24 Things to Do in Singapore for Couples: Discover the City

Are you one of those travelling couples that always appear glued together in awe-inspiring romantic photos? Or, are you more like us? That is, people who like their own space, but love doing things together. Either way, we found plenty of fun things to do in Singapore for couples.

A small island nation, Singapore is located just one degree north of the equator in Southeast Asia, off of the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. It’s well known for modern architecture, hot and humid temperatures, and immaculately clean streets.

A fun city to visit, and we made it a romantic getaway.

Gardens by the Bay

An icon of Singapore, these award-winning gardens are like nothing we have seen before. Encompassing 101 hectares, they include waterfalls, cooled conservatories, and towering vertical gardens viewed from multilevel walkways. We often found ourselves strolling hand-in-hand, able to mentally block out the crowds and enjoy the romance and beauty.

The Cloud Forest, a 35-metre tall “Cloud Mountain”, and the Flower Dome, a perpetual springtime with nearly 30,000 plants, are the two main conservatory attractions. Although onsite entry tickets are available to either or both, we had (and recommend) an advance purchase 2-conservatory ticket, as this skips a long ticket queue. ⇒ Reserve your 2 conservatory pass in advance and skip the queue (Cloud Forest and Flower Dome)

We opted not to enter the new Floral Fantasy or the Children’s garden. However, we did walk the grounds. The sculptures are a bit out of the way, but worth the effort. Our two favourites are the “Pamela Hat” by Manolo Valdés (on a six-month loan) and the permanent piece “Planet”, a floating baby by Marc Quinn. It weighs seven tons and balances on one wrist.

Little India

As the name implies, this vibrant Singapore neighbourhood is influenced heavily by Indian culture. Some of Little India’s highlights include the Tekka Market, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, and snapping a photo of Tan Teng Niah, which is a rainbow-coloured Chinese villa.

Pro tip: Watch your timing if you want to go inside the temple, as Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple. Their opening hours can be found on their facebook page here.

Chinatown

The heartbeat of Singapore, Chinatown is an authentic mix of old and new, yet it has a uniquely different feel to it than other Chinatowns we have visited around the world. Fascinating to explore, we spent a day in this neighbourhood and could have easily spent longer.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

Allow a bit of time to discover the many facets of this temple. Aside from all of the learning opportunities, and the beautiful gardens on top, we were mesmerized by the monk’s chanting.

Food Playground cultural cooking class

One of our personal Singapore highlights was a cultural cooking class at Food Playground. While cooking together is a wonderful family or couple activity, individuals would also enjoy these small group classes. Here, we learned about the intermixing of food and culture while we prepared and then enjoyed a three-course lunch.

If you can’t get to Singapore, they now offer online classes that are almost as fun. I made kaya in one I did.

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Fragrant and lush, a stroll through Singapore’s Botanic Gardens can be quite romantic. Naturally shaded sections of this 32-acre rainforest area made the intense heat seem tolerable. The Botanic Gardens are Singapore’s first UNESCO World Heritage site. Don’t miss the famous National Orchid Garden, one of the many beautiful spots in Singapore.

Kampong Glam (Malay-Arab Quarter)

Another unique neighbourhood in Singapore, we headed to Kampong Glam for Haji Lane. Singapore’s narrowest street is filled with cosy eateries, boutiques, and offbeat shops.

Towering over Kampong Glam, the majestic Sultan Mosque was not open to visitors while we were there. However, we stumbled upon a live rehearsal of the night’s musical entertainment just outside of the Malay Heritage Centre.

Jewel Changi Airport

You will probably think I am crazy; however, I will risk it and recommend adding extra time on your departure to enjoy the airport. Jewel Changi Airport is home to the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, a 40-metre tall vortex surrounded by 2000 live trees and palms and over 100,000 shrubs. It all fills a 10-story 137,000 sqm complex.

More things to do in Singapore for couples

Tour Singapore by day

We were 100% self-guided in Singapore and found it a very easy city to get around. This offers us full flexibility and is one of the ways we like to travel as a couple. However, if you prefer the added value that comes from a knowledgeable guide, here are a few options we recommend:

Lion City Highlights Half-Day Bike Tour: There is no question that one can see much more in less time on a bicycle, even moving at a relaxing pace as this tour does. It is 4.5 hours starting at 9 am, and visits many of the highlights we recommend above including Marina Bay, Merlion Park, Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam, and more. Keep in mind that Singapore is close to the equator and is therefore hot and humid during the day. Refreshments are included, but a reasonable level of fitness would be required. ⇒Reserve your half-day bicycle tour here

Private Customizable Tour with a Local Host: This is the ideal option for anyone who wants to see it all, or just a few key sites, but wants the added knowledge that comes from a local guide. This top-rated tour is flexible from 3-8 hours. You will get an opportunity to discuss and select the details of your tour with your guide the night before. ⇒Reserve your private customizable tour here.

Best things to do in Singapore at night

Night Safari

Who can resist the world’s first nocturnal wildlife park that is home to over 900 animals, representing approximately 100 species? The variety of animals is fascinating, and nearly half (41%) are classified as threatened. Most of these animals are part of a captive breeding program.

Night Safari can be explored on foot or via the 40-minute tram ride (the commentary focuses on wildlife conservation and it makes the tram ride worthwhile, even if you plan to walk the park). ⇒ Reserve your Night Safari jungle tour here

Located a bit away from the other spots we visited, Night Safari took about an hour to get to on public transportation. Importantly, Night Safari is very near the Singapore Zoo, so if you are headed there in the afternoon, plan to do them both on the same day.

Spectra sound and light show

The best place to watch Spectra is from the Event Centre steps along the Waterfront Promenade, outside The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.

This nightly free outdoor light and water show is both elaborate and spectacular, and technologically the most advanced I have seen. Spectra is at 8 pm and 9 pm, with an additional show at 10 pm on Friday and Saturday nights.

Garden Rhapsody sound and light show

If you time it right, you can easily see both spectacular light shows in one evening. The Garden Rhapsody is the dazzling light show in the Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay, a nightly event that has produced iconic photos that are quickly identified with Singapore. Garden Rhapsody is at 7.45 pm and 8.45 pm nightly.

Pro Tips: To see both shows on the same night, go to Garden Rhapsody at 7.45 and then relax and wait for the 9 pm Spectra show, or one hour later for both on Friday and Saturday.

Watch the sunset from the Sands SkyPark Observation Deck

Sands SkyPark observation deck boasts the spectacular 360-degree views you would expect from the 57th floor of Marina Bay Sands Hotel.

In fact, it is the world’s largest public cantilevered platform. Cé La Vie SkyBar is also on the 57th floor and can be an alternative, offering visitors both a drink and the views. Although, the bar views are not as unobstructed as those from the observation deck. ⇒ Get a skip-the-line entrance ticket to Sands SkyPark Observation Deck here

Note: Only hotel guests are allowed in the infinity pool, which is also on the 57th floor.

Get a drink at one of Singapore’s impressive bars

We were so busy during the hot days and enjoying the other night activities above, we didn’t allow time to stop for a drink outside of our hotel. However, if we had, there is no shortage of great options in Singapore. These were recommended to us:

• The Long Bar, Raffles Hotel: Home to the original Singapore Sling, this is possibly Singapore’s most popular bar.
• Cé La Vie Skybar: On the 57th floor of Marina Bay Sands Hotel. (see above section for more details).
• Manhattan: Ranked #3 on the World’s 50 Best Bars list in 2018, this New York-style Manhattan features classic art-deco decor.
• Atlas: Ranked #8 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list and on Time’s list of 100 Greatest Places in 2018, Atlas features an art deco atmosphere celebrating the 1920s and offering nearly 1,000 varieties of spirits.
• Gibson: Ranked #15 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list, Gibson is full of class.
• 1-Altitude Rooftop Gallery & Bar: At 282 metres above sea level, 1-Altitude is the highest alfresco bar in the world. As expected, it offers an incredible 360-degree view of the city.

Tour Singapore by night

We explored Singapore on our own without issue. However, if you prefer a guided tour, we are comfortable recommending either of these top-rated tours:

Private Singapore night tour: Your tour guide will meet you at your hotel and take you by private vehicle to the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay, Little India for a trishaw ride, and Clarke Quay for a bum boat ride along the Singapore river. Reserve your private tour here.

Big Bus night tour: Tour the city in an open-top bus and see all the activity and buzz. Stop to see the food culture at Lau Pa Sat hawker centre, then on to the Garden Rhapsody light and sound show at Gardens by the Bay, and follow with a visit to the Clarke Quay entertainment district. Reserve your Singapore Big Bus night tour here.

Where to stay in Singapore for couples

I know there are lots of options in Singapore, but for us, there is only one. Ever since the first time I saw the architectural work of art and engineering masterpiece that is Marina Bay Sands, I have wanted to stay there. To my delight, it exceeded my very high expectations.

At 57 stories, the three towers of Marina Bay Sands Hotel support the world’s largest infinity pool, a bar, restaurant, spa, and more. Everything about the complex is a treasure and the floor-to-ceiling windows in our room offered spectacular views both day and night. 

Comfortable bed, huge room, massive bathroom, extensive amenities, I could go on, and I did. Check out my full hotel review here or reserve your own room at Marina Bay Sands.

Which of these things to do in Singapore for couples will you do first?

Disclaimer: We worked with the local tourism board, Visit Singapore, and Food Playground. Various entrances and other assistance were provided to aid in writing this page. The opinions expressed here are strictly our own.