Where to Stay in Singapore: Best Areas for Every Traveller

Choose your neighbourhood by what you want from the city—from Marina Bay's skyline to Chinatown's chaos to Sentosa's isolation.

1. 1

   Marina Bay

   Downtown · Waterfront with Gardens by the Bay, Merlion, Marina Bay Sands · Highest prices, walkable to Clarke Quay and Civic District

   Marina Bay is the best area for first-time visitors who want iconic views, modern architecture and easy access to landmarks like Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands, the Merlion, the ArtScience Museum and the waterfront promenade. The skyline views are relentless, the light shows run nightly, and everything photograph-worthy is within walking distance or a ten-minute MRT ride. Book a room at the famous Marina Bay Sands Hotel—the rooms are exquisite, and you'll have easy access to the hotel's infinity pool. It's expensive and touristy, but you're paying for exactly what you came for.

   Source: Royal Caribbean
2. 2

   Clarke Quay

   Riverside · Bars, clubs, and coloured shophouses · Happy hour 6–8 pm, beers SGD 15–20

   Clarke Quay is Singapore's most concentrated nightlife zone—easy, accessible, and centrally located, though also the most touristy. The 6–8 pm window is the best value—seats on the river terrace, cheaper drinks, cooler temperature, lighter crowds. Immediately adjacent, Boat Quay is a row of shophouses directly on the water with a similar atmosphere and slightly lower tourist density, and is particularly pleasant for outdoor riverside drinking from around 7–10 pm. Come for drinks and river views; eat at Chinatown Complex first.

   Source: Singapore Spirit
3. 3

   Sentosa Island

   Off southern coast · Beach, resort hotels, theme parks, S.E.A. Aquarium · Island setting, 15 minutes from city centre by cable car or monorail

   Sentosa is one of the best areas in Singapore for families, beach access and resort-style stays. Located just off the southern coast, this island district is home to beaches, hotels, attractions, restaurants and entertainment that feel more vacation-focused than the city center. Staying in Sentosa works especially well for travelers who want easy access to family-friendly attractions, coastal views and a slower pace. Raffles Sentosa Singapore is the first all-villa resort in the country, set within 100,000 square metres of tropical greenery, featuring just 62 private villas, each with its own pool and outdoor terrace. A world apart, physically and tonally.

   Source: Royal Caribbean
4. 4

   Orchard Road

   Central shopping district · Malls, restaurants, hotels, gardens · 2.2 km retail stretch with high street and luxury brands

   Orchard Road is the best Singapore neighbourhood for families due to its huge number of restaurants, cinema halls, central location and shopping malls to beat the heat. The St. Regis Singapore is located near Orchard Road and offers an elegant luxury environment with premium rooms, suites, dining and personalized service. The Standard, Singapore is a fourth-place art-filled boutique hotel in Asia, with Como Metropolitan Singapore and Conrad Singapore Orchard also clustered within the area—all great choices if you're looking for a cushy stay within walking distance of endless food and shopping options.

   Source: The Square Travel
5. 5

   Chinatown

   Central · Temples, street art, hawker centres, shophouses · Walking distance to Clarke Quay and Marina Bay

   Chinatown is one of the most walkable and culturally rich neighborhoods in Singapore, making it an ideal base for first-timers. There's a real mix of old and new: you can start your morning with kopi and kaya toast at Tong Ah Eating House, shop for souvenirs on Temple Street, or visit the striking Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. Around lunchtime, head to Chinatown Complex Food Centre, where you'll find everything from Michelin-rated hawker stalls to fried carrot cake and laksa. Right next door to the Singapore Quays, Chinatown gives you affordability without sacrificing convenience. You can walk to Marina Bay from here, or to the Quays. The neighborhood itself offers cheap hawker center food, colorful shophouses, and enough visual interest that wandering around becomes its own activity.

   Source: Rachel IRL
6. 6

   Little India

   North central · Textiles, spices, temples, restaurants, street markets · Connected by Little India MRT to Chinatown, Clarke Quay, Marina Bay

   Little India is the epicentre of Singapore's budget accommodation, including the cheapest beds in the whole city. In Little India, Singapore, you get the taste of local life while staying central. Connected by the Little India MRT, you get easy access to Chinatown, Clarke Quay, and Marina Bay. Dream Lodge is located in Lavender, just outside the CBD, putting you close to a number of attractions including Little India, Arab Street, and loads of trendy cafes. The Bendemeer MRT station is a five-minute stroll from the hostel, which makes exploring further afield pretty easy.

   Source: Travelfish
7. 7

   Kampong Glam

   Heritage neighbourhood · Arab Street, Sultan Mosque, textile shops, galleries · 10-minute walk to Bugis MRT, close to museums

   Kampong Glam is one of Singapore's oldest neighborhoods. It has loads of shops selling textiles, rugs, and Turkish homewares; some delicious Arabic restaurants; the enormous golden-domed Sultan Mosque; and a ton of eye-catching street art. On Jalan Kubor in Kampong Glam, three minutes' walk from Sultan Mosque and around the corner from Haji Lane and Arab Street—the best of the neighbourhood is essentially on the doorstep. The rooftop pool is a good spot after an afternoon exploring the surrounding streets, and Bugis MRT is a ten-minute walk for getting around the rest of the city. Good value, culturally distinct, and only steps from mainstream sights.

   Source: Nomadic Matt
8. 8

   Geylang

   East of CBD · Red light district during evening, budget hotels and hawker food · Paya Lebar MRT, good public transport links

   Geylang is Singapore's red light district, but there is no safety issue here at night. Guests of both genders testify to that. There can be a huge benefit to being based in what is seen as a slightly "dodgy" location. The rooms here come very cheap despite their very high quality. Connectivity to the rest of the city by public transport is also great. Betel Box Backpackers Hostel offers accommodation in a traditional restored shophouse reminiscent of the 1920s, just an 8-minute walk from the Geylang Serai Malay Village Market, and features a restaurant and a common room with free Wi-Fi. The raw deal for budget travellers.

   Source: Southeast Asia Backpacker
9. 9

   Civic District

   Downtown · Colonial architecture, museums, galleries, waterfront · Walking distance to Marina Bay and Clarke Quay

   Riverside/Clarke Quay is a historic neighbourhood and one of Singapore's best dining and nightlife areas on the river. Waterfront restaurants abound within Riverside, from American-style diners to Australian pubs and fresh seafood eateries. Don't forget about the sightseeing opportunities, which includes the thrilling G-Max Reverse Bungy ride and challenging Lockdown Singapore escape game. Families interested in culture can treat them to a day at the Asian Civilisations Museum, which is home to fascinating exhibits and interactive workshops on Asia's oldest civilisations. Boutique hotels and colonial charm, with access to nightlife and sightseeing in both directions.

   Source: HotelsCombined
10. 10

    Bugis

    Central heritage area · Street market, shopping, Arab Street, Haji Lane · Connected to Kampong Glam, near Civic District

    Known as Bugis neighbourhood and has great transport links to other areas of Singapore. Backpackers who are tight on money should book a stay at Bluewater Pods. It's a short walk from Arab Street so you'll be in a great location to explore, with lots of nice cafes and restaurants nearby. Ibis Singapore Bencoolen is a well-located, budget-friendly hotel in the heart of Singapore, close to Bugis, Little India, and Orchard Road. Central without being repetitive, affordable without feeling compromised.

    Source: Bren on the Road