Recently updated on August 13th, 2023 at 08:12 pm
There are so many things to see in Singapore – the city is packed with every attraction you could wish for! This often overlooked Southeast Asian destination is packed full of incredible sights to see, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and delectable food.
Join us as we uncover the top 9 things to see in Singapore.
Gardens by the Bay
Occupying 101 hectares in the city centre, Gardens by the Bay is one of the foremost things to see in Singapore. Divided into three major sections, Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden, and Bay Central Garden, the gardens are an innovative green space and major tourist attraction.
The oft-photographed Supertree Grove makes Gardens by the Bay one of the most iconic sights in Singapore. Besides the Grove, the 114-foot indoor waterfall, the Flower Dome, and the Cloud Forest are absolute musts on your list of things to see in Singapore.
Enjoy the Rhapsody of Lights Show at Gardens by the Bay and views of Singapore from the Marina Bay Sands Skypark Observation Deck on the Colonial Singapore and Malaysia tour with Trafalgar.
Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade
The Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade is a delightful walkway that gives locals and tourists an up-close view of the bay. The promenade also offers up some of the most spectacular views of the Singapore skyline.
Wonder Full is the largest light and water show in Southeast Asia, featuring an excitable show of laser lights and water projections. The promenade takes you past Gluttons’ Corner – one of the best open-air food courts in Singapore – as well as the glittering Esplanade, Theatres on the Bay, the Asian Civilisations Museum and the iconic symbol of Singapore: the Merlion.
The 28-foot Merlion statue – a half-fish, half-lion stone carving – symbolises Singapore’s beginnings as a fishing village, while the lion head represents Singapura, which means “Lion City” in Malay.
RELATED ARTICLE: 72 hours in Singapore: How to conquer the Lion City in just three days
Orchard Road – the fashion heart of Singapore
Once a farming area known for its endless fruit orchards, Orchard Road is the heart of fashion in Singapore. The boulevard is filled with luxury shopping malls, restaurants, and hotels.
You could easily spend days exploring the malls, department stores, and designer boutiques, sustained by the food from the many excellent food courts.
But if you don’t have days to spend exploring every corner, here is a quick-breakdown of some of the most famous shopping malls:
- ION Orchard focuses on high street fashion on its lower levels, but those looking for high fashion should head upstairs.
- 313@Somerset is a go-to location for younger shoppers looking for high street brands such as Uniqlo and Muji.
- Ngee Ann City is the place for international luxury brands and the delectable Takashimaya Food Village.
- Paragon is where international fashionistas go for brands like Jimmy Choo, Burberry, Hermes and Singapore’s own Raoul label.
If you’re in search of some local art and ornaments, the retro Tanglin Shopping Centre is also an essential stop.
National Gallery Singapore
Opened in 2015, the National Gallery Singapore is located in the beautifully restored former Supreme Court. Containing the largest collection of modern art in Southeast Asia, the gallery reflects Singapore’s unique cultural heritage and geographical location. The collection of over 9,000 items and artefacts makes it one of the key things to do in Singapore.
The DBS Singapore Gallery is a permanent exhibition that explores the ever-evolving relationship between art, artist, and community. The chronologically presented Singaporean artwork reflects Singapore’s different artistic trends – from European-style landscapes of early colonial Singapore to the abstract art of the 21st century.
The other permanent exhibition, ‘Between Declarations and Dreams’, traces the major artistic movements of Southeast Asia and their influences: local traditions, colonialism, artistic trends from the West and major political changes.
Explore the sites of bustling Singapore when you travel with Trafalgar on the Highlights of Singapore and Malaysia tour.
River Safari
When you think of Singapore, you probably think of towering skyscrapers and clean city streets. This city-state may not be the first place you think of when you want an up-close animal experience, but Singapore has so much to offer for animal lovers. The River Safari is a truly unique experience as it recreates the habitats of seven of the world’s rivers. If you’re an animal-lover, taking a tour around the park is one of the best things to do in Singapore
Night Safari
Another incredibly unique animal experience is the Night Safari. Whether you’re an animal lover, or you just want to experience one of the most unique animal encounters in the world, the Night Safari should be at the top of your list of things to see in Singapore.
This is the world’s first safari park for nocturnal animals, making it a must-visit attraction to experience once-in-a-lifetime animal encounters.
There are approximately 130 species represented in the park, and more than a third of them are endangered. Tigers, alligators, fruit bats, and fishing cats are just a few of the animals you might spot.
This wildlife park is only open at night and the best way to see its inhabitants is on one of the electric trams that runs along the perimeter of the park.
RELATED ARTICLE: 3 unmissable things to do in Singapore with Trafalgar
Old Airport Road Food Centre
For anyone visiting Southeast Asia, the exquisite local cuisine is one of the biggest draws. Singapore is no exception. The mind-boggling variety of street food and fine dining is one of the key things to see in Singapore. While you occasionally may be in the mood for fine dining in one of the city’s many excellent restaurants, the local cuisine is best experienced in food courts, known as Hawker Centre’s.
Old Airport Road Food Centre is one of the oldest and largest food courts in Singapore, serving authentic, delicious local food to many generations of Singaporeans.
150 stalls offer iconic dishes including Hokkien mee, satay, prawn noodles, and soya beancurd.
While the long lines may be off-putting, they’re a sure sign that the food is excellent and totally worth the wait.
Chinatown
As a predominantly Chinese city, the best way to experience the distinctive charm of Chinese culture is to take a stroll through Chinatown. A delightful mix of old and new, Singapore’s Chinatown is a treasure trove of Chinese heritage and culture. Temples, historic shophouses, and tea houses stand alongside chic restaurants and hip bars.
The Chinatown Heritage Centre offers a glimpse of early life in Singapore. The wonderful recreations of old houses will have you feeling as though you’ve stepped back in time.
And, if you get hungry, there are plenty of vendors offering up exquisite street food on the aptly named Food Street.
Embark on a stylish stopover and enjoy all the things to see in Singapore; the city that boasts an effortless fusion of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Peranakan cultures when you travel with Trafalgar on the Singapore Explorer tour.
Singapore Botanic Gardens
The Singapore Botanic Gardens comprises one of Singapore’s largest green spaces. It is also a listed UNESCO World Heritage site, making it one of the best things to see in Singapore.
The Gardens is carved into three main ‘cores’ – the Tanglin core is the oldest, and where visitors enter through the historic Tanglin Gate. The Tyersall-Gallop core is integrated into the park’s existing rainforest (which predates the Garden’s existence), and the Bukit Timah core is home to a children’s garden, complete with treehouses, a suspension bridge, and a small farm.
One of the biggest attractions in the Singapore Botanic Gardens is the National Orchid Garden, which is home to more than 1,000 species of orchids and 2,000 hybrids. Tropical orchids have been bred here since 1928, and many of them are named after various heads of state and politicians. Spot the orchid named after Princess Diana!
As well as the famous orchids, the Botanic Gardens is home to over 314 species of plants, with approximately half of them being rare species.
Inspired to find out more about Singapore? Get in touch with our Travel Advisors to request a quote
Have you travelled to Singapore? What are your top things to see in Singapore? Let us know in the comments! Or, visit our website to learn more about how you can explore the best of Singapore with Trafalgar.