Singapore Marina Bay is a tourist hotspot and an entertainment and commercial zone. Featuring many top city attractions, it is a short walk from Central Business District (CBD) and Chinatown. And Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Gardens by the Bay, and Merlion Park are the highlights in the area.
Besides sightseeing and shopping, you can enjoy many activities while around. For example, survey the city skyline from a few viewpoints, attend performing arts and audio-video shows, or have a picnic in nearby parks. Moreover, nightlife venues are rife in the area.
In short, having fun in Singapore Marina Bay is as good as granted, so let's get to the details.
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Singapore Marine Bay Area—Where Is it and How to Get There?
Marine Bay is virtually the city center of the largest of more than 60 islands of Singapore. Geographically, it is an inlet located almost at the southern tip of the main island. And it links the Singapore Strait to the Singapore River.
What Are Available Transport Options to the Downtown?
Essentially, Mass Rapid Transit trains can get you from almost anywhere around the island to the bay. For example, getting from Changi Airport, Singapore Botanic Gardens, or Zoo to the downtown by railway is quick and convenient. In general, travel times are less than an hour and seldom more than that.
Furthermore, taxis provide shorter transfers, but their fares depend on many factors. If you happen to be somewhere in the city, combine buses, trains, and your feet for the best results.
What Are Top Tourist Attractions of Marina Bay, Singapore?
For starters, Marina Bay is a modern and affluent neighborhood. And tall skyscrapers and other landmarks will close on you once you get to central Singapore.
But don't let those take all of your attention.
As you are about to find out, the best things sometimes come in small packages. Ready? Then, set and go.
Marina Bay Sands Hotel—Luxury, Fun, Shopping, and Dining
As we have mentioned, many tall structures flank Marina Bay. But, none of them draws glances as 5-star Marina Bay Sands, a high-end resort located in Marina South. It comprises three 57-floor towers topped by something resembling a high-speed train or a surfboard, depending on whom you ask.
To stay in one of the complex's rooms, you'll need to pay a hefty price. Speaking of the sum, let's say that up to several hundred dollars per night would suffice.
Next, the property is more a small city than a hotel. And this means that you can shop in its shopping mall, test your luck in an on-site casino, and watch performances at its theatres. Moreover, a selection of excellent restaurants will spoil you if fine dining is your weak spot.
Pay attention now!
Nothing, though, beats clear views of the cityscape from an infinity pool located on Sands SkyPark. This perk, however, is reserved only for hotel guests. If you aren't one, you may still enjoy sweeping views of Singapore Marina Bay and the rest of the city from the top of the hotel.
And to do so, you need to pay a fee for the rooftop access. And the rates are as follows:
| Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Fees (for visitors not staying at the hotel) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fee (in Singapore Dollars) | |
| Adults (13–64) | S$26 | |
| Seniors (65+) | S$23 | |
| Children (2–12) | S$20 | |
| Children under 2 | Free | |
Gardens by the Bay—A Top Tourist Attraction of Singapore
Besides Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay is another iconic site of Bay South. This multi-awarded establishment consists of dozens of themed areas offering learning through fun. Moreover, the garden complex is among the reasons for the city-state's "Garden City" epithet.
Furthermore, entry to most of the Gardens by the Bay complex is free of charge. The admission fee usually applies only for Flower Dome and Cloud Forest conservatories, OCBC Skyway, and Supertree Observatory. But unless you travel on a tight budget, consider visiting at least one glasshouse and the aerial walkway, you won't regret it.
Either way, there's still a lot to see around. For example, you can observe 18 Supertrees in different parts of the themed park. Find 12 of them in Supertree Grove and others in Golden and Silver Gardens. Moreover, make sure to check out:
- Heritage Gardens—Malay, Colonial, Chinese, and Indian, among others
- World of Plants—World of Palms, Web of Life, Fruits and Flowers, etc
Nevertheless, paid attractions are true stars of the nature park besides Supertree Grove, and here's why:
Flower Dome—The Mediterranean and Subtropical Plants Display
Flower Dome is, according to Guinness World Records, the largest glass greenhouse on Earth. And it could very well stage the best collection of flowers, trees, and wooden sculptures you have ever seen. For now, let's say that you'll examine a wide variety of plants from around the world. And those are native to subtropical and Mediterranean regions.
Next, the conservatory has nine themed areas representing flora from different parts of the world. And these are:
- Succulent Garden with cacti, crassulas, and other desert plants
- Baobabs and Bottle Trees, where you can find the giants of Flower Dome
- Australian Garden, displaying Grass Trees, Kangaroo's Paws, and more
- South African Garden, exhibiting Aloes and King Sugar Bushes, among other vegetation
- Californian Garden—a display of California Lilac and Manzanita, for example
- Pay attention to Monkey Puzzle Tree and Chilean Puyas and Wine Palms in the South American Garden
- Mediterranean Garden, where you will see pines, palms, oaks, and Dragon Trees, for instance
- Olive Grove—pretty self-explanatory, right?
Also, take some time to admire the plant collection's wooden sculptures. Try to locate a dragon standing on a tree and a running stag, for example.
Cloud Forest Conservatory—Mountain Flora and a Waterfall
To admire the greenery that thrives at high altitudes, pay a visit to Cloud Forest. This glass conservatory is next to Flower Dome, being a little higher and just as little smaller. And it houses one of the world's highest indoor waterfalls, falling from a 115-feet (35-meter) high mountain.
After spending some time appreciating the mount abounding with vegetation, take a lift to its top. Once there, start your 400 feet (122 meters) Cloud and Treetop Walks down the walkway.
While descending, you'll get through sections displaying plants thriving at different altitudes. And moss, orchids, bromeliads, sunflowers, and begonias are some. In brief, here's what you'll see and do:
- First, examine moss, ferns, carnivorous plants, and a lotus pond in Lost World at the mountain peak
- Second, relish the scenery from Cloud Walk
- Third, look into The Cavern for an overview of the florae living on other plants that aren't parasitic
- Then, you are ready to begin the Treetop Walk, which introduces a bird-eye perspective of the forest canopy
- While you are about it, investigate Crystal Mountain for stalactites, stalagmites, and crystals
- Furthermore, explore Secret Garden and pay attention to tiny orchids
- In Cloud Forest Gallery, acquaint yourself with the impact humankind has on the living environment
- After that, learn how we can protect nature in the Cloud Forest Theater
- Finally, enjoy a well-deserved waterfall view and a walk behind the falls
OCBC Skyway—A View of Supertree Grove and Bay South
To enjoy panoramic views of the Gardens and the surrounding area, go to 72-feet (22-meter) high OCBC Skyway. Find this viewing platform in Supertree Grove, connecting two of its towering vertical gardens.
From up there, feast your eyes on:
- The wooded surroundings
- Views of Marina Bay Sands Hotel and the Singapore skyline
- Bird-eye views of Supertree Grove
- Nearby Flower Dome and Cloud Forest glasshouses
Supertree Observatory—The Gardens’ Highest Vantage Point
Lastly, take an elevator to climb the viewing platform of the tallest Supertree for even better city views. From there, survey a wide Singapore Marina Bay area and its principal landmarks—downtown skyscrapers, Singapore Flyer Ferris wheel, and nearby Supertrees.
ArtScience Museum—The World Class Temporary Exhibitions
Overshadowed by Marina Bay Sands, ArtScience Museum is another island nation's architectural masterpiece. And this lotus-shaped venue hosts diverse traveling exhibitions. Depending on your timing, you may attend interactive displays introducing movies, video games, nature, the way of life, or else.
So, keep an eye on the changing exhibitions but don't miss the only permanent one—Future World. And it consists of four installations:
- City in a Garden, which combines elements of nature and the urban setting
- Sanctuary, a place where you can seek calm
- Park gives you a taste of playing in a digital world
- Space takes you on an exciting trip through the endless cosmos
Helix Bridge—A Link Between Marina South and Central
Speaking of architectural wonders, one such connects ArtScience Museum and Esplanade on the other side of Singapore Marina Bay. The glass and steel Helix Bridge, consisting of twisting helix tubes, resembles a DNA arrangement. Moreover, the pedestrian bridge features four observation platforms at its sides.
Despite your first impression, rest assured that the 280-meter/919-feet long structure can support your weight with ease. Also, the famous Helix sparkles with LED lights when the night falls. Thus, make sure to come after sunset and take a couple of photos of this Instagrammable landmark.
Singapore Flyer—One of the World’s Largest Ferris Wheels
Marina Central is where you can take a panoramic Ferris Wheel ride. Until recently, Singapore Flyer was the largest observation wheel in Asia, now surpassed by Ain Dubai. 541-foot (165-meter) high, it offers spectacular views of Marina Bay, wider city area, even parts of Malaysia and Indonesia when the weather is right.
Once you board an air-conditioned capsule that accommodates 28 people, a slow rise begins. And from the highest point, you'll be able to observe the cityscape, pick out various city attractions and landmarks, and vessels, navigating in and out of the bay. Besides other points of interest, you'll recognize Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay conservatories, and Raffles Place with ease.
Merlion Park—An Homage to the Island Nation’s Symbol
Located at the mouth of the Singapore River, near Boat Quay, Merlion Park features two curious statues. One of them is 28,2 feet (8.6 meters) tall, while the other is significantly shorter—"only" 6.6 feet (2 meters) tall.
However, the size isn't the strangest thing about them. To put it simply, it's the appearance since the statues look like a cross-breed of a lion and a mermaid.
The Merlion statue indicates the early history of the city-state. Firstly, the body of fish relates to the metropolis's beginnings as a fishing village. Secondly, the head of a lion refers to a potential big cat sighting by a Sumatran prince who came to the island in the 13th century.
Moreover, you'll enjoy rewarding views of Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands, Esplanade—Theatres on the Bay, and many other landmarks from the Merlion fountain.
Top Singapore Marina Bay Activities (Shows, Walks, etc.)
Touring the best Singapore downtown attractions is only half the fun. The other part is attending various performances, exploring the area, and more. Thus, let's elaborate.
- Spectra is an audio-visual performance, occurring daily at 20:00, 21:00, and, on Friday and Saturday, 22:00. You can enjoy the lights, water, and music show enlivening the area from anywhere around Singapore Marina Bay. Want a tip? Forget your camera and smartphone and just watch.
- Attend a concert, theatrical performance, or a cultural display at Esplanade—Theatres on the Bay. And if your travel budget is tight, no worries, since "arts for everyone" is a motto here. There are free shows, staged by local and Southeast Asian performers, regularly on the schedule.
- If you ever dreamt of becoming a commercial jet pilot, indulge yourself in Flight Experience Singapore. Located next to the Flyer, this realistic flight simulator will surely raise your adrenaline levels. Besides, the selection of tens of thousands of airports with various difficulty levels will spoil you, for sure.
- Furthermore, take a walking tour of Marina South, CBD, Marina Central, and Marina East. In general, a few hours should suffice for a relaxing stroll and photo sessions. And plan this hike early in the morning to avoid the midday heat.
- Last but not least, relax or picnic in Bay East Garden or Marina Barrage, next to the Gardens by the Bay.
Summary of Singapore Marina Bay Tourist Experience
So, we could conclude that the Marina Bay area in Singapore sums up everything about Merlion City and what it stands for. And that would be the following:
- Firstly, it underlines the cosmopolitan city's orientation toward sustainable development.
- Secondly, it thrives as an artistic and cultural hub.
- Thirdly, it orients toward the future, hedonism, and, of course, trade.
- Finally, the city-state respects its origins symbolized in the island nation's official mascot.
Thus, having a tour of Singapore Marina Bay is a must for every traveler. But, what to do if your stay is a brief one, allowing you just a couple of hours? In that case, this is how you should prioritize, not necessarily in the given order:
- First, have a quick tour of Gardens by the Bay since the attraction is free of charge, for the most part
- Second, explore the rest of Bay South (around Marina Bay Sands, in particular)
- Finally, stop by Merlion Park to take some photos of the wider bay area
But, if your trip to Singapore is a longer one, refer to our city-state travel guide for further sightseeing ideas.
