24 Must See Attractions in Singapore

Places To See Singapore
Robbie Vai Author: Robbie Vai
Clock Icon 9 minutes read
Update Icon Sep 24, 2024

Singapore is one of Southeast Asia’s most popular travel destinations, renowned for its epic modern architecture, fascinating historic temples, lush green spaces, and bustling shopping malls. A myriad of influences has shaped the city-state’s culture, and this is clear to see when you begin exploring Singapore’s attractions.

If you’re preparing a sightseeing itinerary for an upcoming visit to Singapore, be sure to add some of these 24 top attractions to your list.

1. Marina Bay Sands

Photo Credit: monticello

  • Website: marinabaysands.com
  • Address: 10 Bayfront Ave, Singapore
  • Opening hours: Hotel: 24/7 / Skypark: 10 am – 4.00 pm & 5 pm – 10 pm daily

Marina Bay Sands is a resort complex comprised of a luxury hotel, a shopping mall with a canal at its heart, the ArtScience Museum, and the Skypark Observation Deck, which offers incredible views of the city. Marina Bay is one of the most opulent and impressive parts of Singapore, and it looks spectacular when lit up after dark, so be sure to visit at night to admire its beauty.

2. Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay is a 250-acre stretch of waterfront green space where innovative, futuristic sculptures blend with tropical plant life. It is divided into several sections, including Supertree Grove, which comes alive in a light show at night; Cloud Forest Dome, which is home to the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, the Flower Dome, where plants from a range of different habitats thrive, and Heritage Gardens which is split into four areas inspired by Chinese, Malay, Indian, and British cultures.

3. Sentosa Island

Photo Credit: ben bryant

Take a day trip to Sentosa Island to experience its huge range of must-visit, family-friendly attractions. Siloso Beach offers idyllic golden sands and azure waters for swimming, kayaking, or skimboarding. For a faster pace, visit Adventure Cove Waterpark to swim with dolphins, snorkel with tropical fish, or ride thrilling rapids.

4. S.E.A Aquarium Sentosa

S.E.A. is one of the largest aquariums in the world and is home to some 1,000 different species spread across 40 diverse habitats. You can learn about the aquatic life here through interactive programs and up-close encounters. Hammerhead sharks, giant octopuses, and bottlenose dolphins are some of the aquarium’s most popular species.

5. Universal Studios Singapore

Photo Credit: saiko3p

Universal Studios is a theme park that pays tribute to popular movies and television shows, with the likes of The Mummy, Shrek, and Battlestar Galactica represented across a series of themed zones. There are rides suitable for almost all ages, and you can expect excellent dining, shopping, and live entertainment options, too.

6. Fort Siloso

  • Website: fortsiloso.com
  • Address: Siloso Rd, Singapore
  • Opening hours: 10 am – 6 pm daily

Fort Siloso is one of several coastal defense points in Singapore, but it’s the only one to have been carefully preserved. A tour of the fort and its museum allows you to learn about Singapore’s military history and admire fantastic views of the Singapore skyline.

7. Mount Faber Cable Car

Photo Credit: DerekTeo

Singapore’s cable car runs across Keppel Harbour to connect Mount Faber on Singapore Island with the island resort of Sentosa. Although Sentosa is accessible by road and ferry, traveling by gondola gives you exceptional views over the city 320 feet above sea level.

8. Singapore Botanic Gardens

  • Website: nparks.gov.sg/sbg
  • Address: 1 Cluny Rd, Singapore
  • Opening hours: 5 am – 12 am daily

Singapore Botanic Gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it conserves some of the city’s most treasured trees and plants. Highlights include the pretty National Orchid Garden and the lush Rainforest Trail.

9. Singapore Zoo

Photo Credit: Trong Nguyen

Set within a tropical rainforest, Singapore Zoo is home to a wide range of species, including orangutans, chimpanzees, white tigers, and kangaroos. There are ample opportunities to watch animal feedings and presentations with zookeepers. For more wild adventures, buy a ParkHopper pass, which includes access to River Wonders, Night Safari, and Bird Paradise (formerly Jurong Bird Park).

10. Orchard Road

Singapore is one of the best places in the world for shopping, and Orchard Road is a hub for high-end and luxury designer stores. It’s home to six department stores and 22 malls, as well as copious eateries and four movie theaters.

11. Singapore Flyer

Photo Credit: DerekTeo

  • Website: singaporeflyer.com
  • Address: 30 Raffles Ave., Singapore
  • Opening hours: 10 am – 10 pm daily

The Singapore Flyer is the largest observation wheel in the world, and it offers incredible views of not only Singapore’s skyline but also Indonesia’s Riau Islands and Malaysia’s Straights of Johor. Flights take 30 minutes, and you can enjoy dinner, champagne, or cocktails while you admire the view.

12. Raffles Hotel Singapore

  • Website: raffles.com/singapore
  • Address: 1 Beach Rd, Singapore
  • Opening hours: 11 am – 10.30 pm Sunday to Wednesday / 11 am – 11.30 pm Thursday to Saturday

Raffles is an impressive 19th-century hotel renowned for its opulent design and excellent service. Room rates are high, but you can get a taste of the Raffles experience when you visit the hotel’s Long Bar, the birthplace of the iconic Singapore Sling cocktail.

13. Esplanade Theatres on the Bay

Photo Credit: Arunporn Thanapotivirat

  • Website: esplanade.com
  • Address: 1 Esplanade Dr, Singapore
  • Opening hours: Various

Known as “The Durians” by locals because of its unique, spiky appearance that resembles the tropical fruit, Esplanade is one of Singapore’s best-known performing arts centers. Around 3,500 events take place here each year, so you’re sure to find a show or concert to enjoy.

14. Chinatown

Chinatown is packed with attractions that share insights into Singapore’s Peranakan culture, which is a blend of Chinese and Malay traditions. Wander around to explore historic shophouses, bustling hawker centers, and stunning Buddhist and Hindu temples. The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is a particular highlight.

15. Kampong Lorong Buangkok

Constructed in 1956, before Singapore’s transformative economic boom, Kampong Lorong Buangkok is the city-state’s last remaining village. Just 28 single-story zinc and wood dwellings can be found here, connected by winding dirt paths. A visit offers insight into what life was like before Singapore evolved into a global trade giant.

16. National Museum of Singapore

Photo Credit: saiko3p

The National Museum of Singapore is the largest museum on the island, and it’s a must-visit for learning about Singaporean history, culture, and life. More than 1700 artifacts tell Singapore’s story from its fourteenth-century beginnings right up to the present day.

17. Clarke Quay

Clark Quay was the center of commerce in Singapore in the 19th century, but in recent years it has been polished up and is one of the best places in the city for sophisticated nightlife. Spend the afternoon shopping in the area’s boutiques before you enjoy dinner and drinks in the restaurants and bars that line the Singapore River.

18. Indian Heritage Centre

Photo Credit: pacceka

  • Address: 5 Campbell Ln, Singapore
  • Opening hours: 10 am – 6 pm Tuesday to Sunday

The Indian Heritage Center is the perfect place to learn about the evolution of Singapore’s Little India. It displays an array of artifacts, maps, and archival footage that showcases the impact of Indian settlers on Singapore’s culture.

19. Merlion Park

  • Address: 1 Fullerton Road, Singapore
  • Opening hours: 24/7

The mythical Merlion, with the head of a lion and the body of a fish, is Singapore’s mascot, and a large, water-spouting sculpture of it can be found in Merlion Park. Spend a while admiring both the Merlion and Marina Bay when you visit this attractive urban park.

20. Asian Civilizations Museum

Photo Credit: Casper1774 Studio

  • Website: acm.org.sg
  • Address: 1 Empress Pl, Singapore
  • Opening hours: 8 am – 7 pm Saturday to Thursday / 8 am – 9 pm Friday

The Asian Civilizations Museum celebrates the many Asian cultures that have contributed to the Singapore we know and love today. It is set within the impressive Empress Place Building, which was built in 1865.

21. Pulau Ubin (Granite Island)

  • Website: nparks.gov.sg/pulau-ubin
  • Opening hours: Chek Jawa Wetlands: 7 am – 7 pm daily / Ubin Volunteer Hub: 9 am – 5 pm daily

Pulau Ubin is a peaceful island that’s home to fewer than 100 residents who live in almost the same manner they did in the 1960s. The simple lifestyle here makes a refreshing change from the fast pace and opulence of the city. The island is also home to Chek Jawa Wetlands, where six distinct ecosystems merge to provide a thriving environment for native plant and animal life.

22. Fort Canning Park

Photo Credit: Jo Panuwat D

Fort Canning was established in 1859 to defend Singapore against military attacks, but it was surrendered to the Japanese during World War II. Today, the green space is home to a series of relics from Singapore’s history, and it’s a popular venue for a range of festivals, concerts, community events, and theater performances.

23. National Gallery Singapore

  • Website: nationalgallery.sg
  • Address: 1 St. Andrew’s Road, Singapore
  • Opening hours: 10 am – 7 pm daily

Art lovers cannot miss out on the National Gallery Singapore. It boasts the largest collection of modern art in Southeast Asia, with more than 9,000 works split across two buildings. Temporary exhibitions, special presentations, workshops, and performances also take place regularly, so look out for them during your trip.

24. Jewel Changi Airport

Photo Credit: gracethang2

  • Address: 78 Airport Boulevard, Singapore
  • Opening hours: 24/7 / Shop opening hours vary

Changi Airport is considered one of the best in the world thanks to its beautiful design features and vast array of shops, entertainment venues, and eateries. Each of its three terminals features its own garden, and there’s a 130-foot indoor waterfall to witness. Some features are only available to passengers so make sure you arrive with plenty of time to spare for exploring before your flight.

Explore Singapore’s Greatest Sights

There’s a huge variety of tourist attractions to keep you busy in Singapore. Which of these must-see sights will you be checking out when you visit this impressive city?

Robbie Vai
Author: Robbie Vai
Our journal features a diverse group of travel enthusiasts who are passionate about exploring the world and sharing their experiences. From solo adventurers to family vacationers, our team of writers offers unique perspectives and insightful tips to help inspire and guide your next adventure. Whether it's discovering hidden gems off the beaten path or indulging in luxurious getaways, we're here to help you make the most of your travels. Robbie is an amalgam of these writers.
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