The Best Things to Do in Singapore - A Bucket List Guide

Singapore might be small, but it packs a mighty punch when it comes to things to do. It doesn't matter if you're a budget traveller, in town on business, or a family visiting with young kids. When it comes to fun things to do in Singapore, there's something for everyone.

In need of a nature fix? The "Garden City" is home to impressive nature parks, green spaces, and hiking trails. Craving cheap Singaporean food? Visit one of the 120+ hawker centres to enjoy Michelin-calibre meals at wallet-friendly prices. Looking for free activities in Singapore? Chinatown and Little India are home to 19th-century shophouses, ornate temples, and cool street art - all available at no cost.

Stick to these recommendations for the must-visit Singapore attractions and you're bound to have an incredible time exploring this modern Southeast Asian city, no matter what your interests.

There's a reason Gardens by the Bay is at the top of every Singapore bucket list. When it comes to the best things to do in Singapore, you'll find many of them in Gardens by the Bay. So make sure you allot at least a few hours to exploring this plant-filled urban oasis.

One of the coolest attractions is the Supertree Grove. This place is home to 12 vertical gardens (also known as Supertrees) that stretch up to 50 metres into the sky. While the grove is free to visit, you can pay a small fee to walk along the 128-metre-long OCBC Skyway to get aerial views of the Supertrees.

While you're visiting Gardens by the Bay, you should also get tickets to enter the Cloud Forest. Inside this otherworldly dome, you'll encounter one of the world's tallest indoor waterfalls, a towering plant-covered mountain, and a diverse range of exotic plants. The Flower Dome is right next door and well worth visiting for its spectacular themed gardens and sweet-smelling flower field.

Taking a spin on the Singapore Flyer is easily one of the most fun things to do in Singapore. With a height of 165 metres, it is one of the world's largest observation wheels and a dominant fixture of the spectacular Singapore skyline.

Enter one of the 28 climate-controlled capsules and you'll embark on a single 30-minute rotation. Along the way, you'll have the unique opportunity to take in 360-degree views of the city and spot attractions like Marina Bay Sands, Marina Bay, and Gardens by the Bay from above. On a clear day, you can even glimpse Malaysia and Indonesia in the distance.

There are so many things to see and do in Little India that won't break the bank, and the best way to tackle them all is on a self-guided walking tour.

Not sure where to start? Follow the Little India Heritage Trail to explore the area's diverse religious buildings. Along the way, you'll see the intricate carvings on the multi-hued Srinivasa Perumal Temple and Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, as well as the beautiful 1850s Masjid Abdul Gaffoor.

After that, hunt down the area's street art murals, photograph the rainbow-coloured Tan Teng Niah house (the neighbourhood's last remaining Chinese villa), and take a stroll through the bustling Tekka Centre. If you're willing to spend a few Singaporean dollars, Tekka Centre is home to some of the best hawker food in Little India, all served at very affordable prices.

When it comes to boozy things to do in Singapore, you simply have to try a Singapore Sling, which is widely considered to be the national cocktail. This pink-hued beverage was first mixed at Long Bar in the iconic Raffles Singapore in 1915. Fast-forward to today and you can still enjoy this refreshing cocktail in this 1920s tropical plantation-style space.

Be sure to choose the Original Singapore Sling, which is a fruity mixture of gin, cherry liqueur, curaçao, grenadine, pineapple and lime juice, and Angostura bitters. Those who don't want to imbibe can order the Teetotaller's Sling mocktail.

As you sip and socialise, your waiter will inevitably place a large burlap bag full of free peanuts on your table. It may seem very un-Singaporean, but tossing your peanut shells onto the floor while you snack is a longstanding custom at Long Bar. Sure, it’s messy, but it’s all part of the fun.

Singapore is a shopper's paradise. No matter what you're in the market for, you'll find the perfect shopping area for you in this dynamic city. When it comes to the best shopping in Singapore, you'll want to make a beeline for Orchard Road. Stretching 2.2 kilometres, this is where you'll find Singapore's top luxury shops, high-end malls, and designer flagship stores. For even more luxury shopping, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is also an excellent option.

For something less formal and expensive, visit Haji Lane for vintage and second-hand goods, head over to Bugis+ for mall staples like Pull&Bear and Uniqlo, or explore over 600 stalls of clothing and accessories at Bugis Street Market, to name just a few different shopping options.

Whether you're on a budget or not, you're going to want to spend some time eating your way through Singapore's best hawker centres. From Hainanese chicken rice (the national dish) to laksa, chilli crab, and char kway teow, Singapore's humble hawker stalls serve up some of the best food in the city-state.

Not sure where to start?

Order biryanis and dosas at Tekka Centre in Little India, eat the cheapest Michelin-star meal in the world at Hawker Chan in Chinatown Complex Food Centre, try Singapore's national dish at Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice in Maxwell Food Centre, or dine where the locals do at Old Airport Road Food Centre.

With over 120 hawker centres in Singapore, these recommendations only scratch the surface of what's available. But it's a solid start.

With a nickname like "Garden City,” it should be no surprise that some of the top Singapore attractions are its parks and green spaces. Whether you're a hiker or a family with young kids, there are some incredible options to choose from.

The Singapore Botanic Gardens is one of the most popular green spaces in Singapore. It's free to walk amongst most of the 10,000 plant species inside this UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, there is a fee to access the spectacular National Orchid Garden.

Alternatively, history lovers will enjoy seeing the 14th-century royal buildings at Fort Canning Park, while adventure junkies will relish getting muddy along the rain-forested trails of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

Of course, you'll find many unique family-friendly options, too, including the kid-friendly hike to reach the Insta-famous TreeTop Walk in MacRitchie Reservoir Park. Not only is the hike through the rainforest spectacular, but walking along the 250-metre-long suspension bridge is one of the coolest things to do in Singapore.

Looking for unique things to do in Singapore? You'll find them in spades on Haji Lane in Kampong Glam. This narrow alleyway is lined with brightly-painted 19th-century shophouses that are now home to eye-catching street art murals, funky vintage shops, and trendy food and beverage concepts.

The options are delightfully eclectic. For example, you can shop for second-hand vinyl from Musicology Records and vintage clothing from Vintagewknd before sipping coffee with a feline friend at Meomi Cat Cafe or socialising over artisanal cocktails at Bar Stories.

If you're feeling peckish, stop off at Fatt Choy Eating House for their delicious Hokkien Mee and Roxy Laksa or grab a table at the always-buzzing Piedra Negra for Mexican classics and happy-hour margaritas. Stay until the sun goes down, and you'll see this place transform into a lively street party, where the beers are flowing and the music is bumping.

The Night Safari is one of the coolest zoo experiences in Singapore. This is the world's first "nocturnal zoo," and it's only open from 6:30 pm to midnight (last entry at 11:15 pm).

After the sun goes down, hop on the tram to take a ride around the 86-acre park. Along the way, you'll encounter 100 species and 900 animals, ranging from elephants and lions to rhinos, bearded pigs, and hyenas. You can also follow one of the four walking trails for even more nighttime animal encounters.

Located right next to Night Safari, the Singapore Zoo is another one of the top Singapore attractions for families. One thing that makes this zoo unique is the "open concept," which allows many of the creatures to roam freely in a natural habitat.

Witness orangutans swing from the treetops, see African penguins waddle around the ice, and marvel at giraffes as they feed on leaves from sky-high trees. With over 4,000 animals, 300 species, and a wide range of educational activities and encounters, you can easily spend an entire day here.

Chinatown is one of the most budget-friendly places in Singapore, offering loads of cheap activities and dining options. Start off with a meal from a hawker stall at either Chinatown Complex Food Centre or Maxwell Food Centre. Both are great places to try famous Singaporean dishes, including Hainanese chicken rice and xiao long bao (soup dumplings).

Once you've had your fill, check out the gilded stupa and 4.5-metre-tall Buddha for free inside the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, shop for affordable trinkets at Chinatown Street Market, learn about early Chinese immigrants at the Chinatown Heritage Centre, and see the colourfully painted 19th-century shophouses on Telok Ayer Street, to name just a few of the affordable activities in Chinatown.

For some of the best views in town, the SkyPark Observation Deck is one of the top Singapore attractions. Located on Level 56 of the iconic Marina Bay Sands, this observation deck allows you to take in sweeping views of the entire cityscape. The view is incredible at any time of day, but visit at night and you'll get the added bonus of seeing Spectra, the Marina Bay Sands' famous light and water show, from above.

With so many urban attractions, sometimes it's easy to forget that Singapore is an archipelago that's home to numerous islands and beaches. The best beaches in Singapore are located on Sentosa Island, just seven kilometres from the city centre.

Here you can choose from three main beaches: Palawan, Siloso, and Tanjong (home to Tanjong Beach Club). They are all lovely and popular weekend destinations for locals and expats alike.

Another one of the most-visited beaches in Singapore is in East Coast Park. This long stretch of sand is wildly popular on weekends thanks to the many family-friendly activities both at the beach and in East Coast Park.

Singapore is one of the top wellness destinations in Asia, boasting unique experiences you won't find anywhere else. This is the perfect destination for a health-focused getaway.

No wellness trip to Singapore is complete without visiting Aramsa - The Garden Spa. Located within Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, you can enjoy massages, body treatments, facials, and more in a lush garden setting.

Once you're done getting pampered, you can get purified and cleansed in a salt-filled room at Pablo Blau, experience contrast-therapy in a modern-day bathhouse at Hideaway, and even enjoy a traditional Japanese onsen experience at Yunomori Onsen & Spa. This list of pampering and innovative therapies in Singapore goes on and on, with new options popping up year after year.

To experience a completely different side of Singapore, take a day trip to Pulau Ubin. Explore this rustic island and you'll see what Singapore looked like before it became the glitzy, glamorous place you see today.

Getting to Pulau Ubin is easy. Make your way to the Changi Point Ferry Terminal on the northeast coast of Singapore. From here you'll embark on a 15-minute bumboat ride to the island.

You'll find activities to suit all interests in Pulau Ubin. Most visitors choose to rent a bike from one of the rental shops near the pier and cruise around on two wheels. This allows you to access most of the main attractions in one day, including the Wei Tuo Fa Gong Temple, the German Girl Shrine, and the Chek Jawa Wetlands.

However, you can also walk along the many nature trails, experience the island's unique ecosystems and wetlands on a kayaking trip, or visit Kampung Ubin, one of the last traditional Malay villages in Singapore.

The top things to do in Singapore for first-time visitors are to visit Supertree Grove and the Cloud Forest in Gardens by the Bay, learn about Singapore's diverse cultures in Chinatown and Little India, and take in the views from the Singapore Flyer and the SkyPark Observation Deck.

Yes, there are many budget-friendly things to do in Singapore. Attractions like the Supertree Grove and the Singapore Botanic Gardens are totally free to visit, as are most parks, green spaces, temples, and mosques. You can eat on a budget at hawker centres and at the many affordable restaurants in Chinatown and Little India. These neighbourhoods in particular offer plenty of wallet-friendly attractions and accommodation.

You can experience the best views in Singapore by visiting the SkyPark Observation Deck on Level 56 of the Marina Bay Sands or riding the Singapore Flyer observation wheel. The views from both are spectacular, especially at sunset.

The best family-friendly Singapore attractions are seeing wildlife at the Night Safari and Singapore Zoo, spotting endless flora at Gardens by the Bay and the Singapore Botanic Gardens, and having a beach day or going cycling at East Coast Park. In general, Singapore is a very family-friendly destination.

In terms of weather, the best time to visit Singapore is from February to April, when the temperatures are relatively mild and the rainfall is low. The monsoon seasons usually fall between November and January and July and August, so expect heavy rainfall. That being said, Singapore is a year-round tropical destination. Always be prepared with an umbrella and sunscreen.

Getting around Singapore is easy thanks to the city-state's efficient public transportation system. You can reach many Singapore attractions using the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit), LRT (Light Rail Transit), public buses, and even ferries. Taxis are widely available, too. However, it's also convenient to use local ride-hailing apps, such as Grab and Gojek, to book taxis.