Top Things To Do In Singapore

Although tiny, this multi-cultural, city-state is one of the world’s top financial centers and full of interesting things to do. Whether you’re into architecture, amazing multi-cultural food, nightlife, culture, beaches, colorful temples, history, or shopping, Singapore has something to offer everyone. This post covers the top things to do when visiting Singapore and how to get there.

Marina Bay

This luxury area is Singapore’s de-facto center. Packed with iconic architecture, glittering skyscrapers, amazing restaurants, shops, and one-of-a-kind sites, Marina Bay is a top destination. It’s also very photogenic, especially at night. The top sites include the following.

Marina Bay Sands Complex

How To Get To Marina Bay Sands: Take the MRT Circle or Downtown Line to Bayfront station.

Gardens By The Bay

Designed to be Singapore’s urban outdoor recreation space, or “City in a Garden”, this nature park spans 250 acres in Marina Bay, with several compelling attractions.

The innovative Supertree Grove consists of 18 colossal structures, as high as 160’ (50 m). Covered with over 150,000 plants, they technologically perform plant-like functions. They collect rainwater for irrigation, and absorb sunlight to generate energy for their dazzling kaleidoscope of color at night.

Visiting the Supertree Grove and watching the light show is free, but there is a small fee for the OCBC Skywalk and Observatory.

Although the Supertree Grove is the most popular attraction, Gardens by the Bay is also home to Cloud Forest, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, Flower Dome, the world’s largest greenhouse, and other sites.

How To Get To Gardens By The Bay: Take the MRT Circle or Downtown Line to Bayfront station. Taking exit B, follow the underground linkway to the Gardens. Cross Dragonfly Bridge and arrive in Malay Garden. From there, continue straight to the Supertree Grove.

Botanical Gardens

Singapore’s Unesco Hawker Culture

Singapore is a food paradise and its Hawker Centers are a must-visit. These open-air hubs of good, inexpensive food, offer a uniquely Singaporean mix of the best of Chinese, Malaysian, and Indian cooking. In fact, hawker culture is such an important part of Singaporean life, it’s been award Unesco Heritage status.

The biggest Hawker Market is in Chinatown, Chinatown Complex Food Center, with over 260 food stalls. Maxwell Road is another popular one, also in Chinatown. Old Airport Road, Lau Pa Sat, Tekka Center, and Chomp Chomp are just a few of the many, many more. For a more comprehensive list, click here.

Hawker Center Tips: First, find your seat and note your table number. Leave a pack of napkins or some other token item to save it. When you place your order, let them know your table number and they’ll bring the food to you (unless it’s noted as ‘self service’). The best way to find the best food is to look for the longest line, or most popular stall. Especially if it’s full of locals!

Singapore’s Ethnic Districts

When Singapore was a British colony, these neighborhoods were ethnic enclaves for the Chinese, Malay, and Indian immigrants. Today they’re captivating cultural centers. From Chinatown, to Little India, Kampong Glam, and Katong, there’s a lot to explore.

Kampong Glam

Kampong Glam is Singapore’s Malay-Arab Quarter and home to its largest mosque, Sultan Mosque. The Malay Heritage center, which was once a royal palace, now showcases the history and culture of this area. And, known for its excellent Middle Eastern Food, boutique cocktail bars have also started opening here, making a stop to savor Kampong Glam’s flavors even more compelling.

How To Get To Kampong Glam: To get to Kampong Glam via MRT, take the Downtown or Green Line to Bugis Station.

Katong

Katong, home of the Peranakans, a fusion of Chinese and Malays, was once a small fishing village. A popular stop here for photos is Joo Chiat Road, which is lined with colorful, Peranakan shophouses. Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple, temple for the Hindu god Ganesha, can also be found here. And as with all the ethics districts in Singapore, Katong has its own unique mix of cultural and modern Singaporean dishes. Laksa, spicy noodles with curry, and coconut milk, is one of the must-try dishes.

How To Get To Katong: The closest MRT stations to Joo Chiat Road are Peya Lebar and Eunos.

Orchard Road

Orchard Road, which gets its name from the fruit orchards and spices that once grew here, is a mecca for shopping and entertainment. From the 8 levels at glamorous ION Orchard, to department stores, plazas, and malls galore, there’s 1.6 miles (2.5 km) of shopping here.

How To Get To Orchard Road: There are three MRT stops along Orchard Road. Orchard Station is the northernmost station, while Somerset is near the center, and Dhoby Ghaut is on the southern end.

Island Getaways In Singapore

Singapore is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, so if you find the need to escape to one of its 64 islands for a day, it’s not surprising. A few of the top tropical getaways are listed below.

• Sentosa, is the closest and largest island with Universal Studios, SEA Aquarium. And along with plenty of bars, restaurants, and cafes, it also has some of the most popular beaches. To get here, take the Circle Line to Harborfront station, then take the Sentosa Express or walk across the bridge.
• Bintan, known for its high-end resorts, gold courses and beautiful beaches and golf is southeast of Singapore. To get here, take a ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.
• St. John’s Island. Once a quarantine area for infectious diseases and later a drug rehabilitation center, this tranquil island is now an oasis of beaches. To get here, take a ferry from Marina South Pier.
• Lazarus is just east of St. John’s. There is no direct ferry here. You need to get to St. John’s island and then walk by foot.
• Sister’s Islands is home to Singapore’s first Marine Park. This area is perfect for snorkeling and diving. To get here, take a ferry from Marina South Pier.
• Pulau Ubin is an island off northeastern Singapore. Its name literally means ‘granite island’ due to the abandoned granite quarries here. The rustic beauty of this island is great for cycling, hiking, kayaking the mangroves, and camping. To get here, take a boat from Changi Point Ferry Terminal.

Want More Tips on Singapore?

For the full range of tips, including best time to visit, money matters, logistics, safety, and what not to do in Singapore, see my Singapore Travel Guide.