Top 5 Things to Do in Singapore

Top 5 Things to Do in Singapore

Singapore is an amazing city to visit and in this post I have outlined some of the Things to Do in Singapore.

Ride the Singapore Flyer

One of the icons of Singapore is the Singapore Flyer – you can see it from all the major areas and if you are staying in Singapore, its worth visiting. The Singapore Flyer is the world’s largest observation wheel and is a stunning 165m high. (30 metres taller than the London Eye in the United Kingdom). As the Singapore Flyer turns, you get visual 360 degree view of the city of Singapore landscape and historical landmarks. The Singapore Flyer gives you breathtaking views of the Singapore River, Raffles Place, Merlion Park, Empress Place and the Padang – it is also worth visiting at sunset. The ride on the Singapore Flyer takes about 30 minutes and if you time it right you can get day and dusk views of the city from the Singapore Flyer. This is certainly one of the best Things to Do in Singapore.

For the more adventurous, you can enjoy a dining experience on board the Singapore Flyer if you wish.
Visit http://www.singaporeflyer.com/ for details of the Singapore Flyer.

Flight Simulator Experience

If you have been on the Singapore Flyer (or you find yourself in the environs of it), you might want to try your hand at flying a plane. You can take command of a Boeing 737-800 NG in this 100% realistic flight simulator. The cockpit is exactly as per the 737-800, with overhead panel, rudder and throttle controls, complete avionics, full auto-pilot etc and almost exact flight model to the 737-800 series jet. You get full instruction from your co-pilot who is fully trained on this aircraft simulator and can help you get the most from the flight simulator experience. This flight simulator is exactly the same as pilots use for flight training and you can choose from over than 20,000 worldwide airports (I chose to fly into Kai Tak at Night – the old Hong Kong airport where you flew over the houses to land … see more below) and use the same operating procedures as the real airlines. No experience necessary as full instruction will be provided.You can get 30 minute to 2 hour flights, and if you do this, you should really get the DVD which is only S$20 extra.

I did the 30 minute flight from Hong Kong international to Kai Tak (now decomissioned as an airport but was one of the most iconic landings in recent flight history). I then had time to do a touch-and-go at Dublin Airport followed by a Full Stop Landing. (However the Traffic Collision system onboard, TCAS, told me that I came with 1km of an inbound flight which wuld have been frowned upon in real life). Thanksfully, all my landings were completed successfully and I was told to perhaps consider taking some lessons as my insructor said flight skills were very good. I hope to upload some of the flight video very soon… This was one of MY favourite Things to Do in Singapore.

Visit http://www.flightexperience.com.sg/ for details of this excellent flight sim attraction.

 

 

Take a City Tour – Tour East

When in Singapore you should certainly do a guided tour of the city, especially if you are on a brief visit. There are so many things to Do in Singapore, a city tour can cross off a lot from your list of attractions to see. The reasons for doing a city tour are two fold, (a) Singapore is a very busy city and it would be hard to cover everything if you were only in the city for a short time and (b) it can get quite hot in Singapore and getting from one sight to the next via an air-conditioned bus is most welcome.
The tour company we used was Tour East and the sights covered the Mer Lion, the Thian Hock Keng Temple and Chinatown, a Local Handicraft Centre. One of the highlights of the Singapore City Tour is visiting the National Orchid Garden located within Singapore Botanic Gardens – you get 45 mins here but if you didn’t stop at the handicraft centre you could easily have over an hour here. The final stop of the tour is at Little India, a bustling Indian hub within Singapore. If you want you can pay a little extra to take in the Singapore Flyer (a giant wheel similar to the London Eye … see below)
Visit http://www.toureast.net/Tour-East-Singapore/Sightseeing-Tours-Explore-Singapore for details of the Tour East Singapore Tours

Eat in a local restaurant and a walk around Clarke Quay

One of the best Things to do in Singapore is to enjoy the excellent local food, great sea food and plenty of choice. There are many restaurants around Clarke Quay, a busy venue worth visiting in the early evening and on into the night ; it becomes a buzzing nightlife area after 6pm. Clark Quay is nice to walk the circuit before you make your decision on food as all tastes are catered for, from Indian, Japanese, Italian and Chinese food, Look for the restaurants with the most locals as this is usually a good indication. We found the “Jumbo Seafood Restaurant”. Excellent food, try the fish in ginger and spring onion dish, the fresh juices and the fruit platters to finish.

Check out http://www.jumboseafood.com.sg for details on the Jumbo Seafood Restaurant, Singapore

Get a fish pedicure while you have a Back Massage

On Level 2 of the Singapore Flyer complex you can get your feet manicured and nibbled at by tiny fish … and you can get a great back massage as this is happening. The fish foot spa is where Doctor Fishes or “Garra Rufa Fish”, give you a pedicure you won’t forget (and they do a great job too). The back massage is excellent and reflexology is also provided in this area … don’t forget to try out the chinese tea if you are there for a while. Of all the many things to do in Singapore , this was one I was most squirmy about, as I found it very ticklish.

Details : Kenko Reflexology and Fish Spa, Located at: Level 2 of Singapore Flyer Complex, #02-08 : Tel: (65) 6565 0303 :: Open Daily from 10am – 11pm

Recommended Hotel in Singapore City

Singapore is a fantastic city to visit and if you are planning to go there and you are looking for a good hotel, then the Fairmont Singapore is worth looking at…. check out the review of the Singapore Fairmont Hotel on this site for more details !

I hope you enjoyed this list of Things to Do in Singapore and if you liked this post, please share. You can find more ‘Things to Do‘ City Guide posts on my website.

If you have an addition to this ‘Things to Do in Singapore’ list please let me know.

  • Singapore Flyer 90%
  • Flight Simulator Experience 100%
  • City Tour 85%
  • Clarke Quay 93%
  • Fish Pedicure 80%
Good places to visit, eat, drink and shop in Lanzarote

Good places to visit, eat, drink and shop in Lanzarote

Continuing on my series if reviews on Lanzarote I have outlined a few places which are good for eating , shopping and drinking in Lanzarote. Most of these are in Puerto Del Carmen but I have some from Playa Blanca also.

Best Island Tours of Lanzarote

Grand Tour, Last Minute Travel;
Takes in the national park, lava fields, the caves and some extra stops including wine tasting. Lunch is included. Takes about 8 hours.

César Manrique Tour, Last Minute Travel;
Takes in areas of the island which have buildings or sculptures designed by local artist Cesar Manrique. You get great views if the island, a chance to enter caves created by a 20m year old lava flow, you can see his house and visit a cactus garden with 10,000 plants. Lunch is included. Takes about 8 hours.

Other Tours
If you are in a group the Rancho Texas evening would be great fun but it is not something for couples as you end up sitting with 6 strangers … Forced conversation can be difficult. Food was nice and lasso / whip demo was excellent. End of show cabaret including songs from show turkeys such as “Annie get your gun” and “Calamity Jane” was not for my taste.

Diners & Restaurants in Puerto del Carmen

American Indian DinerAmerican Indian Diner, located on the main strip in Puerto Del Carmen, the American Indian Diner has live music every night on stage with rock band “Question, 3 video screens with the best in rock and pop and live soccer from the Permiership, great food & cocktails including American burgers, steaks, delicious starters from only €2.80 as well as English breakfast, sandwiches and more from 8.00 a.m. – Great Atmosphere and we came here about 3 nights running.

UniversoUniverso, located 2 doors down from the American Indian Diner. If you are looking for real food, if you are sick of fast food and burgers, this place will certainly deliver. Great food at reasonable prices. We were well impressed here.


New World Chinese Restaurant
. A great Chinese, check out my full review on this restaurant. click here.


Indian Aroma
,  Located about 5 min walk from the Fariones shops, this Indian is authentic, great starters and nice food. Indian Restaurants abroad are not 100% like Indians in Ireland, but are more like Indians in the UK. Sauces are thicker and a bit spicier. But we really enjoyed here and the food was very good.

Shopping in Lanzarote

Biosphera Shopping Centre. Located at the top of the hill in  he old town there are plenty of good shops and cafes, there is also  a Hagen Daz ice cream parlour if you get too hot from shopping. This is also where the #6 bus to Playa Blanca departs from.

Shopping in Playa Blanca. Playa Blanca is very good for shopping. Away from the main centre of tourism, Puerto Del Carmen, Playa Blanca seems to give a bit better value. Cosmetics, Perfumes, Electrical Items and Cameras are all good value. Don’t forget to haggle – if you are offered 200, say its too expensive and start to walk, you will be offered 170 and you might just say that you thought it would be cheaper, before you know it you will be offered 155 if you are lucky.

Overall, Lanzarote is a great place for shopping but it can be easy to get ripped off if you are not careful. Forewarned is forearmed – so enjoy if you are going !