Apr 28, 2022
Arguably the premier choice for a family-friendly getaway in South-East Asia, this tropical island nation is jam-packed with artistic and adventurous attractions to plot into your next holiday itinerary. Its name originating from the Sanksrit words singa (lion) and pura (city), Singapore is made up of one primary island (home to the trendsetting capital city) and more than 50 islets – meaning you can enjoy the benefit of two holidays in one by easily switching from city hustle and bustle, to island chill.
Getting around
With a reputation as one of Asia’s most modern cities, and also as one of the cleanest cities on the planet, it comes as no surprise that Singapore’s transportation system offers the ultimate in efficiency. Even if you’re going to need to manoeuvre a stroller in and out of carriages and buses, you’ll still find the system here easy to navigate. This means most visitors choose to avoid hiring a vehicle and the associated stress of learning any local road rules and avoiding peak hour traffic. A good option is the Singapore Tourist Pass with EZ-link, allowing travel on basic bus services and the MRT and LRT train lines for the duration of your stay.
Sentosa Island
Sentosa (which translates to “peace and tranquillity” in Malay), is perched just off the southern coast of the main island and can be reached by a unique 1.6-kilometre cable car ride that provides breathtaking views over exotic forests and coastlines. With everything from animal sanctuaries and nature trails, to luxury hotels and golf courses, hip beach clubs, a casino and world-class theme parks – Sentosa is a complete holiday destination in its own right and a great place to take the family.
Theme parks and attractions
A vast range of theme parks, galleries, museums, and nature parks are designed to entertain, educate and amaze in Singapore. Here is a small selection of some of the most popular things to do.
Sci-fi meets nature at Gardens by the Bay – a futuristic site that really does have to be seen to be believed. Made up of otherworldly structures (artificial Super Trees that stand up to 50 metres high) linked by a skywalk high above a $1 billion-dollar, 21st-century fantasy land of bio-domes, sculptures, flowers and forests, this attraction is especially spectacular when lit up at night.
The world-famous Singapore Night Safari is home to thousands of animals from across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. Not only will you be in awe of the nocturnal animals you encounter, you’ll also be duly impressed by the attraction’s commitment to the conservation, rescue and research of animals living both in captivity and in the wild. Lovers of wildlife will also want to visit the Jurong Bird Park – a paradise that’s home to approximately 400 species and 5000 beautiful birds.
The Singapore Discovery Centre will occupy even the most active of family member, with paintballing, 3D movies and zorbing, as well as unique opportunities such as recording an episode of the news in a mock television studio! The kids will love the 45-minute ride on the Ferris wheel in Marina Bay (the Singapore Flyer) for a bird’s-eye view of the city from 165 metres above. Main city attractions such as the F1 racing track, the Super Trees and the DNA Helix Bridge can be spotted from here – and the view is especially striking at night.
Escape the ever-present humidity of the city, which sits so close to the Equator, by cooling off at the slides, flumes and pools of Wild Wild Wet Singapore. Another hot attraction for the kids, just across the border into Johor in Malaysia – is Legoland Malaysia – where the kids’ can meet their favourite characters, ride a dragon-themed roller coaster, and visit spacecraft, castles, kingdoms and lands made entirely out of Lego.
On Sentosa Island, ride the hydro-magnetic coaster at Adventure Cove Waterpark, or be greeted by more than 100,000 exotic underwater creatures at S.E.A. Aquarium. The Kidzania complex at Sentosa Beach resort educates while entertaining, with zones of interactive learning stations operating within an indoor ‘kid-sized city’. Not to be missed is world-famous Universal Studios at Resorts World Sentosa. And you don’t just need to be a movie buff to enjoy this one, with more than seven themed areas, close to 30 rides, restaurants, shopping and street entertainment on offer.
This tiny island state, with its confluence of cultures, abundant nature, awe-inspiring modern architecture and state-of-the-art technology and attractions, will definitely help create the lifelong holiday memories you and your family seek.