Singapore has a reputation for being a great shopping destination, and for good reason. Not only is shopping a popular pastime for visitors to the city; it’s practically mandatory in order to enjoy a true Singapore experience.
It’s not all high end, nor is there an excess of street markets. Shoppers in Singapore can enjoy both of these options, as well as plenty in between. So if you’re looking to include a little bit of retail therapy in your itinerary, here’s where to go shopping in Singapore.
Orchard Road and ION Orchard
You’ll find over two kilometres of shopping heaven along Orchard Road, in addition to restaurants, clubs and cafes. There are multiple malls lining the wide promenade, all of which are home to some of the most famous brands in the world. ION Orchard is one of the newest of the lot – it’s a gleaming metropolis of a mall, with over 300 stores including Prada and Burberry.
And the best part about ION Orchard? Tourists get a bunch of fabulous discounts, which you can check out here.
Louis Vuitton Island Maison
Nestled just below the iconic Marina Bay Sands Hotel is an architectural gem shimmering on the water. This geometric glass structure is actually a Louis Vuitton concept store, designed by award-winning architect Peter Marino. It’s part retail space, part gallery, and even features a private lounge and outdoor terrace. It’s the ultimate luxury shopping experience in Singapore, whether you’re window shopping or splashing out.
Haji Lane & Arab Street
I loved the quirky charm of Haji Lane, a narrow street lined with jewel-coloured shopfronts displaying vintage and designer wares, interspersed with cozy cafes. Unlike some of the big malls which, although impressive, don’t have much of a local flair, Haji Lane oozes culture and independence. Don’t miss Selfie Coffee, a cafe where you can (apparently – it was closed when I was there) have your face printed on the top of your coffee.
While you’re in the area, take a stroll along Arab Street and spend some time wishing you could sew, so that you could buy and use all of the pretty fabrics for sale. And be sure to stop into Dark Horse Vintage, whose pristine collection puts European vintage stores to shame.
Holland Village
Image source: monocle.com
I’m so sad I didn’t get a chance to head to Holland Village, but next time I’m in Singapore it’ll be one of my first stops. In this hipster neighbourhood you’ll find cafes, bars, restaurants and specialty shops.
Highlights include the Monocle Shop & Cafe, where you can buy beautifully curated stationery along with your copy of Monocle Magazine, Taksu art gallery and Lemon Zest, a ‘culinary lifestyle’ store selling enviable kitchenware.
Of course, half the appeal of shopping at Holland Village is that you have a seemingly endless choice of food to indulge in when you need a rest.
Bugis Street Market
Looking for some bargains in Singapore? Head to Bugis Street Market where you’ll find stalls crammed with clothes, accessories and souvenirs that you can stuff your suitcase with. It’s bustling, vibrant and bursting with sights and sounds, and it’s almost impossible to leave empty handed.
If you’re visiting Singapore, the best rule is to leave some space in your suitcase for your return. There are so many opportunities for great shopping that it’d be a shame to go home without indulging in just a little bit of retail therapy.
Have you visited Singapore? Where have you been shopping?
Thanks to Singapore Airlines for sending me on this incredible trip to explore the sights and shops of Singapore. For more info, check out my posts on The Travel Hack.
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Oh, I love shopping in Haji lane and Bugis Street. I can find out some boutique shops of some young designers offering the stylish apparels with reasonable price. Furthermore, the colourful buildings is also one of the factors that I fall in love with Singapore.
Hey! I’ve just got back from Singapore and the shopping is incredible. We went to ION Orchard which was huge, you could get lost in that place.
The markets in Chinatown where pretty cool too.
Kirsty x
Oh, ION Orchard is like a city, isn’t it? I mean, you could probably spend a whole week just exploring all of the shopping options in the city!
We didn’t have much time for shopping in Singapore though the shops at Marina Bay Sands are epic. I imagine Haji lane is a lot more atmospheric though ;)
Lots of love,
Angie
SilverSpoon London
It’s a very different experience, with the modern shops offering an incredibly slick retail journey, and the traditional areas being a lot more jumbled, but with a lot of character. Both are awesome!
Singapore, never ending shopping story :)
Haha, indeed – you could visit the city and not do anything else at all (not that I’d recommend it)