With luxury, architecture, food, and attractions, Marina Bay is one of Singapore’s best-known attractions. Planning a visit? Then this guide will help you carve out the best experience for yourself.
Gardens by the Bay
Just a short walk from Marina Bay, this is where Singapore shows off its modern side. This huge green oasis is about 250 acres of reclaimed ground and has more than 400,000 plants. The design is what really impresses visitors. Think of glass domes that rise high and some of the most beautiful modern structures you’ll ever see.
Go into the Flower Dome, a massive glass dome with an innovative curved structure and filled with flowers from all over the world. Another highlight is the Cloud Forest, where you’ll find the largest indoor waterfall in the world.
The OCBC Skyway, on the other hand, is a walkway that hangs between the supertrees and makes you feel like you’re flying over the garden. Stick around for the Garden Rhapsody light and sound performance – the way supertrees light up will make you forget everything else.
Art Science Museum
One of the best things to do in Marina Bay is visit the ArtScience Museum, a place where art and science come together. It was Moshe Safdie who designed the museum. This beautiful white edifice shaped like a large lotus flower happens to be one of Singapore’s most photographed monuments.
Inside, there are 21 gallery spaces that show exhibitions that vary throughout the year. These exhibitions span a wide range of subjects, including design, media, technology, and the natural world. The displays are interactive, make you think, and seem as though they’re from the future.
The museum also hosts a variety of digital light shows, hands-on science exhibitions, and modern art shows to keep both kids and adults entertained.
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Join a Singapore River Cruise
Singapore is one of Asia’s biggest ports and a significant hub for luxury liners, so cruising is a favourite pastime here. It’s also one of the best things to do near Marina Bay, especially if you want to see more of the region. Cruises usually leave from the city and make stops all around Southeast Asia and beyond.
The Marina Bay Cruise Centre is where the big ships dock, and the Singapore River Cruise Centre is where the smaller ships dock.
You can set sail on some of the world’s most impressive cruise ships right from here. Some feature rock climbing walls, surf simulators, ice skating rinks, aqua parks, and all the great food you could want. These ships are like floating cities with lots of fun things to do. Needless to say, it’s a truly unique way to experience Singapore.
Singapore Flyer
Right in the heart of the city, the Singapore Flyer stands tall as one of Marina Bay’s most iconic attractions. This giant observation wheel rises 165 metres into the sky, making it the tallest of its kind in Asia.
The Flyer brings you the greatest views. From your air-conditioned capsule, you’ll be able to see the whole city in the best way possible. On a clear day, you can even see Malaysia and Indonesia.
If you want a more deluxe experience, consider adding in-capsule meals to your experience.
Try to go around dusk – one of the best things to do in Singapore is watch the sun set behind the skyline as the city lights come on.
Sentosa Merlion
You can’t visit Marina Bay without stopping at Merlion Park, home to the symbol that celebrates Singapore’s love of history and myth: the Merlion. It’s a statue with the head of a lion and the body of a fish. The one at Sentosa Merlion is approximately eight meters tall and shoots water into the harbour. It’s one of the most photographed attractions in the city. There’s also a smaller two-meter Merlion cub sitting nearby.
Shopping
Shopping in Marina Bay is as glamorous as it gets. The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is the main attraction. It’s a huge luxury mall with well-known brands like Chanel, Gucci, and Cartier next to more affordable ones. The mall is never just about swiping your card and indulging in retail therapy.
There’s a canal where you can ride a gondola – the kind of thing you’d do in Venice. This is one of the best places to shop in Singapore. Not to mention, on a hot day, all that air-conditioning feels heavenly.
Visiting Marina Bay
Marina Bay is one of Singapore’s most popular sites. Its mix of famous landmarks and world-class attractions draws in both locals and tourists. The views are the highlight here, but there’s plenty more to enjoy beyond the skyline.
Plan well and you’ll be able to squeeze a lot into one day. Start with a stroll around Merlion Park, then head to Gardens by the Bay, and finish with a ride on the Singapore Flyer. These are the kind of experiences a tourist never forgets.
