Where to stay in Singapore: best areas and neighborhoods

When talking about Singapore, it’s essential to remember it’s a city-state. It is divided into 5 regions: Central Region, East Region, North Region, North-East Region, and West Region.
The most interesting for tourists is the Central Region, where the main attractions of the city are located, further divided into 12 districts. Most of the recommended neighborhoods to stay are in the Central Area district, with the only exception being Sentosa, which is in the Southern Islands district.
Let’s discover where to stay in Singapore!

In a hurry? Here’s our recommended accommodation

Useful tips: the best neighborhoods to stay

Not recommended areas: Singapore is one of the safest places in the world, but it's better to avoid the neighborhoods of Yishun North, Nanyang, Jurong West, Tampines, and Woodlands East. These are still areas far from tourist circuits.

When visiting Singapore, the best solution is to stay in the Central Area, the city center, where the various neighborhoods of Singapore are located, to be chosen based on your needs.

For families and those seeking tranquility, the best neighborhoods are definitely Downtown Singapore with the wonderful Marina Bay, the long Orchard Road, and Sentosa, further from the center but with beautiful beaches. For those looking for nightlife and fun, the best options are the Singapore River, where for example you will find Clark Quay, one of the hubs of nightlife, and Chinatown, very lively in the evening. Finally, for those who want to save money, Chinatown is always an excellent solution, along with Little India (the Indian district along Serangoon Road) and Kampong Glam (the Muslim district along Arab Street), both in the eastern part of the city.

Best accommodation: we have selected the best hotels, b&b and hostels in Singapore. Check out our recommendations and book on Booking

If you are in Singapore for work or as a layover for one day to other destinations, consider staying near the airport. Find the best solutions and selected hotels on booking.com.

Downtown Singapore and Marina Bay, best for first-timers

The Downtown area, which also includes the famous Marina Bay area, is undoubtedly the best area to stay in Singapore. Here you will find some of the main attractions, such as The Merlion, the symbol of the city, the Art and Science Museum, the wonderful Gardens by the Bay, the Singapore Flyer, and the iconic Marina Bay Sands Resort, the hotel with one of the world's most famous infinity pools.

This is, of course, the most expensive area of the city. A night in the famous hotel, for example, exceeds €300.00 per room, reaching even €600.00 for the most luxurious suites. The area is lively during the day and quieter at night, ideal for families and those who want to have all services within reach.

Finally, Singapore is an ideal city to visit by metro, but if you stay here, you can mostly move on foot, as the main attractions are all nearby.

Average prices in the neighborhood range from €85.00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodation

Orchard Road, for families and shopping enthusiasts

Orchard Road is the city's most important avenue. It runs from Tanglin Mall on Tanglin Road to Plaza Singapura, about a 20-minute walk from Marina Bay. This is the shopping avenue: here you will find numerous shopping malls, high-fashion boutiques, and all kinds of shops. Near Plaza Singapura is the National Museum of Singapore, while at the opposite end, not far from Tanglin Mall, are the wonderful Singapore Botanic Gardens.

It is an area mainly recommended for families and those who do not want to give up convenience: along the entire avenue, there are restaurants and cafes, spas, hotels, offices, and everything you can imagine. The evening attracts a bit of nightlife, but nothing too wild.

Finally, if you stay here, you will need to move by metro. The avenue is served by the North South Line, North East Line, and Circle Line, which lead directly to Marina Bay.

Average prices in the neighborhood range from €100.00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodation

Singapore River, best for young and nightlife

The Singapore River is the heart of Singapore's nightlife. It runs between Marina Bay and Chinatown, with its vibrant center at Clarke Quay, a complex of converted riverside warehouses now home to shops, restaurants, and various activities. This is also where many city cruises start.

This is the ideal area for young people and those looking for fun, especially along Clarke Street, where the party goes on all night! Here you will find a vast array of clubs, pubs, restaurants, bars, and discos for every taste.

Staying here, you can move on foot or by public transport. Marina Bay and Chinatown are within walking distance. Alternatively, the main metro station is Clarke Quay, served by the North East Line.

Average prices in the neighborhood range from €80.00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodation

Chinatown, to stay on a budget

Chinatown is the Chinese district of Singapore. Almost exclusively inhabited by Chinese people, here you can breathe a more traditional atmosphere compared to the rest of the city. Among the most important attractions are the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, a Buddhist temple that also houses a museum, and the Chinatown Heritage Centre, an ethnographic museum that traces the history of Chinese migrants to Singapore.

It is a very lively district, even in the evening, recommended for young people and those looking for some nightlife. Pagoda Street is the main street, full of shops, while Smith Street is the street food paradise. It is also a great area to save money: costs are slightly lower than in other areas.

Finally, if you stay here, you can move on foot or by public transport. Marina Bay and Clarke Quay are within walking distance, but to reach other areas, you will need to use the metro. The main station is Chinatown, served by the Downtown Line and North East Line.

Average prices in the neighborhood range from €60.00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodation

Little India, for budget travelers

Little India is the heart of Singapore's Indian community. It runs along Reangoon Road, one of the oldest streets in Singapore. Among the must-see attractions are the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, Singapore's oldest Hindu temple, and several department stores such as Mustafa Centre and Mekka Mall. The area is also full of small traditional shops selling fabrics and spices.

Little India is a district ideal for those looking to save money. Here the costs are lower than in more central areas like Marina Bay, and there are many deals to be found. The area is also well-served and lively.

If you stay here, you will need to move by metro. The main station is Jalan Besar, served by the Downtown Line which leads directly to Marina Bay (13 min).

Average prices in the neighborhood range from €40.00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodation

Kampong Glam, for budget travelers

Right next to Little India is Kampong Glam, the Arab district of Singapore. The heart of the district is Haji Lane, a street full of boutiques and shops, as well as places to enjoy Middle Eastern dishes. Here you will also find the Sultan Masjid Mosque, with its unmistakable golden dome contrasting with the surrounding skyscrapers.

Kampong Glam, like Little India, is a district ideal for those looking to save money. Here, too, you can find various accommodations at very competitive prices without sacrificing comfort and location.

Finally, if you stay here, you will need to move by metro. The main station is Bugis, served by the East West Line and Downtown Line, the latter of which leads directly to Marina Bay (7 min).

Average prices in the neighborhood range from €50.00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodation

Sentosa, for families and nature lovers

Finally, we want to recommend Sentosa Island, the only district outside the Central Area, to consider if you stay in Singapore for at least 5 days. Sentosa is a wonderful island with beaches, hotels, and many amusement parks: here you will find the famous Universal Studios Singapore, as well as the Adventure Cove Waterpark and Sentosa 4D AdventureLand. There are also golf courses, shops, and restaurants.

It is a district ideal for families and nature lovers. Considering the travel distances and the distance from the center, it is still a district to consider, full of 5-star hotels and resorts, with very high costs, and characterized by a truly unique atmosphere.

To reach the center, you need to take the Sentosa Cable Car, the Sentosa Express, which will take you to the mainland where you will find various means to reach the Marina Bay area and other attractions in Singapore.

Average prices in the neighborhood range from €200.00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodation

Places to stay near Singapore

Singapore is often visited during an airport layover, staying in the city for just a few days. Staying in the city is the best solution. As we have seen, you can find numerous neighborhoods with completely different characteristics, and if you don't want to stay in the city center, you can move to Sentosa Island.

Staying in Singapore also becomes a necessity: Singapore is a city-state, much smaller than other states. In the center of Singapore, the main services and tourist offerings are concentrated, as well as the. Generally having little time available, it is better to save travel time and look for accommodation in a strategic position.

Singapore accommodation price map

Booking.com