Things to do in Singapore: what to do in Singapore?

Do you know the amazing places to visit in Singapore? Did you know that Singapore is at the same time an island, a city and a state? With just 700 square kilometers and less than 6 million inhabitants, it is one of the smallest countries in the world. Singapore is a business hub that attracts people from all corners of the planet and represents the third world financial center.

In Singapore things to do abound. With an annual visitor volume that triples its total population, Singapore is the fifth most visited city in the world and the second in the Southeast Asia region, making tourism another of the country's economic engines.

The city's fascinating ethnic diversity is reflected in its spectacular gastronomic offer, its busy streets, its thousands of street food stalls, its markets full of colors and exotic smells and its intense Asian character. These mix with the futurism of its modern skyscrapers and the high technology. With almost half of its total territory covered in vegetation, it is also a world benchmark for sustainability.

Read our guide to what to do in Singapore so you can pick the best activities to fit in your travel to Singapore itinerary.

Gardens by the Bay

The Gardens by the Bay are a set of parks of a total of 101 hectares and one of the most beautiful things to see in Singapore. Strolling through this gigantic respite of nature is one of the most relaxing experiences you'll get in the city. Its famous giant trees or Supertree Grove form a set of 18 structures of up to 50 meters that not only mimic the shape of a tree but also fulfill some of its biological functions.

This is one of the essential Singapore tourist attractions and, as such, it's one of the busiest places in the city both day and night, when the light takes over the gardens offering a sensory show that you cannot miss.

Singapore Botanical Garden

The Singapore Botanic Garden is over 150 years old and a true oasis in the city's urban jungle, one of the can't-miss things to do in Singapore. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015, the garden is the perfect place to stroll and get lost among waterfalls, vegetation and flowers that do not grow anywhere else on the planet.

In the botanical garden you can also enjoy one of the largest orchid gardens in the world with more than 60,000 species, including the country's national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim.

Marina Bay Sands

Visiting this spectacular hotel is one of the main things to do in Singapore for its undeniable architectural beauty and for how it dominates the urban skyline of Singapore.

The building complex includes several green areas and shopping centers full of restaurants for all budgets. Exhibition halls, art and museums complete the extraordinary cultural, gastronomic and leisure offer that the Marina Bay Sands gives to its visitors.

The famous SkyPark is located on the floating rooftop and, apart from having one of the most photographed infinity pools in the world, it offers heart-stopping views of the entire city, one of the reasons why it's one of the most picked things to do in Singapore.

Orchard road

With more than 2 kilometers of luxury clothing shops, the best restaurants and the largest entertainment offer in the city, Orchard road is the ideal place to see.

Glamour is not the only thing you can see on Orchard road: the decoration and architecture of the buildings that outline the avenue are worthy of being admired even if your intention is not to buy anything.

Marina Bay area

If we have to choose one of the most important things to do in Singapore, the Marina Bay area is perhaps the most important. This area surrounded by skyscrapers and water will make you fall in love. Wherever you look you will find a mixture of urban landscape and vegetation.

In Marina Bay you can see up close the famous statue of the Merlion, a mythological creature with the body of a fish and a lion's head. Symbol of the city of Singapore, the body represents its fishing essence while the head refers to the original name of the city, "Singapura" (city of the lion).

Universal Studios Singapore

If you want to spend an excellent family day surrounded by magic and fun, the Universal Studios in Singapore are the perfect choice. Its 24 attractions, shows and multiple themed spaces make it one of the largest theme parks to see in Singapore.

It's one of the best things to do in Singapore for childern, and adults can enjoy multiple entertainment options related to cinema, Hollywood and fame.

Singapore river cruise

Get ready for the drastic change that Singapore experiences when the sun goes down and all its lights come on to illuminate one of the most modern cities in the world. The best way to assimilate the city is from the water on a night cruise. They usually last between 40 minutes and two hours, depending on the option you choose, and they allow you to enjoy the city skyline from Marina Bay to Clarke Quay, one of the most vibrant areas of the city.

The museums of Singapore

Singapore also has excellent museums and some are a must. The city's National Gallery, for example, houses the largest art collection in Southeast Asia. Its more than 60,000 square meters and has around 8,000 works from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Another important museum is the National Museum. It is the oldest museum of the country and allows you to get to know the history of the country.

Chinatown and Little India

Singapore's Chinatown is a mixture of culture, gastronomy and history that represents the past of the Chinese settlers in the area. Lovers of crafts and textiles will enjoy every street and every corner of Singapore's Chinatown. It is also one of the best neighborhoods to eat quality food at a very affordable price.

At the same time, Little India offers a unique experience to any visitor who decides to enter its bustling and colorful streets. Scents of incense, spices and food dominate the atmosphere in a constant celebration of culture.

Singapore Night Safari

At nightfall, the Singapore Night Safari opens its doors to curious visitors attracted by the idea of observing the inhabitants of the zoo in an experience that very few places in the world offer, making it one of the most particular things to do in Singapore. The zoo was specially designed to avoid disturbing the animals while visitors observe them in spaces that recreate natural habitats, without bars or cages.

35 hectares of flooded forest, 2,500 animals and 130 different species are awaiting you, including indigenous and protected species such as the Asian elephant or the Malay tiger.

By now you probably can’t wait to get cracking and all of these things to do in Singapore. However, to be able to enter the country, you will need to apply for a Singapore Arrival Card before traveling.