We planned a brief layover in Singapore primarily to break up our journey home from New Zealand to London. However, Singapore turned out to be one of my all time favourite countries; The Garden City was a revelation. There are flowers on traffic islands, flowers on bridges, flowers on buildings, flowers everywhere. And no rubbish to be seen anywhere! Such a beautiful place. I wish I could have stayed much longer. Here is my pick of the top 10 things to do on a visit to Singapore.
How to get to Singapore
Most people will arrive in Singapore via Changi Airport, which is my favourite airport in the world. So much so, that I have included it as a destination in its own right. The airport is situated around 12 miles north east of the city centre. Buses run regularly between the two.
Getting around Singapore
Most of main attractions are close together and can be reached on foot. It is very hot and humid, however. Take plenty of water and plan to break the journey in an air conditioned building or two.
Where to stay in Singapore
We stayed at the Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy, which is a few miles out of town, midway between the airport (6 miles) and central Singapore (4 miles to Marina Bay). We chose it because it was reasonably priced and next to a bus stop. Since our visit, Marine Parade MRT Station has opened next to the hotel, making transport even more convenient. It’s also within walking distance of East Coast Beach (which is the location of East Coast parkrun). This large hotel has everything you need for a visit to Singapore, there’s even a pool, although we didn’t find time to use it.
Breakfast was rather pricey. We kept costs down by eating in the food court of Katong Plaza, which is just around the corner. There are also plenty of dining options across the road at Marine Parade Central Market.
Singapore: Top 10 Things to do
| 1 | Take in the view from Marina Promenade |
| 2 | Ride the Singapore Flyer |
| 3 | Cross the Helix Bridge |
| 4 | Peruse the art at the ArtScience Museum |
| 5 | Explore the enormous Marina Bay Sands |
| 6 | Marvel at the Gardens by the Bay |
| 7 | See the iconic fountain in Merlion Park |
| 8 | Take a stroll around Marina Bay |
| 9 | Drink a Singapore Sling at Raffles |
| 10 | Enjoy the attractions at Changi Airport |
No 1 – Take in the view from Marina Promenade
Marina Promenade is a great place to start a visit to Singapore, because you get an amazing view of the city across the bay.
If you’re a motor racing fan, this is also the location of the Formula 1 Pit Lane.
No 2 – Ride the Singapore Flyer
Also on Marina Promenade, you will find the Singapore Flyer; a Ferris Wheel, which you can ride for a bird’s eye view of the bay.
The Singapore Flyer operates daily from 10 am until 10 pm. There is a range of ticketing options, but a basic ticket costs 40 SGD (around £23).
No 3 – Cross the Helix Bridge
Cross the bay via the Helix Bridge; a pedestrian bridge designed to look like a piece of DNA. The bridge has viewing platforms jutting out into the bay for that all important photo op.
No 4 – Peruse the art at the ArtScience Museum
The ArtScience Museum is an art museum in a building designed to look like a huge lotus flower, with each of the ten petals representing a different gallery space.
When we visited, the museum had an exhibition on Art from the Streets, which was very interesting, with works from artists I’ve heard of, like Banksy and others which are new to me. Check out the website for current exhibitions.
The museum is open daily from 10 am until 7 pm (9 pm on Friday and Saturday). Entry to the museum is free, with charges to enter some exhibitions.
No 5 – Explore the enormous Marina Bay Sands
No trip to Singapore would be complete without a visit to the enormous Marina Bay Sands complex. The three tower blocks, which are joined at the top by a skyway (containing an observation deck and infinity pool) are a Singapore landmark.
There is plenty to do here, depending on how much time (and money) you have to spend. It has hotels, a shopping mall, restaurants, a casino, nightclubs, a museum, a theatre, an indoor canal complete with gondolas…
Dinner at Marina Bay Sands Food Court
While you’re here, have dinner at Marina Bay Sands Food Court, where the selection of cuisines is, of course, epic. There are over 30 dining options to choose from in the mall itself (or the Shoppes, as it is called). With a dozen more around the complex.
Spectra
Make sure you’re here in the evening to enjoy Spectra. It’s a spectacular musical performance of fountains, lights and lasers. It makes even Las Vegas seem rather ordinary.
Spectra takes place daily at 8 pm and 9 pm (with an extra show at 10 pm on Saturday and Sunday). There is no entry fee. However, it’s very popular, so the earlier you arrive, the better the view you’re likely to get.
No 6 – Marvel at the Gardens by the Bay
At the stunning Gardens by the Bay, there are a number of gardens and it would take days to explore fully. Top billing goes to the Supertree Grove. If you don’t have much time, focus your attention on the two enormous greenhouses; Cloud Forest and Flower Dome. Make sure you come in the evening to enjoy the Garden Rhapsody sound and light show.
Supertree Grove
The Supertree Grove consists of huge metal structures resembling trees, which are planted with ferns, orchids and climbing plants.
OCBC Skyway
You can take a lift to the OCBC Skyway and follow a walkway suspended between the Supertrees, which provides a spectacular view of the gardens and the bay.
The OCBC Skyway is open daily from 9 am until 9 pm. Tickets for foreigners cost 14 SGD (around £8). It’s a popular attraction, so expect to queue for some time, particularly around dusk.
Garden Rhapsody
Coolest of all, twice a night, the Supertrees perform a sound and light show entitled Garden Rhapsody. The theme of the performance varies from opera to musical theatre to disco. When we visited, it was a musical re-enactment of Star Wars and it was fantastic. We lay on the grass listening to the iconic music and watching the incredible light show in the trees.
Garden Rhapsody plays daily at 7.45 pm and 8.45 pm. There is no entrance fee. If you choose the earlier Garden Rhapsody performance, you have time to walk back to Marina Bay Sands for Singapore’s other must-see night time attraction, Spectra.
Cloud Forest
The Cloud Forest is a 35 metre high, 7 storey artificial waterfall. A lift takes you to the top, then you follow a walkway back down around the outside of the waterfall.
There are different gardens on each level merging plants and sculptures into a huge monument of gardening perfection. In amongst the trees and flowers are Lego flowers, bronze animals, wooden sculptures, crystals, mirrors…
Flower Dome
The Flower Dome also merges planting with sculptural pieces in different garden zones.
We visited in spring, where the theme was Tulipmania, with a Dutch village, tea cups, cupcakes and giant heads all planted with a huge array of tulips. Other themes throughout the year include dahlias and roses.
The Cloud Forest and Flower Dome are open daily from 9 am until 9 pm. A joint entry ticket costs 46 SGD (around £26.50).
No 7 – See the iconic fountain in Merlion Park
Merlion Park is home of Singapore’s iconic Merlion Fountain. It can be difficult to get very close to due to the huge mob of tourists.
No 8 – Take a stroll around Marina Bay
Walk the mile along a promenade around the edge Marina Bay, where there are plenty of sculptures and a series of bench installations overlooking the water.
My favourite was this colourful creation entitled Momentum.
There are some particularly impressive sculptures, including a Rodin, in the foyer of OUE Baryfront. I went inside and asked the ‘concierge’ if it was OK to take some photos. Only he was a sculpture too. It became obvious when the cleaner started polishing his head as I approached. I managed to beat a hasty retreat without embarrassing myself further…
No 9 – Drink a Singapore Sling at Raffles
Synonymous with a visit to Singapore is a trip to the iconic Raffles Hotel for a Singapore Sling cocktail. We gave this a miss, because I have a nut allergy and have heard that it is customary to toss nut shells on the floor. But if this antiquated upper class custom doesn’t bring on anaphylaxis and you are happy to fork out SGD 44 (around £25.40) for a drink…
No 10 – Enjoy the attractions at Changi Airport
I love Changi Airport. In fact I think it’s good enough to warrant being described as an attraction in its own right. We checked in for our flight with enough time to explore the airport with its art and flowers and more flowers.
There is even a Sunflower Garden on the roof.
It also has a Butterfly Garden. I wonder what made someone think; ‘I know what this airport needs – butterflies’? It’s not surprising that Changi has been voted the World’s Best Airport twelve times.
- Trip taken: May 2018
- Updated: October 2025
I hope you found the above information useful. For more top picks from other destinations in the 50+ countries we have visited, check out my full Top 10 Things To Do list here.
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