Exploring Singapore: Top Activities

Singapore is fast becoming one of the world’s top travel destinations because of its opportunities. The city-state has seen enormous success over recent years and now serves as a regional travel hub connecting Southeast Asia, China, and rest of the world.

The sheer diversity of attractions in Singapore is remarkable given the territory’s small size. The nation perched on the tip of the Malaysian peninsula is home to cultural sites, numerous landmarks and even nature parks for hiking and enjoying pleasant scenery.

Gardens by the Bay offers a lush escape in the heart of Singapore. The 101-hectare garden space showcases native and international flora across beautifully designed landscapes. Visitors can explore several distinct sections, each revealing Singapore's commitment to sustainability and environmental beauty, making it a landmark of global acclaim.

The Supertree Grove features towering vertical gardens with unique, tree-like structures. Standing at up to 50 meters, each Supertree supports eco-initiatives, including rainwater harvesting and solar energy. In the evening, these structures come alive in a mesmerizing light display that adds a magical ambiance to the surroundings.

The Flower Dome is an architectural marvel, holding the Guinness World Record as the largest glass greenhouse. Inside, it houses plant species from five continents, creating diverse, climate-specific gardens. The dome recreates climates from the Mediterranean to South America, offering visitors a global journey through flora.

The Cloud Forest simulates a high-altitude tropical climate, perfect for lush vegetation. Dominated by a 35-meter indoor waterfall, it creates a refreshing, misty environment with winding paths through rare orchids, ferns, and pitcher plants, fostering an immersive experience into the world of tropical biodiversity.

Located on the Marina Bay waterfront, Merlion Park celebrates Singapore’s heritage with its iconic Merlion statue. The statue, half lion and half fish, symbolises Singapore’s past as a fishing village and its current status as a thriving metropolis. Visitors can enjoy stunning views of the bay, with the Merlion fountain creating a memorable photo opportunity.

Being at the confluence of East, South, and Southeast Asia and serving as a port for over a hundred years, Singapore also offers rich cultural experiences. These vary from traditional to modern, depending on where you go.

For example, you could start your adventure in Chinatown, a vibrant neighbourhood with Chinese heritage. It’s home to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, believed to house one of Buddha’s teeth in its reliquary. Daily prayers and devotions are available, along with meditation opportunities. Nearby are opportunities to sample the area’s famous street food options. Locals cook ingredients in front of you, offering delicacies like Hainanese chicken rice, laksa and char kway teow (a culturally significant noodle and lard dish).

Little India is another part of Singapore worth visiting. This vibrant and colourful district is home to many Indian families who helped to make the city the thriving metropolis it is today. 

Tours usually begin at the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, the oldest in the country. Dedicated to the goddess Kali, it is home to intricate carvings and beautiful statues fundamental to Hindu culture. After that comes explorations of the area’s delicious food. Stalls sell traditional dishes, like roti and biryani, alongside spices, old-fashioned Indian sweets, and fresh produce.

Lastly, there is the Kampong Glam quarter, home to Singapore’s Arab-Muslim culture, offering even more opportunities to enjoy cultural experiences. Tourists usually start at the Sultan Mosque, a delightful building with a stunning golden dome and interesting architecture. Visitors can enter the mosque and read plaques to learn more about its heritage and religious significance. 

Haji Lane is a nearby shopping district with boutique stalls and cafés. It’s probably the best place in the whole of Singapore to find accessories and handmade items for souvenirs of your trip. The street art by local artists is stunning and often available at discount prices.

Nature and parks are a significant part of life in Singapore, despite the city’s reputation for being a compact metropolis, and well worth checking out. These locations are one of the reasons the population enjoys such a high quality of life amid the urban sprawl.

Sentosa Island is perhaps the city-state’s best-known nature destination. The island is home to several beaches and attractions that make for the perfect day out. For example, here you can find Universal Studios offering insights into how the film studio makes its epic blockbusters. Tours of various themed zones ranging from New York city to the deserts of Ancient Egypt are available with each area combining thrill rides, immersive experiences and live shows conducted by real actors. 

Sentosa Island is also home to the gigantic S.E.A Aquarium, one of the largest globally. It houses over 1,000 species and has a total population in excess of 100,000 marine animals. Visitors love the destination for its Ocean Dome structure (an area to see fish species as if you were in the sea) and marine conservation experts. 

Besides Sentosa Island, it is also worth visiting the Singapore Botanic Gardens to feel more connected to nature during your stay. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a lush oasis that celebrates the diversity of life in the plant kingdom with over 1,000 species growing in its environs. Gardens open from 5 am until 12 am daily with walking tours available.

Lastly, consider visiting the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve to the north of Singapore’s downtown area. This green space surrounds Singapore’s highest natural point, Bukit Timah Hill and has a network of hiking trails to explore the diverse ecosystems native to the area.

Singapore spoils you for choice when it comes to shopping. The territory is home to boutique stores, high-street brands, and luxury labels offering the best money can buy.

Many tourists begin at Orchard Road, the city’s premier shopping district. It’s home to several top malls, including Paragon, Ngee Ann City and ION Orchard, all offering a smattering of department stores and lifestyle shops to keep you hooked. It is easy to spend the entire day here looking around while stopping off occasionally in one of the many eateries for food when hungry.

By contrast, Bugis Street is a destination for those looking for more affordable options and the occasional bargain. Market stalls sell clothing, souvenirs and accessories for less than many other places locally, making this area a hot favourite among locals wanting more for their money.

Moreover, wardrobe items aren’t the only reason to visit. Bugis Street is also home to numerous street food options, including satay (skewered meat) and fried snacks. These offer insights into what most regular Singaporeans eat daily, allowing you to sample cultural delights at their best. Various hair and nail salons can pamper you when the need arises. These are often sole proprietorships, offering discounted rates compared to other parts of town. 

Finally, consider a trip to VivoCity, Singapore’s largest stand-alone shopping mall close to Sentosa Island. It offers a spacious layout and numerous retail stores, including Aesop, Chimichanga, and L’OCCITANE with views over the harbour area. Entertainment is also available in the form of outdoor playgrounds and cinemas.

As with any global destination, Singapore’s dining options spoil you for choice. The city hosts almost every type of cuisine you can imagine, from local delicacies to British pub meals.

Hawker Centres are the mainstay of Singaporean food culture. These are essentially large food courts hosting numerous stalls with seating in the middle (a common practice in Southeast Asian countries). Most vendors selling at these are sole proprietors, allowing you to taste home-style food outside. 

The Maxwell Food Centre in Chinatown is perhaps the best example of a setup like this in Singapore. Known for its lively atmosphere, it serves local favourites, including the ever-popular Hainanese chicken rice. Dominant cuisines are Indian, Malay and Chinese but you can sometimes find more Western options. 

Lau Pa Sat is another hawker centre in the central business district. Nestled in among the skyscrapers, it offers open-air dining and is popular among locals wanting a convenient meal.

Hainanese chicken rice is top of the list. Considered Singapore’s national dish, it features poached chicken and rice cooked in chicken broth with ginger paste and chilli sauce accompaniments. This dish can be easily found in many hawker centres across the island.

Another must-try meal is chilli crab made using locally caught seafood. Chefs serve this with fried or steamed buns called the "mantou buns", that help soak up the delicious chilli-shrimp-paste sauce. Expect plenty of fresh ingredients and bold flavours.

You might also consider experimenting with Laksa, a flavourful noodle dish with thick gravy. Katong laksa with thick rice noodles in a coconut curry broth is the most popular, often served alongside fish cakes and an assortment of bean sprouts. It is hearty, satisfying and just what you need to power you through a long day of touring and sightseeing.

Singapore is home to some of the world’s top nightlife and entertainment options.

Most tourists start their nights out at Clarke Quay by the riverside. This area used to be a dock for trading vessels but is now the city’s busiest hub for after-dark entertainment due to its colourful appearance and restored historic buildings. Here, you can find casual restaurants and fine dining options with views over the Singapore River along with places to hang out, drink and relax. Clarke Quay becomes more energetic the later it gets, with bars and clubs offering live music, DJs, and discos for all-night dancing for locals and foreign travellers.

For those wanting something a little different, the Marina Bay Sands Light Show is another evening entertainment option in Singapore. The light show combines music, lights and water in beautiful combinations to create an attractive spectacle like nothing else on Earth.

Spectra (the show’s name) takes place on the Event Plaza and combines shooting water jets with lasers and projections to create a spectacle that feels similar to a fireworks display without the loud bangs. You can watch it from a distance or get up close depending on where you stand. Shows take place at 8 pm, 9 pm, and 10 pm and last around 15 minutes.

Because Singapore is a city of skyscrapers, it also offers some of the world’s best rooftop bars and restaurants. Locals often head to Ce La Vi (a play on French diction) offering panoramic views of the city to enjoy while sipping cocktails and talking to friends.

1-Altitude is another famous alternative. As one of Singapore’s most elevated bars, it offers full 360-degree city views and a lively nightlife scene. Patrons must dress smart-casual.

For live music, we suggest The Esplanade. This venue hosts bands and performers from Singapore’s active music scene, with performances ranging from classical to heavy metal. 

Zouk is another option for live entertainment as well as being one of the city’s most famous nightclubs. It offers patrons an energetic atmosphere, attracting DJs from across the globe.

Singapore offers a wealth of experiences to keep you entertained for weeks, including cultural exploration, gastronomy, places to enjoy nature and shopping adventures. 

Start planning today with ALL.com, and find the perfect accommodation to enjoy the sights and explore everything the city has to offer.