Here we’ll share our top 10 best things to see and do in Singapore, one of the true gems of Southeast Asia. With Singapore’s excellent air connections to Asia, Europe and Australia, it’s a popular holiday destination, but also a great place for a long layover between flights. Try to fit as many of these things to do and see into your itinerary as possible!
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Best Things To See And Do in Singapore
Singapore is highly developed and wealthy today. Historically, its geographical location led to it becoming a bustling seaport with immense cultural diversity and importance in global trade.
Singapore is a large island, linked by road, to the tip of the Malay Peninsula. It is a natural stopping point for all manner of ships originating in China, Arabia, India and Portugal. Today it is also a major financial and aviation hub for the whole world, with excellence in education, health care, and more. Of course, it’s not a cheap destination.
The British arrived during the 18th century, introducing colonialism to Singapura, the Malay name, The Lion City. With Stamford Raffles establishing the British colony in 1819.
The port served as a midway point to service their fleets travelling between east and west, as well as to prevent territorial expansion by the Dutch.
With the opening of the Suez Canal in November 1869, the increased trade between the East and West, coupled with a strategic military position, made Singapore a prominent hub in world affairs.
Its political status as a colony of the crown after World War II shifted to that of an independent entity in August 1965. Although British influences still remain throughout much of Singapore and its surrounding islands, the co-existence of multiple ethnicities and religions makes a stay in this unique destination a cross-cultural feast.
The Airport is a Must-See in Singapore
Most of us will arrive in Singapore by air at the world-famous Chiangi Airport, most, not all, you may also arrive by cruise ship or by road from Malaysia.
However you arrive, don’t miss the airport, particularly the stunning Jewel.
You do not have to be flying to visit the Jewel, it’s directly outside the check-in desks. Transit passengers may also exit the airport and visit the Jewel. Some say you can’t, but I know you can, I’ve done it.
Admission to The Jewel is free, but certain parts are by ticketed entry, for instance the Canopy Park, Sky Nets (great for kids) and Hedge Maze.
In the basement there is a huge food court plus restaurants on most levels.
The trains you can see passing through the Jewel in our photo are the airport Skytrains that connect the terminals. You cannot get off these inside the Jewel, but you can enjoy the view.
I need to write a full post about visiting The Jewel, and I will.
I’ve been told that you can take a city tour of Singapore from the airport, I’ve seen the desks, but it’s never been available when we’ve been there on layovers.
Changi airport has transit hotels that could be suitable for you to get a few hours sleep, we’ve often found a comfortable spot to spend the night. We’ve only spent the night on the floor once. If you arrive very late, the best sleeping spots will be taken.
You can book a transfer to or from the city here. We usually just call a Grab car from the lower levels of the airport to our hotel.
Singapore’s Must-Do Zoos and Safaris
One of the most Popular attractions of Singapore is its zoo. Whether by day or night, this open space habitat is not only home to thousands of species of animals but is an active conservation and breeding hub.
One of its most remarkable accomplishments was the birth of a polar bear, a rarity in a climate as humid as the Far East.
Enclosures have thick viewing glass and moats, so that visitors have a sense of being closer the wild kingdom. Seeing the zoo is an all day event, whether it’s from the comfort of a narrated tram tour or by walking.
To get a sense of the zoo’s expansive layout, take the tram tour first, then go back and revisit specific exhibits where you want a closer look or the chance to take photos.
The Night Safari allows you to visit after dark, escaping some of the heat. Night safari packages may include an evening meal, lectures and nocturnal animals at work.
Visit the Singapore Zoo website here for full details.
Relive Colonial Singapore
The co-existence of towering skyscrapers and British colonial architecture is a testament to Singapore’s affection for both the past and the hyper-modern future.
At the mouth of the Singapore River, you’ll find the era of Sir Stamford Raffles preserved at its best. It was Raffles who first saw the potential of Singapore as a center of trade. His landing site has a statue today.
Visit elegant landmarks such as the Victoria Theatre, Parliament House (with its bronze elephant standing guard), The Fullerton Hotel (formerly the Singapore Post Offce), St Andrew’s Cathedral, and Raffles Hotel.
We were lucky enough to stay at The Fullerton on our last trip to Singapore. The location is perfect and we loved our stay. You can read our review of this classic hotel here.
The best way to appreciate Singapore’s early years is to take a walking tour of the district; maps are available in the museum of the Raffles Hotel.
A weekday guided tour inside Parliament House (since renamed The Arts House) is also highly recommended and includes an overview of Singapore arts, theater, music and the movies.
Singapore’s Best Museums
I’m not sure which is more interesting at the Singapore Philatelic Museum—the building itself, or room upon room of postage stamps and first-day covers from all over the world. As a post-master’s daughter, I couldn’t resist taking a look.
The latter is definitely an inspiration to stamp collectors, young and old.
As for the architecture which houses these stamps, it is nearly a century old and consistent with the colonial grandeur of the nearby Empress Place and the Singapore Arts Museum.
Many of Singapore’s older structures which were once private homes of the wealthy have been successfully converted to galleries, libraries, museums, meeting halls and restaurants as part of the country’s ongoing preservation effort.
Singapore Discovery Center
Talk about a bigger-than-life film experience! The iWERKS Theatre located at the Singapore Discovery Center was the first of its kind to be brought to Southeast Asia and projects 3D imagery on a screen the size of a 5-story building.
Your children will also want to drag you to the Motion Simulator, which takes you on a wild, virtual ride similar to those currently found at Universal Studios and the “Star Tours” adventure at the Disney theme parks. (Fasten that seat belt!)
The interactive kiosks found at Periscope Adventure are a kid-friendly bonus, too, inviting younger family members to explore Singapore’s culture and history and engage in the role of futuristic planners exploring questions related to ecology, energy, and transportation.
Visit The Singapore Discovery Centre website here for more information.
The Best Free Thing To See or Do in Singapore!
It’s kooky, it’s kitschy, and it’s definitely one of the more bizarre places you’ll ever see in your travels. And yet every year, Haw Par Villa (Tiger Balm Gardens) attracts curiosity seekers and shutterbugs from all over the world. We took our kids and we all loved it!
Built in 1937 by the Burmese brothers behind Tiger Balm, the park is filled with giant, colorful statues that relate the myths and legends of Ancient China. If you’re familiar with the “Monkey” TV show, you’ll recognise a lot of the characters.
Haw Par Villa is particularly proud of its The Ten Courts of Hell caverns. The dioramas depict what happens to the souls of those who are not properly respectful of the powers that be. Be cautious is you’re travelling with young orsebsitive kids. This is only a small part of the park and easy to skip.
Singapore’s Outer Islets
Because Singapore itself is an island, the islands off Singapore are termed islets, and there are a lot of them!
If you want to get away from the bustle of downtown Singapore, the islets of Singapore offer a different experience. You can enjoy nature hikes, beaches, swimming, bird-watching, or snorkelling.
Sentosa Island is the resort and entertainment hub, attached to mainland Singapore by road and by Singapore’s iconic cable-car. Take a look at that high-rise ride right here!
Nobody could call Sentosa peaceful, but it’s all about enjoyment, with plenty of beaches and pools to help you unwind. Universal Studios Singapore is here, along with the impressive Singapore Oceanarium.
Other islets are a ferry, yacht, or helicopter ride away. There are 63 islets of Singapore in total, plus one outlying islet. Many are uninhabited.
Lazarus Island can be reached by chartering a yacht, such as this one, it becomes quite affordable for a group of people. Alternatively, book the regular ferry here. You can even stay overnight on Lazarus, in the Straits of Singapore.
Each of the islands comes with a colourful history. Kusu Island, or Tortoise Island, is steeped in the legend that it was once a turtle that saw two drowning sailors and turned itself into an island so that they could climb onto its back and be rescued.
Kusu Island is reached by ferry, as is St John Island. The Kusu ferry departs Marina South Pier and may stop at St John on the way. Take a look at ferries from Singapore. below.
In contrast, St. John’s was once a place that its inhabitants longed to escape from; it was originally used as a Singapore quarantine island. Today a large part of the island is the The National Marine Laboratory. There is a lodge on the island and its connected to Lazarus by a causeway.
For more on Singapore’s Southern Island, this local blogger knows them much better than we do!
Marvel at Gardens By The Bay and Marina Bay Sands
The Supertrees of Gardens by the Bay and the iconic boat-shaped Marina Bay Sands Hotel are probably the most well known icons of Singapore. They would be hard not to miss, lit up beautifully at night, this skyline is unforgettable.
Gardens by the Bay is great for kids, with water play and the Superdomes to expore.
Singapore can be extremely hot and humid, so don’t over-stretch yourself by exploring on foot. We recommend a hop-on-hop-off bus tour to see the sights. You’ll see more from a bus than you will from the underground train lines.
Book The Singapore Hop On Hop Off Bus Here.
Take A Cruise on The Singapore River
You will want to see Singapore’s most famous Quays and landmarks, Clarke Quay, Boat Quay, the Merlion, Raffles Landing, and the Esplanade.
Historic buildings and shop houses blend with ultra-modern skyscrapers in a landscape that is like no other.
These cruises are affordable, and will keep you cooler than walking in the heat, so take a look at boat cruises here.
Singapore Chinatown, Little India, and Arab Street
Singapore’s Chinatown is probably my favourite area to explore, with some incredibly beautiful temples, includding the Buddha’s Tooth Relic Temple (photo above). It also has some of the best food courts!
We’ve written a detailed guide to Singapore Chinatown here, highlighting the best things to do and see.
Little India is where you should go for authentic, and cheap, Indian food. Particularly Southern Indian. Also check out the street art and Hindu Temples.
Arab Street and Haji Lane Singapore are in the Kampong Glam district. Here you will find more street art, a stunning Mosque and some interesting food options.
All of these areas are best explored on foot.
More Things To See And Do in Singapore?
Our Singapore at Christmas guide covers more things to see and do in Singapore. If you’re looking for activities for families, Singapore with kids is for you. We also took a deep dive into Singapore’s food scene and food courts with the help of a local food blogger. We have much more content on Singapore to come, as it’s rapidly becoming one of our favourite, and most convenient, travel destinations! What’s your favourite thing to do in Singapore.
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