Singapore, the vibrant Lion City, invites travelers to explore its stunning blend of modernity and tradition. Nestled off the southern tip of Malaysia, this destination offers something for everyone.
Relax at Marina Bay Sands, immerse yourself in nature at Gardens by the Bay, or discover history at the ArtScience Museum. Known as “The Melting Pot of Asia,” Singapore charms visitors with its cultural diversity, ethnic harmony, and incredible cuisine.
From daytime attractions like the Singapore Zoo and Botanic Gardens to nighttime delights like Chinatown and the Night Safari, Singapore promises an unforgettable experience in its year-round tropical climate.
Things to do in Singapore:
1. Singapore Zoo:
This is one of the best zoos in the world. This zoo covers an area of 70 acres and serves as the house for more than 3,600 mammals, birds, and reptiles. This zoo also provides you with an opportunity to have night safaris.
The cost per ticket for the entrance to the zoo and night safari is about $70 SGD. There is no restaurant around the zoo, so if you are waiting to enjoy the night safari after visiting the zoo then you may end up eating the overpriced food served in the zoo.
Visit the zoo in the morning and return at night for the Night Safari. Use the afternoon to explore other nearby attractions.
2. Gardens of the bay:
It is located along Marian Bay. Here you will find a series of fake supertrees. These mega structures are 80-160 feet in height and are made up of metal. The major attractions of Gardens of the Bay are Supertrees, OCBC Skyway, Flower Dome, and the Cloud Forest Dome.
At the Cloud Forest Dome, you can find a 35-meter tall waterfall at the entrance, which is the world’s biggest indoor waterfall. To visit the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest Dome you have a buy a ticket that costs about S$28 for adults and S$15 for children.
If you don’t want to waste your time in the long ticket queues then you can buy the e-tickets from their website too. The garden opens from 5 AM to 2 AM daily. The restaurant and OCBC Skyway are open from 9 AM to 9 PM.
3. Singapore Botanic Gardens:
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, spanning an area of 74 hectares. This garden is 150 years old and serves as a house for 10000 types of plants, including rare orchids and ancient trees. You will need 1 or maybe 2 days to see the whole botanic garden.
The botanical garden is divided into three major zones: Tanglin Core, Central Core, and Bukit Timah Core. The major attractions in this botanical garden are Ginger Garden, Eco Lake, Symphony Lake, Palm Valley, Learning Forest, and National Orchid Garden.
If you feel hungry on the trip there are many eateries in this botanical garden to serve you. This botanical garden opens from 5:00 AM to 12:00 AM. To enter the National Orchid Garden you have to buy a ticket cost S$5.
4. Ferris Wheel:
It is also known as the Singapore Flyer. This flyer is the world’s largest flyer, measuring 150 meters in diameter, and 165 meters high, and it travels at a speed of 0.21 meters per second.
From the top, you can have a panoramic look at the Collyer Quay, Raffles Palace, Fullerton, Merlion Park, and much more. The ride lasts about 30 minutes.
This giant wheel has 28 capsules, and in one capsule 28 passengers can ride. At one time this giant wheel can hold 784 people in total.
To enjoy this thrilling ride you have to buy a ticket that costs S$33 for adults, S$24 for senior citizens (60+ years), and S$21 for children (3-12 years). The timings are from 8:30 AM to 10:30 PM.
5. Merlion Park:
This 8.7-meter-long statue is a mythical symbol of Singapore. It is a half-fish, half-lion statue and has a fountain spurting out water from the mouth into Marina Bay.
Visit early in the morning or late at night to enjoy the stunning view across the bay. This statue is open 24 hours for visitors and there are no charges to visit.
6. Raffles Hotel:
This historic and luxurious hotel is about a 1 km drive away from the city centre and 16.4 km from the airport. Named after the father of modern Singapore, Sir Stamford Raffles, this hotel received the honour of being a National Monument in 1987.
The Long Bar in the hotel is the home of the iconic Singapore Sling. At the Raffles, you will find several bars, restaurants, courtyards, and social areas. It is a perfect and luxurious place to meet, spend time, shop, and celebrate. This hotel remains open 24/7.
Food to try in Singapore:
1. Hainanese Chicken Rice:
This is a very famous dish that makes for a quick and fulfilling meal. Steamed chicken pairs with rice cooked in flavorful chicken stock, offering a fragrant, aromatic dish.
It’s served with a dipping sauce drizzled over the chicken.
2. Chilli Crab:
Hard-shell crabs served with a semi-thick gravy of tomato chilli base. Steamed and partially cracked crabs are stir-fried in a rich paste of chilli sauce, ketchup, and eggs, served with bread to soak up the savoury gravy.
3. Katong Laksa:
Rice noodles are served in a spicy coconut soup with shrimp, fish cakes, eggs, and chicken. This dish blends Chinese and Malay cuisines, with the Singaporean variant featuring cut-up noodles, cockles, and tofu puffs.
4. Singapore Slings:
Singapore sling is one of the most iconic creations of this island and a great way to cool down in the tropical heat of the city. It is a gin-based sling cocktail.
The Singapore Sling is a mixture of Benedictine, dry gin, Cointreau, Grenadine, cherry, Angostura bitters, Brandy, Carbonated water, Pineapple juice, Lime juice, and Cocktail garnish.
How to reach Singapore:
1. By Flight:
The nearest airport is Changi Airport. It is about 24 kilometres from the city centre. Singapore airport is voted the best in the world.
This airport has various facilities such as a gym, outdoor swimming pool, banks, ATM, and gardens. To reach the city centre, take a train from Changi Airport MRT Station to Tanah Merah MRT Station, then transfer to the East-West Line towards Taus Link MRT Station.
2. By train:
Singapore is effectively connected to the neighbouring cities by train. The trains depart from and arrive at the Tanjong Pagar MRT station.
To reach Singapore you can take a train from Malaysia, Johor Bahru, and Kuala Lumpur.
3. By Roadways:
It is advised to rent a car or hire an especially licensed taxi to eliminate passing through immigration and customs.
Specially licensed taxis are available from Larkin Bus Terminal in Johor Bahru and Ban San St Taxi Kiosk in Singapore.
4. By Waterways:
Singapore is one of the major ports in Southeast Asia. The number of International Passenger Cruise Lines is also increasing with time. The passenger ferries run from Malaysia to Singapore.
