14 Best Sights in Singapore

One of the world's largest aquariums, this underwater wonderland with seven themed zones provides views of more than 1,000 species from around the world. Gaze into a shipwreck habitat; walk through a tunnel surrounded by various shark species; and gape at goliath groupers, Napoleon wrasses, and a squadron of magnificent manta rays. There are educational shows on dive feeding and understanding dolphin behavior scheduled throughout the day. VIP tours can be organized.

Packed with cutting-edge rides, shows, and movie-themed attractions, this theme park inside Resorts World Sentosa is a family favorite. Eighteen of the 24 movie-themed rides were designed or adapted especially for the Singapore park, including the world’s first Puss in Boots’ Giant Journey and the dueling Battlestar Galactica: Human vs Cyclone roller-coaster. Spread across seven themed sections, the park has a number of kid-friendly rides and shows, including Shrek 4-D Adventure, Dino-Soarin', and Donkey-Live as well as the Hello Kitty Studio Store and Minion Mart. The five-hour guided VIP tour includes priority access to eight popular rides like TRANSFORMERS The Ride: The Ultimate 3D Battle and photo-ops with characters. Popular dining spots like Mel's Drive-In, Fossil Fuel, and Fairy Godmother's Juice Bar provide fuel for what will be a busy day. 

Set within a rain forest—and featuring an Asian landscape complete with a moon gate, streams, and bridges—this park has a collection of 1,500 live butterflies from 50 species, as well as 3,000 insects that creep, crawl, or fly. Look for tree-horn rhino beetles, scorpions, and tarantulas. A number of free educational and feeding experiences with iguanas, tortoises, and other creatures are scheduled daily.

This well-preserved fort covers 10 acres of gun emplacements and tunnels created by the British to fend off the Japanese. Unfortunately, the Japanese arrived by land (through Malaysia) instead of by sea, so the huge guns were pointed in the wrong direction. Fort Siloso is now home to a treasure trove of World War II memorabilia, including coastal guns and the remains of fortified structures. The displays have been successfully revamped with lots of interactive high-tech audiovisual and animatronic effects. Photographs document the war in the Pacific, and dioramas depict the life of POWs during the Japanese occupation. Free guided tours are available every second and third Saturday of the month from 3 pm to 4:30 pm, but you must register online in advance as limited slots are available.

Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, and local footballer Fandi Ahmad are just some of the realistic wax figures to admire and strike a pose with at Madame Tussauds Singapore. Included with the standard ticket is "Images of Singapore," a 45-minute show about Singapore's history, and the Spirit of Singapore boat ride, in which iconic landmarks and Sir Stamford Raffles (the founder of modern Singapore) make an appearance. The entry fee also includes admission to the Ultimate Film Star Experience and one souvenir digital photo. There are additional combination packages for access to Marvel Universe 4D and VR Racing experience. 

This refresh of the famed Sentosa Musical Fountain from the 1980s is also the tallest fountain in Southeast Asia, standing at 80 meters tall. A spectacular water show runs at various times of the day between 10 am and 10 pm (last show at 9 pm); it is at its most visually enticing at night when illuminated by full-color LED lights.

This wide, sandy beach is a hive of activity thanks to the concentration of beach clubs, water-sports centers, and nearby attractions such as the Mega Adventure Park. There are a number of casual eateries along the stretch of sand, and in-line skaters zoom up and down the promenade. For swimmers, there are red and yellow flag markers (swim here), as well as beach patrol officers if help is required. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; sunset; swimming.

If sky-high views are your thing, this gentle, spiraling open-air ride that hovers 35 meters in the sky, affording a panoramic view of the Keppel Bay area and the nearby Southern Islands, is one to make time for. If you're planning to travel over or back from the island via the cable car, you can slot in this ride as one of the bonuses for your combo pass. It's located at the Sentosa cable-car station.

St. John's was first a leper colony, then a prison camp, and then a place to intern political enemies of the republic. Today it's a great place for picnics and camping. You can stay overnight at St John's Island Lodge, and there are camping facilities as well. The island is also home to a Marine Aquaculture Centre and Tropical Marine Science Institute. Visit the 2.8-km (1.7-mile) St John's Island Trail marked by 15 stations and signboards detailing the island's history and diversity of flora and fauna. You can get to St. John's via the ferries at Marina South Pier with Marina South Ferries and Singapore Island Cruise.

Shaped like a numeral three from above, this stretch of beach is busy on weekends thanks to the always vibing beachfront Tanjong Beach Club. It's also popular with dog owners and their water-trained pooches. Come on a weekday if you fancy having the beach all to yourself. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets. Best for: sunset; swimming solitude.

Sentosa Island isn't all fancy hotels and beach bars—there's also the natural, biodiverse area of Tanjong Rimau. Located at the far end of Siloso Beach, it is home to many creatures like red egg crabs, hairy crabs, sea snails, and occasionally, octopuses that can be spotted at low tide. For an experiential journey led by volunteer guides, join the Siloso Headland Intertidal Programme. The closest amenities are at Fort Siloso Skywalk or Silver Shell Cafe. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; walking.