Singapore is in many ways a city of superlatives. More than five million residents live on an area roughly the size of Hamburg. The population is made up of people from different backgrounds who live together harmoniously despite their ethnic differences.
The cityscape is fascinating with its mixture of modern high-rise architecture and buildings from the English colonial period. The city-state is also a green metropolis with numerous parks and a real rainforest within the city limits. They are particularly proud of their reputation as the safest and cleanest city in the world.
Although Singapore has the highest cost of living in the world, the city-state is one of the top ten most visited cities in the world. The landmark and patron saint of the city is the Merlion, a statue representing a combination of lion and mermaid. It symbolizes strength and connectedness with the omnipresent sea.
Below we present you the most exciting tours, the most beautiful attractions and the best sights in Singapore.
![Singapore, Marina Bay, late afternoon (Nicolas Lannuzel) [flickr.com] CC BY-SA
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1. Singapore Sling at the legendary Raffles Hotel
The luxury hotel dates from 1887 and with its Neo-Renaissance architecture is an impressive witness of English colonial history. It was named after Sir Stamford Raffles, the father of modern Singapore. Since its foundation, the hotel has been the in meeting place of the city.
At first, the Raffles was the place to go for the English aristocracy and today for prominent guests from all over the world.
This iswhere the legendary cocktail Singapore Sling was invented and where you can still enjoy this refreshing drink in style in the historic Long Bar of the Raffles Hotel.
2. The shopping paradise Orchard Road
On the two kilometre long shopping street you will find a colourful mixture of large shopping centres, luxury boutiques and friendly small shops offering local brands and products from all over Southeast Asia. You can take a stroll along the Orchard Road at any time of the day.
Huge trees provide cool protection from the tropical sun during the day and the road fascinates by the shining sea of lights at night. The Orchard Road is the best place to buy a nice souvenir of your trip to Singapore.
3. The skyscrapers of Marina Bay
The 3.5 km long promenade of Marina Bay is surrounded by a magnificent architectural backdrop and is one of the great sights of the city. Especially the three towering towers of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel characterize this extravagant quarter. Even if you are not a hotel guest, you can visit the huge viewing platform of this hotel.
The apparently weightless surface floating at 200 m height is one of the largest viewing platforms in the world and offers you a breathtaking 360 degree panoramic view of the skyline of the city and harbour, especially in the evening. If you need a refreshment afterwards, you can continue to enjoy the magnificent view in the restaurants of the Sands SkyPark.
4. Fabulous impressions in the Gardens by the Bay
The gigantic supertrees in this spacious city park are unmissable. Contrary to what the name might suggest, Supertrees are not trees, but artistically designed vertical gardens towering nine to sixteen storeys high. An unforgettable experience is a walk over the suspension bridge, which connects the works of art in Gardens by the Bay at dizzying heights.
Less spectacular but still unique is the Cloud Forest. In an oversized greenhouse stands a 35 metre high mountain, which is constantly enveloped in dense fog. The world’s largest indoor waterfall provides a warm and humid climate in which an almost infinite variety of plants from the tropical highlands of Southeast Asia can grow and bloom.
5. Vibrant life in Little India & China Town
One of the city’s most popular sights are its districts, where the cultures of neighbouring countries shape life in the streets. Little India and China Town show a striking contrast to the generous streets and high-rise architecture of the city and inspire with a colorful and lively maze of lanes. Little India in particular is a lively part of the city, where life never seems to stand still.
Many shops are open 24 hours a day and are a treasure trove for exotic electronic products, Indian teas, finely crafted saris and Far Eastern foods. China Town is similarly lively. The Pagoda Street is an unusually rich shopping address for unusual and unusual souvenirs, especially for handmade gold jewellery. On the nearby South Bridge Road you will find an amazing selection of remedies from traditional Chinese medicine.
6. The art and museum district Bras Basah
Bras Basah is one of the oldest districts of Singapore. Just a few decades ago Bugis Street was a somewhat disreputable area and today it is the centre of a trendy area where art and culture are at home. Museums, galleries, art academies and universities characterise the atmosphere.
In the elegant, neoclassical building of the National Museum of Singapore you will learn everything about the exciting development of Singapore from a former English colony to an internationally leading financial and business metropolis. The Peranakan Museum provides a comprehensive impression of life and traditions before the colonial era.
7. Beach and action on Sentosa Island
In the middle of the megacity, it is easy to forget that Singapore consists of 61 big and small islands. Many are no longer recognizable in the maze of streets, others lie in front of the city and have become attractive sights. The most popular and most visited island is Sentosa. Already the way there is exciting and unusually entertaining. You can either take the suspension railway from VivoCity or take the cable car from Harbour-Front. The 15-minute drive offers a spectacular view of the city.
On Sentosa Island you can just lie on the beach in pristine white sand, but most visitors enjoy the dense and varied entertainment on offer. Various theme and water parks offer fun for young and old. Universal Studios Singapore are particularly popular! If you prefer a quieter day, sink into the magical underwater world of the SEA Aquarium or play a round of golf at the renowned Sentosa Golf Club, one of the world’s top 100.
8. Absolute tranquillity on Kusu Island
The opposite of Sentosa is Kusu Island. Here there are only picturesque beaches and some holy places, which are the destination of numerous pilgrimages in autumn. During these ceremonies one prays to Da Bo Gong, the Chinese god of wealth, and to Guan Yin, the goddess of mercy.
It is not allowed to stay overnight on the island in any form, but one has to leave it at the latest with the last ferry. This rule has made Kusu Island a popular picnic spot and it is a lot of fun to sit on a blanket in the white sand and watch the ships passing by in the Strait of Singapore.
9. Street food and local delicacies at Lau Pa Sat
Lau Pa Sat is a beautifully restored Victorian style market hall. In the past food was traded here, today the star-shaped building houses one of the popular Hawker Centres. Here you will find street food in concentrated form and you have a huge selection of Asian specialties from Indian, Chinese and Malay cuisine.
Between the cast-iron columns of the historical hall there is a casual atmosphere and you can be brave and try something completely unknown. The food in Lau Pa Sat is not only varied and good, but also reasonably priced.
10. Bukit Timah, the rainforest in the middle of the city
The Bukit Timah nature reserve is not only one of the city’s major attractions, but is also highly respected by researchers and conservationists around the world. The nature park is located only 12 kilometres from the city centre and offers deep insights into the unspoilt nature of Southeast Asia on its 164 hectare area.
In the middle of this nature reserve lies Singapore’s highest elevation, Bukit Timah Hill with a height of 163 metres. Numerous paths with varying degrees of difficulty lead through dense forests to the summit. The visitor centre offers many opportunities to inform yourself in advance about the park’s flora and fauna and their ecological significance.
More things to do and activities for your Singapore holiday
Best time to visit Singapore
We recommend the following months as best time to travel for exploring the attractions and acivities of Singapore:
March, April, May, June, July, August, September, and October
You can find more information about the weather, including all climate data, on our climate page for Singapore.
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Distances to Singapore
| London | New York | Los Angeles | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore | 6750 mi | 9540 mi | 8770 mi |