Singapore is a dream when it comes to fitting as much as possible into your visit.  Whether it’s shopping and theme parks, museums and galleries, delicious eateries or mind-blowing architecture, we’ve got suggestions for some fun, quirky and unique activities to keep you entertained in Singapore.  

Getting around  

The island country of Singapore is only 734 square kilometres in size which is great news for visitors wanting to make the most of their time in this exciting and mesmerising place. To say there’s a lot to see and do here would be an understatement! Singapore is not only compact, but it has a super-efficient public transport system (the MRT) to make it easy to hop from one must-visit attraction to the next. Not only that, but Singapore is consistently ranked as one of the safest places in the world, making it popular with families and people travelling solo. So, what to include on the itinerary? Here are our top suggestions. 

Get back to nature 

If you’re a first-time visitor to Singapore, you may be thinking of it as a ‘city break’. It certainly has everything you’d expect from a modern, cosmopolitan city including world-class shopping, impressive skyscrapers and award-winning restaurants, but delve a little deep and you’ll discover that Singapore is also a nature-lover's wonderland. Also somewhat unexpectedly, the airport is at the heart of this tropical paradise. 

Changi Airport 

Only 19 km from the city centre (15 minutes by taxi or 30 minutes on the MRT), you might be tempted to exit the airport as soon as possible to get stuck into all the wonderful attractions Singapore has to offer. If you can though, give yourself some time to stay and look around or arrive a little earlier for your departure flight – you'll be glad you did. Jewel Changi Airport is home to a giant indoor waterfall known as the Rain Vortex, which is surrounded by an indoor forest and has a glass-floored canopy bridge which allows you to view the greenery below. 

Gardens by the Bay 

This 250-acre futuristic nature park in the centre of the city is consistently named one of the best things to do in Singapore and is well worth a visit. Sitting close to Marina Bay, home to some of the city’s most luxurious hotels, Gardens by the Bay features the world’s largest greenhouse, the Flower Dome, a Floral Fantasy Garden, a Cloud Forest and the Supertree Grove with a suspended SkyPark offering breath-taking views of the city. As much an architectural marvel as a natural wonder, if you didn’t think you’d enjoy a visit to a botanic garden, be prepared to change your mind. 

Singapore Zoo 

Set in lush rainforest, Singapore Zoo is home to 4,000 animals and operates an ‘open concept’ – where the animals are in a more natural environment, separated from visitors by moats and streams. It’s a lovely place to bring children, but visitors of all ages will enjoy the chance to see these beautiful animals, including several rare and endangered species. For something a little different check out The Night Safari, the world’s first nocturnal wildlife park. 

Family Fun 

Sentosa Island 

Many of Singapore’s iconic locations and attractions are family-friendly, including the zoo, Night Safari and Gardens by the Bay, but if you want to take things to the next level, take the kids over to Sentosa Island. You can either take a day trip – the island is easily accessible from the city by bus, train, taxi, cable car, bike or on foot – or base yourself at one of the resorts there. The S.E.A. Aquarium and Universal Studios Singapore are some of the most popular attractions and once you’ve had your fill of theme parks take some time to unwind at the beach. 

Singapore River Cruise 

A good way to see the sights without having to drag reluctant children from place to place is to take a cruise down the Singapore River. Departing from Clarke Quay, the scenic journey takes about 40 minutes. Along the route you’ll be able to admire many of the famous landmarks including Merlion Park with its famous statue of a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish, the majestic Fullerton Hotel, and the statue of Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore. 

Museums and galleries 

Known as the Lion City – derived from the Malay words “Singa” meaning lion and “Pura” meaning city – Singapore has a fascinating history and a unique culture that blends the ultra-modern with the more traditional.  A visit to its museums and galleries is one of the best ways to experience this. 

ArtScience Museum 

Housed within the magnificent Marina Bay Sands resort and recognisable by its lotus-inspired architecture, The ArtScience Museum combines art, science, design and technology and features interactive and immersive exhibits which visitors of all ages can enjoy. 

National Gallery 

Descriptions of Singapore’s famous attractions often invoke superlatives such as world’s tallest, world’s only, world-class. The National Gallery boasts the world's largest public display of modern Southeast Asian art and is the place to come if you’re an art lover or history buff. It is housed in two historic buildings, the former Supreme Court building and the City Hall. As a bonus, admission is free so be sure to add it to your itinerary if you’re on a budget. 

Shopping 

Singapore is a shopaholic’s paradise but even if you’re not here to spend, you can enjoy window shopping the luxury boutiques and exploring the shophouses and bustling markets.  

Orchard Road 

Orchard Road is Singapore’s most famous shopping street. Stretching for two kilometres and lined with shopping malls, you’ll find everything here from luxury stores to discount outlets. You don’t have to shop until you drop either, with a staggering 800 restaurants, bars and cafes to help keep you fuelled on your retail mission. 

Arab Street 

Arab Street, located in the Kampong Glam neighbourhood, offers a different kind of shopping experience with a focus on textiles, fabrics, perfumes and handmade goods. Spend some time browsing the shops and you might find yourself tempted to a handmade suit or beautiful handwoven rug. 

Food 

All this sightseeing is going to make you hungry but don’t worry, Singapore is a foodie heaven with the local Chinese, Malay and Indian cuisines sure to tempt your tastebuds. 

Hawker stalls are a speciality with the Old Airport Road Food Centre being one of the most popular spots, featuring 150 stalls selling tasty street food. Chinatown and Little India are home to some of the city’s best restaurants, and in between meals, you can spend time exploring these vibrant districts, visiting the historic temples and mosques.