Tourist Attractions & Monuments Singapore City

Timetable

Activity starts early in the morning, with children sometimes starting school at 7am. Night falls quickly in Singapore, but temperatures don't drop, so there's plenty to do in the evenings.

Most museums open between 9:30 and 10 a.m. every day for the larger ones, with nocturne on Fridays until 9 p.m. for the national museums. Smaller museums open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and close on Mondays, while temples offer variable opening times depending on the office. Amusement parks, such as Universal Studios in Sentosa, also open at 10 a.m. and close between 7 and 9 p.m., depending on the events on offer, every day. The zoo and parks open earlier, at 8:30 or even 7:30 a.m., as the heat can sometimes be difficult to bear. In terms of crowds, the sites are not overcrowded - there are a lot of them, so it helps to spread them out. When the weather's fine, Singaporeans like to treat their families to a little getaway to Sentosa, so the theme parks are inevitably a little busier at weekends, but nothing to worry about.

To be booked

It's highly recommended to book guided tours of the city - your hotel will be able to give you advice, or you can choose your own private local guide at www.getyourguide.com, www.civitatis.com

For other activities such as museums, tobogganing, the zoo, boat or bus rides, you can buy your tickets directly on site. Some festivities, such as the Chingay Parade or the National Day Parade, require tickets to be booked several months in advance (www.chingay.org.sg, www.ndp.org.sg)

Budget & Tips

The cost of living is high in Singapore, one of the most expensive cities in the world. There are a few tricks you can use to save a few dollars. However, if you're going as a family and plan to take advantage of the many activities on offer, the bill will be high..

Admission to national museums costs an average of S$20 per adult and S$15 for children under 12 and over 60. Amusement parks and water parks are expensive, so budget accordingly if you're traveling with the family, and check out websites that may offer online promotions (www.rwsentosa.com, www.wrs.com.sg).

If you're traveling with Singapore Airlines, you can buy the Singapore Explorer Pass for S$70, which offers discounts in many shops and attractions. But beware, the Pass must be purchased before departure and is only valid for 24 hours... Find out more at www.firststopsingapore.com

Don't forget to consult the many flyers available at the tourist office (216 Orchard Road) or in the lobbies of major hotels, which often offer discounts for certain sites or family rates. Finally, if you're a Singapore Tourist Pass holder, check out www.thesingaporetouristpass.com.sg for a list of benefits available to you.

Main events

All year round, Singapore's neighborhoods come alive with festivities. Every culture in the city-state contributes to keeping ancient traditions and religious beliefs alive. All in a spirit of festivity, sharing and symbiosis, quite simply. Among the main celebrations, the Chinese New Year in January-February brings together all communities and attracts tourists curious to admire the Chingay Parade and the Lantern Festival. Deepavali in November is a major festival for the Indian community. But Singapore goes beyond folklore, and has become a benchmark for art events of all kinds - cinema, dance, painting. Gastronomy, increasingly appreciated by Singaporeans, hosts fairs and exhibitions every year. Not forgetting the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the city-state's biggest sporting event, which takes place in September.

Guided tours

A multitude of guided tours are available in Singapore, including mini-cruises, boat rides along the waterfront, helicopter tours... You can also hire the services of a professional guide to show you the historic districts from a local point of view. Don't forget to ask the heritage centers in each district for useful information. As everywhere else, museums offer guided tours and useful, relevant apps. Some sites, such as Battlebox in Fort Canning Park, are systematically accompanied by a guide and are very interesting. Last but not least, there's the promising new concept of the free guide, a free tour of a district led by an accompanying guide, with a tip at the end of the tour for the service provided. The tour generally lasts 2 hours or more, and you'll need to give around S$30. Expect to discover Singapore through the eyes of a local who will take you on exciting activities and tours (www.monsterdaytours.com).

Smokers

The rules are very strict, smoking is prohibited in all establishments or public places. If you are visiting the city on foot, it is recommended that you smoke in the appropriate areas outside.

Tourist traps

As you can see, Singapore's crime rate is one of the lowest in the world, so don't worry, tourists are not targets for scams of any kind.

What's very local

Like all city dwellers, Singaporeans love to go out and enjoy the cultural facilities on offer. The climate also allows weekend excursions to Sentosa, for example, which is very accessible and suitable for families.