Singapore is the most visited tourist destination in Asia. A fun-filled holiday destination, it has amazing attractions, varied cuisines and world-class shopping. In this article, we have listed the 10 best tourist places in Singapore for a perfect vacation.

 

 

 

  

Singapore, the world’s only island city, is a beautiful tourist place that covers an area of only 719.1 sq. km. The imposing skyscrapers, museums, sanctuaries, places of worship and picturesque parks make it an attractive tourist place. One of the cleanest and greenest cities in the world, it is easy and comfortable to travel here. The best way to get around Singapore is via its Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) subway system. This underground network stretches across the entire city. Singapore’s efficient and regular bus service offers an enjoyable and cost-effective way to explore various places of tourist interest.

 

Best time to visit Singapore

Singapore is a year-round tourist destination. However, the best time to visit Singapore is from December to June. The months of February to April have the least amount of rain, the lowest humidity and the most sunshine. It is best to avoid these months.

 

Reaching Singapore

By air

Singapore’s Changi Airport is one of the busiest and best-connected airports in the world, handling 7,000 flights per week with over 100 airlines flying to nearly 300 cities. Singapore is connected to most Indian cities via airways. Changi Airport has excellent facilities for dining, entertaining, shopping, gym, lounges and gardens.

By rail

Rail lines are connected from Singapore to Malaysia, Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur with an extended route to Bangkok. The Eastern and Oriental Express luxury train offers travel routes to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

By road

Travel by road from Malaysia to Singapore through two major causeways that link Johor Bahru, as well. Licensed taxis and rented cars are available, apart from bus services by the Singapore Bus Service and Causeway Link.

By water

Another medium of transport is the ship. There are luxurious cruises from Indonesia, India, Thailand and Malaysia to Singapore.

See also: World’s best tourist places to visit

 

10 best tourist places to visit in Singapore

 

Merlion Park

 

 

Merlion Park is one of the most famous Singapore tourist attractions, overlooking Marina Bay, in front of the Fullerton Hotel. It has two statues of the famous Merlion, a mythical creature with the head of a lion, spouting water from its mouth, and the body of a fish. The Merlion statue at Marina Bay Sands is a wonderful place to relax. Tourists can enjoy river cruises from Merlion Park and explore other nearby locations. The impressive skyline and the shiny Singapore river water is all you need to make the trip a memorable one. One can enjoy the astounding light and water show that takes place every night at the Marina Sands Bayview and lights up the Marina in a spectacular way.

Merlion Park Light Show Timing:

Sunday to Thursday: 8 PM and 9 PM

Friday and Saturday: 8 PM, 9 PM and 10 PM

Entry fee: Free entry

How to reach Merlion Park:

• Board the MRT on the East-West Line to reach Raffles Place station.
• Take bus no 10, 100 or 75 to reach Merlion Park.

See also: Famous places to visit in Paris

 

Botanic Gardens

 

 

The Singapore Botanic Gardens has been given the title of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a 163-year-old tropical garden located on Orchard Road. It is spread over 82 hectares and has over 10,000 species of plants and flowers. The Botanic Garden is one of the premier orchid research and breeding centres in the world. It is also the largest tropical orchid garden in the world with more than 1,000 orchid species and 2,000 hybrids on display. The Singapore Botanic Gardens has a Palm Valley, Bandstand Area, Sun Garden, Sundial Garden, Foliage Garden and Ethnobotany Garden. The Botanic Gardens has three lakes – Symphony Lake, Eco Lake and Swan Lake. The garden also has educational zones, forest habitats and a healing garden with over 400 varieties of medicinal plants. The Bonsai Garden and the Sun Garden, with their desert landscape full of succulents and other plants from arid regions, are ideal for peaceful walks. For children, there is the interactive Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden with a water play area, a small playground, tree houses with slides and a maze.

Timing:

• The Singapore Botanic Gardens: 5:00 AM to midnight (all seven days)
• The National Orchid Garden: 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM (all seven days)

Entry fee:

• The Singapore Botanic Gardens: Free entry
• The National Orchid Garden: SGD 5 (adults). Free entry for children below 12 years

How to reach Botanic Garden:

• Orchard Road MRT Station (North-South line)
• Napier/Holland Road Bus Station – bus nos. 7, 105, 12 and 174

 

Singapore Zoo and Night Safari

 

 

 

The Singapore Zoo is famous for its ‘open concept’, where animals live freely in spacious and landscaped environments simulated to match their natural habitats. The Singapore Zoo has a free-ranging orangutan exhibit and dedicates special attention to threatened primates and Southeast Asian chelonians. This 28-hectare park, locally known as the Mandai Zoo, has over 2,800 animals of 300 species, including kangaroos, lions, white tigers, leopards, cheetahs, orangutans, giraffes, crocodiles, penguins, sea lions and snakes. Active in national and regional conservation projects, the Singapore Zoo is one of the country’s designated centres for rescued wildlife. The Zoo also has a Night Safari, River Safari and Rainforest Lumina. Set in a rainforest environment, kids and families can enjoy an exciting outdoor feast at the Jungle Breakfast with Wildlife, an internationally acclaimed, award-winning program that offers an exhilarating experience with orangutans. The Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari are part of the same complex in the eastern part of Singapore. The world’s first night zoo (opened in 1994) allows you to witness over 2,500 nocturnal animals from 130 species in naturalistic habitats via special lighting techniques.

Timing:

• Singapore Zoo: 8.30 AM to 6:00 PM (all seven days)
• Night Safari: Starts at 7:00 PM

Entry fee:

• Adult ticket (13 to 59 years): SGD 41
• Child ticket (3 to 12 years): SGD 28

Night Safari entry fees:

• Adult: SGD 55
• Child: SGD 38

Note: The Singapore Zoo ticket does not include Night Safari or River Safari. They require you to buy separate tickets.

How to reach the zoo:

• Commonwealth MRT Station is the nearest station
• Bus nos 927 and 138A
• Take a cab

 

Chinatown and Buddha Tooth Temple

 

 

Chinatown, one of the most visited places in Singapore, has amazing food outlets, tourist attractions and shopping outlets. This historic town is a blend of old and new shops and markets. There are fine dining restaurants, food kiosks and street hawkers serving a variety of traditional Chinese food. Worth visiting is the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. Its interior is designed in the form of a mandala, a central concept in Buddhist and Hindu spirituality that represents universal connection. This exquisite four-storey structure has the sacred Buddha Tooth Relic. The highlight of this temple is the gold Stupa where the relic is kept. Sri Mariamman Temple is one of the oldest shrines and the most significant place of worship for Tamil Hindus in Singapore. This busy street in Chinatown has stalls selling ‘Made in China’ items such as Laughing Buddha, home décor, lanterns and lucky cats. The market is at its best at night with beautiful lights and brightly coloured lanterns.

How to reach Chinatown:

• Bus nos 147,166,190,197 and 51
• The Clarke Quay (NE5) station is nearest to Chinatown in Singapore

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Clarke Quay

 

Clarke Quay is the heart of Singapore’s nightlife. It has bars, pubs, nightclubs and waterfront dining options. Formerly a centre of commerce by the Singapore River, now, the area attracts locals and tourists with its vibrant riverside location. River taxis and cruises also depart from here, giving tourists the chance to admire the city’s historic bridges and landmarks. The Clarke Quay is built on the Singapore River Planning, located in the vicinity of the renowned Boat Quay, and is a place of both historical importance and recreational activities.

How to reach Clarke Quay

• Clarke Quay MRT, Fort Canning MRT and City Hall MRT are the closest stations
• Bus nos. 147, 166, 174, 190 and 197

 

Sentosa Island

 

 

Sentosa Island is one of Singapore’s famous leisure attractions. The island is spread over 500 hectares and has a huge number of leisure activities. From natural beauty spots such as rainforests, beaches and marinas to relaxation and sporting activities such as spa resorts, golf clubs and cycle routes, there is something for everyone. The Sentosa cable car is the only cable operated in Singapore, from Mount Faber to Imbiah Lookout station. The Butterfly Park and the Insect Kingdom are must-visits, especially with young children. The landscape has more than 15,000 butterflies of over 50 species. The insect kingdom is home to more than 3000 rare species from around the world and a 160 mm Dynastes Hercules beetle.

Entry fee: SGD 16.00 (adults) and SGD 10 (children)

The Tiger Sky Tower is a must-see for everyone who has a head for heights. Climbing to 131 m above sea level, the air-conditioned cabin gives you unrivalled views across Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Entry fee: SGD 18 (adults) and SGD 10 (children)

S.E.A. (Southeast Asia) Aquarium is a great place for aquatic entertainment and education. It is one of the biggest and best aquariums in the world with over 100,000 inhabitants.

Timing: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Entry fee: SGD 39 (adults) and SGD 29 (children) (4 – 12 years old)

Sentosa Island has thrilling indoor skydiving at Segway Adventures and Mega Adventure Park. But if you just want to relax then Sentosa caters to that too. Whether it’s the tranquillity of Tanjong Beach or the bar and restaurants surrounding Siloso Beach, Sentosa is worth your whole day. Don’t miss Sentosa Island’s Wings of Time’s spectacular outdoor light and water show along the open sea at night. Combining both water and laser effects, it is a majestic pop of colours and illuminations. This 20-25-minute multi-sensory show is a display of colours, lights and special effects.

How to reach:

• The man-made island can be reached by car, monorail or cable car.
• Sentosa Express Monorail
  • 7 AM to 11:45 PM with an operation interval of 5-8 minutes. It connects the mainland of Singapore to Sentosa Island.

• Bus no. 123RWS8
• Circle line and North East line MTR

See also: Places to visit and things to do in Maldives

 

Jurong Bird Park

 

 

Spread across 20 hectares, Jurong Park is Asia’s largest bird park with a collection of over 5,000 birds from 400 species. It’s a must-visit place for children and bird lovers to explore the world’s largest walk-in aviary with the tallest man-made waterfall. You can see birds like the Great Blue Turaco, Hyacinth Macaw, Rainbow Lorikeet, King Penguin and the African Penguin. Ride on the air-conditioned Panorail for a panoramic view of Singapore’s Jurong Bird Park. Penguin Coast and Pelican Cove are worth visiting exhibits. You can also join the interactive session – the ‘Hornbill chit chat’ session – where one of the park’s great hornbills is presented. There is also Flamingo Lake with hundreds of strutting birds.

Timing: 8.30 AM to 6 PM (Thursday to Sunday)

Entry fee: SGD 38 (adults) and SGD 25 (children) (3 to 12 years)

How to reach the Jurong Bird Park

• The Lakeside (EW26) station is the nearest station
• Take bus no. 194 from the Boon Lay bus exchange.

 

Universal Studios

 

 

 

Source: Pinterest

Source: Pinterest

Universal Studios Singapore is a huge theme park on Sentosa Island. It has seven themed areas filled with rides, shows, meet-and-greets, stores and restaurants. Southeast Asia’s first and only Universal Studios-themed park offers thrilling rides, shows and attractions based on popular films and TV shows. Universal Studios Singapore has lots of fun-filled activities for children and teens. Kids will love to meet the residents of Sesame Street in New York, explore space in Sci-Fi City (including Battlestar Galactica and Transformers-themed rides), escape the mummy in Ancient Egypt, discover the dinosaurs of Jurassic Park in The Lost World, meet the Minions in Hollywood and enjoy their trip to the tropical island of Madagascar.

Timing: 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM (Thursday to Sunday)

Entry fee: SGD 74 (adults, age 13 to 59) and SGD 56 (children, age 4 to 12).

How to reach Universal Studios

• Bus no 123 from multiple points to Resorts World Sentosa Singapore bus stop no 14519
• Take Sentosa Express Monorail from MRT Harbour Front station to Waterfront Station
• The Sentosa Monorail Express connects mainland Singapore to Sentosa.

 

Singapore Flyer

The giant observation wheel that stands amidst the skyscrapers of the Singapore skyline, the Singapore Flyer is the go-to attraction for the most magnificent views of the city. At a height of 541 ft, the Singapore Flyer can accommodate around 780 passengers in an air-conditioned glass capsule. Each round lasts 30 minutes. On a clear day, the panoramic views stretch into neighbouring Malaysia and Indonesia from the top of the wheel. The Singapore Flyer is unavailable till September 7, 2022, as the attraction is temporarily closed for maintenance work. Please check their website for the opening date and any other changes.

Entry fees: SGD 33 (adults, 13 years and above) and SGD 21 (children, 3 to 12 years)

How to reach Singapore Flyer:

• Promenade MRT station is the closest station
• Bus stop no. 02171 is the nearest bus stop, located opposite the Ritz-Carlton

 

Gardens By The Bay

Source: Pinterest

 

Gardens By The Bay are amazing man-made nature parks in the Bay area of Singapore. It is a must-visit sanctuary for nature lovers and those seeking rejuvenating green therapy. Comprising three distinct spaces – Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden and Bay Central Garden – this 101 hectares of lush greenery has won many awards. The Supertrees, tree-like vertical gardens measuring between 25 and 50 metres, are a sight to behold. These Supertrees are one of the most photographed landmarks of Singapore. There are 18 Supertrees made up of more than 1,62,900 plants and more than 200 species and varieties of bromeliads, orchids, ferns and tropical flowering climbers. Every night you can witness a spectacular light show at the Supertrees. Flower Dome, the largest glass greenhouse in the world, has plants and flowers from around the world, including a Mediterranean garden, olive grove, South African garden and South American garden. The Cloud Forest is the second most visited place within the Gardens by the Bay with a height of 35 metres and a size of 0.8 hectares.

Timing:

• Gardens by the Bay: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM (all seven days)
• Outdoor Gardens: 5:00 AM to 2:00 AM (all seven days)
• Supertrees show: 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM (all seven days)

Entry fee:

• Supertree and surrounding gardens: Free entry
• Flower and cloud forest dome: SGD 28 (adults) and SGD15 (children)

How to reach Gardens By The Bay:

• The Bayfront MRT station and Tanjong Pagar MRT station are the nearest stations.

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Must-have food in Singapore

 

 

 

Singaporean cuisine is influenced by Chinese, Malay and Indian cuisines. From Michelin-star fine dining to street food, there is a lot for tourists to indulge their taste buds. You can see hawkers preparing food and smell the aromas as you pass the streets of Singapore. Dining at a hawker centre is a typical Singapore experience. Singapore is also known for its seafood. Chilli crab and black pepper crab are two popular dishes. Another favourite of the locals is the sambal stingray. For meat lovers, Hainanese chicken rice topped with soya sauce and served with blanched vegetables and eggs is a must-try. Rojak, a salad made with cucumber, pineapple, jicama, dough fritter and bean curd with tangy sweet sauce and crushed peanuts is another must-have dish in Singapore. The Malaysian dish, Nasi Lemak, is a full-course meal with coconut rice, omelette, cucumber and chilli paste. Do try Kaya toast, a traditional breakfast in Singapore of toasted slices of bread topped with Kaya (coconut jam) and butter. This is usually served with two soft-boiled eggs, soy sauce and pepper. Locals also relish Roti Prata, the plain fried flatbread with Indian clarified butter, served at times with egg fillings.

 

Shopping in Singapore

 

 

 

 

Tourists have lots to shop in Singapore. From high-end watches, perfumes and electronics to clothes and shoes, Singapore has local and international department stores, boutiques and mega malls. Orchard Road is the most famous shopping spot with over 20 malls. Other shopping areas include Marina Bay, Vivo City Mall and Mustafa Centre (in Little India). Bugis Street has more than 600 shops of fashion clothing and accessories. The International Merchandising Mart Mall (IMM) is the largest mall in Singapore and has more than 90 outlet stores, 220 retail shops and 50 food and beverage outlets.

 

 

FAQs

Is Singapore a good place to visit with kids?

Singapore is one of the best cities in the world for families with its year-round tropical weather and unbelievable attractions for kids. Zoo, Aquarium, Dolphin Island, Sentosa 4D Adventureland, Universal Studios and KidZania, there is a lot for kids to enjoy in Singapore. Please note Singapore attraction tickets can be bought at a discount from various websites. It is better to book in advance since some attraction rates are higher during holidays.