City Guide: Singapore

Formula 1 is back in Singapore for the 16th running of the Singapore Grand Prix. So while the cars are getting ready to tear up the streets of Marina Bay by night, we're here with ideas to fill your days in the Lion City.

If you are heading to the city-state of Singapore for the Grand Prix, you will be in for a party. Thanks to Singapore being such a small country, Formula 1 rolling into town is a nationwide event, and the locals know how to put on a show.

Visiting Singapore during the Grand Prix weekend is one of the best times to see the city, but no matter when you go, there is always plenty of action to enjoy.

The Marina Bay Street Circuit is, of course, the home of Formula 1's first-ever night race. If the motorsport action gets you in the mood for some racing of your own, head to the Luge on Sentosa Island, where you can get some overtaking in. Unlike in F1, though, these vehicles don't need an engine and instead see you hurtling downhill with only gravity powering drivers down the course.

For the fourth year running, we're bringing our Fan Zone to the city centre. You'll be able to get up close to our FW47 showcar, jump on a sim rig, hear from some special guests and so much more!

Singapore is the epitome of an East meets West location. The hubbub of the Downtown Core has a mixture of the locals' restaurants and stores, big-city banking, and everything in between. You'll hear British English, Australian English, American English, and Singapore's very own Singlish within any given minute of wandering around.

Head to Sentosa Island for some real tourist activities, as 20 million visitors do each year. You'll find resorts, golf courses, a casino, beaches galore, a Madame Tussauds waxworks and Universal Studios Singapore all vying for you to spend time in.

To cement Singapore as a melting pot for international cultures, you can visit multiple nations in a few hours by planning a day passing through the location-based names of the bustling Arab Street, authentic Chinatown, colourful Little India, and the Bohemian Holland Village. Each has a distinct feel despite occupying the same tiny Singapore landmass.

For a sprawling city with over five million residents, Singapore has a very natural feeling to it. The Gardens by the Bay is a futuristic example of how nature and the modern world can interact with "treetop" walkways connecting lush tree-like structures teeming with life, amongst other feats of horticultural engineering.

The Chek Jawa wetlands are a more natural experience if the Gardens by the Bay don't stir your senses. Here you'll find six ecosystems in a 100-hectare area, including mangroves, coral and a coastal forest. Chek Jawa is best to visit when the tide is low, so plan your visit accordingly to get the best views that the wetlands offer.

Finally, you'll already know Formula 1 races at night in Singapore, but did you know there's another adventure you can enjoy once the sun sets, too? The Singapore Night Safari is the first nocturnal wildlife park with over 2,500 animals that spend their waking hours during the dark, and you'll have the privilege of watching them interact with the nighttime world.

You don't even have to leave the airport to enjoy a mixture of art, culture, and shopping. The Jewel at Changi Airport means a layover in Singapore might be the only place in the world you'll be happy for a heavily-delayed flight. The indoor waterfall, monorail, and canopy walkway sit alongside designer shops and artwork curated by the airport's dedicated Art Custodian.

If a pure shopping experience is what you're looking for, though, heading to Orchard Road is the best place. Aside from escaping the humidity in the air-conditioned stores, you'll find every brand name you'd need down the 2km tree-lined road, with department stores, boutique shops, and discount outlets to cater for any budget.

Singapore is home to a rich variety of food for all palates and budgets. Early settlers to Chinatown and Little India filled the city with flavours and spices from around the world.

There's nowhere better to sample Singapore's vibrant, delicious flavours than at the famous hawker centres. You'll find high-quality dishes and quick bites for incredible value, like laksa, rojak and soya sauce chicken. The cheapest Michelin-star meal in the world began at one of these food courts, too!

If your dining style is more refined, you'll find top fine dining establishments at many hotels along Raffles Boulevard and around Marina Bay.

Speaking of Raffles, you have to enjoy an authentic Singapore Sling where the bartender Ngiam Tong Boon first created the cocktail at the Raffles Hotel. A non-alcoholic version is available and just visiting the Long Bar to eat monkey nuts and discarding the casings on the ground is worth the trip.

Found just off of Raffles Boulevard is Suntec City, home to our Singapore pop-up.

The MRT is the quickest and easiest way to navigate the city, with over 130 stations serving Singapore, meaning you'll always get close to where you want to go. The tourist pass is perfect for short-term visitors, which offers unlimited rides for one, two, or three-day periods.

Language: Malay, English, Tamil, Mandarin Chinese, Singaporean Mandarin

Currency: Singapore Dollar (SGD)

Weather: Hot and humid. Bring loose, breathable clothing - and plenty of outfits to freshen up into.