15 Best Ideas on What to See in Singapore

Singapore is recognized worldwide for being an exceptionally organized and well managed country, its iconic skyline and its superb and lively city life. Having said all of that, one might be surprised to learn that 50 percept of Singapore’s land is enveloped in flourishing plants, vegetation and greenery.

The unique contrast of sleek, modern city life and the contemporary architecture and skyscrapers, blends seamlessly with Singapore’s array of pristine gardens, parks and nature reserves. This unusual juxtaposition means that Singapore is home to both an abundance of city attractions, as well as natural attractions. With so many tourist attractions on offer, this article will attempt summarizing the top must-see places to visit, the highlights and the very best attractions which make Singapore a top travel destination.

1. Singapore Festivals

Festivals, festivals, festivals! Although Singapore is a secular nation, due to its cultural melting pot of religions, races and religions, this country recognises and celebrates a wide variety of holidays, festivals and religious events stemming from its Chinese, Hindu, Indian, Buddhist and Christian roots. Singapore boasts a steady stream of animated, vibrant and memorable festivals throughout the year and these traditional celebrations make for top tourist attractions.

The Chinese New Year celebration alone is a two week long party! Other superb festivals include, Singapore Arts Festival over the months of May and June, Singapore River Festival in June, Deepavali – Festival of Lights in October, The Lantern Festival and Vesak day (Buddha’s birthday) in May. Expect everything from fireworks, dragon boats, elaborate costumes, singing, dancing, acrobatics, spectacular food, street bazaars and dazzling light displays.

2. Shopping in Singapore

One of the very top tourist attractions in Singapore is undoubtedly the dizzying plethora of shopping malls, markets and fine boutiques. Shopaholics will be in absolute heaven in this world-famous retailer’s paradise and Singapore has managed to squeeze in more shopping malls per kilometre than anywhere else on earth. For the ultimate shopping experience travellers cannot afford to miss the 2.2-kilometre shopping strip on the world-renowned Orchard Road. Pedestrians on Orchard Road are flanked left and right with a staggering amount of stores, shopping malls and all sorts of accessories, clothes and products on sale. June and July in Singapore also sets the stage for the world famous Great Singapore Sale where all shops stay open until late, all retail items are exceptionally discounted and the entire country celebrates the recreational activity of retail therapy in one big shopping extravaganza.

3. Singapore Parks & Gardens

While Singapore is known for its lively city life, towering skyscrapers and glittering, modern architecture, it is equally as recognised as being the ‘Garden City’. This unusual contradiction is evident when witnessing the variety of green, luscious eco-attractions in Singapore such as the beautifully designed parks and gardens.

Exceeding the expectations of nature lovers everywhere, The Southern Ridges is a 10-kilometre stretch of green, open trails that are connected above the ground, offering spectacular panoramic views of the harbour, city and Southern Islands. The Southern Ridges (Singapore’s tallest pedestrian bridge) is essentially a scenic bridge above the ground which spans across beautiful gardens and connects five parks; namely, Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, HortPark, Kent Ridge Park and Labrador Nature Reserve. This must-see tourist attraction is most popular with bird-watchers, nature enthusiasts and photographers.

4. Gardens by the Bay

Another popular nature attraction is the unmissable Gardens by the Bay, located in Downtown Singapore. With the unique and spectacular ‘Supertrees’, Flower Dome, Cloud Forest and many other attractions on display, this 101 hectare garden in Singapore is unlike any most visitors have encountered before. The purpose of creating this green oasis within the city was to boost and enrich the quality of life for visitors and locals with increased flora and greenery. Sunsets from Gardens by the Bay of Singapore’s iconic skyline and waterfront views are also exquisite and offer excellent photography opportunities.

5. Singapore Botanical Gardens

Continuing with the theme of must-see nature attractions and natural places to visit in Singapore, is the 158 year old Singapore Botanical Gardens. This is the only tropical garden to be bestowed the honor of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located on Cluny Road on the edge of the famous Orchard Road shopping area, this beautiful green paradise is the ideal spot for picnics and admiring Singapore’s national flower – the orchid. The National Orchid Garden has a famous collection of more than 1000 species of this beautiful flower and spans over a 3 hectare site.

6. Jurong Bird Park

Continuing the testament of Singapore being a City in a Garden, are the many different tributes to the preservation of wildlife and fauna. All visitors who are interested in learning more about animals will be delighted to learn that there are many spots within Singapore to do just this. Jurong Bird Park is a top attraction for bird watchers to admire a variety of bird specimens from all across the globe, including a big flock of Caribbean flamingos. The park is divided into numerous exhibits with birds from different regions of the world; namely, the Penguin Coast Exhibit, Pelican Cove, Wings of Asia, Dinosaur Descendants and the African Waterfall Aviary to name a few. Jurong Bird Park, being one of the most distinguished bird sanctuaries, is well worth a visit and contains some of the biggest free-flying aviaries in the world.

7. Mandai’s Night Safari

Another wildlife attractions within Singapore include Mandai’s night safari. The Night Safari, set in a tropical forest, is the very first nocturnal zoo in the world, has over 130 different species of animals and is only open to the public at night time. Animals and visitors are separated by natural barriers rather than cages and the lighting has been designed to simulate the light of the moon without disturbing the animal’s nocturnal behaviour and sleep patterns. The Night Safari is definitely one of the most interesting places to visit in Singapore and the fact that it has won numerous tourism awards is testament to its ethical conservation and education of wildlife.

8. River Safari

Yet one more rather unique safari in Singapore is the river safari. The River Safari is a unique hybrid of zoo and aquarium, and is tucked between the Night Safari and the Singapore Zoo. The River Safari boasts freshwater attractions in a tropical rainforest environment, animal exhibits, giant pandas and the Amazon River Quest boat ride as the primary highlights of the park.

9. Singapore Zoo

Lastly, yet another wildlife highlight is the Singapore Zoo which has been voted as the most picturesque and scenic zoo in the world. Animals roam somewhat freely in (almost) cageless settings that perfectly mimic the animal’s natural habitat. This award-winning zoo is home to more than 2,800 animals and over 300 species of mammals, birds and reptiles.
All four of these exceptional attractions are managed by the Wildlife reserves Singapore and a ticket for admission into all 4 of these spots, namely, the Jurong Bird Park, the Night Safari, River Safari and the Singapore Zoo will cost SGD 69 for adults and SGD 49 for children.

10. Marina Bay Sands

For those visitors who came to Singapore to admire its bustling and meticulously run city, there are superb city attractions competing for your attention amongst the natural wonders too. Arguably the most familiar and recognized building in the country, Marina Bay Sands is a must-visit attraction for visitors who love architecture and contemporary design. This building is a seamless integration of hotel, shopping mall and art museum. Throw in the infinity pool, observation deck and the bar, all with breathtaking views of the city, and you have yourself a perfect day.

11. Raffles Hotel

Another excellent and iconic city highlight, is a visit to the colonial-style, Raffles Hotel on Beach Road. This luxury, 5-star hotel is said to be the symbol in Singapore that typifies the romance of the Far East. With its effortless fusion of history, extravagance and colonial architecture, this hotel offers a noticeable and memorable contrast alongside its cutting-edge skyscraper neighbors. No trip to Singapore is complete without sampling the famous, signature cocktail – the Singapore Sling; and Raffles Hotel serves up the very best of this popular beverage.

12. Singapore museums

All museum-goers will be thrilled to hear that Singapore is home to a wide variety of museums and art galleries just waiting to be discovered and explored. Must visit art galleries include the Singapore Art Museum which displays a fine collection of contemporary Asian art as well as the National Gallery which houses the biggest public exhibit of modern Southeast Asian art in the world. Not to be missed is the popular ArtScience Museum, which as the name suggests, blends the world of art and culture, and the world of science and technology; in a beautifully unique manner. The museum is located within the Marina Bay Sands resort and the exterior architecture was designed to represent the welcoming hand of Singapore.

13. Little India and China Town Walking Tours

For visitors still yearning to explore the cultural and artsy side of Singapore beyond the museums and galleries, be sure to visit Little India and China Town. Walking about these spots offers a wondrous submersion into the local history, local food, traditional architecture and the elegantly ornate temples of Singapore. Be sure to visit the many, many religious monuments such as the Chinatown Heritage Centre, the Buddha Tooth Relic and Museum, the famous Chinese temple – Kwan Im Thong Cho; as well as Singapore’s biggest temple - The Chinatown Heritage Centre, commonly known as Bright Hill Temple.

14. Sentosa Island

For visitors wanting more of a beach holiday experience, head to Sentosa Island via taxi, bus or cable car to relax on the sandy, palm-fringed beaches or indulge in first-class pampering and beauty treatments. Other than beachside and spa activities, this island is also home to Universal Studios Singapore, Mega Adventure Park and Adventure Cove Waterpark.

For those who drag their feet reluctantly in museums and yearn to get their heart hearts racing over more than just fine architecture, fear not! Adrenaline and adventure junkies are spoilt for choice when visiting Singapore and with theme parks and waterparks in exciting abundance, there are action-packed activities around every corner. For visitors who are not heading to Sentosa Island but still want to experience adrenaline-pumping activities, G-Max Reverse Bungy and Gx-5 Extreme Swing in Clarke Quay is perfect for you. With both attractions reaching speeds of over 100kmph, these extreme rides are sure to give you plenty to fill up your travel postcards with.

15. Snow City

Snow City, Singapore’s first indoor snow centre, is also a fun way to spend the day and offers a unique opportunity for Asian visitors to experience the phenomenon of snow, perhaps for the first time. Snow City highlights and explains the details of snow in a tangible, fun and educational manner for its guests. There is also a three-storey high snow slope which is perfect for snow-tubing and working up an appetite for dining at Alphine Lodge on Level 2.

What are you waiting for?

Woah! With so much on offer, visitors of this small-island nation will have an exciting array of options to choose from and plenty of activities to fill up their holiday itineraries. Singapore promises a memorable experience for visitors of all ages and of all interests. Catering for the needs of nature enthusiasts, cultural aficionados, adventure junkies, beach bums and city mice; the cultural melting-pot of Singapore is an ideal travel destination for families, couples and the solo-backpacker.