Downtown Core, Singapore guide

No one does mega malls like Singapore, and you’ll find the best of them here. From The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands to Suntec City and Guoco Tower, the Downtown Core offers an explosion of designer boutiques, local brands and everything in between. Even if you’re not looking to buy, it’s worth checking out the shops for their ultra-modern design, world-class dining and some much-needed air-conditioning.

Within the Downtown Core, you’ll find the Civic District. You can spend entire days exploring heavyweight cultural institutions like The Arts House, the National Gallery and the National Museum of Singapore, the city’s largest and oldest museum, dating back to 1849. Have a hankering for contemporary culture? The National Museum’s Living Galleries survey the arts of fashion, food, film and Chinese opera.

From the historic Raffles Hotel to the stately Fullerton and the opulent Mandarin Oriental, many of Singapore’s best hotels are located in the Downtown Core. And there’s a pretty good reason for that — this area boasts sweeping views of Marina Bay and the sea beyond. If you can swing the splurge, request a room on a high floor to maximise your eye candy.

Hotels don’t have a monopoly on amazing views. For a sweeping panorama of the city, head to the Singapore Flyer — the largest giant observation wheel in Asia. From here, enjoy vistas of the city skyline, picturesque Marina Bay and, on clear days, even parts of neighbouring Malaysia and Indonesia. For the best experience, come at sunset and try out the interactive and informative in-capsule guides.

Singapore is a melting pot of different cultures, including Chinese, Malay and Indian. Learn about the history of all three at the Asian Civilisations Museum, one of the best museums in Singapore. Collections highlight the diverse arts of the city’s three ancestral cultures, as well as others across Asia. Don’t miss exhibitions on the maritime silk route, which explore Singapore’s place in transnational trade.

Singapore is world-famous for its vibrant hawker centres. And in this neighbourhood, there is none better than Lau Pa Sat, which offers dishes like Singaporean chicken satay skewers, Teochew braised duck and creative ‘min jiang kueh’ (pancake turnovers). For a special occasion sit-down meal, reserve a table at chef Sam Chin’s VUE, one of the best restaurants in Singapore’s Downtown Core, specialising in Japanese-style grilled meats.

Singapore’s cocktail scene is the envy of Southeast Asia. Stop by Jigger & Pony, an award-winning bar and a pioneer of the city’s modern mixology movement. Work your way through their epic drinks menu, which spotlights local ingredients and sustainable practices. Itching to move your feet? Cherry Discotheque is an underground nightclub known for its 80s vibes and playlist of hip-hop, techno and other genres.

While each retail centre has its own unique appeal, one of the best mid-range shopping experiences in Singapore’s Downtown Core can be found at Suntec City. This expansive shopping centre features well-known retailers like Pedro, alongside local and regional brands like Y21 and Young Hearts. And if you’re feeling hungry, there are dozens of dining options to help you refuel.

Downtown Singapore is your go-to for the largest and most prestigious events. Don’t miss the National Day Parade in August, which celebrates Singaporean national pride with a military parade and cultural performances. The Singapore Grand Prix is a high-octane Formula 1 night race held in September on the Marina Bay Street Circuit.