Marina Bay: a first-timer's guide to Singapore's skyline

Why visit Marina Bay

Much of Marina Bay stands on land reclaimed from the sea, and it shows how Singapore has reinvented itself in a single lifetime. In one walk you pass the colonial Fullerton Hotel, the gleaming towers of Raffles Place, the durian shaped Esplanade theatres and the lotus shaped ArtScience Museum. The whole bay is walkable on a loop of about three and a half kilometres, and every bridge and promenade is designed for views.

Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay is the one place almost every visitor goes. The outdoor gardens and the Supertree Grove are free to enter, and each evening the Garden Rhapsody light and music show plays beneath the Supertrees. The two cooled conservatories charge entry: the Flower Dome holds Mediterranean and desert gardens, while the Cloud Forest wraps a man made mountain and waterfall in mist and orchids. They are a welcome escape from the heat in the middle of the day. Check the official site for opening hours and tickets before you go.

Museums of the Civic District

Across the river, the National Gallery Singapore fills the former Supreme Court and City Hall with Southeast Asian art, and its rooftop has fine views of the Padang. The Asian Civilisations Museum on the riverbank tells the story of trade across Asia, including treasures from a ninth century shipwreck. Nearby, the National Museum of Singapore and Fort Canning Park cover the island's history, from its ancient kings to the Second World War.

Free evening shows

Two free shows run most nights. Garden Rhapsody lights up the Supertrees, and Spectra, a show of fountains, lasers and music, plays on the waterfront outside Marina Bay Sands. You can watch one and walk to the other. Show times change from time to time, so check before you plan your evening.

Where to eat

The bay is lined with expensive restaurants, but hawker food is never far away. Lau Pa Sat, a Victorian cast iron market in the financial district, is famous for its satay street that opens outdoors in the evening. Makansutra Gluttons Bay by the Esplanade has hawker stalls by the water, and the food court in The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is a convenient fallback. For a special drink, the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel is the home of the Singapore Sling, and Atlas is a grand art deco bar near Bugis.

Where to stay

Staying around the bay puts you close to everything, but it is the most expensive part of the city. Marina Bay Sands is the famous choice for its rooftop infinity pool, which only hotel guests can use. The Fullerton Hotel, Raffles Hotel and the hotels around City Hall and Bugis are excellent alternatives, and Bugis and Clarke Quay offer more mid-range options within a short MRT ride.

Getting there and around

From Changi Airport, the MRT takes about forty five minutes to the bay with one change, while a taxi or ride-hailing car takes around half an hour. Bayfront, Esplanade, City Hall and Raffles Place stations ring the bay. Walking is easy on the flat promenades, though the heat makes early mornings and evenings much more pleasant. A bumboat river cruise from Clarke Quay is a relaxed way to see the waterfront from the water.

Tips for a good visit

Start early at the Merlion and the waterfront before the heat builds, spend midday in a museum or the conservatories, and return to the gardens for sunset and the light show. Carry water, use the shaded underpasses, and remember that eating and drinking are not allowed on the MRT. Use the free trip planner to build Marina Bay into a wider route.