Lush life: the best things to do in Singapore

Sleek and stylish, Singapore is the Garden City that ticks all the travel boxes.

Marina Bay Sands hotel, Marina Bay and Gardens by the Bay Supertrees, Singapore.

Jetstar
January 2022

Singapore is like the greatest hits of a holiday destination. It’s a sparkling metropolis, but rich in luscious greenery. It’s got a big-city vibe, but its dimensions are easy and manageable. A seamless blend of east and west, it has a world-famous dining scene and a cluster of unique neighbourhoods to explore, each with their own distinct flavour. Shop it up along Orchard Road, live it up with a Singapore Sling at Raffles Hotel, kick back on Sentosa Island and admit that you will keep coming back.

Discover a world of plants at Gardens by the Bay

In such a plant-loving city, Gardens by the Bay opens in new window is the absolute showpiece. There are more than 1.5 million plants across three showstopping waterfront gardens, which include the famous Supertrees and the Supertree Observatory. Explore the Cloud Forest and the Flower Dome, an explosion of beautiful blooms, where you’ll find Tulipmania, the Orchid Extravaganza and Blossom Beats. Gardens by the Bay also plays host to festivals, concerts, movies and community events.

Aerial view of Gardens by the Bay, with fountains in the river and gardens lining the riverbank, Singapore. — Gardens by the Bay is an unmissable green wonderland.

Eat up that hawker food

Food is an absolute obsession in Singapore. There’s an astounding restaurant scene and the coffee culture is bang on, too. But if you want to get straight to the heart of Singaporean cuisine, head for a hawker centre. These informal food courts sling all manner of sizzling local street dishes like chilli crab and Singapore’s signature Hainanese Chicken Rice. While the older original centres may be becoming a thing of the past, newer versions are being stylishly reimagined.

A close-up of metal trays laden with food at a hawker stand in Singapore. — Pack an appetite – Singapore is one of the great foodie destinations.

Take the family to the island of Sentosa

For a dose of family fun, head to the island resort Sentosa off the south coast of Singapore. A major tourist attraction, the island is home to waterparks and theme parks ranging from Universal Studios to Mega Adventure Park. You’ll find major shopping, as well as award-winning golf courses. There’s a Madame Tussauds, the S.E.A. Aquarium, day spas, segways, sunset cruises – the list of attractions is almost endless. And, being an island, Sentosa is fringed with popular beaches.

An aerial view of rides, hotels and attractions on Sentosa Island, Singapore. — Fun for the whole family at Sentosa’s island resort.

Party on at Clarke Quay

Clarke Quay is a super fun pedestrianised riverside enclave of historic warehouses that have been colourfully painted and renovated to house shops, attractions, bars, restaurants and clubs. You can cruise along the river, nab a spot at one of the many riverside bars or go one better and book a table at a floating restaurant in a refurbished old Chinese ship. You’ll find events happening along the Quay, and The Arena hosts bigger shows. It’s a bustling, lively strip, with state-of-the-art shading and cooling systems to slay the humidity.

Brightly painted warehouses and outdoor bars line the riverfront, with a bridge across the river and floating restaurants in renovated boats at Clarke Quay, Singapore. — Clarke Quay is an Instagrammable riverside enclave.

Geek out at ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands

Everyone recognises Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands, with its three towers and what looks like a long boat resting across the top of them. But see that big white lotus next to it? That’s the ArtScience Museum, a wild collision of art, science, culture and technology. They have interactive digital exhibitions, hands-on workshops, a VR Gallery and fascinating shows with some of the world’s leading digital artists. They also offer tours, talks and a whole bunch of events.