The best way to get to know a new place is to explore its main attractions. So that you don’t have to search for long, we have compiled in this article 20 of the most interesting places in Singapore – each of which will tell you about this city-state just as well as any local. Trust us, Singapore will amaze you even before you step out of the airport.
» READ MORE – Singapore’s 20 architectural marvels: well worth a look
Butterfly Garden
As promised, Singapore’s attractions start right at the airport.
Everything in this futuristic building is designed for comfort: cozy chairs, numerous cafés, and even a swimming pool. Each of the four terminals offers something to see and ways to brighten up your wait for a flight. Many of the entertainments are free!
In Terminal 3, you’ll find the Butterfly Garden. Unexpected for an airport, yet a remarkably beautiful space, it is home to over a thousand butterflies. Alongside lush plant life, the garden features a waterfall and a pond with koi carp.
However, if you arrive in Singapore at night, you won’t be able to admire the butterflies – they sleep after dark. There is no artificial lighting in the garden so as not to disrupt the insects’ natural rhythm.
Changi Chapel and Museum
The Changi Military Museum is located near the airport. It is dedicated to the Japanese occupation of Singapore during World War II. Nearby stands the former prison where prisoners of war were held. A permanent exhibition of the museum tells the story of their life in detention.
You’ll see murals created by POWs, along with their photographs and personal belongings – including a camera that one prisoner managed to sneak into his cell and hide.
A particularly moving exhibit is the Changi Chapel, a replica of the original place of worship used by the prisoners.
The Changi Museum isn’t very large, so a visit will take no more than an hour.
Singapore Zoo
4,000 animals, a sprawling rainforest, and an immersive wildlife experience – that’s Singapore Zoo, also known as Mandai Zoo. The animals here are kept in environments close to their natural habitats. Rhinos, penguins, orangutans, giant tortoises, and many others live in spacious enclosures surrounded by greenery and ponds.
But don’t worry – the zoo uses safe glass barriers. There are no cages, only freedom and safety for all.
The zoo offers a variety of activities for adults and children alike. For example:
- Feed the animals. Not every zoo allows this, and you can’t do it on your own. Park staff organize daily feeding sessions. Spaces are limited, and a food portion costs $8
- Take a tram ride and observe the animals as you go. The zoo is quite large, and walking through it in one go – especially with kids – can be exhausting
There are plenty of snack bars in the zoo, but be sure to bring water. Sunscreen and insect repellent are also a good idea. Unfortunately, some of the zoo’s smaller residents aren’t behind glass.
Orchid National Park
Orchid National Park is part of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. About three thousand species of stunning flowers grow here on a gentle hillside, including unique hybrids developed by local scientists. Some are named after famous figures, such as UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
In Singapore, orchids are cherished – one native species has even become a national symbol.
Orchard Road
You can’t visit Singapore without walking along Orchard Road. Once a quiet route leading to plantations and orchards, it has transformed dramatically.
Today, Orchard Road is Singapore’s main shopping thoroughfare and a landmark in its own right. It is lined with restaurants, stylish cafés, and massive shopping centres. By night, it glows like Times Square or the Las Vegas Strip.
If you’re a smoker, note that smoking is only permitted in designated areas. Since 2019, Orchard Road has been officially smoke-free.
Gardens by the Bay
Right in the heart of the city, surrounded by skyscrapers and business hubs, lies a vast green space. Gardens by the Bay stretches along the coastline for 100 hectares – that’s more than 100 football fields. When we say «huge,» we mean it.
The most famous section is the South Bay Garden, known for its giant Supertrees. These towering structures not only decorate the park but also light it up and support a variety of plants.
A suspended walking trail connects the trees, and the tallest Supertree has an observation deck. From there, you can enjoy sweeping views of the city – and of the spectacular nightly light show in the park.
You can walk through the park, admire the Supertrees, and watch the light show for free. It’s even more engaging with a guide.
The Gardens by the Bay is home to 1.5 million plants from around the globe. Greenhouses recreate the ideal environments for them.
Explore the Cloud Forest for cool misty air, a waterfall, orchids, and ferns. Or visit the Flower Dome, which features zones for exotic plant life from different continents.
Buy tickets to the greenhousesSentosa Express Monorail
Singapore is an island nation. If you’re planning to visit Sentosa Island, the journey itself is a bit of an adventure. You’ll take not just any train, but a futuristic elevated monorail.
The monorail links the coastal HarbourFront district with the island. It makes only four stops – three of them on Sentosa.
You only need to pay for the journey to the island. Return trips and travel between Sentosa stations are free.
Singapore Flyer
Riding a Ferris wheel is always a thrill, but in Singapore, it comes with a twist. The Singapore Flyer lifts you so high that you can see parts of Malaysia and Indonesia.
To blend history with modernity, the Flyer ticket includes admission to the Time Capsule museum, which showcases Singapore’s transformation over time.
Buy a ticketArtScience Museum of Art and Science
This lotus-shaped building on Marina Bay is one of Singapore’s most iconic landmarks. Often described as the «welcoming palm of the city,» it houses a museum where creativity meets science, art, and technology.
Entrance ticket to the museumThe permanent exhibition Future World features interactive installations that will fascinate both adults and children. Don’t miss the virtual reality gallery, where you can experience artworks through VR headsets.
National Museum of Singapore
The oldest museum in the country, this institution is dedicated to Singapore’s rich history. Its collection spans centuries, documenting the city-state’s evolution.
Highlights include one of the earliest photographs of Singapore, a vinyl record of the national anthem, and a replica of an opium den visited by early Chinese migrants.
Buy ticketsPeranakan Museum
The Peranakans are descendants of Chinese settlers in Southeast Asia. This museum explores their way of life in Singapore, featuring a broad array of exhibits and multimedia installations.
Entrance ticket to the museumYou’ll learn about their household items, clothing, beliefs, rituals, and political traditions – even why their weddings lasted 12 days.
National Gallery of Singapore
Housing more than 8,000 pieces of Southeast Asian art, the National Gallery of Singapore boasts the world’s largest collection in its category. The works range from 19th-century paintings to contemporary video installations.
Inside the gallery, you can shop for souvenirs and enjoy a meal. Consider dining at Odette, a French restaurant with three Michelin stars.
Entrance ticket to the galleryMuseum of Asian Civilisations
This museum introduces visitors to the diverse cultures and traditions of the Asian peoples who shaped modern Singapore.
The collection is organized into three levels:
- The first focuses on trade and the history of port cities
- The second explores religious beliefs across regions
- The third showcases ceramics, jewellery, and clothing
There are also shops and restaurants. For a deeper cultural experience, try the Chinese cuisine at Empress.
CHIJMES Architectural Complex
The CHIJMES complex has lived many lives – once a convent, then a girls’ school.
Today, it’s a stylish gathering place for coffee, dining, boutique shopping, and even weddings.
Boat Quay
This vibrant waterfront was once the heart of Singapore’s commercial activity. In its heyday, it was the busiest harbour, lined with warehouses.
Though no longer a trade hub, the area’s historical buildings have found new life as bars and restaurants. It’s a lovely place to walk, dine, and enjoy seafood with a view.
Buddha’s Tooth Shrine Temple and Museum
Located in Chinatown, this red-and-white temple enshrines a sacred relic – the Buddha’s Tooth – on the fourth floor.
The interior is lavishly decorated with statues, gemstones, and a towering four-metre Buddha in the main hall. On the third floor, a museum displays artifacts illustrating Buddhist culture. Head to the rooftop for a serene orchid garden.
A vegetarian canteen in the basement offers free meals. Donations are welcome.
Please respect the dress code: legs, stomach, and shoulders must be covered. If needed, free shawls are available at the entrance.
Haw Par Villa Theme Park
Entry to the park is free!
There’s also a peaceful pond where you can feed the turtles — some say it’s good karma.
Museum of Hell
A continuation of the 10 Circles of Hell experience, the Hell Museum explores beliefs about the afterlife in various cultures.
Singapore Cable Car
Another way to see Singapore from above is via the cable car that connects the mainland to Sentosa Island.
The ride takes about 15 minutes.
There’s another cable car line on the island itself – save money with a combined ticket.
Universal Studios Singapore
Located on Sentosa, Universal Studios Singapore delights both children and adults. Themed rides based on famous films like Despicable Me and Jurassic Park make for a thrilling visit.
Buy an entrance ticketThe park features multiple themed zones, souvenir shops, and stylized cafés. Be sure to plan enough time to experience it all.
We hope Singapore has made an impression on you. It’s not just a city – it’s a state that masterfully blends a reverence for nature, cutting-edge technology, vibrant culture, and enduring spirituality.
» READ MORE – Singapore’s traditional dishes: what’s the first thing to try?
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