Absence makes the heart grow fonder. But for Malaysians, Singapore is a neighbour so close it often feels like an extension of home, although one shimmering with its own cosmopolitan verve.

Soon, the metropolis will host one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events.Come Oct 3 to 5, the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix returns to the Marina Bay Street Circuit with engines echoing against glass towers and lights dancing on the island’s pools. Yet, while the race itself is a magnet for fans, it is also a timely invitation to rediscover the city state, savour new flavours, explore its evolving cultural landscape and indulge in the many luxuries it so readily offers.

For those attending the event, the spectacle is as much about the atmosphere as the sport. The 5.063km circuit, illuminated under thousands of floodlights, snakes through the heart of the city and past some of its most iconic landmarks. It is notoriously demanding: even under night skies, cockpit temperatures soar, humidity clings and drivers can lose up to 3kg of body weight in a single race.

Tickets, while not inexpensive, open doors to far more than motorsport with music, fashion and glamour coming into the mix. Choose from a range of options depending on how you want to craft your experience — general walkabout passes grant access to live concerts and trackside revelry (S$290 to S$600, or RM950 to RM1,964), while grandstand packages and coveted VIP hospitality suites promise views that pair adrenaline with luxury (S$300 to S$1,790). Passes can be purchased from official suppliers such as P1 Travel, or well-established sellers like Gootickets and Motorsport Tickets.

 

 

If you prefer witnessing the championship away from the grandstand, consider splurging on a private hospitality suite. Atop the National Gallery of Singapore, for an exorbitant US$4,500 (RM18,943), 47A by Tom Barker Group allows 70 guests to enjoy the display in a personalised setting with a panoramic trackside and city-skyline perspective, paired with a Michelin-star culinary experience.

The Grand Prix takes place at the very centre of the city. Unlike other F1 venues that require arduous treks, Marina Bay’s downtown location means the action unfolds alongside the everyday pulse of Singaporean life. The MRT, clean and efficient, is often the easiest way to navigate, particularly with road closures. Arm yourself with a Singapore Tourist Pass and you will find that gliding between venues is fast and convenient. Taxis and e-hailing services are affordable and comfortable but keep in mind that they may be scarce during peak hours.

Stepping away from the main agenda itself, where you choose to stay can define the experience. Many hotels offer targeted packages where you can enjoy great deals including complimentary buffets, parking and discounts on food menus amid 5-star hospitality, specifically establishments under Millenium Hotels and Resorts as well as Pan Pacific Hotels Group. For a city-centric stay, consider Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay and Orchard Hotel where you can view the track from the comfort of your room.

On the flipside, Parkroyal Collection Pickering and Grand Copthorne Waterfront are quieter choices tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city — the former is an eco-friendly garden concept in Chinatown and the latter is set along the banks of the historic Singapore River. Not to worry though, they are still within walking distance of train stations that will take you straight to your desired destination.

The season sees the city turning into a carnival — Singapore’s entertainment calendar surges, presenting visitors with a wide array of activities to pass time. Few places set the stage quite like Marina Bay Sands, the integrated resort synonymous with the Grand Prix. In fact, the iconic façade will contrast the night sky as it illuminates in the vibrant hue of Ferrari red. Furthermore, fans can enjoy the excellence of Italian engineering by admiring the striking Scuderia Ferrari HP show car up close in the hotel lobby.

Rev up at Marquee Singapore where international DJs like Afrojack and Martin Garixx will take to the decks for exhilarating afterparties. If you are looking to let loose without alcohol, consider venturing to Caffeine and Bass/Night Drift happening at CQ @ Clarke Quay, where you can dance from day to night in the embrace of artisan coffee.

To fuel yourself before the legendary line-up, music lovers can enjoy a wide selection of live shows. Jam Off 2025 will be held at Sentosa, with performances by popstars Rain, Ekin Cheng and Hins Cheung. GrooveDriver Festival at Marina Central will see the exclusive Singapore debut of British singer-songwriter Henry Moodie and South Korean singer Gemini, joined by regional talents like Shaun and Yuju and homegrown artistes Regina Song and WHYLUCAS. Music Matters Live brings international acts from 17 countries to Clarke Quay, featuring Filipino singer-actor James Reid, Japanese boy group Psychic Fever from Exile Tribe,  Australian singer Go-Jo and Indonesian singer-songwriter Shakira Jasmine.

Art enthusiasts have not been forgotten. Have your thoughts provoked by visiting the Arts House to explore the principles of quantum physics through the lens of contemporary art at Quantum Perspective: The Art of Interference. Curated by Nadia Stefanel, the exhibition showcases pieces by Italian and Singaporean artists that transform invisible scientific concepts into striking visual and sensory experiences, connecting art, science and the precision of motorsport. The cross-cultural dialogue also celebrates the centenary of quantum mechanics, recognised by the United Nations as one of the greatest milestones in human knowledge. A short distance away, the National Museum’s immersive marine-themed experience titled Once Upon a Tide blends art, history and environmental reflection. To commemorate Singapore’s 60th year of independence, this is the perfect chance to delve into the island’s 700-year history and transformation from a bustling port to a global powerhouse.

Dining, of course, is where Singapore truly shines, and race week sees its culinary stage move up another gear. Resorts World Sentosa tempts with thematic menus at its constellation of fine-dining establishments: Indulge in a fusion of flavours and cooking traditions of Chinese-Peruvian cuisine such as Pole Position Arroz Chaufa from CHIFA! or savour an exquisite six-course menu featuring fine, sustainable ingredients prepared at Ocean Restaurant. Complete your meal with desserts sculpted to perfection such as Circuit de Chocolat. You can also bite into the helmet-shaped Pit Stop Delight — a mix of cocoa, zesty yuzu and almond biscuits at the Hotel Ora Lounge.

Newcomers continue to enrich the scene: Nikuya Tanaka on Teck Lim Road, Japan’s top-ranked omakase steakhouse, makes its international debut with melt-in-your-mouth wagyu. An intimate restaurant with only 10 counter seats and five in a private dining room, the establishment prides itself on its purebred Tajima Wagyu that accounts for less than 0.1% of Japanese beef. For a more localised menu, Beach Road’s Belimbing reinterprets Peranakan flavours with a contemporary flair with rice-based dishes like nasi ulam and sweet treats such as pumpkin bingka. Find Singapore’s highest authentic Cantonese cuisine at the newly opened Jin Ting Wan, with signature offerings such as Drunken Mantis Shrimp with Chinese Celtuce and Alaskan King Crab. Its standout Roasted Duck with Black Pepper is prepared using a time-honoured method that splits the duck to resemble the pipa, a Chinese instrument.

Ultimately, whether or not you hold a ticket to this yearly spectacle, being in Singapore during the Grand Prix is about immersion. It is the buzz of engines reverberating through glass and steel, the glitter of the skyline mirrored in the bay, the shared excitement of tens of thousands caught in a single, collective thrill. It is also the taste of a new dish, the discovery of an exhibition, the unhurried conversations in a restaurant where Old World charm meets modern invention. The race may be the jewel in the crown, but the true luxury lies in extending your stay, stepping beyond the barriers and experiencing the Lion City in full.

 

This article first appeared on Sept 29, 2025 in The Edge Malaysia.Â