Things to do in Singapore
Beyond the skyscrapers of this economic powerhouse lurk Singapore's roots. In Chinatown, the red pagoda Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum sits alongside the Hindu Sri Mariamman Temple. The best museums lie in the elegant Colonial District, including the ornate Peranakan Museum. Visitors leave the bustle of the Central Business District for rural escapes like Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Sentosa Island's Tanjong Beach. Most attractions are open daily, from 10am to 5pm.
Museums and Galleries
Expand all1. Singapore Tyler Print Institute - Art on paper
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A hidden gem at Robertson Quay, Singapore Tyler Print Institute has a spacious gallery with temporary exhibitions including etchings and screen prints. Established in 2002 to promote printmaking and papermaking, visitors can also see resident artists working in the studios.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Tue-Sat 10am-6pm
Address
41, Robertson Quay, Singapore 238236
Telephone
+65 6336 3663
Transport
MRT to Clarke Quay or bus 32 to River Valley Road
Website
2. National Museum of Singapore - Singapore stories
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The National Museum of Singapore in the Colonial District is a fascinating walk through the city's history, including personal stories from female Muslim activists. It was built by Colonel Sir H E McCallum as the Raffles Library in 1887.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Admission to building is free, Galleries: adults S$10; concessions S$5 (Free to Singapore Living Galleries 6pm-9pm, Audio guides free)
Opening Hours
Daily. Singapore History Gallery 10am-6pm; Singapore Living Galleries 10am-8pm
Address
93, Stamford Road, Singapore 178897
Telephone
+65 6332 3659
3. Asian Civilisations Museum - Singapore's cultural influences
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Divided into 11 small galleries, the Asian Civilisations Museum along the Singapore River travels through Asia via a combination of sculptures, religious statues and manuscripts. Highlights include 18th-century Javanese shadow-puppets and items from the Raffles Museum.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
S$8; concessions S$4; discounted Fri 7-9pm
Opening Hours
Mon 1pm-7pm; Tue-Thu, Sat & Sun 9am-7pm; Fri 9am-9pm
Address
1, Empress Place, Singapore 179555
Telephone
+65 6332 2982
4. Peranakan Museum - Clan culture
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The Colonial District's Peranakan Museum reflects the history of the Peranakan people - a fusion of Chinese and Malay heritage. Set in an ornate former school, exhibits examine their complex heritage, including their loyalty to the British during the empire.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
S$6; concessions S$3 (half price on Fri 7pm-9pm)
Opening Hours
Mon 1pm-7pm; Tue-Sun 9.30am-7pm (until 9pm on Fri)
Address
39, Armenian Street, Singapore 179941
Telephone
+65 6332 7591
5. Singapore Art Museum - Modern Asian pieces
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A former Catholic boys' school in the Colonial District, the graceful Singapore Art Museum uses its 14 gallery spaces to host exhibitions of contemporary Asian art and 4000 works of 20th-century south-east Asian art.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
S$8; concessions S$4; free entry Mon-Fri 12pm-2pm & Fri 6pm-9pm
Opening Hours
Mon-Thu, Sat & Sun 10am-7pm; Fri 10am-9pm
Address
71, Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189555
Telephone
+65 6332 3222
Attractions
Expand all6. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve - Lush rainforest wildlife
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Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is a tract of primary rainforest, 12km outside Singapore. While walking along its well-marked paths, visitors spot exotic birds, monkeys and flying lemurs and spy Singapore's highest point, the 164-metre Bukit Timah Hill.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 6am-7pm
Address
177, Hindhede Drive, Singapore 589333
Telephone
+65 6468 5736
7. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum - Enlightening culture
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A Singapore Chinatown landmark, the Tang dynasty-style Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum opened in 2007 costing US$62m. Its vast 100 Dragons Hall displays hand-painted ceiling tiles and a golden statue of compassionate Maitreya Buddha. Upstairs is the enlightening museum.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Temple daily 7am-7pm; Museum daily 8am-6pm
Address
288, South Bridge Road, Singapore 058840
Telephone
+65 6220 0220
8. Night Safari at the Singapore Zoo - Hippos after dark
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The Night Safari at the Singapore Zoo is the world's first. Set in the Upper Seletar Reservoir, it's a near-to-natural habitat for nocturnal animals. Quiet trams transport visitors around. Walking trails allow you to get close-up to leopard-like fishing cats.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
S$22; children S$11 (tram ride S$10; children S$5)
Opening Hours
Daily 7.30pm-12am (last admission 11pm)
Address
80, Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826
Telephone
+65 6269 3411
Transport
MTR to Ang Mo Kio, then bus 138; MTR to Choa Chu Kang, then bus 927
Website
9. Singapore Botanic Gardens - Famous-name orchids
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The highlight of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a peaceful 635m² spot in Tanglin, is the National Orchid Garden. Among the 20,000 varieties are 'celebrity orchids', hybrids named after VIPs like Nelson Mandela and Margaret Thatcher.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Gardens free; National Orchid Garden S$5; concessions S$1
Opening Hours
Gardens daily 5am-12am; National Orchid Garden daily 8.30am-7pm
Address
1, Cluny Road, Singapore 259569
Telephone
+65 6471 7361
10. Sri Mariamman Temple - Oldest Hindu temple
Show more Singapore's oldest Hindu temple, Sri Mariamman Temple in Chinatown, was built by South Indian immigrants in 1827. Its striking features are the ornamental tower and animal sculptures in the courtyard. The fire-walking ceremony, Theemithi, is held here in October/November.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free; S$3 to take photographs
Opening Hours
Daily 7am-12pm & 6pm-9pm
Address
244, South Bridge Road, Chinatown, Singapore 058793
Telephone
+65 6223 4064
Special things to do
Expand all11. Tanjong Beach - Beach relaxation
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When Singapore's urban attractions become overwhelming, visitors slip off to Tanjong Beach for peaceful downtime. Although it has imported sand and none-too-clear waters, the beach is a popular spot on which to sunbathe and sip cocktails.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily all day (no camping)
Address
Sentosa Island 098942
12. Singapore Flyer - Singapore's observation wheel
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The 28-capsule Singapore Flyer is Asia's first giant observation wheel, and an iconic addition to the landscape. Turning slowly above the fast-developing Marina, full rotation takes around 30 minutes, time to soak up the panoramic views.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
S$29.50; children S$20.65
Opening Hours
Daily 8.30am-10.30pm
Address
Marina Bay, Singapore 039803
Telephone
+65 6854 5200
13. Spa Botanica - Island pampering
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Located in a decadent oasis on the island of Sentosa, Spa Botanica pampers its clients. Guest try the mud treatment with essential oils, followed by a relaxing steam bath, a papaya-infused clay body wrap or a fruity facial.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Treatments from S$80
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-10pm
Address
The Sentosa Resort & Spa, 2 Bukit Manis Road, Sentosa Island 099891
Telephone
+65 6371 1318
14. Asian Cookery Masterclasses - Spicing up the kitchen
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Singapore's magnificent Asian dishes inspire visitors to recreate them with Asian Cookery Masterclasses. Top chefs from Coriander Leaf restaurant on Clarke Quay run regular half-day courses. Make Vietnamese, Thai and Sichuan dishes to wow friends with back home.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
From S$120 per half-day course (advance booking essential)
Opening Hours
Most courses Tue & Thu 10am, Sat 10am & 3pm
Address
Coriander Leaf, 3A Merchant Court #02-03, River Valley Road, Clarke Quay, Singapore 179020
Telephone
+65 6732 3354
15. Cycling on Pulau Ubin - Rustic island retreat
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A ten-minute 'bumboat' (motorboat) ride away from Singapore is the tiny island of Pulau Ubin, with bicycles for hire near the jetty. Ramshackle houses, desolate marshland, simple seafood restaurants and the Chek Jawa wetlands make a wonderful rural escape.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Bumboat S$2.50 each way
Opening Hours
Boats run daily 6.30am-8pm (depending on demand)
Address
Pulau Ubin
Transport
Bus to Changi Village, then bumboat from Changi Point Ferry Terminal
Website
