Picture yourself standing on the Marina Bay waterfront at dusk, watching the light show reflect off the water while the smell of char kway teow drifts over from a nearby hawker stall. That’s Singapore in a nutshell — a city that somehow manages to be ultra-modern and deeply traditional at the same time. If you’re wondering about the best things to do in Singapore, you’ve landed in exactly the right place. From rooftop infinity pools to century-old temples, night safaris to Michelin-starred street food, this compact city-state punches way above its weight when it comes to experiences.

Top Attractions You Absolutely Cannot Skip

Let’s start with the big ones. Gardens by the Bay is the kind of place that genuinely surprises you, even if you’ve seen a hundred photos. The Supertree Grove light show happens every evening at 7:45pm and 8:45pm, and it’s completely free. If you want to go inside the Cloud Forest or Flower Dome conservatories, tickets run about $28 SGD (roughly $20 USD or AED 75) per conservatory, or you can bundle them together for a discount.

Then there’s Marina Bay Sands. Yes, the infinity pool is iconic — but you’ll need to be a hotel guest to swim in it. The good news? The SkyPark Observation Deck on the 57th floor is open to everyone for around $32 SGD (about $24 USD or AED 88), and the views are genuinely jaw-dropping. Go at golden hour and thank me later.

One thing most visitors miss is Haw Par Villa, a quirky, old-school theme park filled with Chinese mythology statues. It’s free to enter and unlike anything else you’ll see in the city. A little weird, a little wonderful, and very photogenic.

Sentosa Island deserves at least a full day. You’ve got Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A. Aquarium, beaches, cable cars, and more. Universal Studios alone will cost around $83 SGD ($62 USD / AED 227), so factor that into your budget if it’s on your list.

Where to Eat: Singapore’s Food Scene is the Real Star

Here’s something that might surprise you: some of the best food in Singapore costs less than $5 SGD. The hawker centre culture here is extraordinary, and it’s UNESCO-recognised for good reason. Head to Maxwell Food Centre in Chinatown, Lau Pa Sat near the CBD, or Old Airport Road Food Centre for the full local experience.

Must-eats include Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, roti prata, and chilli crab (that one’s pricier — expect to pay around $50-80 SGD for a whole crab at a restaurant). For something a little more special, Jaan by Kirk Westaway and Odette both hold multiple Michelin stars and represent Singapore’s world-class fine dining scene.

If you want a local beer with a view, head to Lau Pa Sat in the evenings when the surrounding street turns into a satay hawker strip. It’s loud, fun, and completely authentic.

Neighbourhoods Worth Exploring on Foot

Chinatown and Little India

Singapore’s ethnic neighbourhoods are easy to explore and totally walkable. Chinatown is home to the Sri Mariamman Temple, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, and excellent street food. Wander in on a weekend morning and you’ll find the market stalls setting up — it’s a completely different energy to the rest of the city.

Little India around Serangoon Road is a sensory overload in the best possible way. The smell of fresh jasmine garlands, colourful sari shops, and the sounds of Tamil music make this one of the most characterful corners of the city. Don’t miss Tekka Centre for a proper South Indian breakfast.

Kampong Glam

This is Singapore’s Malay-Arab quarter, and it’s full of independent boutiques, art galleries, and great Middle Eastern and Malay food. Haji Lane is a narrow alley lined with indie shops and street art — great for a browse and some photos. The golden-domed Sultan Mosque is the centrepiece and one of the most beautiful buildings in the city.

Practical Tips for Visiting Singapore

Singapore is one of the most straightforward cities in the world to navigate. The MRT (subway system) is excellent, air-conditioned, and remarkably affordable — a single journey rarely costs more than $2.50 SGD. Grab an ez-link card from any MRT station for around $10 SGD deposit and load it up as you go.

Getting there: Singapore is about a 7-hour flight from Dubai. Emirates flies direct to Changi Airport, which — by the way — has its own waterfall, a rooftop pool, and a forest. It’s worth arriving early just to explore the airport.
Visa: Most Western, GCC, and ASEAN passport holders get visa-free entry to Singapore for 30-90 days. Check with the ICA (Immigration and Checkpoints Authority) for your specific passport.
Budget: Expect to spend around $80-150 USD ($300-550 AED) per day if you’re mixing hawker meals with some paid attractions. Budget travellers who stick to hawkers and free sights can do it for much less.
Best time to visit: February to April tends to be drier and slightly cooler. Singapore is a year-round destination, but be prepared for afternoon rain showers at any time.
Safety: Singapore is one of the safest cities in the world. That said, be mindful of local rules — fines for littering, jaywalking, and chewing gum (yes, really) are enforced.
Data and SIM: Pick up a tourist SIM at the airport for around $15-20 SGD for unlimited data. It’s the easiest way to navigate using Google Maps and book food delivery apps like GrabFood.

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Singapore

How many days do you need in Singapore?

Three to five days is the sweet spot for most first-time visitors. You can cover the major attractions, explore a few neighbourhoods, and still have time for day trips to Sentosa or the Southern Ridges in that window. If you’re a slow traveller or a foodie who wants to really dig into the hawker scene, a week works beautifully.

Is Singapore expensive compared to other Southeast Asian destinations?

Honestly, yes — Singapore is significantly more expensive than Bangkok, Bali, or Kuala Lumpur. But the gap narrows when you eat at hawker centres and use public transport. Accommodation is the biggest cost, with decent mid-range hotels starting from around $120-180 USD per night. The city also offers free and low-cost attractions that rival anything you’d pay top dollar for elsewhere.

What’s the one thing most tourists don’t know about Singapore?

Most tourists don’t know that the Singapore Botanic Gardens is completely free to enter (except the National Orchid Garden, which costs $15 SGD). It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a genuinely lovely place to spend a morning. The Sunday Concerts on the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage are also free and attract huge local crowds — a lovely way to see the city like a local.

Singapore rewards the curious traveller. The more you look beyond the big-name sights, the more this city reveals itself — through a bowl of laksa at 7am, a perfectly preserved shophouse, or a spontaneous conversation with a hawker who’s been perfecting the same dish for forty years. If you’re ready to start planning your trip, head over to nextdestinationai.com for personalised itineraries and insider destination guides that’ll help you make the most of every day you have there. Your Singapore adventure is waiting — go make it count.