Singapore is known as a City in a Garden and nearly 50 percent of the island is green space. It is a thriving metropolis offering a world‑class infrastructure, a fully integrated island‑wide transport network, dynamic business environment, vibrant living spaces and a rich culture largely influenced by the four major communities in Singapore with each offering different perspective of life in Singapore in terms of culture, religion, food, language and history. I lived there for 2 years so let me show you my favourite spots 🙏🏻
National Gallery Singapore
The National Gallery of Singapore is an art museum located in central Singapore. Opened on November 24, 2015, it oversees the world's largest public collection of Singaporean and Southeast Asian art, consisting of more than 8,000 works of art. Its aim is to provide an understanding and appreciation of art and culture through a variety of mediums, focusing on the culture and heritage of Singapore and its relationship to other Asian cultures and the world.
National Gallery Singapore is a leading visual arts institution overseeing the world's largest public collection of modern art from Singapore and Southeast Asia. Situated in the birthplace of modern Singapore, in the heart of the Civic District, the Gallery is housed in two national monuments, the City Hall and the former Supreme Court, which have been beautifully restored and transformed into this exciting 64,000-square-meter precinct.
Chinatown
Chinatown is another of the most atmospheric neighbourhoods in the city that could not be missing from the list of the best places to visit in Singapore. Its origin dates back to the time when the city was a British colony and received through its port a large number of Chinese merchants, who with the passage of time, settled in this neighbourhood.
During a walking tour of Chinatown, you will discover old colonial houses, street food markets and small temples and shrines, as well as the typical red Chinese lanterns that usually adorn any street.
Another of the places that you cannot miss is the most authentic area of the neighbourhood, which is located in Kreta Ayer Square, where traditional Chinese crafts and souvenir shops remain.
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum
Although it seems that it is a historical building, it is not like that. This temple-museum was built in 2007. As its name indicates, inside is one of the four teeth of the Buddha that his disciples recovered from the ashes after his cremation. Admission is free and we advise you to go up to the roof where you will find a beautiful garden.
Although it is a tourist attraction, it is still a place of worship for Buddhists. You cannot enter with shorts or tank tops, but don't worry, at the entrance they lend you handkerchiefs to cover yourself with.
Palawan Beach Sentosa Island
Sentosa Island, which means peace and tranquillity in Malay, is another of the places to see in Singapore that you cannot miss.
Among its several beaches and tourist attractions, Palawan Beach stands out, which has a suspension bridge that allows you to reach the closest point in Asia to the Equator. Another well-known one is Siloso Beach, ideal for practicing outdoor sports, while Tanjong Beach is the least visited and quietest.
Among the most spectacular attractions on the island are the Butterfly Park, the Images of Singapore museum, the Tiger Sky Tower, Fort Siloso and the Universal Studios park.
In addition, this small island has two five-star hotels and a great gastronomic offer that make it another of the places to see in Singapore. To enjoy all these attractions and save money you can buy the Sentosa Fun Pass.
Singapore Botanic Gardens
As we have emphasized, Singapore itself is already a green space. All its gardens are very well cared for and this one is no exception. Its more than 5 hectares of surface have more than 150 years of history.
For the locals it is their favourite space in the city: there they go for a walk, to relax or to exercise. Since 2015 they have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As with the Gardens by the Bay, the entrance to the gardens itself is free, although there is a paid area.
Marina Bay, Singapore
Marina Bay is one of the best places to see in Singapore to enjoy the futuristic architecture of its skyscrapers while you walk the promenade that borders this bay.
Among its attractions, Marina Bay Sands is one of the most popular things to see in Singapore. It is a hotel complex easily identifiable by its three towers of about 200 meters high connected by a boat-shaped structure at the top.
Here is the longest infinity pool in the world, with incredible views of the city. Although, unfortunately, only if you stay at the hotel will you be able to enjoy it.
The Skypark observation deck, a 360-degree viewpoint, is also on the rooftop and can be accessed with the Singapore City Card. Although you can also reserve your ticket here, which also includes access to the Gardens by the Bay.
Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay is one of the most beautiful gardens in the world and one of the most essential places to see in Singapore. These huge and modern gardens, located between the sea and the back of the Marina Bay Sands hotel, differ from the rest by the areas where the so-called super trees (Supertree Grove) are concentrated. These structures form vertical gardens between 25 and 50 meters high, which are fully sustainable thanks to their photovoltaic cells, which accumulate energy during the day, to display it in the form of light at night.
In addition to the central area, it is worth taking a route through the different thematic gardens that the park contains, in which the Silver and the Golden Garden stand out.
Entrance to the park is free, although the walk through the OCBC Skywalk, a walkway located more than 20 meters away, which connects several super trees and from which you have spectacular views, costs 5 euros per person.
Although it may seem unnecessary, I recommend that you visit the central area of the gardens at different times of the day, since it changes with daylight and then at 7:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m., when a beautiful light show and sound.
Little India
Little India is one of the most charming neighbourhoods and another of the essential places to visit in Singapore. In this area, where the great Indian community of the city is concentrated, you can stroll among beautiful coloured buildings, visit Hindu and Buddhist temples, get lost in shopping malls full of shops as well as taste the most delicious Indian cuisine.
Among the most beautiful Hindu temples in the neighbourhood are Sri Veeramakaliamman and Sri Srinivasa Perumal, both located on Serangoon Road, the most famous street. Also close to it, you can also visit two ancient Buddhist temples such as Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya and Leong San See Temple.
One of the symbols of Little India are the shopping centers among which you cannot miss Mustafa Center, a shopping center full of typical Hindu products and from other places, Little India Arcade, which although it seemed expendable to us, can be an interesting visit and Tekka Center, which contains a food corner inside, with numerous stalls of delicious Indian food.
Marina Bay Sands
The Marina Bay Sands is Singapore's most famous building complex, which includes a hotel, an Art and Science museum, two theaters, several restaurants, a shopping mall and a huge casino. Its architecture with three 55-story towers and a huge upper platform in the shape of a boat, make it one of the most spectacular hotels in the world and without a doubt, one of the best places to see in Singapore.
In addition to the viewpoint, another of the essential places to see in Singapore is the Museum of Art and Science where you can discover incredible rooms, some of them permanent and others traveling, in which art and culture are mixed in an impressive way. science.
You can book your ticket here in advance and thus avoid queues and the lack of availability that there are some weekends.
Haw Par Villa
Chinese culture is one of the oldest surviving cultures in the world and has told the most fascinating stories for thousands of years. History lovers will get their money's worth at Haw Par Villa: The Asian cultural theme park offers a comprehensive journey of discovery through Chinese traditions, religions, folklore and mythological legends.
The origins of Haw Par Villa Haw Par Villa is located on a hill in Pasir Panjang and was once known as the Tiger Balm Gardens. Myanmar businessman Aw Boon Haw had the park built with a lot of love for his brother, Aw Boon Par, and named it after the medicinal ointment Tiger Balm that her father invented. After its construction in 1937, the park area of the villa was opened to the public; it reflects the deep passion Boon Haw felt for Chinese culture and mythology.
Boon Haw personally oversaw the artisans who created much of the original inventory, hoping that the representations of traditional values and virtues would serve as moral guides for the public. When the war broke out, the Aw family fled Singapore to Yangon (formerly Rangoon). The park was now used as an observation post by the Japanese army, and Aw Boon Haw did not return to Singapore to rebuild the park until the end of the war.
If you want to help me complete the list of the 10 essential places to see in Singapore, add yours in the comments.
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