A Guide to the Biggest Shopping Malls in Singapore
Singapore is a shopper’s paradise, renowned for its impressive array of mega-sized shopping malls that combine retail, dining, and entertainment under one roof. With a mix of luxury boutiques, high-street brands, and unique experiences, these malls cater to every taste and budget.
1. VivoCity
- Size: Approximately 1.5 million square feet (gross floor area)
- Location: 1 HarbourFront Walk, Singapore 098585
- Why It’s Big: VivoCity is widely recognized as Singapore’s largest shopping mall, sprawling across multiple levels with over 380 shops, dining options, and entertainment facilities.
- What to Expect:
- A diverse range of stores, from international fashion brands like Zara, H&M, and Pull&Bear to beauty outlets like Victoria’s Secret and Aesop.
- Entertainment galore: Singapore’s largest cinema (Golden Village), a rooftop Sky Park with a wading pool, and an outdoor amphitheater.
- Waterfront dining with stunning views of Sentosa Island, accessible via a short boardwalk.
- Family-friendly features like a playground and paddle boat rides for kids.
- Unique Highlights: Its quirky, open-space architecture and proximity to Sentosa make it a lifestyle destination beyond just shopping.
- How to Get There: Directly connected to HarbourFront MRT station (North-East and Circle Lines). It’s also near the Sentosa Express and cable car stations.
- Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM daily
2. ION Orchard
- Size: Approximately 941,000 square feet (gross floor area)
- Location: 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801
- Why It’s Big: Located on the iconic Orchard Road, ION Orchard is a futuristic, eight-story retail giant with over 300 stores, blending luxury and high-street shopping.
- What to Expect:
- Luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Dior, and Cartier dominate the upper floors.
- Affordable fashion options like Zara, Uniqlo, and Mango in the basement levels.
- A food haven with everything from a basement food court to upscale dining at places like FLNT and Bacha Coffee.
- ION Sky, a free observation deck on Level 56 offering panoramic city views (check for availability).
- Unique Highlights: Its striking, colorful exterior lights up at night, and the seamless integration with Orchard MRT makes it ultra-convenient.
- How to Get There: Directly linked to Orchard MRT station (North-South and Thomson-East Coast Lines) via underground exits.
- Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM daily
3. Suntec City Mall
- Size: Approximately 888,000 square feet (retail space)
- Location: 3 Temasek Boulevard, Singapore 038983
- Why It’s Big: Situated in the heart of Marina Centre, Suntec City spans four shopping zones across multiple towers, offering over 380 retail and dining options.
- What to Expect:
- A mix of stores including H&M, Nike, Uniqlo, and Lush, plus specialty Japanese dining like Katsu-an and Butahage.
- The massive Cow Play Cow Moo arcade, split across two towers, with exclusive toys and a huge redemption counter.
- The Fountain of Wealth, once the world’s largest fountain, is a central landmark for photo ops.
- Unique Highlights: Its labyrinthine layout can be a challenge to navigate, but it adds to the adventure. The mall’s location in the Central Business District makes it a hub for both locals and tourists.
- How to Get There: Accessible via Promenade MRT station (Circle and Downtown Lines) or a short walk from City Hall MRT (North-South and East-West Lines).
- Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM daily
4. NEX
- Size: Approximately 860,000 square feet (gross floor area)
- Location: 23 Serangoon Central, Singapore 556083
- Why It’s Big: As one of the largest suburban malls in Singapore, NEX serves the northeast region with over 70,000 square meters of retail space and more than 300 stores.
- What to Expect:
- A wide variety of shops, from fashion (Uniqlo, H&M) to electronics (Challenger) and a FairPrice Xtra hypermarket.
- Dining options galore, including fast food (KFC, Jollibee) and local favorites like Din Tai Fung.
- A rooftop “green necklace” with public spaces like the Sky Terrace and a wet playground for kids.
- Unique Highlights: Its eco-friendly design and pet-friendly rooftop with a dog park set it apart from typical urban malls.
- How to Get There: Directly connected to Serangoon MRT station (North-East and Circle Lines) and Serangoon Bus Interchange.
- Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM daily
5. Ngee Ann City (Takashimaya)
- Size: Approximately 1.3 million square feet (gross floor area, including non-retail space)
- Location: 391 Orchard Road, Singapore 238873
- Why It’s Big: Another Orchard Road titan, Ngee Ann City is a seven-story complex with over 130 stores, anchored by the massive Takashimaya department store.
- What to Expect:
- Luxury brands like Chanel, Burberry, and Goyard, alongside high-street names like Zara and Sephora.
- Books Kinokuniya, Singapore’s largest bookstore, offering over 500,000 titles.
- Takashimaya spans five floors, selling everything from fashion to household goods.
- Dining ranges from basement food stalls to fine dining like Angus Steak House.
- Unique Highlights: Its festive events at Takashimaya Square and Civic Plaza draw huge crowds, especially during holidays.
- How to Get There: A short walk from Orchard MRT station (North-South and Thomson-East Coast Lines) via underground links through Wisma Atria.
- Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM daily
6. Jewel Changi Airport
- Size: Approximately 1.46 million square feet (gross floor area)
- Location: 78 Airport Boulevard, Singapore 819666
- Why It’s Big: While technically part of Changi Airport, Jewel is a standalone retail and lifestyle destination with over 280 shops and eateries across multiple levels.
- What to Expect:
- A mix of international brands (Nike, Zara) and unique dining like A&W and Birds of Paradise.
- The Rain Vortex, the world’s largest indoor waterfall, surrounded by the lush Forest Valley.
- Entertainment options like the Canopy Park with mazes, slides, and a suspension bridge.
- Unique Highlights: Its airport integration and jaw-dropping design make it a must-visit, even for non-travelers.
- How to Get There: Connected to Changi Airport Terminal 1 and accessible via the East-West Line MRT to Changi Airport station, followed by a short walk.
- Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM daily (some outlets 24 hours)
7. IMM
- Size: Approximately 961,000 square feet (gross floor area)
- Location: 2 Jurong East Street 21, Singapore 609601
- Why It’s Big: Singapore’s largest outlet mall, IMM offers over 90 outlet stores and 215 retail shops across five levels.
- What to Expect:
- Discounted premium brands like Coach, Kate Spade, Nike, and Adidas (up to 80% off year-round).
- A Giant Hypermarket, Daiso, and over 50 dining options, including Hai Di Lao and Long Beach Seafood.
- A wet and dry playground for kids on Level 3.
- Unique Highlights: Its focus on outlet shopping makes it a bargain hunter’s dream, paired with proximity to Westgate and JCube via the J-Walk link bridge.
- How to Get There: Linked to Jurong East MRT station (North-South and East-West Lines) via the J-Walk bridge.
- Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM daily
Tips for Visiting Singapore’s Biggest Malls
- Wear Comfortable Shoes: These malls are massive, and you’ll be walking a lot.
- Plan Your Route: Many have complex layouts (e.g., Suntec City), so grab a directory or use mall apps.
- Check for Promotions: Tourists can often claim special vouchers or discounts with a passport at places like VivoCity.
- Timing: Weekdays are less crowded than weekends, especially in popular spots like Orchard Road.
- Public Transport: All these malls are MRT-accessible, making them easy to reach without a car.
Singapore’s biggest malls are more than just shopping centers—they’re vibrant hubs of activity where you can shop, eat, and play all day. Whether you’re after luxury goods at ION Orchard, family fun at VivoCity, or bargains at IMM, there’s a mega-mall for every kind of visitor. Happy shopping!
