Best Things to Do in Singapore: Top Attractions and Places to Visit
By ANL | UPDATED:
Singapore combines futuristic architecture, multicultural neighbourhoods, waterfront attractions, and some of the most efficient urban spaces in Asia. From Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands to Chinatown, Orchard Road, and traditional river bumboats, the city offers a blend of modern innovation and cultural heritage within a compact island destination.
This Singapore travel guide explores some of the best things to do in Singapore, including iconic landmarks, local food experiences, historic districts, and panoramic skyline viewpoints. For a broader perspective on meaningful urban exploration, see our cultural travel method guide.
- 🌳 Gardens by the Bay — futuristic Supertrees and waterfront conservatories
- 🚤 Singapore River cruises — historic bumboats and Marina Bay views
- 🥢 Hawker food culture — local dishes at Lau Pa Sat and Chinatown
- 🏮 Chinatown heritage — temples, markets, and multicultural traditions
- 🛍️ Orchard Road — luxury shopping malls and entertainment districts
- 🌆 Marina Bay skyline — iconic architecture and panoramic city views
- 🚇 Easy transport — efficient MRT connections across the city-state
Singapore is one of the few remaining sovereign city-states in the world. It covers a small area and is among the 20 smallest countries in the world, yet Singapore has fantastic neighbourhoods. The city-state consists of 64 offshore islands surrounding the main island, so there are loads of cultural sites in Singapore if you are ready to hop between the islands! Perhaps surprisingly, there are four official languages: Malay, English, Chinese and Tamil in this small geographical area.
The island state is said to be named by a prince. A prince named Sang Nila Utama observed an unknown animal with a lion’s head in 1299, after being caught in a storm across the sea. He took it as a sign of good luck and decided to build a new city on this spot. He named the city “Singapura” – derived from ‘lion’ in Malay: Singa and ‘city’: Pura – hence the Lion City.
Where to Stay in Singapore
Centuries later, in 1819 (after a period where Singapore belonged to a sultanate), Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles negotiated a treaty that allowed the British to locate a trading port on the island, the beginning of a British colony of Singapore. When the Empire of Japan surrendered to the Allies at the end of World War II, Singapore came under British rule. Obtaining status as a British Crown colony, Singapore was from 1946 until 1963 heavily influenced by the United Kingdom. From 1955, it gained partial internal self-governance (despite a short merger with Malaysia in 1963-65), and in 1965, Singapore finally became an independent republic.
Due to the long history involving different cultures, Singapore is today a fascinating place to visit, featuring several unusual attractions. As a tourist to Singapore, you may want to do a few of the things described below as an ‘appetiser’ for the multiracial and multicultural island country.
Skyscraper architecture.
1. Singapore River Bumboat Cruise
One of the top things to do in Singapore is taking a ride in one of the traditional bumboats.
Today’s bumboats, in operation since 1987, offer visitors a traditional river cruise along the Singapore River. The iconic bumboats, some painted with faces and eyes, hold on to long-established traditions and preserve the heritage here. Nevertheless, the newest ones have been converted into much more sustainable boats since they have become silent and have no CO2 emissions any longer.
A bumboat ride is one of the Singapore top attractions.
There are two bumboat companies: the Singapore River Explorer and the Singapore River Cruise. On a 30 – 60-minute river cruise, you may get the chance to see the well-known districts of Clarke Quay, Boat Quay and Marina Bay.
Don’t either miss the statue The Merlion at the Marina Bay waterfront, created by a local sculptor, Lim Nang Seng.
The quays are former places of commerce and genuine Singapore atmosphere. The tongkangs, or the bumboats, docked here to load and unload their cargos. Today, they are still vibrant tourist spots in Singapore, with plentiful restaurants, shops and other attractions. You may also get the opportunity to enjoy a bustling night bazaar here.
Jump on to one of the bumboats to try a traditional boat ride in the heart of Singapore.
To go on a ride, buy, for instance, your tickets at Clarke Quay. Now, feel free to disembark at any of the 13 jetties to experience the historic places and stunning views along the Singapore River!
The tour will allow you to see Singapore’s Central Business District from a new angle – and to see lots of skyscrapers! You will also catch sight of the impressive Marina Bay Sands, with a huge rooftop terrace – and you will pass by significant historical buildings like the Supreme Court and the Arts House ( Old Parliament House). When disembarking at Marina Bay, you may continue to the lovely and lush Gardens by the Bay.
Waterfront view near Gardens by the Bay.
2. Gardens by the Bay
Another of the top attractions in Singapore is Gardens by the Bay, the futuristic waterfront garden complex beside Marina Bay Sands. Opened in 2012, the gardens are best known for the Supertree Grove, where giant vertical gardens rise above the skyline and illuminate the waterfront at night.
The Supertree Grove is one of the top sights in Singapore.
Visitors can walk the elevated OCBC Skyway between the Supertrees and enjoy panoramic views across Marina Bay and the Singapore skyline from the Supertree Observatory.
Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay | Photo: Travel In Culture
The attraction also includes the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome conservatories, which display plant species from different climate zones within energy-efficient glass domes.
Singapore skyline.
For a deeper look at the Supertree Grove, conservatories, and sustainable architecture, read our detailed Gardens by the Bay Singapore guide.
Traditional stalls around Lau Pa Sat Food Market.
3. Lau Pa Sat Food Market
What is more enticing than having lunch here at the Lau Pa Sat or Telok Ayer Market, built in 1824 in colonial Singapore as a fish market? Now, it is world-famous! Lau Pa Sat is today situated in the middle of the financial district and is an iconic landmark in Singapore among locals and tourists.
The octagonal shape was initially designed in 1838 by the Irish architect George Coleman, who is behind several outstanding buildings in Singapore, among others, the Old Parliament House. When rebuilt in 1894, the Scotsman James MacRitchie kept its characteristic shape – and added at the same time a fine clock tower, as well as a cast-iron structure. It was all cast in Glasgow and shipped to Singapore.
The well-known Lau Pa Sat food market is surrounded by skyscrapers – today a tourist destination of Singapore.
Today, Lau Pa Sat is Singapore’s outstanding food court, where business people and tourist groups flock to grab a bite. It is worth giving it a try for a typical Singaporean lunch!
You will likely also hear some Singlish here – like in many other places in Singapore. The Singaporeans add a ‘lah’ or ‘leh’ to their sentences, characterising Singlish.
Lau Pa Sat is popular around office lunchtime | Photo: Travel In Culture
4. Chinatown and Cultural Heritage
Long before Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles arrived in Singapore in 1819, an immigrant population had already settled in the city. A lot of the immigrants were Chinese people, drawn to the city by the free port. Raffles divided the city into ethnic quarters, and the Chinese Campong, or Chinatown, became one of them.
Today, Singapore’s Chinatown is the city’s largest historic district with still existing traditions and festivals, such as the Lunar New Year and the Mid-autumn Festival.
The colourful Chinatown is one of the main attractions in Singapore.
The vibrant neighbourhood has a unique cultural diversity – and is one of the fascinating cultural sites in Singapore from a cultural / historical point of view. Where else can you find a Buddhist temple, a Hindu temple, and a mosque right next to each other?
The district reflects Singapore’s long multicultural history and religious diversity. The Singapore Chinatown is unique in that it is so multiracial and multicultural. The different temples and the mosque coexist in harmony and send, for instance, each other best wishes during Chinese festivals!
Chinatown can be subdivided into four districts: Telok Ayer, Kreta Ayer, Bukit Pasoh and Tanjong Pagar, all developed at different times between the 1820s and 1920s. In tourist brochures, the ‘official Chinatown’ is described as the Cantonese part of the Singapore Chinatown. That implies that there is also an ‘unofficial Chinatown’ – known as the ‘people’s Chinatown’.
Chinatown, one of the Singapore landmarks.
The Cantonese town is around South Bridge Road, Upper Cross Street, New Bridge Road and Bukit Pasoh Road.
Today, Chinatown is considered one of the tourist attractions in Singapore, with its modern souvenirs, ‘Chinese’ pound shops and the Chinatown Food Street.
In the Chinatown Complex, you will find everything from the odd worship items to clothes and other products sold by local hawkers. Market and food stalls are attractive, and the place is crowded around office lunchtime! That is the place to get your authentic Chinatown lunch!
Travellers interested in historic multicultural districts may also enjoy our guide to the Old City of Jerusalem.
Street view around Orchard Road | Photo: Travel In Culture
5. Orchard Road Shopping District
Finally, if you have just a tiny bit of shopping gene, no trip to Singapore feels complete without exploring Orchard Road – which dates back to the 1830s. In the beginning, though, it was not a shopping district. The road was named after the abundant fruit orchards and other plantations along it.
Today, it is THE shopping district in Singapore, and it remains one of Singapore’s most visited shopping areas. Megastores and overwhelming shopping complexes flank the famous street. Luxury brands, fashionable clothing, the trendiest wardrobe, world-class dining, coffee or whisky tasting… Whatever experience you are after, you will find it here! In no time, you will have filled an extra suitcase to take home – if this is what you want!
Singapore shopping and exhibits | Photo: Travel In Culture
Frequently Asked Questions About Singapore
What are the best things to do in Singapore?
Popular attractions include Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands, Chinatown, Orchard Road, and river cruises along the Singapore River.
How many days do you need in Singapore?
Most visitors spend between three and five days exploring Singapore’s attractions, neighbourhoods, and food markets.
Is Singapore expensive for tourists?
Singapore can be expensive compared with other Southeast Asian destinations, although affordable food courts and public transport help reduce costs.
What is the best area to stay in Singapore?
Marina Bay, Orchard Road, and Clarke Quay are among the most popular areas for first-time visitors.
What is Gardens by the Bay?
Gardens by the Bay is a futuristic waterfront garden complex famous for its Supertree Grove, Cloud Forest, and Flower Dome conservatories.
Is Chinatown worth visiting in Singapore?
Yes, Chinatown combines historic streets, temples, markets, and local food experiences within one of Singapore’s most vibrant districts.
What is Orchard Road known for?
Orchard Road is Singapore’s main shopping boulevard, lined with luxury malls, restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues.
Can you explore Singapore without a car?
Yes, Singapore has an efficient MRT system and pedestrian-friendly districts that make independent travel easy.
What food should you try in Singapore?
Visitors often try hawker food such as satay, laksa, Hainanese chicken rice, and chilli crab.
When is the best time to visit Singapore?
Singapore can be visited year-round, although slightly drier weather usually occurs between February and April.
Read next: Gardens by the Bay Singapore Guide, Sydney in One Day and 10-Day Queensland Itinerary.
Images courtesy of Travel In Culture. Selected images from Pixabay.