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Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Things to do guide

The best things to do in Singapore

Updated 1 October 2026 · 15 things to do

Pictured: Marina Bay Sands

Singapore is small, spotless and spectacularly well organised, which isn't the same as dull. It's a city-state where a glass-and-steel skyline stands a few stops away from Chinese temples, Indian spice shops and Malay mosques, and where the best food in town is served under a hawker centre's whirring fans for the price of a coffee back home.

It's also very easy to get around. The MRT is clean and straightforward, the pavements are shaded and the heat and humidity are the only real challenge, so pace yourself and duck into the air-con. Three or four days gets you the big sights, a few neighbourhoods and a lot of eating.

Don't miss

  1. 1Gardens by the Bay
  2. 2Marina Bay Sands
  3. 3Chinatown
  4. 4Hawker centres
  5. 5Singapore Botanic Gardens

Marina Bay and the big sights

The skyline you have seen on postcards, best seen after dark.

  1. Gardens by the Bay

    Nature

    The Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay
    Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Futuristic gardens beside Marina Bay, dominated by the Supertrees: towering steel tree-shaped structures draped in plants. Walk the aerial skyway between them, step into the Cloud Forest dome with its indoor waterfall, and come back in the evening for the light show.

    Tip: Visit the Supertree Grove at dusk, when the lights come on.

  2. Marina Bay Sands

    Landmark

    The three towers of Marina Bay Sands topped by the sky park
    Photo: Marcin Konsek, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Three towers topped by a surfboard-shaped sky park make this the most recognisable building in Singapore. Even if you aren't staying, you can head up to the observation deck for panoramic views over the bay, the gardens and the shipping lanes beyond.

  3. Merlion Park

    Landmark

    The Merlion statue at Marina Bay
    Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The Merlion, a mythical creature with a lion's head and a fish's body, is Singapore's mascot, and the waterfront statue spouting water into the bay is where everyone has their photo taken. The skyline views from here are the real reward.

  4. Jewel Changi Airport

    Landmark

    The Rain Vortex waterfall inside Jewel Changi Airport
    Photo: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0

    An airport with a destination attached. Jewel sits beside Changi and is home to the HSBC Rain Vortex, a huge indoor waterfall tumbling through a garden of trees and ferns. It's well worth a stop if you have time before a flight.

Neighbourhoods and culture

Singapore’s Chinese, Indian and Malay heritage sit within walking distance of each other.

  1. Chinatown

    Neighbourhood

    The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown
    Photo: Marcin Konsek, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Shophouses, red lanterns and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple make up this busy quarter, and its streets are a good place to browse for souvenirs and sample street food. Visit the Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore, on the edge of the district.

  2. Little India

    Neighbourhood

    The Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple in Little India
    Photo: Marcin Konsek, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A riot of colour, with flower garlands, spice sellers, sari shops and banana-leaf restaurants lining the streets. Don't miss the vividly decorated Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, and try a dosa or a curry here.

  3. Kampong Glam

    Neighbourhood

    The golden dome of the Sultan Mosque in Kampong Glam
    Photo: Marcin Konsek, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The old Malay quarter is centred on the golden-domed Sultan Mosque. Around it, Haji Lane's narrow alleys are packed with boutiques, murals and cafés, and Arab Street has fabric shops and Turkish restaurants.

Green Singapore and days out

  1. Singapore Botanic Gardens

    Nature

    Branches of an old fig reflected in Swan Lake at the Botanic Gardens
    Photo: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A Victorian-era garden of lawns, lakes and rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the city's most peaceful corners. The National Orchid Garden inside it's the highlight.

    Tip: Go in the morning, before it gets too hot, and stay for brunch nearby.

  2. Sentosa

    Activity

    The resort island just off the south coast has beaches, a cable car, Universal Studios Singapore, a water park and a long list of family attractions. It's very much a family day out, with the beach clubs adding a more grown-up note.

  3. Singapore Zoo and Mandai Wildlife Reserve

    Wildlife

    Set in rainforest in the north of the island, the zoo is known for open-style enclosures with few visible barriers. The area also includes the Night Safari, a river-boat attraction and a bird park, so it works as a full-day outing for families.

Eat and drink

Singapore’s hawker culture is on UNESCO’s intangible heritage list, and with good reason.

  1. Hawker centres

    Food

    Lunchtime crowds at Maxwell Food Centre in Chinatown
    Photo: Ypsilon from Finland, CC0

    Open-air food courts where dozens of stalls each cook one dish perfectly. Try Maxwell Food Centre or Lau Pa Sat in the centre, or Chinatown Complex, grab a table, order several dishes and share.

    Tip: Locals reserve tables by leaving a packet of tissues on them: look for the signs.

  2. Hainanese chicken rice

    Food

    A plate of Hainanese chicken rice in Singapore
    Photo: Pauloleong2002, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Poached chicken with fragrant rice cooked in the stock, served with chilli sauce and ginger. It sounds plain, and it's often called Singapore's national dish for a reason, especially at a good hawker stall.

  3. Chilli crab

    Food

    A plate of Singapore chilli crab
    Photo: Dekcuf, CC BY-SA 2.0

    Whole crab in a sweet, spicy tomato-chilli gravy, with fried buns to mop it up. It's gloriously messy, so wear something you don't mind getting stained.

  4. A Singapore Sling at Raffles

    Nightlife

    The gin-based cocktail was created at the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel, and it's a rite of passage to try one there. It's touristy and priced accordingly, but the colonial setting is hard to beat.

Where to stay in Singapore

Not sure which area suits you? Read our guide: Where to stay in Singapore →

Getting around

The MRT is clean, frequent and covers nearly every sight, and taxis and ride-hailing are cheap and plentiful. Much of the centre is walkable, with covered walkways and underground links to dodge the sun and rain.

When to go

Singapore is hot and humid all year, with rain showers possible at any time. There is no bad time to go as long as you carry an umbrella and plan indoor stops for the hottest part of the day.

Questions about visiting Singapore

What is Singapore best known for?
Its skyline of Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay, hawker-centre food, clean and organised streets, and its mix of Chinese, Malay and Indian cultures.
Is Singapore worth visiting?
Yes, especially for food, architecture and green spaces. It is easy to navigate, safe and works well as a stopover or a stand-alone city break.
What is there to do in Singapore with kids?
Sentosa, the Singapore Zoo and Mandai area, Gardens by the Bay and Jewel Changi Airport are all popular with children.
How many days do you need in Singapore?
Three full days covers the main sights, neighbourhoods and plenty of eating. Add a day for Sentosa or the zoo.

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