Is Singapore my favorite country in the world? Maybe! This vibrant city-state has a charm that is hard to resist. From its remarkable sustainability efforts and impeccable cleanliness to its awe-inspiring architectural design and rich cultural diversity, Singapore truly has it all.
We spent a week in Singapore and I wish we could have spent longer. Though the country is one of the smallest in the world, it is full of beauty, greenery, and culture. If you’re planning a visit, you might be wondering: how in the world could there be so much to do in this tiny Southeast Asian country that is not even 300 square miles?
You just have to see it to believe it. I’ve prepared for you a list of Singapore’s greatest highlights—must-see sights, activities, and attractions to visit. Trust me, after this, you’ll definitely want to spend a week in Singapore too!
Other resources you might find useful for your Singapore trip:
- How Much Does It Cost to Visit Singapore?
- Where to Stay in Singapore (For All Budgets!)
- Singapore FAQ: When To Visit, How Long to Stay, and More
Fort Canning Park
Fort Canning Park is a massive historical park in Singapore full of beautiful flora and fauna. It’s definitely one of the best things to do in Singapore if you want to immerse yourself in the greenery that Singapore’s government has worked so hard to cultivate across the country! Fort Canning Park is most famous for their Instagrammable spiral staircase, but there’s so much more to explore. One of my favorite areas is the Sang Nila Utama Garden, which is never crowded and has these beautiful Balinese split gates.
Pro tip: If you want your own photo at the Fort Canning spiral staircase, be prepared to wait in line. There’s always a queue, and don’t even think about coming on the weekend! We came around 10:30 AM on a weekday and had to wait about 40 minutes.
Jewel Changi Airport
Changi is the best airport in the world. Made famous by the hit movie Crazy Rich Asians, Jewel is the crown jewel (no pun intended) of Singapore’s incredible airport complex. Here you can find the famous HSBC Rain Vortex, a futuristic tram, butterfly gardens, a netted canopy park, and so much more. If you have the time, I’d recommend allocating at least a half day just to explore Changi sans all the airport necessities! There is so much to see, eat, do, and shop.
Hawker Centers
The fun thing about hawker centers is that everyone, locals and foreigners alike, loves to go to them and eat. Singapore is such an advanced country with its futuristic building designs and air-conditioned everything…except for the hawker centers, which still hold onto some of the charms of history. (Including no aircon.)
Hawker centers are essentially food courts full of street food stalls, each one usually only selling a few items that have been perfected over years and years of practice. Unlike proper sit-down restaurants in Singapore, which can be quite expensive, hawker centers are extremely affordable and delicious. You can get some of the best food in the world for 5 SGD! There are dozens around Singapore, but some of the most famous include Newton Food Centre, Maxwell Hawker Centre, Amoy Street Food Centre, and Lau Pa Sat.
Gardens By the Bay
Here is it: the world-famous attraction that you were all waiting for. Gardens by the Bay in Singapore is a true testament to the wonders of nature and human ingenuity. Nestled in the heart of the city, this breathtaking attraction enchants visitors with its vibrant flora, magnificent Supertrees, and stunning conservatories. Walking through the gardens feels like stepping into a surreal oasis, where lush greenery and architectural marvels harmoniously coexist.
What you might not have known is the Gardens by the Bay is absolutely massive. It’ll take some walking, but here are the spots that you won’t want to miss.
Supertree Grove
The man-made iconic Supertrees are tall, vertical gardens designed to mimic the functions of real trees. They are equipped with advanced environmental technologies, including photovoltaic cells to harness solar energy, and air exhaust receptacles for the conservatories.
The groves look stunning during the day, but you must also visit at night—twice a night, every night, the Supertrees come to life with a mesmerizing light and music show called the Garden Rhapsody. The music changes nightly and between the beautiful orchestral score and the colorful dancing illumination of the trees, it’s something you cannot miss.
Cloud Forest
There are only a handful of natural cloud forests in the world, or cool and misty high-elevation rainforests that are extremely important for the world’s biodiversity. Singapore’s Cloud Forest is man-made, but informative and immersive. The centerpiece of the Cloud Forest is a stunning mountain structure covered in a blanket of verdant vegetation. The mountain showcases diverse plant species, including rare and exotic ferns, orchids, bromeliads, and mosses, all thriving in the cool, high-altitude climate created within the conservatory.
Floral Fantasy
Gardens by the Bay’s Floral Fantasy is a whimsical wonderland that celebrates the beauty of flowers in a truly enchanting way. The exhibit is made of both living and fake flowers, artfully arranged to create captivating landscapes and awe-inspiring displays. The dreamlike exhibits are full of wonder, with bright colors and peaceful music that make this garden attraction a feast for the senses.
Flower Dome
Not to be confused with Floral Fantasy, the Flower Dome located opposite the Cloud Forest is more of a traditional botanical garden with plants from around the world. Stroll through themed gardens that showcase an extraordinary collection of flowers and plants, carefully curated to create stunning landscapes that change with the seasons. It’s a haven for plant enthusiasts and nature lovers alike, providing an opportunity to appreciate the delicate beauty and intricate details of the world’s diverse flora.
Tip: Some third-party ticket retailers, like Klook or Viator, offer tickets as a combo set for the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome.
Other Gardens
As I mentioned before, Gardens by the Bay is huge and you could spend a whole day (or two!) here exploring it all. If you still haven’t had your fill, take a stroll around the water lily pond, explore the Serene Gardens, or learn more about history at the Heritage Gardens. There’s much to see!
ArtScience Museum
The ArtScience Museum in Singapore is an incredible set of exhibits that blends interactive art with futuristic science. Highly reminiscent of the TeamLab Borderless museum in Tokyo that took the world by storm years ago, this museum is a truly unique experience. Various exhibits feature themes on sustainability and scientific development while also responding to viewer movement and interactions. Examples include the famous flower waterfall exhibit that blooms seasonal flora around viewers’ feet and diverts the flow of water based on where people are standing, and the mirror-like crystal world where you can send stars of your choice to sparkle around you in an immersive environment. Make sure to get your tickets in advance!
Joo Chiat Road
Joo Chiat Road and the surrounding area is a historic neighborhood full of colorful Peranakan houses. The Peranakans are an ethnic group who historically came from China and Malacca to maritime Southeast Asia. They are famous for their distinctive architecture and even more distinctive and delicious food! You can find Peranakan houses all over Singapore, but Koon Seng Road has the most iconic, colorful road.
Also, don’t miss this opportunity to eat some amazing food in the area. If you’re interested in trying Peranakan or nyonya cuisine, try out Rumah Bebe. I’ve heard the food there is as excellent as the exterior is colorful! If you’d rather have more modern fusion cuisine, head to Nimbus. It’s one of the best meals we had in Singapore—make sure to order the chicken wings and the seared tuna bowl.
Chinatown
Most of Singapore’s current population is of Chinese descent, and you can see this cultural influence all over Singapore—in the various languages that are spoken, the writing, the mannerisms, and the food. Chinatown is one of the cultural hearts of Singapore and no trip would be complete without exploring it. Here you can find traditional shopping centers, Chinese massage parlors, vendors selling fruit and dried goods, and bakeries with quintessential buns and egg tarts. Many of the most popular hawker centers are located in this neighborhood as well, so grab your cash and get ready to eat!
The first photo below was taken at the People’s Park Complex, a residential building in Chinatown.
Kampong Glam
Kampong Glam is a historic neighborhood in Singapore known for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant atmosphere. The neighborhood is known for its unique blend of Malay, Arab, and Muslim cultures. Arab Street, the main thoroughfare in Kampong Glam, is renowned for its vibrant shophouses that sell textiles, carpets, traditional clothing, and other Middle Eastern and Malay goods. It has also embraced contemporary creativity with art galleries, small boutiques, and plenty of cafes.
Cafe Hopping
Something I noticed while we were in Singapore is how big the cafe culture is. Singaporeans love cafes, and there always seems to be a new one opening up. From modern to botanical to hip or eclectic, there are endless cafe options to choose from. Here are a couple of my suggestions:
- Cafe Monochrome: An interesting 2D cafe, which you can find popping up all around Asia. Everything in the cafe, including the food, is designed to look straight out of a comic book. It’s a fun experience and I highly recommend it!
- Under Der Linden: A very beautiful floral cafe with equally delicious food for lunch. The interior is warm and bohemian, and there is an iconic blue-and-purple flower arch located outside. It’s a little out of the way, but quite popular and Instagrammable.
- The Summerhouse: An elegant glass greenhouse-themed cafe and restaurant set in a lush garden. Not for the budget-minded as this spot can become extremely expensive, especially if booking for dinners or special events, but the ambiance is breathtaking.
- Central Perk: A cute Friends-themed cafe that has all the retro New York vibes. Neon signs, wood paneling, and coffee make this spot feel straight out of the TV show’s iconic set.
Marina Bay Sands
The iconic boat-shaped Marina Bay Sands is an awe-inspiring design that defies gravity. It has three notable soaring towers, connected by a celestial sky park and rooftop pool. It’s the tallest and only notable building in the area, standing out in the skyline.
You can step inside Marina Bay Sands—it has a massive luxury mall as well as the upper hotel portion. The accommodations are expensive and indulgent, and you’ll have to book a room if you want to access the famous infinity pool. But even if you’re not staying in the hotel itself, you can see the beautiful building come to life at night. Colorful lights illuminate the facade and paint the night sky with a rainbow of colors that shimmer in the reflections of the bay.
We stayed at the Fairmont Singapore and had this incredible view of Marina Bay Sands from our balcony window! Make sure to check out this article if you’re interested in where to stay in Singapore—I’ve listed plenty of other luxury hotels that boast views of MBS, along with mid-range and budget options for everyone.
Shopping Malls
Singapore has an extensive collection and network of malls that seem to encompass the entire city-state. There are few standalone shops, with many notable stores and restaurants being located within one of the numerous extravagant-looking malls. Plus, you’ll be grateful for the malls when trying to escape the humidity and heat from outside!
Stroll around one of the Orchard Malls (Orchard Central and Orchard Gateway to get started) and the nearby 313@somerset. You can hit plenty of attractions and restaurants just by exploring in the comfort of air conditioning! Make sure to stop by the Library@Orchard, often photographed for its wavy bookshelves, and have a bite to eat at Ohayo Mama San or Holycrab for either modern Japanese cuisine or the famous Singaporean chili crab.
Sentosa Island
Sentosa Island has a very different vibe from the modern, bustling city life of the rest of central Singapore, but you can’t miss out on a visit here. There are delightful beaches with soft sand and gentle waves, exciting activities like ziplining and ropes courses, and plenty of walking and biking trails.
You can try visiting the S.E.A. Aquarium, which packs lots of mesmerizing aquatic life into such a small venue. There’s also a popular Universal Studios theme park if thrill rides are more up your alley. Also, consider visiting the sky park and riding the giant swing! Lastly, make sure to walk across the iconic rope Palawan Bridge that’ll take you to the southernmost point of continental Asia.
There you have it: the best things to do in Singapore—especially as a first-timer, these are sights and activities that you can’t miss. Singapore, a city that has captured my heart in its vibrant embrace, is a treasure trove of unforgettable sights and activities. I’ve never experienced a place as clean, modern, green, and technologically advanced as this! I already can’t wait to go back, and I look forward to seeing how the country has continued to transform and develop the next time I am there.
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