by Chensiyuan / CC BY-SA 3.0

A. About Singapore

Nickname: The Lion City

Singapore, one of the few city-states in the world with a population of around three million, is easily one of the world's most modern cities.

You will find stunning contemporary architecture like the iconic three-towered Marina Bay Sands Hotel with its rooftop infinity pool, the Gardens by the Bay with its futuristic "supertrees" or the showpiece arts center Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay.

If you like to observe animals Singapore has marvelous propositions from Singapore Zoo, regularly considered the best in the world, to the nearby unique Night Safari or the recently opened S.E.A. Aquarium — one of the largest and best aquariums in the world.

Best Things to do in Singapore

The Good: 

Singapore is scoring extremely high for its safety and cleanliness, location, transport, and — of course — shopping, which is almost considered a national sport.

Furthermore, it offers a very solid lineup of interesting sights.

The Not-So-Good: 

The humid tropical climate with a lot of rain can be difficult to bear. In addition, Singapore is one of the most expensive cities in the world.


B. Best Things to Do in Singapore in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)

In total, we count more than thirty-five sights in Singapore. The following sights contribute to an impressive score of 6.9/10 in this most important category:

# Marina Bay Sands 7 3.6 out of 5 stars

This instantly recognizable highlight of modern architecture includes three gracefully sloping towers of 194 meters crowned with a 340-meter-long sky terrace that resembles an elongated yacht.

Finished in 2010 and costing $5.5 billion, Marina Bay Sands is one of the most expensive buildings ever constructed. While the world-famous 150-meter outdoor infinity pool on the roof is reserved exclusively for hotel guests, the SkyPark Observation Deck is open to everyone, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Singapore and beyond.

Skyscraper Total Height: 194 m | Observation Deck Height: 194 m | View Type: Outside Terraces | Completed: 2010

Things to do in Singapore | Best Cities | Singapore | Marina Bay Sands

# Singapore Zoo 7 3.6 out of 5 stars

Deservedly ranking among the absolute best in the world, Singapore Zoo is renowned for its naturalistic enclosures, displaying animals in vast 'open' exhibits with hidden barriers, moats, and glass between the animals and visitors.

About eight hundred animals live in the zoo representing more than 315 species. Highlights include an impressive colony of orangutans, white Bengal tigers, and a Komodo dragon.

Zoo Opened: 1973 | Land area: 28 hectares / 69 acres Species: 315Animals: 2,530 | Annual Visitors [2019]: 2,132,270 million

by Chensiyuan / CC BY-SA 4.0

# S.E.A. Aquarium 7 3.6 out of 5 stars

The S.E.A. Aquarium (South East Asia Aquarium) on Sentosa Island contains the world's largest collection of manta rays, including the unique giant oceanic manta ray in captivity.

It was the world's largest aquarium by total water volume until 2014 when it was surpassed by the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom. The centerpiece of the Aquarium is the Open Ocean tank with more than 18,000,000 l (4,000,000 imp gal; 4,800,000 US gal) and 50,000 animals. It is ranked the third-best aquarium in the world on our specialized list.

Aquarium Biggest Tank: 18.2 million liters | Total Water Volume: 45.2 million liters | Viewing Panel: ca. 36 m wide, ca. 8.3 m high | Tunnel: short one | Species: 800+ | Established: 2012 | Rank in The World: #3

Best things to do in Singapore | Best Cities | Singapore | S.E.A Aquarium

# BOTANIC GARDENS 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Open from dawn till midnight, with no entry fee (except for the exquisite National Orchid Garden) these beautiful UNESCO-listed gardens feature over 2,000 varieties of trees, plants, and flowers across seventy-four hectares (183 acres).

Botanical Garden World Heritage Site: since 2015 | Land Area: 183 acres / 74 hectares | Opened: 1859

Things to do in Singapore | Best Cities | Singapore | BOTANIC GARDENS

# Night Safari 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Opened in 1994, Night Safari is the world's first open-concept zoo for nocturnal animals (including Malayan tigers, Indian rhinoceros, lions, pumas, and giraffes).

Inside this award-winning zoo, seven geographical zones can be explored either on foot via walking trails or by tram.

Zoo Land Area: 40 ha / 99 acres | No. of Animals: 1,040 | No. of Species: 120

by Allie Caulfield / CC BY-SA 2.0

# Gardens by the Bay 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

This futuristic nature park features 165 ft (50 m)-high "supertrees", a 419-ft (127 m)-long aerial walkway, and an impressive man-made mountain (115 ft, 35 m) with the world’s tallest indoor waterfall and breathtaking waterfront views.

Don't miss the fascinating show of choreographed multi-colored lights (daily at 7.45 pm and 8.45 pm).

Futuristic Park Land Area: 101 hectares / 250 acres

Things to do in Singapore | Best Cities | Singapore | Gardens by the Bay (futuristic park with Cloud Forest)

# Singapore River 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Leisurely walk along the boardwalk or take a river cruise to explore the attractive banks of the Singapore River lined old-style bridges, old shophouses along Boat Quay, beautiful historical buildings next to the stylish modern skyscrapers of the Central Business District and Marina Bay.

River

by William Cho. / CC BY-SA 2.0

# Orchard Road 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Singapore's world-famous shopping street is lined with not less than 24 shopping malls, six department stores, numerous brand-name stores, and giant advertising screens.

Shopping Street  

by William Cho / CC BY-SA 2.0

# Merlion Statue 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

With the head of a lion and the body of a fish, this 8.6-meters-tall white statue is the symbol of modern Singapore and has a fountain of water spurting out into the picturesque Marina Bay.

Statue Total Height: 8.6 m | Created: 1972

by Terence Ong / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Dedicated to the goddess Mariamman – the deity of disease and protection –, this Hindu temple from 1827 features an impressive gopuram (tower) over the main entrance.

Hindu Temple Erected: 1827

by Cenyic / CC BY-SA 3.0

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 sight in the world

9 = world-class  

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent 

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

= World Heritage Site

= Excursion

C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Singapore

    • Thian Hock Keng Temple 5.5
    • Sultan Mosque 5.5
    • Thian Hock Keng Temple 5.5
    • Singapore Flyer (Ferris wheel) 5.5
    • Asian Civilisations Museum 5.5
    • St. Joseph's Church 5.5
    • Masjid Abdul Gafoor Mosque 5.5
    • Clarke Quay 5.5
    • Chinatown 5.5
    • Little India 5.5
    • National Museum of Singapore 5.5
    • City Beaches (all year 27-30° C) 5.5

D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Singapore

Jurong Bird Park (23 km from Singapore) 5.5

Sentosa Island Parc (12 km from Singapore) 5.5


E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Singapore (including close-by excursions)

To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend you when visiting Singapore for at least three entire days:

Marina Bay Sands (skyscraper) 7

Singapore Zoo 7

S.E.A. Aquarium 7

BOTANIC GARDENS 6

Night Safari (zoo) 6

Gardens by the Bay 6

Singapore River 6

Orchard Road (shopping street) 5.5

Merlion Statue 5.5

Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple 5.5