Singapore has always been on my travel list, ever since I saw a picture of a colorful street with a grand mosque in background, somehow that image stayed with me and ever since then it was on my bucket list. Later Changi Airport which was declared the best airport with tallest indoor waterfall in the world, made it a must-see destination. It is a nice tiny island connected to Malaysia and is one of the busiest shipping ports in the world.
While exploring Malaysia last year with my family, we struck up a conversation with a warm Singaporean Muslim who recommended us to stay near Masjid Sultan. Intrigued by his enthusiasm, we decided to take his advice, and it turned out to be one of the best travel decisions we’ve ever made.
Singapore is very well connected with other destinations and that’s why has a busy airport. If you are not flying in to Singapore, you can take a train, taxi or bus from Malaysia. Johor Bahru is the Malaysian province connected to Singapore with a bridge. Taxis are quite expensive, and they allow only four passengers (will work out around US150 for a taxi ride). Bus will charge you around $1 per person so obviously much cheaper option, you will have to get down at Malaysian and Singapore border for immigration. There are different bus services but choose the one which stops at Queen Street Bus Terminal, which is right next to Kampong Glam where Sultan mosque is located.
Conveniently, our hotel was just a 4-5-minute walk from the terminal which was a huge plus. If jay walking was allowed, you could reach hotel couple of minutes earlier. Jokes aside, don’t do it even if you are loaded with dollars and follow the local rules.
Pro Tip: Jaywalking which crossing the road within 50 meters of a designated crossing point without using it, is a big no-no here , First-time offenders typically face a fine of S$50. However, repeat offenders can get fines up to S$1,000 or face imprisonment for up to three months. so be sure to follow the traffic rules!
Singapore became an independent country in 1965, making it one of the youngest nations in the world. Singapore comes from the Malay words Singa (Lion) and Pura (City), meaning “Lion City.” Interesting thing is that lions never lived in Singapore. The story originates from a legend in the 14th century when a neighboring Prince, supposedly saw a lion upon arriving on the island. He took it as a good omen and named the island Singapura. However, historians believe he may have seen a tiger, which were native to the region, rather than a lion.
There are four official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. It is home to people of different faiths, including Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism. Muslims are 15% of the population. English is the most widely used for business and education. Singapore is the only island-city-state in the world, with over 60 smaller islands surrounding the main island.
Sultan Mosque is a focal point for Singapore’s Muslim community in Kampong Glam and is quite impressive with its golden dome. On our friend’s recommendation we chose to stay at Village Hotel, The Bugis which was right next to Masjid Sultan and we had a very nice view of masjid from our rooms window. Nestled in the heart of Singapore, this area offers unparalleled connectivity and some of the best halal food options imaginable. The Bugis metro was around 7 min walk from our hotel which meant that major must see destinations were not far from this location.
Sultan Mosque, also known as Masjid Sultan was completed in 1928. Located in Kampong Glam, this mosque is at the heart of Singapore’s historic Malay and Muslim Quarter, surrounded by iconic streets like Muscat Street, Arab Street, and Haji Lane.
Muscat Street is a picturesque walkway leading to Masjid Sultan, lined with Middle Eastern-style decor and lantern-lit evenings. Arab Street is known for its traditional fabric shops and halal restaurants which include famous Zam Zam restaurant. Haji Lane is the most colorful and artistic street, filled with boutique stores, murals, and cafés like Selfie Coffee and % Arabica Coffee.
On our first morning, for breakfast we chose Zam Zam Restaurant, a historic eatery that has been a crowd-favorite for year as they first opened in 1908.
Curious about the menu, I asked the waiter about the famous Murtabak. It turned out to be Singaporean meat-stuffed paratha, they had lot of options like chicken, lamb, beef, tuna, vegetarian but the one which stood out was Venison so I could tell my friends later that I tried this unique “Deer Paratha”. Being a tea person, I had teh tarik, Singapore and Malaysia’s beloved frothy “pulled tea.” It was somewhat like Karak tea but unique at same time
The Murtabak was tasty, crispy on the outside, savory and tender on the inside.The teh tarik brought everything together with its perfect balance of sweetness and creaminess. This national drink embodies Malaysia and Singapore’s multicultural influences, blending Indian, Chinese, and British tea-drinking traditions.
Talking about tea, Tarik is hard to miss with its vibrant lime green exterior and trendy neon-lit interior, making it one of the most eye-catching tea spots near Sultan Mosque. Located at the bustling junction of Arab Street and Muscat Street, this cozy café is best known for its rich and frothy Teh Tarik. They do have a variety of other drinks too. Sitting here with a warm cup in hand, you get a perfect view of Sultan Mosque’s majestic golden domes, adding to this amazing experience.
If you want to try local cuisine, Sabar Menanti Nasi Pedang is quite popular Malay restaurant and located in Kampong Glam. We also tried a Turkish restaurant Aya Sofya which was reasonable. Food in Singapore is quite expensive as compared to other countries or maybe it looked expensive after visiting Malaysia.
If you have time enjoy the Hawker Culture. Singapore’s hawker stalls are so iconic that they were added to UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2020.
Fun fact: Chewing gum is famously banned in Singapore unless it is for therapeutic purposes. Also, spitting in public is prohibited and can result in a fine.
Getting around Singapore with kids can be intimidating in any city, but the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) system made it effortless. Once we purchased our MRT cards which are available at all train stations, exploration was smooth sailing.
The MRT is clean, air-conditioned, and incredibly efficient. It not only took us to almost all sightseeing’s we needed to go and can also take you to Changi Airport. The nearest MRT station was Bugis which was around 7-8 minutes’ walk from our hotel.
Merlion Park was our next destination, and it lived up to its hype. The kids were fascinated by the half-lion, half-fish statue, which looked like a “superhero mascot.” The park offers stunning views of Marina Bay Sands, which is now the most iconic landmark of Singapore. The Marina Bay Sands hotel features Sky Park observation deck that is longer than the Eiffel Tower and holds one of the world’s largest rooftop infinity pools. Peak visiting hours are 5pm to 10pm and you need to buy a ticket. If you visit, I recommend going early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the midday sun. Another attraction not far away is The Singapore Flyer, one of the world’s largest observation wheels, offering stunning views of the city.
Speaking of Marina Bay Sands, we didn’t stay in this luxury hotel, but we did explore its surrounding attractions like Gardens by the Bay. This is a must visit attraction and is like stepping into a world of futuristic trees, stunning flowers, and misty waterfalls.
Supertree Grove These massive tree-like structures (25–50m tall) are covered in plants and light up beautifully at night. The Light Show happens twice daily (7:45 PM & 8:45 PM) and it’s free.
Flower Dome is the largest glass greenhouse in the world, filled with seasonal flowers, cacti, and exotic plants from different climates. You need at least 30-45 minutes to explore whole area and need to buy ticket to go inside. Bring a jacket, it’s air-conditioned and chilly inside.
The Cloud Forest feels like a tropical rainforest with a huge indoor waterfall and walkways above the trees. It’s full of rare plants, orchids, and ferns. This is paid too, and the same ticket will allow entry to both flower dome and cloud forest.
Lastly, we experienced OCBC Skyway which is a 22-meter-high walkway that connects the Supertrees, giving you a bird’s-eye view of this place and Marina Bay Sands. It is perfect for photos and a bit of adventure. Ticket price is cheaper then cloud forest, go at sunset for the best views.
Tip: There is a prayer room next to food court not far from skyway, which is for staff members and is usually closed. If you are lucky and find a staff member going inside you can request them to let you in, otherwise can pray right in front so carry a light prayer mat.
Another attraction is Sentosa Island which offers beaches, a cable car ride, and attractions like the Skyline Luge , real life Mario kart drive, It is a gravity driven ride where you control a three-wheeled cart down a downhill track. After the ride, a chairlift (Skyride) takes you back up for another go. There are multiple tracks with twists and turns, making it a fun, family friendly activity.
Changi was a destination in itself, with attractions like the Rain Vortex, an indoor waterfall that had the kids mesmerized, and a serene butterfly garden that felt like another world. You can enjoy Giant Slide at Terminal 3 with your kids which is one of the tallest airport slides (4 stories high). Unlike most airports, no one was in a rush to leave Changi as there was so much to see and explore.
Before wrapping up, here are some helpful tips for those planning a trip to Singapore:
All travellers are required to submit the SG Arrival Card within three days (including the day of arrival) before arriving in Singapore, .Fill out this online form to save time at immigration.
Its central location, halal food options, and proximity to Sultan Mosque make it the ideal base.
Reliable, affordable, and much better than navigating Singapore’s taxi prices.
Don’t leave without trying the Murtabak and teh tarik. Trust me, it’s a trip highlight.
Whether it’s a layover or your departure day, this airport is worth the extra hours of exploration.
Singapore is a rare destination that gets most of the things right, weather aside! It’s clean, safe, and caters to family friendly, Muslim friendly, and foodie travelers alike. My family and I left feeling inspired by its rich cultural heritage and modern attractions.
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