Things to do in Singapore

Published: July 18, 2024
Singapore Zoo

When visiting Singapore for the first time it’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed. It may only be a small island, but it’s packed with activities, attractions, and iconic landmarks. Don't worry. Whatever your budget, and no matter how long you’re staying, we’ve got you covered. We’ve put together a list of our favorite attractions so you can get a real feel for the Garden City.

Finding Your Way Around

Spend a few hours getting to know the city with a ride on the Big Bus Singapore. It’s a hop-on-hop-off bus, so if you see something you like, jump off and explore. It’ll take you all over the city, pointing out the key landmarks and must-see attractions. By the end of the ride you’ll have a much better understanding of where to go and what to do.

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You can’t visit Singapore without taking a trip to Sentosa Island. Take the Cable Car Sky Pass and treat yourself to a completely different perspective of the city. It’s only a brief ride, but you won’t want to miss out on this experience.

Once you touchdown on Sentosa, hop on the Sentosa Island Bus Tour. A local guide will fill you in on the island's rich history, top things to see and do, and share some local knowledge you won’t find in any guidebooks.

Singapore on a Budget

Yes, it’s an expensive city, but you don’t need to break the bank to have an amazing time in Singapore.

Gardens by the Bay will blow your mind with the natural beauty, technical constructions, and at night, the free light shows. Whether you’re alone, traveling with a partner, or vacationing with the family, the Gardens are a must-see attraction.

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What’s more budget-friendly than lying at the beach all day, soaking in the rays? Whatever your activity level, there’s a beach for you in Singapore. Tanjong beach is the place to be seen, Siloso beach has incredible watersports, and then you’ve got your pick of picture-perfect islands like Lazarus Island and St John’s.

Along with Gardens by the Bay, you’ll find plenty more free light shows around the city at night. If you find yourself in front of Marina Bay Sands before sunset you’ll witness to an unforgettable show, all without paying a dime.

Explore the Animal Kingdom

Get up close and personal with the local wildlife in the 26-hectare award-winning Singapore Zoo. With over 4,200 animals including white tigers, Malayan tapirs, flying foxes, and many more, it’s a treat for the whole family.

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Alongside the waterpark rides and surfing opportunities, Adventure Cove Waterpark allows you the opportunity to swim with thousands of tropical fish, as you snorkel and explore the magical reefs. If you want to get even closer, hop in a pool with the majestic stingrays. Don’t worry, they’re perfectly harmless.

If you've still got energy left after a busy day exploring, consider taking a night safari. Experience nature like never before in the world’s first nocturnal zoo. Watch cats hunting for fish, plus discover exactly what the animals get up to after dark. With a chance to see leopards, hippos, tigers, hyenas, and bears, a night safari is a perfect end to a wild day.

Take a Cruise

If you want to slow things down and explore Singapore from a unique perspective, hop on a boat and take a river cruise. Drift down the Singapore river and tick off all the iconic landmarks aboard a traditional bumboat.

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If you want something a little less traditional, consider splashing into Marina Bay with a DUCKtours Cruise. Traveling in an amphibious vehicle, you’ll feel like James Bond as you drive from the land straight into the water.

Shop Until you Drop

You’ll need to buy some souvenirs for friends and family and, while you’re at it, why not treat yourself? The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is a day out in itself. A huge, sprawling complex of luxury shops, restaurants, boutiques, and iconic features, you’ll want to dedicate at least a full afternoon to this experience.

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Chinatown is home to stunning temples and restaurants, but there are also lots of shopping opportunities too. Find the perfect gift for a loved one, or splash out on yourself and bring home a unique memento to remember your time in The Garden City.

If you find yourself in Chinatown and want to learn more while having some fun, Puzzle Hunt in Chinatown is the way to go. Run around finding clues and solving puzzles, all while learning more about the local Chinese culture.

Get on your bike

If you want to combine sightseeing with a little exercise, take a bike tour of the city. GoGreen Bicycle Rentals offer a two-hour rental so you can get out and explore the green side of the city. It’s a cycle-friendly island, so you’re free to enjoy the many parks, beaches, and promenades in an eco-friendly manner.

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If you’re still hungry for more peddling, take a two-hour guided Marina Bay Night Bicycle Tour. Not only will you get a good workout, but you’ll gain a truly unique perspective of the city. The city transforms at night, and you’ll be in a unique position to see some of the most captivating secrets of the city.

Save on Admission to Top Singapore Attractions

Explore the best things to do with a pass for Singapore by Go City®. Select from top attractions with our All-Inclusive and Explorer passes, where you’ll enjoy access to galleries, museums, tours much more.

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Adam Fraiel
Go City Travel Expert

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Singapore pumpkin truck
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Halloween in Singapore

If there’s something strange in your neighborhood, who you gonna call? Go City! Explore spooky Singapore’s terrifying tours, creepy cruises, and horrifying haunted houses. We’ll show you all the best sites and attractions to ensure it’s a frighteningly fun Halloween 2022 celebration for all the family. Harrowing Halloween 2022 at Singapore Discovery Center Halloween 2022 at Singapore Discovery Center will be unlike any Halloween celebration you have experienced before. Do you have the nerve to enter the haunted house, traversing the creepy maze filled with jump scares? The Discovery Center is transformed into a creepy hospital ward, where you’ll encounter the Mad Doctor. If it all gets a little too much, take a break in the “Chill Out!” zone. If you want to learn more, check out the After Dark tour; free as part of the Permanent Exhibits Gallery. It’s an exploration of the paranormal rituals practiced by various cultural groups, with local knowledge, dark tales, and spooky goings-on shared by your guide. Halloween @ S.E.A. Aquarium - Deep Boo Sea For a more child-friendly adventure, head to the SEA Aquarium and discover the secrets of the deep boo sea. Transformed for the Halloween season, with trick or treating alongside many other fun activities, SEA Aquarium is a fiendishly fun time for all the family. Spot the skeleton divers as you wander through the underwater world, learning fun facts, eating treats, and taking spellbinding selfies with the creatures from the deep. SuperSpook 2022 @ SuperPark SuperPark Singapore gets a freaky facelift this Halloween, transforming from a skate park into a haunted maze. There are activities and scares, and even Halloween-themed carnival games where you can win attractive prizes! Release some of the nervous tension with a jump on the pumpkin-themed bouncy castle or play in the child gym. This is certainly one for the more energetic ghostbusters. The Halloween Experience at Gardens by the Bay The Gardens by the Bay are a treat year-round, but they too get a facelift for Halloween. They took the normally peaceful gardens and add a good helping of magic, mystery, and excitement. Halloween Kids Blitz Halloween Kids Blitz takes place at The Meadow, and features stilt walkers and otherworldly displays, as well as fun games and delicious treats from across the island. Episode Halloween Music Festival 2022 Episode Halloween Music Festival 2022 is one for the grownups. A Halloween-themed dance party, featuring local DJs pumping out fast-beating EDM music in the stunning surroundings of the Gardens by the Bay. Halloween Cruise onboard the Royal Albatross On this special Halloween cruise, board the Royal Albatross for a voyage into the Sentosa Triangle. Reimagined as a legendary ghost ship, be prepared for moans and groans from below deck. The Royal Albatross is a fantastic attraction on a normal day, but Halloween takes it to another level. Enjoy an atmospheric 5 or 7-course dining experience far out at sea; an experience you’ll never forget. Halloween Horror Nights @ Universal Studios Singapore For the ultimate fright night, head to Universal Studios Singapore. Adrenaline junkies will love the thrill rides but, if that’s too relaxing, we dare you to explore the haunted houses and Sinister Scare Zones! Treat yourself to live shows, a monster meet and greet, plus the Monsters & Manifestations Experience. For those who love this spooky festival, Universal Studios Singapore won’t disappoint. Visit the Museum of I Scream The Ice Cream Museum might not sound like the scariest place to visit, and you’d be right. But, if you’re wearing your finest fancy dress, you can enjoy unlimited desserts while exploring the museum. A frighteningly good deal, right? Imagine a crossover between The Nightmare Before Christmas and Willy Wonka, and you’re halfway there. Graveyard Sundaes topped with spooky sprinkles, spine-chilling activities, and a mad scientist are all to be found during this delicious night of fun. Take a ghost tour If you’ve got nerves of steel, take a ghost tour around Singapore. Believe us, it’s not for the faint-hearted. With a history of scary stories and haunting history, Singapore is full of spooky secrets. With tales of restless spirits rising to roam the island, plus the troubled history from World War II, there are endless ghost stories and paranormal encounters to discover. The ultimate test of nerves is a trip to Old Changi Hospital, the most haunted place in all of Singapore. Want some less-spooky ideas for experiences in Singapore? Check out Go City! With our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass, you can work the city’s best attractions around your vacation itinerary! So, what are you waiting for?
Adam Fraiel
Woman watching the sun set over Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
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Singapore to Bangkok – How to Get There

Considering doing a double header in Southeast Asia? You could do worse than a trip that takes in both Bangkok and Singapore, two of the greatest cities in the region, if not the world. We’re talking balmy tropical weather, exciting attractions, world-class hotels with pools and some of the finest street food you’ll ever experience. And with direct flights that connect the two in the blink of an eye, there’s really no reason not to. Read on for our whistlestop guide to Singapore and Bangkok – and the best ways to get from one to the other. Bangkok in a Nutshell Bangkok enjoys a tropical monsoon climate, with a hot dry season between March and June, when sweltering daytime temperatures can top 100 degrees, with a warm rainy season from July to October and a cooler, drier period from November to February. Bear in mind that ‘cooler’ is a relative term in Bangkok and you can still expect t-shirt-wearing temperatures in the mid-70s during winter. Bangkok’s crowded streets and noisy traffic can seem overwhelming to newbies but getting around is actually relatively easy thanks to the excellent BTS SkyTrain network which links the airport to downtown and serves most of the key districts in the city center. An extensive metro system supplements this and, for something a little different, a variety of ferries, water taxis and long-tailed boats serve the waterways. And can you even say you’ve visited Bangkok if you haven’t traveled by túk-túk? Though almost always an uncomfortable and somewhat terrifying rip-off, these iconic three-wheeled taxis have to be experienced at least once on any visit to the city. In a place as big as Bangkok there are of course accommodation options to suit every budget. Big-name and luxury brands including Kempinski, Carlton, Marriott, Shangri-La and Anantara are well-represented here if you have a bit of cash to flash, but there are plenty of mid-range and budget options to choose from, too. Perhaps unsurprisingly, you’ll find the most competitive prices during the rainy season. Singapore in a Nutshell Much like Bangkok, Singapore is hot, humid and frequently wet. Temperatures here hover in the high 80s year round, with a tropical climate that promises regular downpours during the two monsoon seasons from December to March and June to September. Rainfall here is often sudden, short and, well, spectacular, so prepare by carrying a good umbrella if you’re visiting in monsoon season, but don’t otherwise let this put you off visiting! The transport infrastructure here in the Garden City is second to none, with a superb mass transit system (MRT), dedicated cycling paths and even cable cars and monorails. The MRT is basically your best friend when in Singapore, with speedy automated underground trains that span almost the entire island and connect you to top attractions including Marina Bay, the Singapore Flyer observation wheel, the Botanic Gardens and Orchard Road shopping district. Hop on the cable car or monorail to reach the beautiful white-sand beaches and many popular attractions on Sentosa Island, and rent a bicycle if you’re feeling fit and fancy seeing some of the abundant nature that covers around 50% of Singapore. There are hundreds of miles of dedicated (and mostly flat) cycle paths across the island, from downtown commuter lanes to major out-of-town networks including the epic Park Connector Network and Central Urban Loop. Note that failing to wear a helmet when cycling here is against the law and will likely result in a hefty fine. Singapore accommodation is just as varied as Bangkok, with Raffles, the Ritz-Carlton and Marina Bay Sands with its absolutely enormous 57th-floor infinity pool among the best-known luxury options in town. There are stacks of budget and mid-range options, too. But bear in mind that Singapore is rather an expensive city to visit, especially compared to Bangkok! So if you’re looking for electronic gadgets, fashion brands and other luxury souvenirs to take home, it’s worth noting that you’ll get far more bang for your buck in Thailand. Top Things to do in Singapore and Bangkok There are stacks of attractions worthy of your time in both Bangkok and Singapore, not least the world-class street food and hawker centers serving up zingy noodle pots, hot curries, sticky peanut satay and umami seaweed dishes. Then there are the grand Bangkok palaces and temples and sprawling night markets. Singapore offers a little more for the thrill seeker, with sky-high rides that include the Singapore Flyer observation wheel (one of the world’s highest), the Sentosa SkyHelix and a giant swing that flies high over the palm-fringed golden sands of Siloso Beach on Sentosa Island. With Go City, you can save a packet on visiting multiple attractions in both destinations. Click here to view Singapore attractions and pass options, and click here for Bangkok. Singapore to Bangkok – How to Get There Traveling between Singapore and Bangkok really couldn’t be simpler. Carriers including Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines operate several direct flights daily. Budget airlines including Scoot, Jetstar and VietJet Air also cover the route from Changi Airport to Suvarnabhumi with one-way prices starting from as little as $120. Once in Bangkok, the formidable BTS SkyTrain will get you to destinations in and around the city center at near-lightning speed. But there are other options available should you choose to take them. Adventurers and dedicated slow travelers can turn the journey into an experience in itself by taking the train: an epic 30-hour journey across some 2,000 kilometers that starts by crossing the Johor-Singapore Causeway bridge into Malaysia then weaves north to Kuala Lumpur and up through the atmospheric Cameron Highlands before crossing the border into the mountainous rainforests of Thailand’s Khao Pu–Khao Ya National Park. From there, another thrilling 17 hours of train travel through stunning jungle and coastal landscapes will deliver you straight to the center of buzzing Bangkok. This train is of course not direct and requires a bit of planning and a few changes along the way. We’d recommend a stop-off in Kuala Lumpur because, heck, why not chuck another Asian super-city into your vacation? Connected to the mainland by road, the island of Penang in the north-west of Malaysia presents another fine opportunity for a stopover: beautiful beaches, stunning colonial architecture and easily some of the finest street food in Asia are just three good reasons to take a break here. Once you’re across the border, Hat Yai is your best bet for a short stop. It’s perhaps best known as a jumping-off point for some of southern Thailand’s best-loved islands – Ko Samui, Ko Lipe, Phuket – and you’ll find budget minivans, buses and flights serving all of these and more. If you’ve got time on your hands, we can think of no better way of getting from Singapore to Bangkok than turning the journey into a mini-vacation all of its own. Save on attractions and activities in Singapore and Bangkok Save on admission to Singapore and Bangkok attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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