The best things to do in Singapore

A panoramic view of Singapore's skyline featuring the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore Flyer, lush greenery, and waterfront buildings with numerous ships anchored in the distant sea under a bright blue sky

Despite covering only 728 sq km (about 280 square miles), the island city-state of Singapore is jam-packed with things to do. It’s a city (state, country) of contrasts, where traditional tribal villages are just a short ferry ride from gleaming modern high-rises. Street hawkers sell Michelin Star food, and verdant parks are punctuated by glowing neon trees. Even the airport is an attraction in itself. There’s so much to experience in this modern metropolis that it can be a bit overwhelming. To make it easier to plan your visit, we’ve put together this list of the best things to do in Singapore! While you're exploring, just remember to follow their rules!

The Gardens by the Bay

Aerial view of Gardens by the Bay, showcasing the towering Supertrees surrounded by lush greenery, water canals, and walkways in Singapore. — Arial view of The Gardens by the Bay in Singapore taken by Sergio Sala

Probably Singapore’s most iconic landmark, the Gardens by the Bay, are a major reason Singapore considers itself a "City in a Garden." The waterfront green spaces showcase some of the best tropical horticulture and garden artistry in the world, but it’s the indoor conservatories that make the Gardens by the Bay so unique. Under some of the world’s largest greenhouses, you’ll find multi-level gardens replicating environments like a flower-filled Mediterranean climate and Latin American Cloud Forest.

Then there are the 18 “Supertrees,” which are covered in exotic plants and harness a number of environmental technologies, ranging from solar power to water collection. We’d recommend visiting around sunset so you can catch the sun sinking below the skyline and see the Supertree “Garden Rhapsody” light and music show between 7:45 pm and 8:45 pm. It's easily one of the best things to see in Singapore!

Marina Bay Sands

Along with the Gardens by the Bay, the Marina Bay Sands resort is Singapore’s other most recognizable landmark. The luxury hotel, mall, casino, and convention center are spread across three towers and topped with the world’s largest public cantilevered platform.

A walk through the SkyPark on top of the building should be on every visitor’s to-do list for both the unique setting and the fabulous panorama of the city. If you have the cash to splash, you can dine at one of the two Michelin-starred restaurants. And book a room at the hotel so you can splash around in the world's largest rooftop Infinity Pool (it’s off-limits to non-guests).

Art Science museum

The future-forward Art Science Museum is technically part of the Marina Bay Sands complex, but it is so good that it warrants its own entry into our list. Designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie, the building resembles a half-unfurled lotus flower and prides itself on the first museum in the world that blends art, science, and culture.

The interactive, light-soaked displays in the permanent Future World exhibit explore everything from the changing of the seasons to synchronized bird movements and the vastness of space. The temporary touring exhibits cover everything from pop culture to particle physics (through June 2021, it’s Star Wars) with the same ultramodern bent.

National Museum of Singapore

At first glance, the elegant neo-Palladian facade of the National Museum of Singapore might suggest traditional, artifact-filled galleries. However, while it is Singapore’s oldest museum, the interiors have been modernized with immersive exhibits that present the city’s history in a fresh, engaging way.

And don’t miss the award-winning restaurant "Flutes," located in the oldest part of the building, where you can indulge in upscale dining that perfectly complements the museum’s historic charm.

Singapore’s cultural neighborhoods

View of a street in Chinatown, Singapore, with the iconic white and red Potato Head building in the center and modern skyscrapers in the background — Chinatown, Singapore, is a vibrant cultural neighborhood snapped by David Kubovsky

Experience Singapore’s rich heritage in its trifecta of cultural neighborhoods: Chinatown, Little India, and Arab Street. In Chinatown, grab a plate of Michelin star-winning chicken rice at Liao Fan Hawker Chan (it’ll only run you about 3 Singapore dollars) and get a crash course in Buddhism at the ornate Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum. That enormous golden stup a is said to hold a tooth from the Buddha.

Then, head over to Arab Street for the 19th-century architecture and hip watering holes. Over in Little India, follow one of the National Heritage Board’s self-guided walks (or book a walking tour) through the narrow lanes, where the jumble of colors contrasts with the city’s otherwise pristine facade. In each neighborhood, you’ll find holy sites and museums and plenty of irresistible eats.

Pulau Ubin

For a glimpse of what Singapore was like before modernization, take the ferry from Changi Point to P u lau Ubin, a small island in the northeast. This island is home to one of Singapore’s last traditional villages, where people still support themselves through fishing and agriculture. Rent a bike to explore the island and enjoy your break from cars and skyscrapers.

Make a point to visit the German Girl Shrine, a Taoist temple built to honor an unnamed German girl who died while fleeing British forces in 1918. If you don’t have time to make the trip to Pulau Ubin, you can also get a sample of traditional Singapore life at Kampong Lorong Buangkok, the last remaining village cluster on the main Singapore island. Surrounded by new developments, the humble abodes in this patch of forest will transport you back to a simpler time in Singapore’s history.

Singapore Zoo

You can tell a lot about a city by the quality of its zoo, and the Singapore Zoo is one of the best in the world. Spread across eleven zones and spanning nearly 70 acres, the 2,800 animals here live in “open” captivity that mimics their natural habitats. There are plenty of opportunities to meet the residents up close, from free-roaming lemurs to feeding elephants and giraffes, as well as educational shows and talks.

Visitors can enjoy interactive experiences like walking among free-roaming lemurs or feeding elephants and giraffes. There are also daily shows and talks that offer fun and educational insights into the zoo's residents. Whether it’s meeting orangutans or learning about conservation, Singapore Zoo provides a world-class experience for animal lovers.

River Safari

A stone’s throw from the Singapore Zoo, the River Safari immerses you in the world of waterways. Meet over 5000 animals from the greatest rivers in the world, including the Amazon and the Nile, at the world’s biggest freshwater aquarium. Explore fascinating aquatic species that bring these famous rivers to life.

Apart from aquatic life, the River Safari is home to many land species. Highlights include Kai Kai and Jia Jia, the precious red pandas and the cherished giant pandas. For visitors of all ages, the combination of land animals and river-based exhibits provides a varied and exciting experience.

S.E.A Aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa

sea dragon swimming in the S.E.A. Aquarium, Singapore, surrounded by underwater environment — See more marine life like this stunning leafy sea dragon at the S.E.A. Aquarium in Singapore

One of the biggest and most striking aquariums in the world, the S.E.A. Aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa presents a impressive experience. Featuring more than 100,000 marine organisms spanning 1,000 species, you can explore 50 unique habitats bringing the ocean to life. From elegant manta rays to cheeky bottlenose dolphins and even giant octopuses, this aquarium presents an unmatched insight into the underwaterworld.

Beyond the displays, the S.E.A. Aquarium also has a unique dining experience at Ocean Restaurant. Enjoying a fresh Mediterranean-Californian meal, diners have a front-row view of the vast underwater habitat where aquatic life glides by the floor to- ceiling glass.

Coast-to-Coast Trail

Two hammocks beneath a tree, set against a serene lake view at Jurong Lake Gardens, Singapore — Jurong Lake Gardens photo taken by David Kubovsky

From Coney Island in the northeast to Jurong Lake Gardens in the southwest, the Coast-to-Coast (C2C) Trail winds across Singapore. This amazing trip into nature covers 36 kilometers and weaves through some of Singapore's most gorgeous parks and nature reserves. The C2C Trail is ideal for your outdoor trip away from the typical the city crowds. Given its length, though, finishing it in one day can be a challenge.

Those who are not ready to cover the entire distance can break it into sections or just start from anywhere closest to you. If walking isn't your thing, bike rentals are available along the route. Because this is Singapore, there's also a fantastic AR mobile app that goes along with the trail and tells you all about the interesting site, attractions, local flora and fauna as you go.

MacRitchie Reservoir

The Treetop Walk at MacRitchie Reservoir is a fantastic substitute if you don't have the time (or stamina) to complete the entire Coast-to-Coast Trail. Starting from ground level and working through the jungle canopy, this climb results in a 250-meter (820-foot) suspension bridge 25 meters (82 ft) above the forest floor. The elevated walk provides amazing views and a different viewpoint of the surrounding rain forest.

Should you be lucky, you may find the local native tribe of monkeys swinging across the surrounding trees. On particularly hot days, be careful to pack plenty of water because the full hike usually takes a couple of hours! It's a rejuvenating way to explore nature without committing to a full-day trek.

Merlion Park

Rising 9 meters tall, the legendary Merlion, Singapore's recognizable mascot which has the head of a lion and the body of a fish and spouts water from its mouth. Every visitor should make time to visit Merlion Park, which is an ideal setting for a required picture op with this iconic city symbol.

Beyond the monument, the park offers breathtaking views of the Marina Bay Sands, which makes it ideal for capturing the dawn or sunset behind one of Singapore's most famous sites. These attractions are amazing whether your day is beginning or ending.

Changi Airport

The airport, really? Well, Changi isn't your typical airport. The 1.3-billion-dollar Changi Jewel entertainment complex is like a glass-shrouded tropical resort. Explore indoor "hiking" trails, get lost in a Mirror Maze, watch butterflies flit about their garden sanctuary, relax in the rooftop pool, and ride between levels on tube slides. The pièce de résistance is the "Rain Vortex"” the world's largest indoor waterfall, which puts on a dazzling light-and-sound show.

Then, there are free movies in the 24-hour theaters, luxury shopping, and fine dining (two Michelin Star chefs have outposts here). Sounds like a good reason to arrive more than a couple hours early for your flight? Lots of people give themselves a full day just for the airport, even if they're just transferring! In fact, the Jewel is open to the public, so you can visit even if you're coming from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore by car!

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