Singapore’s Most Popular Tourist Attractions – Top 10

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

Published: July 18, 2024
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.

 

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Woman eating freshly cooked takeaway dumplings inside a hawker center.
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The Best Food Markets in Singapore

Singapore has a bit of an unfair reputation when it comes to cost. While it’s true that it may be expensive for expats living out there or visitors who want to stay in the top-tier hotels (hello, Marina Bay Sands!), it certainly needn’t be the case for your average vacationer. Case in point: you’ll find some of the best eating in the city’s 100+ legendary hawker centers, where authentic Singaporean, Malay, Chinese, Indian and Indonesian dishes start from a mouthwatering couple of Singapore dollars and rarely top more than six or seven bucks, meaning you needn’t ever really splash the cash to give your tastebuds a good time. Read on for our guide to the best food markets in Singapore. What is a Hawker Center? Hawker centers are embedded within Singapore’s very DNA. Here’s where you’ll find decades-old street food stalls that have been handed down through the generations; where locals queue for delicious, affordable meals and catch up on the local gossip over great steaming bowls of noodles, fragrant curries and melt-in-the-mouth grilled meat and fish dishes. There are over 100 of these centers – effectively covered, standalone food courts – dotted around the city, each hosting dozens of vibrant eateries. A literal feast for the senses, you can expect to see (and smell) suckling pig roasting on the spit, roast duck displayed tantalizingly in shop windows and plumes of aromatic smoke and steam rising from pots and griddles at every turn. There’s something to suit every palate here: sweet and savory, spicy and mild, hot and cold, meaty and meat-free – your only challenge is not to be drawn straight to the first stall you encounter by those utterly intoxicating aromas. Singapore Hawker Center Hints and Tips Hawker centers are dedicated standalone premises, usually covered but sometimes open-air and are not to be confused with what Singaporeans call ‘food courts’. Food courts are generally found inside shopping malls; they’re a little less characterful and a mite more expensive than hawker markets, but nevertheless a solid option if you’re out on a shopping spree. Many hawker stalls operate cash-only policies, so be sure to bring some cash as well as a big appetite. We recommend first-timers buy several different small dishes from multiple stalls to get a real (excuse the pun) flavor of what’s on offer. If a stall has a queue, that tends to be a sign the food is top-notch and that the wait will be worth it. Don’t pass busy stalls by! Don't be put off if you find hawker centers a little overwhelming – it really is worth persevering to unlock some of the fantastic flavors on offer within. If in doubt, you can always take a tour with a local guide to help you find your bearings. Singapore Hawker Food – What to Eat Even the most ravenous of visitors may find it difficult to work their way through all the excellent dishes Singapore’s food markets have to offer. But there are a few staples that we’d consider must-eats. Chili crab, for example, is (unofficially) Singapore’s national dish. This stir-fried sensation – crab drenched in spicy sweet-and-savory-sauce – is as ubiquitous as it is delicious and you’ll find it in any hawker center worth its salt. Then there’s sticky skewers of pork and chicken marinated in umami peanut sauce. Again, available everywhere. Other popular favorites include Indian-influence roti canai – a buttery, crumbly melt-in-the-mouth flatbread served with a variety of curry sauces – BBQ pork with rice, pungent fish head curry and chicken with rice. Make like a local and join the morning ritual of spiced teh tarik (tea) or kopi (coffee) sweetened with condensed milk. Feeling adventurous? Turn up the heat by seeking out some of the nation’s most out-there delicacies, among them pufferfish, live octopus and, for the bold gourmand only, fried pigs’ fallopian tubes in spicy kung pao sauce. Nom. Best Hawker Centers in Singapore And now for the main course, the entrée, the bit you’ve all been waiting for: our pick of some of the finest food markets in Singapore. Tuck in! Lau Pa Sat Oozing old-school Singapore charm, the Landmark Lau Pa Sat market is as well known for its distinctive octagonal shape and colonial-style architecture as it is for its satay. Find a spot beneath the soaring wrought-iron Victorian arches and tuck into a huge variety of international cuisines, including Vietnamese, Filipino, Korean and more. East Coast Lagoon Food Village Singapore’s only beachside hawker center provides the picture-perfect setting for a sweet sugar cane juice, fresh coconut or ice-cold Tiger beer. Hit up Song Kee Fried Oyster at stall 15 for perfectly fluffy omelets packed with local oysters and drizzled with a fiery chili sauce. Newton Food Centre Perhaps best known for its appearance in the movie Crazy Rich Asians, this vibrant market near Newton MRT station boasts over 100 stalls serving up some of the best seafood dishes in town. Order spicy sambal stingray in banana leaf for the win. Hong Lim Market and Food Centre Hong Lim is one of the more easily navigable Chinatown hawker centers (more so than the sprawling Chinatown Complex, in any case), so a good option for novices. Authentic Singaporean cuisine abounds here. Try pork braised with Chinese five spice, zingy laksa with crayfish or Teochew porridge served with a variety of meat, fish, veg, eggs and sauces. Clementi 448 Market and Food Centre The long queues at Fried Carrot Cake in Clementi 448 are a dead giveaway. This very literally named hawker stall is something of a local legend around these parts, having been around for over half a century. First things first though: this moreish Singaporean classic (pictured above) has no carrot in it and nor is it really a cake, at least not in the Western sense of the term. But don’t let that (or the queue) put you off this unmissable piping hot melée of sweet, spicy cubed radish cake, egg, garlic and chili sauce. Delish. Old Airport Road Food Centre A little off the beaten track on Singapore’s east coast, the Old Airport Road Food Centre is nevertheless well worth the effort for its vast selection of stalls serving up everything from crab to carrot cake, satay to sambal, dumplings to duck. With close to 200 hawkers to choose from, good luck deciding what you’re going to eat! Tekka Centre This Little India landmark, handily located right next to the MRT station, specializes in Indian food. Head here to make all your dosa dreams come true, and for tandoor grill feasts fit for a maharajah. Tekka Centre is part hawker center, part mall and part wet market, so there are plenty of opportunities for souvenir-hunting and soaking up the old-school Singapore vibes after lunch. Adam Road Food Centre This diminutive hawker center is pretty much right next to the Singapore Botanic Garden, a 200-acre oasis of vibrant flora and tropical rainforest. Work up an appetite with a stroll around the shores of Swan Lake and a visit to the National Orchid Garden before heading to Adam Road for a well-earned laksa. Changi Village Hawker Centre Aromatic nasi lemak, an utterly life-altering dish of rice, coconut milk, chili sauce, crispy anchovies, peanuts and egg, is the one to try here. Located on the island’s northeastern tip, Changi might feel slightly out on a limb, but no day tripper could fail to be charmed by this cute coastal village’s excellent Malay cuisine, fine sandy beaches and lush palm groves. 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
Top family-friendly activities in Singapore
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Top family-friendly activities in Singapore

Families. They're the best. They support us through our hardest times, and help us celebrate our victories. They are the backbone of our civilization. But sometimes, planning for a family can be tough. Will the kids dig exploring a destination's culture? Will the grown-up want to ride waterslides all week? How do you juggle all the responsibility without physically exploding? Just, ka-boom. No more vacation. No more you. It's simple, really; just read our picks of the top family-friendly activities in Singapore. You've already clicked through, so the hard part is over. Now? Time for adventure. Including: Sentosa Gardens by the Bay Universal Studios Singapore Nature Kayaking Adventure at Pulau Ubin Virtual Room Singapore and more! Sentosa Why don't we begin with one of Singapore's most popular tourist destinations? You may already know about Sentosa. In fact, it may already be at the very top of your itinerary. However, if you're unaware of Sentosa's awesomeness, let's explore why it's one of the top family-friendly activities in Singapore. Sentosa is an island paradise carefully curated to please pretty much everyone. Found just off the coast of southern Singapore, it prides itself on offering 50 unique experiences that'll delight both kids and grown-ups alike. From waterparks to indoor skydiving, plus plenty of relaxing beaches and delightful restaurants, it has anything a vacationing family needs to have a great time. Will you even want to leave? Only time will tell. Adventurous families should test their mettle on the Giant Swing and Skybridge, which combine fantastic views with death-defying feats! Or settle in for some thrilling entertainment at 4D AdventureLand. That's just a taste; enjoy the full meal when you visit. Gardens by the Bay Does exploring over 101 hectares filled with 1.5 million plants sound like a good time for your fam? If you need some green on your vacation, you can't beat a visit to Gardens by the Bay. 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. In fact, with an experience dedicated to the blockbuster movie franchise Avatar on display, you can join in on the cinematic fun! And 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. Universal Studios Singapore Speaking of cinematic fun, it doesn't get much more cinematic than Universal. A titan of the movie industry, you probably see at least one Universal movie every year. With such a massive cast of colorful characters calling the company home, why not go meet them at Universal Studios Singapore? Kids will love family-friendly rides like Puss In Boots' Giant Journey, Enchanted Airways, and Madagascar: A Crate Adventure. They'll get to meet their favorite characters from Sesame Street, as well as the minions, everyone's favorite weird yellow things. Well, maybe not yours, but your kids love them. Trust us. For the larger kids, yes, including you adults, there are also a number of fantastic rollercoasters to ride in the Transformers and Jurassic Park universes, and when you're all tuckered out, settle down for some delicious food to refuel. Nature Kayaking Adventure at Pulau Ubin If you want to add a little physical exercise to your family-friendly activities, why not take the fam on a nature kayaking adventure at Pulau Ubin? It's one of the top experiences in Singapore, and you will love it. Located just off Singapore's northeastern coast, Pulau Ubin is one of Singapore's last remaining villages. As such, they live life a little in the past. And that means plenty of untouched natural beauty, clean air, and good vibes. As you set off on your kayak adventure, you'll take in Pulau Ubin's thriving mangroves, which are home to a variety of flora and fauna like herons and kingfishers. Of course, the whole thing is guided by an expert, so they'll be able to fill you in on the village's way of life, as well as the different species that call Pulau Ubin home. Good stuff. Virtual Room Singapore Kids love technology these days, and who can blame them? With fully-realized worlds literally in the palm of their hand, we'd be exactly the same if we grew up today. In fact, with gaming being the highest-earning media format on the planet, it looks like plenty of us love technology too. That's why a trip to another reality - a virtual reality - might be just the ticket for the whole family. Up to four people can adorn their headsets and play together in a number of different games and activities. Solve puzzles, compete to win challenges, and aim to beat the game! And, with each session only lasting 40-50 minutes, you won't have to worry about your kids' eyes going square. That's not a real thing, by the way - just something our parents made up. Puzzle Hunt And finally, we end our list of the top family-friendly activities in Singapore with a little scavenger hunt. Hunt for clues, solve riddles, and complete your quest at Puzzle Hunt. With locations in Chinatown and Fort Canning Park, you're spoilt for choice. Team up with the fam to chase down the prize before the other teams do! But it's not all fun and games; they're learning experiences too! Each offers a unique look into Singapore's diverse culture and history, so even if you don't walk away with the grand prize, you'll walk away with the most important prize of all. Knowledge. Sweet, priceless knowledge. And that's our list of the top family-friendly activities in Singapore! If you're interested in things to do without the kids, or just want to diversify your vacation portfolio, check out Go City. With our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass, you can experience all the best bits of Singapore for one low price!
Dom Bewley

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