Singapore is a vibrant city-state blending futuristic architecture, lush gardens, and diverse cultural neighborhoods. From the iconic Marina Bay Sands to historic hawker centers and world-class attractions, this island nation offers an unforgettable travel experience.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Kaya Jam
Coconut and egg jam used on toast, a quintessential Singaporean breakfast spread. Available in artisan versions at specialty shops and mass-produced at supermarkets.
Price: SGD 5-20
Where: Bengawan Solo, Cold Storage supermarkets, Changi Airport
Peranakan Tiles
Colorful hand-painted ceramic tiles featuring traditional Nyonya motifs, perfect as coasters or decorative pieces. Reflects the unique Straits Chinese heritage of Singapore.
Price: SGD 15-50
Where: Katong/Joo Chiat shops, Chinatown, Antiques of the Orient
Batik Clothing
Traditional wax-resist dyed fabric made into shirts, scarves, and dresses. Sold in vibrant patterns at Kampong Glam boutiques and Arab Street.
Price: SGD 30-120
Where: Arab Street, Kampong Glam, Tekka Centre
Bak Kwa (Barbecue Pork Jerky)
Sweet and savory grilled pork slices that are a beloved Singaporean snack. Especially popular during Chinese New Year but available year-round.
Price: SGD 40-60 per kg
Where: Lim Chee Guan (New Bridge Road), Bee Cheng Hiang (multiple outlets)
Pandan Layer Cake & Kueh
Traditional Peranakan bite-sized steamed cakes in vivid green, pink, and yellow from Bengawan Solo. Iconic and packaged for travel.
Price: SGD 12-30
Where: Bengawan Solo outlets, Changi Airport
Tiger Balm Products
Iconic medicated balm invented in Singapore, now sold worldwide. Full range including muscle rubs, patches, and mosquito repellent at pharmacies.
Price: SGD 5-25
Where: Guardian, Watsons, Unity pharmacies islandwide
Merlion Figurines & Memorabilia
The half-lion, half-fish national symbol of Singapore in various forms — ceramic, resin, plush toys, and novelty items. Essential memento.
Price: SGD 5-80
Where: Chinatown Street Market, Marina Bay Sands shops, airport gift stores
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Chinatown Street Market
Bustling open-air market selling traditional goods, souvenirs, dried goods, and trinkets amid colorful shophouses. A great place to find reasonably priced mementos and experience local culture.
Where: Pagoda Street and Trengganu Street, Chinatown
Hours: 11AM-11PM daily
Tekka Centre Wet Market
Vibrant wet market in Little India offering fresh produce, meats, fish, and an array of Indian spices and grocery items. The ground floor is an authentic local market experience.
Where: 665 Buffalo Road, Little India
Hours: 6AM-9PM daily
Geylang Serai Market
Traditional Malay market with wet market and food stalls selling Malay groceries, spices, and fresh produce. Especially lively during Ramadan with extended bazaars.
Where: 1 Geylang Serai, Geylang
Hours: 7AM-10PM daily (until midnight during Ramadan)
Tiong Bahru Market
Historic two-storey market in Singapore's oldest housing estate, with a popular hawker centre upstairs and wet market below. Famous for breakfast staples like chee cheong fun.
Where: 30 Seng Poh Road, Tiong Bahru
Hours: 6AM-2PM daily (food stalls close earlier)
Bugis Street Market
Singapore's largest street market with over 800 stalls selling fashion, accessories, cosmetics, and street food at budget prices. Popular with young shoppers and tourists alike.
Where: 3 New Bugis Street, Bugis
Hours: 11AM-10PM daily
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Orchard Road
Singapore's premier shopping boulevard stretching 2.2 km with over 20 major malls including ION Orchard, Takashimaya, and Paragon. International luxury brands, high-street fashion, and dining all in one strip.
Best for: Luxury brands, electronics, fashion, dining
Haji Lane & Arab Street
Narrow, colorful lane in Kampong Glam lined with independent boutiques, vintage stores, and artisan shops. Bohemian atmosphere with unique finds not available in mainstream malls.
Best for: Vintage clothing, artisan goods, batik fabrics, unique homeware
Chinatown
Heritage neighborhood with street markets, traditional medicine halls, silk shops, and souvenir stalls alongside modern cafes and restaurants. Smith Street and Pagoda Street are the main shopping streets.
Best for: Souvenirs, traditional crafts, dried goods, silk
Little India (Mustafa Centre area)
Serangoon Road and surrounding streets offer Indian textiles, jewelry, spices, and electronics at competitive prices. The 24-hour Mustafa Centre is an institution for bargain shopping.
Best for: Gold jewelry, saris, Indian goods, electronics
Katong / East Coast Road
Charming strip of heritage shophouses in the Peranakan heartland with independent boutiques, antique dealers, and specialty food shops celebrating Nyonya culture.
Best for: Peranakan crafts, antiques, artisan homeware, local fashion
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
ION Orchard
Futuristic 8-storey mall at Orchard MRT with luxury brands on lower floors and mid-range fashion above. The ION Sky observation deck on the 56th floor offers panoramic views.
Hours: 10AM-10PM daily
VivoCity
Singapore's largest mall at HarbourFront with 300+ shops, rooftop play area, cinema, and views of Sentosa Island. Family-friendly with excellent food courts and ferry connections to Sentosa.
Hours: 10AM-10PM daily
Jewel Changi Airport
World-famous retail and leisure complex at Changi Airport housing 280 shops and restaurants beneath the iconic 40-metre Rain Vortex indoor waterfall. Worth visiting even without a flight.
Hours: 24 hours (some shops 10AM-11PM)
Bugis Junction
Covered outdoor mall in Bugis featuring mid-range fashion, electronics, and a huge food court. Connected to Bugis Street market for budget shopping and Bugis+ for entertainment.
Hours: 10AM-10PM daily
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is generally not practised in Singapore's malls and fixed-price shops — prices shown are final
At Chinatown Street Market and Bugis Street stalls, polite counter-offers of 10-20% below asking price are sometimes accepted
Buying multiple items from the same stall gives you leverage to ask for a bundle discount
Electronics at Sim Lim Square and Mustafa Centre may have some room for negotiation, but research prices beforehand
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Chewing gum cannot be brought in for resale; duty-free personal import of 2 kg is allowed. Antiques and cultural items may require export documentation from country of origin.
Tax Refund: GST (9%) refund available for tourists spending SGD 100+ at approved retailers via the Electronic Tourist Refund Scheme (eTRS) at Changi Airport departure hall
Duty Free: Incoming allowance: 1 litre spirits, 1 litre wine or beer, no tobacco duty-free allowance. Declare all goods over SGD 500.
Shipping: International shipping services at SingPost outlets and major courier companies; DHL, FedEx, and UPS widely available islandwide