The Coolest Neighbourhoods in Singapore

Haw Par Villa, Singapore
Haw Par Villa, Singapore | Photo by Thyla Jane on Unsplash
Prianka Ghosh

Whether you’re just visiting Singapore or already live here, chances are after a few outings you’ve grown tired of the hyper-touristy Marina Bay District. After you’ve visited the Merlion Park, Marina Bay Sands and the Esplanade Theatres, head out to these neighbourhoods just outside the centre of the city for a change of scenery.

Haji Lane and Bali Lane

Located a stone’s throw from Kampong Glam in Bugis, Haji Lane and Bali Lane are two narrow streets full of cute shops, quirky cafes and cool bars. The vibe of both streets changes completely from day to night, going from mostly shopes and cafes to trendy bars and live music. Check out Bar Stories where they’ll make you a custom cocktail or Goodluck Beerhouse where you’ll find a collection of locally and internationally brewed craft beers. If you’re looking for a pick-me-up, check out Juice Clinic for a coffee or a fresh juice.

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Courtesy of Good Luck Beerhouse

Tiong Bahru

The original hipster neighbourhood in Singapore, we love the art-deco architecture that dominates this area. Located just a few stops away from the centre of town, this neighbourhood has kept its lowkey feel by maintaining independent retailers. The main stay of Tiong Bahru is Books Actually, an independently-run bookstore and press as well as third wave coffee haunt Forty Hands. We also love shopping at Strangelets which is full of adorable home décor items and unique Singapore souvenirs. Cap off an afternoon of wandering around cute boutiques with a visit to Whisk Hands, a quaint colonial style café that serves homemade cakes and pastries that pair perfectly with their custom specialty blend coffee.

Courtesy of Whisk Cafe

Everton Park

Although shops in Everton Park have struggled to survive, the strongest ones have persevered. For a while, Singapore trendsetters thought that Everton Park would become the new Tiong Bahru. Unfortunately for Everton Park, it hasn’t been able to attain that status however many cool places moved into the neighbourhood and set up shop in the interim. We love grabbing a coffee from Nylon Coffee Roasters but our favourite places in Everton Park serve up delicious desserts. Check out Grin Affair for take-away mousse and panna cotta adorably packaged in vintage jam jars and Seriously Ice Cream for its adventurous ice cream flavours like Lychee Rose and Salted Egg Brulee Tart.

Keong Saik

Keong Saik can be found on the edge of Chinatown. In this neighbourhood, you’ll find mostly banking and media professionals who have tired of the hedonistic nature of Club Street. Mostly bars and restaurants, we love Potato Head Folk where you can start with a meal and then sit upstairs and enjoy a cocktail in their alfresco tiki-style bar. For a filling meal that won’t break the bank, check out the Mexican fare at Muchachos and finally, if you’re trying to impress your date take them to The Library, a proper speakeasy, the bar is password protected and hidden behind a bookcase in The Study.

Courtesy of The Library

Jalan Besar

Located near Little India, and soon to have its own MRT station on the Downtown Line, Jalan Besar is home to a surprisingly concentrated number of cool cafes and bars. Whether you’re after craft beers, dim sum, coffee shops or bakeries, you’ll find a little of everything in this neighbourhood with a bit of digging. A few of our favourites are superhero themed restaurant Hungry Heroes, craft beer bar The Druggists and Little Bastard, a speakeasy-style cafe that serves up contemporary versions of Asian classics.

Courtesy of Hungry Heroes

Joo Chiat Road

This last neighbourhood looks much further from the centre on first glance, but if you hop in a taxi, it’s a quick trip over Nicoll Highway in a taxi. Located on the fringes of red light district Geylang, Joo Chiat Road has gentrified over the years and now you’ll find craft beer at the Cider Pit and the Tuckshop, gourmet cheese from The Cheese Shop and even All-American Barbeque from Smokey’s. If you’re looking for something more local, try one of the many Vietnamese restaurants for a delicious and affordable meal.

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