The Best Things To Do In Singapore

The Best Things To Do In Singapore

Main image: Gardens By The Bay | Credit: Kai Lehmann/Flickr

Singapore claims as its national symbol the mythical Merlion…

Which may seem more than a little fishy.

But something else it can claim is a mind-boggling array of unusual, picturesque and unique things to see and do, from taking in panoramic views next to an infinity pool 57 floors high; to free concerts on a floating stage; a grand temple containing one of Buddha’s teeth; a chorus of illuminated trees; and a café themed around an egg with an existential crisis.

Behold, the best things to do in Singapore…

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PS You can explore all of our favourite restaurants, bars, hotels, and things to do in our full Singapore City Guide

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TAKE A STROLL THROUGH THE BOTANIC GARDENS AS THE SUN SETS
Tanglin | Free/$

Their suspended treetop nets are an excellent place to take a book. VIEW MORE INFO
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…THEN SEE A FREE CONCERT ON THE LAKE THERE
Tanglin | Free

Grab a Singapore Sling and street food from the gardens’ highly-rated restaurants. VIEW MORE INFO
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WATCH A LATE NIGHT FILM AT THE SCREENING ROOM
Chinatown | $

Then discuss it over cocktails on their roof bar. VIEW MORE INFO
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CREATE A BANQUET IN A HAWKER CENTRE
Across Singapore | $

Satay By The Bay and Gluttons are both very good places to start. VIEW MORE INFO
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VISIT THE ASIAN CIVILISATIONS MUSEUM
Downtown Core | $$

Showcasing everything from Indonesian shadow puppets to coral-encrusted pottery from a 9th century shipwreck. VIEW MORE INFO
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WATCH THE MARINA LIGHT SHOW
Marina Bay | Free

Featuring lasers, LEDs, and projections onto giant fountains of water. VIEW MORE INFO
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THEN TOUR THE MARINA BY BUMBOAT
Marina Bay | $

Go in the evening, when the skyline’s all lit up. VIEW MORE INFO
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WATCH TREES GET LIT AT THE GARDENS BY THE BAY LIGHT SHOW
Downtown Core | Free

It’s epic. Get a drink at the bar on top of the main tree afterwards. VIEW MORE INFO
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INTERACT WITH DIGITAL ARTWORK AT THE ARTSCIENCE MUSEUM
Downtown Core | $$

It’s from Japanese creatives teamLab, and it’s nuts. VIEW MORE INFO
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ADMIRE THE TRADITIONAL PERANAKAN SHOPHOUSES
Geylang, Chinatown | Free

Joo Chiat and Koon Seng are the roads to look for. VIEW MORE INFO
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GO VINTAGE SHOPPING ON HAJI LANE
Kampong Glam | $+

And drop by Selfie Coffee for… a selfie coffee. VIEW MORE INFO
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THEN VISIT THE GILDED MASJID SULTAN
Kampong Glam | Free

It’s open to visitors Mon-Sat, except during prayers. VIEW MORE INFO
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SOAK UP POLITICALLY-POWERED ART AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY
Downtown Core | $$

Then soak up the skyline at their rooftop bar, Smoke & Mirrors. VIEW MORE INFO
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ORDER SINGAPORE SLINGS AT THEIR BIRTHPLACE, THE RAFFLES HOTEL BAR
Downtown Core | $$

It’s currently closed for renovation, but there is a pop up version open for the semi-authentic experience. VIEW MORE INFO
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LEARN ABOUT SINGAPORE’S HISTORY AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM
Bras Basah | $$

Don’t miss another teamLab installation in the Glass Rotunda. VIEW MORE INFO
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READ COOL BOOKS, DRINK TEA AT LOOKSEE
Kampong Glam | $

It’s like Disneyland for millennials. VIEW MORE INFO
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TAKE THE HERITAGE AFTERNOON TEA AT THE FULLERTON BAY HOTEL
Marina Bay | $$$

A bottomless feast of all Singapore’s classic dishes, only bite-sized (and therefore fancy). VIEW MORE INFO
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TAKE THE CABLE CAR ACROSS TO THE TOP OF SENTOSA ISLAND
Sentosa | $$

And luge your way back down the slopes. VIEW MORE INFO
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THEN SPEND THE AFTERNOON AT TANJONG BEACH CLUB
Sentosa | Free

And watch the sunset on the beach. VIEW MORE INFO
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GO STARGAZING IN A PROPER OBSERVATORY
Jurong East | Free

They’ll let you on all the big telescopes…for free. VIEW MORE INFO
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SPOT ELEPHANTS, FLAMINGOS AND TAPIRS AT THE NIGHT SAFARI
Upper Seletar Reservoir | $$$

Make sure you catch one of the big shows while you’re there. VIEW MORE INFO
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DRINK COCKTAILS WITH A VIEW AT CÉ LA VI
Marina Bay | $$

The infinity pool may only be for hotel guests, but you can soak up the Marina Bay Sands’ views with a cocktail instead. Which is better. VIEW MORE INFO
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PLAY BOARD GAMES WITH BOTTOMLESS SNACKS TILL 6AM AT THE MIND CAFÉ
Dhoby Ghaut | $$

So many games. So much time. VIEW MORE INFO
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GET LOST IN ONE OF SINGAPORE’S GIANT SHOPPING MALLS
Across Singapore | $-$$$$

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands have their own canal, with sampan boats. VIEW MORE INFO
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VISIT CHIJMES, AN UPMARKET FOOD HALL IN A CONVERTED CONVENT SCHOOL
Downtown Core | $$$

Get a different course in each restaurant. VIEW MORE INFO
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EXPLORE THE MACRITCHIE RESERVOIR
MacRitchie Reservoir | Free

The treetop walk is something special. VIEW MORE INFO
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GO ON A COCKTAIL CRAWL UP CLUB STREET
Chinatown | $$

We have some ideas right here… VIEW MORE INFO
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FIND OUT WHAT FESTIVAL IS ON CURRENTLY
Across Singapore | $

Singapore loves a celebration, from the Singapore Cocktail Festival to everybody’s favourite, Iron Ore Week. VIEW MORE INFO
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TRY TO WORK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING AT HAW PAR VILLA
Pasir Panjang | Free

They have a fun late opening for the “Journeys To Hell”. VIEW MORE INFO
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FIND YOUR ZEN AT THE CHINESE AND JAPANESE GARDENS ON THE LAKE
Jurong | Free

They also have a Live Turtle and Tortoise museum. VIEW MORE INFO
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SEE ONE OF BUDDHA’S TEETH IN THE CITY’S FINEST BUDDHIST TEMPLE
Chinatown | Free

Don’t miss the garden and giant prayer wheel pagoda on the roof. VIEW MORE INFO
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BONE UP ON SINGAPORE’S OCCUPIED YEARS AT BATTLEBOX
Bras Basah | $$

A guided tour through Singapore’s war story, in a former bunker. VIEW MORE INFO
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EAT A TRADITIONAL SINGAPOREAN BREAKFAST
Across Singapore | $

Kaya (coconut jam) and butter on toast, served with soy-drenched, soft-boiled egg and a hot kopi (coffee with evaporated milk).
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…THEN DRINK A TRADITIONAL SINGAPOREAN BREAKFAST
Telok Ayer | $$

At quirky cocktail den, Bitters & Love. VIEW MORE INFO
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TAKE IN THE VIEW FROM THE ION SKY TOWER
Orchard Road | Spend $20SGD in the mall for admission

It’s absolutely ok. VIEW MORE INFO
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GO TO A CAFÉ THEMED AROUND A LAZY EGG
Downtown Core | $$

His name is Gudetama, and he’s a Japanese egg character in a perpetual state of existential angst. VIEW MORE INFO
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EXPLORE A PHOTO GALLERY HOUSED IN SHIPPING CONTAINERS
Rochor | $

Then process it all in the Mikkeller craft beer bar. VIEW MORE INFO
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HAVE YOUR FORTUNE TOLD AT EMPLOYEES ONLY
Chinatown | $$

Then drink cocktails in the hidden bar behind. VIEW MORE INFO
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TAKE A STROLL THROUGH LITTLE INDIA
Little India | Free

And wind up at Chye Seng Huat Hardware, a third-wave coffee house in a converted art deco hardware store. VIEW MORE INFO
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SEE FREE CONCERTS, THEATRE AND ART BY THE BAY
Esplanade | Free

There’s something on pretty much daily from about 7-8pm. VIEW MORE INFO

MARVEL AT THE STATUES OF SRI VEERAMAKALIAMMAN TEMPLE
Little India | Free

To say they’re impressive would be an understatement. VIEW MORE INFO
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TAKE A DAY TRIP TO PULAU UBIN
Pulau Ubin | $

A beautiful rural island that’s perfect for biking around. VIEW MORE INFO
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LEARN ALL ABOUT PERANAKAN (STRAITS-BORN CHINESE) HERITAGE
Bras Basah | $

The Peranakan Museum’s wrapped up in a beautiful old building to boot. VIEW MORE INFO
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PS Planning a trip to Singapore? Then you’ll need our full Singapore City Guide