Top 19 Best Things to Do in Singapore
Things to Do in Singapore : Selecting the top activities in Singapore proved challenging due to the city’s wealth of impressive attractions, thrilling experiences, and family-friendly day trips. Most people are familiar with the city’s iconic symbol, the Merlion, which is featured alongside the Marina Bay Sands and Singapore Flyer—both offering stunning panoramic views of the famed Singapore skyline.
This compact island nation is a tapestry of contrasts; Chinatown and Little India, each a vibrant hub for food and shopping, highlight the country’s rich ethnic diversity. When it comes to nightlife, you can enjoy a Singapore Sling at the elegant Raffles Hotel or visit Clarke Quay for some of the city’s most scenic dining and drinking spots. Explore these highlights and more in our curated list of the best things to do in Singapore.
1. Marina Bay
Marina Bay is the heart of Singapore’s most stunning attractions and activities. As this dynamic city-state has rapidly evolved, the Marina Bay area has transformed on a grand scale.
The centerpiece is the S$5.5 billion Marina Bay Sands complex, around which many of the area’s top sights and experiences revolve. This iconic resort is home to the Science Museum, a casino, and numerous options for shopping, dining, and nightlife. For an unforgettable experience, visit Marina Bay around 8 p.m. to witness the mesmerizing light show that brightens the water and showcases several of the city’s iconic landmarks that are postcard-famous.
2. Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay is a vast, vibrant, and futuristic park located in Singapore’s bay area, renowned for winning numerous architectural awards. The iconic Supertree structures feature a stunning skywalk with panoramic views of the gardens, while the giant, seashell-shaped greenhouses simulate cool mountain climates. With a diverse array of plants and trees to explore, this destination offers an engaging experience for visitors of all ages, making it a favorite spot for both kids and adults.
3. Sentosa
Sentosa is a man-made island just off Singapore’s southern coast, designed specifically for leisure and relaxation. This stretch of reclaimed land is home to beaches, theme parks, golf courses, shopping, dining, and much more. You can reach the island by road or cable car.
While it may not offer the most authentic experience, Sentosa is perfect if you’re looking to add some fun to your Singapore visit. You can choose to stay on the island, but even if you’re based elsewhere, all the attractions are easily accessible via the MRT, just 15 minutes from downtown Singapore.
4. Universal Studios Singapore
Universal Studios Singapore is Southeast Asia’s first theme park of its kind, featuring over 20 attractions spread across themed zones like the Lost World, Ancient Egypt, New York, Hollywood, Madagascar, and Far Far Away.
Among the rides, you’ll find two water attractions and five exciting roller coasters. The park also caters to families with young children, offering live shows, a kid-friendly roller coaster, and a charming merry-go-round. Situated on Sentosa Island, Universal Studios is conveniently accessible via the MRT subway.
5. Singapore Chinatown
Exploring Chinatown is a must in Singapore, no matter how many times you’ve visited. It’s a popular spot for shopping—many claim it’s the best place to score affordable souvenirs—while offering a mix of significant attractions and plenty of authentic Chinese cuisine.
The area is filled with countless restaurants and hawker stalls. To dive deeper into the history of Chinatown, visit the Chinatown Heritage Centre on Pagoda Street, which highlights the struggles of the Chinese immigrants who played a key role in founding Singapore. Other notable attractions include Thian Hock Keng Temple, Singapore’s oldest temple, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Eu Yan Sang Chinese Medical Hall, and Maxwell Road Food Centre.
6. Orchard Road
Orchard Road is one of Singapore’s most famous streets and the city’s premier shopping destination, comparable to Oxford Street in London or Nathan Road in Hong Kong. Lined on both sides with a mix of local and international department stores, boutiques, offices, spas, beauty salons, hotels, entertainment venues, restaurants, and cafes, you could easily spend an entire day exploring this bustling avenue.
The shopping malls along Orchard Road offer just about anything you could need. Additionally, there’s always some event, fair, or activity happening within the malls, making Orchard one of the liveliest areas in Singapore with plenty to see and do.
7. Clarke Quay
This vibrant riverside hub is brimming with lively bars, restaurants, boutique shops, and energetic nightclubs, drawing in both tourists and Singapore’s nightlife enthusiasts.
Clarke Quay’s prime location makes the most of the scenic river flowing through the city, offering a wide range of alfresco dining spots along the waterfront. Beneath the unique, jelly-like canopy, you’ll discover plenty of shopping choices and an abundance of bars, making it an ideal destination for bar-hopping and entertainment.
8. Treetop walk at MacRitchie Reservoir
The treetop walk at MacRitchie Reservoir is a significant project and the first of its kind in Singapore. This wooden suspension bridge, standing 25 meters high and stretching 250 meters long, offers a unique perspective of the city—completely free from skyscrapers. Instead, you’re treated to stunning panoramic views of the surrounding forest and its diverse wildlife. To fully experience the treetop walk, you’ll need at least three hours to cover the approximately 7-kilometer trail.
9. Raffles Hotel
This iconic colonial-style hotel, dating back to 1887, is one of Singapore’s most celebrated landmarks. It has hosted notable guests such as Elizabeth Taylor, Queen Elizabeth II, and the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson.
The Raffles Hotel boasts 103 elegant suites, 18 distinctive restaurants and bars, and an arcade featuring over 40 luxury boutiques, including brands like Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co. Many visitors come specifically for the Raffles Bar experience, where you can enjoy the city’s finest Singapore Sling—fitting, as the cocktail was originally invented here, with nearly a century of expertise behind every drink.
10. Singapore Flyer
The Singapore Flyer ranks among the world’s largest observation wheels. Offering a unique experience, this massive structure stands 165 meters tall with a diameter of 150 meters, built atop a three-story terminal building. It’s even 30 meters taller than London’s famous Eye and moves at a leisurely pace of 0.21 meters per second.
The Flyer provides stunning panoramic views, each offering a distinct charm depending on whether you visit during the day or at night. From your capsule, you’ll catch glimpses of iconic city landmarks such as the Singapore River, Raffles Place, Marina Bay, Empress Place, and the Padang.
11. Marina Bay Sands Casino
The Marina Bay Sands casino resort is Singapore’s second casino, offering a vast gaming experience with 700 game tables and over 2,500 gaming machines spread across four opulent floors.
With a construction cost of $5.5 billion and covering 15,000 square meters, the casino itself occupies less than 3% of the resort’s total floor space. The integrated resort also boasts more than 50 restaurants, extensive shopping options, and numerous meeting and convention facilities. Entry is complimentary for international visitors.
12. Lau Pa Sat
Constructed in 1894, Lau Pa Sat was originally a wet market and has since transformed into a vibrant and atmospheric hawker center. This historic structure, adorned with Victorian filigree cast iron, is situated in the heart of Singapore’s business district. During lunchtime, it buzzes with office workers, while in the evening, the street is closed off and a variety of food stalls offer a range of local favorite dishes.
Also known as Telok Ayer Market, Lau Pa Sat is renowned for its delicious offerings, including skewers of savory satay chicken served with peanut dipping sauce and grilled stingray topped with a spicy sambal sauce.
13. G-Max Reverse Bungy
For the ultimate adrenaline rush in Singapore, look no further than the G-Max Reverse Bungy, the city’s first bungy attraction. You’ll be catapulted into the sky at a speed of 200 km/h, reaching heights of 60 meters and experiencing a thrilling bounce for around 5 minutes.
This exhilarating ride feels akin to a rocket launch as you sit in an open-sided ‘capsule’. For an additional fee, you can also purchase a T-shirt and a DVD recording of your ride, captured by an onboard camera.
14. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Sungei Buloh Nature Park is a prime spot for bird-watching, serving as a key stopover for migratory birds traveling north and south. This 87-hectare wetland reserve is located less than an hour’s drive from the city center. The park offers a glimpse into the mangrove swamps that once encircled Singapore.
15. Sunday brunch at the Fullerton
Sunday is the perfect day to indulge in the Fullerton Hotel’s Town Restaurant’s luxurious Champagne Brunch, renowned as one of the best in the world. This lavish brunch features an extensive array of Japanese, Italian, Mediterranean, and local dishes, including fresh seafood, all complemented by unlimited champagne, wines, and juices.
16. Cruises and boat rides
In Singapore, cruises come in a variety of styles to suit different tastes. You can start your day with a Morning Glory Cruise, enjoy a relaxing afternoon with a High Tea Cruise, or embrace the romance of the city with a Dinner Cruise.
Experiencing Singapore from the water offers a unique perspective; a leisurely cruise around the harbor provides a memorable and relaxing way to see the city-state from a new vantage point.
17. Singapore Night Safari
The Singapore Night Safari is a one-of-a-kind attraction that stands out not only as a fascinating destination but also as a leading conservation and research center in Asia.
This zoo provides a rare opportunity to explore the nocturnal world, featuring over 59 exhibits and 1,000 animals from across the globe, including Himalayan griffon vultures, greater one-horned rhinoceroses, wildebeests, and gazelles. Begin your visit with the ‘Creatures of the Night’ show, a 20-minute presentation offering a great overview of the animals you’ll encounter.
18. Singapore Expo
Singapore Expo is the largest and most frequently used MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) venue in Singapore, boasting over 100,000 square meters of space across 10 versatile, connectable halls. It is also one of the largest facilities of its kind in Asia.
Whether you’re in town for business, attending a seminar, or looking to catch a bargain at one of its numerous sales exhibitions, Singapore Expo is conveniently accessible. Although it’s located outside the city center, it features its own MRT station near Changi Airport and a 2,200-space on-site car park.
19. The Singapore Turf Club
The Singapore Turf Club is the sole horseracing club in Singapore and is affiliated with the Malayan Racing Association, which operates three other clubs in the region. Established in 1842, the club is located at the Singapore Racecourse in Kranji, directly across from Kranji MRT Station on the island’s eastern side.
Things to Do in Singapore : Regular race meetings are held at the Singapore Turf Club, typically twice a week on weekends, totaling around 100 events each year. Visitors are welcome to attend these meetings to watch the races or place bets.