If you’re looking for things to do in Singapore and want to visit all of the iconic spots, then here is a Singapore bucket list guide.
1. Explore The Marina Bay Area
One of the most important places on tourist bucket lists when visiting Singapore, is the Marina Bay area.
Marina Bay is an upscale area of skyscrapers, posh hotels and luxury malls. It’s known for the iconic Marina Bay Hotel and it’s proudly standing Merlion.
The Bay is the hub of the city, and performances and cutting-edge art exhibitions are put on at the futuristic Esplanade Theatre.
Not only that, the neighbourhood has a diverse range of eating options, from low-key food centres to upscale restaurants.
If you’re looking for a great way to see the Marina Bay area there are even Marina Bay Segway Tours!
Most of the best things to do in Singapore lay in and around the Bay Area, so this iconic spot should definitely be your main focus for your time in the city.
2. Stop By The Famous Merlion
One of the most iconic statues in the world that has to be on the Singapore bucket list.
Depicted as a mythical creature with a lion’s head and the body of a fish, you have to visit one of the Merlion’s on your Singapore itinerary.
It’s the countries famous mascot and national personification of Singapore.
The Singapore Merlion is definitely worthy of a quick selfie, and there are actually three located around the city!
The most popular one, photographed below, is located at ‘Merlion Park’ close to the foot of Esplanade Bridge. It stands proud and looks out over the whole Bay.
To mix up the Merlion Park with a few other attractions you could hop on this Singapore Half-Day City Tour.
3. Walk The Helix Bridge
A modern bridge linking two parts of the Bay.
Built in the shape of a curved DNA structure, this work of art not only makes for a great city viewing point, it also comes alive at night.
It was officially opened on 24 April 2010 and is the world’s first curved bridge.
You’ll likely cross this when heading from the city to Marina Bay Sands to get a closer look.
4. Visit Gardens By The Bay
The home of the incredible Supertrees and one of the most famous gardens in the world.
Gardens By The Bay is definitely one of the most popular tourist attractions. Moreover, if you’re looking for things to do on a budget on your Singapore bucket list, the majority of Gardens By The Bay is free.
Fees do however apply for the cooled conservatories, such as the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest.
You must also purchase tickets if you wish to walk the OCBC Skyway. This is why it’s best to book your Gardens By The Bay + OCBC Skyway Combo Tickets in advance.
Gardens By The Bay is located just behind the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, so it’s within walking distance of everything.
5. Ride The Singapore Flyer
The Singapore Flyer is a giant observation wheel at Downtown Core, Singapore.
It opened in 2008, with construction having taken about 2 1/2 years and is Singapore’s answer to the London Eye.
Standing at 165m tall, if you want a true panoramic view of the city then put this on your Singapore bucket list.
6. Check Out The Art Science Museum
Whilst walking around Marina Bay you’ll probably notice the famous Art Science Museum.
The Art Science Museum has become one of the top tourist things to do in Marina Bay.
It’s hard to miss the lotus shaped building and its very own lotus garden located at the foot of the Museum.
Inside there are different styles of art, depending on the season, and this is also where you can walk through the famous sparkling lights feature.
The Art Science Museum is situated right in the Marina Bay area, so it’s easy to tie in with other attraction.
7. Shop At The Shoppes @ Marina Bay Sands
For a fancy spot of shopping at all the high end shops, The Shoppes At Marina Bay Sands is your place.
Explore Southeast Asia’s largest collection of luxury fashion, watch and jewellery brands, as well as exclusive emerging labels and children’s collections.
From Gucci to Chanel, you’ll be guaranteed to find any designer brand you’re hunting for. A little out of our price range but it was nice to window shop and see how the other half live!
8. Universal Studios Singapore
Universal Studios Singapore is a once in lifetime day trip and we highly recommend exploring your inner child at this incredible adventure park.
For a unforgettable day, Universal Studios will have you smiling from ear to ear with its truly magical atmosphere.
From meeting your favourite movie characters, to snacking on burgers in the land of far far away, make sure to beat the queues and book your Universal Studios Singapore Tickets in advance.
For us, definitely one to add to your Singapore bucket list!
9. Visit Sentosa Island
Sentosa is a sunny island resort off Singapore’s southern coast, connected to the city by road, cable car, pedestrian boardwalk and monorail.
This beautiful island is home to exciting events, themed attractions, award-winning spas, lush rainforests, golden sandy beaches as well as resort-style hotels.
An island destination away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this is an extremely popular spot for tourists looking for some down time.
With so much to choose from such as waterparks, bungy jumps and animal encounters, be sure to book your Sentosa activities ahead of time.
The journey over can be just as fun as the island, with the most popular option being the Singapore Cable Car, which takes you across from Singapore to Sentosa Island.
10. Swing By Chinatown
For cuisine, culture and chopsticks, Chinatown is a bustling place that’s full of energy. You can buy pretty much anything you need in Chinatown, from camera accessories to steamed dumplings.
There are also many daily tours available in Chinatown, such as the standard Guided Walking Tour or even a 3.5 Hour Chinatown Food Adventure.
If you like to take souvenirs home with you, Chinatown is definitely a great opportunity to do some gift shopping.
11. Check Out People’s Park Complex
People’s Park Complex is both a commercial and a residential property located at the heart of Chinatown.
On the rooftop car park of level 6 in the complex you can see a huge yellow building that is fast becoming one of the most popular Instagrammable places in Singapore.
This was one of our favourite spots in the city because it was pretty deserted and we had this huge photogenic yellow building for a backdrop!
12. Take A Walk Of Haji Lane
Haji Lane is one of the most vibrant streets in Singapore, and a hub for all things quirky.
From cafes in Haji Lane, to impressive street art, this single street is the most happening place amongst the concrete jungle.
If you have time, you can also walk not far around the corner to the very famous mosque, Masjid Sultan. Certainly a place worthy of a photo.
Another way to see Haji Lane is by booking onto the Sultans of Spice: A Kampong Glam Guided Walk. A popular tour around the area with an expert guide.
Alternatively, if you would rather take a bike ride than walk, Lion City Highlights Bike Tour also visits Haji Lane.
Overall, Haji Lane was one of our favourite places in the city and a must for the Singapore bucket list. A great, quirky spot to shop for souvenirs or grab a coffee.
13. Stop By Masjid Sultan
The impressive Sultan Mosque, also known as Masjid Sultan in historic Kampong Glam is the focal point for Singapore’s Muslim community.
With its massive golden domes and huge prayer hall, Sultan Mosque is a must-see if you’re around Haji Lane area.
The pathway leading to the entrance of the mosque is also a great spot for tourists.
Full of cafes and carpet shops it’s like taking a trip from Singapore to the Middle East.
14. Explore Little India
Little India is a great place to explore and we recommend catching the MRT slightly North of the CBD to get there.
For spicy foods and aromas, Little India will definitely hit all of your senses. Also, if you’re unsure of exploring alone, there’s a great Singapore’s Little India Guided Walking Tour.
It’s an awesome little break up of culture and is almost like its own little country within a country!
So add a splash of colour to your Singapore bucket list by visiting one of the most culturally influenced areas of the city.
Our favourite cuisine is Indian, so we stopped and had a delicious Indian Thali for lunch here.
It also makes for some awesome photography spots, for those looking to up their Singapore Instagram game.
15. Watch A Show At The Capitol Theatre
Enjoy a historic experience at South East Asia’s largest single screen seating theatre – Capitol Theatre.
Capitol Theatre is a historic cinema and theatre, located in central Singapore.
It was adjoined to the four-storey building known as the Capitol Building and was considered as one of Singapore’s finest theatres in the 1930s.
16. Old Hill Street Police Station
The Old Hill Police Station is one of the most colourful buildings in the city.
Now used as office space, it has become a hit amongst tourists thanks to its rainbow coloured windows.
It’s a beautiful building and well worthy of a place on the most Instagrammable places in Singapore list. However, please be careful when taking photos as it’s directly in front of an extremely busy road!
17. Eat At The Best Hawker Centre In Singapore
After all this exploring you’re definitely going to want some good Singapore street food.
Lau Pa Sat was one of our favourite Hawker centres in Singapore, selling every cuisine you can think of from Costa Rican to delicious Thai and Vietnamese.
This hawker centre is just outside of the Marina Bay area so, if you’re hungry, definitely save Lau Pa Sat on your google maps for some of the cheapest and best eats in the city.
Pick and choose your cuisine and sit in the canteen style dining area. Grab any drink from the separate beverage section and relax!
For those true foodies there are even some Singapore food tours that take you deep into the heart of Asian cuisines.
18. Find The Colourful Houses
Joo Chiat Road is filled with colourful houses, as well as a residential conservation area in the eastern part of Singapore.
This picture perfect quarter, filled with exquisite architecture, multi-ethnic restaurants, bars and shopping is one of the most overlooked areas in the city.
Not much else surrounds the area, however, for photographers it’s definitely one to add to the Singapore bucket list!
19. Catch A Singapore Sunset
If you’re in the city towards evening time, our advice is to grab a spot for sunset.
After cruising around the beautiful bay and ticking off all the top spots, watching the sun go down behind the cityscape is a great way to end the day.
An awesome option for this is the Big Bus Night Tour. On this 3 hour trip you’ll try some local cuisine at Chinatown Food Street, catch a light show at Gardens By The Bay, then sample tropical fruits and barter at Bugis Street.
Or, if you’re more of a fine diner, you could try the Singapore by Night Dining Experience. A 4 hour tour that includes dining by the river, a bumboat cruise and an optional Singapore Sling cocktail.
Either way, by the time you’ve come to the end of your day in Singapore, your feet are certainly going to be aching. So finding a place to sit down and watch the sun go down is a great way to reflect on the day’s experiences.
20. Watch A Famous Singapore Light Show
After all this exploring, hopefully you’ll have enough energy in you to hold out for one of the spectacular Singapore Light Shows!
If you’re around the bay area, remember to catch the daily light shows, which are ‘Marina Bay Light Show’ and the ‘Garden Rhapsody at Gardens By The Bay’.
The lightshows in Singapore are truly incredible, and the perfect way to close out your Singapore bucket list.
You have to schedule at least one of them into your Singapore Itinerary.
21. Stroll The City At Night
If you’re all lightshowed out, the city by night has a completely different feel to it.
When we first saw the skyline fully lit up we were completely in awe.
From travelling the local side of Asia with tuk tuks and houses on stilts, this really was an eye opener for us.
The impressive, bright lights of the city are a pretty amazing way to end your Singapore trip!
Where To Stay In Singapore
Luxury – Marina Bay Sands
Towering over the bay, this iconic hotel offers the world’s largest rooftop infinity pool, 20 dining options and a world-class casino.
It has direct access to Singapore’s premier shopping mall and the ArtScience Museum, which features the permanent exhibition, Future World.
All rooms at Marina Bay Sands come with a flat-screen cable TV. Furnished with contemporary-style dark wood decor and carpeted floors, free WiFi is also available.
Floor-to-ceiling windows open up to panoramic views of the Singapore skyline.
Mid-Budget – Holiday Inn Express Clarke Quay
Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay is centrally located in Singapore. It’s located just 750 yards from the Clarke Quay MRT Station and 0.6 miles from Chinatown.
It offers a 24-hour rooftop fitness centre, 2 whirlpools and a 40 yards swimming pool overlooking Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay.
Each air-conditioned hotel room comes with a 32-inch LED TV, an iPod dock and free Wi-Fi access.
Backpacker – Blue Jazz Hostel
Strategically located in Jalan Besar, Blue Jazz Hostel offers budget accommodation in Singapore.
Just 450 yards from City Square Mall, Blue Jazz Hostel is a 5-minute walk from Farrer Park MRT Station.
Guests can also take a stroll through the interlocking streets to cultural heritage sites such as Little India and Arab Street.
Blue Jazz provides air-conditioned dormitories with a personal reading light, power socket and personal locker. Shared bathrooms include hot/cold shower facilities.
Guests can also enjoy meals at the in-house cafe or have a drink at the bar. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.
For more places to stay in Singapore, you can check the latest prices on Booking.com.
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