Sights and experiences
Singapore’s tourist attractions are as varied as they are endless. It’s what makes sightseeing in Singapore so much fun. To help you discover all of the city’s highlights and hidden gems, we’ve put together a few things we recommend to add to your to-do list.
Gardens by the Bay
What to see in Singapore? Well, there’s the incredible views offered up by the city’s landscapes or many gardens. Take the Gardens by the Bay for example. Adjacent to the island’s famous marina, spanning a total of 101 hectares, this multi award-winning attraction features over half a million plants. They’re also home to two climate-controlled conservatory domes, the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest, where some fascinating vertical plant displays live – as well as an eclectic combination of flowers and plants from every corner of the planet. In the Cloud Forest you’ll find the world’s tallest indoor waterfalls, measuring at an incredible 35 metres tall. All in all, The Gardens by the Bay is a place you must visit in Singapore.
Singapore Flyer
Take in the entire city from above on the Singapore Flyer – one of the world’s tallest observation wheels. At an incredible 165 metres high, each of its 28 capsules rotate around the wheel, allowing you to take in views over the Singapore River and other key landmarks such as the Padang. And on a clear day, its views extend as far as Sentosa Island, Malaysia and Indonesia. There is also the option to dine on board the Singapore Flyer, which is the world’s first full-butler sky dining service. This really is Singapore sightseeing at its best.
Marina Bay
One of Singapore’s most exciting tourist attractions is Marina Bay – where you’ll get to see some particularly stunning views of the water and the city’s landscape. The waterfront features a promenade measuring over 3.5km, linking together many of the area’s attractions such as the Marina Bay City Gallery. There are simply so many things to do.
Civic District
If the history of Singapore intrigues you, make sure you visit Singapore’s Civic District. The original birthplace of Singapore, it includes its very own heritage trail, which walks you through its varied history from the colonial period through wartime, and to the modern day. Some of the sites highlighted by the heritage trail include the Raffles Landing Site, where founder Sir Stamford Raffles is reputed to have first set foot on the island in 1822, as well as the beautiful Esplanade Park.
Wining and dining
An important part of sightseeing in Singapore is visiting its exciting eateries and sampling some of the local cuisine. Renowned for its delicious and unique street food offerings, the city offers something for all tastes – from home-grown cooking to high end Michelin-starred establishments. Below are just a few places to visit during your stay in Singapore:
Afternoon tea at Raffles Hotel
Enjoy afternoon tea or some local delicacies at Raffles Hotel. Well-known for being a meeting place for high society throughout the 1800s, the hotel is known for its delicious high tea of cakes and sandwiches, which you can enjoy as you overlook city’s landscape.
Shinji by Kanesaka
There are Japanese restaurants aplenty in Singapore, but Kanesaka, with its two Michelin stars, has to be one of the city’s finest. An authentic sushi bar, each dish is presented on beautifully crafted zen plates. The hand-rolled sushi, steamed abalone and botan ebi sashimi, are some stand out dishes on the menu. With lunch starting from around £40, and dinner from around £100, a visit here will be a highly extravagant and special way to begin the holiday of a lifetime with Distant Journeys.
True Blue Cuisine
Treat yourself to an authentic taste of Singapore at the local favourite True Blue Cuisine. Serving up traditional Peranakan dishes influenced by a melting pot of cultures and cuisines, items on the menu include the ngoh hiang (a five-spice meat roll), ayam buah keluak (chicken with Indonesian black nut) and chap chye, a Singaporean take on mixed vegetables. With main courses starting at just £7, you can’t afford to miss this delicious, unique and authentic dining experience.
Brasserie Gavroche
Top of our list on places to visit is Singapore is the Brasserie Gavroche – a true gourmet experience. On arrival, you can be forgiven for thinking that you’ve set foot in Paris, with proprietor and head chef Frederic Colin sparing no expense in recreating the French dining experience, with rustic signature dishes such as braised ox tongue.