[2023 GUIDE] The Best Places to Go Shopping in Singapore

Shopping in Singapore is the perfect place to find unique and interesting items for every budget.

Singapore is a small island nation, but it is known for being one of the best shopping destinations in the world. It has more malls per square mile than any other country. For example, Orchard Road is one of the most famous streets in the city, and it is filled with a variety of malls.

If you prefer outdoor shopping, there are also many great places to explore. Chinatown, Little India, and Bugis Street Market are great shopping destinations. Each place has its unique atmosphere and offers a wonderful experience.

With so many great options, Singapore is the national sport of shopping. There is something for everyone, and each place is sure to provide an unforgettable experience.

The Best Places to Go Shopping in Singapore

1. Orchard Road

Orchard Road in Singapore is the ultimate shopping destination. Spanning 2.2 kilometers, it is home to pristine megamalls such as ION Orchard and Paragon, where shoppers can find all their favorite designer brands. Far East Asia and Lucky Plaza offer a wide range of cheap food and fashion for those looking for a more affordable option. In addition, there are plenty of bars and restaurants to explore. Orchard Road truly has it all, making it the undisputed shopping hub of Singapore.

2. ION ORCHARD

ION Orchard is one of Singapore’s largest and most well-known shopping malls. It is conveniently located directly next to Orchard MRT Station and linked via underground walkways to Wisma Atria, Ngee Ann City, Wheelock Place, and Tangs. 

The mall offers a wide range of shopping options. All the big brand designer names on the ground floor, from Gucci to Prada, Diane von Furstenburg to Kate Spade. High-street favorites such as TopShop, Zara, Mango, and more are scattered throughout the lower levels of the mall. 

Basement level 4 is home to an excellent food court, dishing up some of Singapore’s favorite dishes. Additionally, there is an abundance of other eating options throughout the mall.

3. Chinatown Street Market

Singapore’s Chinatown Street Market is one of the city’s most popular attractions. It covers many streets, including Pagoda Street, Trengganu Street, Sago Lane, Smith Street, and Temple Street. Boasting an abundance of shops and stalls, it offers a variety of merchandise ranging from clothing to handicrafts and technology to homeware. It is also a great place to find souvenirs, such as silk robes, lucky cats, lacquerware, and handmade fans with calligraphy. Don’t forget to haggle with a smile if you want the best price.

The street market also has a wide array of food carts offering fresh dim sum and crispy ducks. For the best selection of street eats, head to the designated Food Street on Smith Street. The market is open from around 10 am in the morning and is most picturesque at dusk, with the lights shining brightly and the sound of hawkers tempting you to check out their wares. The colonial architecture and hanging red lanterns make for an unmistakable snapshot of Singaporean culture. The market starts to wind down around 8 pm to 9 pm, but some stalls stay open a little later, particularly those selling snacks and drinks.

4. THE SHOPPES AT MARINA BAY SANDS

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is an immense luxury shopping mall. Boasting 800,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, it is the perfect place to find high-end fashion and luxury items. Brands such as Burberry, Cartier, Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Hermes, and Miu Miu can all be found here. More affordable high-street favorites like Guess, Miss Sixty, and Banana Republic.

The casino also has a corridor offering a wide selection of luxury jewelry and watch brands to entice those who have had a lucky night at the tables.

Furthermore, the mall features a variety of acclaimed restaurants from some of the world’s leading celebrity chefs. Guy Savoy, Wolfgang Puck, and Mario Batali are some of the renowned names whose restaurants can be found here.

Clarke QuayClarke Quay is a great destination for anyone looking to enjoy a night out. With its many waterfront restaurants, vibrant avenues, and boutique stores, there’s plenty to keep you busy. For those with a penchant for shopping, there are three malls nearby: Clarke Quay Central, Riverside Point, and Great World City. Whether you’re looking for a romantic evening, a fun night out, or a day of shopping, Clarke Quay has it all.

5. VIVOCITY

VivoCity is Singapore’s largest shopping mall and a one-stop destination for retail and entertainment. It hosts a variety of high-street stores, such as Ted Baker, Zara, La Senza, and Timberland. Families with children will be pleased to find Toys R Us and several children’s clothing stores. 

In addition to the retail space, the mall also features two supermarkets, a multi-screen Golden Village cinema, a gym, and play gyms. Visitors can choose from a selection of bars and restaurants, some with outdoor seating that offers a view of Sentosa. VivoCity serves as a gateway to the island city, with a Sentosa Boardwalk and a monorail station located upstairs.

6. Mustafa Centre

Mustafa Centre is a 24-hour shopping mall located in Singapore. It is made up of two department stores joined together and sells goods under the Mustafa name. One of the main attractions is the jewelry section, where gold can be picked up at a low cost. Accessories such as bags and costume jewelry are also available and are mostly handmade with an ethnic touch. 

Shopping at Mustafa Centre is a unique experience, as it is more reminiscent of an indoor market than a department store. Narrow aisles are filled with products of every kind, including designer products at low prices. There are also famous brand name items available, usually at a lower cost than in other malls. Additionally, there is a vast assortment of Indian and other Asian specialty goods. With so much to explore, visitors may need to visit the mall a couple of times to see everything.

7. Raffles City Shopping Centre

Raffles City Shopping Centre is located in the heart of Singapore’s Civic District, conveniently just a short walk from Clarke Quay and Marina Bay. This mall is one of the many that line Orchard Road, the city’s main shopping district. 

Inside, shoppers can find a variety of shops and stores, ranging from high-end luxury brands to more affordable, popular stores. Additionally, there is a food court in the basement, offering delicious, budget-friendly dishes.

8. MANDARIN GALLERY

The Mandarin Gallery is a boutique mall located on Orchard Road, Singapore. It stands out from other malls on the same street in its selection of over 100 small shops offering independent designer boutiques. 

This provides shoppers with a more exclusive experience than what is usually found in the area. In addition, the mall also houses several popular restaurants, including Wild Honey, Jones the Grocer, and Ippudo Ramen. Each of these eateries is well-known for its quality food and dining options.

9. NGEE ANN CITY SHOPPING CENTER

Ngee Ann City is an enormous shopping mall in the center of Orchard Road. It spans over seven levels and comprises 110,450 square meters of shopping and restaurant space. The mall is well-known to locals as ‘Takashimaya’ due to the impressive Takashimaya Department Store, which occupies 35,000 square meters of retail space. 

Within the mall, customers can find a plethora of designer names, such as Tiffany, Cartier, and Chanel. There are also more budget-friendly brands, such as Zara, Ted Baker, and Mango. Additionally, Ngee Ann City boasts Asia’s largest bookstore, Kinokuniya, and Japan’s electronic giant, Best Denki. For food options, customers can choose from a wide range of restaurants or visit the fantastic food hall in the basement of the Takashimaya Department Store.

Ngee Ann City is connected to two other malls, Wisma Atria, ION Orchard, and the Orchard MRT station via an underground walkway.

10. WISMA ATRIA

Wisma Atria is a popular shopping mall in the middle of Orchard Road. It is well-known for its high-street favorites, including Gap, La Senza, Nine West, and Sea Folly. On Level B1, shoppers can find Charles & Keith and Pedro, two local shoe stores. For more local designers, Isetan, a Japanese department store, is in the mall.

The mall also boasts an excellent food court, Food Republic, on the top floor. It offers a wide selection of local cuisine at affordable prices.

For added convenience, Wisma Atria is linked via an underground passageway to two other malls, ION Orchard and Ngee Ann City, as well as to Orchard MRT station.

11. Bugis Street Market

Bugis Street Market is a bustling shopping district near Bugis MRT Station and the Bugis+ mall. Originally known for its seedy nightlife, it has become a lively hub of shopping, fine dining, and trendy cafes and bars open late. It is a popular destination for locals and tourists looking for a bargain.

The 800-plus stalls of all shapes and sizes offer items such as souvenirs, accessories, clothes, electronics, housewares, and cosmetics for as little as S$1. Clothes include jeans for just S$15, shirts and T-shirts for S$10, sunglasses and hats for S$5, and shoes for S$20. The market is covered, allowing shoppers to enjoy the bargains in any weather. Most stalls open around 11 am and stay open until the crowds leave, usually around 10 pm or 11 pm on the weekends.

Plenty of food options are available, including fresh juice bars, fried snacks, satays, and noodle stalls. For something more substantial, head to the Albert Centre market and food center at the back, which serves full meals for around S$3.50. When the market gets too hot, visitors can visit the nearby Bugis+ mall or Bugis Junction.

12. PAGODA STREET

Pagoda Street in Singapore’s Chinatown is the perfect spot for souvenir shopping. The street has been pedestrianized and is lined with market stalls on both sides. The traditional heritage shophouses in the area form a stunning backdrop. There is an abundance of t-shirts, Merlion paperweights, and tacky Chinese dragon puppets; however, if one looks closely enough, there are some great deals to be had. 

Behind the street stalls, there are several shops that offer attractive ranges of antique furniture and lacquerware. It is also worth keeping an eye out for Chinese fans, elaborate chopstick sets, Mahjong sets, Chinese Tea, and Feng Shui items such as three-legged frogs and laughing Buddhas.

13. HAJI LANE

Haji Lane is located in the Arab Quarter of Singapore and is a popular destination for young people. Despite its initial appearance, it is a trendy shopping area full of offbeat boutiques selling cult labels and vintage clothing. During the evening, the street fills with people as the small cafes, bars, and restaurants put tables and chairs into the street and five-foot ways. Customers can relax with mint tea or smoke shisha.

14. LITTLE INDIA

Exploring Little India in Singapore is an experience like no other. It is like being transported to Delhi, India, with its vibrant colors and spectacular temples. Shopping is a pleasure here, with jewelry, music CDs, clothing, and souvenirs. Race Course Road is the place to go for an excellent curry, and the Tekka Centre offers fresh food and market stalls for an authentic Asian shopping experience. For those who can’t get enough shopping, the Mustafa Centre provides 24-hour shopping for anything from perfume to electronics. Little India is truly a one-of-a-kind experience.

15. FUNAN DIGITALIFE MALL

The Funan DigitaLife Mall is the perfect destination for anyone looking to purchase IT and electronic items. It is located in the City Hall area and is easily accessible for tourists, close to Raffles City shopping mall and Boat/Clarke Quay. The mall is spread across seven levels and contains a variety of technology shops selling a range of products from cameras to laptops, MP3 players to printers. Shopping around is recommended as several stores often sell the same item, and it is worth asking if there are any special deals at the time.

In addition to the shopping opportunities, the mall also provides free Wi-Fi for customers to test out their purchases before leaving the store. For tourists, the Downtown Cash Refund counter within the mall offers instant tax refunds.