Prepare for Your Trip to the World's Top Shopping Paradise: What to Buy in Singapore and Where to Shop for Maximum Satisfaction (2022)

Among so many different things, Singapore is known to be one of the safest countries in the world due to its low crime rate, an effective legal system and a reliable police force with very cordial and supportive citizens. Singapore is physically small but its huge when it comes to economics and has been one of the most modern cities in Southeast Asia. It provides a mix of Malay, Chinese, Arab, Indian and English cultures and religions with a large amount of exceptional sightseeing places and great food. People from all over the world visit Singapore around the year to enjoy luxury hotels and great shopping experience.

Its award winning Changi Airport offers air links to major cities around the globe with excellent train and subways that are clean and fast. You won't need a car to travel around the city due to its excellent public transportation or you can walk around through its clean and green environment while enjoying parks, nature reserves and tropical greenery.

Singapore is not one but comprises of 64 islands. These offshore 64 islands that surrounds the main island include Sentosa, Pulau Ubin, St. John's and Sisters Islands. Above all this Singapore is known for its shopping arenas. You can shop through luxury malls, street shops and local markets to find whatever you desire, as long as you know what you want. We have curated a list of things that you can buy when visiting Singapore from clothes to electronics to jewellery and edibles.

If you are planning to visit Singapore you might end up with a long list of things your relatives and friends ask you to bring for them. You might also want to buy gifts or souvenirs for your loved ones while you enjoy your trip. Here is a list of some of the most popular souvenirs you can buy and make your loved ones happy.

The miniature Merlion souvenir is one of the most popular things you can buy when in Singapore. It is the iconic symbol of Singapore that is a bizarre man-made creature with its upper half representing a lion and the other half of the body is that of a mermaid. The lion represents Singapore’s original name, 'lion city' and the lower half shows the origin as a fishing village. You can either buy the statue or get key chains, refrigerator magnets, can openers, ashtrays and chocolates with miniature Merlion carved on them in different places in Singapore. It usually costs SGD 2 (about ₹ 112.00) or more depending on where you buy it from. Getting this for your friends will let them know that you thought about them while you were in Singapore.

Everybody loves perfumes and it is considered to be the best gift for anyone regardless of age and gender. There are numerous perfumes available in Singapore from very affordable prices to very expensive ones. The most popular perfume in Singapore is the orchid perfume. Orchid is the national flower of Singapore and buying and gifting it to your friends back home is like handing them the scent of Singapore. They come in beautiful bottles and attractive packing and are easily available throughout the city. You can find orchid perfumes in different scents at Isetan, Orchard Road and Marina Bay Cruise Center.

If you have a friend back home who is a die-hard fan of great drinks then he will surely love the Singapore Sling. It is known as the national drink of Singapore. It was created by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon at Raffles Hotel's Long Bar in the 1930s and has become the most popular drink in Singapore. The original drink has gin, cherry brandy, orange juice, lime juice and pineapple juice, but now there are different variants available for the drink. You can find them in cute bottles that are easy to carry as gifts for your loved ones back home. The price range starts from SGD 30 (about ₹ 1,700.00) and you can buy it from Raffles Hotel's Long Bar/souvenir shops, Changi Airport souvenir shops, other shops that sell drinks and supermarkets as well.

A trip to Singapore is incomplete until you buy something that reminds you of orchids. For the the women in the family you can buy the beautiful RISIS Orchid Necklace as a memorable gift. You would be amazed to know that this RISIS Orchid Necklace is made from real orchids plated in 24 karat gold and it is one of the most beautiful things you can buy from Singapore and bring back the national flower of the country to your loved ones. You can buy this amazing gift in the shops at Marina Bay Sands, Tangs Orchard, Suntec City Mall, Gardens by the Bay, National Orchid Garden at Singapore Botanic Gardens and the Changi Airport.

Another great gift for your people when you return from Singapore are Asian artifacts. These artifacts are a must buy as they make excellent and unique gifts. You can buy beautiful scrolls, antique pieces that can be decorated around the house and many more. These gifts can be given to distant family members, your co-workers and people you want to oblige when you get back home. You can find them in Chinatown, Holland Village and Tanglin Shopping Centre at various prices.

Have a tea-lover in your group and can't figure out what to get him from Singapore? You can buy Orchid Red Tea and make him very happy. The Orchid Red Tea is a unique gift as orchids play an important role in making it. It is a blend of refreshing orchids turned into aromatic tea with the help of orchid petals. Sipping this tea will refresh your friend instantly. The tea price starts from ₹ 1,430.00 onwards and can be bought around Singapore.

Another excellent thing to buy from Singapore is the Singaporean textiles and fabrics. They come in different shapes, designs and sizes and you can buy table covers, outfits, carpets and so much more that will remind you of your trip to Singapore. A very famous piece is the batik garment which has intricate patterns adorning the material. It is one of the most comfortable fabrics to wear. You can find silk, cotton, and linen shirts and skirts in batik made clothing. You can also check out some fabrics that depicts Malay, Peranakan and other cultures of Singapore. Buying beautiful laces, ribbons, bands, etc. is also very popular when in Singapore as you can use them in your outfits and remember Singapore. These fabrics and textiles can be bought for as little as SGD 10 - SGD 1,000 (about ₹ 560.00 - ₹ 56,000.00) depending on what you like and you can find them in Arab Street in Kampong Glam and Serangoon Road in Little India which are some of the best places in Singapore to shop for textiles. Also, you will find many stores selling fabrics in Chinatown.

This is one of the most bought items in Singapore. Tiger Balm is a famous local brand and makes excellent ointments, balm and insect repellents. It was created by Chinese herbalists for the Chinese emperors and now it is available around Singapore easily. They make excellent pain relievers for muscle pains, joint pains, headaches, insect bites and more.

All packed and ready to go back but wait, you should buy pressed pennies before you return to your family and friends. These are elongated coins with iconic designs engraved on them which make them a perfect gift. You can get them from automatic penny flattening machines through which you can make your own pressed penny souvenirs. Cost per penny is SGD 2 (about ₹ 130.00) or buy them from Universal Studios, National Museum of Singapore, Suntec City Mall, etc.

Last but not the least is this fun card game called Limpeh Says. This game was made by a student as his school project which went viral and is now one of the most entertaining games you can buy from Singapore. It is full of local references and jokes that will keep the players entertained for hours. You can buy it through the official website or from different game stores around Singapore.

Singapore is known for its food items and here are a few great edible items you can buy before you head back home and enjoy them with your family and friends.

Pork floss is made from steeping meat and is made with sweetened soy sauce mixture. Its sweet and salty taste is irresistible and it is a great snack. You can buy it packed in various sizes which you can buy for yourself or your friends. It sure is addictive and you'll miss it when you run out of it.

You can also buy curry puff which is a layered pastry with chunks of chicken, potatoes and a sliced egg cooked with curry spices. It is a popular snack within Singapore and has been popular for more than six decades. One of the most famous one is the Old Chang Kee's curry puff that you can buy and whip up with a fryer.

Lim Chee Guan Bak Kwa is a Chinese New Year delicacy but you can find it all year around. It is barbequed meat slices that you can buy in sealed zip lock bags. If you are in Singapore around New Year you might have to stand in a queue to buy it. Buying it will give you a chance to be a part of the Singaporean tradition for sure.

Buying Kaya jam is something you'll find on the breakfast table everywhere in Singapore. It is made with a mix of eggs, coconut and pandan leaves. You might not like the colour of the jam but the taste is surely exquisite. It is said that the Portuguese occupation of nearby Melaka brought sweet egg cream across the water and made Kaya jam from it. You can buy it from any local supermarket and take it home.

Singapore is famous for its shopping areas from luxury malls to street-side markets. Here are a few places where you can shop and go crazy over it: