Top 10 Must-Visit Attractions in Singapore

Singapore Travel, Best Places to Visit

When you picture a Singapore trip, what’s the first scene that comes to mind? For me, it’s the night view of Marina Bay Sands with a “boat” perched on top of three towers. Inside this tiny city-state you’ll find a futuristic skyline, a UNESCO tropical garden, and a rich blend of Chinese, Indian, and Malay cultures, so even a short itinerary can be packed with highlights. For the summer holidays, it’s a perfect choice if you want somewhere exotic yet relatively close. So today I’ve ranked my personal Top 10 must-visit attractions for your Singapore travel. Let’s start from number 10!

10. Clarke Quay

Lined along the Singapore River, Clarke Quay is a neighborhood that looks even prettier at night than by day. The old warehouse shophouses that once handled cargo have been repainted in bright colors, and today the riverfront is packed with restaurants, bars, and river-cruise jetties. As the sun sets, the lights flicker on one by one and shimmer over the water for a genuinely gorgeous scene. Strolling across the river to Central Mall lets you feel both the daytime and nighttime moods of Singapore at once, so I’d recommend it as a first-evening plan.

9. Singapore Flyer

Standing 165 m (541 ft) tall, the giant Singapore Flyer was the world’s tallest observation wheel when it opened in 2008 (until the Las Vegas High Roller took the crown in 2014). Each capsule is roomy as a small lounge, and over roughly 30 minutes per rotation you can take in Marina Bay, the downtown skyline, and even distant Indonesian islands on a clear day. Riding it around sunset is especially popular, since you catch both the glow of dusk and the city lights at once. If you love a good view, feel free to choose between this and the Marina Bay Sands observation deck to suit your taste.

8. Chinatown

Fitting for a Singapore where a large share of the population is of Chinese descent, Chinatown is the neighborhood where you feel the city’s roots. The pastel shophouses along Temple Street are wonderful for photos, and every alley is full of souvenir shops and spots serving dim sum and bak kut teh. Right next to each other stand Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore, and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, said to enshrine a tooth relic of the Buddha, a striking picture of coexisting faiths. If you want tasty local food on a budget, don’t miss the chicken rice at Maxwell Food Centre.

7. Little India

Cross just one district over from Chinatown and the atmosphere transforms completely in Little India. The scent of spices, garlands of flowers (mala), and buildings painted in every color make you feel as if you’ve stepped into an alley in India. It’s a delight to admire the beautifully tiled Abdul Gaffoor Mosque and the ornate Hindu temples. And the Mustafa Centre, open 24 hours, sells everything from souvenirs and spices to electronics, making it a great late-night shopping stop.

6. Singapore Botanic Gardens

Opened back in 1859, the Singapore Botanic Gardens was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2015 as the first and only tropical botanic garden on the list. It’s almost surprising to find such a vast green garden right in the heart of the city; strolling the grassy hills and lakeside paths melts away the urban heat. The highlight is the National Orchid Garden, home to more than 3,000 kinds of orchids. Most of the gardens are free to enter, so it’s an easy, pleasant spot for a morning walk.

5. Jewel Changi Airport

Can an airport be a tourist attraction? Jewel Changi, opened in 2019, is the answer. The Rain Vortex pouring down through the center of its glass dome stands 40 m (130 ft) high and is recognized by Guinness as the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. Walking the five-story indoor forest, the “Forest Valley,” that surrounds the falls, you’ll wonder whether this can really be an airport. It’s connected directly to Changi Airport, making it a perfect stop on your arrival day or in the spare time before departure, so slot it in at the end of your trip.

4. Merlion Park

With the head of a lion and the body of a fish, the Merlion is the emblem of Singapore. The water-spouting statue stands 8.6 m (28 ft) tall and weighs about 70 tonnes (roughly 77 US tons), and its unveiling ceremony was officiated by founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in 1972. Marina Bay Sands and the skyline across the water spread out right behind it, making this the “photo spot” almost everyone visits at least once. The cool jet of water by day and the illuminated night view make it well worth stopping by twice at different times of day.

3. Sentosa & Universal Studios

For families and anyone who loves activities, Sentosa Island is simply the best. Universal Studios Singapore, which opened in 2010, was the first Universal theme park in Southeast Asia, packed with rides themed around Transformers, Jurassic Park, and more. Beyond that there’s the huge S.E.A. Aquarium, a man-made beach, cable cars, and a luge, so a whole day may not be enough. Even the cable-car ride over to the island is a fun experience in itself, so if you’re traveling with kids, be sure to set aside a full day.

2. Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay, which feels like stepping into a sci-fi movie, opened in June 2012. Eighteen artificial “Supertrees” ranging from 25 to 50 m (82–164 ft) tall dominate the garden, and every evening they light up in time with music for the free “Garden Rhapsody” light show. Inside the glass conservatories you’ll find the Cloud Forest, with its 35 m (115 ft) indoor waterfall, and the Flower Dome, gathering blooms from around the world. The walkway threading between the Supertrees at night is especially romantic, so I’d pair it with Marina Bay Sands for an evening plan.

1. Marina Bay Sands & Marina Bay

When you think of Singapore, it has to be Marina Bay Sands. This landmark, which looks like a ship set atop three towers, opened in 2010, and its rooftop SkyPark (200 m / 656 ft up, on the 57th floor) holds an infinity pool a full 150 m (490 ft) long (sadly, that pool is for hotel guests only). Every night the free “Spectra” fountain-and-laser show plays out on Marina Bay in front of the hotel, and the city lights reflecting on the water are truly the face of Singapore. I can confidently say this night view alone makes a Singapore trip worth it.

So that wraps up our tour of the Top 10 must-visit attractions for your Singapore travel — what did you think? From the dazzling night view of Marina Bay to a UNESCO tropical garden and colorful cultural streets, packing this much variety into one small city may be Singapore’s greatest strength. This ranking is purely my own subjective pick, so take it as a bit of fun and feel free to build a route that suits your own taste. I’ll be back again with more useful travel tips next time!