15 Immersive Things to Do in Singapore for Solo Travelers

Do you really need to pay 40 dollars for the original Singapore Sling at Long Bar when you’re in Singapore? I honestly think you can live without it. Sorry, not sorry.

Singapore Sling is delicious. That, I can’t lie.

But when in Singapore, you could also spend hours in its awesome museums (Chinatown Heritage Centre is my favorite), eat all the food at hawker centers, cafe-hop in Joo Chiat, or even walk along the hidden Changi Bay Point away from crowds.

As a traveler, I was there for so long that every local I talked to asked me why I needed that much time. So you can count on me for a curated list of less usual things to do in Singapore.

If you only have a few days and want to know Singapore in that little time, start with the items on this list, and skip whatever’s not on it for your trip!

What Makes Singapore Culturally Unique

Before Crazy Rich Asians, Marina Bay Sands, and the luxurious sights that Singapore became known for, a fishing village called Temasek existed in the 13th century.

It was later renamed Singapura (Lion City) by its first king and discoverer, the name inspired by a lion he allegedly saw on the river when he arrived.

Flash forward to the early 19th century, and Singapura has become Southeast Asia’s busiest port city, attracting trade, migration, and blending of many nations, all of which still colors the cultural landscape and your experience there today.

Would you still insist on lounging in the infinity pool and drinking at rooftop bars the whole time? No, right?

15 Unexpected Things to Do in Singapore

Without further ado, let’s look at the top 15 things I’ve selected for you.

While not all of them are “unexpected” things, you’ll find the real hidden gems hidden in the middle of the list. (See what I did? 🤣)

1. Stroll Around Gardens by the Bay

Yeah, I’m not about to upset the gods and leave this one off the list.

Though wildly popular, Gardens by the Bay is so beautifully done, it would be blasphemous of me to tell you it’s not worth at least one short visit.

The best part? For all the landscape design, the supertrees, and baby monitor lizards you’ll get to enjoy, the garden is free to enter.

Go for the sunrise to see it at night and during the day without the crowds. If you’re lucky, you’ll see golden light reflecting off the Lily Pond.

Not a before-dawn type of person? That’s okay! You can go closer to sunset and stay into the night as well. There will be more people, but it won’t ruin the experience at all.

There are cool paid exhibitions inside the gardens as well. Flower Dome, the world’s largest glass greenhouse, and its twin, the Cloud Forest, are worth a visit if you have enough budget set aside.

Gardens By the Bay: Visitors’ Info

• Opening Hours: 5:00 AM – 2:00 AM daily
• Admission: FREE
• Location: 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953

Cloud Forest & Flower Dome: Visitors’ Info

• Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Flower Dome is closed on Tuesdays)
• Admission: S$46 (Advanced booking recommended)

Floral Fantasy: Visitors’ Info

• Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM daily
• Admission: S$20 (Advanced booking recommended)

2. Go Museum Hop for a Dose of Culture

Not sure if you’d be able to grasp Singapore’s diverse cultural landscape just by being there? They’ve got you covered with the most extensive collection of beautiful, well-curated museums.

From learning about Temasek, Singapura, and modern history at the National Museum, taking the free tour at the Peranakan Museum, nerding out at the Asian Civilisations Museum, to talking Peranakan things over tea with a local at The Intan, the choice is endless.

Each museum offers a different look into the country’s culture and history. If you only have time for one, I can help you choose the one that serves your goal best!

3. Walk Through History at Fort Canning Park

You’ve seen its tree tunnel before, haven’t you?

What if I tell you that the tree tunnel was the most underwhelming thing inside the park? It’s also the most irrelevant thing to the Singaporean way of life you can possibly see. Let me tell you why.

Before it became a public park (an insanely peaceful and well-shaded one, if I may add), Fort Canning served as the island’s defense post during British rule.

And even before that, in the Singapura and Temasek days, it was the seat of the ancient palace, forbidden to commoners.

A nice stroll around Fort Canning Park today will show you its past as a British fort, as well as traces of its ancient past, including a Malay king’s shrine and a Southeast Asian royal garden.

Oh, hey, you can also relive the night when Singapore was surrendered to the Japanese during WWII at Battlebox, Fort Canning’s underground bunker.

Fort Canning Park: Visitors’ Info

• Open 24 hours
• Free Admission
• Location: Fort Canning Hill, Singapore
• Battlebox Ticket: Get yours for S$20 (No entry without a booking)

4. Take a Food Tour (You’ll Never Regret It)

Sure, they say if you only do one guided activity in Singapore, make it a food tour.

I’d take it a step further. Take a food tour that combines the traditional cultural walking tour with food as a bonus. This way, you’ll feel a bit less regret about having only two days.

I mean, you’ll still wanna come back because who are we kidding? But for those with really limited time, this is the best way to make your time count.

I personally took the tour as well, and I can tell you all about how it went!

5. Explore the Backstreets of Chinatown

Chinatown has a handful of things you gotta see.

Sri Mariamman Temple, Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, the 2D Cafe Monochrome, and the colorful shophouses are some of the most well-known sights, which you can see in less than an hour.

The rest of your time in Chinatown?

I suggest wandering off the main streets in search of its incredible murals detailing Chinese immigrants’ lives, grabbing the best egg tarts from Tong Heng, or visiting the oldest (and only remaining) Taoist deity carving shop in Singapore, Say Tian Hng.

Tong Heng Traditional Chinese Pastries

• Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM daily
• Location: 285 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058833
• Must-try: Diamond-shaped egg tarts

6. See the Merlion as Part of a Scenic Marina Walk

How can you be in Singapore without seeing its national mascot at least once?

Honoring the name Singapura, which means Lion City in Sanskrit, and its background as the Temasek fishing village, the national mascot is part lion, part fish.

You’ve seen photos of him with Marina Bay Sands in the background before, I’m sure.

You have to be at Merlion Park to get that iconic shot.

But instead of trying to get the one shot and be done with it, why not take a relaxing walk around the bay? The city view is beautiful wherever you stop, but especially at the tip of the Promontory.

7. Get Lost in the Cafes of Joo Chiat

Been dying to find some boutique cafes to take a slow moment in? You gotta head over to Joo Chiat ASAP.

The Katong-Joo Chiat neighborhood is mostly known as the hub of Peranakan culture, where the Eurasian community lives. But take a closer look, and you’ll realize that it’s also the hub of boutique shops.

From local clothing brands to stylish cafes, the Instagrammable shophouses are far from being the only thing worth exploring here.

I highly recommend trying the Pulut Hitam cake at Olsen Bakehouse.

8. Bike or Walk Along Changi Bay Point

This one’s far out, like… even further from the city center than the airport, so save it only if you have more days in Singapore. But for what it’s worth, it’s my favorite hidden gem.

While most people think that the airport is at the end of the island, Changi Bay Point is hidden right on the coast behind the Air Freight Office and is criminally underrated.

For zero dollars, you get to spend a quiet morning strolling along the coast, make friends with birds and mini iguanas you see along the way, and see a lone tree that… grows on sand… I mean…

9. Hike the Southern Ridges

If you can’t go a few days without hiking, really hiking, then I also recommend the Southern Ridges.

My steep hike from Harbourfront MRT up to Mount Faber was super exhilarating after a week of walking on flat ground around the city.

The Southern Ridges is a 10km trail connecting Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill, Hort Park, and Kent Ridge. Unless you have a full day for it, you won’t be able to make the 10km in one go.

To start, I recommend starting up Mount Faber, then crossing the Henderson Waves over to Telok Blangah.

The Canopy Walk is another short, nice trail in Kent Ridge Park. Very quiet and gives you a view of the Pasir Panjang Nursery, where they grow trees for the country’s green spaces!

10. Escape to Dairy Farm Nature Park

This is probably the least talked-about nature spot I know of so far. It wasn’t even on my list, but I found out about it through my local friend.

If you want real, raw nature instead of the perfectly-paved Fort Canning or Gardens by the Bay, this park is your spot. Take a morning stroll along the shaded Wallace Trail, or wait to spot some exotic birds at the Singapore Quarry.

The monkeys are just a bonus. Remember, it’s illegal to feed wildlife!

11. Eat Everything. Everything.

With Chinese, Malay, Indian, and European influences, Singapore’s food scene is next-level overwhelming.

While you can start exploring with the most significant dishes, you’ll find many other things you want to try. Eat everything. Just not so much that you have to roll yourself back to the hotel.

I recommend eating at hawker centers, like Chinatown Complex, Hong Lim Market, Lau Pa Sat, and any local ones you run into. They’re your best shot at getting the most delicious food at a budget price.

But I have to say that many restaurants surprised me as well. Find out which places made food that stayed with me the most during my time there.

12. Spend a Day on Sentosa (The Cultural Way)

You wouldn’t think I’d include the island of all-inclusive resorts on the list. I didn’t think so, either, until I went there out of curiosity and found a handful of cool things to do there.

As long as you don’t get off the train at Resorts World, Sentosa is honestly quite peaceful. There are nature trails, nice, clean beaches, and even a well-preserved old coastal fort for you to enjoy.

Follow the same schedule I used to spend a day on Sentosa Island on your trip!

13. Watch the Spectra Light & Water Show

Watching a fountain show in front of the Marina Bay Sands mall might be the most touristy thing you can possibly do in Singapore, but I say this one’s worth it.

Save it for your last night because it’ll become the finale you didn’t know you needed.

I honestly was skeptical, but wanted to see what the deal was, thinking it couldn’t possibly be cooler than the Bellagio fountain in Vegas or the Banpo Bridge water show in Seoul. Wrong.

The 15-minute show runs twice nightly, at 8 PM and 9 PM, and is free for all.

I recommend getting there 20 minutes before the start time to secure a spot, though. Everyone and their mom will be fighting you for it.

You can watch the show for free if you have more time, or efficiently pair it with Gardens by the Bay’s light and sound show with this all-in-one tour!

14. Shop for Souvenirs on Joo Chiat

Almost time to leave, but still need to buy something for friends back home? Forget the typical fridge magnets and golden keychains with printed photos of the Merlion.

I literally beg you to go back to Joo Chiat, the Peranakan neighborhood, and browse for more thoughtful souvenirs there.

From more expensive Peranakan crafts in boutique shops to more affordable postcards, pocketbooks, and god knows what else at Cat Socrates.

I’d be willing to bet you a meal at Chatterbox that you’ll find what you like.

15. Take a Photo (or Ten) at Jewel’s Rain Vortex

Concluding this list with the most typical thing to do in Singapore. Why shouldn’t you, when you’re already heading to the airport, and you’re gonna have to wait for your flight home?

Check in a few hours early, get your bags out of the way, then head over to Jewel Changi at Terminal 1. I won’t tell you where in the mall it is because you’ll see it and you’ll hear it, too.

This photo was taken on the first floor. You can get a similar shot from the second floor as well, but with a metal rail behind you. That’s what I didn’t like about the second floor.

But honestly, take your time and walk around that mall. You’ll find the rain vortex photogenic from dozens of angles. I can’t possibly tell you about all of them.

Use My Cultural Itineraries for Singapore

I know. I told ya. There are so many things to do on that little island. These things aren’t even everything yet. I still have plans to go back and explore more of it!

Only got a few days in Singapore, and now you’re feeling even more overwhelmed? Relax. I’ve designed a 2-day and 3-day cultural itinerary for you!

Even worse, you’ve got less than 24 hours on a layover? You’re still okay. Follow my layover itinerary to maximize your 10-12 hours with cultural sights and eats!

Resources For Your Trip to Singapore

Below are some of the resources to help you get ready for your time in Singapore.

Don’t forget to check your visa requirements, and fill out the Digital Arrival Card no more than 3 days before you land.

Read up on the local laws and my top travel tips before you get there, and a bit about how to get around as well.

• Get your trip covered with Safety Wing Insurance
• Stay connected in Singapore with this eSIM
• Must-have Apps: Grab, City Mapper

Find a Place to Stay in Singapore

Still looking for somewhere to stay? Read my guide on the most convenient neighborhoods to stay in and use the map below to find the best hotel for you!

Grab My Singapore E-Checklist

To make sure you don’t leave anything important out of your preparations, I’ve made a digital checklist to help you get ready. I leave 2 pages blank for you to customize your own checklist, too!

FAQs About Visiting Singapore

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