Best Things To Do in Singapore

One of the most recommended cities for a dream holiday is Singapore, whose culture is made up of ethnically diverse Chinese, Indians and Malaysians. As a result, you'll always find fun activities for the whole family such as extreme swinging, cable car rides over the city and hundreds of natural wonderlands such as the Gardens by the Bay, the zoo and the Singapore River.

It's one of the world's financial centres, so you can also expect buzzing nightlife, traditional cocktail factories and skyscrapers that stand out from every angle. Its history is complex but interesting, so Singapore's best museums are a must on your itinerary. Are you ready to discover the city's offerings? Here's a list of recommendations with the must-sees!

To start your journey through Singapore, I recommend you choose fun activities such as the incomparable Singapore S.E.A. Aquarium, a sanctuary that houses more than 100,000 marine creatures of various species, in around 50 habitats. In turn, these environments are grouped into 10 themed zones that bring vibrancy and a spectrum of vibrant colours to the venue.

As you enter you'll come across the Wreck Zone exhibit, an immersive tunnel attraction that allows you to spot species such as the Zebra Shark, a popular nocturnal predator, or the Black-spotted Fantail Ray and the Bowmouth Guitarfish. You can also see how shipwrecks become home to these species, as well as allowing coral reefs to form.

You can find tickets from 35 euros, which can include skip-the-line access. You can also get a free pass using one of Singapore's best tourist cards. Here are some of the other wonders you can explore at this attraction:

• Ocean Detective: one of the best activities to do with kids in Singapore, as it offers a game of investigation, through marine clues that will allow the little ones to solve mysteries.
• Aquarium Maze: to discover how animals, including sharks and tropical fish, are kept and fed.
• Tactile experiment pools: to touch prototype sea cucumbers and starfish to feel their textures without hurting them.
• Apex predator zone: where you can get a glimpse of the deadliest marine animals.

Another not-to-be-missed stop is a ride above the city, aboard the daring Sentosa Cable Car. Here you'll enjoy 360° panoramic views, so you'll see Singapore like very few others do. For this you can buy the Sky Pass, a round-trip ticket from 21 euros, which gives you access to a thrilling ride that takes off from Faber Peak hills, crossing one of the main roads. Be prepared to watch the sailboats sail leisurely by and get a VIP glimpse of the skyline.

Specifically, it has two routes that allow you to explore highlights of Singapore. Generally, the Cable Car covers both at no extra cost, to change direction just get off at Imbiah Central Station. Here are the details of each:

• Mount Faber Line: allows you to travel in the air across the lush island of Sentosa, you can also catch a glimpse of the Adventure Cove water park.
• Sentosa Line: the most comprehensive and the one I suggest you take if you're short on time, it allows you to see Merlion, Singapore's famous half-fish, half-lion statue. You will also pass over Universal Studios, Madame Tussauds Museum, 4D Adventure Land, Siloso Beach, Fort Siloso and MegaZip Adventure Park.

Ready for a blast of fun? Then you need to enter the magical world of Universal Studios Singapore. It's an ideal theme park to immerse yourself in attractions related to your favourite TV and movie characters. Travel from New York to the kingdom of Shrek in Far Far Away, and if you have a little time left get lost on Hollywood Boulevard.

It's a pretty varied entertainment option, with high-speed roller coasters and canoe rides. Among its different themed worlds you will find Sci-Fi City with futuristic attractions, Ancient Egypt that will take you on a journey through Egyptian mythology, The Lost World inspired by the age of dinosaurs and much more. If you want to discover this park you can find tickets from 58 euros and it is open every day from 10:00 to 7:00.

Get your best trainers ready to explore one of Singapore's most popular attractions, known as the Bay Gardens, the country's largest theme park with 101 botanical hectares that will leave you speechless. It's a tour that can take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours, depending on how drawn you are to nature. It is home to exotic plants that decorate the country's tallest artificial waterfall and beautiful glass greenhouses.

Tickets for this tour generally start at 18 euros, which gives you access to all areas of the waterfront gardens. I also recommend you set aside some time for the Heritage Garden which has four themed gardens, including the Chinese, Malay, Indian and Colonial gardens. If you plan to stay at least 3 days in Singapore you can customise your pass and add attractions such as Supertree Observatory Avatar Cloud.

To enrich your trip I recommend taking a cruise on the Singapore River, so you can see the city from a different perspective. From here, you'll be able to see old wharfs that contrast with the more modern skyscrapers. This tour explores the local historical heritage and takes you to entertaining stops such as the quirky Merlion Statue, the famous Cavenagh Bridge and the Esplanade.

Generally, these types of experiences top the best Singapore tours and last approximately 40 minutes. Before it became a world-famous tourist attraction, the river was the site where explorer Raffles settled to create the first local harbour. Note that there are different types of tours, some of which pass through Little India, Chinatown and Kampong Glam, where you can see the beautiful mosques. In general, the experience can be booked from 23 euros.

Adventurous spirits can find their dream attraction in Singapore - while there are plenty of adrenaline-filled options, nothing compares to the extreme swing at the GX-5 Extreme Swing theme park, located in the middle of Sentosa Island. Don't miss the chance to stand 40 metres in the air as you swing over the city skyline. It's a quick but intense thrill, as the flight lasts approximately three minutes at over 120 km/h (75 mph).

Don't let your fears get the better of you and enjoy the best views of your life by purchasing a ticket from 31 euros. Note that the night-time atmosphere is second to none and can be a perfect option if you're looking for things to do in Singapore at night. To get on this thrilling swing you must be over 12 years old and at least 1.20cm tall. Also, this attraction comes with adrenaline pumping, so it is not recommended for pregnant women, travellers with plaster casts or pre-existing health problems.

A stop at the Singapore Zoo allows you to connect with local nature, exploring the home of more than 300 species of animals, grouped into 11 themed zones. What's special is that they have been brought from all over the world to ensure the conservation of animal life. Not surprisingly, it is one of the most important globally, as it allows you to observe lemurs, colourful butterflies and toucans.

The most interesting thing is that you can take a tram ride through its facilities and if you prefer activities in Singapore at night, you have the alternative of the Night Safari that takes you to explore the nocturnal animals that can only be spotted when the sun goes down. It's a must-visit if you plan to be in Singapore for at least 5 days, so you can check out the rainforest in the Fragile Forest, Primate Kingdom where monkeys play with each other or the Ice Tundra the home of the polar bear, raccoon dog and wolverine.

You can find tickets including live shows from 33 euros. Or you can take advantage of the best local tourist passes that include the attraction, such as the Explorer Pass.

Madame Tussauds Museum is one of the best museums in Singapore, as the experience is unlike anything else you'll find in the city. It is a worldwide chain, spread across Asia, Europe, America and Oceania, whose popularity is due to the wax figures of important historical figures and celebrities. It is divided into themes, including those dedicated to the world of entertainment, for example in the Hollywood corridor you can see a representation of Marilyn Monroe.

There are also interactive exhibitions, in which the wax dolls rotate positions, allowing you to take fun photographs. You can take a boat ride through the Singapore section which has special effects exhibits, wax figures focusing on local history and multimedia displays. It's included in the All Inclusive Pass and is a regular route on Singapore's best sightseeing buses.

This attraction goes unnoticed by many tourists, I don't blame them because there are plenty of things to do in Singapore. It's the Long Bar tour at the Raffles Hotel, one of Southeast Asia's most famous drinks that has been produced since the 20th century. That's right! It's the traditional Singapore Sling cocktail, made from gin and spiced with pineapple and lemon juice.

It's an experience included in the All Inclusive Pass, which takes you through tastings of this delicious drink and allows you to learn about the production process: from making it to bottling. This is a recommended activity if you plan to spend at least 2 days in the city.

You'll find many iconic neighbourhoods here and seeing them all would take a while, but you can make the most of those with the most cultural and ethnic value. For example, Chinatown is a picturesque area with typical Chinatown markets, pagodas and lots of imported goods from China. If you plan to visit Singapore in December you can take advantage of the cultural events of the season. In addition, don't miss the Imperial tea tasting at a traditional tea house, where you can try the famous lightly fermented drink from An Xi province. Please note that this experience is included in the Explorer Pass.

Another neighbourhood not to be missed is the Malay Quarter, known for its vibrant life, which has colonial buildings and ancient traditions. On the other hand, Kampong Glam is a must-see, as it is one of the first inhabited areas. It offers Arab shops, theatre tours and guided tours by locals to the Sultan Mosque which was built in 1934.

Finally, stop by Little India, where you can find a 24-hour shopping mall. If you plan to visit Singapore in November, here you can delight in the various entertainment options led by street tours, festivals and visits to the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple

A Singaporean landmark not to be missed is the iconic Merlion Statue, whose peculiar shape evokes the mythology of Prince Sang Nila Utama, which occurred around the 11th century. It stands in the heart of the Financial District and overlooks the bay. A jet of water spouts from its mouth, rippling through its half-lion, half-fish shape.

Here you have to immortalise the moment with a photograph - in fact, if you plan to take advantage of Singapore's airport transfers, you may even pass by it when you arrive in the city. In any case, I recommend you set aside time to visit, especially at night when there is a nightly light show.

• Take advantage of Singapore' s best tourist cards to save a couple of euros as they offer discounts on restaurants, unlimited transport and free attractions.
• Between 11:00 and 15:00 the city reaches an extreme level of UV index, so be sure to wear sunscreen.
• Take out travel insurance for peace of mind during your trip.