Top 10 Things to do in Singapore

The city-state of Singapore is a fascinating mix of an old Victorian English territory and the mix of ethnic peoples that have lived there for centuries.  There is so much to do packed into a relatively small space, that we compiled our Top 10 Singapore! What is your favorite activity on our list?

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The Asian City-State That Has it All

A mix of many cultures, you will find Malay, Chinese, Indian, and many more ethnicities living here. And not only does the religion, architecture and food reflect this, but so does the language.  In Singapore, everyone learns English; it’s compulsory. 

It is also one of the cleanest countries you are going to find anywhere in this world. I never saw one piece of trash.  There are ample garbage cans, and people are given fines for doing things common in other Asian countries such as spitting.

For travelers heading to Asia for their first time, Singapore is a must.  It deftly bridges the western and eastern cultures and it provides a rich mixture of sights, foods, and things to do.  There really is something for everyone, even the kids.

Where to Stay

We like to get a hotel right in the middle of things and have stayed in Clarke Quay, the Muslim Quarter, and Chinatown. Singapore’s hotels are overall very nice, a higher quality than many places in the world, and their prices reflect it.

So, if you want luxury, you’ll get it. It’s a little harder to find really good budget deals, and that’s why even we stayed in a hostel or two as we stopped over in this amazing city.

Luxury

• Marina Bay Sands
• Mandarin Orchard Singapore
• Pan Pacific Singapore

Mid-Range

• The Porcelain Hotel
• Peninsula Excelsior Hotel 
• Hotel Boss Singapore 
• V Hotel Lavender
• Studio M Hotel
• Village Hotel Bugis by Far East Hospitality

Budget

• Champion Hotel Singapore
• Hotel 81 – Palace
• The Pod Boutique Capsule Hotel

Compare Prices for All Singapore Hotels

Top 10 Sights in Singapore

Number 1 – The Merlion

Go see the Merlion, a Singaporean highlight.  He’s been dropped, moved, touched, and loved for decades, and he always looks great at night!  Look at all of his admirers!

Number 2 – The Historic Raffles Hotel

Have an original Singapore Sling at the famous Raffles Hotel or wander around and look at the old world grandeur of this first Singaporean hotel.

Number 3 – The Art

Gawk at the Art.  Singapore is full of street art and sculptures everywhere you look.  The sculptures depict life on the quays, families, cultural diversity.  They are there for everyone to enjoy, like these kids.

Number 4 – Ride A Bum Boat

Ride a Bum Boat.  What is a bum boat?  It’s a traditional skiff that carries folks from one end of the quay to the other.  Singapore has a system of water taxis, which are pretty luxurious as well as convenient and you can also use a bum boat for this purpose. 

However, most visitors like to get on a bum boat and take the river cruise, a narrated trip along the river.  A video plays throughout the ride recounting bits of history, both political and anecdotal of the region.

Number 5 – Eat Amazing Food

Eat some delicious food!  We’ve written much about the food in Singapore, such as the iconic chili crab.  Plenty of restaurants, plenty of food stalls, plenty of durian and other exotic fruits, but did we mention the fruit juices? 

Located so close to the equator, it is hot and steamy all year round and the juice stalls provide not only a needed service, but a myriad of new tastes. In Singapore there’s a food for every taste from dragon fruit, to carrot cake, and Bak Kut Teh is available.

Number 6 – Religious Buildings

Visit a religious building. There are not many places in the world that there is such tolerant religious diversity.  On one street, you can see a Christian church, a mosque, and a Buddhist temple. 

We went from visiting the Temple of the Tooth, where we gawked at one of Buddha’s teeth and spun an over-sized prayer wheel to the Miraman Temple where we marveled at the numerous gods and goddesses that adorn every nook and cranny of the famous temple.

Number 7 – Illuminating Museums

Go to a museum.  Singapore is full of interesting museums.  There’s probably too many to do in the time you’ve allotted, but just pick out some of the best ones. Our favorite was the Peranakan Museum with its display of mixed cultural life throughout history of the country.

Number 8 – Check Out the Gardens By The Bay

Relax at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, where you can sip cocktails on the 57th floor, walk around the amazing Gardens of the Bay, or shop, shop, shop! Stick around or come back later for the amazing light and sound show that plays out over the bay and across the city skyline.

Number 9 – Ride The Cleanest Metro

Take public transportation, the cleanest in the world. The bus and metro system is so easy to use. The entire city is well covered, you’ll be able to find a bus stop or metro stop within one or two blocks max.

Riding a bus through the city, even with no real destination, is a cheap and easy way to get the lay of the land, and the bus drivers are some of the most helpful.

Number 10 – Buy Souvenirs!

Shop until you drop!  From landing at the snazzy Changi Airport to malls, markets, stalls, temple sales, Singapore has a myriad of shopping opportunities, and as I said above…everyone speaks English!

 Have you been to Singapore?  If so, what was your favorite thing to do there?  What would be your top 10 Singapore?