After living in Singapore for 6 months, we’ve come to know the city (and country) pretty well. It’s one of my favourite places to visit in Asia. This is all mainly due to the epic things to do in Singapore. It’s one of those cities that can appeal to everyone.
Now, you might be thinking that Singapore is a tiny country, but don’t let its size put you off! There’s a whole heap of incredible things to do in Singapore. With a mind-boggling array of beautiful temples, historical sites and is a melting pot for Indonesian, Bangladeshi, Indian and northern Asian foods. It’s a foodie’s dream city.
Best of all, you can even find some beautiful beaches and warm tropical waters that you would never even think would exist in Singapore. Or, at least I didn’t before we moved there. With that in mind, I wanted to share some of my favourite and best things to do in Singapore on your trip. Some are small spots, some are big-hitting attractions. Whatever the case, there are hopefully a good few that will catch your eye.
Take a look at some of the best things to do in Singapore below.
1.)Visit the Singapore Botanic Gardens
One place I visited again and again while in Singapore was the Botanic Gardens. Founded in 1859, it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015. Now, when visiting, make sure not to miss out on the orchid garden. It has a spectacular array of species from around the world that you won’t want to miss.
Oh yeah, and keep an eye out for the friendly resident terrapins. Though, don’t pop your fingers close – they can get snappy!
Exploring the gardens takes around 2-3 hours, making it the perfect afternoon activity. I prefer early morning or late afternoon when the sun’s rays are a little less extreme. The heat and humidity in Singapore can be intense.
Then, after a day of exploring, make sure to book a table for cocktails at ATLAS, one of Singapore’s best and most iconic cocktail bars. It’s incredible and harkens back to the 1920s. We loved it here. Just remember, you do need a reservation; tables fill up very fast.
Afterwards, pop over to Colony (at the Ritz-Carlton) for the best brunch around. Actually, talking of the Ritz, make sure to book this room at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore. It’s an iconic property in Singapore, and these rooms are so luxe!
2.) Find the Sri Mariamman Temple
Just a few minutes’ stroll from Chinatown, the Sri Mariamman Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in all of Singapore.
Now, this is still one of my favourite temples and things to do in Singapore. Take a wander around the grounds, learn more about its history and explore the surrounding neighbourhoods for lunch. As I mentioned, Chinatown is so close and one of the best places to grab some street food on the go.
For another gem of a hotel in Singapore, make sure to book QT Hotel Singapore. It’s a small hotel in downtown Singapore and totally stunning. The rooms are so gorgeous and they have a totally luxe rooftop bar and pool that’s well worth visiting after a day exploring the city.
3.) Stroll across Kusu Island
Kusu Island is situated about 6 km or so from the mainland, and one of the best things to do in Singapore on a lazy weekend.
Now, being home to the Da Bogong Temple and some beautiful marble tortoises (alongside some real ones too), it’s a great place to unwind from city life whilst visiting Singapore.
Apparently, (in both Malay and Chinese folklore) Kusu Island was formed by a tortoise in the Singapore Strait that saw two sailors in distress and quickly turned itself into a small island to save them, or so I was told in the temple.
Whether you believe the folklore or not, Kusu Ireland is a perfect way to spend 4 to 5 hours enjoying the tranquillity, temples and nature this island has to offer.
When I visited, I paired this with a visit to St John’s Island, which took a total of 6-8 hours. We took the boat over, so make sure you check the times (here) before planning your trip.
For another gem of a hotel in Singapore, make sure to book this room at Artyzen Singapore Hotel. These rooms are gorgeous, and they’re right within the Orchard area of Singapore. Plus, the rooftop pool and cocktail bar are so lovely for an evening dip. We love it.
4.) Explore St John’s Island/Pulau Sakijang Bendera
Most people who visit Singapore have no idea of the Beautiful beaches that are just a few kilometres away from the bustle of city life.
Remember to check the daily ferry from the city itself and pack your swimming outfits, food, SPF cream and drinks. There are no shops on this Island, and with the Singaporean humidity and sunshine, it can be intense.
My top tip is to go here for the late afternoon and enjoy a refreshing bay after visiting some of the temples on cool Kusu Island. After heading back to the city, pop into My Awesome Cafe (Telok Ayer Street) for a quaint little eatery that’s got some of the best chilli in the city.
Oh, and I nearly forgot! Make sure to visit The Jewel whilst arriving or departing from Singapore Airport. It’s one of the tallest indoor waterfalls in the world, and it’s so beautiful to walk around and see. We loved it. Just look for the signs for ‘The Jewel’ whilst at the airport.
5.) Singapore Buddhist Lodge and Temple
Roughly a 15-minute stroll from the river itself, this lodge and temple are some of the best things to do in Singapore if you’re looking for some of the more hidden religious sites.
Take a stroll around the grounds, see Buddha and embrace the gorgeous history of this spot. Afterwards, pop over to Bitters & Love (Telok Ayer Street) for some pre-dinner cocktails. It’s such a great spot.
6.) Gorge on Chilli Crab
Food is a big part of travel, for me at least, and I always love to try some of the local dishes that people rave about. Now, one dish that Singapore is famous for is chilli crab. It’s one of the best things to do in Singapore if you wanna gorge!
Consisting of a whole crab which can be shared between a small group, it’s a great dinner to have with friends. Usually, the prices of Chilli Crab vary from place to place. Prices usually fluctuate depending on the weight and the time of day. If you are looking for a great treat, why not head to Jumbo Seafood (Google Maps pin) for their Chilli Crab in Clarke Quay for an evening meal? It’s quite a bit more expensive than the hawker stalls or Chinatown for food, but totally worth it for a treat.
7.) China Town
China Town is one of the bustling little neighbourhoods to enjoy. It’s easily one of the best things to do in Singapore, for its renowned for its delicious street food.
Oh, and don’t forget the markets and stalls which line the streets. Here, you can try one of the smelliest fruits in the world, the Durian Fruit. Trust me when I say it’ll make your eyes water! It’s worth going in the early evening, when all the stalls are open and the weather can be a little cooler, out of the midday sunshine (which can be intense).
Read more: A foody exploration of Chinatown
8.) Swim (and Stay at) the place with the highest infinity pool in the world
For a little luxury, pop over to the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, which houses one of the tallest infinity pools in the world. Although pricier than some of the other hotels in the city, the pool alone makes it one of the best things to do in Singapore. If you decide not to stay at Marina Bay Sands, you can still see the pools (and view of the city) by accessing some of the rooftop bars at the top of the hotel. It’s a great place for an evening drink overlooking the city! Just be aware that cocktails can be pricier than in most other Asian cities, so consider that when you’re budgeting.
Also, there’s the SkyPark Observation Deck if you don’t fancy going to the bar. There’s a cost for entry, but worth it if you want one of the best views in Singapore.
For an extra special stay in Singapore, book one of these amazing suites at Marina Bay Sands Hotel. They have some of the best views across Singapore, and they are so chic and beautiful. We absolutely loved our stay and it was perfect for an extra special trip to Singapore. I mean, the suite even had its own massage chairs and dining room! So incredible.
9.) Sip on a Singapore Sling
If you are looking to try the famous Singapore Sling Cocktail, head to the Raffles, Long Bar, where the cocktail was officially created.
Now, the cocktail itself is a little pricey… I think it was around $ 60-80 USD, but it’s worth a visit and a delicious drink.
The bar itself is beautifully preserved, and you still toss your nut shells directly on the floor people did in the early twentieth century. It’s one of the best things to do in Singapore and a renowned cocktail spot in the city.
Also, if you’re looking for some prestigious hotel rooms, make sure to check out the Raffles Hotel itself. It’s gorgeous.
Read more: Things to do when you stay at Raffles
10.) Wander through Gardens By the Bay
The city is well-known for its love of nature, with Gardens by the Bay being one of the best things to do in Singapore when in the downtown area.
Make sure to wander around Supertree Grove, too. It’s a collection of 50-metre-high (man-made) trees that mimic nature. Each tree acts as an irrigation tool and even functions as a cooling system for some of the domes present in the gardens.
It’ll take a short 30 minutes to walk around the suspended walkway, and it’s totally worth it. Oh, and don’t forget to visit Cloud Mountain. It’s a temperature-controlled dome that, in my opinion, is one of the best things to do in Singapore if you love nature.
As you head up 40 metres of the mountain, you will see some of the very best collections of flowers and plants that have been created for us to enjoy. Use the external walkways to walk around and down the mountain, while being cooled by the tropical climate and waterfalls.
Read more: Gardens By The Bay, Cloud Mountain and Supertree Grove
11.) Candlelight Concert
If you’re looking for an evening activity, make sure to book a Candlelight Concert in Singapore. It’s one of the best things to do in Singapore and a really beautiful and intimate experience you won’t want to miss.
It’s such a great concert to experience, especially if you’re going to dinner in Clarke Quay, which is just a stone’s throw from the theatre itself. You can easily pair a Candlelight Concert with dinner and make a whole night of it.
You can book tickets here and choose from anything show like The Best of Hans Zimmer that takes place in the Arts House in Singapore. Their productions are so beautiful and not to be missed when visiting Singapore.
Also, if you want the most iconic hotel to book in Singapore, make sure to book the Raffles Hotel. It’s one of the world’s most iconic hotels and literally oozes luxury. It’s incredible, and the whole experience of staying here is amazing.
12.) See Merlion and the light show
Head over to the harbourfront area of Singapore (about a 25-minute walk from Clark Quay) and see Singapore’s mascot, Merlion.
Situated on the north side of the harbour, it is a mere 10-minute walk from Marina Bay Sands if you’re already in the area. Oh, and don’t forget, in the evening you can even watch the famous light show that overlooks the harbour.
The lights start at around 8 pm and 9.30 pm on a Sunday-Thursday. That being said, if you’re a night owl, there is an 11 pm show on Friday and Saturday nights, too. It really is one of the best things to do in Singapore after a long day of exploring.
See more of the famous light show in Singapore, here
13.) Walk the Southern Ridges
If you’re fancying a little stroll, take a walk across the treetops of Singapore’s most mountainous area, the Southern Ridges (Google Maps pin). It really is one of the best things to do in Singapore that’ll make you feel like you’ve left city life far behind.
At almost 10 kilometres, it can be a hefty walk on the hot and humid days. That being said, I headed here first thing in the morning and managed to truly enjoy the skywalk without becoming uncomfortable in the heat of midday. The whole walk takes around two hours.
For a tasty bite to eat after your trial, head over to Aromas of India (Race Course Road) for one of the best Indian restaurants in the city. It isn’t fancy, but the food is totally yummy.
14.) Party on the roof of a Skyscraper
Now, for one of the best things to do in Singapore for nightlife, head straight over to 1-Altitude for an open-air club with live DJs. Taking up about three floors in total, this club and gastro-eatery is the perfect place to enjoy an evening of cocktails while towering almost 300 metres in the air. It’s a really fun way to spend the evening and watch the city at sunset.
Alternatively, for a great cocktail bar and restaurant, head over to Origins Grill and Origins Cocktail Bar within the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore. This place is incredible, and they have some of the best steaks in all of Singapore. We went for their wagyu steak, and they were some of the best we’ve ever had. Plus, the place is so chic!
Afterwards, have a drink in the Origins Cocktail Bar, which is continually voted one of the best cocktail spots in the entire world. We loved its intimate feel.
15.) Explore the Mac Ritchie Trail
Perched slightly above the city, the Mac Ritchie Trail (Google Maps pin) is one of the best things to do in Singapore for both locals and visitors. Now, to explore the whole Mac Ritchie Nature Trail, it’ll take you about 3-6 hours.
You can easily take a cab from the centre of Singapore, and it’s really easy to call one (or use an app) to get picked up too. Just don’t forget, take good shoes, plenty of water and enjoy these tropical forests. You might even spot some of the resident monkeys.
Read more: Mac Ritchie Nature Trail
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