Singapore Uncovered: 15 Must-Visit Places for Your Bucket List!

There’s more to Singapore than what makes it a rich man’s playground. There’s a lot of character to this city that only the truly curious tourist can discover and experience. Singapore is a melting pot of multiple cultures, with each culture’s imprint firmly woven into the overall cultural tapestry. So despite its sheen of wealth and luxury high-end malls and hotels, Singapore is laid back and culturally rich with a fascinating, vibrant history. Come with us on a journey of discovery as we explore the best places to visit in Singapore – top attractions & points of interest.

1. Universal Studios

The first of its kind in Southeast Asia, Universal Studios Singapore is an amusement park with more than 20 themed zones that include Ancient Egypt, New York, Lost World, Hollywood, Far Far Away and Madagascar. Each zone has interactive rides, water rides and roller coasters that’ll take your breath away. There are five thrilling ‘Duelling’ roller coasters, the tallest of their kind in the world.

2. Changi Chapel and Museum

For a bit of culture, history, and quiet, visit the Changi Chapel and Museum, which tells the story of the soldiers and people affected by WWII and the ensuing Japanese occupation of Singapore.  There are letters, drawings, photos, personal effects that offer mute testament to the treatment meted out by the Japanese to more than 50,000 imprisoned civilians and soldiers in Changi Prison. The Changi Chapel and Museum stands as a monument for those who would not give up hope. Pay special attention to the series of murals painted by Bombardier Stanley Warren that speak of the horrors better than words can.

3. Singapore Flyer

How about taking high tea while looking out at the rest of the world from a height of 165 meters? A trip on the Singapore Flyer (Asia’s Largest Giant Observation Wheel) is on the cards if you’re wanting some mood elevation and some exquisite pampering. Get pampered while enjoying a view that takes in not just the Singapore skyline, but also Malaysia’s Straits of Johor and the Spice Islands of Indonesia. The Flyer offers various ticket packages; each package allows access to the Journey of Dreams multimedia exhibit that takes you through Singapore’s history and how the Flyer was created.

4. Botanic Gardens

Did you know that Singapore received its very first UNESCO World Heritage nomination for the fantastic botanic gardens? It’s because the Botanic Gardens preserve all the elements of Singapore’s natural heritage before the city was developed. Walk among the heritage trees in the walking trail and do visit the impressive National Orchid Garden. Take the time to enjoy all the other attractions of Botanic Gardens – the eco-lake, bonsai garden, eco-garden, sculptures, and many tiny themed gardens. It is one of the best places to visit in Singapore.

5. Chinatown

Chinatown is lined with colorful mom-and-pop tiny stores and stalls selling authentic Chinese food. It’s a bustling district decorated with bright red lanterns. You can buy Chinese tea, medicines, silks, toys and souvenirs and a great many Chinese items at the colorful stalls. Chinatown is famous for its Sri Mariamman Hindu temple, the oldest temple in Singapore. Be sure to check out the Buddha Tooth Relic temple as well.

6. Gardens by the Bay

The Gardens by the Bay is a futuristic garden complex that’s a wonder to explore. Enjoy the vibrant plant life in the Bay East Garden. Explore the amazing, beautifully-lit Supertree Grove, which is a cluster of futuristic tree-like structures made of steel, designed to provide an environmentally sustainable platform for various plants. After that, head to the Cloud Forest Dome to admire the tallest indoor waterfall in the world. Gardens by the Bay is such a remarkable place, it’s well worth obtaining a Singapore Travel Visa just to visit this amazing garden.

7. Little India

Little India is just that – a slice of India reproduced in Singapore. If you’ve visited India then you’ll know there’s not much difference between the two. When you step into Little India you’ll forget you’re in Singapore massage, as you take in the delicious food aromas, the rich traditions, the colorful local character and the people. Little India dates back to over 200 years. Check out the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple and purchase an Indian souvenir like a saree or some jewelry to take home. 🙂

8. Marina Bay Sands

Marina Bay Sands is an opulent resort complex that comprises of high-end luxury retail outlets, a hotel, a top-of-the-line mall with a canal running through it, an ArtScience Museum, and best of all – the Marina Bay Sands Skypark, from where you can grab a view of the entire city. Be sure to get to ship on top of the hotel where the Skypark’s viewing deck and infinity pool are located. From here, you can see the Singapore Flyer, the double helix bridge, the port, the Gardens by the Bay, and the fabulous Singapore restaurants skyline.

9. The Arab Quarter

Another culturally-rich neighborhood to check out in Singapore is the Arab Quarter. Be sure to visit 1825 built Sultan Mosque, with its lovely and distinctive golden domes and intricate craftsmanship. Explore both Haji and Bali lanes to the full, enjoy some Arabian coffee at a road stall while checking out carpets and pashmina shawls and listening to Arabian music. There are countless restaurants and bars of your choice on this street.

10. Raffles Hotel

One of the world’s last grand 19th-century colonial hotels, the Raffles Hotel is a monument that must be admired. It has hosted celebrities such as Joseph Conrad, Charlie Chaplin, and Rudyard Kipling. Built in 1887, the Raffles Hotel is well known for its service, food and classical architecture. The tropical gardens surrounding the hotel present a typically English setting. Within the Raffles Hotel, you’ll find some fantastic paintings, sculptures and other artworks that are worth seeing in a museum.

11. Singapore Zoo

Singapore Zoo is one of the largest rainforest zoos in the world. Enjoy the orang-utans as they swing high above their platforms and catch bananas on the go. Be sure to admire the chimpanzee family, the zebras, mole rats, white tigers, kangaroos, meerkats, a Komodo dragon and several other creatures from all over the world. Best of all, you can have breakfast with the orang-utans, a special program that allows you to get close to these clownish simians.

12. Fort Canning Park

Fort Canning was built in 1859 as a part of Singapore’s defense. Now the fort is used to showcase performing arts, dances, concerts, theatre performances, and group picnics. The park includes relics from Singapore’s history of war and occupation all the way back to the 14th century. Sir Stamford Raffles’ personal bungalow is also located in the park. There’s also a replica of the spice market that Sir Raffles established in Singapore in 1822, plus several ASEAN sculptures put up during the 1980s.

13. Sentosa Island

Visit the man-made Sentosa Island which is known as Singapore’s amusement central. Enjoy water sports and beach bumming at Siloso Beach, check out the Underwater World aquarium where one can play with dolphins and take the escalator up the Merlion to enjoy panoramic views. Check out Fort Siloso and try your hand at water sports such as The Flying Trapeze and SeaBreeze Watersports @ Wave House.

14. Clarke Quay

Be sure to visit this delightful riverside area that’s full of boutique shops, pumping nightclubs, bars, restaurants and a whole horde of amusement options. It’s become the center for Singapore’s party animals. Clarke Quay makes a pretty sight, located on the very edge of the Singapore River. There is an endless array of eateries along the riverside. It’s a shopping and party haven that has a unique vibe you shouldn’t miss.

15. Orchard Road

Don’t miss the chance to explore Orchard Road and shop there. Orchard Road can be compared to London’s Oxford Street or Hong Kong’s Nathan Road. The road is flanked on both sides by tiny boutiques, spas, beauty salons, hotels, offices, entertainment spots, restaurants, bars, malls, and cafes. The road is connected to the Metro at several points which makes it easy to shop and travel.

Singapore has so much to see and enjoy; we cannot get all of it here in this space. Explore the city with a map & an open mind and you’ll be delighted with the cultural amalgamation and sheer party vibe in many places. Also read the best spa in Singapore.

This blog post has been written by Neha Singh. A postgraduate in Mass Communications, Neha loves everything about life. Traveling is extremely close to her heart and writing comes to her naturally. An avid trekker & explorer, who often takes off some time from her busy schedule for mountaineering, she loves meeting new people & gets attached to their culture very easily. Her ambition is to explore as many places as she can in her life. She strongly believes in Gandhian principle – “simple living high thinking”. Neha writes about Dubai at https://www.dubaiwikia.com/.