Singapore is beautiful. This Garden City has made a name for itself by being the best global commerce, financial and transportation hub in Asia, and prides itself in being a racially and religiously harmonious nation. Singapore is home to some of the best multi-cultural food in Asia, where you will be able to experience tastes, flavours and spices from all over the world.
This island nation also boasts beautifully greenery amidst city life, with some of the best activities, food and shopping there is. You can enjoy activities such as Universal Studios Singapore, Sentosa Beach, Singapore Zoo, River Safari, Night Safari and so much more. Singapore is also a good mix and old and new with preserved historical sites and modern towering skyscrapers—all on the same island.
If you are ever visiting Singapore, this list of 45 Things to Do in Singapore should be your checklist of activities and places to check out; if you are a Singaporean, be proud to call Singapore your Home.
#1 BAR HOP ISLANDWIDE
Singapore is home to some award-winning bars such as Manhattan Bar at Regent Hotel and 28 Hongkong Street. You would be surprised with some hidden gems you might be able to find at areas such as Keong Saik Road.
And to get you started, here are some Best Bars in Singapore That Even Locals Never Knew About!
#2 BUDGET SHOPPING AT BUGIS STREET/*SCAPE & MORE
We are always looking for a bargain and if you are a like us and enjoy the occasional bargaining fun, head to places such as Bugis Street, *SCAPE, Chinatown, Little India and more. It is in these places that you get to find some interesting steals.
Read our guide on 13 things to see and do in Bugis that will change your impression of the neighbourhood.
Singapore’s cafe culture is really strong and we have more cafes on our little island than we can count. Some of our favourite cafes are Fresh Fruits Lab, The Populus Coffee & Food Co., Lunar Coffee Brewers and Kith Cafe.
Read our guides on cafes in Singapore that you must visit.
#4 CATCH A CONCERT AT THE ESPLANADE
Esplanade is a performance arts theatre centre in the heart of the city. Its interesting and unique architecture shaped like a durian has hence become one of the most iconic structures of Singapore’s skyline.
#5 CYCLE AT PUNGGOL PROMENADE/WATERWAY
Punggol is one of the newest neighbourhoods in Singapore and also home to the very beautiful Punggol Waterway, filled with lush greenery and the freshest air. Take a day off to skate, cycle, jog, or simply just enjoy the area, before heading down to grab a bite at The Punggol Settlement, @Punggol or the huge shopping mall Waterway Point.
#6 CYCLE OR SKATE ALONG EAST COAST PARK
East Coast Park stretches along the long coastline of Singapore and is the place to go for cycling, skating or simply just a picnic or barbecue by the beach with the family.
#7 DAY TRIP TO PULAU UBIN
Many people head to Pulau Ubin for a day of trekking, or for other sports and activities. The island is only a short ferry ride away. A tip is to stay for the sunset; it will be one you won’t regret watching.
#8 ENJOY SILOSO/PALAWAN BEACH
Sentosa is an island on its own and it is home to many beaches such as Siloso Beach, Tanjong Beach and Palawan Beach. Apart from having lots of fun at the various attractions and activity centres, there is a whole plethora of restaurants and bars to dine at.
Not sure where to start? Here’s our Guide to Dining in Sentosa.
#9 TAKE A STROLL ALONG THE MARINA
What beautiful cityscape we have! To take them all in, take a stroll along the marina. There are several pathways to choose from, but we like the walk across Helix Bridge that leads us to Marina Bay Sands.
#10 EXPLORE CLARKE QUAY AT NIGHT
Clarke Quay is the nightlife neighbourhood of Singapore with great bars, clubs and restaurants. After having a dinner by the Singapore river, continue your night with some drinks.
#11 EXPLORE FORT CANNING PARK
Fort Canning Park is a historical site in Singapore that you must visit. Besides that, occasional concerts and events are held here and you can also have a picnic on the lawn.
#12 EXPLORE THE HIPSTER TIONG BAHRU NEIGHBOURHOOD
Tiong Bahru is one of our favourite neighbourhoods in Singapore because it is the perfect juxtapose of old and new. There is an eclectix mix of cafes, lifestyle boutiques and old-school shops.
To sum it up, here are 8 Things We Love About Tiong Bahru.
#13 FLY KITES AT MARINA BARRAGE
Marina Barrage has a huge grass patch on the top floor and it is a go-to spot for couples and families to have a picnic. It is also great for kite-flying or and some simple friskbee games.
#14 GO HIKING IN THE NATURE RESERVES
Working out in space limited Singapore doesn’t always necessarily mean pumping the iron or stomping the treadmill. How does breaking out the sweat while being surrounded by nature and Instagram-worthy views sound like to you?
Here are 10 Uncharted Nature Trails In Singapore To Tick Off Your Bucket List.
#15 GO PRAWNING
You can prawn in a few places in Singapore and one of them is in Punggol in the @Punggol area. Catch a couple of prawns and you can cook and eat them right away. It is a favourite past-time of many Singaporeans.
#16 GO TREKKING AT CONEY ISLAND PARK
Coney Island Park is situated near to The Punggol Settlement and it is home to the lushest greenery around. Many people choose to ride a bike through to explore the entire island.
#17 GO FARM-HOPPING
Contrary to popular belief, Singapore is more than just glitzy skyscrapers. Despite having a 100% urban population, there are still several countryside farms that are open to public for visits.
From organic vegetable farm Bollywood Veggies to Singapore’s only goat farm Hay Dairies, here are 10 Farms in Singapore That You Probably Did Not Know About.
#18 HAJI LANE
An eclectic lane awaits. Haji Lane is famous for its indie vibes and alternative shopping. You can expect little lifestyle boutiques, local designers, tattoo parlours, shisha joints and lots of vibrance.
Read our guide on 24 cafes, bars and restaurants along Haji Lane & North Bridge Road.
#19 GO ON THE SINGAPORE FLYER
This large structure is similar to the London Eye. It is a gigantic observation wheel, overlooking Singapore’s magnificent skyline. Hop on for a short ride and take in all of Singapore’s beauty from the top of the world.
#20 GO TO THE SINGAPORE SCIENCE CENTRE
The Singapore Science Centre is great not only for the younger audience but for adults too. Have a day of fun learning more about science via hands-on activities and enjoy shows and performances as well.
#21 ENJOY A SINGAPORE SLING AT RAFFLES HOTEL
The Singapore Sling is Singapore’s iconic cocktail that can be found in bars all over the world. But when in Singapore, be sure to have it at the place where it was created—Long Bar in Raffles Hotel.
Still baffled about what a Singapore Sling is? This is a little history about the iconic national cocktail.
#22 HAVE A NICE JOG OR WALK AROUND SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS
This UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts a beautiful range of flora and fauna. Even taking a stroll around the park is calming and relaxing to say the least. If you have dogs, this is a perfect place for your furkid to run around and frolic under the sun!
#23 HAVE FUN AT ADVENTURE COVE
Adventure Cove is a water theme park within Sentosa Island. Thrilling slides, pool fun and a whole day of water activities await!
#24 EXPLORE LITTLE INDIA
Little India is vibrant, colourful and cultural. You have to visit the megastore Mustafa, enjoy some seriously good Indian food and get a henna art done on your body while in Little India. Oh, if you fancy gold, you’d go crazy here.
#25 DO THE MACRITCHIE RESERVOIR TRAIL
The MacRitchie Reservoir Trail is one we recommend because it is the among the best hiking trail on our island. It is about 3 to 4 hours long and we promise that you will feel completely rejuvenated after.
#26 ART JAMMING
Art jamming is an alternative activity to destress in Singapore. It is also a romantic date idea, yes? Work on a painting together that you can hang in your homes (or future homes).
#27 HIKE ALONG THE SOUTHERN RIDGES, MOUNT FABER
The Southern Ridges is a trail that links parks along the southern ridge of Singapore. You can take a step back from your hectic life and enjoy the greenery and the walk through all the connecting bridges.
#28 INDULGE IN HAWKER FOOD
Singaporeans take pride in their hawker food and you haven’t really been to Singapore if you haven’t had a proper hawker meal. To get you started, you can head to Chomp Chomp Food Centre.
Here are some kickass hawker food in Singapore that are mostly found in hawker centres; you must try them at least once in your life.
#29 LUXURY SHOPPING ALONG ORCHARD ROAD
Orchard Road is Singapore’s most popular shopping street. It houses some of the best brands you can find in Singapore—from global luxury labels to local designers.
And if you need to grab a bite in between shopping in Orchard Road, this is your Ultimate Guide to Dining in Orchard Road, Singapore. There are 112 restaurant and cafe options!
#30 TAKE THE SINGAPORE RIVER CRUISE
Taking the cruise will also mean that you get to see Singapore from a different view. You get to be treated to historical monuments and see a unique part of our nation as well.
#31 TRY THE EXOTIC DURIAN
Durians have a mixed reputation and you either hate it or love it. Either way, if you have yet to try the King of Fruits, you have to take the plunge right here in Singapore.
Read our guide on 8 Durian Delivery Services in Singapore all durian lovers must know about.
#32 TRY POPULAR LOCAL DISHES – CHILLI CRAB, CHICKEN RICE & MORE
Ask any local what you must try on your first visit to Singapore and they would tell you Chilli Crab, Chicken Rice, Bak Kut Teh and Char Kway Teow. These are some of the most popular local dishes and what locals seek solace in.
#33 SPEND A DAY AT GARDENS BY THE BAY
This magnificent garden is now iconic of Singapore for it is filled with fauna and flora of a myriad of varieties that your jaws will drop. Admission is free of charge but if you are going to the Flower Dome, entrance fee applies.
#34 CHINESE FOLKLORE AND HISTORY AT HAW PAR VILLA
What was once a theme park has become a historical site for Chinese folklore. Haw Par Villa is an acquired attraction, to say the least. The iconic 10 Courts of Hell is the centrepiece of the whole park but be warned that it is not for the faint-hearted.
#35 TAKE YOUR KIDS TO JURONG BIRD PARK
Jurong Bird Park is home to a kaleidoscope of bird from all around the world. It is Asia’s largest bird park with a collection of more than 5,000 birds across 400 species. Enjoy shows and take a peek at some of these majestic birds all around the park.
#36 A TRIP TO NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE
National Gallery Singapore is a showcase of the world’s biggest collection of modern Southeast Asian Art. It mainly displays both local and general Southeast Asian art pieces and is a must-visit for history buffs.
#37 VISIT NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE
The National Museum of Singapore is Singapore’s first ever museum. The exhibitions here rotate frequently and the museum holds various arts events regularly too.
Read our guide on 11 fascinating museums in Singapore you can visit over the weekend.
#38 LUXURIATE IN A SPA SESSION
You probably weren’t expecting this but Singapore is actually really good for a luxurious spa session. You’d be surprised by the sheer number of reputable spa houses on our little island, and many of them are actually world-class.
#39 ENJOY A SESSION OF AFTERNOON TEA
Sipping afternoon tea and eating sweets is such a British thing that we Singaporeans embrace. Options are aplenty in Singapore and no matter what your budget is, there should be something for you.
Here are 12 Best Afternoon Teas In Singapore We Love, as well as 13 Affordable Afternoon Tea Sets in Singapore For The Budget-conscious.
#40 HAVE LOTS OF FUN AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS SINGAPORE
As Singapore’s largest theme park, Universal Studios Singapore is where both young and old will have fun. Of roller coasters, kids’ shows, simulation rides and live water performances, you can easily spend an entire day at Universal Studios Singapore!
#41 VISIT THE ARMENIAN CHURCH AND ST ANDREW’S CATHEDRAL
St. Andrew’s Cathedral is the largest cathedral in the whole of Singapore and it is stunning. You can also walk over to Armenian Church to appreciate the beauty of the oldest standing Christian church in Singapore.
#42 KAYA TOAST AND EGGS FOR BREAKFAST
This is an iconic Singapore-style breakfast. Kaya Toast and Eggs is comforting and affordable and it is one that we absolutely love. Some of the best places for Kaya Toast and Eggs are Chin Mee Chin Confectionery, Tong Ah Eating House and Good Morning Nanyang Cafe.
#43 VISIT THE SULTAN MOSQUE AND EXPLORE KAMPONG GLAM
Take a break by visiting the beautiful Malay neighbourhood of Kampong Glam and marvel at the beauty of the Sultan Mosque. Right after, you can have a mini shopping trip at Haji Lane then dine at one of the many cafes there.
To give you an overview, here’s what Kampong Glam has to offer.
#44 VISIT THE TEMPLES AND HISTORICAL LANDMARKS IN CHINATOWN
There are so many well-preserved landmarks in Chinatown—namely Sri Mariamman Temple, Jamae Mosque and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple—and they show you the perfect display of racial and religious harmony here in Singapore. Chinatown is a paradise for foodies.
Here is a Guide on What To See And Do in Chinatown.
#45 SINGAPORE’S ICONIC LOCAL ICE CREAM
The famous S$1 ice cream. Mobile ice cream vendors are an iconic part of Singapore’s food culture. Choose from a wide array of flavours including chocolate, raspberry and durian.