Temples in Singapore
- 01
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum
A Tang-style Buddhist temple and museum in Chinatown, completed in 2007, which houses a tooth relic of the Buddha. A calm, air-conditioned stop on a Chinatown walk.
- Time needed
- 45 to 90 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning, outside prayer times and festivals
- Tickets
- Our sources do not state an entry fee; the temple expects respectful dress. Check the official site for opening hours, which can change, and for any photography restrictions in the prayer halls.
- 02
Sri Mariamman Temple
Singapore's oldest Hindu temple, founded in 1827 in Chinatown, with a six-tier gopuram. It is a National Monument and still holds an annual firewalking festival.
- Time needed
- 30 to 45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning, outside festival days
- Tickets
- Our sources do not state an entry fee, so check at the gate; follow the rules there: footwear is left near the entrance, and the main doors are the correct entry. Check the temple's official website or notice for hours and any photography rules.
- 03
Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
A Hindu temple on Serangoon Road in the heart of Little India, dedicated to Kali, in South Indian Tamil style. A shrine existed here from 1855 and the temple was built in 1881.
- Time needed
- 30 to 60 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning or evening puja times; avoid the midday closure
- Tickets
- Visiting rules are not set out in our sources, so follow the signs at the gate. Expect to remove footwear and to dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered. Check with the temple for visiting hours and for photography rules inside.
Gardens and parks in Singapore
- 04
Gardens by the Bay
A 105-hectare garden complex on Marina Bay, known for its Supertree Grove, two climate-controlled conservatories and an evening light show. Most of the park is free to enter.
- Time needed
- 3 to 4 hours
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Late afternoon into the evening, any month; the conservatories are cool on a hot day
- Tickets
- Entry to the outdoor gardens is free. The Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, OCBC Skyway and Supertree Observatory are ticketed separately; the official site listed Flower Dome tickets from S$8 and Skyway tickets from S$10 when we checked, and prices change. Check opening hours and any closure dates (the Skyway lists a maintenance closure in November 2026) on the official site.
- 05
Singapore Botanic Gardens
A 19th-century tropical garden in Tanglin, listed as Singapore's first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. Entry is free, and the National Orchid Garden inside is ticketed.
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning, to avoid heat and the afternoon showers
- Tickets
- Entry to the gardens is free. The National Orchid Garden is the one section that charges admission; Wikipedia does not give a price, so check the official site. The gardens are listed as open from 5 am to midnight daily, though individual attractions keep shorter hours.
Landmarks in Singapore
- 06
Jewel Changi Airport
A glass-domed shopping and garden complex beside Changi Airport, built around the 40-metre Rain Vortex waterfall. A good first or last stop on a Singapore trip, and a rain-proof one.
- Time needed
- 1.5 to 3 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Any time; it is indoors, so it also works on a wet afternoon
- Tickets
- Entering Jewel and viewing the Rain Vortex from the lower floors is free. The Canopy Park attractions, such as the suspension bridge and mazes, are ticketed. Opening hours and show times can change, so check the official site.
- 07
Merlion Park and Marina Bay waterfront
The 8.6-metre Merlion statue at the mouth of the Singapore River, with a classic view of the Marina Bay skyline. A short photo stop on a walk along the bay.
- Time needed
- 30 to 60 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early evening, when it is cooler and the buildings are lit
- Tickets
- Free to visit at any time. There is no ticketing, but expect crowds for photographs at sunset and on weekends.
Neighbourhoods in Singapore
- 08
Little India
A historic Indian district around Serangoon Road, with temples, flower garlands, spice shops, Mustafa Centre and many South Indian restaurants. The neighbourhood feels familiar and walkable.
- Time needed
- 2 to 4 hours
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Morning or evening; Deepavali season for lights
- Tickets
- The streets are free. Individual temples and shops set their own hours, so check each one.
Experiences in Singapore
- 09
Singapore Zoo
An open-concept zoo of about 28 hectares at Mandai, where animals live behind moats, glass and hidden barriers instead of cages. It is one of the parks in the Mandai Wildlife Reserve.
- Time needed
- Half a day (about 4 hours)
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Opening time, to avoid the heat
- Tickets
- Tickets are bought for each park in the Mandai Wildlife Reserve; the Night Safari, River Wonders and Bird Paradise sell separately. Prices and hours change, so check the official Mandai Wildlife Reserve site and book online in school holidays.
Places of worship in Singapore
- 10
Sultan Mosque and Kampong Glam
Singapore's best-known mosque, with golden domes, at the heart of the Kampong Glam district. Completed in 1932 and gazetted a National Monument in 1975.
- Time needed
- 45 to 90 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning, outside prayer times
- Tickets
- The grounds are open to visitors of different faiths, but the memorial room is not. Dress modestly with arms and legs covered, and expect to remove footwear. Check visiting hours and prayer-time restrictions with the mosque.
