Singapore Travel Guide: Things To Do in Singapore for First-timers

Meghy — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 12:16:50 +0000

Singapore has been a popular country to visit among tourists for many years. Despite its small size, Singapore remains a highly developed country compared to its neighboring countries in Southeast Asia. Singapore is known for its beautiful cityscapes, hawker center culture, rich cultural heritage, and as the home of multicultural communities such as Chinese, Malay, and Indian. By visiting for a few days, you can experience a very diverse country full of vibrant heritage and attractions.

On the other hand, traveling to Singapore can be expensive, so you really have to plan ahead and research places to stay, visit, and eat if you are on a budget.

Here are some fun things to do in Singapore for first-timers:

Take a photo with the Merlion

What is a trip to Singapore without creative photos with the country’s iconic symbol, the Merlion? The Merlion statue is a mythical creature with the body of a fish, symbolizing Singapore’s origins as a fishing village, and the head of a lion, which represents Singapore’s famous nickname, the “Lion City.” Right across from the Merlion statue is a beautiful view of the Marina Bay Sands, so don’t miss the chance to take great photos with MBS as your backdrop. This is a free attraction, but there can be many tourists, especially during peak hours.

Eat local food at Singapore’s hawker center

Singapore’s hawker center scene is insane. You’ll see and taste a wide variety of Asian dishes that showcase how diverse Singapore’s culture is. Famous hawker centers such as Maxwell in Chinatown, Lau Pa Sat at Raffles Quay, and Newton (made popular after being featured in Crazy Rich Asians) house many delicious and affordable food stalls, some of which are even Michelin-awarded. Food in Singapore can be very expensive, but eating at hawker centers will definitely help you save a lot on your budget.

Have a fun day at Universal Studios Singapore

Universal Studios Singapore is the only Universal Studios park in Southeast Asia, and as a Filipino, this is a must-visit since it is the closest Universal park we can go to. It is also the smallest Universal Studios park in the world, and you can fully enjoy its rides and attractions within a day. Despite its small size, spending a full day at the park is still worth it, especially for first-timers. There can be many tourists during weekends and holidays, so I suggest visiting on a weekday. We went on a Friday and only waited about 5–15 minutes in line, and we were able to ride all the attractions we wanted to try.

Visit Palawan Beach on Sentosa Island

Yes, you read that right! There’s a Palawan in Singapore. To escape the hustle and bustle of the city, spending a beach day at Palawan Beach is a great idea. We visited on a Sunday morning, and the place was serene with only a few tourists, making it an ideal spot to relax and swim. It’s a beautiful beach with fine sand and a suspension bridge. The best part? There’s no entrance fee! It is located on Sentosa Island and can be reached by walking from the Beach Station.

Experience real-life Mario kart at Skyline Luge

What’s fun without a little excitement? Skyline Luge is a popular outdoor activity located on Sentosa Island, where you ride a luge kart downhill. Another exciting part is the Skyride, an open chairlift that offers a beautiful view of Singapore from above (I was more scared of this than the actual kart ride!). There are four tracks to choose from: Kupu Kupu Trail, Expedition Trail, Jungle Trail, and Dragon Trail, each offering a different level of thrill and excitement. We purchased the three-ride combo for SGD 30 and wished we had booked the four-ride option instead because we had so much fun.

Walk along Haji Lane and Arab Street

Haji Lane and Arab Street are lively neighborhoods in Singapore’s Kampong Glam district. They are located in the same area, so you can easily visit them together. Haji Lane is considered the trendiest street and is famous for its creative and colorful vibe. There are many murals, cute shops selling fashion and vintage items, and cool cafés.

Arab Street, on the other hand, showcases traditional Malay and Middle Eastern culture with old-style shops and restaurants. This is where you can see the stunning Sultan Mosque with its golden dome, the main landmark of the area. The shops here mainly sell carpets, perfumes, handicrafts, and traditional souvenirs. Both streets offer different cultural identities, but together they create a vibrant and colorful neighborhood experience.

Explore Little India

Visiting Little India was the part of our itinerary I was most excited about. Imagine seeing an Indian community in the heart of Southeast Asia, that’s a cultural fusion I was truly looking forward to. Little India has everything that fuels my love for history and culture: from Hindu temples and colorful street art to streets filled with Indian music and the distinct fragrance of spices, as well as shops selling gold jewelry, spices, and garlands, with owners dressed in traditional clothing that reflects a rich Indian heritage. We also visited the food center at Tekka Centre and had the best Milo Dinosaur of the trip. If you’re into cultural immersion, visiting Little India is a must.

Visit Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay

These attractions are among Singapore’s most famous (aside from the Merlion) and are located in the same area, so visitors usually explore them together. Marina Bay Sands is a world-famous landmark, not just in Singapore, featuring a three-towered hotel with a ship-shaped SkyPark at the top, along with a luxury mall.

Gardens by the Bay, on the other hand, is a stunning large garden that is home to the iconic Supertree Grove, which are towering steel structures designed like trees and covered with a wide variety of plants.

Food pasalubong and perfume shopping at Mustafa Center

If you’re someone who loves buying food for pasalubong and enjoys perfume shopping, then Mustafa Center will feel like heaven for you! Mustafa Center is a 24-hour shopping complex that sells almost everything you can think of. Their grocery section offers a wide selection of local food items. We bought plenty of local chocolates and coffee, and I must say the prices are cheaper compared to other stores. Mustafa Centre is also well known for selling branded perfumes at lower prices (the entrance to the perfume section is at Entrance 4). I spent about two hours sampling perfumes because there were so many to choose from.

Explore Chinatown

I’ve visited several Chinatowns across Asia, and I must say that Singapore’s Chinatown is the cleanest among them. It is a dynamic district where Chinese culture and modern living are well balanced. The area features temples, traditional shops selling herbal medicine, cafés, and souvenir stalls.

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