Best Things To Do In Singapore.
Whenever I plan to visit a new place, whether a city or a country, the first thing I do is look up the experiences other people have said you have to do there. After all, life is all about experiences! These are my must do’s after spending 2 days in Singapore - in no particular order.
1. Marina Bay Sands Hotel at Sunset
Did you know that you can access the observation deck without being a guest of the hotel? Neither did I. This was a piece of local knowledge that was imparted on us during our Grab ride from the airport into the city on our very first night. Learning this is a super popular way to spend an evening in Singapore, I felt very lucky to secure a spot with only 2 spaces available on our last night in the city. This is capped pretty strictly and once it is sold out that’s it, so I would definitely recommend booking this one in advance!
Marina Bay Sands Observation Deck - $35.50 AUD pp.
2. Singapore Flyer
The Singapore Flyer is a huge ferris wheel that takes you high up above Singapore and is open between …. and …. daily, which means you can also ride it at night and see the city lights in all their gloriousness. With this experience there is also the option to book a Champagne Experience, which is what we opted for. As you arrive you check in to the guest lounge and wait for your ‘flight’. From here you are privately escorted to the flyer where you skip the queues and are given a glass of champagne as you step into your cabin. Light snacks are also provided throughout the ride. Your ‘flight’ then takes you high above Singapore for the best views of the city, as well as Marina Bay Sands and the SuperTree Grove.
Singapore Flyer & Time Capsule - $45 AUD pp.
Champagne Experience - $88 AUD pp.
3. Cloud Forest & Flower Dome
While you can visit each of these places individually, the best value for time and money is the dual ticket, which allows you entry into both exhibitions. The Cloud Forest had been on my list as a place to visit ever since I found out about it and it did not disappoint! With a beautiful indoor waterfall, exotic plant life, all in the … storey glass dome it is like walking into a whole other world. In addition to this the Cloud Dome showcases exhibitions and art installations, and at the time of our visit the Avatar Exhibition was on. From January 2024 the space will be being prepared for a new exhibition, so watch this space.
The Flower Dome also does not disappoint, as one of the world’s largest greenhouses it is home flora and fauna from all around the world. It is the size of 75 Olympic swimming pools, and again you could spend hours exploring both here and the Cloud Forest, offering extremely good value for money!
Cloud Forest & Flower Dome - $35.50 AUD pp.
4. SuperTree Grove
During the day, and at night the SuperTree Grove is a wonderful place to explore. As you walk through these man made trees (or giants), you can’t help but feel a sense of awe as you process just how small you really are. They are really a sight to behold, and SuperTree Grove is also located close to Marina Bay Sands and the Cloud Forest. The thing that I’ve noticed about Singapore is that while you can use Grab or other rideshare services, all of the main attractions are walkable, and that’s what we love to see in a city! Garden’s By the Bay has plenty of cafe’s, eateries, and even a Starbucks at hand. Everything is close by, and the best part about this is that it’s free! I would highly recommend both visiting during the day time and at night to get the full experience, but if you’re short on time definitely pick the evening for the lightshow, and make sure to get there early to secure a great spot. The light show, aptly named Garden Rhapsody runs at 7.45pm and 8.45pm every evening and is a must see.
SuperTree Grove - FREE
5. Sultan Mosque
If you are a history buff, this one’s for you! This area is incredibly vibrant and we didn’t necessarily intend to visit here, but I am so glad we stumbled upon it. Sultan Mosque was originally built in 1824 and had humble beginnings as a small gathering place for the Muslim community in Singapore. In 1928 the building as it now stands was completed and is preserved historical building.
Walk-in visits are allowed between the hours of 10am and 12pm, and 2pm and 4pm Saturday to Thursday. A limited number of people will be admitted per entry and it is appropriate to wear sleeved tops and long pants or skirts, however there are also robes available to wear for the duration of your time there. Photos are allowed, however permission for video recording must be obtained prior to entering the mosque.
The area in which the Mosque is situated is a Turkish inspired province, with amazing cuisine around every corner, as well as pottery, buskers, and gorgeous street art.
Sultan Mosque - FREE
6. Explore Singapore by Walking
Singapore is very culturally diverse and it doesn’t take going too far out of your way to be surrounded by immersive cultural experiences from different parts of the globe, and a walking tour is the perfect way to do this. It’s a short 10-15 minute walk between many of the famous temples and monuments, from Sri Veeramakaliamman in Little India to St Andrews Cathedral and Sultan Mosque, Singapore is a cultural melting pot of experience. Exploring Singapore on foot is a must do if any of the above speaks to you, and is also free!
Walking Tour - FREE
7. Evening River Cruise
If you fancy seeing the magic of Singapore at night from a different viewpoint, I have to recommend the river cruise. This is such a relaxing way to soak up the city as you sit back and enjoy passing by the sights at a slower pace. Cruises depart at different times throughout the evening so you have plenty of time to catch dinner before the sun sets, or why not jump on a sunset river cruise? After dark though is where the magic really happens as you pass by Spectra - Singapore’s light and water show which runs at 8pm and 9pm daily.
River Cruise - $32 AUD pp.
8. ArtScience Museum
Where to begin. The ArtScience Museum is a place where the worlds of colour, art, and science collide through stimulating immersive and sensory exhibitions. The exhibitions here change regularly, so you know that each time you visit you will likely be immersed in new and inspiring worlds. Even if art is not usually your thing, I couldn’t recommend this highly enough! The exhibitions are more sensory maze meets scientific enquiry, with plenty of light displays and opportunity to participate in the exhibitions. While this is a more expensive activity on this list, I wouldn’t miss it as the museum offers so much value for money and you’ll be bound to spend hours exploring.
ArtScience Museum - $75 AUD pp.
There are so many more places to explore in Singapore, I can’t wait to go back. This list just scratches the surface, and if you’d like to see what 2 days in Singapore looks like in real life watch the video below!
