Joanna James
A jewel-toned kaleidoscope of multi-faceted experiences and cutting-edge conveniences, Singapore is the ideal escape for solo travellers seeking meaningful me-time and indulgent self-discovery. Here’s what solitary wanderers can’t miss in the Lion City.
A love letter to culture, creativity, and authenticity, Singapore is the perfect destination to embrace your quirks, refine your tastes, and hunt for hidden gems with the help of friendly locals. With its upscale retail emporiums, avant-garde entertainment enclaves, and award-winning fine dining restaurants, there’s plenty for travellers to pamper themselves with during their solo stay. However, Singapore is more than a glitzy playground for the bougie and brand-savvy, and its rich mosaic of heritage districts opens a new world of dizzying sensations. From shopping for unique keepsakes at the bespoke boutiques, indie book shops, and vintage stores of boho-chic Tiong Bahru and enjoying the vibey cafes, eccentric murals, and upcycled designer wares in Haji Lane, to soaking in the Bollywood-esque film set of Little India and Katong-Joo Chiat’s pastel-toned shophouses from multiple bygone eras, solitary sojourners will be spoilt for choice!
With its comfortable, cost-effective, and convenient public transport system and numerous first-class attractions that can be enjoyed regardless of your budget, Singapore has much to offer art-hungry nomads and culture-craving travellers. If you want to engage with the local cultures of this melting pot and learn new skills, there are many craft classes to dabble in, from traditional tingkat painting and designing Peranakan-style beaded slippers to speciality studios dedicated to jewellery making, customising fragrances, and the art of batik. While there’s accommodation in Singapore for every calibre of traveller, lone wanderers will find a safe, sophisticated, and strategically placed sanctuary when they stay with Worldwide Hotels.
Whether you’re a social butterfly, heritage hipster, theme park thrill-seeker, or seasoned shopaholic, Singapore will have more than one district right up your alley. There’s no “staying in your lane” in this charismatic city, which will effortlessly ease you out of your comfort zone and expose you to a whole new spectrum of experiences. From vintage flea markets and eclectic kampong boutiques to shoppable museums and art exhibitions like the MAAD Market and the Public Garden Consumer Trade Show for artisanal lifestyle must-haves, there’s no end of retail therapy in store!
Aptly dubbed the ‘City in a Garden’, Singapore seamlessly integrates nature into every space, as each of its parks and gardens is infused with the essence of its rich heritage and modern glamour. Whether you’re more enamoured by the old-world colonial charm of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the history-riddled grandeur and spice trails of Fort Canning Park, or the sci-fi-worthy fantasy realms of Gardens by The Bay, there’s an urban oasis for every calibre of nature lover going solo.
From hosting one of the world’s cheapest Michelin-starred restaurants on Chinatown Food Street and the iconic Lau Pa Sat, a high-end hawker centre housed in a stunning heritage building, to colonial-inspired high teas along the Singapore River and immersive cooking classes at Commune Kitchen, Singapore’s gastronomic scene leaves nothing to be desired.
A city of nocturnal enticements that can be savoured in safety and comfort, solo travellers can freely enjoy Singapore after sundown. If you’re looking for an after-dark adventure out in the wild, head to the world’s first nocturnal zoo at Mandai Wildlife Reserve, where you will have exhilarating encounters with Malayan tigers, Sunda pangolins, clouded leopards, and more!
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
