Singapore may be geographically small, but you can’t deny the fact that the country is an awesome holiday destination. Home to iconic cityscapes, delicious food and world-class attractions, Singapore is a great place if you want to experience it all ? While there's plenty to do in Singapore, there are a handful of activities that are an absolute must-do for those who visit the country. Whether you're a first time or a repeat visitor, here's the ultimate travel bucket list for Singapore that you have to tick off!
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How many of these have you done? Let's dive in and see!
1. Snap a photo with the Merlion at Merlion Park, Marina Bay
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.
2. Take a bumboat along the Singapore River
The best way to explore Singapore’s iconic sites in the business district is hopping onboard a bumboat and cruising down the Singapore River. A bumboat is a small barge (also called tongkang) which have long been significant in Singapore's history, as they were used to ferry goods up and down the city's main rivers. Nowadays, bumboats are preserved as an attraction, with visitors able to see the sights of downtown Singapore via a river cruise on a bumboat. You can purchase tickets at the Jetty River Cruise ticketing counter at Clarke Quay or from any of the ticketing counters located along the Singapore River. Alternatively, you can purchase tickets on Klook.
This 40-minute ride lets you explore the entire stretch of the Singapore River, going past iconic sites such as the Fullerton Hotel, Marina Bay Sands, Merlion Park and the Esplanade ?
Ticket Prices: SGD 25 / Adult and SGD 15 / Child (Aged 3 to 12)
Operating Hours: 9am – 11pm Daily (Departs every 30 minutes). Last boat departs at 10.30pm
Address: The Jetty River Cruise Ticketing Counter can be found a stone’s throw from the G-Max Reverse Bungy along North Boat Quay walking street in Clarke Quay.
3. 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. Prices of 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, Chilli Crab and also Sup Tulang Merah, 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 looking for Halal Hainanese Chicken Rice, you can head to Jurong West 505 Food Centre for a plate of fragrant roasted chicken rice at the Muslim-owned Sinar Harapan Chinese Muslim stall. Alternatively, you can head to Bedok Corner for a plate of steamed or roasted Chicken Rice sold by the Halal-Certified TFF Boneless Chicken Rice. For more options located centrally and in other parts of Singapore, check this list out.
It may not be easy finding a halal version of Singapore’s National Dish, the Chilli Crab, in a hawker centre. You can, however, find them in food courts such as the Mr Teh Tarik food court along Jurong West Street 41. If you are willing to splurge a little more, Home of Seafood in Joo Chiat serves up a decent plate of Chilli Crab.
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.
4. Visit the 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 really say you've completely visited Gardens By The Bay without visiting the indoor conservatories too! The spectacular Flower Dome as well as the Cloud Forest, both enclosed in all-glass structures with regulated temperatures remain a popular favourite with locals and tourists alike.
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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5. Explore Sultan Mosque and Kampong Glam
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 Glam district, an area full of Malay heritage. But the area's attractions aren't limited to heritage/cultural sights - Kampong Glam in recent years has been transformed into a hipster hotspot with cool cafés, murals and fashion boutiques lining up the roads. Visitors can often spend a whole day in Kampong Glam sight-seeing, shopping and café-hopping ?
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 (with a special shoutout to Motherdough bakery right near to the mosque!). If you're looking for the best hipster cafes, we've got you covered too!
6. Have a day of fun at Universal Studios Singapore
Singapore’s major theme park lies in the heart of an offshore island known as Sentosa. Universal Studios Singapore (or USS) is a theme park for the young and old, located in Resort World Sentosa. 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 visit to soak in the atmosphere, and a picture with a mascot is a must!
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 are looking to relax by Sentosa’s coastline. There are extreme, adrenaline-pumping activities you can do here including AJ Hackett’s bungy tower and Mega Adventure Park. Zip through on Mega Adventure’s flying fox for an epic view of the Sentosa coastline.
Admission fee for USS:
Adult: SGD 79 (SGD 75 for Singaporeans)
Child (Age 4 – 12 years): SGD 59 (SGD 56 for Singaporeans)
Senior (Age 60 years and above): SGD 41
Opening Hours: 10am – 7pm (Sunday to Friday), 10am – 8pm (Saturday). Opening Hours may differ on special occasions (eg. Hollywood Dreams Light-Up Parade) and some public holidays.
Address: 8 Sentosa Gateway, Resort World Sentosa, Singapore 098269
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Need a few tips on how to spend your day in USS? Check out our guide to Universal Studios Singapore.
7. Go on a shopping spree along Orchard Road (and eat roti ice cream!)
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!
8. Have kaya butter roast for Breakfast
Have the quintessential Singaporean breakfast! Consisting of kaya (pandan-infused coconut jam) and butter sandwiched between 2 slices of toasted bread, often served alongside 2 half-boiled eggs and a drink of your choice, it's the perfect start to the day.
Heavenly Wang is a halal-certified establishment which serves delicious Kaya Butter Toast and their stores can be found all over Singapore. Do note not to confuse the Halal-certified Heavenly Wang with Wang Café (their non-halal wing) though!
#HHWTTip: There are many ways to order your coffee (or tea) ☕️ So be sure to familiarise yourself with the lingo when you order your drink in Singapore. For example, Kopi means coffee with condensed milk and normal sugar serving.
You can also bring home jars of kaya to make your own kaya butter toast at home! Ya Kun (another popular coffee shop chain in Singapore) sells halal-certified kaya at all their outlets. If you are looking for other Muslim-friendly snacks, we’ve narrowed down those which are a must-buy here.
Disclaimer: Do note that while the kaya product is halal-certified, Ya Kun eateries themselves are not.
9. Enjoy the view of the city from the Singapore Flyer
Note: Flight operations on The Singapore Flyer are temporarily suspended until further notice. To keep up-to-date on when the Singapore Flyer will resume operations, follow their Facebook Page!
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.
Ticket Prices: Adult: From SGD 33; Child (Age 3-12 years): From SGD 21Senior (Singaporeans and Permanent Residents who are 60 years and above): From SGD 24
Opening Hours: Open daily; 8.30am – 10.30pm
Address: 30 Raffles Ave, Singapore 039803
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10. Have an incredible wildlife experience at Singapore Zoo (Singapore Zoo, River Safari and Night Safari)
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Whether you're a family with young kids or just young at heart, all who visit will fully appreciate Singapore's legendary wildlife reserves, especially Singapore Zoo that's one of the world’s best rainforest zoos! The zoo has an open concept layout that allows animals to roam freely in their natural habitat.
Wildlife Reserves Singapore is made up of four parks - the Singapore Zoo, River Safari and Night Safari which are located next to each other (but are charged separately) as well as Jurong Bird Park. All four parks offer amazing experiences but if you can only devote one day, we would recommend spending your morning in the Zoo, afternoon in River Safari and end your day off with a trip to Night Safari.
From common animals such as zebras and lions to unique animals such as naked mole rats and fossas, the Singapore Zoo is a must-visit when you head to Singapore. Do pay a visit to Jia Jia and Kai Kai, Singapore's resident pandas at River Safari. To top your day off, the Night Safari will offer a completely different view of the animals, many of which are nocturnal and therefore more active at night!
#HHWT Tip: Buying a multi-park pass or the Park Hopper Pass (which gives you access to all four parks) is a more cost-effective way to purchase tickets to visit the zoo. For more on this and other tips to explore the zoo check out our Muslim traveller’s guide to the Singapore Zoo!
Opening Hours:
- Singapore Zoo: Open daily; 8.30am – 6pm
- River Safari: Open daily; 10am – 7pm
- Night Safari: Open daily; 7.15pm – 12 midnight
Address: 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826
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11. Shop overnight at Mustafa Centre
On a budget? Then, head on over to Little India. Aside from fragrant aroma of spices filling the air and delicious Indian delicacies you can find in Little India, locals and tourists alike flock to Mustafa Centre to shop for anything and everything ? Whether you're looking for groceries, electronic goods, clothes, perfumes or really, anything at all, Mustafa has it!
And it’s open 24/7! You can spend the entire night just stocking up on necessities and shop for souvenirs and yummy goodies to bring home! Do be prepared to rub shoulders with the crowd if you are heading there over the weekend. Here’s a little guide to help with your shopping in Mustafa Centre so you know what to look out for!
Opening hours: 24 hours
Address: 145 Syed Alwi Road, Singapore 207704
12. 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 spans a massive 82 hectares, is 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 located 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 too if you happen to be touring Singapore with your other half. Do check out other romantic things you can do with your partner when in Singapore.
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 the Lion City! To help get you started, our 3D2N Muslim-friendly itinerary may just be what you need ?