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Things to do in Singapore: A local guide to the best experiences
Discover the best things to do in Singapore with our local guide, from sights like Gardens by the Bay to UNESCO hawker food.
Planning an itinerary for your trip to Singapore? Some of the best things to do in Singapore include visiting Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands, Chinatown, Kampong Glam, and tasting local food at various hawker centers.
The best recommendations come from locals, so our very own Holaflier, Violet, is just the person to ask for in-depth insight into the best places. While navigating the Lion City, having a solid data connection keeps you on the right path. Holafly’s eSIM for Singapore gives you unlimited data and 5G speeds.
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1. Gardens by the Bay
“Gardens by the Bay is amazing during the day, but you have to go back at night for the light show, Supertree Garden Rhapsody. This is also the perfect romantic spot for couples”. — Violet
This park is the crown jewel of the Garden City. Head to the Supertree Grove to see the tall, plant-covered structures. The Cloud Forest has a massive indoor waterfall surrounded by mist, and the Flower Dome has changing seasonal blooms.
- How to get there: Singapore’s public transportation system is pretty well-connected. Take the MRT to the Gardens by the Bay Station (Thomson-East Coast Line) or Bayfront Station (Downtown/East-West Lines).
- Ticket cost: Walking in the outdoor areas is free. Standard admission to the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome is around $32 SGD (~$25 USD).
- Best time to visit: Late afternoon to early evening, so you can catch the Garden Rhapsody light show at 7:45 PM or 8:45 PM.
2. Marina Bay Sands and the Merlion
Violet recommends “skipping the touristy observation spots as the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark has the best viewpoints, especially at sunset”.
No trip to central Singapore is complete without exploring Marina Bay. Walk along the waterfront and see the Merlion statue (Singapore’s mascot) spout water into the Singapore River. Take some time to admire the colonial architecture across the bay, which contrasts with the modern skyscrapers.
- How to get there: Stap at Bayfront MRT Station for Marina Bay Sands or Raffles Place MRT Station for Merlion Park.
- Ticket cost: Walking around is completely free. However, a ticket to the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Observation Desk costs $32-36 SGD (~$28 USD).
- Best time to visit: Walk around the waterfront in the evening to catch sunset views and stick around for Spectra, a free outdoor light and water show.
3. Jewel Changi Airport
This might be an odd suggestion for some, but Violet claims, “It’s entirely normal for locals to spend a few hours hanging out at the airport on weekends.”
In her defense, Jewel Changi is far more than just an airport. It completely redefines what an airport can be. At its center sits the HSBC Rain Vortext, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall at 40 meters, situated within an indoor forest walk.
You’ll also find high-end shopping malls, global dining, and Canopy Park, a play area with mazes and bouncing nets.
- How to get there: If you’re coming from the city, take the East-West MRT Line to Changi Airport Station.
- Ticket cost: One of the best things about this attraction in Singapore is its entirely free! Canopy Park access starts at around $8 SGD ($~5 USD).
- Best time to visit: Immediately after landing or a few hours before your departure flight.
4. Sentosa Island
According to Violet, “Sentosa Island is the perfect place to visit for families and couples. Also, if you want a full-day resort experience away from the city”.
If you’re traveling with kids and are looking for fun things to do in Singapore, Sentosa Island is the best place. It’s home to Universal Studios Singapore and Adventure Cove Waterpark, and offers golden sandy beaches. If you’re into beachside dining and watching the sunset over the coast, don’t skip when visiting Singapore.
- How to get there: Take the MRT to HarbourFront Station. Take the Sentosa Express monorail from the cable car.
- Ticket cost: Island entry is free if you walk across the Sentosa Boardwalk. Universal Studios tickets start at $83 SGD (~$65 USD).
- Best time to visit: Try to avoid school holidays (mid-March, June, and September), and time your visit for the best experience. Visit the theme park early in the morning and hit the beaches in the late afternoon.
5. Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari
Singapore has one of the best zoos in the world, so naturally, it has to be on this list. The world-renowned Singapore Zoo uses open-concept enclosures and hidden barriers to let you get up close with wildlife in a rainforest setting.
Once the sun goes down, you can go on the Night Safari, which is not like any other zoo experience in Southeast Asia. You can ride a guided tram or explore footpaths to see active predators and prey.
- How to get there: Take the North-South MRT Line to Khatib Station, then catch the Mandai Khatib Shuttle directly to the parks.
- Ticket cost: Multi-park combo tickets offer the best value, but individual adult entry to the Singapore Zoo or Night Safari is roughly $49-55 SGD (~$40 USD).
- Best time to visit: Weekday mornings between 8:30 and 9:00 AM to avoid the heat and peak crowds.
6. Chinatown
Violet recommends Chinatown for two reasons: culture and food. There’s Singapore’s fascinating history and the perfect balance of old and new. Walk along Pagoda Street for quaint traditional shophouses. Visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Sri Mariamman Temple (Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple).
If you’re lucky enough to travel around Chinese New Year, Chinatown hosts the biggest celebrations with lively bazaars and lights.
- How to get there: Take the MRT directly to Chinatown Station (Downtown/North East Lines).
- Ticket cost: Free entry to the neighborhood and temples.
- Best time to visit: Late afternoon from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM to avoid peak heat and explore the night markets.
7. Kampong Glam
According to Violet, this is one of Singapore’s historic neighborhoods with Malay heritage and trendy cafes, and is a must-visit.
Kampong Glam surrounds the Sultan Mosque with its famous golden domes. Arab Street has a variety of textiles and perfumes to browse. Head to Haji Lane, a vibrant alleyway, famous for street art, trendy cafes, and fashion boutiques.
- How to get there: Take the MRT to Bugis Station and walk about 5-10 minutes.
- Ticket cost: Free to explore:
- Best time to visit: Weekday mornings are typically less packed. Head to Kampong Glam in the late afternoon for lively street life.
8. Little India
Violet describes Little India as “vibrant and cultural”. Visiting Little India is a sensory adventure. You’ll find garland sellers, traditional gold shops, and stunning architecture, such as the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple. You can learn about the city’s rich heritage and have an authentic local breakfast at the Tekka Center.
- How to get there: Take the MRT to Little India Station or Farrer Park Station.
- Ticket cost: Free to walk around.
- Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon. If you’re visiting Singapore in the summer, the hot weather can be intense. Avoiding the heat makes walking the streets more enjoyable.
9. East Coast Park
Violet recommends East Coast Park for cycling, sea breezes, and great food away from the tourist crowds. This park stretches along southeastern Singapore’s coastline and offers a scenic escape from the city center. The park features flat, paved tracks for cycling and rollerblading right next to the beach.
- How to get there: Take the MRT to Bedok Station, then hop on the 196 or 197 bus toward the coast, or take a taxi.
- Ticket cost: East Coast Park is free and open to the public. Bike rentals are very affordable, costing $8-12 SGD (~$5 USD) for a few hours.
- What to do: Rent a bike to explore the coast. Finish your afternoon at the East Coast Lagoon Food Village to try local dishes like barbecued stingray and chili crab.
10. Hawker centers
Hawker culture is an official UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you want to experience true Singapore food, skip the fancy restaurants and browse the huge variety of hawker food stalls.
You’ll find signature local dishes and spend less than $10 SGD on a world-class meal. Try Maxwell Food Center for Hainanese chicken rice or Newton Food Center for seafood. Violet personally recommends Lau Pa Sat at night when they close the road to set up an open-air satay street over the asphalt.
- How to get there: Hawker centers are scattered all over Singapore. Check Google Maps for the nearest MRT station.
- Ticket cost: Hawker centers are free. Just pay for what you eat!
- Tip: Hawker culture is what Singapore is known for. For a complete breakdown of what to order, check out our Singapore food guide.
Stay connected in Singapore with Holafly
Discovering all the popular attractions in new countries requires reliable mobile internet. Holafly’s international eSIM for Singapore is the easiest way to stay connected while exploring the Lion City. And if you’re headed on a day trip from Singapore to Malaysia or Indonesia, opt for Holafly’s eSIM for Asia to stay connected in all three countries at once.
Holafly offers unlimited data, 5G speeds, and24/7 customer support for all eSIM plans in over 200 destinations. You also get 1 GB of Always On monthly backup data, available as long as you keep the eSIM installed on your device at no extra cost.
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Frequently Asked Questions about things to do in Singapore
Violet recommends Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands, Sentosa Island, Chinatown, and Singapore Zoo.
Three days should be enough to experience Singapore’s main attractions. Here’s a 3-day itinerary Violet recommends:
Day 1: Visit Marina Bay + Gardens by the Bay
Day 2: Visit Sentosa and nearby beaches
Day 3: Focus on Singapore’s culture and visit Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam
This refers to visa and visiting guidelines. Citizens from Western countries like the USA receive an automatic 90-day visa-free entry. Others receive 30 days with the option to apply for an extension up to 60 or 90 days.
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Born and raised in Queens, New York, I'm a Psychology graduate with a passion for writing that I've been nurturing since 2019. Over the years, I've enjoyed creating meaningful content across various niches, including sports, hospitality, and career development. At Holafly, I focus on crafting useful and inspiring pieces to make your adventures more effortless. One of the best perks of this role? Creating travel content always seems to inspire my next vacation destination!
