50 Seriously Cool Things to Do in Singapore [2023]
Not your usual touristy stuff. Uncover hidden islands, villages lost in time, and secret hikes!
![50 Seriously Cool Things to Do in Singapore [2023]](https://images.prismic.io/seeksophie/8316bbba-280a-4f2d-b950-59156e5ed413_Serapong.jpeg?auto=compress,format)
- Sightseeing
- Art & Culture
- Outdoors & Nature
- Watersports & Island Hopping
- Food & Drink
- Urban Farms
- Wellness
- Sports & Games
If you are looking for things to do in Singapore that are different, and more interesting - we got you! Here, you'll find hidden nature trails that could belong in Indiana Jones, fascinating heritage walks led by ex-gang members, and even villages lost in time.
Want more? Check out our favourite ideas for couple activities, family-friendly activities and even team bonding activities!
Sightseeing
Visit Singapore's Last Kampong
This is one of our favourite unexpected experiences. This is the last kampong in Singapore, and is still home to 26 families. Life is simple and idyllic here. Chickens here are pets and not to be eaten (they all have names!), and though you're in the middle of the city, all you hear are sounds of nature.
We would highly recommend coming with a guide as this kampong is actually privately owned (which is why it hasn't been developed yet!). With your guide, you'll get to chat with the residents, play nostalgic childhood games and learn about this very special place.
Visit the Quirky Haw Par Villa
Haw Par Villa is a mix of a cultural artefact and a semi-terrifying theme park lost in time.
The park is an homage of sorts to super traditional 'Chinese values' (exhibited in terrifying ways!). According to the statues displayed here, if you didn't study for your exams or if you were rude to your parents, a gory fate would befall you. Every child growing up in the 90s would have made multiple trips here with their parents to be warned of what might happen to them if they misbehaved!
Walk with Ex-Gang Members
Singapore's one of the safest countries in the world, so not many people know about its dark secrets of gang violence and untold crime ๐
This super meaningful walking tour is led by an ex-secret society member, Alvin. Alvin is very candid in sharing about SG's triad history and his personal stories and struggles. It's a really eye-opening experience to learn more about Singaporeโs past and how ex-offenders turned over a new leaf. If you're looking for a unique and meaningful way to spend your weekend, we highly recommend going for this!
Murder Mystery at Chinatown
Discover tucked-away areas of Chinatown through this immersive puzzle hunt, aka 'the Chinatown Murders' ๐ฒ
You'll be brought around by your guide as you begin your role-play tour, filled with fun quests and plot twists! As you're roaming the alleys, you'll also meet quirky characters who'll share interesting nuggets of history along the way. It's a great, super non-cliche way to explore Chinatown!
Outdoor Escape Game at Holland Village
Holland Village is an enclave of outdoor bars, colonial bungalows, hipster cafes, lots of little spas and bric-a-brac shops. It's a very cool mix of East and West, and was where the Dutch lived in the colonial days!
Spice up your visit here with an outdoor escape room to explore hidden spots! By solving a trail of clues around Holland V, you'll stop by a secret coffee spot, an old-school magazine store and find hidden gems that even locals don't know about!
LGBTQ Walking Tour: The Long Road to Equality
One of the more exciting social justice reforms in Singapore in the recent decade is the repeal of section 377A of the penal code, which criminalises same-sex relations.
This first-of-its-kind walking tour takes you through this hard-fought victory, and what obstacles remain for equality today. We'd highly recommend this for a glimpse into a little-known side of Singapore's history.
Cycle Around Little India, CHIJMES & More
This is the one-stop, super chill way to check off ALL your sightseeing spots.
Pedal along the alleys and tunnels of Little India, Chinatown, CHIJMES and more - find hidden spots you'd miss if you were travelling by bus/car. Your guide is also happy to make pit stops for some history-sharing, cute photo-taking sessions or a chill snack time - making your time super comfy!
See the Skyline at a Hidden Rooftop
Not many people know this but the top of Funan Mall is one of the best places to see Singapore's skyline! It's only accessible from the lift at Lobby B - and when you take the lift to the top you'll find a roof garden overlooking the spaceship-like Supreme Court, Marina Bay Sands, Esplanade, the Singapore Flyer etc!
Sneak away to this little-known roof garden for a great night view, or even have a BBQ here with friends (you'll need a permit for the BBQ)!
Art & Culture
Go back to Singapore's wild 1960s!
This is a unique walking tour meets immersive street theatre - where you get transported back to the 1960s in Singapore, during the heyday of the cabaret!
Stroll along at your own pace through the colourful streets of Little India, get immersed in a love story set in the swinging 1960s, and see incredible theatrical sets for a taste of old Singapore!
Learn Leather Crafting from a Master Artisan
Most people don't know this but Singapore is actually home to a burgeoning leather making industry - with crocodile farms, and up-and-coming young leather artisans.
Head to this leather making workshop to craft your own luggage tag (you can also make bags, card holders etc!). Here you'll learn the art of leather crafting from a local leather artisan, and work a #vintage 1930s hot-stamping Kingsley machine.
Vandalise Freely!
While actual public space graffiti remains a no-no in Singapore, there IS a tucked-away hideout (located in a super cool warehouse location!) for you to blow off some steam by vandalising as you'd wish. There's no need to be an expert - just head on down and have a fun lil' artsy session! And donโt worry, itโs all legal here to enjoy with the fam or your buds ๐
Catch a Local Production
Singapore's local theatre scene is one of our best kept secrets. Not many people know about it, but it's been getting increasingly dynamic in recent years! One of our favourite local production houses is Wild Rice. Lately, they've been telling uniquely Singapore stories in ways that are both moving and incredibly thought provoking. We would highly recommend catching a play here!
Try a Quirky Creative Workshop
Singaporeans love their crafts. You name it and we have it - you can do pottery on a rooftop garden, paint & play a ukulele, and even learn how to be a tattoo artist! If you're looking for ways to get creative, check out our favourite Unique and Cool Creative Workshops!
Outdoors & Nature
Go Back in Time at Pulau Ubin
A trip into the past, Ubin has always held a special place in our hearts as an untouched paradise. To get to this tranquil little island off Singapore, you'll need to take a rustic bum boat that already feels like an adventure! Here you can go mangrove kayaking, hike up to gorgeous viewpoints, and just enjoy the rustic village vibes. You should also keep a look out for the mangrove swamp that's just crawling with mudskippers, crabs and even lobsters!
Explore Sentosa's Hidden Rainforst
Who knew Singapore had rainforests to explore?! Not us. If you want to see the closest thing to untouched nature in Singapore, head to Sentosa's rainforest with a naturalist guide and a pair of binoculars. Here you'll get close to Singapore's unique fauna, and if you're lucky you might catch sight of endangered wildlife!
Explore Sentosa's Hidden Fort
Most of us have been to Sentosa. But did you know that deep in the forest of Sentosa is a hidden fort thatโs been reclaimed by the jungle? Itโs like Singaporeโs very own Angkor Wat!
Fort Serapong is a once-mighty labyrinth of war bunkers and underground tunnels built by the British in 1879. Today, the jungle has reclaimed it. Its structure is engulfed by roots and its once impenetrable walls are caved in. Its location is so secret that youโre blindfolded on the way in ๐ฏ If you're looking for an adventure, this is for you!
Cycle Around Coney Island
If you don't have time for Pulau Ubin, go to Coney Island instead - it's a little tranquil piece of paradise in Singapore. You can rent a bike at nearby Punggol, or just explore leisurely on foot. Our favourite parts of it are the towering Casuarina trees (feels like a forest in Europe!), the mangrove walk and the tiny hidden beaches all around the island. There's little to do here, but that's also part of its charm. If you're lucky you may also spot its resident family of otters!
Discover Secret WW2 Bunkers
Love all things history? Here's an adventurous, hands-on way you can discover Singapore's past.
Here you'll get to explore the Marsiling bunkers - abandoned WWII structures leftover from when the British used to rule our land! They're super hidden so be prepared to go through dark tunnels, walk amidst the jungle vines and get a lil' muddy! Any explorer will LOVE this off-the-beaten-track experience.
Hike the Rail Corridor!
The Rail Corridor is a 24km green stretch built around abandoned railway tracks. Our fave part of the Rail Corridor is a 2-hour hike through a Jurassic Park-esque viewpoint to an iconic train tunnel that's perfect for the #gram.๐๐ธ Start from Greenleaf View, take a hidden side detour off the Bukit Timah Railway Station (towards Clementi Forest - ask someone!), and end at the iconic train tunnel by Clementi Forest.
Top tip: come early (6- 7am!) to avoid the crowds, and have the view all to yourself - it looks straight out of a movie!
Spot Hidden Marine Life
Instead of going to the Aquarium at Sentosa, why not see marine life in the wild instead? Few people know that you can actually do a intertidal walk at Sentosa to see lots of colourful and cute little critters in their natural habitat.
Here you'll explore Singapore's very own oceanic wildlife with your passionate marine biologist guide (see things you could've never with the naked eye!) It's also great for families and to introduce the kiddos to basic marine ecology ๐
Find Nocturnal Animals in Sentosa's Rainforest
Forget the night safari - go natural instead! Head to Sentosa's little known rainforest to see Singapore's nocturnal creatures' in their natural habitat.
With a small torch in your hand, you'll be venturing into the dark rainforests to spot Singapore's wildlife with your knowledgeable guides who'll be sharing about these fascinating creatures and their way of life! So if you love immersing yourself in the wilderness, this is one very cool way to do so (minus the heat and sun too ๐)!
Spot Wildlife at Singapore's Highest Peak
If you're a hike lover, you'll love this hiking trip to Bukit Timah Hill (aka Singapore's highest peak!) ๐
This isn't just a normal hike, it's with a nature guide so you'll get to see the wildlife that locals normally miss! Here you'll get to spot exotic birds, lots of monkeys, monitor lizards and flying lemurs (if you're lucky)! The view at the top isn't spectacular, but the wildlife and nature will make your hike extra special.
Top tip: grab prata at Springleaf when your hike is over!
See Wild Animals at Sungei Buloh
Instead of the Singapore zoo, head to Sungei Buloh to see wildlife in their natural habitat! Here, it's wild and untamed, and you'll get to spot crocodiles, king cobras, monitor lizards and more ๐ ๐ You'll also see the last mangrove forests and learn just how unique they are (plus the ultra-important role they play in the conservation of nature!)
Watersports & Island Hopping
Go Mangrove Kayaking
Singapore may seem like a concrete jungle on the surface, but there's SO much of the vast outdoors to explore here! Kayaking is one of our favourite ways to get close to our gorgeous nature ๐ฃโโ๏ธ
The adventures are endless: look out for mysterious Lord of the Rings-looking mangrove trees, go kayak fishing, visit disappearing kelongs (local fishing farms), spot otters and so much more!
E-foiling- Fly on Water!
Watersports fans are going to love this super cool alternative to surfing - eFoiling!
eFoils are battery-powered surfboards with a motor that lets you tour up to 14km - you'll feel like you're basically flying over water! Grab your fellow active buddies and have a blast trying out this new activity. PS: It's also beginner-friendly so you'll learn the ropes pretty quick! ๐
Go Fishing!
If you love spending time on the waters, here's one unique experience for you - learn how to fish on board! ๐ฅ๐ฃ Head out on a fishing boat with expert anglers, chill in the sea breeze as you wait to reel in your catches of the day (with help from your experienced fishing guides!) It's a great chilled day out.
Take Your Furbaby on Batman's Ship
Not only is this the World's first dog cruise, a Batman movie was also filmed on this ship! Take your doggo on this seriously impressive Pirate ship for a gourmet 2-course meal, and hang out at sea together.
Even if you don't have a dog, the dog-loving ship owners will loan you theirs for cuddles on this cruise!
River Safari to Hidden Islands
This trip down to Seletar Island (on a Rigid Buoyancy Boat, aka RBB!) is perfect for anyone who loves to enjoy the true nature vibes.
Visit one of the largest floating solar farms, bask in the beauty of the mangroves and catch glimpses of our wildlife! BUT it's not all sightseeing - it's also extra fun with the ride's fast speeds and wave jumps, sure to give you that adrenaline rush ๐ฑ
Freediving!
Freediving is being underwater without any diving equipment. By learning free diving, you're learning a breathing technique that will help you be able to dive underwater with just one breath of air! It's incredibly meditative and really fun to do.
Here you'll have a 2-part course to learn free diving - which includes theory and two dives at Singapore's Southern Islands!
Sail to the Southern Islands
Everyone thinks of Singapore as this chic concrete jungle but we actually house over 64 different tropical islands!
If you want to getaway to nature and see a different side of Singapore, hop on a private yacht ๐ฅ๏ธ and sail to the Southern and Hantu Islands. Bask in the sunset against the city skyline, enjoy water activities and enjoy BBQ + drinks!
Food & Drink
Try Private Dining
Private dining has become ultra trendy in Singapore recently, and this is one of our favourites.
Here' you'll kick off the experience with a foraging adventure around a local neighbourhood to learn about edible plants in Singapore. Afterwards, you'll head to a local home for an Asian seafood feast beautifully laid out on banana leaves (with the edible plants you've just seen!) It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we love!
Make Bubble Tea!
Singaporeans' love for bubble tea is so real that you'll spot at least 10 different cups while walking any street ๐ง
Jump on board the craze by making your own bubble tea from scratch! Choose your flavours (gula melaka is a unique one!), make your own tapioca pearls and take back 2 cups of your creation. Make this for your friends back home and we're sure they'll be hooked too!
Roast Coffee & Brunch!
This is probably Singapore's first and only coffee roasting experience, where you'll experience coffee farm-to-table. See the coffee plant growing on the farm; select and roast raw coffee beans over a fire; grind them up by hand; and experiment with different brewing techniques. You'll also get to enjoy a brunch of bagels and churros!
Learn to Cook from Granny in a Kampong Home
Visit this beautiful 21st-century Kampong home to really immerse yourself in the Kampong way of life!
Meet the lovely Mummy Soh and get a tour of her family-run urban farm where you'll grow your own crops and forage for fresh veggies. You'll also learn to make a homemade Peranakan feast that you'll indulge in whilst hearing amazing stories from 3 gens of Mummy Soh's family ๐จโ๐ฉโ๐ฆ
Visit Singapore's Original Gin Distillery
For all you drink lovers, here's a spot for you to indulge in a drinking experience like never before!
At Tanglin Gin, Singapore's original gin distillery, you'll get to both try out the distillery process yourself AND have your stomach's fill of gin (brewed by their super passionate in-house brewers) amidst the atmospheric vibes of the Dempsey Hill jungles! ๐ฅ๐ณ
Make Cocktails in the High Seas
Sail to Lazarus Island on a luxe yacht and make your own cocktails with your best buds ๐ฅ๐ธ Think James Bond Vesper! You'll be shaking and stirring up the yummiest drinks with your bartenders on board with you. As you guys drink and chill in the sea breeze, you'll be tipsy from both the alcohol and the vibes ๐
Make Yummy Chinese Pastries
Get a behind-the-scenes look into one of the last few traditional Chinese pastry shops in Singapore!
Learn about the cultural significance behind these delicious pastries AND proceed to make them yourself (with the help of your master bakers!) You can then have a chill tea time with these yummy treats and some calming Chinese tea ๐ซ It's great for pastry lovers looking to try something new!
Make Singapore Sling with Local Gin
If you're looking to find solace in the cool indoors (we know how the weather here can get! ๐), this is your escape.
Head over to the tucked-away Brass Lion Distillery to have a tour of their beautiful distillery, taste a bunch of unique gins aka their Singapore dry gin, and use their homebrew gin to make the iconic Singapore Sling cocktail๐น
Market-to-Table Cocktails
This may be the only cocktail making experience that first takes you to a local market in Little India to source your own fresh ingredients! You'll learn bartending tricks and get to use your hand-picked ingredients in your cocktail. Our fave cocktail was the pomegranate, passionfruit + mezcal ๐คฉ Later you'll also get to enjoy your cocktail with complimentary tacos!
Urban Farms
The coolest rooftop farm in Singapore
Singapore's a garden city that is getting ever greener! Lots of urban farms are popping up as Singapore tries to produce as much of its food as possible.
This whimsical rooftop farm is one of the coolest urban farms we've seen in Singapore - it houses rescued bees, and you can do an organic farming class with a honey tasting session here! Just when you think it's over, there's also a lovely sunset view for you to end your bee-sy day with.
Visit Singapore's Only Goat Farm
For a rural getaway, head over to Hay Dairies - Singapore's one and only goat farm that houses over 800 goats! ๐
You'll get to see how their experienced farmers milk the goats as well as pet and feed them on your own - brace yourselves as the adorable baby goats RUSH over ๐คฃ End the day by tasting their yummy goat milk and ice cream! It's a really cool and unique experience the whole family will enjoy.
Visit the Sustainable Farm of the Future
If you're looking for a farm experience in Singapore like no other, head down to our first-ever INSECT farm ๐
Here you'll get to see a bunch of different insects - with the main star being the black soldier flies! Accompanied by their passionate young founder, you'll learn how these amazing flies help out with our food waste problems. Bring the kiddos to witness this never-seen-before but super admirable trade ๐๐ป
Check Out a Veggie Farm
Visit Bollywood Veggies to see a lovely lush local vegetable farm, a favourite family hangout on weekends.
This is a great day out with kids, as kids can learn all about locally grown vegetables here (the vegetable garden has lots of cute educational placards!). You must also head to their bistro for yummy food cooked with their fresh produce (the nasi lemak with blue butterfly pea flower rice, and chicken curry are yummy!). Come early on weekends as it does get packed at mealtimes!
Wellness
Get Zen with Forest Bathing
Forest Bathing is a guided Japanese meditative technique in nature that has been shown to lower stress levels and increase focus.
This forest bathing experience takes place in a nature park in Singapore with a guide who will lead you into meditation in nature.ย Perfect for those who are looking to relax, and re-engage with nature.
Floating Yoga with Gorgeous MBS Skyline
If you want to try something cool & super IG worthy, this floating yoga experience is it! It takes place on a rooftop pool - with a gorgeous backdrop of the skyline of iconic Marina Bay Sands! While yoga-on-water is new to many, there's NO need to be a pro - simply take it easy and have fun! After all, falling into the water just means more time to admire the view ๐๐
Chill with a Sound Bath
If you're looking for a day of relaxation, a sound bath is perfect for you. Head over to try this Tibetan Singing Bowl therapy ๐ฅฃ - a sound bath experience that helps your body release stress! Simply close your eyes and immerse yourself in the gentle sound waves.
Sports & Games
Beer Run!
This is wacky and fun, and a great way to meet new people! It's a combination of sightseeing, exercising and socialising! Here you'll jog around Singapore's most scenic spots + stopping at 3 places for beers mid-way. No fitness experience is required, and beers are included. Cheers! ๐ป
Go Zovbing!
If you thought that you've run out of things to do in Singapore, think again. Rediscover play by rolling down a slope in a giant bubble (Zovb!), and let your adrenaline take over! Feel what itโs like to be a space traveller with the ballโs anti-gravity weightlessness ๐คฉ
Try Longboarding
If you're looking to try something new, try long boarding! We especially love the community vibes here where boarders beginner & experienced support each other. Under the guidance of passionate instructors, you'll learn the basic techniques of longboarding, which includes pushing, carving, and braking. Who knows, if you're a natural skater, you'll pick up a cool trick or two!
Go Spin (But underwater!)
If you love spinning, why not mix it up and spin... underwater! Here you'll find yourself spinning while partially submerged in a pool, pumping away to the energizing high tempo beats. Great for a challenge, or just a good time with friends!
Axe Throwing
For anyone who loves anything random, axe throwing is surprisingly therapeutic and fun at the same time! Grab an axe, create your own axe throwing competition (where losers buy beers!), and off you go! It's also great exercise ๐