Singapore Tourist Attractions: Top Highlights & Places to Visit

The Top Sights in Singapore

In this article, we’ll walk you through the most important Singapore tourist attractions. Depending on how much time you have in the city, you probably won’t be able to see everything.

So let’s start with a quick overview of the places you absolutely can’t miss:

• A walk along Marina Bay at night with views of the skyline
• Visit at least one of the great viewpoints in Singapore
• Eat at a Hawker Centre
• Supertrees and Gardens by the Bay
• A walk through Chinatown
• A walk through Little India
• A walk through Kampong Glam

You should plan for at least two full days — ideally three — for this itinerary. A stopover in Singapore is perfect for this.

Now you’ve got a first impression of what’s waiting for you. Below, we’ll go through all the details and of course photos of each highlight.

If you’re already familiar with many of these spots, you might also want to check out our insider tips for Singapore.

All Singapore Attractions on One Map

For a better overview, we’ve marked the most important sights covered in this article on a map.

The following places are not shown on the map because they’re outside Singapore’s city center: Sentosa, Botanic Garden, and the Singapore Zoo.

Marina Bay

Marina Bay Sands

The Marina Bay district was created through land reclamation and is now home to several of Singapore’s most iconic attractions.

The standout is the Marina Bay Sands, which — since opening in 2010 — has become Singapore’s defining landmark in record time.

The striking building is home to what is arguably the world’s most famous rooftop pool and defines Singapore’s skyline like nothing else. The Infinity Pool with its sweeping city views is only accessible to hotel guests.

Many travelers therefore book one or two nights at the Marina Bay Sands. You can check current room prices here:

Current room prices at Marina Bay Sands

Not staying there? You can still enjoy the view from the rooftop observation deck as a day visitor. Tickets cost 22 euros (approx. 31 SGD). It’s easiest to buy your ticket online in advance and skip the line at the counter.

Ticket for the Marina Bay Sands rooftop terrace (Skip the Line)

We’ve also written a detailed article about the Marina Bay Sands and all the ways to get up to the roof:

Marina Bay Sands: How to Get to the Roof and Into the Pool

Gardens by the Bay

Right behind the Marina Bay Sands you’ll find the Gardens by the Bay, a park covering more than 100 hectares. Particularly impressive are the two enormous greenhouses visible from far away. Inside, you can see plants from around the world displayed in the style of a botanical garden.

The real showstopper is the Cloud Forest, located in one of the two domes. You walk across a bridge through the lush vegetation at dizzying heights, with a massive waterfall thundering beside you.

Tickets for both greenhouses cost 34 SGD (approximately 24 euros). If you book online through Getyourguide, you only pay 17 euros (approximately 24 SGD).

Buy tickets for the Gardens by the Bay online

Supertree Grove

The famous Supertrees are also part of the Gardens by the Bay and are among the most photographed spots in Singapore.

They’re most impressive after dark. Every evening at 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM, the Garden Rhapsody light and music show lights up the Supertrees in a spectacular display.

OCBC Skywalk

Some of the trees are connected via the OCBC Skyway — a pedestrian bridge that gives you a great bird’s-eye view of the Gardens by the Bay.

Admission to the bridge costs 14 SGD (approximately 10 euros) and can only be paid on-site.

For safety reasons, only 70 people are allowed on the Skyway at a time, and visits are limited to 15 minutes. That’s honestly more than enough.

Our Tip: In the evenings, very long lines often form because everyone wants to get onto the Skyway for the light show. The wait can easily be an hour or more. We recommend going up during daylight hours instead — you usually won’t have to wait at all, and the light show looks seriously great from down below too.

Helix Bridge

The Helix Bridge is a pedestrian bridge modeled after the double helix structure of human DNA. It connects the Marina Bay Sands hotel with the mainland on the opposite bank.

Especially in the evening, the bridge together with Singapore’s skyline makes for a fantastic photo opportunity. The bridge itself has four viewing platforms where you can get some really great shots.

Singapore Flyer

The Singapore Flyer was the world’s largest Ferris wheel until 2014 and still ranks number two today.

The ride is wonderfully leisurely and offers sweeping views over Singapore. It takes a full 30 minutes to complete one rotation — plenty of time to take it all in.

ArtScience Museum

The ArtScience Museum sits right next to the Marina Bay Sands hotel and is already a real head-turner from the outside.

Inside, rotating exhibitions explore the intersection of art and science. There’s also the permanent exhibition Future World.

We checked it out and, honestly, expected a bit more for a 13-euro admission. It’s fine, but not a must-see. That said, the exhibition is especially great with kids, since there are tons of interactive elements.

Get tickets for the ArtScience Museum

Esplanade: Theatres on the Bay

The ensemble of striking buildings at Marina Bay is rounded out by the Esplanade Theatre. The concert halls look like two giant durian fruits from the outside and are especially beautiful at night.

Inside, concerts and events take place almost daily — and the best part: on the outdoor grounds surrounding the Esplanade, there are free concerts nearly every evening. There’s a board right at the entrance showing the current month’s schedule.

Downtown and Riverside

Merlion

Adjacent to Marina Bay is Singapore’s Downtown. The skyscrapers are home mainly to banks, but there’s plenty for visitors to discover here too.

The Merlion is the official symbol of Singapore — a hybrid of a fish and a lion, built in 1972 to represent the city’s connection to the sea and the strength of the small city-state.

Compared to Singapore’s many outstanding attractions, the water-spouting statue is honestly a little underwhelming — but it’s an absolute tourist magnet. Nowhere else have we seen so many selfie sticks in one place.

Raffles Hotel

The Raffles Hotel is an absolute legend in Singapore. It’s been welcoming guests since 1887, and everyone from the Queen to Michael Jackson has passed through its doors.

But even if you can’t — or don’t want to — splurge on a night here, you can still soak up the colonial atmosphere.

The famous Long Bar is open to non-guests as well. This is where the Singapore Sling was invented over 100 years ago — a cocktail made with gin, cherry brandy, triple sec, Bénédictine, grenadine, lime juice, and pineapple juice.

The cocktail will set you back 37 SGD (approx. 26 euros). It comes with a big bowl of peanuts, and you’re encouraged to toss the shells straight onto the Long Bar floor — it’s part of the experience.

Note that there’s currently a so-called Pop Up Long Bar — a small offshoot of the original running during the renovation — but it really doesn’t compare to the genuine article.

Want to spend the night at the Raffles? You can, for a four-figure sum.

Book a room at the Raffles Hotel Singapore

Lau Pa Sat Food Centre

As we mentioned right at the top: a visit to a food centre is simply non-negotiable on any Singapore trip. The city’s food centres serve incredible food at seriously great prices.

The most famous is Lau Pa Sat. With its colonial architecture standing out among all the surrounding skyscrapers, it’s absolutely worth a visit — and it’s one of our favorite places to eat in Singapore.

National Gallery

The National Gallery is one of the most impressive historic buildings in Singapore. It consists of several structures: the City Hall and the old Supreme Court.

The interior is a little labyrinthine, but definitely worth exploring. Just wander through the various wings and floors — there’s something to discover around every corner.

Admission is free for Singapore residents; for everyone else, a standard ticket costs 20 SGD (approximately 14 euros).

Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, and Robertson Quay

Right next to the Merlion statue, the Singapore River winds its way through the city. Wide walkways run along both banks, known locally as quays.

The first stretch is Boat Quay, where you’ll mainly find museums and the charming Fullerton Hotel on either side of the river.

Next comes Clarke Quay, one of the hotspots of Singapore’s nightlife. The bars and restaurants here are pretty touristy, though — not our favorite spot for an evening drink.

After Clarke Quay comes Robertson Quay. Plenty of bars and restaurants here too, but the vibe is noticeably more relaxed and laid-back.

Chinatown

Chinatown is one of the neighborhoods you absolutely have to visit during your time in Singapore.

With its traditional Chinese colonial-era shophouses, temples wafting incense, and colorful lanterns strung across the streets, there’s so much to take in here.

Alongside traditional shops, you’ll also find some of the trendiest restaurants and bars in the city.

Ann Siang Hill and Club Street

Ann Siang Hill and Club Street are among the most popular nightlife areas in Singapore — bars side by side, great restaurants everywhere. We loved this area way more than Clarke Quay.

Our Tip: Prices for food and drinks vary a lot. If you’re watching your budget and don’t need to sit in one of the fancy bars, head to Jerry’s (on the right in the photo). Just around the corner is the Maxwell Hawker Centre — delicious food at very affordable prices.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

One of the best-known highlights in Chinatown is the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. The ornate building only opened in 2005 and houses a tooth said to have belonged to the Buddha himself.

We couldn’t verify that claim — but the temple is absolutely worth a visit, especially since admission is free.

By the way: Also in Chinatown — and not in Little India — stands Singapore’s oldest and most famous Hindu temple: the Sri Mariamman Temple. That’s because in 1823 there was no suitable site available in Little India that also had access to fresh water. Just a few years later, Chinatown was built up all around it.

The colorful temple with its elaborate decorations is, like the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, a fantastic photo subject.

Little India

Mustafa Centre

The moment you step into the streets of Little India, you feel like you’ve entered another world. Colorful Hindu temples, vibrant saris, and a whole array of scents and aromas you won’t find anywhere else in Singapore.

Little India is truly India in miniature, and we recommend just letting yourself wander through the streets. Make sure you stop at one of the many restaurants and treat yourself to some Indian food — it’s really, really good.

Our Tip: Every Sunday, Little India is absolutely buzzing. That’s when the Indian workers have their day off, and you can experience the neighborhood in an even more authentic and lively way than on other days. It’s not for everyone, but it’s a fascinating experience.

Mustafa Centre

Even if you’re not a big shopper, a visit to the Mustafa Centre is simply part of any Singapore trip. The enormous department store in Little India is a sight in its own right.

It’s open around the clock and stocks absolutely everything: groceries, cosmetics, electronics, clothing, household goods, souvenirs. Everything, and lots of it. According to the store itself, the Mustafa Centre carries more than 300,000 different items.

Markets in Little India

The most famous market hall in Little India is the Tekka Centre. You’ll find fresh produce (fish, meat, vegetables), clothing, and everyday goods. On the upper floor, you can have a suit or dress custom-tailored by one of the many tailors.

There’s also a food centre with authentic Indian food, making the Tekka Centre a little Indian microcosm right in the heart of Singapore.

Another market hall worth checking out is the Little India Arcade. If you’re interested, you can get a henna tattoo done here. We tried it ourselves and were amazed at how quickly Jenny’s hand was beautifully decorated.

You’ll find the henna artist in the Little India Arcade at the shop called Selvis Beauty. Don’t worry — you really can’t miss it.

Kampong Glam

As we mentioned: Singapore is a city of contrasts. Nowhere is that more apparent than in Kampong Glam.

On one hand, the Malay quarter has a strong Muslim influence; on the other, it’s become one of the hippest areas in the city, packed with trendy bars and clubs.

Arab Street and Sultan Mosque

On Arab Street you’ll find traditional restaurants serving really tasty Arabic specialties, plus numerous shops selling colorful fabrics and textiles.

At the end of the street stands the impressive Sultan Mosque, whose large golden dome is visible from far away. The mosque is open to visitors — you can’t enter the main prayer hall, but you can still peek inside.

While you can buy headscarves and traditional garments on Arab Street, just one street over the party scene is in full swing.

Haji Lane is a hipster street that could easily exist in Berlin, Amsterdam, or Barcelona. Tattoo studios, bicycle workshops, small designer boutiques, and some of the coolest bars in the city.

Orchard Road and Emerald Hill

Orchard Road is a 2.2-kilometer-long street lined with massive shopping malls. One follows the next — more than 25 enormous malls in total. Incredible!

You’ll find not only shopping here, but also many hotels. The YOTEL Singapore, where we stayed during our second visit, is also on Orchard Road — and we can highly recommend it. All our tips for finding a place to stay are here:

Singapore Hotel Tips: Where Should You Stay?

Our Tip: The 313@Somerset mall has a nice rooftop terrace with a free view over the surrounding area. Getting there takes you up endlessly long escalators attached to the outside of the building.

Tucked between the Midpoint Orchard and The Centrepoint malls is one of the prettiest streets in all of Singapore: Emerald Hill Road.

Here you’ll find some of the best-preserved 19th-century houses in the entire city. While just a few steps away on Orchard Road there’s a huge bustle, Emerald Hill is quiet and serene.

Excursions and Activities

Sentosa Island

Sentosa Island is a small island off the southern coast of Singapore — essentially a giant amusement park and perfect for unwinding after a few days of sightseeing, or of course if you’re traveling with kids.

You’ll find water parks, roller coasters, zip lines, bungee jumping, Madame Tussauds, several beaches, and much, much more. It’s especially worth visiting if you choose one of the drier months as your travel time for Singapore.

There are several ways to get there. The cheapest option is the bus, route 123. The second most affordable is the Sentosa Express, a monorail that runs from HarbourFront MRT station to the island for 4 SGD.

The most expensive — but also the most scenic — way is by cable car. At a height of 60 meters, you travel from Mount Faber over to Sentosa with a great view of Singapore’s skyline, the harbor, and the island’s attractions below.

The Sentosa Cable Car Sky Pass covers the round trip plus two rides on the cable car located on Sentosa itself. If you book online through Getyourguide, you pay 22 euros (approximately 31 SGD) — the same deal we took.

Buy the Sky Pass online here
Also read:

Singapore Zoo and Night Safari

The zoo and the Night Safari are located north of the city center. A taxi ride costs about 20–25 SGD.

You can also get there by public transit — take the MRT (NS Line) to Khatib station, then hop on the Mandai Khatib Shuttle bus to the zoo or Night Safari.

If you’re visiting Singapore with kids, a trip to the zoo is an absolute highlight. But even without children, it’s well worth your time. The animals are kept in comparatively spacious, species-appropriate enclosures.

A standard daytime ticket for the zoo costs 49 SGD (approx. 35 euros).

We especially recommend the Night Safari — it’s a truly unique experience you won’t find at any other zoo in the world.

The Night Safari opens daily at 7:15 PM and closes at midnight. A 40-minute tram ride takes you through the park with commentary on the animals along the way. You only spot the animals that venture into the gently illuminated areas of their enclosures.

Get tickets for the Night Safari including transfer

There are also walking trails where you can explore the enclosures on foot. The tram ride was great, but the walking trails were actually our real highlight. At one point, you walk through an open enclosure with flying foxes and bats that get really, really close.

Botanic Gardens and National Orchid Garden

If you loved the Gardens by the Bay and still can’t get enough of nature in the city, we recommend a visit to the Singapore Botanic Gardens and the National Orchid Garden.

We’re not exactly avid botanists, but the sheer variety of plants impressed us too.

Many heads of state and other important figures visit during official state visits and have their very own orchid dedicated to them here.

Angela Merkel has one, Princess Kate too, and just one day before us, Aung San Suu Kyi had visited — freedom fighter and by then the de facto head of state of Myanmar.

Our Travel Video from Singapore

During our first visit to Singapore, we captured our experiences in a video:

Our travel video from Singapore