10 Things To Do In Singapore

Quick answer: The top 10 things to do in Singapore are exploring the Botanical Garden, strolling through Chinatown, lunch at Telok Ayer Market, visiting Marina Bay, riding the Singapore Flyer, an evening walk on Orchard Road, dinner at Clarke Quay, the Night Safari, a day trip to Sentosa and the nightlife. Most are linked by the MRT, so you can easily plan them into a full day or a short trip.

“Singapore has nothing more than tall buildings and shopping malls”, you may hear Singaporeans complain. IGNORE THEM. Singapore is a vibrant country with impressive skylines and multilingual people from different ethnic groups. Almost every citizen speaks more than one language: English or Singlish (English with Singaporean slang), plus Tamil, Mandarin Chinese or Malay. Singapore has also been recognised as the world’s second largest casino market.

1. Start Your Day at Singapore’s Botanical Garden

As the day unfolds, Singapore is still quiet, and Singapore’s Botanical Garden shows off its unique charm. Stroll through the virgin rainforest and you will see the garden filled with joggers and tai chi practitioners.

The garden houses the largest orchid collection, with 1,200 species and 2,000 hybrids. When you are done exploring, stop by the food court near Tanglin Gate for a traditional Singaporean breakfast of soft-boiled eggs, toast slathered with coconut jam, and coffee.

How to Get There

Get off at Botanical Garden MRT Station on the Circle Line for Bukit Timah Gate or the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden. Alternatively, take the North South Line to Orchard Station, which is closer to Tanglin Gate.

2. Take a Stroll Through Chinatown

As the day gets going, it is an ideal time to visit Chinatown. Its vibrant streets fill with street markets and food stalls, and shops sell everything from electronic goods to famous durians and souvenirs, making it a perfect place for shopping.

The three main streets are Temple Street, Mosque Street and Pagoda Street:

• The iconic Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple stands at the end of Temple Street.
• A mosque sits at the end of Mosque Street.
• The prominent Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is at the end of Pagoda Street.

Chinatown is the best place to stay, with a wide range of hostels. Backpackways recommends Chic Capsule Otel.

How to Get There

Chinatown has its own MRT station on the North East and Downtown Lines.

3. Grab Lunch at Telok Ayer Market

Telok Ayer Market, known locally as Lau Pa Sat (Old Market), is an iconic octagonal hawker centre with ornamental columns at the entrance. It sits in Singapore’s Central Business District, surrounded by canyons of tall buildings, and its many food stalls serve Malay, Chinese and South Indian food.

How to Get There

Telok Ayer has its own MRT station, but it is also an easy walk from Chinatown.

4. Visit Panoramic Marina Bay

There is no point coming to Singapore without spending time at one of its most famous areas, Marina Bay. It is surrounded by clusters of skyscrapers housing financial institutions from around the world.

Major attractions such as Merlion Park and the renowned Marina Bay Sands hotel are located here, making it one of Singapore’s most popular spots.

How to Get There

Marina Bay is well connected by two MRT lines, the Circle Line and the North South Line. It is also an easy walk from Telok Ayer Market.

5. Experience the Singapore Flyer

The Singapore Flyer is a giant Ferris wheel with an overall height of 165 metres (541 ft). Each of its 28 capsules can carry 28 passengers. The view from the top is stunning: you can catch a glimpse of the neighbouring Indonesian islands and watch ships sail serenely through the straits towards Johor, Malaysia.

The ride lasts 30 minutes and costs 33 SGD per person.

How to Get There

Promenade Station on the Circle Line gives easy access; the Flyer is just a 5-minute walk from the station.

6. Take an Evening Walk on Orchard Road

Orchard Road is a long boulevard lined with shopping malls and is often called the entertainment hub of Singapore. An evening walk along it is one of the best things to do in the city.

How to Get There

Orchard Station on the North South Line provides hassle-free access to Orchard Road.

7. Dine at Clarke Quay

Clarke Quay is home to restaurants and nightclubs, as well as moored Chinese junks refurbished as floating restaurants and pubs. It is also the place to get your adrenaline pumping with a reverse bungee jump before a great meal.

How to Get There

Clarke Quay MRT station on the North East Line is the gateway to Clarke Quay.

8. Do the Night Safari

As dusk falls, the gates open at the night safari. The night safari is the world’s first nocturnal zoo and houses over 2,500 animals from more than 130 species, from fierce predators to timid forest dwellers.

The safari starts at 7:30 PM and lasts for 4 hours.

How to Get There

The Night Safari is right next to Singapore Zoo. It is best to pre-arrange your trip, as tour providers usually offer hotel transfers.

9. Take a Day Trip to Sentosa

Sentosa is an island resort half a kilometre off the coast of Singapore’s main island, popular with locals and tourists alike. It is home to theme parks, 2 golf courses, hotels, spas and casinos.

How to Get There

The most recommended way is to take the cable car from HarbourFront Station, the terminal point of both the Circle Line and the North East Line.

10. Indulge in the Nightlife

Singapore gets even more charming after dark, and there are plenty of clubs. Zouk is one of the most prominent and is known for keeping Singapore’s nightlife alive for decades. It is made up of three clubs, Zouk, Phuture and Velvet Underground, plus a wine bar.

How to Get There

At the time of writing, Zouk was located at 17 Jiak Kim Street. The nearest MRT station was Tiong Bahru on the East West Line, about 10 minutes away.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Singapore Flyer cost?

The 30-minute ride cost 33 SGD per person at the time of writing.

What time does the Night Safari start?

The Night Safari starts at 7:30 PM and lasts about 4 hours.

Where is the best area to stay in Singapore on a budget?

Chinatown has a wide range of hostels, and Backpackways recommends Chic Capsule Otel.

Conclusion

Far from being just tall buildings and malls, Singapore packs gardens, heritage streets, hawker food, skyline views, wildlife and nightlife into one compact, well-connected city. Use this list of 10 things to do in Singapore to plan your days, and let the MRT do the rest.