1.5 to 3 hours
ArtScience Museum
A museum at Marina Bay where art, science and technology meet, inside a building shaped like a lotus flower.
Marina Bay & CBD Weekday mornings
Photo: Astari28, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped
Things To Do
Top Attractions in Singapore
The icons every first-time visitor should see.
This page lists the top attractions in Singapore for first-time visitors. It covers the Marina Bay landmarks, Sentosa, the river and the Mandai wildlife parks, plus shopping streets and Jewel at the airport. Open any listing to see its area, what to expect and how to get there.
Many sights sit close together, so pick two or three in one area each day. For a ready-made plan, see The Perfect 3-Day Singapore Itinerary.
Showing 1–14 of 14 experiences
Per page
Free1 to 2 hoursBugis Street
A large covered street market near Bugis MRT, with stalls selling clothes, souvenirs, accessories and snacks.
Bugis & Kampong Glam Weekday afternoons
3–4 hoursGardens by the Bay
Futuristic Supertrees, cloud-forest domes and a nightly light show.
Marina Bay & CBD Late afternoon into the evening light show
Free1 to 3 hoursJewel Changi Airport
A glass dome at Changi Airport with a huge indoor waterfall, terraced gardens, shops and restaurants. Entry is free.
Changi & Airport Evening
1 to 1.5 hoursMarina Bay Sands SkyPark Observation Deck
See the city skyline, Marina Bay and the sea from the open-air observation deck on the 56th floor of Marina Bay Sands.
Marina Bay & CBD Late afternoon into the evening
Free30 minutes to 1 hourMerlion Park
A free waterfront park with the famous Merlion statue and wide views across Marina Bay.
Marina Bay & CBD Early morning or after dark
Free1 to 3 hoursMustafa Centre
A huge department store in Little India selling almost everything, from spices and groceries to electronics and gold.
Little India & Jalan Besar Weekday evenings
FreeHalf a day to a full dayOrchard Road
Singapore's main shopping street, lined with malls, department stores, hotels and shady trees, and lit up at Christmas.
Orchard & River Valley Weekday afternoons into the evening
Full daySentosa Island Day Out
Beaches, theme parks and sunset bars on Singapore's resort island.
Sentosa Weekdays
1 to 2 hoursSingapore Cable Car
A scenic cable car ride over the harbour linking Mount Faber, HarbourFront and Sentosa, with a second line on the island.
HarbourFront Late afternoon into early evening
1 to 1.5 hoursSingapore Flyer
A slow ride on Singapore's giant observation wheel, with wide views over Marina Bay, the city skyline and the sea.
Marina Bay & CBD Late afternoon
40 minutesSingapore River Cruise
A bumboat ride past Boat Quay, Merlion Park and Marina Bay.
City Hall & Clarke Quay After dark
4 to 5 hoursSingapore Zoo
A large wildlife park in Mandai with open, natural-looking enclosures, orangutans and areas for young children.
Mandai & Woodlands Early morning
A full dayUniversal Studios Singapore
A film-themed park on Sentosa with roller coasters, water rides and live shows across several themed zones.
Sentosa Weekday mornings outside school holidays
Planning your visit to the top attractions in Singapore
The top attractions in Singapore are spread across a small island, and the MRT (the city's metro) reaches most of them. A sensible plan is one area per half day. Marina Bay, Sentosa and the Mandai wildlife parks each deserve a few hours or more. Mix paid sights with free ones to keep costs down. Save indoor places for the hottest part of the day.
Marina Bay landmarks
Marina Bay is where most first trips begin. Gardens by the Bay has free outdoor gardens and the tall Supertree structures. Its two cooled conservatories, the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, need a ticket. The Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Observation Deck gives a wide view over the bay and the city.
Across the water, Merlion Park is home to the half-lion, half-fish statue that stands for Singapore. It is free and open to walk around. The Singapore Flyer is a giant observation wheel, and one turn takes roughly half an hour. The lotus-shaped ArtScience Museum hosts changing exhibitions on art, science and technology.
After dark, stay for the free light shows on our Marina Bay Night Walk. For more on the area, read What Is Marina Bay Famous For? Its Landmarks Explained.
Sentosa and the cable car
Sentosa is a resort island just south of the city. Plan a full day with our Sentosa Island Day Out. The big draw is Universal Studios Singapore, a theme park with rides and shows for all ages. Sentosa also has beaches, walking trails and other paid attractions.
The Singapore Cable Car is a scenic way to arrive. It runs from Mount Faber in the HarbourFront area across the water to Sentosa. You can also take the Sentosa Express monorail from VivoCity mall, or walk across the Sentosa Boardwalk.
The river, wildlife, shopping and Jewel
Singapore River
A Singapore River Cruise on a bumboat, a small wooden river boat, is an easy way to see the old quays and the modern skyline. Evening trips are cooler and show off the city lights.
Mandai wildlife parks
The Singapore Zoo sits in the Mandai area in the north of the island. Its animals live in open, landscaped enclosures. Bird Paradise, River Wonders and the Night Safari are next door, so you can pair two parks in one day.
Shopping streets and markets
Orchard Road is the main shopping street, lined with malls for every budget. Bugis Street is a busy market for cheap clothes, souvenirs and snacks. Mustafa Centre in Little India is a huge department store that sells almost everything, from electronics to spices.
Jewel Changi Airport
Jewel Changi Airport is worth a stop when you land or before you fly home. Its indoor waterfall, the Rain Vortex, is free to see. Jewel also has gardens, shops and plenty of places to eat.
Tips for booking and visiting
- Book paid tickets ahead. Buying online can save time at the gate, and some places sell timed entry slots. Ticket prices change, so check the official sites.
- Look at bundles. Combined tickets for several attractions can cost less than buying each one on its own.
- Beat the heat. Visit outdoor sights early or late in the day. Carry water, sunscreen and a small umbrella.
- Have a rain plan. Showers are common but often short. Museums, malls and Jewel are good places to wait.
- Use the MRT. Many visitors pay with a contactless bank card. See How to Use the MRT in Singapore: A Tourist Guide.
- Mix in free sights. 20 Free Things to Do in Singapore lists plenty of options.
For official visitor information and event listings, see Visit Singapore.
FAQs about top attractions in Singapore
What is the most famous attraction in Singapore?
Gardens by the Bay and the Marina Bay Sands skyline are the best-known sights. Merlion Park, across the bay, is the classic photo stop.
How many days do I need for the main sights?
Three to four days cover the main sights at an easy pace. Add a day if you plan to visit Universal Studios Singapore or the Mandai wildlife parks.
Which top attractions in Singapore are free?
Merlion Park, the outdoor gardens at Gardens by the Bay, the Rain Vortex at Jewel and the Marina Bay light shows are all free. Walking along Orchard Road and Bugis Street costs nothing either.
Should I book attraction tickets in advance?
Yes, for busy places like Universal Studios Singapore, especially at weekends and in school holidays. Booking online also lets you compare prices, which change from time to time.
How do I get to Sentosa?
Take the MRT to HarbourFront station. From there, ride the Sentosa Express monorail, walk across the Sentosa Boardwalk or take the cable car.
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