Singapore skyline with a pink and yellow sky

Places to watch the sunset in Singapore

Have a look through the photos on your phone and chances are you'll find plenty of sunsets. There’s just something about a glowing pink sky that makes us want to stop and capture it, despite the fact that it happens every day. When we’re traveling, finding a good place to watch it becomes part of the itinerary, almost like a destination hunt, or going to see a show. Singapore, with its iconic skyline, rooftop terraces and scattered islands, has plenty of picture-perfect places to see it, but you have to get your timing right as they only tend to last between 20 and thirty minutes. The good news is, because Singapore is so close to the equator there isn’t much variation in its timing – you can expect the sun to set between roughly 6:50 and 7:20pm whatever time of year you’re there. For the best views, head to:

  • The Marina Bay Sands
  • The Gardens by the Bay
  • The Pinnacle@Duxton
  • From the river
  • Mount Faber Park and Cable Car
  • Sentosa Island

The Marina Bay Sands

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If you’re not staying at the Marina Bay Sands, you should at least make one visit to this iconic structure and its 57th floor SkyPark. With 360-degree views it’s the perfect place to watch the sun sink below the horizon, whether you want to look east over the bay or west towards Sentosa Island. While you’re there, see if you can take a selfie with a celebrity in the background, and be sure to stop for a drink at the Ce La Vi SkyBar. Inside the hotel you’ll also find a casino, museum, shopping mall and several celebrity chef-inspired restaurants, so you won’t run out of things to do!

The Gardens by the Bay

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No visit to Singapore would be complete without a visit to the iconic Supertrees in the Gardens by the Bay – and because of their unmistakable silhouette this enchanting canopy makes the perfect backdrop to any sunset. If you can time it right, watch the light fade from the OCBC Skyway, a 128-meter-long boardwalk between two of the Supertrees, 22 meters above the ground. Even better, head up to the garden’s highest point in the Supertree Observatory, where you’ll also find refreshments and interactive information displays. Look out at familiar landmarks like Floral Fantasy and the Marina Bay Sands Hotel as you enjoy nature’s most spectacular and ever-changing display.

The Pinnacle@Duxton

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This little-known vantage point is the tallest public residence in Singapore, right on the western edge of Chinatown. It has two sky bridges and the highest one, on the 50th floor, is open to the public for a small fee. It’s a wonderful spot for looking down on the district, especially in the evening when the red-roofed pagodas begin to glow and colorful paper lanterns twinkle cheerfully. It’s open until 9pm and there’s a garden as well as a deck area, so you can lounge around with a drink if you like or have a quiet stroll before you return to the bustle below.

From the River

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The gentle lapping of water, pink and yellow hues reflecting in the water, cool breezes gently blowing in your hair – we all know that sunsets look better from the water. It’s a great way to see Singapore as well, giving you a chance to move back from the hive of glass and concrete and admire the skyline as it turns from glowing pink edifice to stunning silhouette. Bop along gently in a traditional bumboat from Marina Bay and along the Singapore river, watching as iconic landmarks like the Fullerton Hotel and the Merlion Statue are lit up in the harbor. The Singapore River Cruise lasts around 40 minutes, so time it for about 6:30pm and you should be in for some exceptional evening entertainment.

Mount Faber Park and Cable Car

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If you like a hike before your sunsets, head to the top of Mount Faber Park to the west of the city for stunning views over Keppel Harbor and the waterways to the west. Here you’ll find a number of eateries, if you need a degustation-themed reward for your exertions, and also plenty of spots to sit and have a picnic – especially if you want to stay and watch the stars come out. You could also ride the cable car from Faber Peak, which will carry you over the glittering harbor to Sentosa Island – float over city lights and lush rainforests while the sky turns to indigo around you. The cable car runs until 10pm and your pass includes a return trip, so you can enjoy a pleasant evening exploring the island before heading back.

Sentosa Island

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It’s on the western side of the city and has plenty of beaches, which makes it the perfect place to sit and savor a spectacular sunset. There are hotel rooftop terraces – such as at the Outpost and Village hotels, or you could ride the SkyHelix Sentosa, which is a rotating gondola that takes you 79 meters above sea level. If that’s not enough adrenaline for you, perhaps you’d prefer the AJ Hackett Sentosa Skybridge, where you can swing from a height of 40 meters over the beach. On the other hand, if you’ve spent the day exploring Universal Studios, enjoy the sunset view from the top of one of its unique rides, such as Puss in Boots’ Giant Journey, the Battlestar Galactica: Human vs Cylon Dueling Coasters, or Donkey’s Dragon (from Shrek) Enchanted Airways Coaster.

Follow the sun with Go City

No matter where you go in Singapore, there’ll always be a sunset worth finding a spot for. And whatever you do, make sure you have your Go City All-Inclusive or Explorer Pass to hand, to make sure you save on all your favorite attractions around the city.

Karleen Stevens
Go City Travel Expert

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Orchard road Street sign
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Things to do in Orchard Singapore

Those seeking out things to do in Orchard Singapore can tick all the boxes going. Dominated by the eponymous Orchard Road, the neighborhood may be small – at less than a kilometer in area – but it certainly isn’t short of attractions. Centrally located between the National Museum of Singapore to one side and Singapore Botanic Gardens to the other, Orchard is Singapore’s equivalent to London’s Oxford Street or New York’s Fifth Avenue. It rivals both as a place to spend your time. Long gone then are the days when it was lined by nutmeg, pepper and fruit trees, giving it its name. Instead, whether day or night Orchard is the de facto shopping and entertainment district, boasting glitzy hotel stays, unrivalled shopping opportunities and no shortage of options when it comes to food and drink either. Among all this you’ll also find a number of cultural treasures, from parks to museums. Here’s the Go City guide to all Orchard Road is famous for! Check out hundreds of stores Arguably Asia’s hottest shopping district, the 2.5 km length of Orchard Road has over 25 shopping malls to choose between. Offering something for pretty much every kind of traveler, from the budget-conscious to the budget-buster, their stores provide a potentially unending exploration of must-have items (as well as a respite from Singapore’s tropical climate). Remarkably, in a city where the old is often swept away to make space for the new, Orchard’s very first department store clings on at Tang Plaza. TANGS (as it’s styled) continues to maintain a significant hold over the latest trends, much like it has since its store first opened its doors in 1958 – when the British flag still flew over Singapore. For atmosphere, do away with the big department stores and malls for the likes of Lucky Plaza and Far East Plaza. Here you’ll discover everything from secondhand gems to souvenirs (and a few black-market knock-offs too). However, Orchard’s most exciting shopping destination is possibly ION Orchard, whose shapely glass exterior sits above Orchard MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) station. ION Orchard blends luxury names such as Cartier, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany with the work of local craftspeople. But should the spending spree threaten to become too much, there’s always ION Orchard’s very own art gallery. Located on the fourth floor, its collection includes contemporary artworks from sculpture to multimedia displays. There’s also the Great Singapore Sale, which sees stores right across Orchard slashing prices each June. Discover the history of Orchard Although on first glance it may appear like the area is all about shopping, there are many other things to do in Orchard Singapore if you know where to look. Just beyond Orchard Road’s eastern extreme stands the classically-styled building constructed for the National Museum of Singapore in 1887. One of Asia’s largest, it does away with the idea of a museum as a dark studious place where visitors can only talk in muffled tones. In contrast, its light-filled galleries help detail the history of the island without it feeling like a chore. Its treasures include the Singapore Stone, found on the banks of the Singapore River and etched with as-yet undeciphered writing potentially a thousand years old. Opposite Plaza Singapura shopping mall is Istana Park, a 13,000 square meter green space. Its 26-meter-high Festival Arch marks the official start of Orchard Road, while the Istana Heritage Gallery details the history of Istana Palace. This building was the home of the British governor before becoming the office of the president on independence. This history is told through archive imagery and some of the gifts given to Singapore’s presidents by foreign dignitaries. The palace itself is only open on special occasions, while a changing of the guard ceremony takes place on the first Sunday of the month (except in July and August). Roughly 60 times larger than Istana Park, Singapore Botanic Gardens is the only tropical garden in the world to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over 150 years old, the mature gardens are a huge contrast to the area’s malls. Its attractions include a small area of rainforest, Ginger Garden, and National Orchid Garden. The latter contains approximately 3,000 different types of orchid, with many named after the great and the good of international affairs, from Nelson Mandela to Queen Elizabeth II. Sample Orchard’s culinary delights Although not as famous as the Raffles Long Bar, L’Espresso café is an excellent place to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea while experiencing a full-on Victorian fantasy at Orchard’s Goodwood Park Hotel. Neatly-cut sandwiches, tasty savory bites and desserts to die for can be sampled from around midday onwards. Alternatively, you could save yourself for a sundowner on the pool terrace come early evening. Head behind Centrepoint mall to Emerald Hill and you’ll not only take in some rare survivors of Chinese Baroque architecture (think colorful ceramic tiles, shuttered windows and brightly-colored fronts) but also a great selection of bars, coffee shops and restaurants. They often reside in the historic structures themselves, saving them for prosperity and ensuring they remain charmingly atmospheric at the same time. To experience the real Singapore, you’ll also want to dine at a food court at least once during your stay. Forget any thoughts you might have of sticky tabletops and nothing but fast food, Singapore’s food courts (also called hawker centers) serve up healthy, freshly-prepared dishes from right across the region at ridiculously good prices. Food Village Takashimaya inside Ngee Ann City Mall is a great place to start whatever you’re after and whatever the time of day. Save on admission to Orchard’s top attractions From stores with price tags running into the thousands to sumptuous meals for little more than loose change. From must-do ticketed events to free things to do in Orchard, this area of Singapore is one that cannot – and shouldn’t – be ignored. Explore the very best things to do in Orchard Singapore with Go City. Choose between our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass and you’ll get access to some of the city’s top museums, tours and attractions while making big savings on standard admission prices.
Alex Birungi
Relaxing Things to do in Singapore
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Relaxing Things to do in Singapore

Sometimes we all just need to relax. Life's hard, you know? That's especially true on vacation. No matter where you go, you'll always want some time to put your feet up and just breathe. We understand. Even on holidays when you can see and do so much, it's good to pepper in some quiet time. So let's talk about Singapore. Yes, there are a lot of amazing experiences there, but which of them are truly relaxing? Let's explore the best relaxing things to do in Singapore and you can take your pick! Including: Gardens by the Bay Historical Singapore Bicycle Tour CÉ LA VI SkyBar Cable Car Sky Pass and more! Visit the Gardens by the Bay Let's start our serene dream with some of the green stuff. No, not envy. We're talking about nature! Nothing beats the serenity of walking around a verdant space full of life and silence, and at the Gardens of the Bay, you'll find both in spades. Over 101 hectares and filled with 1.5 million plants from all over the world, you'll explore indoor and outdoor gardens, lakes, conservatories, huge sculptures, artwork, and more. Its beauty is so widely known that you might even recognize it - many films and TV shows have filmed scenes amid its luscious flora. Be sure to check out the Flower Dome, the world's largest glass greenhouse. Inside, you'll find displays representative of five continents, including 1000-year-old olive trees. And make sure you don't miss Cloud Forest - a display that takes you up into the clouds, with striking mountain views and a diverse range of plants. If you're looking for relaxing things to do in Singapore, it doesn't get much more relaxing than Gardens of the Bay. Try a Historical Singapore Bicycle Tour One of the best bits of taking a vacation is seeing the sights and sounds of a new culture. But when you only have so much time to spend there, how do you fit all the greatest hits in? Well, you're in luck. Take this historical Singapore bicycle tour, and check off every single one from your itinerary! You'll pass Chinatown, the Singapore River, Boat, Clarke & Robertson Quays, Kampong Glam, The Museum District, and more. And, thanks to your expert guide, you'll learn about the history of each location. Another benefit of said guide is that, over your peaceful four-hour exploration of Singapore, you'll also get top tips on the tastiest local cuisine in the local markets. Food, exploration, and relaxation? Sign us up! Visit CÉ LA VI SkyBar at Marina Bay Sands After all that busy cycling from one landmark to another, you might need to take a load off. And where better to kick back and sip on a cool refreshing drink than at a rooftop bar? Sounds good, right? Well, the good news is that CÉ LA VI has you covered. Visit their Skybar at Marina Bay Sands and have one on us. Literally. Swagger into the VIP area, drink in the stunning views from the 360-degree rooftop, and drink up the complimentary drink you'll get on entry. And hey, if you decide to add a couple more before you leave, no judgment here. Enjoy a Cable Car Sky Pass There are plenty of fantastic views in beautiful Singapore, but none of them quite match the spectacle of looking down from a cable car. See the skyline from a different perspective with a roundtrip journey above Singapore! Your trip will take you from Mount Faber to Sentosa, Singapore's premier wonder park. You can travel during the day, or pass over the city lights at night. We might suggest the latter, because evening adventurers will also be treated to MIRACULOUS 2, a multimedia night show. Enjoy a kaleidoscope of lights projected onto a heart-shaped tree at Arbora if you're visiting after dark. So sit back, relax, soak in the views, and take plenty of photos. That's an order! A relaxing order. Go on a Puzzle Hunt in Chinatown If you want to ease your foot onto the pedal a bit, then why not try an easy-going scavenger hunt? On a Puzzle Hunt in Chinatown, you'll find just that. Given that you'll play the role of advisor to the 'Toast King', you needn't worry about the hunt being overly serious. Sadly, this King of crispy bread has lost his memory, including the password to his treasure vault. And what's in that vault? Who knows? Could it be wealth beyond your wildest dreams? Possibly. Is it just piles of toast? Probably. Your job is to comb Chinatown for clues, solve puzzles, and find the password. Then you and only you can unlock the Toast King's treasure vault. What will you find inside? You'll have to play to discover its secrets. But it's toast. It's probably toasted. Wonder at a Night Safari And finally, we end our list of the best relaxing things to do in Singapore with a trip to animal town. Next stop - animals. But not just any animals; animals at night time. That's right, ladies and gentlemen, this here's a night safari. And what could be more relaxing than seeing the likes of lions, leopards, hippos, tigers, and bears in pitch black? Right? In all seriousness, it's a truly lovely experience. You'll see how all these animals behave when the sun goes down, from the comfort of a safe and secure vehicle. It's truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have your own nature documentary experience. Trust us, you won't regret it. And that was about rounds out our guide to the best relaxing things to do in Singapore! Looking for a wide variety of activities to experience when relaxation time is over? Check out Go City. With our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass, you can pick and choose the best of Singapore for one low price.
Dom Bewley

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