Sun 8am

8pm.

The Cat Café—To befriend cats over a cup of coffee

If your notion of a peaceful afternoon involves a cup of hot coffee and a feline curled up in your lap, you need to pay The Cat Café a visit.


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A tranquil eatery that doubles up as a home for stray kittens and abandoned moggies, this charming little realm of adorable felines is the perfect destination for cat lovers. The café comes stoked with toys and treats to entertain the cats, and you won’t have to bring anything to befriend your new furry acquaintances. Parents should take note that there’s a minimum age restriction of six and above for visitors to the café.

The Cat Café. 241B Victoria Street Level 3, Singapore 188030. +65 6338 6815.

Mon 3

10pm; Tue

Sun 10am

10pm.

The Animal Resort—To encounter a menagerie of farm animals

You’ll want to hail a cab if you’re looking to visit the Animal Resort, nestled along Seletar West Farmway. A hidden gem that has its own rustic appeal, this animal-lover’s haven will give you an authentic taste of kampong (traditional village) life during the early stages of Singapore’s development.


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The animals who make their abode here are a charming assortment of avian, domestic and farm creatures, from ducks and rabbits to a retired race horse. Most of the animals here roam the ground freely, and visitors are welcome to feed them with packs of food from the counter.

The Animal Resort. 81 Seletar West Farmway 5, Singapore 798061. +65 6482 1160.

Daily 10am

5pm.Link: https://ninaoutandabout.ca/recommends/wise

com

Title: Wise: the international account

Every month, our customers trust us to move around £9 billion of their money. Here are some of the important ways we protect them.Link: https://nerdnomads.com/work

with

us

Title: Work With Us

Working With The Nerd Nomads

If you are looking for the following, we are NOT a good match:

Sponsored posts – We do not post or write sponsored posts, sell text links, or do paid reviews


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string_value:
Sponsored posts – We do not post or write sponsored posts, sell text links, or do paid reviews

– We post or write sponsored posts, sell text links, or do paid reviews Ads – To provide our readers with the best possible reader experience we do not display ads

– To provide our readers with the best possible reader experience we display ads Press Trips / Fam trips, or Paid Travel – We prefer to explore new places independently and pay our own way the same as our readers

– We prefer to explore new places independently and pay our own way the same as our readers Hosted stays – We do not accept accommodation in return for blog posts or social media promotion

– We accept accommodation in return for blog posts or social media promotion Guest posts – We are a personal travel site, documenting our own adventures and we do not accept guest posts

What we are looking for

Long-term partnerships that can offer significant value to our readers. If you have such a proposal please get in touch.


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E

mail: contact [at] nerdnomads.comLink: https://www.visitsingapore.com/festivals

events

singapore/annual

highlights/world

gourmet

summit/

Title: World Gourmet Summit 2023 (WGS) Singapore

Time to loosen your belt buckles!

An annual extravaganza that runs from April to December, the World Gourmet Summit is Asia’s premier haute cuisine festival. Started in 1997, the Summit provides an array of dazzling experiences specially curated for individuals with an appreciation for fine dining.

Now in its 26th edition, 2022’s theme centres on discovering the greatest gourmet delights of the culinary world, with the theme ‘Equilibrium: An Innate Sense of Taste’.

Top restaurants

Food lovers looking to sign up for this exciting calendar of epicurean experiences can expect a feast for all senses. Special menus, collaborations between world-famous chefs and exclusive dishes are just some of what you’ll get to sample.


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Discover the rich flavours of Filipino food with MasterChef Michelle Adrillina, sample gastronomic wonders at Michelin-starred restaurant JAG and celebrate International Vegetarian Week with Elemen.

Past events have featured some of the island’s most celebrated restaurants –from Bacchanalia Singapore and Hua Ting Restaurant to Gattopardo Ristorante Di Mare, and Tippling Club.

Food for Thought

Besides the feasting, serious foodies can also listen in on gastronomic talks with world-renowned Michelin-star chefs or get a hands-on experience at a selection of cooking workshops.

So if you enjoy indulging in delectable cuisines and deepening your appreciation for the wondrous world of food, be sure to check out the World Gourmet Summit’s annual line-up of events, and plan your travel itinerary around the feasts that await.


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Visit the World Gourmet Summit’s website to learn more about the tantalising tastes and exhilarating events that await.Link: https://www.tallship.com.sg/blog/birthday

yacht

party

singapore/

Title: Yacht Birthday Party Singapore

A Yacht Birthday Party Singapore Onboard the Royal Albatross

Whether it’s a romantic evening for two or an extravagant celebration with friends and family, the Royal Albatross yacht birthday party Singapore experience guarantees exceptional service delivered by highly experienced crews to make sure that your special day is truly memorable. From the breathtaking marina views to exquisite cuisines – there’s something for everyone aboard our luxury yacht! Read on as we highlight some reasons why you should consider us as the top choice venue for your next yacht birthday party in Singapore.

Yacht Birthday Party in Singapore: How to have an awesome experience onboard the Royal Albatross


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Yacht Birthday Party in Singapore: How to have an awesome experience onboard the Royal Albatross

What better way to celebrate a special occasion than throwing a yacht birthday party in Singapore? The Royal Albatross is the perfect vessel to make your event unforgettable. With breathtaking views of the Singapore skyline, crystal-clear waters, and unparalleled service, your guests will surely have a blast. The Royal Albatross also offers a variety of party packages that cater to all your needs, from intimate gatherings to larger celebrations. So whether you’re celebrating a milestone or simply craving an out-of-the-box experience, a yacht birthday party in Singapore onboard the Royal Albatross is an adventure unlike any other.

Choosing the Best Yacht for Your Party – Features & Amenities of the Royal Albatross


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Choosing the Best Yacht for Your Party – Features & Amenities of the Royal Albatross

When planning a yacht birthday party, choosing the right vessel is crucial to ensuring a memorable and enjoyable experience. The Royal Albatross is a luxury tall ship that offers a variety of features and amenities for your party needs. With three decks, she is equipped to accommodate more than 100 guests comfortably. The ship’s interior boasts a spacious dining area, a lounge, and a full bar, perfect for mingling and socializing. For those who prefer a bit of adventure, the Royal Albatross also offers mast climb, which reward daredevils with a panoramic view unlike anything you’ve seen. Nothing beats the romantic ambiance of sailing out to sea on a majestic yacht, and the Royal Albatross is sure to leave a lasting impression on you and your guests.

Planning Your Yacht Birthday Party – Ideas for Entertainment, Food, and Drinks


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Planning Your Yacht Birthday Party – Ideas for Entertainment, Food, and Drinks

Imagine cruising along the picturesque shores of Singapore on a luxurious yacht, with all your loved ones by your side for your yacht birthday party. As you bask in the glorious sun and soak in the sea breeze, indulge in the finest luxury dining experience. The Royal Albatross is the perfect venue to host a yacht birthday party, offering a unique blend of elegance and entertainment. From live music to bespoke cocktails, our crew will ensure that every detail of your celebration is taken care of. So why settle for mediocrity when you can raise the bar and host a yacht birthday party that everyone will forever cherish?

Booking Your Party – The Easy Steps Involved in Booking with Royal Albatross


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Booking Your Party – The Easy Steps Involved in Booking with Royal Albatross

Booking your yacht birthday party is a breeze with Royal Albatross. From finding the perfect date to selecting your menu (regular or vegan) and entertainment options, our crew will guide you through every step of the way. Onboard the luxurious yacht, you’ll be treated like royalty as you enjoy stunning views and first-class amenities. Whether you’re marking a milestone birthday or simply looking for a one-of-a-kind celebratory experience, Royal Albatross has everything you need to create memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t wait, book your party today and prepare to set sail on an adventure you’ll never forget!

After the Party – Making Lasting Memories with Photos and Videos


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After the Party – Making Lasting Memories with Photos and Videos

In Singapore, looking for the perfect birthday celebration can be quite daunting. It’s always a challenge to come up with unique birthday gift ideas that can truly surprise and make the celebrant happy. That’s why nothing beats throwing a memorable birthday surprise onboard the Royal Albatross. This luxurious yacht offers not only an exquisite dining experience but also a picturesque view as you sail through the waters of Sentosa. And to top it off, capturing every moment with photos and videos is the perfect way to make lasting memories of the celebration. These priceless mementos are sure to be cherished by the celebrant for years to come.


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All in all, having a yacht birthday party in Singapore is an amazing experience you won’t soon forget. Royal Albatross offers the perfect atmosphere and amenities to make your birthday celebration truly special and luxurious. And it doesn’t have to be a hassle either! With its wide range of entertainment, food and drinks, along with helpful booking steps for your group or occasion, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you are looking to have a peaceful celebration or one that’s vibrant and wild, this yacht charter will offer unforgettable memories that last a lifetime. Don’t wait around – start planning your unique birthday celebration today and book with us at Royal Albatross. We can’t wait to celebrate with you soon!Link: https://nerdnomads.com/tag/yala

national

park

Title: Yala National Park Archives


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national

park

Title: Yala National Park Archives

I have always wanted to go on a safari and see exotic wild animals. In my dreams I pictured going to Safari in Africa, but after reading about the safari opportunities in Sri Lanka I was sold – Safari in Yala National Park here we come!Link: https://www.visitsingapore.com/editorials/year

round

events

for

the

family/

Title: Year-round events for the family

Taking a trip to Singapore with your loved ones? From music festivals to marathons, our city is home to myriad family-friendly events that’ll have you enjoying quality time together.

Mark the dates on your calendar and get ready for a rip-roaring time in the Lion City.

January – March

Chingay Parade

Usher in the Lunar New Year with your little ones by indulging in the pomp and pageantry of the Chingay Parade.


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A beloved local tradition, this annual street parade is a dazzling display of light and sound, with a procession of multi-hued floats, intricate props and colourful performances that're bound to provide an enchanting experience for children and teenagers alike.

Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s Concerts for Children Families that love classical music should also check out the Singapore Symphony’s Orchestra’s (SSO) Concerts for Children Series. Equal parts enchanting and educational, this year-round event has the talented musicians of the SSO serenading your kids, while teaching them about the instruments present in an orchestra.

April – June


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April – June

Gallery Children’s Biennale If you’re looking for an artistic adventure, head to the National Gallery Singapore for the Gallery Children’s Biennale. The Biennale runs throughout the year, with the aim of nurture a generation of art-loving children. Expect to be enchanted by interactive music workshops, story-telling sessions and a whole range of other activities. Other family-friendly sections of the National Gallery Singapore include the Keppel Centre for Art Education, where children can create their own artworks and discover art through play.

July – September

Singapore Garden Festival

Indulge in a world of greenery and discover Singapore's natural wonders with the annual Singapore Garden Festival.


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Happening in the heart of the city, this festival celebrates the wondrous world of flora, with a multitude of flowers from all across the globe. Nurture your child's love for nature with a range of enchanting installations, landscape displays and floral competitions from both amateur and veteran gardeners.

Singapore Night Festival Discover the Lion City after dark with the Singapore Night Festival, a two-week festival that transforms the Brash Basah.Bugis district into a realm of wonderment and unforgettable spectacle. This annual extravaganza features a kaleidoscope of street art and surreal light sculptures, live music and enchanting performances from renowned artists. If you’re looking to inspire a love for art in your children, this mesmerizing event is bound to enthral and illuminate.

October – December

Singapore Writer’s Festival


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October – December

Singapore Writer’s Festival

Stories help us make sense of the world, and parents who’d like to encourage their children to read can get assistance from some of the literary world’s brightest stars.

The Singapore Writer’s Festival regularly hosts some of the world’s most prominent novelists, poets and storytellers, from Pulitzer Prize winner Junot Diaz to British poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy.

SWF3—the festival’s annual kids’ programme—boasts educational workshops, interactive activities and readings from locally loved authors, making it ideal for tots and teens alike.


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Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon A year-end event that attracts adrenaline lovers of all stripes, the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon is a great way to push your limits alongside your little ones. Grownups can work up a sweat with a variety of race formats, while their children can participate as well, with shorter races which typically run from two to four kilometres.Link: https://www.hellosingaporetours.com/blog/yong

siak

street

Title: Yong Siak Street — Hello! Singapore Tours

Many of the pioneering stores and eateries that elevated Tiong Bahru to hip status are situated side by side on this jam-packed street. Independent bookshop BooksActually champions local authors; Forty Hands café kick-started the speciality coffee scene in Singapore, and Plain Vanilla (www.plainvanilla.com. sg) makes some of the best cupcakes on the island.Link: https://www.visitsingapore.com/singapore

itineraries/your

3

day

shopping

guide/

Title: Your 3

day shopping guide


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itineraries/your

3

day

shopping

guide/

Title: Your 3

day shopping guide

Orchard Road isn’t just well known amongst locals—travellers far and wide are familiar with one of the world’s most famous shopping districts. You’ll find fascinating modern structures like ION Orchard, which houses some of your favourite luxury brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Patek Philippe, Saint Laurent, and Tiffany & Co.

There’s also Singapore’s oldest departmental store, TANGS, which stocks plenty of local labels like Aijek (a clothing line featuring effortless pieces made from sustainable fabrics) and a range of international perfume labels like Chloé here. If you’re looking to shop local, drop by Design Orchard, home to the wares of over 60 homegrown designers and craftsmen.Link: https://www.visitsingapore.com/editorials/your

guide

to

shopping

in

singapore/

Title: Your guide to shopping in Singapore


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string_value:
guide

to

shopping

in

singapore/

Title: Your guide to shopping in Singapore

From its history as a colonial trading port to its modern identity as a global metropolis, Singapore has long been the home of wondrous wares and troves of treasures.

Our bespoke boutiques, world-class malls and inspired artisans transform shopping into an unforgettable experience for every tourist.

Spend some time experiencing our shopping malls

If this is your first-time shopping in Singapore, you may want to schedule more time than you had originally intended.

More than just retail havens, our malls are filled with exciting activities and immersive environments, making them destinations in their own rights.

Scale Funan’s massive climbing wall in between shopping for tech gadgets, take a sampan (flat-bottomed wooden boat) ride between shopping sprees for luxury brands at Marina Bay Sands®, or spend the afternoon romping with the kids at Jewel Changi’s Canopy Park.


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Add a Singaporean touch to your wardrobe

Iconic global brands aren’t the only options available for avid shoppers in Singapore. Our city of passionate craftsmen, ateliers and designers are constantly creating beautiful wares, from Bynd Artisan’s bespoke journals to SBTG’s punk-inspired kicks.

In Good Company’s classic threads, Aijek’s creative range of women’s fashion and Beyond The Vines’ elegant dresses are just some of the local treasures you’ll find in Singapore. You’ll find these stores all across the island, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for opportunities to shop local.

Don’t miss out on the buzz and bustle of Orchard Road

Whether you’re looking to buy high-street fashion or splurge on sparkling bling, Orchard Road is a must-visit destination.


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World-class malls and luxury brands abound on Singapore’s most iconic shopping belt. Mandarin Gallery, Ion Orchard and Paragon stock a plethora of luxury labels and global brands, while street fashion abounds at malls like Far East Plaza.

To discover what Singapore’s craftsmen have to offer, drop by TANGS and Design Orchard. The latter stocks items from over 60 of our island’s most well-loved designers and brands. Orchid-scented fragrances, fashion-forward sportswear and Asian-inspired threads are just some of the treasures that await you.

If you’re planning a year-end trip to Singapore, you may want to schedule your visit to coincide with Christmas On A Great Street together with your family. This annual event turns Orchard Road into a festive wonderland filled with bright lights, live performances and beautiful decorations.

Explore our cultural districts for hidden gems


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Explore our cultural districts for hidden gems

You don’t have to be Lara Croft or Indiana Jones to find hidden gems in Singapore. Take a jaunt through our heritage districts, and you’ll unearth a trove that’d make any shopper green with envy.

Peranakan* kebayas (a traditional blouse-dress incorporating Malay and Chinese motifs) in Katong-Joo Chiat and exquisite cheongsam in Chinatown are some of the treasures waiting to be uncovered.

The Malay heritage district of Kampong Gelam boasts stores selling traditional treasures and contemporary wares alike, from ceremonial Kris (dagger with a distinct, wavy blade) to artisanal leather goods.

Alternatively, drop by Little India Arcade in the Little India District—this vast emporium stocks everything from saris and silks to jewellery and traditional sweets.

The term is an Indonesian/Malay word that means “local born”, which generally refers to people of Chinese and Malay/Indonesian heritage.

Venture beyond to local haunts and malls


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Venture beyond to local haunts and malls

One of the best ways to experience our vibrant retail scene is to spend time shopping like a true blue local. Heartland malls like Tampines 1, Jem® and Westgate boast a diverse range of retail, fashion and lifestyle stores such as Uniqlo, H&M and Don Don Donki, while Mustafa Centre—a popular haunt among locals in the late hours—is a massive emporium that stocks everything from gadgets to groceries. Pro tip: you may want to buy a suitcase here, and stock up everything from souvenirs to pastries.

Create and personalise your purchases

There’s no better way to express your individuality than to create an item that you can truly call your own.

Depending on the craft that tickles your fancy, you can try your hand at distilling gin at Brass Lion Distillery or working with leather goods at Atelier Lodge. These learning opportunities will deepen your appreciation for artisanship, and help you embody your inner craftsman.


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You don’t have to build an item from scratch to convey your personal style. Local and global outlets alike offer numerous customisation options for your purchases, from embossing your wallets at Stone For Gold to customising your sneakers at Jewel Changi’s Nike Duplex.

Bring home a souvenir from SingaporeLink: https://www.hellosingaporetours.com/blog/your

singapore

trip

for

mid

autumn

celebration

Title: Your Singapore Trip for Mid-Autumn Celebration — Hello! Singapore Tours

As the sun dips below the horizon, Singapore transforms into a fairy-tale land with its streets illuminated by thousands of lanterns. The Mid-Autumn Festival is synonymous with lanterns of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Grab your own lantern and join the enchanting Lantern Walk in Chinatown. It's like stepping into a sea of twinkling stars right in the heart of Singapore.

2. Mooncake Marvels


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2. Mooncake Marvels

What's a Mid-Autumn celebration without mooncakes? Singapore takes mooncakes to a whole new level with its diverse range of flavors. From traditional lotus paste to innovative creations like durian and chocolate, your taste buds are in for a treat. Don't miss the chance to taste these delectable delights from local bakeries and five-star hotels alike.

3. Cultural Performances Under the Moon

At the Singapore Botanic Gardens, you can experience enchanting cultural performances that will transport you to ancient China. The moonlight adds an ethereal touch to the graceful movements of dancers and musicians.

4. Wishing Under the Moon

One of the most cherished traditions during Mid-Autumn is writing wishes on colorful cards and hanging them on designated trees. As you wander through the lantern-lit streets, take a moment to make a wish under the bright moon. Who knows, your wish might just come true!

6. Moon Gazing and Sky Lanterns


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6. Moon Gazing and Sky Lanterns

The Mid-Autumn Festival revolves around the moon, so why not take some time to appreciate its beauty? Head to a serene park, lay out a blanket, and gaze up at the full moon. Alternatively, you can try your hand at launching a sky lantern for a truly magical experience.

7. Iconic Chinatown Street Market

As you explore the Mid-Autumn festivities, don't forget to wander through Chinatown's vibrant street market. It's a bustling hub of activity with stalls selling traditional crafts, snacks, and souvenirs. You might just stumble upon the perfect lantern to light up your night.

8. Captivating Cultural WorkshopsLink: https://www.hellosingaporetours.com/about

us#spotlight

Title: Your Team of Friendly Local Singapore Guides — Hello! Singapore Tours


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us#spotlight

Title: Your Team of Friendly Local Singapore Guides — Hello! Singapore Tours

Hi Everyone! My name is Daryl. Like all ethnic Chinese in Singapore, my roots are in China. My grandfather came to Singapore from a city call Nan Hai, in the southern Chinese province of Canton. He arrived on the shore of Singapore in the early part of the 20th century, soon after, he met my grandmother, fell in love, and decided to make this lovely and sunny tropical island, his new home. My father and I were born and bred here in Singapore. Hence, I am a third generation Chinese.


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I am proud of my Cantonese roots, thus, apart from English, I speak fluent Mandarin and Cantonese. And being surrounded by Indonesia and Malaysia, most Singaporeans like myself also have an elementary command of Bahasa Indonesia. After working for years in the financial industry, I went through a period of self-reflection. I realised that, in order for me to be fulfilled and to achieve my goal of having a balanced lifestyle, I needed to boldly pursue my childhood aspiration of being a professional tourist guide in my beloved country of birth, the Lion City, Singapore. And that was exactly what I did, and I have never looked back since!

Singapore, situated right in the heart of South East Asia, is a multi-racial, multi-lingual, multi-religious cosmopolitan city. With its unique mix of modernity and colourful heritage and a breath-taking concoction of East and West cultures, Singapore promises to be your perfect holiday destination.


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I live in a fascinating and culturally rich area of Singapore called Tiong Bahru. It is a heritage area built in the 1940s and 50s in a unique art deco architectural style. Today there are many hip cafes and boutique shops interspersed between the traditional businesses. It is a fantastic area that I would be glad to show you around. If you chose to travel with me as your guide, you will feel the love and passion that I have for my country. I will share a plethora of fun facts and fascinating anecdotes that make up the amazing cultural and historical backdrop of Singapore!


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The spiciest constituent of Singapore’s culture must surely be our Culinary Culture! And, who better than a bona fide food lover like myself, to help you sample the mind-boggling varieties of local Singaporean street foods and delights! At the same time, you may want to explore the streets that are off the beaten track, nestled in our cultural enclaves like Chinatown, Little India, Katong, and Kampong Glam. If you are a big history buff like myself, we can enjoy an exciting afternoon blazing the trail at some of the renowned WWII sites in Singapore!

Whatever your preferences, I will tailor-make a one-of-a-kind itinerary for you, allowing you to explore the hidden cultural, historical and culinary gems, tucked away in the intricate and inviting streets of Singapore.


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I give you my personal commitment to proved you with a fully personalised, immersive, and localised tour of a Lifetime! So, what are you waiting for? Put on your walking shoes and sun protection and follow me!Link: https://www.visitsingapore.com/festivals

events

singapore/annual

highlights/zoukout/

Title: ZoukOut Singapore 2022

Singapore’s most epic dance and music festival is back with a bang, with the return of ZoukOut to Sentosa after a three-year hiatus.

Happening for two whole nights from 2–3 December, 2022’s edition of the festival is shaping up to be an unforgettable affair, with a line-up of the world’s top DJs and local talents.

So break out the beachwear, slip on your flip flops and brace yourself for the experience of a lifetime, with the return of Singapore’s most beloved dance party.

Dancing from dawn till dusk


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Dancing from dawn till dusk

This year’s edition of ZoukOut will feature a who’s who of electronic dance music (EDM) royalty, from Andrew Rayel ‘the modern day Mozart’ to Grammy-awarded nominated DJ Armin Van Buuren.

Other iconic DJs who’ll be manning the decks over the two-night party at Siloso Beach, Sentosa include ‘The Godfather of EDM’ Tiësto, House legend Shiba San and local stalwarts of the dance scene, including Che’Molly, Ghetto and Zouk’s resident DJ Jeremy Boon.

This year’s edition of the festival—themed The Futuristic City of Dreams—is set to deliver a visual extravaganza with its stage design, and take attendees on a futuristic trip into dreams and make-believe.

Partygoers can expect to get their groove on at a full-fledged festival ground with a food village, activity booths, custom installations, and roving acts.

ZoukOut— An Epic Origins Story


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ZoukOut— An Epic Origins Story

Zouk, the organisers of ZoukOut, is a 31-year old nightlife brand and one of the island’s most legendary dance clubs, with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. More than just a venue, this nightlife institution is often credited with polishing the reputation of Singapore’s clubbing scene.

The first ZoukOut began life as a modest, one-night only affair in 2000—drawing 9,000 revellers— but it didn’t take long for the dance music festival to build up a legion of loyal followers, with tens of thousands attending every year.

With its global reputation, the festival has drawn some of the biggest names in the music industry onto its stages, with past years’ line-ups including Above&Beyond, Armin Van Buuren, David Guetta and Carl Cox.


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The Singapore Tourism Awards has twice crowned ZoukOut the ‘Best Leisure Event Experience’ in the city, and it has graced the international stage in cities like Hong Kong, Boracay and Tokyo.Link: https://www.visitsingapore.com/de_de/about

passion

made

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Title: Über Passion Made Possible

Die Geschichte Singapurs ist von Höhen und Tiefen geprägt. Unsere Stadt ist innerhalb von nur fünf Jahrzehnten von einem Entwicklungsland zu einer Mega-Metropole geworden.

Dies wurde durch unsere unstillbare Leidenschaft sowie unserer unerschütterlichen Haltung, niemals aufzugeben, erreicht – was uns noch heute immer neue Hürden zu neuen Höhen erklimmen lässt. Passion Made Possible ist der Unternehmergeist, der uns heute definiert und uns beim Erschließen neuer Möglichkeiten antreibt.

Wo das Gewöhnliche außergewöhnlich wird


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Wo das Gewöhnliche außergewöhnlich wird

Unsere Stadt hat unzählige Facetten; von weitläufigenNaturschutzgebieten über geschäftige Kulturviertel bis zu spannenden Attraktionen, die Reisende jeder Couleur anlocken. Wir sind mehr als nur eine Stadt der neuen Erfahrungen – wir sind ein Reiseziel, an dem Möglichkeiten zur Realität werden.

Wir pflanzen Bäume nicht einfach nur an – wir formen sie zu vertikalen Wunderwerken. Wir zelebrieren nicht nur kulturelle Vielfalt – wir lassen Sie in lebendige Traditionen eintauchen. Wir bieten nicht nur atemberaubende Aussichten – wir ermöglichen Panoramablicke in eine Welt der Wunder.

Ganz gleich, ob Sie Kunst an Straßenecken oder grüne Oasen mitten im Großstadttrubel entdecken: In Singapur werden gewöhnliche Momente zu außergewöhnlichen Erfahrungen.

Ein Hort der Inspiration


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Ein Hort der Inspiration

Inspirierende Orte gibt es in Singapur in Hülle und Fülle; von der nahtlosen Verschmelzung von Architektur und Natur im Jewel Changi Airport bis zu den felsigen Stränden und blühenden Mangroven auf Pulau Ubin. Neue Horizonte und kühne Abenteuer erwarten Sie an den Supertrees in den Gardens by the Bay oder beim Wandern auf den Gezeitenpfaden auf Sentosa.

Ob Sie das Zentrum des Civic District vom Seitenwagen einer Vintage-Vespa aus erkunden, Gewürze in Little India kaufen oder einen aromatischen Tee in Chinatown genießen – eine Welt der vielseitigsten Kulturen erwartet Sie.

Überall erwarten Sie neue Erlebnisse: von einzigartigen Aromen in Lokalen wie Synthesis bis zu faszinierenden Ausflügen in die chinesische Folklore in Haw Par Villa.

Erleben Sie Außergewöhnliches, Made in Singapore.


