Singapore Bucket List: 11 Unique Activities You Shouldn't Miss

11 Best Things to Do in Singapore

1. Be Blown Away by the Jewel Rain Vortex at the Airport ❤️ Must Visit

First things first: when you arrive at Changi Airport, find out which terminal you are in and take a shuttle bus or walk to Jewel, a massive shopping mall attached to the airport. There, you can check out the famous Jewel Rain Vortex, the world's tallest indoor waterfall, surrounded by a beautiful terraced forest.

Standing at 40 meters (130 ft) high, the Rain Vortex is the centerpiece of Jewel. It recirculates rainwater and pumps it up to the roof to free fall through a round hole, creating a beautiful waterfall vortex that you see.

It is an incredible feat of engineering and design that really captures the true essence of Singapore, a city that leads the way in harmoniously combining the modernity of our lifestyle with green spaces and nature. Fun fact, almost 50% of Singapore is green spaces!

The Jewel shopping center is located between Terminals 1, 2, and 3, so if you are landing in these terminals, you should be able to easily follow the Jewel signs and walk to the vortex waterfall.

If you are landing in Terminal 4, you can take a shuttle bus to one of 1, 2, or 3 terminals, and walk from there. The free shuttle runs every 15 minutes from the bus stop at Terminal 4's exit.

Jewel is located outside of the immigration area of the airport, so you do not need to be checked in to see it. You can visit it anytime you like. If you are only transiting through Changi Airport, then you can only see it from the train traveling between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, unless you have enough time to clear immigration and see it from Jewel shopping mall.

The Rain Vortex doesn't run all day, so be sure to plan your visit carefully. The waterfall operates from 11 AM to 10 PM every day, while on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the waterfall operates a little earlier at 10 AM. The entrance is free unless you want to go to the Canopy Park and walk the glass bridge, in which case it's 6 SGD per person.

Where to Stay in Singapore?

Budget

Jyu Capsule Hotel

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👍 Top Pick

Mid-Range

Oasia Hotel Downtown, Singapore by Far East Hospitality

$$ | Double Room

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High-End

Sofitel Singapore City Centre

$$$ | Luxury Room

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2. Explore Joo Chiat District 💎 Hidden Gem

One of the most beautiful and upcoming heritage districts in Singapore you should visit is Joo Chiat, home to the colorful historical Peranakan buildings and some of the most unique and diverse eateries you will find here.

I was tipped about this place by my friend who lives in the area, and he showed me around all the cool places in the neighborhood, including the colorful heritage Peranakan houses along Koon Seng Road, probably one of the most photogenic areas here.

The houses are of the Sino-Portuguese architectural style that can often be found in this part of Southeast Asia. The houses are adorned with Asian hybrid elements like colorful paintings and symbols of Chinese origin, but they are built like European houses, which I think is pretty cool.

There are many of these beautiful Sino-Portuguese buildings scattered all over the district, not just along Koon Seng Road, and it can take you an hour or more just to explore them all.

The district is also known for its awesome eatery options, from a lovely little bakery place (Petit Pain) that serves the crispiest croissant I have ever tried, to a local Laksa restaurant (328 Katong Laksa) where Gordon Ramsay visited for one of his shows. You can walk in any direction and you will find plenty of awesome places to eat in Joo Chiat.

You can easily reach Joo Chiat Road by taking the new Thomson-East MRT line and getting off at Marine Parade Station. From there, you can walk north for about a block and you should see Joo Chiat Road with the beautiful Sino-Portuguese houses running along it. If you are looking for an awesome hipster place to explore, this is the place to be.

For more things to do in Joo Chiat, check out: 8 Awesome Things to Do in Joo Chiat, Singapore for Solo Travelers

3. Stroll Around Fort Canning Park

Did you know that almost 50% of Singapore is covered in green spaces? Compare that to Bangkok, my home, with its depressing figure of 1.47%, Singapore feels like a jungle! If you want to escape the bustling city, Fort Canning Park, a lush green space area located right in the city center, is where you should go.

The park was built around a 43-meter tall hill that was used for fortification and military purposes, thanks to its strategic location. You can still see many of the remains of the fortress built atop it during the colonial period, such as the former gate and its walls, a handful of old cannons lying about, and the fortress itself that has now been turned into an art museum.

The whole park is quite expansive with many levels and attractions to explore, so you can expect to spend at least an hour or more here. I recommend you visit early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the midday heat.

There are several attractions you can visit in the park like Pancur Larangan, a small Bali-style garden, the National Museum of Singapore where you can learn more about the history of Singapore, and one of the most popular photo spots of all, Tree Tunnel.

At the tree tunnel, you will be able to get that iconic curved tunnel shot with a massive tree stretching across the sky from behind. It is one of the most popular photos to take in Singapore, so you can expect to see people lining up to get the money shot.

Personally, I couldn't be bothered to wait in line to get the photo, but if you want to avoid queuing, be sure to get there as early as you can. The park is open 24/7, and entry is free.

4. Check Out Singapore from Above at Sky Garden, CapitaSpring Tower

If you are looking for a nice viewpoint to see Singapore from above, one of the best places I found is from Sky Garden at CapitaSpring Tower, situated not too far from Marina Bay.

Located on the 51st floor of CapitaSpring Tower, Sky Garden is a beautiful balcony area attached to a bar where you can get an incredible 360° panoramic view of Singapore's cityscape, with Marina Bay in clear view.

To get to Sky Garden, you can book a time slot for free from their official website, which I found to be impossible to book as they only open for booking a few days in advance and it is always ALWAYS booked out very quickly. You can try your luck but don't expect too much from it.

A more certain way to get in is to pay 10 SGD for a bar admission ticket, which includes one complimentary soft drink, granting you instant access to Sky Garden. You can book the bar admission here in advance. Show the confirmation email to the tower's reception, and you will be allowed to go up the elevator to Sky Garden.

For the free slot, you are only allowed in from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM and again from 2:30 PM to 6 PM, with the last admission at 5:30 PM, on weekdays only and excluding public holidays. With the bar admission ticket, you can visit from 11:30 AM to 10 PM every day except Sundays and public holidays, with the last admission at 9 PM.

5. Explore Chinatown

One of the best areas to explore in Singapore is Chinatown, home to a vibrant Chinese community in Singapore with its lively markets, plenty of food choices, and many cool attractions waiting for you to explore.

One of the main attractions in Chinatown is Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, the beautiful red and white Tang Dynasty-style temple that houses many religious relics, including the Buddha tooth, which is how the temple got its name.

Much of the temple, both inside and outside, is painted in red with the interior housing several stunning Buddha images along its walls and gold Buddha statues sitting in the middle as a centerpiece.

Apparently, there are over 10,000 Buddha images at this temple including statues and carvings spread across its halls, displays, and even its roofs. The place is quite a sight to behold, so don't forget to check out the temple while you are in Chinatown. The temple is open from 7 AM to 5 PM every day and entry is free.

Right outside the temple, you will find many lively shops lining the streets around Chinatown with restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops that you can enjoy. There are also many street arts in the area, so be sure to keep an eye out for them.

Chinatown is also home to one of my favorite hawker centers in Singapore, Maxwell Food Center, with many food stands selling all kinds of street foods from dim sum to Hainanese chicken rice, and more.

One of my favorite breakfast places, Coffee Queen, is also here and they have an awesome 3.4 SGD breakfast set that I often order every morning, so be sure to check it out while you are here.

Singapore's Chinatown is quite big, so expect to spend at least an hour exploring the area. The best time to visit is in the evening when it is most lively, with streets and squares full of people – both tourists and locals – hanging out with one another. It is also a great place to stay if you are looking for the best area to stay in Singapore.

6. Visit Little India

Another cool district you should check out in Singapore is Little India, home to the colorful Singaporean Indian community with many Indian restaurants, colorful flower shops, and Hindu temples waiting for you to explore.

It almost felt like a different country coming from Chinatown to Little India, with its incense aroma coming from all the Hindu Temples and flower shops around the area. If you are craving for some authentic Indian food, this is where you want to be.

One of the highlights of visiting Little India is absorbing the unique Indian culture, and there is no better place to do that than at Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, a large Hindu temple where you will find plenty of colorful and elaborate displays of its unique architectural style and statues of deities.

You can get inside for free, and photography is allowed, which is not very common in a Hindu temple. Inside, you will find yourself surrounded by many prayers and priests as well as colorful statues and decors that will transport you to India for a brief moment. The place is awesome!

Be sure to walk around the temple and check out its roof from behind. Hindu temples often feature some of the best roof designs, with colorful statues of deities stacked to create a stunning and intricate roof. The temple is open from 5:30 AM to 12 PM and again from 5 PM to 9 PM every day.

While you are in Little India, also don't forget to walk around the Little India Arcade and check out the colorful Former House of Tan Teng Niah, the last surviving Chinese house in Little India.

7. Visit Sultan Mosque on the Arab Street

Singapore also has the Arab Street where the local Malay/Arab community flourishes, and one of the district's centerpieces is Sultan Mosque with its distinctive golden domes. It was built by the first sultan of Singapore as a symbol of the Muslim faith.

You can visit the mosque from Saturday to Thursday, from 10 AM to 12 PM and again from 2 PM to 4 PM, and the entry is free. If you are not a Muslim, make sure you enter at the right entrance. You can walk around for free or opt for a guided tour if you want.

The streets surrounding the mosque are also great to explore, with rows of souvenir shops and local restaurants you can enjoy. There are also many impressive street art pieces in the area, so be sure to spend at least an hour here and explore the area thoroughly.

8. Stroll Around Marina Bay Waterfront in the Evening

One of the things I often do when I am in Singapore is to go for a walk along Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade in the evening, right around sunset time, and witness the cityscape glistening by the water as it illuminates with city lights.

Here, you will see the iconic skyscraper with a boat-shaped top, Marina Bay Sands, as well as the flower-shaped ArtScience Museum, and Merlion Statue, one of the most iconic landmarks of Singapore.

You can begin your walk from the south and go around clockwise, admiring the beauty of Marina Bay Sand from afar and take photos with Merlion before crossing the river onto the other side via Jubilee Bridge.

Once you cross the river, you can then walk along the northern bank until you arrive at the Helix, a stunning steel footbridge designed to resemble the curved form of the structure of DNA. This bridge will lead to the ArtScience Museum, where you can then take a left under the main road bridge to visit Gardens by the Bay, our next destination on the list.

9. Admire the Beauty of Gardens by the Bay at Night

Gardens by the Bay is another incredible piece of engineering that drives home Singapore's vision of turning the city into a sustainable and green haven in nature by 2030. The place is home to an expansive network of gardens, greenhouses, waterfront parks, and more where one can pretty much stroll around for free.

One of the highlights of visiting Gardens By the Bay is to see Supertree Grove, a collection of unique vertical gardens resembling towering trees, with large striking canopies that are covered in colorful lights.

Walking around Supertree Grove felt like I was walking on an alien planet with odd-looking trees that illuminated the sky. At night, there will also be 2 light and musical shows at 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM, each lasting about 15 minutes, so be sure to be there around that time and find a nice spot to sit and look up at the trees.

At Gardens By the Bay, you will also find Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, 2 gigantic air-conditioned glass greenhouses with lush green vegetation, many of them exotic, themed gardens, and even a soaring waterfall, all located within the glass domes.

The greenhouses are open from 9 AM to 9 PM every day, and the entrance ticket to both places is 32 SGD per person. Both places are massive with many levels to explore inside, so make sure you allocate at least 2 hours for your visit.

Once you are done, you can catch the MRT from either Gardens By the Bay Station that runs along the TE (Thomson-East) line or via Bayfront MRT Station that runs along DT (Downtown) and CC (Circle) lines.

10. Eat Your Way through Singapore Hawker Markets 🥘 Best Place to Eat

One of my favorite aspects of Singapore is the hawker markets and its unique take on the street food scene that allows food to be easily accessible and affordably to the people without dirtying the streets and creating chaos like other cities in Southeast Asia. I'm looking at you, Bangkok 😂!

One of my favorite hawker markets is Maxwell Food Centre, located in Chinatown. It has a variety of food stands to choose from. No matter if you are craving Chinese or Indian food, breakfast, or dinner, they have everything covered here, and many of them are surprisingly affordable.

You can get a breakfast set with coffee, 1 kaya-butter toast, and 2 eggs at Coffee Queen, my favorite stall, for only 3.4 SGD. You can also grab cheap beers and hang out with people for as long as you like in its many seating areas.

Another great hawker market, although a little pricier than Maxwell, is Lau Pa Sat, located right in the heart of Singapore's business district. The place is massive with a dizzying number of food stands to choose from. The place gets extremely packed during lunch and dinner time, but it shouldn't be too hard for you to find seats as the place cycles through people pretty quickly.

Don't let the luxury image of Singapore hinder you from exploring the incredible food scenes here. There are still many places in Singapore where you can find good, affordable food, as long as you look hard enough.

11. Bike Around Pulau Ubin ☀️ Great Day Trip

If you are looking for a good day trip to make in Singapore, you might want to check out Pulau Ubin, a small lush green island located in the northeastern part of the country where you can go biking around in nature and explore one of the last rural areas to be found in Singapore.

Throughout history, the island has been known for its granite, with numerous granite quarries on the island that supplied the local construction industry during the colonial period. Nowadays, the island has been converted into a massive park with bike lanes and hiking trails you can explore.

To get to the island, you will first have to make your way to Changi Point Ferry Terminal where you can then take a small ferry across to Pulau Ubin. The ticket should cost around 4 SGD one way, and it should take no more than 15 minutes for the ferry to leave.

Once you arrive on the island, you should be able to find many bike rental places where you can rent a mountain bike for 10 - 15 SGD for the entire day. Once you are done, you can return the bike and head over to the jetty to get back to the mainland.

What to Eat and Drink in Singapore?

1. Have Breakfast at Coffee Queen, Maxwell Food Center

A place I often frequented to get myself an affordable traditional breakfast in Singapore is Coffee Queen, a coffee and breakfast stall located inside Maxwell Food Center, one of my favorite hawker markets here.

They have a really affordable 3.4 SGD breakfast set that comes with 2 eggs, 1 piece of kaya-butter toast, cut in half, and a cup of hot milk coffee (Kopi-c). The place is very popular among the locals with lines forming every morning, which is a good sign.

The best part is they also accept credit cards, which is not very common in a hawker market like this. The place is open 24/7, and they have a variety of drinks and toasts you can choose from. If you crave a Singaporean-style breakfast, be sure to check this place out.

2. Try Fish Ball Noodles at Lau Pa Sat

Fish ball noodles are one of Singapore's favorite noodle dishes, and a great place to find it, as well as other local dishes, is at Lau Pa Sat, a massive hawker market with a dizzying number of food stands you can choose from.

The place is located right in the center of the business district, so it gets a lot of visits from both locals and tourists, especially during lunch breaks. You can find almost any type of food here, including the fish ball noodles, so be sure to spend some time and explore Lau Pa Sat. The place is open 24/7.

How to Get to Singapore?

From the US, you should be able to find many direct flights flying from cities like SF, LA, or New York, to Singapore via airlines like United and Singapore Airlines as Changi Airport is a huge regional hub.

From Europe, the same also applies with many direct flights from cities like London, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam via British Airways, Lufthansa, and KLM, respectively.

From Asia, you can fly cheaply via AirAsia from cities like KL, Bangkok, or Jakarta. For further away places, Singapore Airlines is a good option to fly direct.

To find a cheap flight to Singapore, I would recommend you use AirAsia, Skyscanner, or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one.

How to Get Around Singapore?

Singapore is extremely easy to get around via MRT, a rail network with many lines and stations across the entire city. You should be able to get to all the places I mentioned here with the MRT.

Paying for the ticket is also very simple. With a credit card, you can easily tap on the machine while entering the platform and tap again once you get off, and it will automatically be charged to your credit card. Super easy! The price varies from 1.5 SGD to 2.5 SGD depending on the distance.

The same also applies to buses in Singapore. You might need to take a bus if you want to go to Pulau Ubin, and if you do, all you have to do is get on the bus, tap the card machine with your card, and tap again on exit. That's it.

If you plan to travel a lot on an MRT in one day, you might want to get the Singapore Tourist Pass, which allows unlimited rides on MRT and buses for 22 SGD (1 day), 29 SGD (2 days), and 34 SGD (3 days). The price includes a 10 SGD deposit, which can be reclaimed once you return the card no more than five days after purchase.

You should be able to get the card at a tourist office right from Changi Airport. The card is only worth it if you plan to travel a lot, but for this itinerary, using your credit card should be fine.

What to Pack for Singapore?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Singapore:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Singapore in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: 12go is a great place to look for bus and train schedule and buy tickets online in Southeast Asia that would otherwise not have been available in English online.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

VPN: To stay connected with people at home, I always make sure to have ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and I can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Klook is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for Singapore

I hope this travel guide helps you plan your trip to Singapore. If you are looking for more articles about this small country, here are a few you might find interesting:

• For a complete Singapore backpacking itinerary, check out: 3 Days Singapore Backpacking Itinerary for Solo Travelers.
• Joo Chiat is one of the most charming neighborhoods in Singapore and definitely my favorite area to explore. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Joo Chiat.
• Are you planning to travel to Singapore as part of a big Southeast Asia trip? Check out our 3-month backpacking itinerary for Southeast Asia.
• Watch a travel video I made about Southeast Asia here: NAsia Alive, A Southeast Asia Travel Video.
• Not convinced by my words about Indonesia and Southeast Asia? Check out my photographic journey through the subcontinent: 64 photos that will inspire you to visit Southeast Asia.
• Wondering where you want to go next? Check out Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.
• To see all articles about Singapore, visit the Singapore Travel Guide page.
• Looking for more travel guides for Southeast Asia? You can find more on my Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.