Central Region

The island state of Singapore is split into five administrative areas of which the Central Region is by far the most relevant to foreign visitors. This Central Region is itself made up of a dozen planning areas, of which the Central Area and Marine Parade will be the most familiar.

The heart of Singapore's hotel accommodation, restaurants and entertainment venues are all within this Central Area — in fact probably the only time you'll find yourself outside the Central Region is when you're heading to the Airport, Malaysia, the Night Safari or Bird Park.

Budget travellers will be headed straight towards either Little India or Bugis and Kampong Glam while the shopaholics need look no further than Orchard Road.

For a more Singaporean vibe, Chinatown is well worth a look in, while families will enjoy Sentosa and Greater Singapore (which hosts the Singapore Zoo and Jurong Bird Park among others). If nightlife is more your thing, the Quays are an obvious starting point and there are plenty of eating options in the Raffles to Marina Bay area.