Things to do in Singapore // What To Do & Where To Go

Top Things To Do in Singapore // 15+ Locations to Discover

Marina Bay Sands

You might be asking yourself what to do in Singapore before you arrive. You’ve come to the right place! Here’s our ultimate guide of things to do in Singapore.

This is a breathtaking city with some incredible sights, sounds, food, culture and language to immerse yourself into.

Just by looking at the size of the country you might be thinking there is not much to do but don’t be fooled!

What it lacks in size it makes up with plenty of things to do in Singapore!

Things To Do in Singapore || Sentosa Island

Things To Do in Singapore || 1-Altitude

Things To Do in Singapore || Orchard Road

Things To Do in Singapore || Raffles & National Gallery

Things To Do in Singapore || Telok Ayer Market

Things To Do in Singapore || Marina Bay & Gardens by the Bay

Things To Do in Singapore || Singapore River & Clarke Quay

Things To Do in Singapore || China Town

Things To Do in Singapore || Little India

Things To Do in Singapore || Singapore Night Zoo

Things To Do in Singapore || Bugis Street Market

Things To Do in Singapore || Changi War Museum

Things To Do in Singapore || FAQs

Things to do in Singapore || Sentosa Island

If you’re looking for things to do in Singapore let’s not mess around and start with the big one, Sentosa!

Sentosa should be number one on your list of what to do in Singapore.

Sentosa is a small island connected by bridge to Singapore. On it, you will discover so many things to do in Singapore. Its biggest attractions are:

Universal Studios

Universal Studios need no introduction, right?

Live out all of the biggest blockbuster hits with rides, shows, restaurants and real-life characters walking about!

The must-do attractions are the Transformers 3D ride, Battlestar Galactica roller coaster, Jurassic Park Rapids and Revenge of the Mummy!

A day out at Universal Studios is never a day wasted!

Universal Studios

S.E.A. Aquarium

For a time the S.E.A. Aquarium (South East Asia Aquarium) was the world’s largest aquarium by total water volume, until it was overtaken by Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in Hengqin, China.

Don’t let that deter you, this is still one of the most impressive aquariums in the entire world and should be an absolute must on your what to do in Singapore list!

This impressive place holds 49 habitats, 800 species of marine life and over of 100,000 marine animals.

Sentosa Beach

Tanjong Beach Club

I’m sorry to say that you won’t be needing any surfboards for any of the beaches in Singapore.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a day out in the sun and ocean.

Sentosa has several beaches to choose from but we would recommend going to Tanjong beach club. From here you’ll be able to chill out on a sunbed, order a drink or two and swim in the ocean.

Adventure Cove Water Park

Want more fun in the sun?

Then your best bet is to head on over to Adventure Cove Water Park!

There is plenty of good time to be had in the slides and whirlpools of Adventure cove.

Trick Eye Museum

This is one of our favourite things to do in Singapore. Explore the peaks of Mount Everest or escape the terrifying fiery breath of a dragon with this magical place.

If your Instagram is lacking some creative images head on over to the Trick Eye Museum!

Din Tai Fung

Bonus Tip || If you’ve ever been to Taiwan there is almost no escaping the famous Din Tai Fung Taiwanese restaurant also known as xiaolongbao.

If you don’t know what we’re talking about Din Tai Fung is an award-winning Michelin star restaurant founded in 1972 that has since franchised across several countries on of which is right here in Sentosa Singapore.

Xiaolongbao is a type of Chinese steamed bun and needs to be your top priority for things to do in Singapore.

Things to do in Singapore || 1-altitude

Want to get your bearings of what to do in Singapore?

There is no better place than 1-Altitude.

1-Altitude is the highest rooftop bar in Singapore, and also the highest al fresco bar in the world.

Enjoy the stunning sunsets of Singapore with a very overpriced drink to help you wrap up the day!

Bonus: this is a great way to get your bearings over Singapore as this stunning 360 rooftop bar allows you to see almost all of the island.

1-Altitude-Rooftop-Bar
1 Altitude Rooftop Bar

What to do in Singapore || Orchard Road

Orchard Road at Night
Orchard Road at Night

Orchard Road is a gigantic road lined with luxury shopping malls.

While that might not be for everyone it’s definitely worth taking a walk down this beautiful street and doing some window shopping.

Located in central Singapore it’s easily accessible by car, bus and metro.

There are some great bars and restaurants to check out along the way and if you go at night you’ll see some of Singapore’s talented musicians come out to perform.

If you see the ice-cream sandwich guy treat yourself to one!

Things to do in Singapore || Raffles & National Gallery

Raffles Hotel is a colonial-style luxury hotel founded in 1887.

Incredibly it’s on a road called beach road that’s nowhere near the beach due to all the reclaiming of land Singapore has done.

Still, go check it out and enjoy a Singapore Sling at the bar and you can appreciate what life would have been like for merchants in the late 19th century.

When you’re done admiring this beautiful building go check out the National Gallery of Singapore just a 10-minute walk down beach road and then onto to St Andrew’s road.

If you want to fully appreciate Singapore’s history and culture this incredible collection of over 8000 artworks is a great place to start!

Raffles Hotel
Raffles Hotel

The gallery has the world’s largest public collection of Southeast Asian art.

Things to do in Singapore || Telok Ayer Market

Telok Ayer Market
Telok Ayer Market

Singapore has over 100 food courts called ‘hawker centres’ across the island.

Inside a hawker centre, you’ll find dozens of tiny kitchens specializing in their cuisines.

As you can imagine they’re all making pretty top-class food!

Hawker centres offer cheap food and an insight into Singapore’s lifestyle and culture.

They’re a popular lunch option for most as well as great social option for after-work food and drinks.

While you should try and find as many Hawker centres as possible while you’re in Singapore the king of them all is Telok Ayer market.

Telok Ayer Market or traditionally known as Lau Pa Sat 老巴刹 means ‘Old Market’. And ‘Old Market’ is no exaggeration originally being built-in 1824 as a fish market!

The market is one of the oldest Victorian design structures in South-East Asia and the only remaining market left that served the residents in the central district of early Singapore.

To do in Singapore || Marina Bay & Gardens by the Bay

Wondering what to do in Singapore today?

Time for the next big-ticket item that is Marina Bay and Gardens by the bay!

The best way to begin this adventure is getting out at Raffles Place train station and walking to Singapore’s Famous Merlion.

From this point, you’ll have an incredible view of Marina Bay and the gigantic Marina Bay Sands Hotel.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel is the impressive 3 building structure supporting a 4th building lying horizontally on top of them all.

Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay

Marina Bay Sands is possibly the dream hotel for any traveler as it’s home to the world’s highest infinity pool!

Unfortunately, you do need to be a guest of this luxury hotel to enjoy that pool. However, they do have an observation deck open to the public.

From the Merlion, you’ll be able to walk counter-clockwise around the bay to the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and walk right through the hotel lobby through a sky bridge right to the next gem of Singapore Gardens by the Bay.

Before you walk to Gardens by the Bay you should know every night there is a free Light and Water Show played in the middle of the bay.

If you want to see it make sure you’re around the Marina Bay at either 8 pm or 9.30 pm on any night of there week and there are bonus shows from 11 pm Friday and Saturday nights.

What you need to know about Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay is home to three stunning waterfront gardens. Amongst these gardens are 3 iconic structures of Singapore.

  1. Supertree Grove is a garden of gigantic metal trees with pants growing down the sides.
  2. Flower Dome is the largest glass greenhouse in the world.
  3. Cloud forest is an indoor structure made to replicate the cool and moist conditions found in tropical mountain regions with the world’s tallest indoor waterfall.
Supertree Grove
Supertree Grove
Flower Dome
Flower Dome
Cloud forest
Cloud forest

What to do in Singapore || Singapore River & Clarke Quay

Clark Quay Singapore
Clark Quay Singapore

Some would say Singapore was built around Singapore river due to the trade and commerce that would occur down the river bank.

Today it’s still recognized for its historical importance and is lined with a beautiful walking path.

You’ll only see tourist passenger boats in its waters.

This is a great place for a morning walk where you’ll find dozens of great cafes to enjoy a morning coffee then at night you’ll want to find yourself at Clark Quay located slightly upstream from the mouth of the River.

At night Clark Quay lights up with dozens of bars, restaurants and nightclubs.

Things to do in Singapore || China Town

Singapore’s Chinatown as you would imagine holds significant cultural importance for Singapore and their ethnic Chinese population.

Chinatown Singapore
Chinatown Singapore

Singapore’s Chinatown is known as Niu Che Shui 牛车水 which translates to ‘ox car water’ due to the fact water was bought in by animal-driven carts in the 19th century.

Today you’ll find many historic buildings, temples and shops selling traditional Chinese medicine and tea around.

It’s easy to spend a day walking the streets of China Town getting lost in all of the sights and sounds of the neighbourhood.

An absolute must for things to do in Singapore.

Things to do in Singapore || Little India

Little India was originally a division of colonial Singapore for ethnic Indian immigrants.

While Singapore is more culturally integrated today there is still a lot of Indian culture to be found in these parts.

No question the best Indian food on the island is to be found in little India.

Additionally, you’ll find some amazing stores selling things such as garments, spices, electronics and jewellery stores.

Wandering the streets, you’ll also find several places of worship of different religions of India.

Little India Singapore
Little India Singapore

Before you go be sure to check out Mustafa centre a gigantic 24-hour retail store located in the heart of Little India.

What to do in Singapore || Singapore Night Zoo

Night Zoo Singapore
Night Zoo Singapore

Singapore is home to one of the most impressive zoos in the world.

After you’ve seen the zoo in case you didn’t see enough go check out their night safari!

The Singapore Night Safari is the world’s first nocturnal zoo and a very popular tourist attraction in Singapore.

Additionally, connected to Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari is the River Safari.

Another first of its kind for Singapore.

The River Safari is a riverboat ride through a tropical rainforest setting with various animal attractions and theme park rides.

Things to do in Singapore || Bugis Street Market

Bugis street is famous for many things but most notably for its markets selling everything from clothes, shoes, accessories, souvenirs, electronics and much more! Plus, you’ll find no shortage of great food to be had around this area with many Asian cuisines to be found in Bugis Street.

Finally, before you go there is an exquisite Buddhist temple made with the typical Chinese style of architecture which dates back to 1884!

The markets, restaurants and Buddhist temple are an absolute must for what to do in Singapore.

What to do in Singapore || Changi War Museum

Our final thoughts for what to do in Singapore is a trip to the Changi War Museum.

To put it mildly, Singapore had a rough Japanese occupation during World War 2. The Singaporean government maintains the Changi Museum as a reminder of the lessons learned for future generations.

It’s an incredibly moving place where Singaporeans and visitors alike can learn about this part of Singaporean history and see the paintings, photographs and personal effects donated by former Prisoners of war.

No photos are allowed to be taken inside the museum so you’ll just have to go check it out for yourself.


WHAT TO DO IN SINGAPORE // FAQs

What are the top 5 things to do in Singapore?

There’s plenty to do and explore in Singapore, here is a suggestion for 5 places to visit whilst you’re there:

Sentosa Island, 1-Altitude, Orchard Road, Raffles & National Gallery, Telok Ayer Market

Is there a China Town in Singapore?

Yes there is.

Singapore’s Chinatown as you would imagine holds significant cultural importance for Singapore and their ethnic Chinese population.

Singapore’s Chinatown is known as Niu Che Shui 牛车水 which translates to ‘ox car water’ due to the fact water was bought in by animal-driven carts in the 19th century.

Today you’ll find many historic buildings, temples and shops selling traditional Chinese medicine and tea around.

Is the Singapore Zoo worth visiting?

Singapore is home to one of the most impressive zoos in the world.

After you’ve seen the zoo in case you didn’t see enough go check out their night safari!

The Singapore Night Safari is the world’s first nocturnal zoo and a very popular tourist attraction in Singapore.

Additionally, connected to Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari is the River Safari.

Another first of its kind for Singapore.

Can I learn Chinese in Singapore with LTL?

Yes you can!

We offer both group and individual classes in Singapore, and you’ll even have the opportunity to live with a homestay family.

For more specialised courses, we also offer Business Chinese, Medical Chinese, Banking Chinese and more.

Contact-us here for more details.

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BONUS | Want to study Chinese with us at LTL Singapore you can discover our group classes and individual classes too.

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