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Singapore
This perennial stopover city is constantly reinventing itself as a destination in its own right, jostling for the position of top dog among Asia 's even the world 's best cities. Shawn Low, Lonely Planet Writer
Our Promise
You can trust our travel information because Lonely Planet authors visit the places we write about, each and every edition. We never accept freebies for positive coverage so you can rely on us to tell it like it is.
Inside This Book
2 expert authors
77 days on-the-ground research
200 eating and nightlife reviews
90 shopping reviews
45 durians consumed
Comprehensive map section
Feature coverage of top sights
Range of planning tools
In-depth background into Singapore 's street-food scene.
Our Promise
You can trust our travel information because Lonely Planet authors visit the places we write about, each and every edition. We never accept freebies for positive coverage so you can rely on us to tell it like it is.
Inside This Book
2 expert authors
77 days on-the-ground research
200 eating and nightlife reviews
90 shopping reviews
45 durians consumed
Comprehensive map section
Feature coverage of top sights
Range of planning tools
In-depth background into Singapore 's street-food scene.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
462 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 15, 2023
A physical guide? Very old school, said someone to me when I whipped it out to consult while on vacation in Singapore. Which begs the question are they still useful in this day and age of easy access to all things on this planet via the internet via the device of our choice that we carry around and peer at constantly. In these travellers' case, the answer is an emphatic yes. I decided that my wife and I were not going to get international roaming on our phones and were going to do our best to explore with the assistance of this guide and see what happens.
Prior to leaving, I used the guide to set a loose itinerary with 2 days set aside for the Singapore Sevens, a sports event we were attending. Included in the guide was a pull-out map that only covered the central area of Singapore as well as an index to major roads, a transport system map, a top sights guide and a very small map of the entire island. I ultimately left this behind each day and used a far better map found at Changi Airport when we arrived. Based on the loose itinerary, the guide turned out to be more than useful in the end. Its descriptions of the various neighbourhoods to visit were very good and of the small to longer walks suggested for each we used 2 and found them fantastic. Our hotel was right next to Kampong Glam so this lead to easy access from there to Little India and at least 3 walks that the guide suggested.
Lonely Planet also wrote of a couple of places we may not have found but were glad to have, The Battle Box at Fort Canning Park and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in China Town for example. Of the top sites recommended by Lonely Planet we made 7 of the 10 with the National Art Gallery, in my opinion an absolute must for those that like art. I would also suggest that the Botanic Gardens are also a must, a gorgeous place that deserves its world Heritage listing. The least impressive for me was Sentosa Island but that is not my style of place to visit, though I get why it would be included.
Near the back there are 20 pages that cover such things as Singapore Today with a bit of history, a short discussion on its people and cultures, architecture and the many languages spoken that was very useful. This is followed by The Survival Guide, also very useful as it covers everything from public transport to small district maps. The transport system is easily one of the best and cheapest we have ever used anywhere. Our home town of Brisbane has to have a serious look at Singapore considering it is holding an Olympics in the not so distant future, and as to how its public transport will cope with that huge event I have no idea.
If going to Singapore, I would suggest a minimum of 4 full days, there is a lot to pack in. And I would pack this guide in your luggage if you wish to get that pesky phone out of your hands and face. And beware the humidity, phew!
Prior to leaving, I used the guide to set a loose itinerary with 2 days set aside for the Singapore Sevens, a sports event we were attending. Included in the guide was a pull-out map that only covered the central area of Singapore as well as an index to major roads, a transport system map, a top sights guide and a very small map of the entire island. I ultimately left this behind each day and used a far better map found at Changi Airport when we arrived. Based on the loose itinerary, the guide turned out to be more than useful in the end. Its descriptions of the various neighbourhoods to visit were very good and of the small to longer walks suggested for each we used 2 and found them fantastic. Our hotel was right next to Kampong Glam so this lead to easy access from there to Little India and at least 3 walks that the guide suggested.
Lonely Planet also wrote of a couple of places we may not have found but were glad to have, The Battle Box at Fort Canning Park and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in China Town for example. Of the top sites recommended by Lonely Planet we made 7 of the 10 with the National Art Gallery, in my opinion an absolute must for those that like art. I would also suggest that the Botanic Gardens are also a must, a gorgeous place that deserves its world Heritage listing. The least impressive for me was Sentosa Island but that is not my style of place to visit, though I get why it would be included.
Near the back there are 20 pages that cover such things as Singapore Today with a bit of history, a short discussion on its people and cultures, architecture and the many languages spoken that was very useful. This is followed by The Survival Guide, also very useful as it covers everything from public transport to small district maps. The transport system is easily one of the best and cheapest we have ever used anywhere. Our home town of Brisbane has to have a serious look at Singapore considering it is holding an Olympics in the not so distant future, and as to how its public transport will cope with that huge event I have no idea.
If going to Singapore, I would suggest a minimum of 4 full days, there is a lot to pack in. And I would pack this guide in your luggage if you wish to get that pesky phone out of your hands and face. And beware the humidity, phew!
November 16, 2016
I've been curious about Singapore for a longer while and thought Lonely Planet will give me some general overview. It did and it also made me want to go there even more. Singapore seems like an alien planet - fascinating and incredible. Hopefully, one day, I will see it for myself.
September 23, 2017
Yes it counts because I read the whole thing!
July 28, 2018
Very informative and useful
Very useful and showing detailed way the all places and sight see ing hotel eating shopping map and others I got enough data
Very useful and showing detailed way the all places and sight see ing hotel eating shopping map and others I got enough data
December 6, 2018
It is probably the best in the market but it still lacks many good suggestions. A solid 3.5, I rounded down for not recommending more areas like Torang Bahru
January 1, 2026
This book did a great job of giving an overview of what is worth seeing in Singapore! Would have loved more context on the recommendations but overall found this helpful.
January 10, 2017
A wonderful guide to the Lion City:Singapore
August 9, 2011
The LP should always be the first port of call when considering or undergoing a travelling adventure and this version for Singapore is no exception
Read
August 20, 2015Location: ND6 IRC
Accession No: DL027443
Accession No: DL027443
August 28, 2015
I really loved reading this travel guide. Read it cover to cover. Learned a ton and super excited to visit Singapore one day!
July 19, 2016
Great advice for those traveling to Singapore for the first time.
June 23, 2023
For trip in the summer 🌞
February 27, 2025
Very helpful for trip planning!
I had an amazing trip following the recommendations from this book.
I had an amazing trip following the recommendations from this book.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews