Singapore is a city of superlatives. Okay, the most expensive city in the world can be a little off-putting, but there are epic reasons to visit. It’s the cleanest, it has the largest rooftop pool, the first night safari park, and best of all, some of the cheapest Michelin-starred food in the world.
Add in the world-class museums and jaw-dropping architecture, and it’s really not hard to find a reason to visit. Perhaps you’re only in Singapore for a layover or a short break - if that’s the case you’ll find it rather tough to decide what to do here.
Let us help you with that. In this travel guide, we’ll take a look at 5 of the Best Things To Do in Singapore. It’ll leave you getting a taste for this wonderful city and you’ll most likely be aching to visit again. Let’s check them out!
Wander Through Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay is one of the most symbolic attractions of Singapore. Their most recognisable feature is the Supertree Grove. These futuristic ‘trees’ are actually 18 vertical gardens which rise as high as twenty storeys in the air. You can walk between these trees on the raised pathway that connects them too. Once you’ve done that, head to the Cloud Forest which mimics a tropical mountain region.
The Gardens by the Bay are open from 5am to 2am daily, with the best time to visit being at night. This is when all of the supertrees are lit up. One more thing that’s great about this place? Entry to the gardens themselves is free!
Stand Up Paddle Boarding at Sentosa Siloso Beach
It may not immediately spring to mind as a water sports destination, however, you will be surprised at how much is on offer when you visit Singapore. Kitesurfing and windsurfing are popular, but a great way to disconnect and relax while seeing the city from a new perspective is with stand up paddle boarding.
Head to Sentosa Island if you’re a beginner, it’s an easy place to paddle board even if it is your first time. East Coast Park will suit a more experienced paddler as there are more waves than you’ll find at Sentosa. Both destinations have a place where you can rent your equipment. Sentosa is also calm enough to practice yoga on your paddle board - an activity that is growing in popularity.
Explore Singapore’s Diverse Cultural Neighbourhoods
Singapore is an incredible melting pot of cultures and that is reflected in its neighbourhoods. Head to Kampong Glam (also known as the Muslim Quarter) for delicious food and Arabic craft shops. At Chinatown, you get to see some of the city’s oldest shophouses, great shopping, and again - more food. Oddly enough, the largest Hindu temple, Sri Mariamman, is also located in Chinatown. Pop over to Little India to soak in the colourful culture of the Indian ethnic group.
The best way to explore Singapore’s neighbourhoods is on a walking tour - some of which are free!
Sample Delicious Michelin Star Food
No trip to Singapore is complete without sampling (and probably falling in love) with the local cuisine. Due to its location, Singapore’s food has been influenced from all over the world - with a culinary heritage hailing from China, Malaysia and India.
If you want to try the Best Local Food in Singapore, it’s best to head to a hawker centre where you can gorge yourself silly on delicious food while keeping your costs down. You’ll find hawker centres all over the city, but if you can only visit one, head to the Maxwell Food Centre in Chinatown. Tian Tian Chicken Rice has a Michelin Bib-Gourmand and is one of the most popular (not to mention cheapest) places to get Michelin star food in Singapore. The only downside? The queue. However, there are plenty of other options if your stomach is rumbling!
If you’re overwhelmed by the sheer amount of mouthwatering food and hawker centres and don’t have a clue where to start, don’t worry. The expert guides at Monster Day Tours can bring you on a private food tour and show you where to eat the best foods in Singapore.
Take a Hike on the MacRitchie Treetop Walk
When most people think of Singapore, they think of skyscrapers mixed with colonial splendour. Many people don’t realise that there is a natural side of the city too. One of the best places you can experience that is at the MacRitchie Reservoir and its treetop walk - and that has nothing to do with the Gardens by the Bay!
The TreeTop Walk is a 250-metre long bridge which stands above the forest floor. It is part of a bigger trek - the Singapore Coast to Coast Trail. In its entirety, the trail is 36 kilometres and it links Coney Island with Jurong Lake Gardens. The trek is pretty challenging, and it can get pretty hot and sweaty. So, if you’re planning to do it be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks. You do pass Adam Road hawker centre on the way through, so top up your energy reserve there!
Now that you know what to do in Singapore…
It’s time to plan your trip. If planning your itinerary around Singapore is too tedious, leave the hassle to the expert local guides at Monster Day Tours! They will plan the perfect day for you so that you can focus on having fun while ticking items off your bucket list. Have an incredible trip!
For more useful travel tips and interesting articles related to travel in Singapore, check out our revamped Monster Day Tours travel blog - Mega-zine!
The coronavirus has severely impacted the tourism industry in Singapore and we are unable to operate our free walking tours for now. In light of COVID-19 and to celebrate Singapore's 55th birthday this year, please help to support our local tour guides and to save tourism by being a part of our SingapoRediscover #supportlocal campaign!
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