10 Best Things to Do in Singapore

Looking for what to do in Singapore? This compact city-state packs cutting-edge architecture, lush greenery, historic shophouses and some of the best food in Asia into a small, easy-to-navigate package. Sleek malls and rooftop bars sit just a short walk from temples, markets and leafy parks, all connected by an efficient MRT system.

From watching the skyline light up over Marina Bay and wandering futuristic gardens to exploring neighborhoods like Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam, Singapore offers far more than a quick stopover. Here are the 10 best things to do in Singapore to help you plan your trip.

1. Take in the Views Around Marina Bay

Marina Bay is Singapore’s postcard-perfect waterfront, framed by the Marina Bay Sands hotel, the lotus-shaped ArtScience Museum, the Esplanade domes and a string of offices and malls. Walking the full loop around the bay gives you constantly changing angles on the skyline and water.

Come in the late afternoon to see the area in daylight, then stay as the sun sets and the lights come on. At night, light shows and illuminated buildings reflect in the bay, and you can watch the city glow from the Helix Bridge, Merlion Park or the promenade in front of Marina Bay Sands.

2. Explore Gardens by the Bay and the Supertrees

Just behind Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay combines futuristic design with lush planting. The Supertree Grove’s towering, tree-like structures are covered in vertical gardens and linked by an elevated walkway, making it one of the city’s most distinctive sights.

Visit the cooled conservatories—the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest—for climate-controlled displays of plants from around the world and a misty indoor waterfall. In the evening, the Supertrees host a music-and-light show, with visitors lying on the ground or gathering on the lawns to watch.

3. Wander Through Chinatown

Singapore’s Chinatown blends old shophouses, temples, markets and modern eateries. Stroll along streets lined with colorful façades, hanging lanterns and a mix of traditional medicine shops, bakeries, souvenir stalls and trendy cafés.

Don’t miss the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple with its elaborate interior and rooftop garden, or the Sri Mariamman Temple, the city’s oldest Hindu temple. In the evenings, parts of Chinatown turn into lively food streets, with outdoor tables and stalls serving local dishes.

4. Dive Into Little India’s Colors and Flavors

Little India is one of Singapore’s most vibrant neighborhoods, full of bright façades, flower garland stalls, gold shops and spice-scented eateries. Walking its streets, you’ll pass Hindu temples, mosques and colorful 19th-century shophouses.

Visit Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, browse textiles and jewelry in the markets and step inside the 24-hour Mustafa Centre for an everything-under-one-roof shopping experience. Stop at a local restaurant or dosa stall for South Indian dishes and a strong cup of teh tarik (pulled tea).

5. Explore Kampong Glam and Haji Lane

Kampong Glam, historically associated with the Malay and Muslim communities, is centered on the golden dome and minarets of Sultan Mosque. Around it, streets like Arab Street and Haji Lane are packed with textile shops, Middle Eastern eateries, cafés and boutiques.

Look for street art in side alleys, browse for carpets, perfumes and fabrics, and relax at one of the many outdoor tables with coffee or juice. The mix of heritage architecture and contemporary design makes this one of Singapore’s most photogenic districts.

6. Visit Singapore Botanic Gardens

The Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers lakes, lawns, rainforest patches and themed gardens just off the busy Orchard Road area. Locals come here to jog, picnic and walk dogs, making it feel like the city’s back garden.

Highlights include the National Orchid Garden, with carefully landscaped displays of thousands of orchid varieties, and shaded paths under tall, old trees. Morning and late afternoon are the most pleasant times to visit, especially given the humidity.

7. Head to Sentosa Island for Beaches and Attractions

Linked to the mainland by road, monorail and cable car, Sentosa Island is Singapore’s main resort area. Here you’ll find sandy beaches, family attractions, theme parks, golf courses and seafront bars.

You can simply relax at Siloso, Palawan or Tanjong Beach, or dive into activities like cable car rides, adventure parks and aquariums. While Sentosa is more commercial and resort-like than wild, it’s an easy way to add beach time and entertainment to a city stay.

8. Discover Singapore’s Museums and Galleries

Singapore’s museums cover everything from national history to contemporary art. The National Museum of Singapore traces the island’s story through interactive exhibits, while the Asian Civilisations Museum focuses on regional cultures and trade.

For modern and contemporary art, visit the National Gallery Singapore, housed in restored colonial buildings, or Gillman Barracks, a cluster of galleries in former military structures. Spending a few hours in these spaces adds depth to your understanding of the city’s past and present.

9. Walk Orchard Road and Hip Neighborhoods

Orchard Road is Singapore’s famous shopping boulevard, lined with malls, department stores and cafés. Even if you’re not a dedicated shopper, walking part of the strip gives you a sense of the city’s polished, commercial side.

Elsewhere, neighborhoods like Tiong Bahru and Joo Chiat blend heritage housing with hip cafés, bakeries and design shops. Exploring these areas on foot reveals art deco apartment blocks, Peranakan shophouses and everyday local life away from the main tourist circuit.

10. Eat Your Way Through Hawker Centres

Food is at the heart of Singaporean life, and hawker centres are where that love is most visible. These open-air food courts bring together dozens of stalls under one roof, serving dishes from Chinese, Malay, Indian and Peranakan traditions.

Try Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, satay, char kway teow, nasi lemak and more, all at relatively affordable prices. Follow the queues to popular stalls or look for those with local awards. Places like Maxwell Food Centre, Lau Pa Sat, Chinatown Complex and Tiong Bahru Market are great starting points for eating your way through the city.