50 Seriously Cool Things to Do in Singapore [2024]

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 villages lost in time.

Want more? Check out our favourite ideas for couple activities, family-friendly activities and even team bonding activities!

Sightseeing

Learn meaningful and alternative stories of Singapore, beyond the shiny attractions.

1. Singapore's Last Kampong

We love seeing Singapore's last kampong, because it reminds us of unique the Singapore story is - from third world to first within a single generation. Back in 1956, the kampong housed over-40 families. Today, it is the last kampong in Singapore, with 26 families remaining.

We would highly recommend coming with a guide as this kampong is actually privately owned. With your guide, you'll get to chat with the residents, and learn about one of the last reminders of Singapore's past.

2. Disappearing Kelongs

Singapore's floating fish farms (kelongs) are a vanishing part of our heritage, yet they offer a window into the old ways. Witness this fading tradition alongside modern fish farms on a unique boat trip. See Singapore's past and future side-by-side, all through the lens of fish farming.

3. 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! If you didn't study for your exams or if you were rude to your parents, a gory fate would befall you. It's a great off-beat place to visit to better understand traditional value systems, and it's just fun and unexpected!

4. Walk with Ex-Offenders

Singapore may be super safe now, but it has a hidden past of gangs and untold stories. Discover this lesser-known side with Alvin, a former secret society member turned guide. This social enterprise tour offers a raw, eye-opening look at Singapore's history and how people like Alvin find a path to change. If you're up for something unique and meaningful, this is definitely it!

5. Uncover Supernatural Beliefs

Explore Changi's real-life ghost stories and local folklore on this chilling tour. It's part WW2, and also a surprising glimpse into the supernatural side of Singapore's culture, hidden beneath the island's modern facade.

Learn about restless spirits, legendary creatures, and the island's history from a passionate local guide. With planned redevelopment, this unique experience may not be around for long - book now!"

6. Sightseeing through Puzzles

Turn Singapore into your playground with outdoor puzzle hunts and escape room adventures. Crack a Chinatown murder case, battle a virus on St. John's Island, or unlock hidden treats at Marina Bay Sands. These games combine sightseeing with fun and exploration, creating unforgettable memories.

7. Singapore's Disappearing Trades

As Singapore modernises, we are rapidly losing a lot of the traditional trades that our parents would take for granted. One of them is the art of traditional pastry making. Here at an award winning pastry shop, you'll get to learn the heart of this culinary tradition that is slowly fading away. You'll also gain a deep understanding of our local heritage through stories of Chinese weddings, customs, and festivals.

8. Cycle Around Iconic Spots

This colourful cycling sightseeing experience is a fun and chill way to check off ALL your sightseeing spots. Pedal to iconic spots at Little India, Chinatown, CHIJMES and 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.

9. Hidden Rooftop Views

Ditch the pricey Marina Bay Sands views! Funan Mall's rooftop garden is a hidden gem offering stunning skyline vistas. Take the lift at Lobby B to discover this secret spot, overlooking iconic landmarks like the Supreme Court, Marina Bay Sands, and the Singapore Flyer. It's the perfect place to capture that Insta-worthy shot without breaking the bank!

10. Speakeasy Bar Crawl

Singapore's has one of the most vibrant bar scenes in Asia, and it's home to some seriously cool speakeasies! Go barhopping with an insider to uncover these hidden gems and experience the city's vibrant nightlife. You'll sip expertly crafted cocktails, discover quirky themed bars, and get exclusive access to the coolest spots in town. It's the perfect way to experience Singapore's world-class mixology culture and create unforgettable memories.

Art & Culture

Meet local artisans passionate about sharing their art and see a vibrant side of Singapore.

11. Craft with Artisans

In recent years, lots of really cool crafty experiences have popped up in Singapore. We love this because it's a sign of Singapore being more open and creative as a city, and Singaporeans wanting to chase their creative passions!

You name it and we have it - you can do pottery in cute backyard gardens, paint a skateboard or camera, perfume making with scent engineers and make your own plushie!

12. Leather Making

Most people don't know this but Singapore is actually home to some of the world's best leather, with a LVMH owned crocodile farm. Head to a leather making workshop to learn from Singapore's leather artisans. Craft with Hermes leather, and even use a vintage Kinsley stamping machine!

13. Local Theatre

Singapore's local theatre scene has been getting increasingly exciting in recent years, and we'd highly recommend catching a play! One of our favourite playhouses is Wild Rice - they tell uniquely Singapore stories in ways that are both moving and incredibly thought provoking. Another favourite is Pangdemonium, which has consistently great performances.

Ps: Wild Rice Theatre is based in Funan so you can check out the rooftop skyline view after the play!

14. Art of Batik

Batik looks like Southeast Asia's version of a Hawaiian shirt, but few know that it's an intricate art form that's traditionally worn for big occasions. One traditional Batik shirt can take months to make as each pattern is painstakingly painted with hot wax.

Learn this intricate wax-art form from a passionate Peranakan artist and create your own Batik masterpiece! Choose your own design or paint iconic Singapore landmarks like the Merlion. Discover the techniques, get hands-on, and leave with a beautiful piece of art infused with Singaporean spirit.

15. Tingkat Painting

To us, the humble Tingkat isn't just a practical food container - it's a window into the vibrant Peranakan heritage that defines Singapore.

In this Tingkat painting experience, you'll step into the vibrant world of Nyonya art with a passionate Peranakan painter in Singapore. In her intimate studio, you'll learn about symbolic motifs that tell stories of community and heritage. You'll create your own stunning mini-Tingkat to cherish, while gaining a deeper understanding of Singapore's unique Nyonya culture.

Outdoors & Nature

Uncover Singapore's incredible rainforest and amazing biodiversity (even locals will be surprised!).

16. Pulau Ubin

Pulau Ubin is one of our favourite places in Singapore. A trip into the past, the sleepy little village island 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 (very Lord of the Rings vibes!), hike up to gorgeous viewpoints, and just enjoy the rustic village vibes. Spend half a day here - kayaking, fishing, then having food at a seafood shack!

17. Sentosa's Hidden Rainforest

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!

18. 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 that’s been reclaimed by the jungle? It’s like Singapore’s very own Angkor Wat! Its location is so secret that you’re blindfolded on the way in 😯 If you're looking for an adventure, this is for you!

19. Coney Island

Need a nature escape but short on time? Swap Pulau Ubin for Coney Island. This rustic gem offers a slower pace, perfect for wandering. Keep an eye out for the resident otter family! Our favourite spots include the towering Casuarina trees (they feel so European!), the mangrove walk, and hidden beaches.

Top Tip: Rent a bike at Punggol, and and pair your Coney Island trip with nearby Pasir Ris Park or the picturesque Punggol Waterway for an extended adventure.

20. Secret WW2 Bunkers

If you love off-grid trails, head to the gigantic underground Marsiling WW2 bunkers. These bunkers were used to store ammunition during the war, and we were surprised by how vast they were. The bunkers are super hidden and in order to find them, you'll need to walk off-trail into the jungle!

21. Rail Corridor

The Rail Corridor is a 24km trail on abandoned railway tracks, and one of our fave hikes. Our fave part is the hidden tunnel – perfect for photos! To get to the tunnel, start at Greenleaf View, detour at Bukit Timah Railway Station (ask for Clementi Forest), and end at the tunnel. Grab breakfast at Springleaf Prata after. Top tip: Come early (6-7am!) to beat the crowds and snag epic shots – it's like a movie!

22. Intertidal Wildlife Walk

Did you know that along Singapore's beaches are intertidal zones that are incredibly biodiverse and teeming with hidden marine life? Going on an intertidal walk with a marine guide is as close to a wildlife safari as you'll get in Singapore. Here you'll explore Singapore's very own oceanic wildlife and see things you could've never with the naked eye! Perfect for families and wildlife lovers!

23. Nocturnal Animal Safari

Forget the night safari, go wild instead! During this wildlife night walk, 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!

24. Sungei Buloh

Sungei Buloh is our favourite nature reserve in Singapore because it's the wildest. Here you'll easily see several huuuge monitor lizards walking alongside you, crocodiles, herons, kingfishers and more. Once, we even saw a 4-metre long King Cobra here! You can explore the park on your own, but if you want to understand more about Singapore's fragile mangrove ecosystem, and spot more wildlife we'd recommend getting a naturalist guide!

Watersports and Island Hopping

Head out onto the water to get close to nature, and explore Singapore's 64 islands (yes, 64!).

25. Mangrove Kayaking

Kayaking in Singapore is hands down one of our favourite ways to get outdoors and recharge. There are a lot of really cool kayaking adventures you can head on. You can kayak through mysterious Lord of the Rings-looking mangrove trees, go kayak fishing, try night kayaking, or even visit disappearing kelongs.

Along the way you may spot wildlife like eagles, herons and otters if you're lucky!

26. E-foiling!

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! It's beginner-friendly so you'll learn the ropes pretty quick 🏄

27. Fishing!

Fishing is a really chill way to spend the day in Singapore. You can try pier fishing, head out on a fishing boat with expert anglers (and BBQ your own catch onboard!) or you can even do kayak fishing. You can even pair your fishing trip with mussel harvesting - how cool is that?!

28. Southern Islands Sailing

Everyone thinks of Singapore as this tiny island, but Singapore is made up of over 64 different tropical islands! Heading to nearby islands on a yacht is one of our favourite ways to explore Singapore's nature, and see different parts of Singapore that we never knew existed. You can sail to Lazarus Island or less-known Hantu Island, and you can do water activities, karaoke and BBQ!

It is also a lot more affordable than you'd think - a yacht trip can be S$50-$100 per person for a 4 hour getaway!

Food and Drink

Find innovative twists on traditional cuisines, some of the best cocktail bars in the world and experimental private dining.

29. Private Dining

One of our favourite dining trends that has emerged is private dining. It's a really interesting, once-in-a-lifetime experience to have a passionate chef curate an experience for you in the privacy of their home. You can try a fancy pan-European omakase in a gorgeous flat in Tiong Bahru, a lovely Mediterranean feast in a historic Joo Chiat shophouse or a foraging walk with incredible Asian seafood feast.

30. Try Street Food Cocktails

Singapore food.. but in a drink?! If you're a curious foodie, you'd love this. Try locally-inspired handcrafted spirits (rojak gin, anyone?), learn about traditional techniques and get hands-on with the art of Southeast Asian spirit-making. It's a delicious crash course in Singapore's unique multicultural spirit.

31. 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. When you're done, you'll also get to enjoy a brunch of bagels and churros with your coffee!

32. Asia's First Gin School

When the founder of this iconic brewery realised that Singapore was famous for its Singapore Sling, but there were no local breweries that made gin, she set out to change that. She travelled around the world from farm-to-table Portland, to traditional Black Forest where she learnt tricks and techniques of gin from the master distillers in the world. Now you can learn the secrets of Gin at Asia's very first Gin school!

33. Bean to Bar Chocolate

This is Singapore's first and only live chocolate making workshop, designed for anyone who loves chocolate or who is curious about where their chocolate comes from. Explore the origins and creation of chocolate, roast raw cacao beans and slowly transform them into an edible bar of chocolate! YUM.

34. Gin Tasting

We never knew we had gin distilleries until a couple of years ago, and turns out, we actually have world-class gin in Singapore. Here at Singapore's original gin distillery, you'll get to both try out the distillery process yourself AND have your stomach's fill of gin. The venue is really chic - perfect for a date or showing around out-of-town visitors!

35. Make Dim Sum!

Sure, devouring dim sum is a national pastime in Singapore, but what about learning to craft these delicate parcels of deliciousness ourselves? Roll up our sleeves and dive into a hands-on Chinese Dim Sum Workshop. We're not just talking about eating here (though there's plenty of that too!), we're talking about transforming into dumpling artisans.

36. Make Singapore Sling

If you love the super iconic Singapore Sling, why not learn to make the Singapore Sling with local Singaporean gin no less! Here you can taste a bunch of unique local gins, and use homebrew gin to make the iconic Singapore Sling cocktail🍹

37. Traditional Kueh on a Rooftop Farm

Relive your childhood by learning how to make old-school kueh-kuehs and snacks in a unique farm-to-table kueh experience!

Start off by harvesting the freshest leaves from banana trees and pandan plants growing atop a super cute rooftop farm, and learn how to hand-make them into 3 different delicious tea-time snacks. During this session, you'll learn to make yummy Kueh lapis, Naga sari, and Putu ayu!

Urban Farms

Singapore aims to be semi-self-sufficient in food by 2030, and urban farms are key! See how we grow everything from microgreens to fish in creative spaces.

38. Rooftop Bee Farm

This whimsical rooftop farm is one of the coolest urban farms we've seen in Singapore. It's got a really interesting story - it houses bees that have been rescued from homes all around Singapore, that would otherwise have been killed as pests.

Here, the rescued bees are in paradise as they feed all-day on the plants on the rooftop and produce honey. As well as beekeeping, you'll also learn about organic farming and end your day with a honey tasting session here!

39. Bollywood Veggies

Bollywood Veggies is more than just a farm, it's a local institution. It's a place where people can learn about sustainable agriculture, connect with nature, and enjoy the simple things in life. You can 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!

Ps: This is a short drive from Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve, so you can pair this with a nature walk there!

40. Hydroponics at Vertical Farm

Singapore is tiny, so we have to be really creative with our use of space. That's why it's not surprising that Singapore is also one of the leaders in vertical farming in the world. For those curious about how it all works, checking out a high-tech vertical farm is a really fascinating way to spend the day.

You'll get to see how vertical farms cleverly use space to grow fresh, local veggies and herbs. You'll learn about cool growing methods like hydroponics, and how to grow your own organic produce. It's not just about the food though, it's about seeing the future of farming up close. It's a chance to witness how technology and innovation are changing how we eat, right here in Singapore!

Wellness

41. Forest Bathing

Forest Bathing (shinrin-yoku) is an ancient Japanese practice of 'bathing' your senses in nature and the environment around you. In a way this is the perfect thing to do in Singapore. Though in our garden city, we are surrounded by trees, we're also so plugged into our devices that we're disconnect from nature.

This forest bathing experience won the Singapore tourism award for wellness two years in a row. It takes place in a nature park in Singapore with an experienced therapist guide who will lead you into meditation in nature. You'll feel recharged, and a lot more connected with nature and your surroundings afterward - at least that's how we felt after our own session!

42. Floating Yoga with 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.

43. Cold Plunge

Ditch the heat and dive into the coolest trend in town: cold plunging under Singapore's sunny skies! It's like a wellness retreat on a rooftop, but way more fun. Picture this: you plunge into 10°C water, gasping for breath, only to emerge feeling like a superhero. And guess what? You get to feed honeybees and sip on their delicious mead!

It's not just about the thrill, though. Cold plunging reduces inflammation, improves circulation, and gives you an endorphin rush that rivals any roller coaster. Plus, you'll have the ultimate bragging rights – who else can say they conquered icy waters in the heart of the tropics?

44. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Step into the Hyperbaric Oxygen Cocoon, a futuristic chamber that feels straight out of a sci-fi film. Inside, you'll be immersed in 100% pure oxygen, a sensation that's both relaxing and strangely exhilarating. This therapy is known to boost your circulation, supercharge your immune system, and even enhance your brain function. It's like hitting the refresh button on your entire body and mind.

45. Sound Healing

If you're looking for a day of relaxation, a sound bath session is perfect for you. Head over to try this Tibetan Singing Bowl therapy 🥣 - a sound bath experience that helps your body release stress! Simply close your eyes and immerse yourself in the gentle sound waves.

Sports & Games

46. Zovb!

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 it’s like to be a space traveller with the ball’s anti-gravity weightlessness 🤩

47. Laser Clay Shooting

If you've always wanted to try clay pigeon shooting - this laser clay shooting is a safer version! Here you'll use a shotgun to fire laser beams at actual targets. Unlike clay shooting, these shotguns don't have any recoil and don't cause bruising! This is a great and unexpected way to spend time with your friends - see who can get the highest score on the scoreboard!

48. Longboard at Stadium

If you're looking to try something new, try long boarding! We especially love the community vibes at the stadium 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!

49. Underwater Spinning!

If you love spinning, why not mix it up and spin... underwater! At this unique underwater spin class, 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!

50. Dragon Boating

We can't think of anything more iconically Singapore than having a dragon boat race against the gorgeous MBS skyline. Experienced trainers will share the history and stories of dragon boating, and you'll cap off the experience with a 200m race. It's fun, educational and really memorable all at the same time. You'll need at least 6 persons for this experience, so bring your friends!