Last updated on April 17th, 2024
Merlion Park, © Can Stock / javarman
Visit Singapore – Marina Bay Sands
Marina Bay Sands is a popular attraction for those who visit Singapore. The Marina Bay Sands complex includes a ground level mall and three hotel towers. A 57th floor roof top sky terrace connects the towers. The roof top terrace is called the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark. The SkyPark has an observation deck but the amazing infinity pool on the 57th floor is only open to hotel guests.
At ground level, in front of the hotel, is a mall with indoor sampan boat rides, Broadway theaters, a convention center, the ArtScience Museum, an ice rink and a casino atrium with 1,600 slot machines.
Gardens by the Bay, OCBC Skyway
Visit Singapore Gardens by the Bay
Near the Marina Bay Sands, visit Gardens by the Bay. Walk on the OCBC skyway suspended at over 70 feet high between the “trees” on the 16-story-high Supertree Grove. Also in the Gardens, escape to a cool Mediterranean climate in the Flower Conservatory or experience a rain forest climate in the Cloud Conservatory.
Then head to Marina Barrage – a freshwater reservoir where you can picnic and participate in water sports. The Double Helix Bridge connects pedestrians at the Marina Bay Sands with the Marina Bay Floating Stadium.
Marina Bay, © Can Stock / javarman
Visit Singapore Marina Bay – More Sights
The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore is beside the Marina Bay Floating Stadium and has artwork which can be viewed for no charge. The Singapore Flyer is nearby and is higher than the London Eye. Just after sunset, when the lights of the city appear, is an excellent time to take this half hour pricey ride. There’s a SkyDining option too. Hopefully the power problems from 2008 won’t reoccur and you won’t be forced to be rappelled down.
Also, wander along the Esplanade at night and stop by the Esplanade, Theatres on the Bay. Then see the Merlion Fountain at Merlion Park. Take a bumboat cruise up the Singapore River. Visit the Asian Civilizations Museum while on this side of Singapore’s Marina Bay.
Esplanade Theatres, © Can Stock / heintjelee
Visit Singapore – Sentosa Island
Sentosa Island is a very popular tourist destination close to downtown Singapore. This island has beaches, SEA Aquarium, a skyline lounge, Adventure Cove Water Park and Resorts World Sentosa. Sentosa Island includes many other resort hotels too. Universal Studios is also on Sentosa Island. Walk to Sentosa from the Singapore mainland on the Sentosa Boardwalk or take the Singapore Cable Car to Sentosa Island from Mount Faber. Also visit the Henderson Wave Bridge of Southern Ridges Trail while at Mount Faber.
Sentosa Island, © Can Stock / leungchopan
Sights Outside the Singapore Downtown Area
- Singapore Zoo including the famous Singapore Night Safari and the Singapore River Safari.
- Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
- Snow City
- Jurong Bird Park
- Singapore Turf Club – horse racing.
- Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
- Pulau Ubin – an island near Singapore that’s a trip into the country’s past in the mangroves.
Marina Bay, © Can Stock / leungchopan
Visit Singapore – Visas:
Singapore is unusual because it is a country with only one city and that city is also called Singapore. Most tourists staying less than 30 days will not require a visa to visit Singapore. To see a list of countries that will require a visa, check your specific country at VisaHQ. For a list of exempt countries, visit Project Visa.
Visit Singapore – Hotels
- Marina Bay Sands – on Marina Bay in the heart of downtown. It’s the only way to gain access to the amazing infinity pool on the 57th floor with views of downtown Singapore.
- Resorts World Sentosa – Beach Villas on Sentosa Island.
- The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
View from Marina Bay Sands, © Can Stock / leungchopan
Visit Singapore Temples and Museums
- Chinatown with the Sri Mariamman Temple, the China Heritage Centre and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple dedicated to preserving a relic of Buddha’s tooth in a 900 pound gold stupa.
- Little India and the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
- Sri Senpaga Vinayagar and Sri Srinivasa Perumal Hindu Temples
- Peranakan Museum and the Singapore Art Museum
- Tanjong Pagar Distripark – five art galleries at the same location; Fortune Cookie Projects, ReDot Fine Art Gallery, L2 Space, Valentine Willie Fine Art and Galerie Waterton
Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple, © Can Stock / swisshippo
Visit Singapore – More Sights
- Singapore Botanic Gardens with the National Orchid Garden and a food court near Tanglin Gate. The Singapore Botanic Gardens are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Orchard Road with over 2 km of shopping malls and restaurants or try Bugis Street.
- Jewel Changi Airport – with the world’s highest indoor waterfall, botanical gardens, restaurants and shops, the Singapore Airport has become a destination itself. Even locals are coming to hang out here.
- F1 Singapore Grand Prix
- Funan Digitalife Mall or Sim Lim Square for electronics.
- Kallang River Park Connector – walk, bike or roller blade along the river just northeast of downtown.
Gardens by the Bay, © Can Stock / joyfull
Dengue Fever
Singapore is subject to dengue fever. No vaccine prevents dengue fever, so make sure to take steps to avoid contracting it. Exposure is unlikely in the popular downtown areas around Orchard Road and the financial district. Mosquito repellent is a good idea for the Botanic Gardens, Singapore Zoo and Pulau Ubin. Here are some steps to reduce exposure:
- Stay in air-conditioned or screened accommodation, especially at night.
- Avoid outdoors at dawn and dusk.
- Wear protective clothing.
- Use mosquito repellent.
- Avoid areas with standing water. Mosquitoes can breed in small puddles such as those found in abandoned car tires or tarps.
Clarke Quay, © Can Stock / leungchopan
Singapore Nightlife
- Clarke Quay – popular, especially at night, with tourists and locals for its numerous restaurants, bars and clubs. Ride a reverse bungee that rockets you up at 200 kph. Take a Singapore River Cruise.
- Geylang – the red light district with great restaurant choices.
- Zouk and St James Power Station for their night clubs.
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, © Can Stock / felker
Savor the Tastes of Singapore
Singapore’s multicultural background is reflected when you savor the tastes of Singapore. Head to Chinatown, Little India or Kampong Glam (Malay/Arab). Visit Hawker Centres, such as the Tiong Bahru Hawker Centre, where you can eat lunch for a few dollars. Former pushcart vendors have been moved to giant permanent complexes by the government. Try a variety of local dishes such as Bak Ku Teh or Lor Mee.
Visit the Lau Pa Sat Festival Market. Have a a Singapore Sling at Raffles, where the drink was invented. Famous visitors to the hotel include Rudyard Kipling and Michael Jackson. Dine at The White Rabbit.
Double Helix Bridge, © Can Stock / dabldy
Get to Singapore
You can get to Singapore through Jewel Changi Airport (SIN). The airport is at the eastern edge of the island of Singapore about a half hour cab ride from the popular downtown attractions. An airport shuttle and an inexpensive subway ride are also options to get to Singapore’s downtown. The bus system in Singapore is excellent. Another option to get to Singapore is to take the train from Kuala Lumpur in nearby Malaysia.
Singapore Weather
Singapore’s location near the equator makes Singapore weather remarkably consistent throughout the year. Expect average highs of 31 C (88 F) and average lows of 24 C (75 F) with no distinct seasons. The high humidity makes air conditioning very popular in Singapore.
Rainfall in this tropical rainforest setting often occurs daily in heavy short bursts. Rainfall exceeds 150 mm (6 in) in every month of the year, with November through December exceeding 250 mm (10 in). Any month of the year is the best time to visit Singapore.
Visit Singapore – Background
Singapore gained independence from Britain in 1963 and ended its partnership with Malaysia in 1965. More than 5 million live in Singapore, making it one of the most densely populated areas in the world. A bridge connects Singapore to Malaysia. Over the past few decades, Singapore has become one of the wealthiest countries in Asia.
Singapore is extremely clean. Vandalism can result in physical punishment. Chewing gum is illegal in Singapore. Singapore has four official languages – English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil. Buddhism is the most popular religion.
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