Whether you’re looking for keychains that look like Merlions or magnets that feature the Lion City’s famous landmarks, you’ve got no shortage of souvenir options when in Singapore.
These trinkets aren’t only the perfect way to commemorate your trip, but they’re also great gifts for friends and family back home. That said, where exactly should you go to buy the best souvenirs the city-state has to offer? Read on for a few suggestions!
If you’re looking for a souvenir store that’s near your Singapore Changi Airport hotel, then look no further than GIFT. This shop is located on the 4th level of Jewel Changi Airport, a retail complex that’s easily accessible from Terminals 1 to 3. This means you don’t have to wander too far to buy gifts or souvenirs. In short, GIFT is the best place to visit for those last-minute souvenir shopping trips, especially if you’re in a hurry to catch your return flight.
At GIFT, you can buy beautiful accessories like Peranakan-inspired jewelry and tote bags featuring gorgeous painted sceneries. This store also sells products designed by Singaporean artists with autism to not only recognize their skills but also enrich their lives through their contributions. Another popular GIFT product is a perfume that replicates the scent of Changi Airport, which makes for a unique novelty item you simply can’t find anywhere else.
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Bugis Street Market
Bugis Street Market is one of the largest and most inexpensive street markets in Singapore. As its name implies, the place is actually a marketplace rather than a gift shop. This area is packed with lots of stalls where you can buy clothes, mobile accessories, souvenirs, food, and snacks.
After you’re done shopping, you can even pamper yourself at some of the service-based establishments found here, such as massage parlors and nail salons. After all, who says you can’t get a little makeover before heading back home?
Pagoda Street in Chinatown
Much like Bugis Street Market, Chinatown’s Pagoda Street is a marketplace full of shopping stalls. What sets this street apart from others, however, is its historical and traditional appearance. Indeed, its aesthetics evoke the culture and architectural design of Chinese settlers as well as traditional Indian and Malay influences.
Here, you can buy inexpensive souvenirs in bulk, with some stores offering irresistible deals. You may, for example, be able to purchase three items for only SGD 10, if you know where to look. That said, Pagoda Street is also well-known for selling souvenirs based on witty jokes about the city-state. You can also find keychains, paperweights, and other products proudly featuring the iconic Merlion.
Mustafa Centre in Little India
Mustafa Centre is a shopping mall located in Little India. Unlike most other malls in the city-state, Mustafa Centre is always open 24/7. So, in case you only have time to shop for souvenirs late into the night or very early in the morning, this is the perfect place to go. Additionally, you can find practically anything at Mustafa Centre at affordable prices.
If you’re looking for souvenirs for yourself, your friends, or your family members, head to the second floor of the mall.
Here, you’ll find all sorts of gift options such as nail clippers, pens, paperweights, sweets, and more. You can also find Singapore’s famous Eagle Brand Medicated Oil and Tiger Balm ointments here. These products are often used by locals to provide themselves with physical relief from headaches and other types of body pain.
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Lucky Plaza in Orchard Road
If you want to get your souvenirs at the lowest possible prices, you might want to visit Lucky Plaza on Orchard Road. Though this shopping center has gotten a bit of a reputation for its messy floor plan and outdated facilities, it’s still well-known by both locals and tourists as a budget shopping mall.
Aside from the usual keychains, magnets, and coasters, you can buy branded perfumes, cosmetics, clothes, and other products at bargain prices here. Some of the more common souvenirs you can find in Lucky Plaza include chocolates featuring Merlion-inspired packaging as well as tote bags and t-shirts that have “I love Singapore” printed on them.
Whether you’re visiting Singapore for business or leisure, make sure to visit the places mentioned above before getting on your return flight. These shopping centers and streets are packed full of stores selling unique keepsakes to remind you of your time in the city-state or to bring home to your loved ones.
But before you head to these places, it’s a good idea to set a budget for your souvenir expenses so that you don’t go overboard while shopping. You may also want to create a list of giftees on your phone so that you can easily track if you’ve already got something for a particular person or not. Other than that, go ahead and have fun browsing these stores, malls, and marketplaces!
