Top 10 places to shop in Singapore

Haji Lane

For vintage duds look no further than Haji Lane. There you’ll find rows of adorable boutiques brimming with local finds, all at great prices. It will be quite the unpredictable treasure hunt so be sure to leave time for the trip, especially for shops like Dulcetfig, Loft, Soon Lee, Rusty Buttons and Ohsofickle. Check out CNNGo's more comprehensive coverage of vintage shopping in Singapore.

Getting there: Haji Lane is a stone's throw away from Bugis MRT Station in the neighborhood of Kampong Glam.

Parco Marina Bay

The newly opened Parco Marina Bay is a welcoming addition to Singapore’s overcrowded web of malls. The S$10 million, 85,000 square feet complex is located in the sleepy Millennia Walk but offers plenty of quirky retail and eating spots, many of them new to Singapore, to keep the ladies busy for a good part of the day. 

Getting there: 9 Raffles Boulevard #03-02 Millenia Walk. Parco Marina Bay is near Promenade MRT station exit A.

Mustafa Centre

You know a shopping spot is hot when the government has to issue a court order to close a floor down for over-crowding inspections. Mustafa Centre, which spans two complexes in the middle of Little India, is open round the clock and is known to carry everything from ethnic jewelry to the latest electronics. Every traveler and local pressed for time heads to Mustafa for last-minute shopping and purchases, so if you want to avoid the hordes, go in the early morning or after midnight. 

Getting there: 145 Syed Alwi Road.

ION Orchard

Call it a monster mall if you will. ION Orchard, in all its futuristic, spaceship-like glory, spans eight retail floors (and 48 more residential floors) and cost S$2 billion to build. The mall has over 333 stores with high fashion brands and gourmet dining venues thrown into the mix.

Getting there: 2 Orchard Turn, near Orchard MRT station.

Sungei Road Thieves' Market

If you’re hunting for all things worn, torn and retro, the Sungei Road Thieves’ Market won’t disappoint. While not quite as swashbuckling as the name suggests (in this case the‘thieves’ hark back to the 1930s), Singapore’s oldest flea market stretches between Kelantan Road and Weld Road and offers a hot and cheerily disorienting shopping experience. For more, check out CNNGo’s $5 treasure hunting experience at the market.

Getting there: Along Jalan Besar near Sungei Road, between Kelantan Road and Weld Road.

Chinatown

Singapore’s Chinatown is one of the most dynamic in Asia, spilling over with souvenir shacks, Indian temples, traditional Chinese medicine shops and nighttime hawkers. If you’re planning to navigate through this complicated web, CNNGo has an interactive walking tour map to guide the dazed and confused.

Getting there: The Chinatown district is near the Outram MRT station.

Little India

Messy, loud but alluringly vibrant, Singapore’s Little India draws everyone from thirsty backpackers to locals on a last minute shopping dash. With art galleries, unscrubbed restaurants and vegetable stalls all nicely crammed into 700 by 500 meters of space, Little India is a must see on any tourists’ circuit. Be sure to read CNNGo's walking guide to Singapore's Little India before you set off.

Getting there: Take the northeast MRT line to Little India Station and exit at Racecourse Road. Little India is bounded by Racecourse Road, Syed Alwi Road, and Jalan Besar.

Ann Siang Road

The Ann Siang Road neighborhood is a boho-creative hub of designer fashion boutiques, French patisseries and niche bookstores. The area is lined with delightful old shophouse façades and makes for a delightful afternoon stroll.

Getting there: Ann Siang Road is a five to 10 minute stroll from Chinatown MRT station.

BooksActually

For book hunting or some quiet me time we love BooksActually, an independent bookshop on Ann Siang Road specializing in fictional literature. The quietly charming bookstore eludes the frenetic pace of Singapore and is the perfect place to lose yourself. If you’re lucky you might even stumble across rare copies of Lemony Snicket first editions.

Getting there: BooksActually is located at 5 Ann Siang Road.

Bugis Junction

Formerly Singapore’s red light district, Bugis Junction is now nicely cleaned up to offer an ultra agreeable shopping mall experience. Part of the mall takes the form of an air-conditioned shopping street, complete with glass ceilings, and kids love getting soaked at the outdoor fountain at Bugis Square.

Getting there: Bugis Junction is located right next to the Bugis MRT Station.