Singapore’s popularity as a destination for the ultra-rich overshadows the brilliance of it as a low-cost destination. We’ve put together a list of the best things to do in Singapore – and we easily found 35.
You can mention your Singapore holiday to anyone and they will tell you it’s super expensive. They’ll ask you “how can you afford it?”
Well, we believe Singapore is the perfect place to visit for budget-conscious travellers. We want to break the ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ stereotype that implies you have to be rich to visit Singapore.
Most of our suggestions are cheap or free things to do in Singapore and can be done for less than a few dollars, but don’t forget to also treat yourself from time to time! We’ve included a few splurge options as well how much they’ll set you back.
Read on to find out our top picks!
Things to Do in Singapore
Singapore is a small place and it’s easy to think it can be ‘done’ in a day or two, but if you have more time to spare then even better as there is a lot to get through!
To save you the effort, we’ve put together a list of what we think are the best activities in Singapore – and there’s more than enough to keep you busy.
1. Watch the Light Show at Gardens by the Bay
This is one of our favourite things to do in Singapore regardless of cost. Catch the MRT down to Bayfront and follow the signs to Gardens by the Bay. You’ll want to make sure you have either the Singapore Tourist Pass or EZ Link Card.
You won’t miss the majestic Supertrees standing high in the sky. You can easily while away a few hours exploring here and snapping pics.
If you have some cash to spare, we highly recommend checking out the Cloud Forest – especially if you’re into plants and environmental sustainability. This place is seriously cool and houses an indoor rainforest and the world’s largest indoor waterfall in the world. The Flower Dome is also incredible and worth visiting, but if you only have time for one then the Cloud Forest is more interesting.
As the sun sets, make sure you are back in the main area of the Supertree Grove so you can catch the light show. It’s a free show put on by the Singapore government where twelve massive tree-like structures light up to a coordinated soundtrack.
You won’t find anything like this anywhere else in the world, so it really is a must-do in Singapore. Plus, it’s entirely free.
Cost: Free ($15-20 if you go to the Cloud Forest)
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2. Visit Singapore Botanic Gardens
A very different kind of gardens makes our list here. The Singapore Botanical Gardens have their own MRT station which is the perfect place to get off.
This is a huge park with a massive range of amazing plants, lush greenery and a variety of different gardens. The gardens are themed to portray different ideas. One of our favourite gardens here showed plants that were eaten and grown traditionally.
You can also visit the National Orchid Garden here, which houses over 1,000 species of orchid. This is the most impressive orchid garden in the world. For plant enthusiasts and nature lovers, the Singapore Botanic Gardens are one of the best things to do in Singapore.
Cost: Free ($5 to visit the Orchid Garden)
3. Do the Changi Point Coastal Walk
This is a tranquil walkway along the coast of Singapore. It allows you the opportunity to relax and take in the views, whilst watching planes take off from the nearby airport.
There’s plenty of bars and restaurants nearby, and a beach you can walk along. We love hawker food, so stop off at Changi Hawker Centre for something to eat after your walk.
If you’re lazy like us, you can rent a scooter or Mobike and make your way along the ‘walk’ much faster.
If you’re staying near the airport, definitely check out this walk.
Cost: Free
4. Go Shopping at Mustafa Centre
Another huge shopping mall? In Singapore? Not exactly. Mustafa Centre is crowded and chaotic, filled with everything you could want at incredibly low prices.
Give yourself plenty of time (luckily you have 24 hours a day) to explore the entire mall. You will definitely have to hunt for bargains on good quality items and be wary of fake products, especially electronics.
For those of you on a budget, this is one of the best spots to shop in Singapore – so make sure you check it out before you spend all your money on Orchard Road.
Cost: Free
5. Stay at Marina Bay Sands Hotel
Arguably the most iconic and impressive buildings in Singapore (which is no mean feat), Marina Bay Sands Hotel is a marvel. A visit to the Marina Bay Sands Skypark at the top is an absolute must-do when you’re visiting Singapore, however, the hotel itself rivals the experience at the top.
As a 5-star, luxury hotel there are few other hotels in Singapore that can offer a comparable experience, and none of them do so from a building quite as impressive.
Staying at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel is certainly not cheap, with rooms easily starting at $385 per night and quickly going up from there. If you’re already staying in Singapore then you’re no doubt spending a bit, so why not treat yourself to something a little more memorable?
This is the bird’s eye view you can expect from the top:
Even just for one night, we reckon this is an experience worth having. Waking up to views over the Lion city, unlimited access to the Marina Bay Sands Skypark with infinity pool and the ultimate convenience of staying right in the heart of Singapore – not that you’d want to leave the hotel anyway!
Cost: From $385 a night
6. Lie on a Beach on Sentosa Island
Sentosa island is a man-made attempt at creating a sandy tropical island in Singapore. Singapore doesn’t have beautiful white sand beaches, so if you want that sunny island life, Sentosa island is the perfect place for you. It’s also home to the popular Universal Studios Singapore theme park.
Catch the MRT to Harbourfront’s Vivocity Mall, then walk along the boardwalk to Sentosa island. It’s a short 10-minute walk and even has travelators to make it easier. You definitely don’t need to pay for the Gondola.
Once on the island, you will want to decide where to go. There are shops for food and popular tourist attractions. Universal Studios Singapore, part of Resorts World Sentosa, is the best amusement park in Singapore, so if you can stretch the budget you can walk here.
Universal Studios Singapore features 28 exciting rides (and yes it is part of the global Universal Studios group of theme parks).
For extreme adventurers, Mega Adventure Park Singapore is, as the name suggests, an adventure park packed fill with exhilarating and thrilling attractions. From ziplining to climbing and bouncing and more!
Otherwise, skip the theme parks and get onto the free tram to the beaches. There’s then a free bus that takes you between the three beaches. Our favourite and the quietest beach is the third one along, Tanjong Beach, but Siloso Beach is more popular.
And if all that isn’t enough, Sentosa Island is also home to one of the world’s largest aquariums, S.E.A aquarium.
Sentosa isn’t the best island in the world by any means, but it’s the best beaches Singapore has on offer. Besides, it’s a nice change of scenery from the busy city without spending any money at all.
Cost: Free
7. Learn About Chinese Mythology at Haw Par Villa
Haw Par Villa is an amazing place to visit to learn about Chinese folk tales and mystical mythology.
It’s a wonderful and unusual place to visit, with thousands of statues, dioramas and murals. It was launched years ago as a theme park, however, this business model failed. As they removed it, Haw Par VIlla is now an attraction without an entrance fee in Singapore.
It’s worth visiting for an hour or two to explore the statues, you will definitely leave with your moral compass back in alignment. And make sure to take a few pictures, especially a selfie with the laughing Buddha and the impressive ‘Ten Courts of Hell’.
Cost: Free
8. Eat Ravenously at a Hawker Centre
To be fair, we don’t recommend you do this just once when you visit Singapore. This is how and where you should eat pretty much every meal.
Make a conscious effort to try as many different dishes, you’ll have the opportunity to eat cuisines from a number of different cultures – all of which equally as good as the last.
In particular, make sure you try roti canai, mee goreng, hokkien mee, chilli crab, laksa, char kway teow… actually just go and try them all. I could keep going all day.
Hawker centres are in our minds the best places in Singapore, making them something you absolutely must experience.
If you’re unsure where to start, head down to Chomp Chomp, Chinatown or Maxwell Hawker Centres. Otherwise, it’s likely you have one within walking distance of your accommodation that’s worth checking out.
Cost: $2-10 (depending on how much you eat, $10 is a feast)
9. Get a Singapore Sling at Raffles Hotel
The national drink of Singapore: the Singapore Sling. You can’t visit Singapore without at least trying this sweet and delicious concoction. This cocktail is bright, colourful, refreshing, fruity and everything you expect to find on an island resort, but instead you’ll get it at a bar in the heart of a densely populated metropolis. But at least it’s still technically an island.
Most bars in Singapore will obligingly sell you a Singapore Sling, but you’ll want to get it straight from the source. The ultimate place to get a Singapore Sling in Singapore is indisputably Raffles Hotel, where this iconic drink was first conceived by world-renowned bartender Ngiam Tong Boon.
If your budget can stretch, then we’d also recommend considering staying at Raffles Hotel. The hotel is a luxury experience so you can expect immaculate service and details. It might not be as modern (or tall) as Marina Bay Sands Hotel, but it’s equal in its beauty. If it’s good enough for Michael Jackson and Queen Elizabeth II then you know you won’t be disappointed.
Cost: $35 (outrageous I know, but they did invent the drink)
10. Pretend to Live in Ikea
Most other lists wouldn’t put Ikea on a list of tourist attractions. But this isn’t most other lists. This shop is amazing.
Take a few hours to grab a meal at the food court here (the fried chicken wings are delicious), then make your way around the shop. You can find everything for your home and more, but our favourite thing to do is explore the mini showrooms.
Bear in mind that there are two Ikeas in Singapore. You will need to take a trip out to Tampines for the bigger one – it’s well worth it.
Cost: Free (+$5-10 for lunch)
11. Peruse National Gallery Singapore
If you’re on a budget, visiting the National Gallery Singapore in downtown Singapore should be on your list of places to visit in Singapore. It contains the world’s largest public collection of Singaporean and Southeast Asian art.
With impressive architecture and a vast display of over 8,000 works of modern art, this is certainly one of the best affordable things to do in Singapore.
An added bonus is that the National Gallery helps to showcase and further the development of art and artists in the Southeast Asia region. Something that is certainly worth supporting.
At $20, the National Gallery Singapore is one of the pricier options on this list. If you are the kind of person who gets bored easily in art museums, you may want to skip this and spend your money elsewhere. However, if you adore contemporary art then definitely don’t give this one a miss.
Getting here is easy – take the North South or East West Line to City Hall MRT station.
Cost: $20
12. Shop on Orchard Road
Orchard Road is a street packed with high-end shopping malls. It’s a luxury wonderland for the richest travellers who visit Singapore for the shopping.
But for the budget traveller, you shouldn’t give this place a miss. Make your way here to explore the malls, window shop and experience the life of the super wealthy.
As an added bonus, the toilets are super flash and the aircon works perfectly – both are things you will learn to appreciate after a month in Southeast Asia.
Despite this street being home to numerous Louis Vuitton and Gucci stores, there is one place that won’t financially cripple you: Lucky Plaza.
Lucky Plaza is a chaotic market with narrow corridors lined with shopkeepers’ wares. Prices are cheap so spend your money here, after window shopping further up the road.
To get to Orchard Road, take the MRT to Dhoby Ghaut.
Cost: Free
13. Walk around Marina Bay Singapore
Marina Bay is a great place to explore. There are statues all around, not to mention the impressive Marina Bay Sands Hotel and shopping mall. Both of which are worth taking a look.
If you have money to spend, go to the top of Marina Bay Sands for spectacular views and a rooftop bar. The infinity pool is unfortunately not open to the public.
You can also try the Singapore Flyer – a massive Ferris wheel offering views of the city.
But these are both optional, and just taking a walk around is a nice way to spend an evening here.
Cost: Free ($20 to go to the top of Marina Bay Sands one of the top attractions in Singapore)
14. Have an Outdoor Picnic in a Park
Singapore is filled with delicious, cheap food and beautiful, green parks. You could prep a picnic yourself – like making sandwiches and snacks – but we prefer to do it Singapore style.
Head on down to your nearest Hawker Centre and order your favourite foods to go. If you’re unsure, just order a random mixture of dishes. Don’t forget drinks – sugar cane, iced Milo or lime juice are the best.
Once you have your food, make your way to the closest park and set up a picnic. If you’re staying downtown, Marina Bay is nice, but Singapore has parks dotted all around the bustling city. One of our favourites is Ang Mo Kio Town Garden West – which also happens to be a great spot for taking photos.
Cost: $10 (for food)
15. Visit Fort Canning Park
Fort Canning Park is a national Singapore park located in Singapore CBD. The park is gorgeous with a variety of attractions as well as beautifully maintained gardens. It’s easy to spend a good few hours exploring the park.
However, it was once more than just a park. The hill Fort Canning Park sits on has borne witness to many of Singapore’s historical milestones. The hill is believed to have been the site of a 14th century palace which was home to the king of Singapura. Ancient artifacts and archeological dig sites can be visited within the park – we’d highly recommend taking the time to visit these and learn a bit about Singapore’s colonial past (yes, beyond just the last 50 years).
We’d also recommend exploring the nine gardens, with Raffles Garden being one of our favourites containing the historic Raffles House.
The Fort Canning Tree Tunnel is one of the entrances to the park which offers a unique perspective for any photography enthusiasts, or those just looking to snap a great selfie.
The National Museum of Singapore is also located across the road if you’re keen to explore Singapore’s history a bit further. The National Museum of Singapore is the nation’s oldest museum and is one of the largest museums in Asia.
For locals, visiting the National Museum of Singapore is free, but we’d still recommend tourists visit even though it costs $15. Depends on your appetite for history!
To get here catch the MRT to Dhoby Ghaut or City Hall MRT stations.
Cost: Free
16. Visit Jewel Changi Airport & Explore the Airport
Usually we recommend avoiding airports where possible. They are busy, confined, overpriced and overall not that interesting.
Singapore’s Changi International Airport is the exception. It is, in our opinion, the best airport in the world. There are heaps of affordable things to do here including multiple hawker centres and food courts, shopping malls, gardens and pools.
Now, if you are travelling for a short time you probably shouldn’t go here outside of your planned departure and arrival.
But you can consider arriving a bit early for your departing flight to allow you some time to check out the shops, grab a bite to eat and maybe take a look around at the shops and exhibitions.
One spot that is 100% worth checking out is the majestic Jewel Changi Airport. Jewel Changi is the tallest indoor waterfall in the world (yeah, Singapore is also home to the second and third tallest indoor waterfalls).
But it’s not so much the height as the beauty of this place that makes it so impressive. You really have to see Jewel Changi Airport for yourself.
If you have kids (or even if you don’t), make sure to head to the top level for the canopy park which is a unique indoor playground with a variety of attractions.
Cost: Free
17. Ride the Singapore Flyer
Towering over Marina Bay at an incredible 165m, the Singapore Flyer is the most magical way to view Singapore. It’s actually crazy how high this wheel is.
Tickets on the Singapore Flyer allow for one full rotation which takes 30-minutes and includes an informative audio guide. At $33 we reckon it’s worth it, but if you’re on a budget consider at least heading in to Marina Bay to take a few pics and see this stunning construct.
Conversely, if you’re super rich you can book out an entire capsule on the Flyer for your own special experience – starting from $1500 SGD.
Cost: $33
18. Explore Chinatown
Chinatown is a cultural hub for Chinese Singaporeans. It’s beautiful and busy, with Chinese culture infused into the artworks and the architecture.
If you are visiting around Chinese New Year, then making a stop in Chinatown is absolutely essential. At this time of year it’s amongst the best places to visit in Singapore. Lots will be going on with events and festivals, as well as thousands of lanterns decorating the streets.
The hawker centre here is great for trying some of the best Chinese meals in Singapore – we found the best dumplings here. You will also find shopping centres and markets where you can shop to your heart’s delight.
Cost: Free
19. Peruse Sri Mariamman Temple
Sri Mariamman is Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple, located on the edge of Chinatown. It’s an impressive temple that we recommend stopping by as part of a walk around Chinatown.
Admission here is free, just remember to dress respectfully and remove your shoes before entering.
Cost: Free
20. Visit Singapore Zoo & Night Safari
Having travelled to Singapore many times especially during childhood, we’d always make sure we’d fit in a day at the zoo or go to the Night Safari.
The Singapore Zoo is one of the most impressive zoos in southeast Asia. There are over 300 species of animals across different ‘zones’ such as Wild Africa, Fragile Forest, RepTopia and more. Prices are steep for both the Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari, at double the price of the zoo in New Zealand, however, they’re totally worth it.
If you’re only able to choose one of the two, the Night Safari makes for a different experience. The Singapore Zoo will give you the chance to see more animals, but the Night Safari is unique in the fact that you’ll be able to see animals who are more active at night through a guided tram ride. Don’t miss out on the Creatures of the Night Show; there are showings three times each night the park is open.
Cost for Singapore Zoo: Adults $48 each and children 3-12 years $33 each
Cost for the Night Safari: Adults $38.50 Thurs & Sun or $49.50 Fri & Sat. Children $26.60 Thurs & Sun or $34.20.
21. Picnic at Marina Barrage
Marina Barrage is a huge dam built in downtown Singapore. It was built to provide a water supply to the country, as well as controlling floods in the low lying areas of the city.
Beyond this, it features some impressive architecture and a lot of sculptures and statues to explore.
The catchment area is also unaffected by tides, making it perfect for water activities – so here you’ll be able to participate in boating or kayaking if that’s what you’re into.
One of the best things to do in Singapore for couples is to enjoy a picnic outside and we reckon Marina Barrage is the perfect spot.
Cost: Free
22. Visit Sultan Mosque
We highly recommend taking some time to explore the Sultan Mosque on Arab Street. Singapore is a multicultural country, and part of experiencing Singapore should involve learning about the culture.
Architecturally, this mosque is impressive. You will need to take off your shoes and wear appropriate clothing – this will be provided if you’re not dressed correctly. This means covering your shoulders and knees.
Make sure you check their website and avoid visiting during prayer or times that they are closed.
Cost: Free
23. Stroll Down Haji Lane & Little India
Haji Lane is an eclectic and colourful street located in Little India. It’s a beautiful location for photography and definitely one of the places to visit when you’re in Singapore.
As it’s a public street, Haji Lane is an entirely free place to visit in Singapore. We recommend checking out Moosh Softserve, their flavours are out of this world. We enjoyed the Apple Crumble and Nutella Brownies Cheesecake soft serve ice creams.
Cost: Free ($6 for a large soft serve ice cream)
24. Explore the Southern Ridges
The Southern Ridges is the perfect escape from the busy city and one of the less common places to visit. This is a network of bridges connecting hilltops in a number of parks in Southern Singapore.
Here you will find the Marang walking trail starting from Harbourfront MRT Station and ending at the top of Mount Faber.
The Henderson Waves are a spectacular feat of architecture, as the bridge spans 274 metres connecting Mount Faber Park and Telok Blangah Hill Park.
You will also find the Forest Walk, which is hilltop walkway that extends along the forest’s canopy. This is perfect for bird watching and seeing the wildlife in Singapore.
This is the best nature activity to do in Singapore, especially for budget-minded travellers. Spend a day here for free and become one with the forests and hills of Singapore.
Cost: Free
25. Find a Fun Concert or Event
Singapore has thousands of concerts, events and festivals to go to throughout the year. Many of these are free, or at least extremely affordable. Some include the Great Singapore Sale, Chinese New Year and Thaipusam.
Check out our guide on the best time to visit Singapore for a comprehensive list of festivals and events.
Cost: Free
26. Go on an Adventure on Pulau Ubin Island
Pulau Ubin is one of my favourite places to visit in Singapore as it isn’t frequented often by tourists. The island looks totally different to the main island of Singapore. Instead of high rise buildings and faced-paced life, Pulau Ubin is a lot more rural and unembellished.
Take a bumboat for $4 from the Changi Point Ferry Terminal to get there. There are no set departure times; the boat leaves once full.
When you get off the boat, hear to Comfort Bicycle Rental to sort your transport for the day. This should be around $8 SGD per bike.
Jejawi Tower, the Chek Jawa Coastal Boardwalk, Sensory Garden, Tek Seng’s Place and House No. 1 are must-dos on a day trip to Pulau Ubin.
Cost: $8 return boat ride
27. Bike or Scooter Around Singapore CBD
Singapore is a largely flat city when you stay within the main areas. Bike-sharing apps exist now that allow you to easily and cheaply rent an electric scooter or push bike.
This is an awesome and affordable way to explore the city. For a couple of dollars, you can jump on the MRT to get between suburbs, then rent a bike or scooter to thoroughly explore each suburb.
There’s plenty of areas to explore, so we recommend just getting started with the neighbourhood you’re staying in.
Cost: $1 per 20min, or $8 for a 30-day pass
28. Attempt the TreeTop Walk
Afraid of heights? Think twice about this, as it is suspended 25 metres above the ground.
This walkway is a wire bridge extending 250 metres through the forest offering eye-level views of the trees and the wildlife in them.
Bear in mind, this is part of a reasonably long 3-5 hour hike to and from the carpark.
Cost: Free
29. Explore Clarke Quay and Boat Quay
Clarke Quay and Boat Quay will be found on any list of the best things to do in Singapore at night. Both are located right next to each other, so get off the MRT in Clarke Quay and take a look around.
If you time it at Happy Hour you can get cheap drinks in the otherwise overpriced bar area of Clarke Quay.
After looking around Clarke Quay, walk along the Singapore river to Boat Quay where you will find a giant chicken statue. Make sure to take a photo of you being laid by the giant chicken. You can even take a Singapore river cruise.
You can keep walking along Singapore river until you get to the Merlion. This statue is the symbol of Singapore (the lion city) and is one of the must-do activities in Singapore. It’s actually super cool. A half lion, half mermaid statue spewing water out of its mouth.
Remember to get a photo angled so it looks like it’s spitting water into your mouth. Then maybe take a nice photo of the statue when the sun’s setting. It really is a beautiful location.
Cost: Free
30. Get a Milo Tower
Milo is famous in Singapore. Nowhere else in the world that we’ve ever visited is so obsessed with this malt drink. Everywhere you go you will find Milo on the menu, and to be honest, the Milo in Singapore is better than the Milo back home.
On top of this, Singapore has upped its Milo game. Why would you buy a tower of beer, when you can get a tower of delicious Milo instead?
Grab a friend (or 4) and challenge yourselves to finish the entire thing.
We ordered ours from RK Eating House across the road from Chomp Chomp Hawker Centre. By the way, go to Chomp Chomp too, it’s our favourite Hawker Centre in Singapore.
In fact, Singaporeans are quite creative with these towers. Make sure you ask around when ordering a drink, as you can usually get anything you want in one. One day we hope to get a sugarcane juice tower.
Cost: $12
31. Go to the Icecream Museum
An Instagrammer’s paradise! Fourteen (mostly) pink rooms filled with interactive experiences, including ones of the culinary kind! As part of your ticket, you’ll be able to sample sweet ice cream in many different flavours and forms.
The rooms are about as wacky as you’d imagine with bananas hanging from the ceiling, a pink bouncy castle, a diving board into a pool of sprinkles, and more.
If you’re on a budget and aren’t too keen to pay for tickets, you could visit the Botanic Gardens which are just around the corner from the Icecream Museum. Then, pop into the Icecream Museum’s cafe for a pink milkshake to cool off.
Cost: $38 each for four or more tickets, $40 each for two to three people or $42 for a single admission
32. Have a Free Workout Outside an HDB Flat
You’ll quickly notice the HDB buildings in Singapore. They all look practically the same. This is the government’s solution to the lack of housing in Singapore. It worked exceptionally well, allowing 4.5 million people to live in a geographically small city with a low rate of homelessness.
We like to work out. We travel all the time, so we look for any way to stay fit and healthy without paying for expensive gym memberships.
In Singapore, you will find outdoor gyms all around the place. They are commonly beneath or next to the HDB buildings and include a few different pieces of equipment and instructions for using them.
Typically older folks use them, perhaps this is why Singaporeans live for so long on average. You can too, so give it a shot when you’re in Singapore!
Cost: Free
33. Walk the Helix Bridge
Although not commonly considered an attraction (due to the fact that it is a pedestrian bridge), the Helix Bridge is truly a work of art and is one of our favourite examples of modern architecture in Singapore.
You can walk along the bridge for some great photo opportunities and to see some great views of the harbour and Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Our favourite spot is found on the far side near the Marina Bay Grandstand.
Visit just after sunset around blue hour and you’ll capture some beautiful photos and enjoy watching the sun set and the lights on the bridge turn on.
Cost: Free
34. See Monkeys at Macritchie Reservoir or Upper Thomson
Singapore has a number of native monkeys that can be found in parks around the country. Two of the best spots to see them are Macritchie Reservoir and Upper Thomson.
We definitely recommend this as one of the best cheap activities in Singapore, and it’s free as well. But we do want to warn you in advance.
These monkeys are wild animals. They will steal your food or items, and they can be aggressive towards humans.
Avoid carrying food or plastic bags as the monkeys will stalk you if you do. Avoid baring your teeth (including smiling) as monkeys consider this aggressive behaviour. If possible bring a car and stay inside.
If a monkey scratches or bites you, go straight to the hospital as you will require shots.
Cost: Free (unless you get bitten, make sure you have travel insurance)
35. Explore the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is one of the most famous buddhist temples in Singapore due to its unique and impressive architecture. The building is beautifully maintained and is also a museum and popular tourist attraction, in addition to being a place where devotees can practice buddhism.
Located in the heart of Chinatown, the temple got its name from the fact that Buddha’s left canine tooth is exhibited within the temple. It is claimed this tooth was recovered from Buddha’s funeral pyre in Kushinagar, India.
Regardless of whether you practice buddhism or not, this is a beautiful and welcoming temple and we recommend it to anyone for a visit.
Cost: Free
Things to Do in Singapore With Kids
There are heaps of awesome things to do in Singapore with kids. Of course, you may wish to skip the bars, but most of the attractions on this list are must-dos even with children.
All but the most restless children will be captivated by the Garden Rhapsody light show at Gardens by the Bay each night. During the day, visiting the Singapore Zoo is a great choice for kids of all ages (and adults). Or if you prefer, take your kids to Macritchie Reservoir where they can see wild monkeys roaming the park – but be careful and stay far back.
Of course it goes without saying, kids will also have the best time ever at Universal Studios Singapore, the nation’s leading theme park.
Things to Do in Singapore at Night
Singapore is a city and it never truly goes to sleep. In the evenings, our favourite activity in Singapore is to watch the light shows at Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay.
Visiting any of the numerous bars is another great option, with clubbing options around Clarke Quay being popular, or visit Smoke & Mirrors for epic views of Marina Bay Sands and great (albeit expensive) cocktails.
The Singapore Zoo Night Safari is also a great activity at night where the enclosures are lit up with lights making for an extremely unique way to experience Singapore’s incredible zoo.
Lastly, visiting hawker centers are one of our favourite things to do in Singapore and they are usually open extremely late. One of the best hawker centers in Singapore is Newton Circus which we once visited at 2am and were surprised by how busy it was.
Where to Stay in Singapore
For most tourists, we’d recommend staying as close to the city center as possible. Avoid the airport area unless you only have one night and you don’t plan to explore (in which case, why are you reading this article?).
We’d recommend staying anywhere between the Central Business District, Marina Bay, Chinatown, Clarke Quay and Orchard. These suburbs are all next to eachother in central Singapore making access to anywhere on the island easy.
To experience Singapore a bit more like a local would, we’d recommend also checking out suburbs like Toa Payoh, Ang Mo Kio or Bishan, however, accommodation here would be scarce. We stayed with family in these suburbs and it was a great change of pace.
Hotel Recommendations:
Marina Bay: Marina Bay Sands Hotel (the best of the best)
Orchard: Yotel (modern and affordable by Singapore standards)
Clarke Quay: Hipstercity Hostel (best hostel in Singapore, centrally located but still not cheap)
Best Time to Visit Singapore
Singapore is an incredible place to visit at any time of the year – especially due to most of the activities in Singapore being indoors. Thanks to its tropical climate, Singapore’s weather is fairly consistent all year round – well consistently hot and humid. November through to March is typically wetter with spontaneous downpours common, but it’s fairly easy to duck inside for a few minutes while it passes.
If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, then February to May is a good time to visit – specifically after Chinese New Year. However, despite the crowds, we feel like the best time to visit Singapore is probably during Chinese New Year. This is the biggest celebration in the country and the streets get decorated and stores have huge sales.
How to Get Around Singapore
Getting around Singapore is extremely easy and efficient thanks to the combination of MRT, buses and Grabs. Tourists should make sure to grab either an EZ Link Card or a Singapore Tourist Pass which will enable you to easily use the public transport in Singapore.
Trains connect all major locations of interest and places to visit in Singapore, with buses easily filling the gaps. If you’re feeling a little lazy, it’s late or you have a lot of luggage, then Grabs are pretty cheap and far more convenient than renting a car in Singapore.
Lastly, the city is extremely walkable. It’s a mostly flat island with covered walkways literally everywhere. If you feel like exploring, we recommend spending most of your time on your feet. As long as you have picked up a sim card you’ll find it easy to get around with Google Maps.
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