Stand on the Henderson Waves pedestrian bridge in the late afternoon and the jungle drops away on both sides, the sea glinting beyond the trees. That mix of dense green and dense city is what defines a trip to Singapore: you can walk a rainforest trail in the morning and eat chilli crab by the water that same evening.
The city suits travellers who like to cover ground on foot, who care about food as much as sights, and who are happy to move between very different quarters in a single day. This guide covers the sights and experiences worth your time, drawn from the districts and attractions that Singapore is best known for.
Top things to do in Singapore
1. Southern Ridges Walk
This is an easy scenic 9 km stroll through the hills and jungles of southern Singapore. The highlight is the 36 m high Henderson Waves pedestrian bridge, which gives a view of the sea beyond the jungle.
Set aside a half day and start early, before the heat builds. The route is gentle enough to combine with an evening back in the city for dinner.
2. Gardens by the Bay
These futuristic gardens sit in the Marina district, behind the Marina Bay Sands. They are the closest thing to a landscaped spectacle near the centre of the city.
Pair a visit with the Marina Bay area itself, where the skyscrapers cluster around the Singapore River. Late afternoon into evening works well, since the gardens and the bay sit side by side.
3. Singapore Botanic Gardens
The Botanic Gardens are the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Singapore, which makes them the single most significant green space in the country.
They reward a slow visit rather than a rushed one. If you are also heading to Orchard Road for shopping, the gardens make a calm counterweight to the same part of town.
4. Chinatown
Chinatown is where to go for Chinese treats, and it is one of the clearest ways to eat your way through one of Singapore's communities.
Combine it with the Sri Mariamman Temple, the colourful Hindu temple in Chinatown, which welcomes non-followers outside of service times.
5. Little India
Little India is the counterpart to Chinatown for Indian flavours, and it is one of the districts the city is best known for.
Go hungry and graze rather than planning a single sit-down meal. It pairs naturally with a walk through the surrounding streets.
6. Sri Mariamman Temple
This colourful Hindu temple in Chinatown is one of the religious sites specifically worth visiting. Religious sites in Singapore can be easily visited and welcome non-followers outside of service times.
Dress respectfully and time your visit around rather than during services. It sits within Chinatown, so it slots into the same outing.
7. Masjid Sultan
The stately Masjid Sultan in Arab Street is another of the city's notable places of worship, and one of the sites singled out as particularly worth visiting.
Visit outside of service times, as with any religious site here. Arab Street and the surrounding area make a natural pairing with the temple and mosque circuit.
8. Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery
This vast monastery near Ang Mo Kio/Bishan is one of Singapore's most significant religious sites.
It is further from the colonial core, so treat it as a half-day trip of its own rather than something to squeeze between two city stops. As elsewhere, visit outside of service times.
9. Burmese Buddhist Temple
The psychedelic Burmese Buddhist Temple in Balestier is another of the places of worship worth seeking out.
Balestier is also home to the Singapore Polo Club, which is open to the public on competition days, so the two can be combined if your dates line up.
10. Mandai Wildlife Reserve
The reserve holds the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, Bird Paradise and River Wonders. The Mandai Boardwalk is a free scenic walk along the Upper Seletar Reservoir within the reserve.
Because the reserve covers several attractions, pick one or two rather than trying to see everything. The boardwalk is the option that costs nothing and still gets you into the greenery.
11. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
This reserve, in the same district as the zoo, has more plant species than in the whole of North America and is home to a thriving population of wild monkeys.
Keep a respectful distance from the monkeys and do not feed them. It combines well with a Mandai day since both sit in the same part of the island.
12. Pulau Ubin
An island off Changi Village in the east, Pulau Ubin is a flashback to the rural Singapore of yesteryear.
It is a full-day commitment given the crossing and the island itself, so give it its own slot rather than tacking it onto a city day.
13. Sentosa
Sentosa is where to head for beaches and tourist resorts, with three beaches on the island itself and more on its southern islands. Resorts World Sentosa is also here, aiming for a more family-friendly casino experience.
Foreign visitors can enter the casino for free after presenting their passport, while locals pay $150/day. Spa Botanica on Sentosa also has a good reputation if you want to build in a treatment.
14. Marina Bay Sands
Marina Bay Sands at Marina Bay is the larger and swankier of Singapore's two casinos, referred to locally with the euphemism "integrated resort".
As with Resorts World Sentosa, foreign visitors enter free with a passport while locals pay $150/day. The surrounding Marina Bay area is also where the skyscrapers cluster, so it is worth walking the bay regardless.
15. Esplanade
The Esplanade theatre in Marina Bay is the star of Singapore's cultural scene, a world-class performing arts facility and a frequent stage for the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.
Check what is on before you travel and buy in advance. It sits in Marina Bay, so it pairs with an evening around the bay.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start on the Southern Ridges Walk, beginning early to cover the trail and the Henderson Waves bridge before the heat sets in.
Afternoon: Move into the centre for Chinatown, eating your way through the district and stopping at the Sri Mariamman Temple, which welcomes non-followers outside of service times. If you have the energy, continue to Little India for Indian flavours.
Evening: Finish in the Marina district at Gardens by the Bay, then walk the bay itself past Marina Bay Sands, where the skyscrapers cluster around the Singapore River. If something is playing at the Esplanade, book ahead and end the night there.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit the Southern Ridges Walk?
Go early in the day. It is an easy 9 km stroll through hills and jungle, and the Henderson Waves bridge gives its view of the sea beyond the jungle. Starting early leaves the rest of the day free for the city.
Can non-followers visit Singapore's temples and mosques?
Yes. Religious sites in Singapore can be easily visited and welcome non-followers outside of service times. This applies to the Sri Mariamman Temple in Chinatown, the Masjid Sultan in Arab Street, the Burmese Buddhist Temple in Balestier and the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery.
Do foreign visitors pay to enter the casinos?
No. Locals, meaning citizens and permanent residents, pay $150/day, but foreign visitors can enter for free after presenting their passport. This applies at both Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa.
Where should I go for beaches?
Head to one of the three beaches on Sentosa or its southern islands. Other beaches can be found on the East Coast.
Work out which districts you want to string together, check what is on at the Esplanade, and start building your days around the food and the green spaces.