The Best Things to Do in Singapore for Easy Planning

Singapore is a foodie heaven. From the hawker centers, underground food courts, and access to various ethnic cuisines, you won’t run short of food to eat. But what are some other things to do in Singapore besides eating to your heart’s content?

Singapore’s rich history lends itself to a melting pot of cultures and stories. With so much diversity and desire to preserve, you’ll find historic neighborhoods with amazing architecture and remarkable buildings that are a treat for the eyes. Additionally, you won’t be short of finding incredible museums encompassing history, art, science, and more. And its recent rise as a strong economic hub means that there’s plenty of shopping to do, like at the iconic Marina Bay Sands.

No trip to Singapore is complete without an afternoon admiring all its natural beauty, from a garden of orchids to a preserved wetland. There are so many activities and sights to see in this tiny country, so here are some of the best things to do in Singapore.

19 Things to Do in Singapore

Here are 19 of the best things to do in Singapore! From museums, gardens, walks, and more, there’s an activity for every type of traveler.

Visit Gardens by the Bay

Price: 12-30 SGD

Tickets: Online

By far, Gardens by the Bay is the number one destination and attraction for local and international travelers. The gardens comprise three waterfront gardens: Bay South, Bay East, and Bay Central. However, the Bay South garden is the most popular and iconic of the three, with the award-winning conservatories: Cloud Forest, Supertree Observatory, and the ever-popular Flower Dome with flower displays that make you feel like royalty.

I loved my visit to Gardens by the Bay! Once you enter the Cloud Forest, you feel like you’ve been transported to another planet with lush plants and incredible design. The Flower Dome blew me away with the exquisite flower displays, and the orchids are the crowd-favorites (me included). Nothing beats standing under the Supertrees, though, which have actual flowers growing out of them! I recommend walking on the OCBC Skyway rather than the Observatory because you get to walk between the structures and have a fantastic view of Singapore’s skyline with the iconic Singapore Flyer on the horizon.

With the gardens, Singapore lives up to its nickname, “Garden City.” Pre-2006, the National Parks Board of Singapore crafted a vision of making Singapore a “City in a Garden.” As a result, in 2006, they launched a design contest for the Gardens by the Bay, and in 2007, development of the winning teams’ designs started. The Gardens opened in the Fall of 2011 for all to enjoy. In addition to the incredible design, the Gardens have incredible sustainability efforts throughout the gardens that you can learn about online.

Try an Ice Cream Sandwich

Price: 1-2 SGD

Tip: Bring cash!

One of the most iconic Singaporean street foods, the ice cream sandwich you’ll have is unlike any other. Peppered around the island are ice cream carts where ice cream uncles or aunties cut small blocks of ice cream served with a piece of colorful bread or thin wafers. There are a variety of ice cream flavors to choose from, including durian, chocolate, mint chocolate chip, and more. Watching the vendors prepare this snack is so fun; each sandwich only costs 1-2 SGD! Back then, an ice cream sandwich used to cost one dollar, but with inflation, it’s hard to keep it at such a low price.

This ice cream snack is my favorite treat to get in Singapore, and a trip feels incomplete if I haven’t had one! My favorite combination is the durian ice cream with the thin wafers. My local friend shared that the ice cream sandwich was a staple when she was younger, getting out of class and enjoying a delicious treat with her friends.

Walk Around Marina Bay

Price: Free

The best views of the iconic Marina Bay Sands hotel are found walking around Marina Bay! The Bay is surrounded by many attractions like the Art Science Museum, the National Gallery of Singapore, the Merlion, Helix Bridge, the Customs House, and more. Walking around Marina Bay is a popular local activity, especially at night when the Marina Bay Sands Hotel has its iconic light and water show. You can walk an entire loop and take in the beautiful sights. It’s a great way to pass time, chat, contemplate, and enjoy the busy hub.

There are also various waterside or on-the-boat restaurants and bars where you can enjoy a drink. There is a luxury shopping mall under the Marina Bay Sands called “The Shoppes” that has a Venetian gondola ride you can experience, too! The mall is clean and air-conditioned, with a food court and many shops and cafes to enjoy if you want a nice place to take a break.

TIP: Spectra, Marina Bay Sands light show, occurs nightly at 8 and 9 PM and additionally at 10 PM on weekends. Snag a good view on the Jubille Bridge, at Merlion Park, or Fullerton Pavilion.

Spend Time at Changi Airport

Price: Free

Known as the best airport in the world, the award-winning International Changi Airport is a tourist destination you must experience. Ironically, it’s the one airport you probably want to spend lots of time at. In addition to being an airport, Changi is also a mall with green spaces/gardens to enjoy. You won’t want to miss the iconic Jewel Changi, a 40-meter-high indoor waterfall that’s surrounded by tropical plants and trees.

The smaller but stunning green spaces include the Butterfly Garden at Terminal 3, the Sunflower Garden at Terminal 2, and the Cactus Garden at Terminal 1. Changi also has indoor playgrounds for kids, two cinemas for you to enjoy movies, a food paradise with over 100 restaurants, and a retail heaven with well-known and local brands.

It’s surprising to see an airport that is also a local night-out and hang-out destination. My local friend frequently eats at Changi with friends casually, and it’s insanely accessible. It’s truly an airport experience unlike any other, as it’s an airport, cinema, mall, and green space all in one. The Jewel Changi is a sight to behold, with so much nature right in the middle of the airport. It’s also incredibly clean and organized—no wonder they’ve won over 600 awards.

TIP: The Jewel Changi has light shows every night at 8 and 9 PM and additionally 10 PM from Friday to Sunday.

Relax on the Beach at Sentosa Island

Price: Free

Home to Universal Studios Singapore, Sentosa Island is an island resort with plenty of things to do in Singapore. There’s the Universal theme park, indoor skydiving, waterpark, swimming with dolphins, iconic viewpoints, beaches, hotels, and more.

However, it was a military base before Sentosa was a leisure resort island. First occupied by the British during the colonial era and then by the Japanese after the Battle of Singapore in 1942. After Singapore became a new government in 1962, there were talks of turning the island into a defense or industrial hub. However, the plan to attract tourists globally with the island won, and the island was renamed “Sentosa,” which means the isle of tranquility in Malay.

Now, you can ride on cable cars across the island, walk along its beachy shores, or spend a relaxing weekend in the resorts. Sentosa is easily accessible by car or public transit; there are even buses dedicated to Sentosa specifically, making it easy for tourists or locals who don’t want the hassle of driving. I love going to Sentosa and relaxing on the beach, especially watching the sky change colors at sunset. Then, when dusk rolls around, you can walk or drive to Vivo City and have a delicious meal!

Visit Vivo City (And Dine at Food Republic)

Price: 10-15 SGD

After a relaxing or fun day at Sentosa, head over to Vivo City, the largest mall in Singapore. The name VivoCity comes from the word “vivacity” and evokes a lifestyle experience bubbling with energy. Its iconic and beautiful architecture loans itself to the harbor front it sits on and is designed by a famous Japanese architect, Toyo Ito. There are over 300 shops, five levels to explore, Singapore’s largest cinema, and the best food court in all of Singapore.

VivoCity has an award-winning food court called Food Republic, whose mission is to unite people through good food. They specialize in heritage street food and regional cuisine through a thematic dining experience. Every food outlet in Food Republic is themed, so you feel as if you are transported to the area the food originates from.

When you enter the food court, you are immersed in a different world, with red lanterns hanging from the ceiling and tiled roofs. But aside from the theatrics, the food is what steals the show. You can grab a variety of food, like Indonesian nasi lemak, Singaporean bee hoon soup, ABC juice, etc., and enjoy family style. This is my absolute favorite place to dine, and it was the last place I ate at on my last day during my first trip to Singapore, so it holds a special place in my heart.

Shop Through Orchard Road

Price: Free

The national pastime for Singaporeans is shopping, and it makes sense! The weather is always warm, sometimes sweltering, and what better way to cool off than inside, where the air conditioning is? People are happy where it’s cool, and retailers are happy because more people view their shops. There’s no better retail experience than at Orchard Road, an upscale shopping street with over 22 shopping malls to browse through. Even better, all the shopping malls are connected indoors by “bridges,” so you can visit multiple malls without stepping outside.

It is named Orchard Road because, in the early 1830s, it used to be a road to fruit orchards and farms. The first department store opened in 1958, and since then, the stores have only expanded. The most famous mall on this street is ION Orchard, with over 8 levels of shopping experience—it even has a whiskey collection on the fifth floor! You can find any and every shop on this street, from local brands to high-end luxury. Orchard Road has it all.

The Takashimaya Department store is a local favorite, especially for its food village in the basement. You feel like you’ve been transported to Japan with all sorts of Japanese goods and confectionery. The food village also hosts seasonal events showcasing different types of snacks and food, so it’s always exciting to visit and see what’s new.

Visit Historic Neighborhoods

Price: Free

While Singapore has developed a lot as a nation within the last few decades, its old historic roots remain in small enclaves. Many vibrant historic neighborhoods in Singapore are a must-visit, especially if you want to experience daily life. Each neighborhood has a different vibe, from the colorful Kampong Glam to the busy Chinatown, and you can spend all day hopping from one neighborhood to the next.

My favorite neighborhood to walk around is Katong, which is the old Malay quarter with colorful buildings and covered walkways. This charming neighborhood is filled with Peranakan culture and heritage, which is Chinese and Malay heritage mixed together. It’s one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world, with beautiful shophouses, infinite dining options, and historic buildings. It’s much less touristy than other neighborhoods, and locals come here to walk around, shop, and dine. Katong is known for its Katong Laksa, and the most famous place to try it is at 328 Katong Laksa.

Visit Hawker Centres

Price: Varies

As mentioned at the start, no trip to Singapore is complete without eating food, and the nation’s pride and joy have to be the hawker centers. This is one of the must-do things to do in Singapore. The food hall semi-inside, semi-outside congregation of food stalls bubbling with various freshly prepared foods. Hawker culture is a unique, vibrant, and integral part of Singaporean life, where all walks of life come together to enjoy delicious food. Hawking has been around since the 1800s, with migrants from overseas opening small street stalls to make a living. In the 1970s, in response to rampant food hygiene concerns, the Singaporean government set up formal hawker centers to help control food safety, which is now thriving!

Hawker centers are the culinary heartbeat of Singapore, and you can find them spread throughout the nation. Most vendors only take cash or online transfers, so make sure to have cash on you. There are so many hawker centers to choose from, but my favorites are the Maxwell Food Centre and Tiong Bahru Food Centre.

You can grab the famous Hainanese chicken rice at Maxwell Food Centre and my favorite snack, Lao Ban Tofu. It’s a silky smooth tofu pudding that is light, refreshing, and slightly sweet. It’s the best tofu pudding I’ve ever had, and I always think about it when I’m back home in California. Tiong Bahru is the best place to get chwee kueh, a steamed rice cake topped with a savory preserved radish topping.

Visit the National Gallery Singapore

Price: Free for Singaporean citizens and permanent residents (PR), Adults 20 SGD, 5 SGD off discount for qualifying patrons

Tickets: Online

Housed in the former Singaporean Supreme Court and City Hall, the National Gallery is where you can find the largest collection of Singaporean and Southeast Asian modern art. It’s the largest museum in Singapore, with great preservation of the former political buildings as it turned into an art museum.

You can spend all afternoon in this massive museum, admiring the robust collection of Southeast Asian art and the rotating seasonal exhibits. The architecture is stunning, with airy glass ceilings, wooden floors, clean white walls, link bridges, a roof garden, and more. The art is extensive, with paintings, sculptures, interactive art, and more for you to enjoy and experience. It’s also located right next to Marina Bay, so it’s in the center of the tourist district.

Visit the National Museum of Singapore

Price: Free for Singaporean citizens and permanent residents (PR), Adult 10+ SGD

Tickets: Online

The National Museum of Singapore is the oldest museum in the country dedicated to all art, history, and culture related to Singapore. This is the place to learn about Singapore’s culture and history, as its main gallery is an interactive look into Singapore’s past 100 years. No other museum takes as deep as a dive into the making of this country, and it’s executed well. The building architecture is also stunning, where neoclassical elements meet modern.

I loved this museum and thought the main gallery was presented really well. Some immersive exhibits within the gallery make it really fun to walk through. The history is presented chronologically and understandably, making it really digestible. I highly recommend this to anyone slightly interested in history.

Visit Religious Sites

Price: Free

Singapore’s earliest settlers came from all backgrounds and influenced the cultures, communities, and religions found in this diverse place. Many different places of worship and religious sites make up the religious landscape. They all serve an important purpose in the community fabric. You can find Buddhist temples, Muslim Mosques, and Hindu temples studded throughout, each with stunning architecture. Some of the must-visit places of worship include the Thian Hock Keng Temple, a.k.a. Tianfu Temple, the oldest Chinese temple in Singapore, Masjid Sultan or Sultan Mosque, and the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore.

Please note that if you wish to enter these spaces, you must follow their dress codes and be respectful, especially during times of worship. Not all temples allow tourists to enter, and there are strict guidelines that you can find online or posted outside the religious site. You can admire the building from afar if you cannot enter. Most of these religious sites will be in the center of a historic neighborhood, so take the opportunity to appreciate the local life.

Hike at The Southern Ridges

Price: Free

This is the best place to go on a hike in Singapore. The Southern Ridges is a 10 kilometers or 6.2-mile recreational trail connecting five parks along the Southern ridge of Singapore. The trail is well-constructed and manicured, with most of the stretch having wood paneling, making walking easy. There are incredible views at each stretch, including forests, the Singapore skyline, and the ocean.

Most people only walk a portion of the Southern Ridges, as walking the whole trail would take too long. Usually, locals pick a portion of the trail to complete. This is a great activity to do solo or with others, depending on how you want to spend your time. Because you can pick and choose where to start, you can always walk another portion of the trail next time.

Grab a Drink or Party at Clarke Quay

Price: Varies

This is the nightlife spot in Singapore. Clarke Quay houses bars, restaurants, and clubs for those looking to eat, drink, and party the night away. This area has one of the nation’s highest concentrations of clubs and bars. Ironically, it is a great area for families in the daytime, with exciting family-friendly activities available along the waterfront. Along Clarke Quay’s main walkways include iconic pod-like dining platforms and overhead canopies make for a pleasant experience.

The two most famous nightclubs in Clarke Quay are, no doubt, Attica and Zouk. And if you’re a lady, you’re in luck! Attica has free entry for women on Wednesday nights. Attica is also a two-floor club, with R&B playing on the first floor and house music on the second.

Walk through Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Price: Free

Singapore may be small, but it houses a large nature reserve with rich biodiversity in northwest Singapore and is the first ASEAN Heritage Park for the country. Sungei Buloh means “River of Bamboos” in Malay. This reserve is an essential stopover point for many migratory birds and has some of the rarest mangroves in the world. It is home to over 200 rare and exotic birds and native water animals like mudskippers, crabs, shellfish, and more. The best time to visit is during the bird migratory season between August and April.

At the reserve, you can take free guided tours (reservation required), take art classes, or join a prawn farming demonstration that will keep you busy the whole day. The best walking area is on the boardwalk near the visitor center. It’s made out of wooden stilts that you can walk on and weave through mangroves. You can see crabs and shellfish on tree trunks at high tide and a rare sighting of mangrove roots at low tide. This is a great activity with kids; there’s so much to do and see. It’s also easily accessible by public transport.

Relax at East Coast Park & Beach

Price: Free

This 15-kilometer stretch of beach and park is the perfect area for biking, rollerblading, running, or a day out to the beach. There’s plenty of sand to build sandcastles, have a barbeque, and lay out under the sun. This park is famous for its many outdoor activity options. You can find cable skiing, wakeboarding, skate parks, and more. Get a bike rental and bike down the park, enjoying the flora and fauna on the Changi coastal path. After a fun day outside, do as the locals do and enjoy the food at the popular East Coast Food Lagoon Village. Grab delicious satay or barbeque chicken wings, which are a must for a day at the beach.

Visit Fort Canning Park

Price: Free

Fort Canning Park is an iconic hilltop landmark and the location of many Singaporean historic events, such as the surrender of Singapore to the Japanese in 1942. The park features nine historic gardens and tons of historic relics and structures, the most famous being the spiral staircase in the Fort Canning Tree Tunnel. This massive green space also hosts many of the outdoor events in Singapore, like Shakespeare in the Park or Ballet Under the Stars. Whether you are drawn to the park’s ancient and rich heritage or simply its tranquility, this hilltop park offers something for everyone.

Relax at Jurong Lake Gardens

Price: Free

A stunning lakeside park for nature lovers and those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Stroll through the 90-hectare gardens, take a picnic, relax with a book or music, and enjoy this serene green space in East Singapore.

The most popular activity to do here is walk on Rasau Walk, which is a picturesque red boardwalk that gets you up close and personal with the swamp creatures and plants. It’s absolutely beautiful at sunset, with pink skies (if you’re lucky) and a lit-up boardwalk. It’s the perfect romantic walk! The Neram Streams, a green and grassy manmade stormwater channel bank, is full of biodiversity and camouflages with the natural environment. It offers a beautiful city view in the background and a green meadow.

Visit the Botanic Gardens

Price: Free

The Singapore Botanic Gardens is the first and only tropical botanic garden on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The British opened the gardens in the early 1800s as a nutmeg and spice plantation but then became a British colonial establishment focusing on plant research and public recreation. The garden’s earliest and most important success was introducing and producing the rubber plant, which became a major crop in trade and brought economic prosperity to Asia.

There are multiple gardens to visit, including the Ginger Garden, which has several hundred species of ginger, and the Orchid Garden, which has over a thousand orchid species! With a huge garden, take advantage of the free monthly tours the gardens host every Saturday. There are so many areas to discover here; there’s even an art gallery, an arboretum, and lakes. This garden is worth visiting, even if you aren’t into nature. You can easily spend 3-5 hours here, depending on what you want to see and do.

FAQ’s

Can I explore Singapore in 3 days?

3 days is more than enough to explore Singapore! Singapore is a tiny country; if you want to do all the touristy activities, you’ll be done in 3 days with time to spare. You’re able to explore the country in a short time because it’s small and well-connected by public transit. Most attractions are near each other, and even if you want to explore further east or west, it only takes about 20-30 minutes by car to get from one side to the other.

What is worth seeing in Singapore?

No matter what kind of traveler you are, it’s worth seeing the Singapore Botanic Gardens, trying as many Hawker Centers as possible, walking the Marina Bay, going to Gardens by the Bay, visiting the National Gallery of Singapore, shopping on Orchard Road, walking around historic neighborhoods, and spending time at Changi Airport. These are the must-do’s, especially on your first trip to Singapore! And on your next visit, you can dive deeper into local life.

Is Singapore cheap or expensive?

Singapore falls in the middle of being cheap vs. expensive. It’s not as cheap as other Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia, where a meal can cost $1-2 USD. It’s relatively on par with Western countries, but the price can vary depending on where you go and how you travel. A meal at a hawker center will be around $5-6 USD, but at a nice restaurant can be about $15-20 USD.

Time to Explore Singapore

With so many things to do in Singapore, you (hopefully) will be entertained throughout your whole trip. From delicious food, rich museums, beautiful green spaces, to luxury shopping, Singapore has so much to do and see. It’s no wonder it continually is ranked as a top travel destination with other 6 million visiting annually. Before making your itinerary, decide what kind of trip you want it to be. Do you want to taste local life or see as many attractions as possible? Then, you can have the best experience possible in Singapore. Happy travels!

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