Are you planning a trip to Singapore? Looking for the best places in Singapore to see?
This article has you covered for 2023. With Singapore’s doors open to visitors, now is the best time to go!
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Singapore is a truly incredible destination. This tiny country in Asia has loads to offer for any traveller.
It boasts a world-class airport that continues to be voted the world’s best airport. It is home to amazing temples, museums, and gardens, and its hotels are known worldwide.
It’s a place where having a cocktail (Singapore Sling) comes with a story and is a melting pot of cultures. And don’t even get us started on the food!
Singapore feels like visiting multiple countries in a day. Yet you can see the best places in Singapore in just a few days, either with the help of super-efficient and clean public transport or on an organised tour.
With the beautiful mixture of the ancient temples and the new modern architecture, Singapore will never get boring.
It is also one of the safest countries to travel to due to its low crime, and Singapore has dealt with the pandemic exceptionally well.
If you need more reasons to travel to Singapore, here are our top 7.
Most attractions in Singapore are open and ready to welcome tourists. So, what are some of the famous tourist attractions in Singapore?
Here are the 10 best places in Singapore to see
1. Gardens By the Bay
You have probably seen photos of Gardens by the Bay in Singapore before. It is also the first attraction for many visitors as it continues to be one of the best places in Singapore to see.
Located by the Marina Bay Waterfront in the centre of Singapore, Gardens by the Bay is what you would imagine as a 21st-century botanical garden. It cost a whopping $1 billion and opened in 2012.
A few years later, the Flora Fantasy has been added and this is a real highlight of the gardens. It is home to plants and flowers from five continents, and it is the world’s largest glass greenhouse, so make sure you spend some time here.
And then there are the Supertrees. These vertical gardens span between 30 to 50 meters in height, with two of them connected by OCBC Skyway. Come here in the afternoon and stay for the evening show at 7.45 pm and 8.45 pm, when the Supertrees burst into the light for the Garden Rhapsody show.
You can purchase tickets online or here at the Ticketing Hub. Or opt out for a more inclusive tour of the gardens at night with Singapore Night Out: Music & Light show.
- Address: 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore
- Opening hours: Floral Fantasy & OCBC Skyway 9 am-9 pm, last admission 8 pm
- Price: Gardens free, conservatories adult/child under 13yr S$28/15, Floral Fantasy S$20/12, OCBC Skyway S$8/5
2. Kampong Glam
The second place on our best places in Singapore to see is the area of Kampong Glam. Kampong Glam is a Muslim quarter that has evolved into a hub for arts and entertainment filled with trendy cafes and boutique shops. It attracts locals, tourists, celebrities, and creative types.
It offers something for everyone, and it is an excellent reminder of the diversity Singapore offers.
You can easily spend a morning or afternoon here. Walk the colourful street with nicely restored shophouses selling everything from vintage clothing to art.
Don’t miss the main mosque Masjid Sultan (or Sultan Mosque), with its golden dome and minarets. Wander downtime picturesque Bussorah Street and Kandahar Street, where you can also eat at Padang restaurants – a cheap and cheerful lunch option for buffet-style MalayIndonesian food.
Oh, and check out Arab Street too.
3. The Changi Airport
The Changi Airport is a destination on its own. Voted the best airport in the world, it will most likely be the start and the finish of your visit to Singapore. And take our word for it, it deserves our mention of the best places in Singapore. Let me explain why.
Singapore’s Changi Airport was ranked the world’s best airport for the eighth year in a row in 2020, it lost its place to Hamad International Airport in Doha in 2021. Why is it so good? Let’s start with the massive indoor waterfall known as Jewel in the middle of the airport. How cool is that?
Singapore airport has also its own Imax theatre, so you can chill and watch a movie and then eat at one of the many amazing restaurants here. It also has plenty of greenery as Changi has an in-house team of horticulturists that tend to all the plants!
My favourite one is the Butterfly Garden, which is one of the best places in Singapore Airport to spend some time.
But personally, I love the airport as it is everything you wish airports would have. It’s efficient, calm, clean, the wifi is fast and the smart design makes you wonder why all airports aren’t like this. Not to forget the service – simply 5-star.
Honestly, there are so many reasons why you will love Changi Airport.
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4. Marina Bay Sands Infinity Pool
Another iconic image that seems to come to mind when you say Singapore is the famous Marina Bay Sands Infinity Pool. The pool opened in 2010 and instantly became a symbol. It spans three buildings in total, and it’s 146 meters long.
Today, you can enjoy incredible views of Singapore as you swim up to the edge. The water is filled to the top of the pool’s rim, creating this fantastic illusion of never-ending water that merges into the skyline of Singapore.
There are also three hot tubs at the pool, and it opens at 6 a.m., so a great way to start the day and beat that jet lag.
The pool is only available to those staying at Marina Bay Sands, and the night cost starts from USD 295 per night. Also, the cheapest rooms have no views, so you might want to consider booking the club rooms, which will include your breakfast at the Club 55 Lounge.
Recommended posts about Singapore
How to see the infinity pool at Marina Bay Sands without staying at the hotel:
There is another option to see the famous pool.
While non-hotel guests cannot access the pool, they can still observe it from the SkyPark observation deck, which only requires a ticket purchase for entry and features a bar.
You can buy the ticket in advance from Viator for about 15 USD.
5. Raffles Hotel for Singapore Sling
First, we introduced you to a hotel with the old best infinity pool, then a luxury hotel with it is now a must-try cocktail.
Yup, welcome to the famous Raffles Hotel where the best thing to do is to come for a drink. Singapore Sling, to be more specific.
Singapore Sling is made of gin, cherry brandy, and Bénédictine with a dash of bitters and Cointreau and finished with pineapple lime juice and grenadine.
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The Story behind the Singapore Sling
What’s the story you might ask? Well, it’s a good one. In short, the Singapore Sling was first created by Raffles bartender Ngiam Tong Boon here at Raffles Hotel.
At this time, Raffles and the more iconic Long Bar was the gathering place for locals, yet women at the time were discouraged from drinking alcohol in public.
They were served juices and teas instead. Ngiam decided to create an alcoholic drink that looked like juice due to its pink colour, so it would be socially acceptable for women to drink it. As you can imagine, the drink became super popular among the ladies.
The drink will set you back around 30 Singaporean dollars, about 20 USD.
6. Chinatown for some culture
There is plenty of culture in Singapore. Areas like Kampong Glam and Chinatown are the best places in Singapore to see the melting pot of cultures, religions, and traditions.
Chinatown in Singapore is the only one in the world with a Buddhist temple, a mosque, and a Hindu temple along a single street! What a mix.
This bustling neighbourhood is home to fantastic hawker food, temples, shops, and new trendy bars. You could spend a whole day starting with the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, then check out the food street for some lunch and then shop with the many shops.
And it is the place for some Chinese food.
Recommended Activity: Evening Tour in Chinatown (dinner included)
7. Eat at Hawker Centre in Maxwell Food Centre
Singapore is a foodie destination. There is no doubt about that. The exciting part is that you enjoy fine dining in many exceptional restaurants, but you can also visit a hawker centre for a truly local experience.
Singapore is a melting pot of multiple cuisines from Malay, Chinese and Indian. This is reflected in their food scene, too. The best place to try some local dishes is a hawker centre.
A few hawker centres are worth visiting, but we believe Maxwell Food Centre is the best.
3 places you should eat at Maxwell Food Centre:
- Sisaket Thai Food – You must stop at Sisaket Thai Food for authentic Thai food. Their creamy Green Curry Rice is for $4.50. Where to find it: #01-85 Maxwell Food Centre
- Taisho Ramen – Taisho Ramen is THE place to go for Japanese Ramen. The Tantan Tsukemen is our favourite for just under $10. Where to find it: #01-32 Maxwell Food Centre
- Ah-Tai Hainanese Chicken Rice – This is where you find the best Hainanese chicken rice on the market. Juicy, tender, and delicious. Where to find it: #01-07 Maxwell Food Centre
8. Singapore Botanic Gardens
Botanical gardens that are also a Unesco World Heritage Site? This must be on our list of best places in Singapore.
A great place to unwind after busy shopping at the nearby Orchard Road shopping district and eating at hawker halls, the gardens offer a place to unwind throughout your busy days.
9. Sentosa Island for the beach
You were wrong if you thought Singapore was one big city with no beach. After all that eating and shopping, heading out to Sentosa Island for a beach day is nice. But there is more. Sentosa Island is known as a good-time island offering many options to keep the fun going, and it’s home to Universal Studios Singapore and SEA Aquarium.
Both attractions would probably deserve a mention on the list of the best places in Singapore, but we are trying to keep this list to the 10 best places in Singapore.
There are three beaches on Sentosa Island: Siloso, Tanjong, and Palawan. Palawan Beach is the most popular, and Silos has more food and drink options.
Tanjong is an excellent option if you are after something quieter. All beaches are artificially made, and the sand has been imported from Malaysia and Indonesia.
10. Merlion Park
Another popular place on our list of the best places in Singapore is Merlion Park, where you’ll find Singapore’s famous landmark. Merlion is a mythical creature with the body of a fish and the head of a lion, and it’s often used as a mascot for representation of Singapore.
The statue is right in front of the Fullerton Hotel.
The symbol is, in fact, a creation of the Singapore Tourism Board from 1964! And let’s face it, they did a great job. You see this mascot everywhere, but it is here at Marina Bay where you can come to take some photos of this huge statue.
It’s only a 7-minute walk from the Raffles Hotel so you can combine both Singapore attractions.
We have also included useful information on Singapore’s best places to stay. Here is a list of recommended hotels and tours in Singapore.
Best Areas in Singapore to Stay
Luxury Hotels:
- Singapore’s most famous hotel is the Raffles Hotel. This colonial landmark opened in 19887 is an all-suite luxury hotel set on gorgeous grounds in a great location. And don’t miss the Long Bar for your Singapore Sling cocktail. It is not only one of the best places in Singapore to see but also to stay.
- If you love a good view and a pool, you can beat Marina Bay Sands, with its unmistakable ship-like shape looming over the city.
- If you are after a comfortable luxury hotel then The Fullerton Bay Hotel in the Marina Bay Waterfront or the Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay are fantastic luxury hotels with exceptional service.
Mid-Range Hotels:
- The first recommendation in the mid-range category is the modern Hotel 1888 Collection, with a great location 5-minute walk from Chinatown MRT Station.
- Another good option is The Quay Hotel located in a heritage building within the Central Business District and Singapore River.
Budget Hotels:
- The Hotel 81 Bugis is a popular budget hotel with a great location within walking distance of a metro stop to explore Singapore on your own.
- Another great option is the Champion Hotel in the heart of the Katong district (one of the best places in Singapore to explore), set in the heart of Singapore just a short walk from the popular 24-hour department store – Mustafa Centre.
- The Pod @ Beach Road Boutique Capsule Hotel is a chic property featuring capsule bedding with personal lockers. So if you ever want to stay in a capsule hotel, this is the best one.
Best Tours: How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Singapore
Don’t miss out on seeing the main sights!
If this is your first visit to Singapore, then there is no better option than the Singapore Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour. It’s a great way to learn about the city and hop off where you want to see the best places in Singapore.
There are a few routes across the city, and the open double-decker buses offer a multilingual audio commentary. Tickets are valid for 24 or 48 hours.
- Want to find the best places in Singapore for food? Join the UNESCO Hawker Centre Street Food Tasting Tour in 3 Ethnic Neighbourhoods, the best introduction to Singapore’s culinary culture! Your guide will guide you through Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam, and you’ll get to visit the best places in Singapore for delicious meals.
- Singapore City Tour is the perfect tour to see old and new attractions in Singapore on a morning or afternoon tour.
RELATED POST – 7 Amazing Reasons to Travel to Singapore
We hope you have enjoyed our post on Singapore’s 10 best places to see. Have you been to Singapore lately? Let us know what your favourite attractions were in the comments.
Travel Tips for Asia
We have many travel guides and tips for Asia— a fascinating continent!
Delicious cuisine can be enjoyed across Asia, and our food map of Asia will inspire your food journey.
These top 5 best street foods in Asia are unmissable! We explain Central Asian food, including seven popular foods in this region.
Our Southeast Asia packing list will be helpful if you’re travelling here.
Furthermore, if you plan to travel long-term (or at least until the money runs out), these 21 cheapest countries to visit will help you make your hard-earned dollars stretch a bit further.
Not surprisingly, our top 10 best countries for food lovers include a few Asian countries.
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Check out our best-ever travel tips compiled from more than twenty years of experience.
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