SINGAPORE TRAVEL GUIDE: 40+ Best Things to Do in Singapore
Places to See | Where to Shop | Where to Stay | Restaurants Serving Traditional Food | Transportation
CITY
Singapore is a beautiful and wealthy island nation located in Southeast Asia—it is both country and city. It boasts of its strict laws that ensures excellent security, cleanliness and booming economy. 75 % of the people are Chinese, with Indians and Malays making up the remaining 25%.MONEY
Singapore’s currency is the Singapore Dollar.
LANGUAGE
There are four main languages in Singapore—English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil.WEATHER
Singapore’s weather doesn’t seem to fluctuate much. From February to October, the average temperature is 81°F (27°C), while from November to January, the average temperature is 79°F (26°C). Singapore is very humid. Indoor gardens, however, have air conditioners.PLACES TO SEE IN SINGAPORE
MASJID SULTAN MOSQUE
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Masjid Sultan Mosque—a spectacle in the Muslim area in Singapore—is beyond elegant. Located in Muscat street in Kampong Glam, the mosque is the beauty and magnet of this area. Nearby, there are restaurants serving Turkish and other Arab cuisines. Similarly, there are shops that are different from those in the lively streets of the glamorous side of Singapore—the Marina Bay area. Here is the official website of the Sultan Mosque.
MERLION
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Merlion is an essential attraction in Singapore. Actually, it is the official mascot of the country and is branded on almost all souvenirs you find in the gift stores. The structure is that of a lion with a fish’s body. The Merlion is surrounded by restaurants, cafes, and beautiful views of the Marina Bay and Singapore’s skyline.
MARINA BAY SANDS HOTEL SKYPARK
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The Marina Bay Sands Hotel is one of the most popular attractions in Singapore—it is the most popular hotel in Singapore because of its infinity pool and beautiful views of Singapore seen from the rooftop. Basically, the Skypark is an observation deck and from here you can encounter Singapore from the sky. You pay to access the Skypark, but if you wanted to access the infinity pool area, you must be a hotel guest.
GARDENS BY THE BAY
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Gardens by the Bay is what visitors to Singapore are usually eager to see. The tall supertrees are green during the day and bright purple when they are illuminated in the evenings during the light shows. The flower dome and the cloud forest are two main conservatories that require a ticket to enter. There are thousands of flowers and plants from all over the world carefully arranged to create different environments. Here is an article on what you must see when you get to Gardens by the Bay.
MARINA BARRAGE
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Basically, this is a dam where few rivers meet. It is a reservoir and kayaking hub for both local people and foreigners. The address is 8 Marina Gardens Drive.
NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE
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National Gallery Singapore has a modern art public collection that is the largest in Southeast Asia. When you get there, grab a guidebook and choose wisely what you want to see—the museum is so big you will not be able to see everything in one day.
VEERAMAKALIAMMAN Temple
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As one of the oldest Hindu temples, Sri Veeramakaliamman has been pulling visitors from all over the world to Little India. The fascination with the architecture is understandable—so much time and detail went in the renovations in the 1980s. The temple is open from 5:30 am to 9:30 pm every day. The Address is 141 Serangoon Road.
MARINA BAY WATERFRONT PROMENADE
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The beauty of Singapore is showcased in the evening when the whole marina bay is illuminated. The 6 pm light show transforms the promenade. The 3.5 km bay walkway gives you a perfect view of Singapore’s skyline.
BUDDHA TOOTH RELIC TEMPLE AND MUSEUM
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Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is a Buddhist temple in Chinatown that is beautifully designed. Inside the temple, there are many rooms that are colorful, as you proceed to the top, you will find a beautiful rooftop garden. In the temple, you will find a Buddhist museum showcasing ornaments and documents, among other things, that explain the culture of Buddhism. Admission is free.
Attire: You are strictly prohibited from wearing anything that shows your back, shoulders, legs, and cleavage. They want you to show respect. Also, pets are not allowed. The Address is 288 South Bridge Rd.
HELIX BRIDGE
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Opened in 2010, the 280m long Helix Bridge not only connects Marina Bay areas, but it is also a spectacle in itself. The silver color and dramatic twist design contribute to its uniqueness.
ARTSCIENCE MUSEUM
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Located in Bayfront Avenue and in close proximity to Marina Bay Sands Hotel and the mall, ArtScience Museum is at the center of Singapore’s downtown. Opened in 2011, it is the world's first art museum. Most people are mesmerized by the uniquely designed white structure.
ORCHARD ROAD
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Orchard Road is where shopping fantasies are met. Malls with shops, restaurants, cafes, hotels, and a photogenic boulevard—you will find it all here. In the evening, the place is lit and alive, making it a perfect hot spot for night entertainment.
JURONG BIRD PARK
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Jurong Bird Park boasts to be the largest bird park in Asia. So many endangered species are kept here in natural-looking habitats. A waterfall—which is a popular attraction at the park—adds beauty and a forestry vibe to the park.
ESPLANADE - THEATRES ON THE BAY
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If you are captivated by art, concerts and plays, head over to Esplanade. Concerts are held both inside and outside the building. The dome is named after the fruit, durian. The Address is 1 Esplanade Drive.
BATTLEBOX
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This place was the headquarters of the Malaya during the Second World War. The Battlebox symbolizes the time Singapore was handed over to the Japanese in 1942 after the commander surrendered.
GILLMAN BARRACKS
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To find contemporary art in Singapore, visit the Gillman Barracks. In addition to the art galleries, you can shop and eat at the museum.
SRI MARIAMMAN TEMPLE
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A Hindu temple right at the center of busy streets in Chinatown, this building adds color and character to Chinatown. It is located on the same street as Buddha Tooth Relic Temple—another top attraction in Chinatown.
Shoulders and knees must be covered and ladies should not wear tight clothes. Shawls are provided to those who are deemed to be dressed inappropriately. Footwear must be removed at the door. The Address is 244 South Bridge Road.
TEMPLE STREET IN CHINATOWN
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Located in Chinatown, Temple Street is a very important street in this area as it has nice hotels, grocery stores, food shops, and a popular market in Chinatown—the street is one of the busiest parts of Chinatown. You cannot go to Chinatown without visiting temple street and be mesmerized by the echoing sounds of street vendors hollering, cars hooting wanting to pass in the packed street, and tourists looking confused and lost—it is quite an experience.
THIAN HOCK KENG
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Thian Hock Keng, also known as Tianfu Temple, is a traditional oldest Hindu temple that was built without nails. It is not the most popular attraction in Singapore but still, it is worth a visit.
HAJI LANE
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Facing the Masjid Sultan Mosque, Haji Lane adds uniqueness and color to Kampong Glam. It is one of the few very narrow streets in Singapore. In addition to being pretty, the street is a real shopping street filled with boutiques and other types of stores.
SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS
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Singapore Botanic Gardens is a top-ranked garden park in the heart of Singapore, and worthily declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is in close proximity to the shopping area on Orchard Road. When you get there, you have these main areas to see—Tyersall-Gallop, Tanglin in the historic area of the park, the Central area is where tourists usually go particularly to see the national orchid gardens, and Bukit Bukit Timah is mainly for educational and recreational purposes.
Opening hours are from 5 am to 12 midnight every day. Admission is free. The National Orchid Garden is open from 8.30 am to 7.00 pm, adults pay $5 to enter.
SERANGOON ROAD IN LITTLE INDIA
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There are quite a few reasons you must visit little India; the rich culture, beautiful temples, and shopping hubs. Indian authentic boutiques and food stalls fill the streets, from Serangoon road—the main road in little India—to small backroads. Mustafa Centre and Tekka Centre, in Serangoon Road, are where many tourists flock to for traditional Indian cuisines and stalls to buy gifts and souvenirs from. Opposite the Tekka Centre, there is Little India Arcade. Festivals and celebrations are organized and operated at a grand scale. Pongal celebrations occur in January, while in October - November, Deepavali takes place.
SINGAPORE ZOO
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There are thousands of animals and birds at Singapore Zoo, you will not see everything in one day. With so many things to see in Singapore—especially the bird park, gardens, and the safari park—it is possible some people may overlook the zoo. But, the charming animals at the zoo will make your visit worthwhile.
NIGHT SAFARI
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After a day of shopping and sightseeing, why not spend the evening looking at different species of animals at the safari park. The park is open from 7:30 pm to 12 am—it takes less than an hour to finish a tour. Tigers are a hit with tourists, but there are different kinds of interesting endangered animals you can see.
