Planning to visit Singapore? I guarantee you’ll spend plenty of time exploring all the best things to do in Marina Bay!
The Marina Bay area is home to some of the most unique things to see & do in Singapore. For travellers, it’s one of the most exciting districts to explore in the Lion City.
The top activities & best tourist attractions in Marina Bay are tough to pin down. One night, you’ll dazzle at the futuristic evening light show at Gardens by the Bay. The next, you’ll be dining at celebrity chef-run restaurants in The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.
Not sure how to plan your Marina Bay itinerary? Get your bearings with this complete guide to the best places to visit in Marina Bay, Singapore!
Looking for more ideas for your trip? Check out our Singapore Travel Guide for recommendations on what to do, see & eat, and where to stay!
What to do in Marina Bay
Wander around Gardens by the Bay
There’s hardly a more impressive urban park in the world than Gardens by the Bay. Chances are you’ve caught a glimpse of this magnificent attraction—even if you weren’t aware of it!
Garden by the Bay opened in 2012. Since then, they’ve become one of the top things to see in Marina Bay and Singapore’s most recognizable symbol.
Whether you’ve got only 24 hours in Singapore or a week, you can’t miss out on a visit to Gardens by the Bay.
The incredible Gardens by the Bay are pleasant to meander by day, but the real treat is to visit at night.
Every evening at 7:45 pm and 8:45 pm, the space-age Supertree Grove glimmers with a spectacular musical light show. The Garden Rhapsody is bound to mesmerize. You may even find yourself returning for a second (or third) performance!
Beyond checking out the Supertree Grove and light show by night, save time by day to explore the two conservatories. The conservatories are home to two biodomes, the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. Each showcase an exotic array of flowers & plants. They’ve been selected from range of climatic zones from around the world.
Getting there: The closest MRT station to Gardens by the Bay is Bayfront. If you’re already in the Marina Bay area, walk through the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. Continue through the hotel to the skybridge that connects to the Bay South Garden.
Get high in the sky at the Singapore Flyer
The high-flyin’ Singapore Flyer graced the Singapore skyline before Marina Bay Sands or Gardens by the Bay. At its time of opening in 2008, the Singapore Flyer was the world’s tallest Ferris wheel. It stands at a whopping 165 metres!
As you’d imagine, taking a spin on the Singapore Flyer is one of the coolest activities in Singapore.
The skyline views from the 28 air-conditioned pods are spectacular at any time of day. They’re particularly amazing, though, in the evening. At nightfall, Singapore’s modern skyline truly comes to life.
Getting there: The Singapore Flyer is located on the northern banks of Marina Bay. From the Marina Bay Sands, it’s about a 20-minute walk across the Helix Bridge to the Ferris wheel.
Get up close and personal with the Merlion
With a nickname like the Lion City, it was inevitable that lion statues would be a common sight in Singapore. An 8.6-metre-tall half-fish/half-lion spewing water to a backdrop of skyscrapers? Nope, I didn’t see that one coming, either.
Now one of the most famous symbols of Singapore, the Merlion is the city’s official mascot. In recent years, the Merlion has become an insta-Instagram favourite.
Trying to get alone time with Singapore’s mascot at Merlion Park can be difficult these days. But even with the thickening crowds of tourists at this top Marina Bay point of interest, the views are quite magical. On their own, they’re worth the short trek up the bay.
Once you’ve grabbed a photo or two with the mythical creature, take a walk along the Singapore River. Nearby Boat Quay is a great place for a relaxing drink & bite to eat on the riverside. Clarke Quay, Singapore’s premier nightlife & entertainment area, is also a short walk away.
Getting there: The Merlion statue is located at Merlion Park on the northwestern tip of Marina Bay. It’s near the mouth of the Singapore River. From the waterfront, it’s a relaxing 15-minute walk along the waterfront to the statue.
Get educated at the ArtScience Museum
Shaped like a blooming lotus flower, the ArtScience Museum stands out in the Marina Bay skyline. And it’s as eye-catching on the outside as the inside!
This modern art & science museum fuses art with science within its innovative exhibitions and galleries.
Temporary exhibitions at the ArtScience Museum rotate throughout the year. They’re operated in conjunction with top museums around the world. Partners include the American Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian Institute.
Be sure to visit The ArtScience Museum’s most popular permanent exhibition, Future World: Where Art Meets Science. It throws visitors into a world of interactive art, covering four urban & natural themes.
Getting there: The ArtScience Museum sits on the northern tip of the Waterfront Promenade.
Empty your wallet at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
Is shopping in Singapore on your vacation wishlist? Loosen up your pursestrings at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.
Located outside its famous namesake hotel, this upscale shopping mall is high on style & class. It’s one of the best places to visit in Marina Bay for shopaholics and urban wanderers alike.
Within its corridors, you’ll discover a wide array of luxurious fashion boutiques. You’ll discover some of the world’s most renowned fashion & lifestyle brands here. Designers represented include Dior, Hugo Boss, Dolce & Gabbana, and Ralph Lauren.
The Shoppes at the Marina Bay Sands is also a prime destination for foodies. The selection of restaurants here include a smattering run by celebrity chefs. Options include Bread Street Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay and Spago by Wolfgang Puck.
Getting there: The shopping mall is connected to both MBS and the waterfront. Once you’re in the area, you can’t miss it.
View the city from above at the Marina Bay Sands Skypark
Staying at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel out of the cards? Even so, don’t miss a chance to visit the Marina Bay Sands Skypark!
The Marina Bay Sands Skypark is perched upon the boat-shaped rooftop of the Marina Bay Sands. The park features a sky-high 57th-floor observation deck. The platform is accessible to guests for free and to the general public for a small fee.
The 1.5-hectare Marina Bay Sands Skypark delivers swoon-worthy 360-degree views of Singapore. Without a doubt, it’s the best vantage point in the entire city. The park also boasts the world’s highest infinity pool (although you’ll need to be a guest at the hotel to take a dip here).
After checking out Singapore from above, extend your visit with a relaxing cocktail at the skybar of Cé La Vi. Or indulge in a meal at LAVO Italian Restaurant & Rooftop Bar.
Getting there: The Skypark is located on the rooftop of the Marina Bay Sands. Ride the Singapore MRT to Bayfront and follow the signs in the station to the hotel.
Meander across the Helix Bridge
If there’s one thing that the Marina Bay area isn’t short on, it’s fantastic skyline views. To catch some of the best in the area, wander over to the Helix Bridge. It’s located just north of Marina Bay Sands.
The pedestrian-only Helix Bridge is a unique modern architectural wonder. The bridge’s design is inspired by the structure of a DNA strand.
Helix Bridge shines at its finest in the evening. When the sun dips below the city, revel in the sparkle of the central business district skyline reflecting into the marina.
Getting there: Start at the corner of Bayfront Avenue and Marina Boulevard. The bridge is a relaxing 1.2-kilometre walk from here along the Waterfront Promenade.
Dazzle at the Singapore skyline at the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade
Many would agree: Singapore looks its best in the early evening as the sun sets upon the city. And one of the best places to enjoy the city views is at the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade.
Strolling along the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade is one of the top activities & things to do in Marina Bay. This popular boardwalk offers spectacular views. They peer across the bay to the Singapore city skyline. The vistas hit their peak in twilight when the gleaming skyscrapers of the CBD come to rest.
Done enjoying the sparkling city scenery? Extend your trip on the boardwalk with a pint at nearby LeVeL33, the world’s highest craft brewery.
Also located at the promenade is the Red Dot Design Museum. The museum showcases unique products & industrial designs. The Red Dot Museum is a great detour for fans of technology & innovation.
Getting there: The closest MRT stop to the Marina Bay Promenade is Downtown on the Downtown Line. Take Exit A.
Get lost in culture at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay is more than your run-of-the-mill performing arts venue. It’s a complete travel experience that belongs on any Marina Bay itinerary. And catching a performance here is only the half of it.
If you’re lucky enough with your timing, you can enjoy a world-class concert at the 1,600-seat Concert Hall. Or you can treat yourself to a musical at the 2,000-seat Theatre.
Elsewhere in the artistic & cultural complex, you can peruse the three-storey Esplanade Mall. It’s got everything from the latest Singaporean fashions to hand-crafted furniture & musical instruments.
Built up an appetite? There’s a handful of great eating & drinking opportunities in the mall and on the rooftop.
For food & drink in the open air, pop down to the nearby Makansutra Gluttons Bay. It’s one of the top places for hawker food in Singapore. The venue offers delicious street eats & drinks to amazing evening views over the bay.
Getting there: Esplanade is on the northern shore of Marina Bay. It’s located near the mouth of the Singapore River. The closest MRT station is Esplande. The station is connected directly to the theatre and shopping complex.
Where to stay in Marina Bay for sightseeing
There’s hardly a better place to base yourself in Singapore than Marina Bay. Unfortunately, choosing where to stay in Marina Bay can be a bit challenging for travellers!
Unlike other areas in Singapore, the accommodations scene in Marina Bay skews towards luxury travellers. The bonus is that many of Singapore’s best luxury hotels are concentrated here. There are plenty of options if you’ve got the desire—and the budget!—to crash in this glitzy & glamorous district.
- Pan Pacific Hotel is the best value luxury pick in the area. This hotel features spacious modern rooms with a splash of colour to brighten your day. For your evening chill-out session, choose between six on-site dining options or relax in the outdoor pool area for epic skyline views.
- The Fullerton Hotel Singapore embodies the classic Singapore luxury experience in Singapore. This legendary 5-star hotel offers guests classy & elegant rooms in a beautiful historical setting. The views over the marina from the hotel’s popular Post Bar are breathtaking.
- Marina Bay Sands is the city’s most famous place to stay. This luxurious 5-star hotel is the best option for exploring the area. (If you can afford it.) Peering upon Singapore from the world’s highest infinity pool should be reason enough to book a stay here!
