The Best 10 Things to Do in Singapore

Singapore is a small city-state with a big appetite: for food, for architecture and for green space. It's one of the easiest cities in Asia to explore, and an ideal first stop in the region.

1. Gardens by the Bay

The giant Supertrees are Singapore's most famous sight. Walk the elevated OCBC Skyway between them by day, then come back at night for the free light-and-music show. Inside the two cooled glass domes, the Cloud Forest has an indoor waterfall and a mountain covered in plants, while the Flower Dome shows off plants from around the world.

At night, the giant Supertrees light up in waves of colour to music, and everyone lies back on the ground to watch. Inside the Cloud Forest, mist swirls around a waterfall.

2. Eat at a hawker centre

Singapore's hawker culture is recognised by UNESCO, and eating at a hawker centre is the best way to understand the city. Try Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, char kway teow and satay. Good places to start are Lau Pa Sat, Maxwell Food Centre and Chinatown Complex. Some hawker stalls have even received Michelin recognition.

The clatter of woks, steam rising from the stalls, queues for chicken rice and laksa – you mark your seat with a packet of tissues, like the locals.

3. Marina Bay at night

Walk around Marina Bay in the evening for the skyline, the Merlion statue and the free light-and-water show in front of Marina Bay Sands. For a drink with a view, head to one of the city's rooftop bars.

The skyline glitters across the water, the Marina Bay Sands looms above and the light show dances over the bay.

4. Little India

Colourful shophouses, flower-garland stalls, the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple and some of the best Indian food outside India. It's especially lively on weekend evenings.

The smell of jasmine garlands and spices, Bollywood music and the colourful Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple – lively and vibrant.

5. Chinatown

Visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and the Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore's oldest Hindu temple, then explore the shophouse streets and their small museums, cafés and bars.

Red lanterns hang over the streets, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple glows with gold and the food stalls sizzle.

6. Kampong Glam

The historic Malay and Arab quarter centres on the golden-domed Sultan Mosque. Nearby, Haji Lane is lined with murals, independent shops and cafés.

The golden dome of the Sultan Mosque rises above Arab Street, with colourful shophouses, cafés and murals on Haji Lane.

7. Singapore Botanic Gardens

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Botanic Gardens are free to enter and home to the National Orchid Garden, which displays more than a thousand species of orchid.

Shady paths, lakes with swans and the beautiful National Orchid Garden – a peaceful, green escape from the city.

8. Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari

The open, natural enclosures make Singapore Zoo one of the best in the world, and the Night Safari lets you see nocturnal animals after dark. Plan a full day and evening.

At the Night Safari, a tram glides through the darkness past leopards, tigers and elephants – an unusual and exciting experience.

9. Sentosa Island

Sentosa is Singapore's playground, with beaches, Universal Studios, an aquarium and adventure parks. Get there by cable car, monorail or the boardwalk from VivoCity.

Beaches, cable cars, Universal Studios and the S.E.A. Aquarium – an island of fun for families.

10. Jewel Changi Airport

Even if you're not flying, Jewel is worth a visit for the Rain Vortex, the world's tallest indoor waterfall, surrounded by a five-storey indoor forest.

The world's tallest indoor waterfall falls from the glass roof into a forest of trees – even an airport is spectacular in Singapore.

Try kaya toast for breakfast

Start your day like a local: toast with coconut-and-egg jam (kaya) and butter, soft-boiled eggs with soy sauce and a strong local coffee.

Getting around

The MRT metro system is fast, clean and covers almost everywhere you'll want to go. Tap in and out with a contactless bank card.

Exploring more of Asia

From Singapore it's a short flight to Vietnam – read our guide to the best things to do in Hoi An. Breaking a long-haul journey? Compare Singapore with a few days in Dubai.