Singapore’s Most Popular Tourist Attractions – Top 10

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

By Adam Fraiel
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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Go City app

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Adam Fraiel
Go City Travel Expert

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Girl with giraffe at Singapore Zoo
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The Best Zoos in Singapore

The mighty Mandai Wildlife Reserve holds the monopoly on zoos in Singapore, comprising several of the island’s most popular animal attractions. Read on for the lowdown on Singapore Zoo, Bird Paradise, River Wonders and the Night Safari.
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Stuart Bak
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
Woman exploring colorful buildings in Singapore's Little India neighborhood
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Things to do on a Weekend in Singapore

Looking for things to do on a weekend to Singapore? While 48 hours is never going to be enough time to soak up everything this space-age metropolis has to offer, it’s plenty to get a flavor of the Garden City and its many intoxicating sights, sounds and smells. From sightseeing strolls through Chinatown and Kampong Glam to lazing on tropical beaches and sampling Singaporean specialities in the lively hawker markets, here’s our pick of some of the finest ways to while away a weekend in Singapore, including: Gardens by the Bay Epic bike rides and city sightseeing strolls Amazing nature reserves Foodie fave hawker centers Sentosa’s top beaches Cinemas and cocktails Fabulous free light shows Gardens by the Bay Instantly recognizable thanks to its iconic supertree structures that dominate the bay, Gardens by the Bay is one of Singapore’s top attractions – and with good reason! But did you know you can visit many parts of this iconic 250-acre park for free? That’s right, a stroll between the trunks of the majestic Supertree Grove is absolutely gratis, though you’ll have to cough up a few dollars if you want to explore the elevated walkway. There are certainly worse ways to spend a Saturday morning than by grabbing a coffee and breakfast roti and finding a quiet spot to relax with a good book in the tranquil Bay East Garden, with its manicured lawns, pretty flower gardens and sweeping views of the Singapore skyline. Get on Your Bike Singapore has a world-class cycling infrastructure, with dedicated bike lanes downtown and dozens of routes for escaping the bustle of the city and exploring the rest of the island. There are plenty of cycling tours around the city’s main attractions but we recommend renting some bikes and going it alone. The Central Urban Loop provides a (literal) breath of fresh air as you pedal your way out from beneath the skyscrapers and into a network of paths that traverse the city’s many excellent parks, gardens, waterways and woodlands. Or, if you’re feeling particularly sprightly one Sunday morning, you could even consider taking on a section of the epic Round Island Route, a 150-kilometer coastal trail that takes in some of the best ocean and bay views in the country. Take a Sightseeing Stroll A weekend wander from Chinatown to Little India (or vice versa) rewards even the most jaded traveler. Chinatown’s labyrinth of narrow streets is an Instagrammer’s dream, packed with ornate temples, bustling markets and, of course, steaming grills and pots heady with the aromas of Peking duck and kung pao chicken. Wander east to Kampong Glam, Singapore’s vibrant Muslim district, where the mosque’s huge golden dome and countless colorful Peranakan shopfronts in cactus greens, turmeric yellows and chili reds make for more great photo opportunities. Then make for Little India where a well-earned lunch of spicy fish-head curry awaits. Get Back to Nature Weekends are made for communing with nature, right? And where better to do so than on an island that’s made up of more than 50 per cent green space. Head over to the MacRitchie Reservoir nature reserve where you can spot abundant native wildlife including monitor lizards and macaques, and get a birds’ eye view from the dizzying 250-meter suspension bridge that forms the Treetop Walks. You can easily while away a lazy Sunday here, whether kayaking on the reservoir, or lacing up your running shoes for a gentle jog along one of the scenic cross-country trails. Enter a Foodie Fantasy World Bodyswerve the ubiquitous international pizza and burger chains and go straight to the heart of the action in Singapore’s bustling hawker centers, where the sensational scents of sizzling satay and spicy coconut soups are enough to make a grown man weep. There are over 100 of these open-air food courts around the city, meaning delicious, cheap, freshly cooked Indian, Chinese and Malay cuisine is yours to enjoy on demand, day or night. Try local favorite satay bee hoon, in which spicy hot sauce is smothered liberally over rice vermicelli, and served with meat, fish or vegetables of your choice. The national dish of zingy chili crab is another absolute must-try. And, if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, why not give turtle soup, live octopus or century egg a spin? Hey, don’t knock them 'til you’ve tried them! Be a Beach Bum Reachable from the main island via monorail and cable car, Sentosa Island is one great big playground with thrill rides, an aquarium, Singapore’s Universal Studios outpost and, of course, several fantastic beaches. Think bone-white sands, turquoise lagoons and swaying coconut palms and you’ll be halfway there already. A free shuttle operates between the resort’s sandy Palawan, Tanjong and Siloso beaches, so all you need to remember is your bathing costume, a bottle of sunscreen and a giant pair of Jackie O sunglasses. Have a go on the adrenaline-pumping giant swing that soars high above Siloso Beach if you dare! Swig a Singapore Sling A Singapore institution of some 135 years standing, the colonial-style Raffles Hotel has hosted a who’s who of glamorous household names through the decades: Elizabeth Taylor, Christian Louboutin, Ernest Hemingway, Charlie Chaplin and Queen Elizabeth II, to name-drop just a few. So you’ll be in good company when you pop by this Garden City icon for an equally iconic Singapore Sling, the tropical cocktail for which the hotel, in spite of its many celebrity guests, is best-known. This boozy blend of gin, cherry brandy, pineapple, grenadine, lime juice and bitters is the perfect start to your Saturday night. Movie Night Weekend activities don’t get much better than sinking into a comfy seat in a hushed cinema theater with the smell of freshly popped corn hanging in the air. Singapore has plenty of cinemas to choose from. Head for the huge GVMax screen at the Golden Village VivoCity multiplex for the latest Hollywood blockbusters, or mosey over to Projector X: Riverside or the ArtScience Museum if under-the-radar indie flicks and documentaries paired with trendy cocktail lists are more your thing. But remember: no-one is too old or too cool to enjoy a bucket of sweet and salty popcorn with their movie. See the City Lights There’s a duo of splendiferous light shows in the bay every evening. The light and music spectacular at the Gardens by the Bay kicks off every evening around 7:45PM and sees the iconic supertree structures burst into colorful life. Over at the Marina Bay Sands resort, the Spectra light and water show features dancing fountains as well as dazzling visual projections, lasers and mist effects, all backed by a rousing orchestral soundtrack. There are shows at 8, 9 and 10PM on Friday and Saturday nights, making this a great weekend activity when visiting Singapore. Best of all, both shows are completely free! 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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