While you're out enjoying all that Singapore has to offer, remember to observe good hygiene measures and practice safe distancing. Stay safe!

If you’re looking for exciting things to do in Singapore, there’s truly nothing like taking in the sights and sounds of Singapore from above. Towering way above street level are modern buildings creeping up to the sky —gleaming reminders of Singapore’s transformation into a buzzing metropolis after just 5655 years of independence. Take in glittering skyline sights as you wander around the city after dark.

The best way for one to get a feel of modern Singapore is to take in the sights of the Lion City from its highest points — both man-made and natural. Be it observing a labyrinth of urban buildings or lush flora and fauna teeming with wildlife, find them laid bare beneath your feet. 

Growing tired of your usual weekend haunts? These locations will give you not just spectacular views of Singapore, but memorable experiences and activities you wouldn’t want to miss. Grab your monopod and get exploring!

1. ION Orchard - See our world-famous shopping street from above

The view from the ION Sky Observation Deck located within ION Orchard Shopping Complex in Singapore The view from the ION Sky Observation Deck located within ION Orchard Shopping Complex in Singapore

Visit the ION Sky Observation Deck in the evening and take in the scintillating sight of Singapore’s world-famous shopping street drenched in an electrifying orange glow.

Situated at one end of the Orchard shopping belt, ION Orchard Shopping Centre is home to not only the biggest brands in the fashion industry but also a unique Observation Deck — called ION Sky — on the 56th level.

Visit the ION Sky Observation Deck at different times of the year and you’ll be treated to a revolving selection of immersive multimedia experiences. Are you a history buff? Learn more about our history from the always-on “Transformation of Orchard Road” experience designed by prolific local singer-songwriter, Dick Lee. The show will take viewers back in time to catch a glimpse of what Singapore and Orchard Road used to look like when the area was home to fruit orchards and nutmeg plantations.

1-Atico is a popular dining place in ION Orchard which offers spectacular views of the city. 1-Atico is a popular dining place in ION Orchard which offers spectacular views of the city.

If you’re looking for dinner with an amazing view, head to 1-Atico.

Then, have a scrumptious meal with an unbeatable view of the skyline at 1-Atico, located in ION Orchard. Combining various cuisines, this multi-concept restaurant is a feast for your eyes and stomach. Touted as Singapore’s penthouse dining destination, unwind with a good meal and scenic views of the Orchard shopping area.

ION Sky at ION Orchard Shopping Centre

Address: 2 Orchard Turn, Level 55 and 56, Singapore 238801

How to get there: ION Orchard is accessible via the underpass from Orchard MRT. To access the ION Sky, take the lift on Level 4 via ION Art, located near the concierge counter. Visitors must spend at least $20 at any participating store in ION Orchard to secure an admissions ticket.

Opening hours: Opens daily from 10:00am to 10:00pm

 

1-Atico at ION Orchard Shopping Centre 

Opening Hours: 

Daily (FIRE & FLLNT) - 11:30am to 11:00pm 

Daily (1-Atico Lounge) - 12:00pm to 11:00pm 

Call +6580281489 to make a reservation.

2. Taking your rock-climbing adventures indoors

The multiple rock-climbing walls at Climb Central in Funan Singapore. The multiple rock-climbing walls at Climb Central in Funan Singapore.

Whether you are a novice or an experienced climber, these indoor climbing walls will give you a different view of Funan mall from the top. Photo credit: Climb Central on Facebook

In 2019, Funan, a shopping mall located within walking distance from the City Hall MRT station, reopened to the public after closing for an extensive face lift and renovation. Among the myriad of new indoor features is an impressive 15-metre high rock-climbing wall. So, come rain or shine, you can climb all day in air-conditioned comfort.

With over 50 lanes, there’s also more than enough space for everyone to work up a sweat as you scale your way to the top. Known among locals as the destination for all your tech needs, the redesigned Funan mall also includes an indoor bike track so shoppers can also explore the mall on two wheels.

A shot of the indoor cycling path and the rest of Funan shopping mall following its reopening. A shot of the indoor cycling path and the rest of Funan shopping mall following its reopening.

Besides the climbing walls, there’s a ground-level one-way cycling path (shown on the right) which cyclists can gain access to, daily, from 7:00am to 10:00am.

Funan 

Address: 107 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179105.

How to get there: Located about a four-minute walk from City Hall MRT Station. 

Opening hours: Opens daily from 10:00am to 10:00pm. The cycling track is only open for use from 7:00am to 10:00am daily.

 

Climb Central at Funan*

Opening hours: 11:00am to 11:00pm on weekdays, 9:00am to 9:00pm on weekends and public holidays. First-timers’ registration costs S$32 per adult (above 18), S$28 per youth (aged 13 to 18); each ticket comes with a 15-minute safety briefing, a full-day pass and equipment rental including shoes. You must bring your own socks. Children under 13 must be supervised by an accompanying adult. 

*Booking in advance is required in compliance with COVID-19 restrictions. Facilities are temporarily closed in line with Phase 2 regulations.

3. Dipping your toes into a wading pool and take in the salty sea breeze

The SkyPark at VivoCity Mall in Singapore includes several wading pools. The SkyPark at VivoCity Mall in Singapore includes several wading pools.

On the weekends, these wading pools are a popular spot among parents and their toddlers. It can get really sunny here so remember to slather on some sunblock.

If you’re in the mood to let your hair down and catch the salty sea breeze, then head to the open-air top deck, called SkyPark at VivoCity located right above HarbourFront MRT. 

For families out on the weekend for free and fun things to do with their little ones in tow, the roof-top open-air play area, complete with wading pools and fountains will be able to keep them busy. Be sure to bring sunscreen to keep your little ones protected from the heat. While there are public toilets that can double as a good changing spot, you should note that there are no showers.

If you prefer to curl up and lose yourself in a good book, the public library@harbourfront would be worth a visit. Located on the far corner of the SkyPark, the best spots within the library are located at the Reading Lounge 2 area where you’ll find a few seats facing the rooftop deck and out into Sentosa Island sitting right across from VivoCity.

The reading area as seen from the inside of the Public Library outlet in VivoCity, Singapore. The reading area as seen from the inside of the Public Library outlet in VivoCity, Singapore.

Set against a panoramic view of Sentosa, library@harbourfront, offers guests a reading and learning destination in town with a collection of more than 200,000 tomes. Photo credit: National Library Board

Your budding young reader should check out the Children’s Zone which offers little ones the opportunity to learn through the use of technology with Augmented Reality books that bring stories to life. There are also friendly facilitators who organise storytelling shows on Thursdays and Fridays for children between the ages of four and six, and seven and 12 respectively. Keep your little one engaged and occupied on the weekends with fun things to do that are also educational!


VivoCity Shopping Mall

Address: 1 HarbourFront Walk, Singapore 098585,

How to get there: VivoCity is accessible via the HarbourFront MRT station on the North East and Circle MRT lines. The SkyPark is located on level 3. 

Opening hours: Opens daily from 11:00am to 9:00pm

 

Library@HarbourFront at VivoCity Shopping Mall

How to get there: To access the library located on level 3, visitors can use the lifts in Lobby F.

Opening hours: As part of COVID-19 social-distancing measures, all public libraries in Singapore will be operating with shorter operating hours from 11:00am to 7:00pm. There will also be a time limit of 30 minutes for each patron’s visit to the library.

4. Travelling by air into Singapore’s resort island, Sentosa

A shot of the skyline as seen from inside the cable car cabin as it makes its way to Sentosa Island. A shot of the skyline as seen from inside the cable car cabin as it makes its way to Sentosa Island.

In 1999, the cable car system became the first in the world to add glass-bottomed cabins to give commuters a truly breath-taking view of not just landmarks but also of boats as they sail past beneath the cable car.

If you plan on visiting Sentosa island, skip the conventional modes like a private hire cab ride, monorail or the bus service and take a ride on the Singapore Cable Car Sky Network instead. Close to Mount Faber station, where the cable car network starts, you’d see a huge bell located outdoors at the Mount Faber Peak, called the Poland’s Bells of Happiness. 

Dating back to 1909, the bell originated from the Polish ship Dar Pomoza and there is a belief that when visitors and couples ring this bell together, they will be blessed with harmony, happiness and peace. Besides ringing the bell, you could also purchase a trinket which has a bell and a piece of paper attached that you can use to pen your wishes for the future.

After which, you can board the cable car which will run from Mount Faber Station to Sentosa Station. From the Merlion station to Siloso Point within Sentosa Island, here’s the opportunity to take in an aerial view of the scenic spots in and around Sentosa Island.

The Big Bucket Treehouse is a popular attraction situated within Adventure Cove Waterpark in Singapore. The Big Bucket Treehouse is a popular attraction situated within Adventure Cove Waterpark in Singapore.

Popular among younger visitors is the Big Bucket Treehouse attraction within Adventure Cove Waterpark which features interactive water play areas for kids such as the big bucket flush to water slides.

On the Island, you should head to the Adventure Cove Waterpark where you’d get to enjoy thrilling, almost gravity-defying, water rides and interact with marine life by snorkelling with 20,000 tropical fish. If you’re up for more rousing activities, Universal Studios Singapore is a must-visit, especially for its duelling Battlestar Galactica roller coaster, an adrenaline-pumping ride not for the faint of heart. 

 

Singapore Cable Car Sky Network; Mount Faber Station

Address: 109 Mount Faber Road, Mount Faber Peak, Singapore 099203

How to get there: Book a taxi ride to Mount Faber Peak building located at the address above.

Opening hours: The cable-car service operates from 8:45am to 8:30 pm daily. Ticket prices begin from S$25 per adult (above 12 years old), S$10 per child (between the ages of 4-12).

 

Adventure Cove Waterpark

Address: 8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269

How to get there: Take the cable car and alight at Imbiah Station. Ticket prices start from S$30 for children aged 4 to 12. S$38 for adults aged 13 to 59. Seniors aged 60 and above cost S$30.

Opening hours: Opens daily from 10:00am to 6:00pm

 

Universal Studios Singapore

Address: 8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269

How to get there: Take the cable car and alight at Imbiah Station. Ticket prices start from S$61 per child aged 4 to 12, S$81 per adult aged 13 to 59, S$43 per senior citizen aged 60 and above.

Opening hours: Thursday to Sunday - 2:00pm to 9:00pm

5. Sipping cocktails and enjoying scrumptious bites against the Marina Bay Skyline

Tourists on the Sky Park deck at Marina Bay Sands Hotel snapping photos of the magnificent sunset. Tourists on the Sky Park deck at Marina Bay Sands Hotel snapping photos of the magnificent sunset.

In the evenings, the deck is a popular spot among tourists jostling to get the best spots to take shots of the magnificent sunset.

You’d probably seen countless Instagram snaps of the infinity pool at the Sands SkyPark at Marina Bay Sands Hotel. It is undoubtedly one of the best spots in the downtown esplanade area to take in the sights and sounds of the Marina Bay area in all its glory. Your admissions ticket also entitles you to complimentary extras such as five digital photos, two animated and interactive short video files which can be redeemed online after your visit.

Located 57 storeys up in the air, the observation deck boasts scenic views of the bay area including a bird’s eye view of the unique hotspots within the Gardens by the Bay such as the Supertree Grove to coastal views of the Marina South Pier.

If you’re a guest in the hotel you can also take a dip in the infinity pool — which has become an iconic addition to the Singapore skyline. Otherwise, as a guest, there are several fine-dining places such as the CÉ LA VI Restaurant and SkyBar, and LAVO Italian Restaurant for delightful dining experience set against the backdrop of Singapore’s world-class skyline.

At CÉ LA VI Restaurant and SkyBar, tuck into contemporary Asian cuisine such as modern fusion sushi rolls like Spicy Bigeye Tuna Roll which come packed with slabs of tuna sashimi mixed with leek and kaiware sprouts, otherwise known as daikon radish sprouts, to provide some crunch. There’s also a surf-and-turf menu that includes highlights like a Rice Flake Crusted Whole Maine Lobster and an A5 Kagoshima Full Blood Wagyu Striploin.

A shot of the dishes served at CÉ LA VI Restaurant and SkyBar at Marina Bay Sands Hotel. A shot of the dishes served at CÉ LA VI Restaurant and SkyBar at Marina Bay Sands Hotel.

CÉ LA VI Restaurant and SkyBar at Marina Bay Sands Hotel prides itself on serving up the finest fare including their ‘Rangers Valley “Black Market Tomahawk” which has a marble score of 5 and above – making it an incredibly tasty, rich and tender cut of meat. Photo credit: CÉ LA VI on Facebook

If you prefer Italian-American fare, LAVO Italian Restaurant’s offers signature dishes like The Meatball which boasts almost 500g of juicy grand imperial wagyu, veal and Italian sausage. For truffle lovers, the Truffle Gnocchi offers a generous serving of truffle shavings set atop some homemade gnocchi. Don’t skip dessert especially with the restaurant’s signature 20-layer Chocolate Cake on the menu. Every slice is decked out with alternate layers of chocolate devil’s food cake and peanut butter mascarpone.

Also, check out the Singapore Flyer, Singapore’s only airconditioned observation wheel which rivals the London Eye in the UK. On a clear day, the panoramic view at the top of the wheel stretches into Malaysia and even Indonesia.

Then, live out your dreams of being a pilot flying a Boeing 737 plane at the Flight Experience speciality shop at the Singapore Flyer. Under the watchful eyes of an actual commercial pilot, you’ll learn the basics of the features in the cockpit.

 

Marina Bay Sands Hotel

Address: 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956

How to get there: Marina Bay Sands is linked directly to Bayfront MRT Station on the Circle and Downtown Lines. Take Exits C and D, which will take you to the hotel lobby after a 5-minute walk.

 

The Sands SkyPark Observation Deck

How to get there: Located on level 57, the deck is accessible via the lift lobby at Hotel Tower 3.

Opening Hours: 11:30am to 8:00pm daily. Opening hours may vary on Special Dates, visitors are advised to check with the hotel concierge for details. Ticket Prices start from S$14.90 per child aged 2 to 12; S$19.10 per adult; S$17 per senior citizen aged above 65 years.

 

LAVO Italian Restaurant

How to get there: Located on level 57, the restaurant is accessible via the lift lobby at Hotel Tower 3.

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday - 11:00am to 12:00am, Sunday - 12:00pm to 12:00am. On Fridays and Saturdays, only guests at least 18 years old and above will be allowed to enter after 11:00pm.

 

CÉ LA VI Restaurant and SkyBar

How to get there: Located on level 57, the restaurant is accessible via the lift lobby at Hotel Tower 3.

Opening Hours: Opens daily from 5:00pm to 11:00pm

 

The Singapore Flyer 

Address: 30 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039803

How to get there: Located 8 minutes away from Promenade Station on the Downtown and Circle Lines, Exit A.

Opening Hours: Opens daily from 3:00pm to 9:00pm. Last admissions are at 8:30pm and ticketing counters are open from 2:45pm to 8:15pm daily.

 

Flight Experience 

How to get there: Located on level 2.

Opening Hours: Thursday and Friday - 2:00pm to 8:00pm, Saturday and Sunday - 12:00pm to 8:00pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

6. Checking out Singapore’s tallest public housing block

Comfortable seating areas situated in the Pinnacle@Duxton’s sky park. Comfortable seating areas situated in the Pinnacle@Duxton’s sky park.

There are several nooks along the Sky Park where you can find comfortable benches perfect for relaxing with a book in hand. Pinnacle @ Duxton is also home to the world’s longest sky gardens at 500 metres each.

Billed as the tallest public housing flat in Singapore, The Pinnacle@Duxton spots two skybridges on the 26th and 50th floor. Unfortunately, only the skybridge on the 50th is open to the public.

Here you get an unobstructed view of the city — from Chinatown to the HarbourFront ports which are just a stone’s throw away. In the sky park, you’ll find quirky art installations and play structures to keep your little ones occupied.

Book a stay at the Sofitel Hotel at Guoco Tower, the tallest multi-use commercial building in the Central Business District and closest to the Pinnacle@Duxton. Other attractions within walking distance to the hotel include dining spots like Amoy Street Food Centre. A stone’s throw away from the food centre, nestled within Ann Siang Hill and Club Street is a whole host of drinking spots that open after dark. But in the day, the boutique stores located in brightly coloured restored shophouses doesn’t disappoint.

 

The Pinnacle @ Duxton

Address: 1G Cantonment Road, Singapore 085301

How to get there: Go to the MA office located on the ground level of Block 1G to register.

Opening hours: Opens daily from 9:00am to 9:00pm. An entrance fee of S$6 applies which will be deducted from your contactless Ez-link Cards which are used for travel on the MRT. If you do not have sufficient funds in your card, you can also top-up its value at the MA office. There is also a daily limit of 200 guests so do head down early to avoid disappointment.

7. Walking amongst the trees in our nature reserves

Pint-sized adventurers taking on the obstacle course in Forest Adventure in Singapore. Pint-sized adventurers taking on the obstacle course in Forest Adventure in Singapore.

Turn your holiday trip into a life-lesson for your pint-sized adventurer as they face down their fears in this thrilling high element obstacle course. Photo credit: Forest Adventure on Facebook

Strap on a pair of comfortable sports shoes and experience the best nature and local wildlife have to offer on a hiking trail among Singapore’s two largest nature reserves. The Bukit Timah Nature reserve will take you on a journey on off-road trails winding through lush greenery.

This 163-hector reserve is home to the highest natural point in the whole of Singapore, Bukit Timah Hill, which stands at 163 metres above sea level. It also retains some of the primary rainforests in the country. Botany enthusiasts will be happy to note that the forest on the hill has been a botanical collection ground for over a century.

Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for macaques as they swing from tree to tree overhead. Other forms of wildlife that you may cross paths with include wild boars.

For a more thrilling experience, head to Forest Adventure, an outdoor activity centre with ziplines and various obstacle courses, located in Bedok Reservoir Park which offers several suspension bridges, rope ladders and other death-defying high element obstacle courses that get your adrenalin pumping. They have modified courses for junior so your little ones from as young as 5 years of age can get involved in the fun and games, too!

 

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Address: Hindhede Drive, Singapore 589318

How to get there: By taxi to the address above.

Opening hours: The publicly accessible areas are open 24 hours except for areas with denser vegetation and off-road paths, which are only accessible from 7:00am to 7:00pm daily. Entry is free.

 

Bedok Reservoir Park

Address: Bedok Reservoir Park, Singapore 479244

How to get there: By cab to the address above.

Opening hours: Opens 24 hours daily. Entry is free.

 

Forest Adventure

Address: Bedok Reservoir Park, Singapore 479244

How to get there: By cab to the address above.

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 9:30am to 6:30pm, closed on Mondays and Thursdays. Online reservation is essential. Prices start from S$36 per child on the kids’ course to S$50 per person on the grand course.

 

In many ways, Singapore offers travellers a wide variety of experiences at ground level. But it is only from above that you really get a feel for the best sights the city has to offer. It gives you a chance to discover new breath-taking views of the city skyline or even just to observe how the lush greenery fits into our urban areas like a completed jigsaw masterpiece. Your perspective and experiences in Singapore will certainly be elevated to a whole new level.

 

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