Singapore is known for many things - a diverse local food culture, dozens of exciting attractions, and non-stop shopping opportunities everywhere you look. Whether you're here for a stopover trip or a long vacation, there's endless fun in each corner! However, no matter the duration of your trip, you need to visit these places when you're in Singapore. Otherwise, can you truly say you've been to Singapore? ?
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1. Visit Gardens By The Bay
Gardens By The Bay only opened as recently as 2012, but it quickly became an absolute must-visit spot in Singapore, and it's (literally) easy to see why! Meant to be a crowning development that fits with Singapore's reputation as a city in a garden, it's easy to spot the tall distinctive structures of the Supertree Grove ?
The Gardens by The Bay comprises free and paid sections. The Supertree Grove and the surrounding open-air gardens are already a sight to behold and free! (To note: a skyway (a suspended bridge that links the supertrees) has recently been opened to the public! It is, however, a paid attraction).
But you can't say you've completely visited Gardens By The Bay without visiting the indoor conservatories too! The spectacular Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest, enclosed in all-glass structures with regulated temperatures, remain popular with locals and tourists alike ?
Furthermore, there's always something exciting happening at any time of the year: be it Sakura season at the start of the year, Christmas Wonderland in December, or even more seasonal floral displays and other events, there's always a picture-perfect moment waiting to be captured! ?
Admission fees:Please refer to their website for full details on the admission fee
Opening hours:Please refer to their website for full details on opening hours for the different sections.
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Drive Singapore 018953
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2. Pump up the thrill at Universal Studios Singapore
If you need a little adrenaline rush or a good dose of fun, you have to get yourself to Universal Studios Singapore! As the first Universal Studios theme park in Southeast Asia, the place is packed with rides and characters bursting with life that will surely get you knackered by the end of the day.
For rollercoaster junkies, USS is known for the Battlestar Galactica Human and Cylon coasters, the tallest duelling coasters in the world! If you don't mind getting wet, then the Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure is for you! There are many other rides in USS suitable for all ages. If you are not into amusement rides, USS is still a great place to soak in the atmosphere, and a picture with a mascot is a must ?
If you need a guide on the best way to navigate the park or more information on the rides, HHWT is here to help! Oh yes, did we forget to mention that there will be a Minion Park and Super Nintendo World coming to USS ?
Admission fee: Check their website for more information
Opening Hours: 12pm-7pm (Wed-Sat), 10am-6pm (Sun), closed on Mondays & Tuesdays
Address: 8 Sentosa Gateway, Resort World Sentosa, Singapore 098269
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3. Check out Singapore's capital of fun, Sentosa Island
It's also good to note that there are many other things to do in Sentosa. In the vicinity of Resort World Sentosa alone, you can visit Singapore’s only aquarium, the S.E.A Aquarium or if you are looking to have a splashing good time, check out the Adventure Cove Waterpark ?
Take the Sentosa monorail to Beach station if you want to relax by Sentosa’s coastline. You can do extreme, adrenaline-pumping activities here, including AJ Hackett’s Bungy tower and Mega Adventure Park. Zip through Mega Adventure’s flying fox for an epic view of the Sentosa coastline. At night, the fun doesn't end as well! You can take a thrilling Luge ride with LED lights, awe over an interactive light show at Wings of Time and more! ? We got you a list of the top 18 attractions you should check out here in Sentosa!
Admission fee: Fees may differ in each attraction. Do check out this article for links to their respective websites!
Opening hours: Timings may differ in each attraction. Do check beforehand.
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4. Enjoy the view of the city from the Singapore Flyer
You can enjoy the view of Singapore’s city skyline from any section of Marina Bay, but nothing beats the view from the Singapore Flyer, Asia’s largest observation wheel. Get your cameras ready as you get to catch a 360-degree view of Singapore! ? What better way to spice up your trip! The highest point of the flyer, which gives you an epic view of Singapore, is almost 200 metres above ground level. On a clear day, you might be able to spot the Straits of Johor, Malaysia ?
If you're coming to Singapore in August, it's simply one of the best spots to check out the fireworks display that happens every year on 9th August, Singapore's birthday! If you're here in September, you'll get a birds-eye-view of the electric F1 night race as well ? From above, the shining bright lights simply look spectacular!
Ticket Prices:
Adult
From SGD 33
Child (Age 3-12 years)
From SGD 21
Senior (Singaporeans and Permanent Residents who are 60 years and above)
From SGD 24
Book your tickets via this link
Opening Hours:
Thursday - Monday and on Public Holidays
First flight: 3pm
Last flight: 9:30pm
Address: 30 Raffles Ave, Singapore 039803
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4. Explore one of Singapore's futuristic neighbourhoods, Marina Bay
If you’re dreaming of your future trip to Singapore, one neighbourhood you’ve got to include in your itinerary is Marina Bay! Located in the heart of Downtown Singapore, this riverside area has some of the city’s most stunning attractions like Gardens By The Bay, Esplanade Theatres On The Bay, and of course, Marina Bay Sands. We compiled a Muslim-friendly guide on how you should explore one of the hippest spots in the country right here! Don't forget to snap a photo with Singapore's iconic mascot, the Merlion ?
No Singapore travel bucket list would be complete without Singapore’s iconic mascot, the Merlion. You can find Merlion sculptures all over Singapore, but the most notable one can be found in the aptly named Merlion Park. The Merlion here can be seen spouting out water into the Singapore River. It's where tourists often snap the drinking pose too ?
It is also here in Merlion Park where you can get one of the best angles of the famous Marina Bay Sands resort, and a photo with this iconic hotel is a must! If you head there at the right time, you might also be able to catch a visual spectacle in the form of the free water fountain show entitled Spectra – A Light & Water Show.
There are also other spots for some must-take tourist shots: Helix Bridge, Esplanade and ArtScience Museum are just a few! Need some photography tips? We got you covered right here!
5. Have an incredible wildlife experience at Singapore Zoo (Singapore Zoo, River Safari & Night Safari)
There are four parks managed by Wildlife Reserves Singapore: the Singapore Zoo, the River Safari, the Night Safari, and Jurong Bird Park, each major attraction in their own right. The Singapore Zoo, River Safari and Night Safari are all adjacent, so you'll often find many visitors visiting them together!
All four parks offer amazing experiences, but if you can only devote one day, we recommend spending your morning in the Zoo, afternoon in River Safari and end your day off with a trip to Night Safari.
There's so much to do at the Singapore Zoo - you can feed a giraffe, elephant, goat, White Rhinoceros and Giant Tortoise, watch the California sea lions glide or balance a ball on their noses at the Splash Safari Show, and witness rainforest animals like monkeys and lemurs jump and fly above you at the Rainforest Fights Back show, see domesticated animals like cats, dogs and mice perform on stage, and of course, the stars of the zoo, the orangutans ? There are even many events and festivals ongoing right now, so head on to the website to check out for more information!
A must-visit attraction at the River Safari is the Amazon River Quest! The boat adventure is designed to simulate a journey along the Amazon River, and you’ll need to keep your eyes peeled for the animals of the Amazonian wildlife as they are well-camouflaged among the lush vegetation. Some animals you can’t miss here are the jaguars, Brazilian tapirs, and giant anteaters ? Don't forget to say hello to Singapore's first-ever panda cub, Le Le too! ?
End the night with a visit to Singapore's first-ever nocturnal park, Night Safari! You can check out the newest on-site exhibition, a walk-in exhibit that allows getting up close with civets! There are also many night shows to catch, such as the Creatures of The Night show, where you can see otters, binturongs, civets, and other animals display their natural talents in this interactive show! The best way to explore the park is by foot and then take the tram. Queues for trams generally tend to be shorter later in the night, so join any walking trail; you’ll surely reward yourself with more hidden sights! ?
If you have some time to spare on your trip, you can also pay a visit to Jurong Bird Park! Home to 3,500 birds across 400 species, it's touted as Asia's largest bird park! There are plenty of fun activities and IG-worthy shots to take here. For starters, don’t miss out on this 35m (13 storeys high!) indoor waterfall in Jurong Bird Park, one of the tallest manmade ones in the world. The sight is truly one to behold!
Don't forget to do some bird watching while you’re at it! The Waterfall Aviary also has some extraordinary free-ranging birds, like this Masked Lapwing. You can also feed some of these majestic creatures! The lories at Jurong Bird Park will fly to you and perch on your arm as they enjoy the cup of feed you’ll be holding in your hand ?
Admission fee: Prices differ for each park. Alternatively, you can purchase multi-park passes, which gives you great savings too! You can check them out at their website.
Opening hours: Hours differ for each park. Do click on the 'Visit' tab on their website to check out the respective opening hours!
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6. Shop till you drop at Singapore's shopping district, Orchard Road
You can’t possibly leave the country without shopping along Singapore’s famous shopping street, Orchard Road ? Orchard Road is in Singapore’s business district and stretches across 3 MRT stations – Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station, Somerset MRT Station and Orchard MRT Station.
From luxury malls such as ION Orchard, Ngee Ann City (or Takashimaya), and Mandarin Gallery to budget malls such as Far East Plaza and Lucky Plaza, Orchard Road is a shopaholic’s haven! There are many halal eateries too along Orchard Road. Do check out our list of halal eateries in Orchard.
If you are looking for a cooling treat on a hot day, there are street-side ice cream stalls along Orchard Road. Locals refer to them as “ice-cream uncles (or aunties)”, and they sell Singapore’s signature dessert, an ice-cream bar sandwiched between 2 wafer biscuits. A must-try if you are stopping by Orchard Road! ?
7. Spend a day at one of Singapore's vibrant neighbourhoods, Kampong Gelam!
Perform your prayers at Singapore’s most iconic mosque, Sultan Mosque (or Masjid Sultan). It serves as an important Islamic hub in the city, but its beautiful architecture with the majestic golden dome makes it a must-visit tourist attraction too! The mosque opens its doors to visitors daily ? Built in 1824 for the first sultan of Singapore (thus, the name), the mosque makes for amazing photo opportunities.
Sultan Mosque lies in the Kampong Gelam district, an area full of Malay heritage. But the area's attractions aren't limited to heritage and cultural sights - Kampong Gelam, in recent years, has been transformed into a hipster hotspot with cool cafés, murals and fashion boutiques lining the roads.
Visitors often spend a whole day in Kampong Gelam sightseeing, shopping and café-hopping. One popular spot would have to be the colourful Haji Lane! Haji Lane is widely touted as the soul of historic Kampong Gelam; from their humble-yet-lively stalls, from amazing halal cafes to unique retail stores, it's not hard to see why! If you need a guide, we got you covered here!
If you're looking for suggestions on where to eat in the area, check out our ultimate Bugis Halal Food guide for dining options in the vicinity of Kampong Glam!
8. Go shopping overnight for cheap buys at Mustafa Centre
On a budget? Then, head on over to Little India. Aside from the fragrant aroma of spices filling the air and delicious Indian delicacies you can find in Little India, locals and tourists flock to Mustafa Centre to shop for anything and everything ?, Whether you're looking for groceries, electronic goods, clothes, perfumes or, anything at all, Mustafa has it!
And it's open till 2 am! You can spend the entire night just stocking up on necessities and shop for souvenirs and yummy goodies to bring home! Be prepared to rub shoulders with the crowd if you head there over the weekend. Here’s a little guide to help you shop in Mustafa Centre, so you know what to look out for!
P.S. If you're looking for halal food in the neighbourhood, we got you covered with the full list!
Opening hours: 9.30am-2am daily
Address: 145 Syed Alwi Rd, Mustafa Centre, Singapore 207704
9. Savour Singapore's iconic dishes and hawker centre favourites
Singapore’s hawker culture is a thriving part of the culinary scene in the country and a staple of everyday life. You can find hawker centres in every neighbourhood in Singapore, even in the business district. Most dishes at the hawker centre are relatively cheaper, so it's an affordable way to eat when you're here.
Some dishes that are absolute must-tries include Hainanese Chicken Rice and Chilli Crab, and luckily, there are halal versions available for all of them! Check out our detailed list of must-try foods in Singapore and where to try them.
If you are an adventurous foodie, check out Singapore’s well-known Tulang Merah (or Sup Tulang), which may look a little intimidating at first glance due to its colour but once you try it, you will be wanting seconds. The best place for Tulang Merah is Haji Kadir Food Chains hawker stall in Golden Mile Food Centre. For the best of halal hawker food in Singapore, do refer to our list of the best Singapore hawker food.
P.S. We even have our Michelin-awarded halal nasi padang in Singapore for you to check out! Alternatively, you can always check out our Halal Food Guide in Singapore because there's always something new popping out!
10. Visit Singapore’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site
Ending this list is Singapore’s first and only UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only tropical garden to be honoured with this legendary status, the 160-year-old Singapore Botanic Gardens ? The gardens, which span a massive 82 hectares, are located a stone’s throw away from Orchard Road.
Finding halal food won’t be an issue when checking out Singapore Botanic Gardens because you have the Halia restaurant in the heart of the Gardens. For those travelling on a budget, you can find Singapore’s famous Nasi Lemak and other local delights at Adam Road Food Centre next to Botanic Gardens MRT Station ?
Singapore Botanic Gardens is a perfect place to have a romantic picnic if you happen to be touring Singapore with your other half. Check out other romantic things you can do with your partner in Singapore. If you're with your kids, you have to visit the Jacob Ballas Children's Garden! Here, you and your kids can explore a farm, an orchard and a forest with its own stream and ponds. There are nature play areas where kids can see how plants grow and a treehouse, suspension bridge, obstacle courses, sand play areas and more!
P.S. We've got you an all-in-one guide on visiting the Singapore Botanic Gardens!
Admission fee: Free
Opening Hours: 5am to 12 midnight Daily
Address: 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569
What are you waiting for? Book the next flight out to the sunny island of Singapore! There are just too many things to do when visiting Singapore! You will never get bored of this country. Prepare your tummy and your wallet for an epic vacation of a lifetime in Lion City!
P.S. We have more itineraries and attraction guides for you to check out before your trip to Singapore below!