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Singapore

A city, island and country in one, Singapore blends futuristic architecture, lush gardens and some of the world's best street food. It is ranked #23 on Time Out's Best Cities 2026 list.

Metro population
6,000,000
Country
Singapore
Region
Asia
Overview

Why visit Singapore

Singapore was established as a British trading post by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819 and became an independent nation in 1965. In just a few decades it grew from a small port into one of the world's leading financial centres, with one of the busiest container ports on the planet.

The city is famous for its striking skyline and greenery. Marina Bay Sands overlooks the bay, while the Supertrees of Gardens by the Bay light up every evening. The Singapore Botanic Gardens, founded in 1859, became the country's first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. Even the airport is an attraction: Jewel Changi is home to the world's tallest indoor waterfall.

Food is a national obsession. Singapore's hawker culture was added to UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2020, and hawker centres serve chicken rice, laksa and chilli crab for just a few dollars. Explore the temples and shophouses of Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam to see the mix of Chinese, Malay, Indian and other cultures that shapes the city.

Things to do

Top things to book in Singapore

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Top things to book in Singapore

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Fun facts

Things you didn't know about Singapore

  1. 01

    A City, An Island And A Country

    Singapore is one of only a few city-states in the world, alongside Monaco and Vatican City.

  2. 02

    Chewing Gum Sales Are Banned

    Selling chewing gum has been banned since 1992 to keep streets and trains clean. Since 2004, some therapeutic gum is allowed from pharmacies.

  3. 03

    Hawker Culture Is World Heritage

    In 2020, UNESCO added Singapore's hawker culture to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

  4. 04

    Hawker Stalls With Michelin Stars

    In 2016, two Singapore hawker stalls became the first street-food stalls in the world to receive a Michelin star.

  5. 05

    The Botanic Gardens Are A UNESCO Site

    Founded in 1859, the Singapore Botanic Gardens became the country's first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015.

  6. 06

    The Country Keeps Growing

    Through land reclamation, Singapore has increased its land area by around 25 percent since independence.

  7. 07

    Four Official Languages

    English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil are all official languages. The national anthem, "Majulah Singapura", is sung in Malay.

  8. 08

    The World'S Tallest Indoor Waterfall

    The HSBC Rain Vortex inside Jewel Changi Airport drops 40 metres from a glass dome into a garden.

  9. 09

    The Lion City

    The name Singapura comes from Sanskrit words meaning "lion city", which is why the half-lion, half-fish Merlion is its mascot.

  10. 10

    Just North Of The Equator

    Singapore lies only about 137 kilometres north of the equator, so it is warm and humid all year round.

Random Singapore fact

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FAQ

Quick answers about Singapore

Where is Singapore located?

Singapore is in Singapore, in Asia.

What is the population of Singapore?

The greater Singapore area is home to about 6,000,000 people.

What is Singapore famous for?

A city, island and country in one, Singapore blends futuristic architecture, lush gardens and some of the world's best street food.

Is Singapore worth visiting?

Yes — Singapore was ranked #23 on Time Out's Best Cities 2026 list. Explore its facts, attractions and top things to book on this page.

Did IShowSpeed stream from Singapore?

Yes — IShowSpeed streamed from Singapore on his 2024 Southeast Asia tour. See his full world tour map.

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