Singapore – Top 11 places to visit

Singapore Skyline

Singapore – one of the cleanest, most well planned futuristic countries with beauty in its own manner, everywhere you look. The Singapore skyline is gorgeous during the day and even better at night. There are tonnes of touristy things that you can do in Singapore, and you should, because they are completely worth it. But don’t forget to take the occasional detours and explore the stunning city. Here is my list of top favourites from Singapore that you absolutely MUST visit!

1. Merlion

Have you even been to Singapore if you have missed out on this beauty? The symbol of the country, legend has it that this mythical creature of a lion’s head and fish’s body appeared before a Malay prince who named this city, ‘Singapura’. The original Merlion is located on Sentosa island, but this one at Merlion park is the most famous. The best time to visit is during sunset.
Entry – Free

Merlion
An evening view – Merlion
Singapore Skyline (4)
View of the Merlion Park

2. Botanic Gardens

Botanic Garden will probably not be on your regular tourism guide, but these gigantic gardens are worth it. Housing thousands of varieties of plants, there are mini waterfalls, the walk of giants, Amazon rainforests only to name a few for you to walk through. And of course the famous and absolutely stunning Orchid Garden. You can carry your own snacks or chomp on the deliciousness served outside Orchid Garden at the stalls.
Entry fee – Free for Botanic Gardens, 5 SGD for the Orchid Garden.

3. Sentosa Island

A bus ride away is the gorgeous Sentosa, the perfect way to view the Singapore skyline, chill on the beach, catch the breathtaking light and sound show and of course take ten million pictures everywhere possible. Top things should include, visiting the SEA Aquarium, walking through the island, cooling off at one of the beaches, choose Palawan for the chatter and Siliso for the quiet. And catch the most stunning light and sound show at Sundown, Wings of time.
Entry to the island is Free

4. Gardens by the Bay

The world’s tallest high indoor waterfall, a flower dome, and the HUGE Supertree grove trees. With tons of varieties of flowers in a greenhouse, and the temperature drop as you enter the Cloud Forest. Take the list up to the Lost Land and walk back down for the most enthralling experience. The light and Sound show sort of reminded me of Disney’s Frozen’s jam but absolutely amazing.
Entry fee – Approximately 40SGD for both conservatories and OCBC Skywalk. The light and sound show is free.
The best way to get to the Gardens from Marina Bay is to take the lift up and walking up to the Supertree Grove park.

5. Marina Bay Sands

The iconic hotel with a boat atop – Marina Bay Sands hotel boasts of its infinity pool at the top level and a stunning view from the 56th Floor. But what is even better is watching the hotel come alive at night. Hang around in the Marina Bay Shoppes for some luxury shopping and a great food court.
Entry to the mall is free. Check fee for the hotel here.

Marina Bay Sands

6. Chinatown

Chinatown, my first encounter with the only one in India, located in Kolkata was a big let down (except the shopping) but this one was so much more exciting. Chinese lanterns, red doors, and the cutest shops, the Chinatown is also house to the cheapest Michelin Star restaurant. Shop for the cutest souvenirs and don’t forget to check out the TINTIN dedicated shop.

7. Singapore Zoo

One of the best-kept Zoo in the world and the most famed for its maintenance and close interactions with all the animals. It is a different experience watching the white tiger up close and the Asian lion lazying around. The zoo was slightly underwhelming for me and I would instead recommend a half-day tour culminating with the showstopper, night safari.
Entry fee – 84SGD Inclusive of the zoo, bird park, river safari, night safari, and tram. Book your tickets in advance as the queues on the spot are too time-consuming. And reach the Night Safari well in time to secure a spot.

8. Arab Street

The culturally charged Arab street will greet you with colourful cafes, prettiest boutiques, and the second place where I spotted the most stunning street art (the first being Little India), Dine, at a charming Turkish Cafe, or sip a drink at the Singapura Club.

9. East Coast Park

The weekend getaway for many locals, the East Coast Park Beach is gorgeous with the view of the skyline, catch people fishing at the Bedok Jetti, watch the sunset and dine at the East Coast Food Centre (best chicken wings, sugarcane juice, and chill crab) They also have barbeque pits where you can have a perfect time out from the bustle.

East Coast Park (1)
Sunset at East Coast Park

10. National Museum

It wouldn’t be my list if it didn’t have at least one museum on it. Even though I wanted to visit so many more, this one just had to be it. This comprehensive museum will lead you through the history of Singapore with some of the best artefacts and coolest interactive features.

National Museum
National Museum of Singapore

11. Changi Airport

The world’s best airport and for good reason. Make sure you get here well before your flight, get things done in minutes and head straight to Kinetic rain, check out the butterfly garden and avail the free foot massage chairs. This place is pure gold with its high technology and the latest Terminal 4, which happens to be completely human-less.

Kinetic Rain
Kinetic rain at T1, Changi Airport

The lion city has SO much more than I couldn’t tick off my list, Clarke Quay, Speakeasies, Chinese Gardens, and SO many more museums, but that gives me another reason to go back to this kickass country.

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