Singapore is a fantastic city where Asian culture blends with modernism. Despite its small area, it offers a multitude of attractions and activities for visitors!
Singapore is a city-state bordering the southern part of Malaysia, which has rapidly developed since its independence in the 1960s. Today, it has grown into one of the most modern cities, from where many other Asian destinations are easily accessible.
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Singapore attractions
Marina Bay Sands
This building, one of Singapore’s symbols, houses a hotel, shops, a casino, a museum, restaurants, and even a theater!
The Marina Bay Sands has a unique appearance: its three towers are connected at the top by a boat-shaped structure. On the 57th floor, there is an observation deck, the Sands Skypark, offering fantastic views of the city. It is especially worth visiting at sunset when the city buildings start to light up.
Next to the observation deck is the iconic pool, which is accompanied by a bar. Only guests staying at the hotel can use it.
All information can be found here!
Singapore Flyer
Located in the Marina Sands area, this giant Ferris wheel is another iconic structure of Singapore.
Opened in 2008, its 165-meter height makes it one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the world. The wheel consists of 28 air-conditioned cabins, each capable of holding 28 people. Below it is a three-story shopping center.
The Formula 1 track also runs next to the Ferris wheel, with open access allowing walks in the pit lane and the pits.
Gardens by the Bay
Situated behind Marina Bay Sands, this 101-hectare garden features over 1.5 million plants in the public park.
The tree-like structures covered with plants are characteristic, providing a stunning environment when illuminated at night.
There is also a glasshouse called Cloud Forest, showcasing plants found at higher altitudes. An elevator takes you to a mountain from where a waterfall cascades down. The Flower Dome glasshouse is filled with plants from Mediterranean regions.
The newest attraction is the Flora Fantasy, where „creations” made from plants are displayed. Additionally, there is a 4D presentation included in this garden section.
All information can be found here!
Merlion Statue
This 8.5-meter high statue with a fish body and a lion’s head spouting water from its mouth is one of the city’s landmarks.
It is also the emblem of Singapore. Located along the Marina Bay waterfront, it offers a beautiful panorama of the bay.
ArtScience Museum
Next to Marina Bay Sands, this lotus-shaped museum combines science and art.
The building consists of 21 „petals”, each housing different galleries or exhibition spaces. The design of the building is not only aesthetic but also functional: the petals are shaped to allow natural light into the galleries, and rainwater is collected into a central reservoir for recycling. The building is also innovative in terms of sustainability.
Exhibition themes include digital art, technological innovations, historical artworks, and future scientific developments.
All information can be found here!
Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade
The promenade around Marina Bay features the Marina Bay Sands and the Merlion statue. It’s especially worth walking here in the evening, not just for the view.
In the evenings, you can watch a laser show in front of Marina Bay Sands, enjoying a fantastic performance!
Clarke Quay
Located by the Singapore River, this quay was the city’s commercial center in the late 19th century. Today, it boasts a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops, making it a true tourist hub.
It was named after Sir Andrew Clarke, a former governor of Singapore, who greatly contributed to the city’s development in the 19th century. In the 1980s, the area was renovated and transformed into a tourist destination.
Orchard Road
Singapore’s famous shopping street is in the centre, stretching for 3 km.
In addition to the many shopping malls, there are also cinemas and restaurants. Be sure to walk around!
Southern Ridges
A 9-km-long walkway often running at the height of the tree canopies, offering fantastic views of the city in several spots.
The route connects Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, and Kent Ridge Park, allowing visitors to get a closer look at the local flora and fauna.
The Henderson Waves bridge, Singapore’s highest pedestrian bridge, is a standout attraction on the route, famous for its undulating shape.
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
This beautiful temple is located in Chinatown. It is stunning both inside and out.
The walls feature various Buddha statues, and there are three gold-plated Buddha statues at the altar. There is a garden on the roof offering great views.
A piece of Buddha’s tooth is kept here in a 350-kilogram gold stupa, though tourists are not allowed to see it.
Sultan Mosque
Located in the Kampong Glam district, this is one of Singapore’s most significant and spectacular Islamic religious buildings.
Sultan Hussein Shah, the city’s first sultan, ordered the construction of the mosque in 1824. It was completely rebuilt in its current form in the late 1920s. The new mosque was designed by Denis Santry, an architect of Irish descent.
Its architectural style reflects Arab and Mughal influences, with rich decorations and impressive proportions. The building’s most distinctive features are the two large golden domes, easily recognizable from afar. The domes are unique in that their bases are made up of empty glass bottles.
Chinatown
This area is filled with numerous food stalls and vendors. It’s worth returning in the evening because the night market under the lanterns provides a really charming atmosphere for walking and shopping.
I had lunch in this area myself, and you can find a variety of foods, from chicken to oddly shaped birds.
Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
This is one of the oldest and most significant Hindu temples in the city-state.
The temple is dedicated to Kali, the Hindu goddess of destruction and rebirth. Its architecture is typically South Indian, with a richly decorated facade and colorful statues depicting Hindu deities and mythological scenes.
The entrance is adorned with an impressive gopuram (gateway tower), a characteristic element of Hindu temple architecture. The interior houses the main shrine with a statue of Kali, as well as other shrines dedicated to various deities.
Singapore Botanic Gardens
The world’s only tropical garden to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The garden covers a vast area with nature trails to explore.
One of its most famous sections is the garden showcasing all varieties of ginger.
There’s also the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, designed to educate children about plants, their roles, and their care through interactive exhibits.
The National Orchid Garden features thousands of orchids, some named after world leaders.
All the information can be found here!
Zoo and Night Safari
There are few zoos in the world as beautifully and professionally designed as this one. Animals can be seen up close in pleasant, natural-looking environments, with few cage-like enclosures.
The night safari is an organized program where tourists are taken around in a small train of about 8-10 cars. The route is the same as during the day, but the nighttime lighting makes it exceptionally atmospheric.
All the information can be found here!
Sentosa Island – Singapore’s Entertainment Hub
This island located south of Singapore is a mix of entertainment and relaxation.
Universal Studios Singapore
Part of the Universal Parks & Resorts chain, it is Southeast Asia’s first and only Universal Studios theme park.
It is divided into seven thematic areas, each offering different film themes and experiences. These include Hollywood Boulevard, New York Cityscape, Lost World, and Madagascar.
There are numerous amusement park-like attractions to try. The most popular is Transformers: The Ride, a 3D simulator that brings the world of the popular Transformers movies to life. Additionally, there are roller coasters and water rides.
Adventure Cove Waterpark
This water park is unique because it not only offers exciting slides and pools but also interactive marine experiences for visitors.
One of its most popular spots is Ray Bay, a unique pool where visitors can meet and swim with rays, even petting them.
The Riptide Rocket is Asia’s first hydro-magnetic water coaster, combining the experience of traditional roller coasters with the excitement of water slides. There is also a snorkeling pool, adrenaline-pumping slides, and a large wave pool.
S.E.A. Aquarium
One of the largest and most impressive aquariums in the world, showcasing over 100,000 marine creatures representing more than 1,000 species.
The centerpiece of the aquarium is a massive tank holding millions of liters of water. This tank features open ocean marine life, including sharks, rays, and various fish. Through the enormous panoramic glass wall, visitors can see the animals up close.
Dolphin Island
Located next to the Aquarium, this park is dedicated to dolphins.
Visitors can participate in dolphin shows and swim and take photos with the gentle mammals.
Tickets and information for the above attractions can be purchased and found online here!
Madame Tussauds Museum
The museum features lifelike wax figures of famous personalities, historical figures, movie stars, athletes, and musicians.
You can take photos next to life-sized statues of celebrities such as Michael Jackson, Angelina Jolie, and the Singaporean star Phua Chu Kang.
Tickets and information are available online here!
Mega Adventure
An adventure park offering various entertainment options for visitors.
Its most popular attraction is the MegaZip, a 450-meter-long zipline starting from the top of Imbiah Hill and ending at Siloso Beach, allowing participants to speed down at up to 60 km/h.
Additionally, there are rope courses, climbing walls, free fall simulators, and trampolines.
All the information can be found here!
Beaches
There are three main beach areas on the southern coast: Siloso, Palawan, and Tanjong.
All three are charming beaches with imported sand.
Southernmost Point of Continental Asia
From Palawan Beach, you can cross a suspension bridge to Palawan Island, which claims to be the southernmost point of continental Asia.
There is a small lookout tower offering stunning views of the sea and the island.
Getting to the Island
There are several ways to get here. The simplest way is on foot or by bus. There are also two additional options:
- A monorail (Sentosa Express) runs across the bridge to the southern coast of the island, ending at Beach Station. There are two intermediate stops as well. A separate ticket is required.
- The most scenic option is taking a cable car (Mount Faber Line) to the island.
More information about getting there (including cable car and monorail prices) can be found here!
Within the island, there is also the option of taking a cable car. On the southern coast, a beach tram operates, which is free to use. Information about transportation within the island is available here.