What to See in Singapore

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Singapore has one site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list:

Singapore Botanic Gardens (2015)
Over 150 years old and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Singapore Botanic Gardens feature a series of small themed gardens (including the popular orchid garden), lakes, and forests across about 75 hectares. It’s also a peaceful spot (except on Sundays) compared to the rest of the city.

Neighbourhoods and Tourist Areas

CBD - Central Business District
This is Singapore's business district with its unique bustling atmosphere.

Chinatown
A lively, pleasant spot and perhaps the most interesting district in the city.

Colonial District
A blend of colonial and modern architecture with urban parks and a riverside promenade.

Kampong Glam
Like other "traditional" districts in the city, Singapore’s Arab Quarter has also been restored and offers a lively shopping scene.

Little India
This is the Indian district of the city, vibrant (and slightly sanitised, as is often the case in Singapore), with its shops and the Sri Mariamman Temple, one of Singapore’s most well-known landmarks.

Orchard Road
This is the main shopping street in Singapore, with its many shopping centres and department stores drawing large crowds of both tourists and locals.

The Quays
Next to the business district and along the river, Boat Quay and Clarke Quay are former fishing and warehouse districts transformed into pedestrian zones with bars, restaurants, clubs, and other lively spots.

Monuments and Architectural Landmarks

Raffles Hotel
A legend from the colonial era, it was once one of the grandest and most illustrious hotels in Asia. Though somewhat overshadowed by competition today, it still retains a certain charm and a small (free) museum tracing its history.

Marina Bay Sands
Opened in 2010, this massive hotel with its "famous" boat-shaped infinity pool overlooking the city is now known worldwide. Alongside 2,500 rooms, the complex also houses a casino and the ArtScience Museum.

Museums

ArtScience Museum
This is the museum in Marina Bay Sands, recognizable by its lotus shape. It primarily hosts temporary exhibitions on art and science themes.

Asian Civilisations Museum
It is one of Singapore’s national museums and is renowned for its collections showcasing the diverse cultures and civilisations of Asia.

National Gallery Singapore
This museum specialises in Southeast Asian art.

Peranakan Museum
Housed in a historic building, this museum is dedicated to the culture of the Peranakan communities in the region.

Singapore Art Museum
The SAM is dedicated to contemporary art and artists from Singapore and the rest of the Asian continent.

Parks and Gardens

Fort Canning Park
This hill in the southeast of Singapore is a historical, cultural, and recreational site. Alongside its gardens and greenery, it features several memorials and the "Battle Box," which served as the British headquarters during the Battle of Singapore in World War II. It is now a museum on the subject.

Gardens by the Bay
This is now an iconic image associated with Singapore. A blend of ultra-modern architecture and botanical gardens spanning around a hundred hectares in the heart of the city.

Singapore Botanic Gardens
Over 150 years old and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Singapore Botanic Gardens feature a series of small themed gardens (including the popular orchid garden), lakes, and forests across about 75 hectares. It’s also a peaceful spot (except on Sundays) compared to the rest of the city.

Jurong Bird Park
Slightly off the beaten path, Jurong is a 20-hectare bird park.

Night Safari
This nocturnal zoo is unique in the world and is one of the city’s main attractions.

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
A patch of primary forest in an urban setting and a place for walking and leisure on a hill about ten kilometres from the city centre.

River Safari
Between Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari. Visitors explore a dozen ecosystems and their wildlife by boat, including pandas that are very popular with the public.

Sentosa
A small resort island with its beach, golf courses, hotels, aquarium, and theme park "Universal Studios Singapore". Very popular, especially with families. The cable car to get there offers a beautiful panorama of the city.

Singapore Zoo
Over 1.5 million visitors a year for this urban zoo, home to many animals, some of which roam freely. Nearby are the River Safari and, especially, the Night Safari.