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The 12 Best Attractions in Singapore (2026)

Updated October 2026 · 12 picks

The best attractions in Singapore in 2026 are Gardens by the Bay, the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari, Jewel Changi Airport and the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark. Add Chinatown's Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Kampong Glam, the National Gallery and Universal Studios on Sentosa for a complete first trip.

Singapore is compact, the MRT is cheap and air-conditioned, and most of the big sights cluster around Marina Bay, the Civic District and Sentosa, with the wildlife parks out at Mandai in the north. Plan outdoor sights for the morning, museums and malls for the hot afternoons, and the free light shows at Marina Bay for the evening. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, so keep an umbrella handy.

1. Gardens by the Bay — Marina Bay

Singapore's signature sight: the Supertrees, two vast glass domes and a free nightly light show.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for First-timers · Families · Couples

Gardens by the Bay is a 101-hectare park on reclaimed land next to Marina Bay Sands. The outdoor gardens and the Supertree Grove are free. Inside the two cooled conservatories, the Flower Dome holds plants from Mediterranean climates and the Cloud Forest wraps a man-made mountain and indoor waterfall in mist and orchids.

Come in the late afternoon: do the domes while it is hot, walk the OCBC Skyway between the Supertrees at dusk, then stay for the free Garden Rhapsody light-and-sound show at 7:45pm or 8:45pm.

Good to know: Buy the two-dome ticket online and lie down on the ground under the Supertrees for the light show — locals do.

18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953

Google Maps Website

2. Singapore Botanic Gardens — Tanglin, Orchard Road

A UNESCO World Heritage garden that is free, beautiful and a short hop from Orchard Road.

$ BudgetBest for Couples · Families · Nature lovers

The Botanic Gardens, founded in 1859, became Singapore's first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. Its lakes, lawns, heritage trees and rainforest patch make for a lovely morning walk, and the National Orchid Garden inside holds the world's largest display of tropical orchids.

Entry is free (the Orchid Garden charges a small fee). Go early, when locals are out jogging and doing tai chi, and finish with breakfast nearby or at Dempsey Hill.

Good to know: Enter from Botanic Gardens MRT at the north end and walk south to the Tanglin Gate, ending near Orchard Road.

1 Cluny Rd, Singapore 259569

Google Maps Website

3. Singapore Zoo — Mandai

One of the world's best open-concept zoos, set in rainforest.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families · First-timers · Animal lovers

Singapore Zoo keeps its animals in landscaped habitats with moats and natural barriers rather than cages, on the edge of the Upper Seletar Reservoir. The orangutans, the Fragile Forest walk-through and the KidzWorld splash area are the highlights.

It is part of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, alongside the Night Safari, River Wonders, Bird Paradise and Rainforest Wild Adventure, and multi-park passes save money if you plan to do more than one.

Good to know: Arrive at opening, when the animals are most active and the heat has not kicked in.

80 Mandai Lake Rd, Singapore 729826

Google Maps Website

4. Night Safari — Mandai

The original nocturnal zoo — tram rides and walking trails among animals after dark.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families · Couples · First-timers

The Night Safari opened in 1994 as the world's first nocturnal wildlife park. A tram loop takes you past Asian elephants, rhinos and big cats under moon-like lighting, and walking trails lead to smaller nocturnal animals such as fishing cats and flying squirrels.

It is next to the zoo, so you can do both in one long day with dinner in between. Tickets are timed and weekend slots sell out.

Good to know: Book the earliest entry slot, ride the tram first, then walk the trails when the crowds thin.

80 Mandai Lake Rd, Singapore 729826

Google Maps Website

5. Jewel Changi Airport — Changi

The world's tallest indoor waterfall, inside a glass dome at the airport.

$ BudgetBest for Families · First-timers · Layovers

Jewel is a glass dome connected to Changi Airport's terminals, built around the HSBC Rain Vortex, a 40-metre indoor waterfall surrounded by a terraced forest. It is free to enter, with shops and restaurants on five levels.

Canopy Park on the top level adds ticketed hedge mazes, a bouncing net and sky nets. Even if you only have a layover of a few hours, it is worth seeing.

Good to know: The Rain Vortex has evening light-and-sound shows; check the times on Jewel's site and watch from level 1.

78 Airport Blvd, Singapore 819666

Google Maps Website

6. SkyPark Observation Deck at Marina Bay Sands — Marina Bay

The classic Singapore skyline view, from the top of the city's most famous building.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for First-timers · Couples

The SkyPark Observation Deck sits at the top of the Marina Bay Sands towers and looks across the bay to the CBD, Gardens by the Bay and the ships waiting in the Singapore Strait. It is the easiest way for non-guests to get onto the rooftop.

The infinity pool is guests-only, so the deck is the view, not the swim.

Good to know: Book a sunset slot online, then walk down to the Event Plaza for the free Spectra show at 8pm.

10 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018956

Google Maps Website

7. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Chinatown — Chinatown

A striking Tang-style temple at the heart of Chinatown's markets and hawker centres.

$ BudgetBest for First-timers · Culture lovers · Food lovers

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is a multi-storey Tang dynasty-style temple housing a relic venerated by Buddhists, a Buddhist culture museum and a rooftop garden with a large prayer wheel. Entry is free.

Around it, Chinatown's Pagoda and Trengganu Streets, the Sri Mariamman Temple, Chinatown Complex and Maxwell Food Centre make an easy half-day on foot.

Good to know: Cover shoulders and knees; sarongs and shawls are provided at the entrance.

288 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058840

Google Maps Website

8. Sultan Mosque and Kampong Glam — Kampong Glam

The golden-domed mosque, Arab Street and Haji Lane in the old Malay quarter.

$ BudgetBest for Culture lovers · First-timers · Shoppers

Sultan Mosque, with its golden dome, is the focal point of Kampong Glam, Singapore's historic Malay-Muslim quarter. Visitors are welcome outside prayer times, and robes are provided.

Around it, Bussorah Street, Arab Street's textile shops and the murals and boutiques of Haji Lane fill a few hours. The revamped Malay Heritage Centre, which reopened in April 2026 in the former istana, is next door.

Good to know: Avoid Friday midday prayers, and come back at dusk when the cafes and restaurants on Bussorah Street fill up.

3 Muscat St, Singapore 198833

Google Maps Website

9. National Gallery Singapore — Civic District

Southeast Asian art in the former Supreme Court and City Hall, with rooftop views over the Padang.

$ BudgetBest for Culture lovers · Couples · Rainy days

The National Gallery Singapore holds the world's largest public collection of modern art from Singapore and Southeast Asia, set in two grand colonial buildings joined by a glass canopy. The architecture alone makes it worth a visit.

Don't miss the rooftop garden, which looks over the Padang to Marina Bay Sands. Open daily, 10am to 7pm.

Good to know: Singaporeans and PRs get in free; tourists pay for general admission and more for special exhibitions.

1 St Andrew's Rd, Singapore 178957

Google Maps Website

10. Universal Studios Singapore — Resorts World Sentosa

Southeast Asia's Universal theme park, with Minion Land added in 2025.

$$$ UpmarketBest for Families · Teens · Thrill seekers

Universal Studios Singapore on Sentosa packs themed zones into a compact park, from Transformers and the duelling Battlestar Galactica coasters to Jurassic Park. Minion Land opened in February 2025.

It is a full day out. Weekdays outside school holidays are quietest; an Express pass pays for itself on busy days.

Good to know: Ride the big coasters first, then the indoor attractions during the afternoon heat.

8 Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098269

Google Maps Website

11. Singapore Oceanarium — Resorts World Sentosa

The big new aquarium that replaced the S.E.A. Aquarium in 2025, three times the size.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families · Rainy days

The Singapore Oceanarium opened in July 2025 on the site of the former S.E.A. Aquarium, roughly three times larger with 22 zones. It puts more weight on marine science and conservation, and the big ocean habitats are the showstoppers.

It pairs naturally with Universal Studios on the same Sentosa day, or with an afternoon on the beaches.

Good to know: Go early on a weekday; school groups arrive mid-morning.

8 Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098269

Google Maps Website

12. Little India — Little India

Garlands, temples and biryani — the most colourful few streets in Singapore.

$ BudgetBest for Culture lovers · Food lovers · First-timers

Little India runs along Serangoon Road: the Tekka Centre's wet market and hawker centre, flower-garland stalls, spice shops, the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple and the Indian Heritage Centre. Mustafa Centre, open around the clock, is at the far end.

Come hungry for biryani, banana-leaf curries and thosai, and come back during Deepavali, when the streets are lit up.

Good to know: Avoid Sunday evenings if you dislike crowds — it's the day off for many migrant workers who gather here.

Tekka Centre, 665 Buffalo Rd, Singapore 210665

Google Maps

Frequently asked questions

What are the top 3 things to do in Singapore?

Gardens by the Bay (the Supertrees and the Cloud Forest dome), the Singapore Zoo or Night Safari, and a hawker-centre meal in Chinatown. If you only have one evening, catch the free Garden Rhapsody light show at the Supertree Grove at 7:45pm or 8:45pm.

How many days do you need in Singapore?

Three to four days covers the essentials: Marina Bay and the Gardens, Chinatown and the Civic District museums, Kampong Glam and Little India, the zoo or Night Safari, and a day on Sentosa. Add a day if you want Universal Studios and the wildlife parks.

Which attractions should I book ahead?

The Night Safari (timed entry, sells out on weekends), Universal Studios, the Gardens by the Bay domes on weekends, and the SkyPark Observation Deck at sunset. Buy from the official sites; prices are often the same or cheaper than resellers.

Is the Singapore Botanic Gardens free?

Yes — the Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is free from 5am to midnight. Only the National Orchid Garden inside it charges entry. See our free things to do in Singapore for more.

What is there to do in Singapore at night?

The free Garden Rhapsody show at Gardens by the Bay and the Spectra light-and-water show at Marina Bay Sands, the Night Safari, a river cruise, and late suppers at Lau Pa Sat's satay street or a hawker centre.

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