Singapore is one of the great cities of the world, with its blend of Asian and European cultures. Founded as a British trading colony in 1819, since independence it has become one of the world’s most prosperous city states and boasts one of the world’s busiest ports.
Graceful colonial buildings co-exist alongside centuries-old street markets and modern high-rises. Though the government can be strict with residents and visitors who misbehave, travelers who follow the rules can’t help but be fascinated by this multi-cultural city. An overview of the top tourist attractions in Singapore:
18. The Southern Ridges
Escape Singapore’s urban bustle and discover the tranquility of the Southern Ridges, a 10-kilometer network of parks offering diverse landscapes and experiences. Start at Mount Faber Park for panoramic city and harbor views before exploring lush forests, meandering trails, and picturesque bridges via elevated walkways.
Along the way, travelers can marvel at the architectural wonder of Henderson Waves. It’s the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore and is known for its stunning design. Birdwatchers can spot native species, while photographers capture the abundant flora and fauna. Whether you seek a peaceful escape, a recreational adventure, or simply a chance to reconnect with nature, the Southern Ridges will leave you inspired.
17. Kampong Glam
Discover the vibrant neighborhood of Kampong Glam in the heart of Singapore. Here Malay heritage, artistic expression, and culinary delights converge. Engage with its vibrant cultural tapestry by strolling past colorful shophouses and visiting the historic Sultan Mosque, renowned for its golden domes and intricate details.
Later, wander along Haji Lane, adorned with vibrant street art and stylish boutiques, and try the diverse local cuisine. Indulge in mouthwatering Nasi Padang or savor the fragrant spices of Middle Eastern cuisine. Better yet, sample delectable fusion creations that blend the best of both worlds.
After indulging in your shopping spree, stay until nightfall. Under the city lights, experience the transformed ambiance of Kampong Gelam, where live music bars and trendy restaurants come to life.
16. National Gallery Singapore
Standing as Singapore’s newest art gem, the National Gallery houses an unparalleled collection of modern Singaporean and Southeast Asian art. Located within the meticulously restored former Supreme Court and City Hall buildings, this iconic institution offers an extensive showcase of over 8,000 pieces from Singapore’s National Collection.
One of the world’s largest public collections of Southeast Asian modern art, spans from the 19th century to the present day. With that uncovered, visitors can also explore the Keppel Centre for Art Education, the city-state’s inaugural art education hub. With engaging educational programs, guided tours, and interactive exhibits on offer, it is a perfect destination for art lovers of all ages.
15. Merlion Park
Discover Singapore’s beloved national symbol, the Merlion, at Merlion Park. With the body of a fish and the head of a lion, this legendary creature captivates visitors as it spouts water into Marina Bay.
For those wondering why a Merlion? The fish represents Singapore’s origins as a fishing village, while the lion head pays homage to Singapura, translating to “Lion City” in Malay.
Take a leisurely stroll along the park’s promenade, conveniently located near attractions like the Esplanade, Theatres on the Bay and Marina Bay Sands complex. Merlion Park offers an ideal starting point for further exploration, providing picturesque views and a glimpse into Singapore’s rich cultural heritage.
14. National Museum of Singapore
Housed within a magnificent neo-classical structure, the National Museum of Singapore boasts a wealth of artifacts, exhibitions, and interactive showcases. Dating back to 1887, it stands as the nation’s oldest museum and a prominent architectural landmark in the city.
Among its permanent exhibits are the Singapore Gallery and Life in Singapore: The Past 100 Years. These galleries intricately weave together the historical narrative of the nation. For a richer experience, we suggest joining a guided tour, where knowledgeable guides animate the exhibits with fascinating stories and facts. These captivate your attention and enhance your understanding of Singapore’s heritage.
13. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Embark on an adventure through Bukit Timah Hill, Singapore’s tallest natural peak, located just a stone’s throw away from the vibrant city center. This lush rainforest reserve is a sanctuary for nature enthusiasts and hikers alike.
Here you can step into the reserve’s dense tropical canopy, where an array of flora and fauna awaits. The highlight of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is its iconic hill, offering well-marked trails for an energizing hike.
After reaching the summit, you can behold sweeping vistas and a sense of achievement. Alternatively, explore leisurely walking paths catering to various fitness levels, allowing yourself to bask in the calming embrace of the forest’s serenity.
12. Chinatown
For culture enthusiasts delving into Singapore’s vibrant multi-ethnic scene, Chinatown offers an unparalleled experience. Unique among Chinatowns worldwide, it hosts a Buddhist temple, mosque, and Hindu temple on a single street.
Begin your cultural odyssey at the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum, where the mandala-inspired architecture symbolizes a universal connection in Buddhist and Hindu spirituality. Explore hidden treasures like a rooftop garden featuring a magnificent pagoda within the temple compound.
For those unsure when to plan their trip, Chinatown truly comes alive during festive seasons like the Chinese New Year. Expect streets adorned with vibrant decorations and filled with the lively sounds of lion dances and traditional music, creating an unforgettable atmosphere.
11. National Orchid Garden
Whether you’re an avid orchid enthusiast or simply a lover of natural elegance, get lost in the mesmerizing beauty of nature at the National Orchid Garden. Located within the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the Orchid Garden allows you to step into a world adorned with over 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids of orchids.
A standout feature of the garden is the Orchidarium, a glasshouse sanctuary showcasing rare and endangered orchid species. Wander through this enchanting garden, where each turn unveils a new array of vivid colors and delicate blooms. The result of successful conservation efforts.
To finish up, take in the ambience of Swan Lake as you look up to breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
10. Marina Bay
This iconic waterfront area, with its glittering skyscrapers and architectural marvels, is a testament to Singapore’s vision as a global city and a must-visit destination for any traveler.
As the sun dips below the horizon, the area comes alive with a kaleidoscope of lights, casting a radiant glow over the waters. The bay area is a seamless blend of recreational spaces, fine dining, casual eateries and entertainment hubs, each offering a unique slice of the city’s dynamic pulse.
At the heart of Marina Bay stands the architectural wonder that is the Marina Bay Sands resort. Comprising three towering hotel towers linked by the renowned rooftop SkyPark, it offers unparalleled views from its 360-degree observation deck.
9. Singapore Flyer
The Singapore Flyer is a giant Ferris wheel, only with benefits, that only start with the stunning views below. Cars hold up to 28 people as they circle above the city. When it opened in 2008, it was the highest Ferris wheel in the world, reaching 165 meters (541 feet) up into the Singaporean sky.
With advance notice, the Flyer can accommodate disabled guests in wheelchairs. Located on Marina Bay, the Flyer’s terminal has three floors of restaurants, shops and other services.
8. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
The Chinese build temples to a lot of gods and other things, but the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is one of the more unusual. In the late 1980s when a Buddhist temple was first proposed for Singapore’s Chinatown, it was supposed to become a more traditional temple.
Somewhere along the line it became the Tooth Relic Temple, a home for a tooth relic from Buddha. The temple, located in central Chinatown, also features other arts and culture of Singaporean Buddhists.
7. Night Safari
Travelers who enjoy nightlife but are tired of the club scene should head over to Night Safari where nocturnal, not party, animals are on display. Since it opened in 1984, it is one of Singapore’s top attractions, with more than one million people annually enjoying a tram ride through seven of the world’s geographic regions.
Visitors also can take a trail walk to learn more about animal habits while another section features a show on the organization’s work to preserve threatened species through captive breeding programs. Three restaurants features menus and entertainment that reflect life in the jungle or rainforest.
6. Singapore Botanic Gardens
Travelers on a budget will appreciate the Singapore Botanic Gardens as most of the gardens are free; there is only a charge for the National Orchid Garden, the most visited section of the garden. The garden contains more than 60,000 species of plants and animals, and is home to the world’s first children’s garden. Past visitors rave about the tropical greenery of the gardens.
5. Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay is a recent addition to Singapore’s tourist attractions, but is one that gardeners won’t want to miss visiting. Open less than a decade, Gardens by the Bay is built on reclaimed land in central Singapore.
It consists of three gardens: Bay Central, a garden with a waterfront walk that will eventually connect the other two gardens; Bay East, which is opening in phases as sections are completed, and Bay South, the largest garden, which showcases tropical horticulture and includes tree-like structures up to 50 meters (160 feet) high that dominate the Gardens’ landscape.
4. Raffles Hotel
Raffles Hotel, with its graceful colonial style, is the face of Singapore. Since it opened in 1887, it quickly became THE place to stay in Singapore, with writers Rudyard Kipling, Somerset Maugham and Ernest Hemingway, among others, adding to its fame. This epitome of luxury boasts 15 restaurants and bars, including the Long Bar where the cocktail Singapore Sling was invented. The Raffles Hotel is legendary the world over, down to the uniformed Sikh doormen who introduce guests to this bit of Southeast Asian history. The lobby of the main building is open to the public while the hotel museum is hidden away on the 3rd floor.
3. Clarke Quay
Clarke Quay is another part of Singapore’s past that is still a happening place today. One of the key tourist attractions in Singapore, the quay, at the mouth of the Singapore River, was the city’s hub of commerce in the late 19th century.
It still hustles and bustles today, but with a different kind of commerce: trendy restaurants, unique boutiques, pushcart vendors and more, all of which blend Asian and European influences. Once a market, always a market, except at night when Clarke Quay teems with chic nightspots.
2. Resorts World Sentosa
Resorts World Sentosa is a Singaporean destination unto itself. Located on an island off Singapore’s south coast, the property features hotels, restaurants, a casino, theme parks – in short, something for everyone no matter how old they are. With this location, attractions obviously center around the sea: Marine Life Park, Dolphin Island, a water park and an aquarium.
Other attractions include Universal Studios Singapore and nightly entertainment. The casino offers a variety of table games sand 2,400 slot machines; be forewarned, it does enforce a dress code. The resort offers more than 60 dining options for hungry guests.
1. Orchard Road
Orchard Road is the main shopping street of Singapore, regularly frequented by the locals as well as foreign tourists. Named after the fruit orchards that the road led to, Orchard Road is flanked by malls, numerous upmarket restaurants, coffee chains, cafés, nightclubs and hotels.
It is also the site of the official residence of the President of Singapore, the Istana. The Christmas decorations along Orchard are famous and entirely over the top, with reindeers cavorting through palm trees and gingerbread houses topped with fake snow.
I believe Raffles is still closed for renovations.
Why is the famous Landmark of Singapore (Merlion) not mentioned ? Because one’s visit to Singapore is not complete if he has not seen and known of the story of the “Merlion”.
im in singapore and i cant wait to see these places soon 🙂
Whatever happened to Haw Par Villa?