Welcome to Singapore! Visiting this tiny tropical island nation for the first time? Well, you’re in luck.

You’ll be glad to know that Singapore has been listed by Travel + Leisure as one of the 50 best places to visit. This vibrant city-state has something for every type of traveller—be they culture buffs, shopaholics, foodies, adventure seekers, or nature lovers. 

Unfamiliar with what Singapore has to offer? You might be wondering where the beautiful places in Singapore are, or what are the best places to visit in Singapore in 3 days. To help travellers like you, our team at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay has put together an insider’s guide to Singapore, which includes:

• The best Singapore places of interest
• Top local experiences in Singapore
• Where to shop for Singapore souvenirs
• Where to eat and drink in Singapore

For guests at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore: our centrally located hotel is an ideal base for visitors in the garden city of Singapore. Here are some popular Singapore attractions that are within easy reach for you:

• Suntec City (5 minutes' walk)
• Singapore Flyer (10 minutes' walk)
  
• Merlion Park (10 minutes' walk)
  
• Gardens by the Bay (15 minutes' walk)
• ArtScience Museum (15 minutes’ walk)

Use our guide to seek out the best of Singapore, and we hope you will have an enjoyable stay!

In Singapore, the two most popular parks for visitors are Gardens by the Bay and Singapore Botanic Gardens. 

Of the two, the Singapore Botanic Gardens is more established—it’s Singapore’s oldest garden (from 1859) and has received UNESCO World Heritage status. A lovely place for a quiet morning stroll, you can have breakfast or lunch at the Halal-certified Asian fusion restaurant The Halia, which counts visiting dignitaries among its patrons. 

In contrast, Gardens by the Bay is a visual treat for the modern age. Opened in 2012, the park is a showcase for landscaping and architectural feats such as the Supertree Grove—an Avatar-like cluster of 16-storey trees made from steel and concrete. These so-called “living constructions” collect rainwater, generate solar power, and even act as venting ducts for the park's climate-controlled conservatories. Gardens by the Bay is best visited at night, when dazzling light displays bring the Supertrees to life.

Pan Pacific DISCOVERY Platinum members who are guests at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore, can redeem a visit for two to Gardens by the Bay and the Marina Bay Sands Observation Deck. Marvel at the Gardens and the Supertrees in their full glory, before heading to the Marina Bay Sands Observation Deck to enjoy an unhindered panoramic view of Singapore’s skyline. (Not a Pan Pacific DISCOVERY member? Sign up for free here!) 

Get directions to Singapore Botanic Gardens

Get directions to The Halia

Get directions to Gardens by the Bay

For history nerds and WWII buffs, sign up for a tour of the Battlebox, a former WWII British underground command centre, which has been rated as Singapore’s top museum by TripAdvisor. The Former Ford Factory is also worth visiting—this is the site where British forces officially surrendered Singapore to the Japanese on 15 February 1942.

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Get directions to Former Ford Factory

At Little India, you can tuck into a hearty local meal at the famed Tekka Centre, enjoy the aromatic fragrances of the flower garlands on display, or admire the multi-coloured statues at the Sri Veeramakaliamman and Sri Srinivasa Perumal temples.

Although it is best known for its Indian restaurants, you’ll also find clothing, hardware, and second-hand stores in Little India, co-existing alongside those peddling traditional wares such as Indian spices and jewellery. More recently, a smattering of artisanal cafes and hipster hangouts have joined the fold. While you’re here, you can even try rock climbing, at OYEYO Boulder Home and Kinetics Climbing. 

Get directions to Tekka Centre

Get directions to Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple

Get directions to Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple

Get directions to OYEYO Boulder Home

Get directions to Kinetics Climbing

What was Singapore like in the 1960s? A trip to Pulau Ubin, an offshore island with the last-standing villages in Singapore, may offer some clues. The absence of modern technology, coupled with unblemished beaches, mangroves, and plantations on the island, stand testament to the beauty of the simple life. 

While you’re here, make a stop at Chek Jawa, located on the eastern tip of the island. This is your chance to spot sea stars, crabs, and more. Visit at low tide for the best experience. 

To get to Pulau Ubin, take a bumboat ride from Changi Point Ferry Terminal. Bumboats operate from about 6.00am to 7.00pm. The ride takes 10 minutes and costs S$3 per person (S$2 extra if you are bringing a bicycle) each way. There are no scheduled departure times, as bumboats set off only when there are 12 passengers. If you plan to leave Pulau Ubin after 6.00pm, please make arrangements with boat operators. If no boats are available at the Pulau Ubin jetty for your return trip, call the National Parks hotline at 1800-471- 7300 for assistance.

Get directions to Changi Point Ferry Terminal

Tribe Tours specialises in off-the-beaten-track visitor experiences. One of its tours is “Home,” where you will get to see some Housing Development Board (HDB) flats—this refers to public housing in Singapore, where over 80% of Singapore’s population resides. The highlight of this tour involves visiting two homes and meeting with the families there, chatting over homemade desserts, and finding out how a typical middle-class family in Singapore lives. 

Book a tour with Tribe Tours

If you’re a non-drinker, you may be wondering what to do or where to go in Singapore at night. Rest assured that there are tour options for you too! For instance, you can join a guided tour with Geylang Adventures to wander along the side streets and back alleys of Geylang, Singapore’s notorious vice district. You’ll also get to quell your hunger—the squeaky clean way—as the tour includes dinner and snacks at the neighbourhood’s best food stops.

Book a tour with Geylang Adventures

Want to buy tasteful local gifts? Need to kill a few hours in Singapore before your next flight? You should definitely head to Jewel at Changi Airport! 

You may have heard about Jewel’s most visually arresting feature—its Rain Vortex, which is currently the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, standing proudly at 40m. There’s also its Canopy Park, which has play attractions that families will love. But if you’re only in the mood for shopping, head for stores featuring locally designed products, such as Gift by Changi Airport, Naiise Iconic, and Little Red Dot Gifts. 

Get directions to Jewel

Fancy some retail therapy, especially after the midnight hour? The 24-hour Mustafa Centre is the perfect place. This megamall boasts a supermarket and department store stocking practically any item under the sun. For the locals, it’s a great place to buy designer products such as watches and scents at slightly cheaper prices. A good gift idea is the Singapore Memories range of Singapore heritage scents, which you can find in Mustafa Centre’s fragrance section.

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Odette, housed in the National Gallery, is a French fine-dining spot helmed by chef Julien Royer. Royer named his restaurant after his grandmother, who taught him the importance of creating meals that “fill the heart.” Be sure to try the Smoked Organic Egg, which features poached eggs still in their shells, served on a cardboard egg carton with dry ice smoke wafting from the dish.

Get directions to Odette

Dreaming of an award-winning but budget-friendly meal? Check out the Michelin Bib Gourmand list of eateries instead. Local food centres with more than one Bib Gourmand winner include Amoy Street Food Centre, Tiong Bahru Food Centre, and Hong Lim Market & Food Centre.

Get directions to Amoy Street Food Centre

Get directions to Tiong Bahru Food Centre

Get directions to Hong Lim Market & Food Centre

There are a surprising number of Singapore bars on the World’s 50 Best Bars list, with ATLAS claiming one of the top spots. Step into ATLAS, and you’ll be transported onto the set of The Great Gatsby, complete with dashing sommeliers, high-society clientele, and lavishly styled decor. It’s also said to have one of the best gin libraries in the world, with over 1,300 labels on offer.

Get directions to ATLAS