Best Places to Visit in Singapore: Universal Studios, Marina Bay & More

The best places to visit in Singapore tend to cluster around three names that show up constantly in Saudi travelers’ content: Marina Bay Sands with its world-famous pool, Gardens by the Bay with its futuristic Supertrees, and Universal Studios Singapore, Southeast Asia’s first theme park of its kind.

This guide takes you through these three Singapore tourist places in detail, along with a few more destinations worth adding to your itinerary, and where to stay nearby.

Marina Bay Sands Singapore

Marina Bay Sands opened in 2010 at a cost of roughly S$8 billion, making it the most expensive standalone casino property in the world at the time. Designed by architect Moshe Safdie, the complex consists of three 55-story towers topped by the Sands SkyPark, a curved platform connecting all three towers via a 340-meter skyway.

The 57th floor is home to the world’s most famous infinity pool, the largest rooftop pool of its kind, stretching 150 meters above the ground. Alongside the pool, the SkyPark observation deck offers a panoramic view over Gardens by the Bay, the Singapore Flyer, and most of the city’s skyline. The resort extends well beyond the hotel itself, with the lotus-shaped ArtScience Museum, the 74,000-square-meter Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands mall, and a casino housing 500 tables and 3,000 gaming machines.

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Gardens by the Bay Singapore

Gardens by the Bay opened on June 29, 2012, spanning 101 hectares of reclaimed waterfront land right next to Marina Bay Sands, built at a cost of over a billion dollars as the centerpiece of Singapore’s vision to become a City in a Garden. It now draws more than 12 million visitors a year, making it one of the most visited attractions in all of Asia.

Its most photographed feature is Supertree Grove, 18 artificial vertical gardens standing between 25 and 50 meters tall, two of which are connected by the 128-meter OCBC Skyway for an elevated walk through the canopy. The Supertrees light up in a nightly sound and light show called Garden Rhapsody, and this outdoor section is free to enter. The two paid conservatories are equally impressive: Cloud Forest, built around a 35-meter artificial mountain that hides the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, and Flower Dome, recognized by Guinness World Records in 2015 as the world’s largest glass greenhouse, displaying blooms from every continent except Antarctica.

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Sentosa Island

Universal Studios sits on Sentosa Island, off Singapore’s southern coast, once known as Blakang Mati before it was redeveloped into a resort island. You can reach it by cable car, the Sentosa Express monorail, or on foot via a walkway from HarbourFront station. Beyond the theme park, Sentosa is also home to the S.E.A. Aquarium, one of the largest in the world with more than 100,000 marine animals across 800 species, Madame Tussauds wax museum, and quiet sandy beaches like Siloso Beach for winding down after a busy day.

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Universal Studios Singapore

Officially opened in March 2010 within Resorts World Sentosa, Universal Studios Singapore became the first Universal theme park in all of Southeast Asia, and the second in Asia after Japan. It drew more than 2 million visitors within just its first nine months of opening.

The park is divided into seven themed zones, home to more than 20 rides and live shows inspired by well-known Hollywood films. Highlights include Hollywood with its iconic walk of fame, Sci-Fi City built around the world of Transformers, Ancient Egypt with the Revenge of the Mummy ride, The Lost World inspired by Jurassic Park, and Far Far Away, home to Shrek and friends. It’s worth setting aside a full day, since five or six hours usually isn’t enough to experience most of what’s on offer.

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More Singapore Attractions Worth Visiting

• Kampong Glam: Singapore’s historic Muslim quarter, home to the famous Sultan Mosque and a range of halal restaurants.
• Chinatown and Little India: two lively neighborhoods filled with traditional markets and temples, reflecting Singapore’s rich cultural diversity.

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Tips for Visiting These Singapore Attractions

• Book Universal Studios tickets online in advance: this saves you time in line, especially on weekends and during peak seasons.
• Set aside a full day for Sentosa and Gardens by the Bay near Marina Bay Sands: both areas sit close together, making it easy to combine them over one or two days.
• Only hotel guests can access the Marina Bay Sands pool: the infinity pool is reserved exclusively for hotel guests, while any visitor can buy a separate ticket for the SkyPark observation deck.
• Pack sunscreen and light clothing: you’ll spend most of your time at these attractions outdoors under Singapore’s hot, humid tropical sun.

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Where to Stay Near These Places

You can browse almatar’s full Singapore hotels page to compare prices and book your stay directly. Here are a few solid options based on how close they sit to these attractions:

• Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa Singapore: sits right on Siloso Beach on Sentosa Island itself, Singapore’s only beachfront resort, making it the closest option to Universal Studios and the rest of the island’s attractions without needing to travel back and forth from the city center.
• Pan Pacific Orchard Singapore: located near Orchard Road, a convenient middle ground that keeps you close to both Marina Bay Sands and the city center, with a distinctive green architectural design featuring open-air terraces and gardens.
• Hilton Singapore Orchard: sits directly on Orchard Road, putting you steps from the biggest shopping malls and an easy MRT ride from Marina Bay Sands.
• Four Seasons Hotel Singapore: located just off Orchard Road near the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a good fit for anyone wanting a quieter stay while still being close to the city center and Marina Bay Sands.

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Book Your Trip Now

Now that you have a full guide to the best places to visit in Singapore, use almatar’s flight search feature to compare fares.

You can also book your stay directly through almatar’s Singapore hotels page.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best places to visit in Singapore?

Some of the best places to visit in Singapore include Marina Bay Sands with its famous infinity pool, Gardens by the Bay with its Supertree Grove, and Universal Studios Singapore, along with Kampong Glam and Chinatown.

What is Universal Studios Singapore?

Universal Studios Singapore is a theme park that opened in 2010 on Sentosa Island, the first Universal park in Southeast Asia, featuring seven themed zones with more than 20 rides and live shows.

What makes Marina Bay Sands Singapore special?

Marina Bay Sands Singapore is known for its rooftop infinity pool on the 57th floor, the largest of its kind in the world, along with a panoramic observation deck, the ArtScience Museum, and a massive shopping mall.

What can you see at Gardens by the Bay Singapore?

Gardens by the Bay Singapore is home to the Supertree Grove, the Cloud Forest with the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, and the Flower Dome, recognized as the world’s largest glass greenhouse.

What are the top Singapore attractions for families?

Universal Studios Singapore, Gardens by the Bay, and the S.E.A. Aquarium on Sentosa Island are among the top Singapore attractions for families traveling with children.

Can you swim in the Marina Bay Sands pool without staying at the hotel?

No, access to the infinity pool is reserved exclusively for hotel guests, though any visitor can buy a separate ticket to the SkyPark observation deck.