From golden beach sands to gorgeous night skylines, there are all sorts of attractions in Singapore for tourists (and even locals) to explore.
Its small landmass yet diverse culture makes it a perfect place for travellers.
Plus, getting around the island is easier than you’d expect. It’s unlikely that you’ll run out of things to do while in Singapore.
Read on to see our quick list of 8 tourist attractions in Singapore that every tourist needs to see while in the Lion City. If you’re a local reading this, you’ll find some weekend activities here too!
1. Jewel Changi Airport
How often do you land at an airport that’s also considered a tourist landmark?
Jewel Changi Airport is the first attraction in Singapore that every tourist sets food in. It’s often voted as the best airport in the world, so that says a lot.
It’s far from being an ordinary transportation hub. It’s also a nature-themed entertainment and retail complex with more than a dozen attractions.
There's the 40-metre-high HSBC Rain Vortex. It’s an indoor waterfall surrounded by more than 2,000 trees.
Meanwhile, the Changi Experience Studio offers interactive games, digital attractions, and immersive shows.
Jewel Changi Airport is divided into 3 terminals, each with its own garden.
The cactus garden is found in Terminal 1, while the sunflower garden is in Terminal 2. The butterfly garden is in Terminal 3, the home to over 40 species of butterfly.
While waiting for your flight home, there are 2 movie theatres and an indoor canopy park with garden mazes to keep you and your kids entertained!
2. Gardens by the Bay
One of the more recent additions to Singapore’s attractions is the Gardens By the Bay.
Opened less than a decade ago, it’s a 101-hectare nature park that serves as the home to more than a million plants from 19,000 species.
Among its popular sights is the Supertree Grove. Here, you’ll find unique and futuristic garden structures. It’s among the several expansive outdoor gardens that you can explore while at Gardens by the Bay.
There’s even the cloud forest and flower dome. This is where you can get up-close with exotic plants and flowers brought in from different corners of the world with different themes ranging from the cherry blossoms to tulips exhibitions which occur throughout the year.
Another attraction here is the Art in the Gardens, an outdoor museum housing 40 sculptures from different corners of the world.
We’d recommend wandering this massive botanical garden as a break in between exploring the noisy business and shopping districts of Singapore.
3. Universal Studios Singapore
Visiting Singapore as a family wouldn’t be complete without going to Universal Studios! It’s at the top of the itinerary of every family who comes here.
Located in Resorts World Sentosa, Universal Studios Singapore has more than 20 major rides with 7 themed zones, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Each area references popular locations and films such as New York, Ancient Egypt, Battlestar Galactica, Revenge of the Mummy, and Shrek, among others. It’s like seeing the movies you grew up with come to life!
Besides the theme rides, there are shopping boutiques, dining options, and live shows operating day and night.
4. Singapore Zoo
Singapore Zoo isn’t your ordinary zoo. It’s an open-concept zoo where visitors get to see animals live in spacious environments that closely mimic their natural habitats.
The amazing thing about Singapore Zoo is how it houses and cares for more than 4,200 animals from 300 species, 34% of which are endangered!
It’s the designated centre for rescued wildlife animals too, giving guests a glimpse of the animal surgery and treatment areas.
Singapore Zoo isn’t like ordinary zoos where guests simply look and admire the animals and then leave. It holds educational programmes including craft workshops and day and night camps. You can even opt in to feed the animals during the feeding sessions.
5. National Gallery Singapore
The National Gallery houses the largest art collection in Southeast Asia. That’s why it should be included in the itinerary of art enthusiasts!
The museum features over 9,000 works of art, most of which were made by local and Asian artists in the 19th century.
Apart from the permanent collection, it hosts temporary exhibits of various art mediums such as modern photography, calligraphy, and lacquer painting.
For those interested, they even conduct tours available in English and Mandarin. Language barriers won’t be a problem here!
6. Orchard Road
Frequented by locals and tourists, Orchard Road is one of the busiest and most popular places in Singapore. It’s the perfect area to start a food trip session as there are dining spots at every turn.
You’ll find every corner is filled with coffee shops, shopping malls, and even nightclubs too. No tourists or locals will run out of things to do here.
During the holidays, crowds gather in Orchard Road to witness the Christmas light ups and decorations. It’s definitely a must-see if you’re in Singapore during the Christmas season.
7. Chinatown
Once an enclave for Singapore’s Chinese immigrants, Chinatown is now a blend of old and new with historical temples sitting next to trendy bars and eateries.
Visiting the Chinese Heritage Centre to see the stunning Sri Mariamman Hindu temple is highly recommended after eating at the hawker stalls along Chinatown Food Street.
Buddha Tooth Relic is another temple worth seeing. Friendly tip: try to drop by at 4 in the morning to hear the morning drum ceremony!
If you’re not a morning person, you can just check out the closing ceremony at night after admiring the relics.
8. St John’s & Lazarus Island
Getting to St John’s & Lazarus Island requires a bit of advanced planning. That said, we suggest putting it at the end of your itinerary.
It’s a great place if you want something different from exploring the urban side of Singapore. So the ideal way to end your trip is to explore the other side of the island and visit its gorgeous beaches with crystal clear waters.
Fair warning: there are no stores here, so make sure to prepare enough water, food, and sunscreen for the day.
Exploring Singapore
From shopping districts to botanic gardens, there’s something for every type of tourist in Singapore. You’ll have the time of your life exploring the island whether you’re travelling alone or with your family.
Singapore may be small, but there’s no shortage of fantastic sights and exciting activities to try at every turn!
If you need help completing your itinerary for Singapore, don’t hesitate to get in touch! We can help you make your trip more memorable with our customised and interactive tours!
