Singapore

Singapore’s Most Popular Tourist Attractions – Top 10

From theme parks to botanical gardens, there's plenty to keep you busy. Here are our top picks......

Check out the sights and attractions you can't miss on a trip to Singapore!

For such a small island, measuring just half the size of London, it’s impressive how Singapore packs in so many iconic landmarks and attractions. Around every corner you’ll find something new to explore, a new adventure to have, and a new selfie to take. We’ve put together a list of the top 10 tourist attractions in Singapore. Although they barely scratch the surface, it’s a great start.

  • Marina Bay Sands
  • Gardens by the Bay
  • Sentosa Island
  • Universal Studios Singapore
  • Changi Experience Studio, Changi Airport
  • Bird Paradise
  • Orchard Road
  • Singapore Flyer
  • Chinatown
  • Singapore Botanic Gardens

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Marina Bay Sands
Marina Bay Sands

Marina Bay Sands

Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands is an architectural masterpiece. It’s home to many tourist attractions, housing two exhibition centers, two theaters, over 40 restaurants, a museum, a three-story large art gallery, the world’s most expensive standalone casino, two shopping malls, and the world’s longest elevated pool.

The Marina Bay Sands SkyPark is the world’s largest public cantilevered platform with a height of 200 meters and a 150-meter-long infinity pool. It stands on top of the three towers and offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city.

The two observation decks, The Sands SkyPark Observation Deck and the Sands SkyPark Infinity Pool offer unparalleled views, plus unmissable photo opportunities of the city skyline, the Singapore River, Gardens by the Bay, and the Singapore Strait.

 

Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay is a 250-acre garden spanning three waterfront parks in Singapore’s Marina Bay area. It features several attractions, including a 22-meter tall cloud forest dome, both indoor and outdoor waterfalls, a 150-meter long hillside garden with 35 terraces, and over 200,000 plants from 100+ species.

Gardens by the Bay is an iconic attraction in Singapore, visited by approximately 1.5 million local and international visitors each year.

Hosting diverse attractions, the Gardens offer unique experiences for people of all ages and interests. These include the Flower Dome for plant lovers, Cloud Forest for nature lovers, the Supertree Grove for adventurers, and the Heritage Gardens for history buffs.

 

Sentosa Island
Sentosa Island

Sentosa Island - the ultimate playground

Sentosa Island is an island resort off mainland Singapore. The island’s attractions include beaches, theme parks, and Singapore’s first casino. Sentosa Island is part of the Southern Islands of Singapore.

The contrasts of Sentosa Island are striking, from its pristine beaches to its exhilarating activities. The island’s filled with historical landmarks and cultural treasures, offering something for everyone.

On Sentosa Island you’ll find:

  • Universal Studios
  • Adventure Cove Waterpark
  • Resorts World Sentosa
  • Palawan Beach
  • Tanjong Beach Club
  • Skypark Sentosa by AJ Hackett
  • Many, many more attractions

 

Universal Studios Singapore
Universal Studios Singapore

Universal Studios Singapore

Without a doubt, Universal Studios Singapore is a must-visit attraction for your itinerary, regardless of how long you’re visiting.

There’s something for everyone, with rides for kids and adults. There’s the Transformers ride, Shrek 4D Adventure, and Madagascar: A Crate Adventure, to name a few. Some are nice and peaceful, while others are white-knuckle thrill rides.

You’ll find plenty of shops, cafes, restaurants, and kiosks all offering refreshments. If you need to calm down from the rides or escape the endless sun, head inside one of these air-conditioned oases and catch your breath.

Aside from the rollercoaster and rides, you’ll also find live shows and meet & greets, plus seven themed zones to explore: Hollywood, New York, Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, The Lost World, Far Far Away, and Madagascar.

 

Changi Airport
Changi Airport

Changi Experience Studio, Changi Airport

The Changi Experience Studio (CES) is one of Singapore’s largest attractions. It houses 18 unique attractions, including the Butterfly Garden and Rain Vortex. This indoor playground features state-of-the-art technology and combines physical and digital interactions to provide a unique, unforgettable experience.

The CES works like a living museum that showcases Singapore’s heritage and culture, as well as the future of air travel. It aims to inspire the curiosity of visitors about the country’s history, culture, and future through interactive exhibits and multimedia shows.

You may have never considered an airport to be a major attraction, but Changi Airport is unlike any other. Waterfalls, art exhibits, high canopy walks, a variety of mazes, and a giant slide. It’s certainly not your standard airport.

 

Bird Paradise
Bird Paradise

Bird Paradise

Bird Paradise at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve is your chance to peek into a mesmerizing world full of colorful birds. Home to over 3,500 birds, the park is a must-visit for all animal lovers. You'll find perfectly pink flamingos and striking scarlet macaws, as well as some more unique species, such as Shoebills, Southern Cassowaty's and Andean Cock-of-the-rock.

The park has ten different zones to discover, including several vast walk-through aviaries and an impressive penguin habitat. There's also the opportunity to attend presentations where you'll get to see some of the world's most successful winged predators in flight or have fun feeding the pelicans.

For nature lovers, old and young, Bird Paradise is a fine addition to your itinerary.

 

Orchard Road
Orchard Road

Orchard Road

Orchard Road is Singapore’s most famous shopping belt and a top tourist attraction. This mega-shopping destination has become a global symbol of Singapore’s multiculturalism, with shoppers from India, China, and Southeast Asia contributing to the mix of people shopping here.

The shopping district is busiest in the evenings and weekends, when locals and tourists alike flock to the shops for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Treat yourself to luxury brands, high-street fashion, and cutting-edge electronics as you explore the futuristic malls and shopping complexes.

 

Singapore Flyer
Singapore Flyer

Singapore Flyer

One of the world’s largest observation wheels, standing 165 meters tall with 28 fully air-conditioned capsules, the Singapore Flyer provides breathtaking views of Singapore’s skyline.

The Flyer provides panoramic views from Singapore’s central business districts, Marina Bay, and East Coast Park, providing ample photo opportunities during the ride.

It’s an ideal attraction for couples, families, and groups of friends to enjoy together. It offers a unique experience, especially at night when the skyline is beautifully lit up with vibrant colors, plus there’s a chance you’ll catch a light show or two while you’re making the rotation.

 

Chinatown
Chinatown

Chinatown

Just a short walk from Singapore’s central business district, Chinatown is an iconic neighborhood that offers a glimpse into Singapore’s rich Chinese heritage. From stunning cultural architecture to mouth-watering food, Chinatown is an essential part of the Singapore experience.

Whether you are looking for a gourmet family meal or a simple bowl of wonton noodles, Chinatown provides the ultimate dining experience. Whatever your budget, Chinatown has a variety of restaurants offering delicious, authentic dishes.

Chinatown’s also a cultural hub, with the Chinatown Heritage Center showcasing Chinese culture and heritage through traditional arts and performances. You’ll also find an incredible selection of art galleries, traditional street markets, and exquisite temples.

 

Singapore Botanic Gardens
Singapore Botanic Gardens

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Singapore Botanic Gardens is a nature reserve in the heart of the city, and a place everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. Not only a beautiful place to relax, it’s also an educational and scientific research center that houses over 5,000 plant species.

Home to a variety of tropical plants, flowers, and trees, it’s the perfect place to learn about plants, insects, animals, and even geology. With walking trails leading you through the gardens, you can spot squirrels, butterflies, and even exotic birds.

The gardens are also a perfect spot to switch off and reconnect with nature. Unwind and relax with a picnic, or stretch your legs on the walking trails or jogging paths. Whatever your energy levels, the Botanic Gardens have you covered.

 

Go City app
Go City app

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Traditional boat on the Singapore River near Clarke Quay
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A guide to the Singapore River

Stop for a visit to Singapore and the first thing you’ll notice – after the skyscrapers and warm, humid air – is that there’s a lot of water. Rivers, harbors and canals are the lifeblood of this city, bringing trade, tourism, and tranquility to its many green and quiet spaces. At the heart of it all, snaking its way west to east from the Kim Seng Bridge the Singapore Strait, is the Singapore River. Now lined with vibrant shopping districts and dazzling sky scrapers organized around three main quays, this two-mile stretch of fresh water has been indelibly linked to Singapore’s history and livelihood from its days as a remote fishing village to the internationally recognizable metropolis it is today. Read on to find out more about: Its history Robertson Quay Clarke Quay Boat Quay The Marina Things to do History The history of the Singapore River dates back many centuries to when the ‘Lion City’ was a small fishing village inhabited at various points by traveling (or invading) fisherman from China, Malaysia, India, Java and other neighboring countries. It wasn’t until Sir Stamford Raffles arrived in 1819 that serious development began, and it grew into a large city with a well-connected trading port. The first quay was built in 1823 and large warehouses were built all along the Singapore River to house goods and merchandise being imported and exported by sea. Other industries – such as finance – thrived on this success, but it took its toll on the waterways. Pollution and congestion became so bad that in 1977 the Prime Minister launched an ambitious ten-year clean-up project. Hotels, green spaces and sewerage were installed, and most of the trade was moved out to Keppel Harbor to make way for the tide of tourism now flooding into the city. Nowadays, The Singapore River forms the backbone of social and commercial life in the city, with vibrant districts and glamorous promenades culminating in the spectacular vista of Marina Bay. Things to do Fortunately, the weather and daylight hours are pretty consistent throughout the year in Singapore, so it doesn’t really matter when you go. It’s always going to be humid, so undoubtedly the best way to experience the river is on it, where fresh breezes and water spray will cool you down. River Cruises in traditional bumboats will take you gently around the quays and the Marina for perfect waterfront pictures, or for something more adventurous try a Duck Tour in an amphibious vehicle. If you prefer two wheels, there are some great bike tours that take in all the river’s major attractions, or you could just hire a bike and do your own exploring. If you need some family fun, try a Puzzle Hunt in Fort Canning, or if you need a rest and fancy some ‘high’ life, grab a drink at the Ce La Vi SkyBar in the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, where you can look back and marvel over the entire length of the river and out to the sea. Cruise around Singapore with Go City Whether you prefer your views from rooftop bars, traditional boats or riverside restaurants, there’s always something to see on the Singapore River. Be sure to have your Go City Explorer or All-Inclusive Pass handy, so you’ll save on all your favorite attractions as you go!
Karleen Stevens
Skyline of Singapore's Tampines neighborhood.
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Things to do in Tampines Singapore

Long considered the Orchard Road of eastern Singapore (primarily thanks to its proliferation of shopping opportunities), Tampines is a green and leafy suburb with plenty of cool things to do. We’re talking fruit-themed playgrounds, Insta-tastic architecture and more fantastic parks than you can shake a very large stick at. And shopping. Lots of shopping. Read on to discover our favorite things to do in Tampines, Singapore, including: Shopping malls galore Tampines Eco Green Hawker centers Sun Plaza Park Tampines Quarry The Chinese Temple Tampines Regional Library Scratch Your Selfie Itch Insta-tastic photo opportunities abound in Tampines, where architectural wonders and sassy street art are sure to zhuzh up your social media feeds. Get snap happy on Avenue 9, where monochrome apartment blocks bring a modern twist to ye olde English Tudor style. Check out the beautifully hand-painted 3D-effect paper crane mural on the side of the Tampines West Community Club building and conjure up yet more Instagram magic at the dramatic Chinese temple, complete with a huge dragon sculpture on its roof. You can even become part of the art yourself at Block 478 Tampines Street 44, where benches and tables allow you to sit and blend with local artist Francis Theo’s colorful 1960s mural, featuring a barbershop, provisions store and traditional Peranakan houses. Tampines Eco Green Nature lovers will be in clover in Tampines, where vast green spaces teeming with native flora and fauna abound. Tampines Eco Green is one of the finest tracts of parkland in the district, with 88 acres of tropical rainforest, grasslands, wetlands and more to explore. A trio of trails offer splendid opportunities for walkers, joggers and keen photographers to enjoy the landscape. Pause at the bird hide to spot superstars of local wildlife including the towering purple heron, noisy red-breasted parakeets and – if you’re lucky – the brilliant blue flash of a collared kingfisher diving for its supper. Foodie Fantasia One of the best things to do in Tampines (as indeed in just about any Singapore neighborhood worth its salt) is to sample local street food at a hawker center. Chief among these is the Tampines Hub Hawker Center where more than 40 stalls serve up Malay-Chinese-Indonesian fusion specialities and the aromas of sizzling BBQ pork, lime-drenched chili crab and zingy fried noodles are enough to make a grown man weep. Try local favorite satay bee hoon – rice vermicelli with pork or prawns liberally smothered in spicy hot sauce – for the win. Sun Plaza Park Sun Plaza Park provides yet another opportunity to enjoy Tampines’ abundant natural wonders. Kids will love the sensory garden with 10 interactive play areas including tactile walls of plants, musical tubes and chimes and much more. Challenge your friends to a contest on the woodball course or – if all that sounds a little strenuous – enjoy a lazy picnic on the manicured lawns. There’s even an amphitheater that hosts outdoor concerts, exhibitions and performances when the weather is fine. Hike Tampines Quarry If you’re looking for hidden gems in Tampines, then look no further! Abandoned to nature many years ago, Tampines Quarry is now a lush oasis, thick with tropical vegetation. Space-age water towers mark the beginning of the trail at the northern entrance, leading to dirt tracks that lead to the lake at the bottom of the quarry. Negotiate rickety makeshift bridges across tiny streams and keep your peepers peeled for colorful native butterflies like the Plain Tiger flitting among the dense undergrowth. You might even be lucky enough to spot the occasional monitor lizard dozing on the banks of the lake. Tampines Central Park This lush green space pays homage to Tampines’ illustrious fruit-farming past, with kids’ playgrounds that contain rides, slides and various other structures in the shape of mangosteens and watermelon slices. It’s a fab community space, where locals gather to gossip beneath swaying palm trees, to jog the many marked pathways and to watch regular musical events and theatrical performances. Nearby, Our Tampines Hub is a community-led initiative that features a climbing wall, laser tag, play areas, a swimming pool and a rooftop running track with park views. Shop ‘Til You Drop You’ll find not one, not two, but THREE major shopping malls within stumbling distance of Tampines MRT station. Tampines 1 boasts hundreds of shops and restaurants over seven floors, as well as a swimming pool for showcasing that expensive new swimwear you’ve just treated yourself to. Nearby Century Square and Tampines Mall offer more of the same, adding food courts, cinema screens and other entertainments into the mix. Spending money has never seemed so easy; they don’t call this neighborhood the Orchard Road of the east for nothing, you know! Chinese Temple An extraordinary 270-meter-long dragon sculpture stands sentry atop this traditional pagoda-style temple, an amalgamation of the 12 Taoist temples that stood in Tampines prior to its redevelopment in the 1980s and 90s. Inside, colorful altars, murals and shrines provide a place for quiet reflection and, of course, some of those all-important photo opportunities. Tampines Regional Library If you’re looking for a place to chill in Tampines, you could do far worse than the epic five-story library at Our Tampines Hub. Kids can enjoy the vast collection of children’s storybooks, many in English, and let off some steam in the playhouse on the ground floor, while adults find a cozy nook and lose themselves in a good book. There are coding and programming labs for teens and you can even get involved in cookery workshops by the cookbook section. Suffice to say, it's no ordinary library! Save on attractions and activities in Singapore Save on admission to Singapore attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
The Rain Vortex at Jewel Changi Airport
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Things to do in Changi Singapore

Changi is a cute village right at the eastern tip of Singapore, best known for its sandy beaches, lush palm groves and, not to put too fine a point on it, its status as the country’s primary transport hub, thanks to Changi Airport’s prime position slap bang in the middle of the district. But if low-flying aircraft don’t bother you a jot, you’ll find that Changi has bags of charm, from its laid back beach resorts to the many attractions located inside the airport itself. Don’t believe us? Read on to discover why Changi is worthy of a day trip or weekend mini-break on any Singapore vacation, and check out our bite-size guide to the best things to do in Changi, Singapore! Changi and How to Get There Its designation as one of the biggest and busiest transport hubs in all of Asia makes getting to Changi an absolute breeze. The airport is right at the end of the East–West Line on Singapore’s super-efficient Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) metro system, meaning you can get there in around 30 minutes from just about any centrally located hotel. There’s also a slew of bus and taxi services available and, heck, you can even walk, jog or cycle there via the Changi Airport Connector if you fancy it (more on this later). The airport encircles the enormous nature-themed entertainment and shopping complex known as Jewel Changi Airport (or just ‘Jewel’ to in-the-know locals) and its this magnificent, magical, massive playground that has earned the airport the title of ‘best in the world’ dozens of times. Things to do in Changi Airport Make no mistake, Jewel Changi Airport is an entertainment destination in its own right, absolutely worthy of a visit even if it does feel a little weird heading to the airport for a fun day out. But this is no ordinary airport. Far from it, in fact. Housed inside this architectural marvel, you’ll find epic waterfalls, huge slides, pretty gardens and world-class shops and restaurants. And that’s just for starters. Let’s unpack just a teeny tiny selection of the highlights, many of which are free! The Rain Vortex Staking its claim as the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, the Rain Vortex is the jewel in the Jewel’s crown. Rainwater enters through an oculus in the roof of the dome, cascading seven stories through the heart of the building to a pool in the basement level. A truly mesmerizing spectacle at the best of times, it’s even better during the hourly light and music shows every evening. Kinetic Rain Over in Terminal 1, this hypnotic moving sculpture is comprised of 1,216 gleaming copper-plated raindrops, each able to move independently. Together they form elaborate shapes including planes and hot-air balloons, with the patterns repeating on a 15-minute loop. But you really could watch this thing for hours on end without tiring of it. The Slide@T3 Ever imagined the unbridled joy of whizzing down the world’s tallest airport slide? Of course you have! And now’s your chance, thanks to this four-story beast that gets you from level one to basement level three in a matter of seconds. Fab fun for kids young and old. Butterfly Garden There’s no shortage of flowers and foliage to explore in this vast nature-themed complex, but chief among the many verdant attractions on offer has to be the Butterfly Garden. Inside, around 1,000 tropical butterflies dance and flutter around the flowering plants and tranquil waterfall. Pokémon Center Singapore The kids will love this real-life replica of the gaming world’s Pokémon Center, even if your wallet does not. Expect larger-than-life characters as well as (naturally) a vast array of toys, games, trading cards, clothes, bags and, well, just about anything else you can think of. Got to buy ‘em all! Changi: Best of the Rest Changi Beach Park There are plenty of things to do at Changi Beach Park: wiggle your toes in the warm white sand, picnic in the palm groves, take a dip in the blue, blue sea or simply sit and watch the world go by. Way less busy but no less beautiful than its near neighbor at East Coast Park, Changi Beach is a great choice for kampong-style vibes and beach cookouts, though note you’ll need to book a designated BBQ pit to do this. The beach park also has bikes to rent and easy access to the ace Park Connector Network that criss-crosses the island with cycle paths linking parks, wetlands and nature reserves via great green corridors. Changi Airport Connector One such corridor is the Changi Airport Connector, 3.5 kilometers of car-free pathways that link the airport to the East Coast Park. Kids will go wild for the roar-some Jurassic Mile section of the route, where life-sized dinosaurs nibble the leaves and forage in the undergrowth. Dodge nightmarish velociraptors, pause to say hey to gentle giants including the brontosaurus, and get ready to run for it when you spot the terrifying T-rex tearing through the fence! Changi Village Hawker Centre Aromatic nasi lemak, that utterly sensual blend of rice, coconut milk, chilli sauce, crispy anchovies, peanuts and egg, is the one to try at this mostly-Malay hawker center in Changi Village, but you’ll find other fragrant local favorites like chili crab here, too. Heck, why not try both? You only live once, after all. Changi Point Coastal Walk Start at the boardwalk at Changi Bay Point, where the waterfront views are at their absolute finest, then wander waterside, taking in views of village life and watching bumboats ferry daytripping tourists out to Pulau Ubin. If you’re feeling energetic, you can continue as far as Changi Beach Park, for those stunning white sands, relaxing beach vibes, and (go on, you’ve earned it!) a cooling ice cream. Changi Chapel and Museum The collection at this thought-provoking museum includes paintings, murals, sculptures and other artifacts, each contributing to the story of the soldiers and civilians interned at the Changi prison camp during Japanese occupation during the Second World War. Hear tales told by the very people who were imprisoned here, and visit the powerful Changi Chapel, a faithful reproduction of St George’s, one of the churches built here by PoWs. Save on attractions and activities in Singapore Save on admission to Singapore attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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