Marina Bay Singapore is an entertainment, commercial and residential hub – and a must-see on any trip to Singapore!
The best way to discover the district is to walk around Marina Bay. So we designed a perfect Marina Bay Walk that features top sights.
Our site utilizes Affiliate Links. If you use them to make a purchase, we may earn a commission. For more information, read our Disclosure Policy.
Development of Marina Bay – an area built on reclaimed land and fed by the Singapore River – only began in 1988. However, it grew quickly and gained status as one of the top Singapore tourist attractions.
The modern-marvel Marina Bay Sands Hotel is a focal point of the area – but there are many more Marina Bay Singapore attractions to see.
About Our Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade Walk
Our self-guided Singapore Marina Bay Waterfront Walking Tour begins with an up-close look at the Merlion fountain. Walking counterclockwise, our route circles around the perimeter of the bay.
Top Tip: Combine this walking tour with two other nearby must-see districts! Exploring Singapore Chinatown and the SG Downtown Core are two of the top things to do around Marina Bay Sands.
What You Will Need for your MBS Walk
Before you set off to see the tourist attractions in Marina Bay, make sure you are prepared for your walk!
City Walking Shoes for Singapore
We cover some ground in our Marina Bay Waterfront Singapore Walk. Despite the heat, it is best to wear comfortable walking shoes for the self-guided tour.
I like to wear lightweight shoes by Columbia – and Kris prefers Merrell shoes. Find more tips in our post, The Best Shoes for Traveling.
Singapore Sun Protection
The sun in Singapore is intense – and there is little shade along most of the Marina Bay Sands walkway.
Plan to get an early start and be sure to apply sunscreen before your walk – and consider bringing a wide-brimmed travel hat or travel umbrella to shade your face.
Singapore Travel Camera
There are numerous incredible sights along the Marina Bay Sands Promenade. We believe it is best to capture the beauty with a real travel camera.
We use a Canon Rebel (an excellent budget camera for beginners) with an everyday 18-135mm lens.
WiFi
At the end of the post, we provide a useful Singapore Marina Bay Map, but you can only use it when you are connected. To stay on-line when we travel, we use a GlocalMe Mobile WiFi Hotspot.
We can connect up to ten devices at one time (great for families or groups), data is available online or via SIM card and it doubles as a power bank.
Travel Day Pack
Whether you travel with a backpack or a suitcase, you’ll also want the perfect day bag to organize all your everyday travel essentials for your Marina promenade walk.
Travel Insurance
Trip Insurance may protect against canceled trips and lost luggage, as well as illness and injury abroad, too. Get rates, coverage and details with World Nomads.
Marina Bay Singapore Attractions
Our Marina walking trail is the perfect introduction to the district and the many tourist attractions that reside in it. That said, some of the Marina Bay Singapore Attractions require a fee.
Because we were visiting Singapore on a Budget, we were not able to partake in all of the Marina Bay activities or enter all of the attractions.
However, with our Self-Guided Marina Bay Walking Tour we were able to see the highlights of the area. To help you determine which sights to enter, we’ve include additional information regarding admission prices and tickets.
MBS Free Walking Tour Singapore
Lace up your walking shoes – it is time to start exploring the many things to do around Marina Bay!
Top Tip: Use the Raffles Place MRT Station to get to Marina in Singapore. If walking from the Downtown Core, use the air-conditioned underpass at Fullerton Hotel to avoid both the heat and the traffic. Then make your way to…
#1 Merlion Fountain
The first stop on our Marina Bay Sands Tour of Attractions is the famous Merlion Marina Bay Fountain.
The half-fish-half-lion creature, the Merlion, is a symbol of Singapore that melds the city’s history as a fishing village (translating the word sea to mer) and meaning of its original name (Singapura, meaning Lion City).
One of the five official Merlion statues in Singapore, it sits at the edge of Marina Bay with water spouting from its mouth.
A viewing platform has been built over the water to allow visitors to see – and pose for pictures – from multiple angles and is one of the top Marina Bay attractions.
#2 Clifford Pier, Singapore
Built in 1933, Clifford Pier welcomed immigrants, tourists and Singapore visitors exiting ships until 2006 when it was no longer needed.
The historic building how houses an upscale restaurant, The Clifford Pier, which is part of The Fullerton Bay Hotel, a 5-star Marina Bay hotel.
#3 The Promontory
Often used for events, The Promontory offers spectacular views of the iconic sights on Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade Singapore. Tip: Set your camera to Pano mode for a great panoramic shot!
#4 Marina Bay Financial Center & LeVel 33
Marina Bay Financial Center is comprised of five soaring office/residential use skyscrapers – the tallest exceeding 800 feet.
Beer enthusiasts and those seeking an elevated view of Marina Bay will not want to miss LeVel 33, the world’s highest brewery.
Located on the 33rd Floor of Tower 1, drinking a beer at the brewery is one of the best things to do in Marina Bay Singapore. Of all the Marina Bay bars, this is the one we highly recommend!
From the prime balcony seating, views stretch over the bay to the Singapore Flyer and Gardens by the Bay.
It’s an ideal place to take Marina Bay pictures from above. Beers may not be cheap…but the view is included!
#5 Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
The Shoppes at Marina Bay is a luxury shopping mall in Singapore (one of the many). They are very Las Vegas-esque, complete with high-end stores, restaurants, a casino and even an indoor ‘river’ with gondola rides.
Regardless of whether or not you are a shopper, they offer a nice place to cool off from the sweltering Singapore temperatures.
#6 Marina Bay Sands Singapore
The iconic Marina Bay Sands Hotel is the centerpiece of Singapore. Looking as if the towers emerged from the depths of the sea, sweeping a boat right out of the water and hoisting it up in the air, the architecture is astounding.
While looking at the building is awe-inspiring, visitors are invited to go to the top to take in the incredible view of Singapore.
The most coveted viewpoint is from the famous Marina Bay Sands rooftop infinity pool, but unfortunately, it is only open to hotel guests (find out just how much a room will cost for your stay!).
However, the 57th Floor SkyPark can be visited (ticket required) and Marina Bay Sands restaurants and bars are open to the public.
#7 Gardens by the Bay
Visiting Gardens by the Bay tops the list of things to do at Marina Bay Singapore! Highlights include the Supertree Grove, Sun Pavillion, Heritage Gardens, World of Plants, Dragonfly Lake and Kingfisher Lake.
Plus, admission to these Marina Bay tourist attractions is absolutely free! They are linked together by the Gardens by the Bay walking trail.
Visiting the two indoor gardens, the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, are top MBS attractions. However, these sights require a ticket for entry.
Also time your visit to coincide with the daily Garden Rhapsody light show (or make a return visit at night). The Gardens by the Bay laser show happens daily at 7:45pm and 8:45pm.
#8 Marina Barrage, Singapore
Visiting the Barrage is one of the Marina Bay activities that many tourists miss – but shouldn’t! This dam was built in 2008 to maintain a fresh water supply and it was specifically designed to double as an community outdoor space.
The Marina Barrage Walking Trail loops around to the top of the Marina Barrage building for phenomenal views. On the walk, you can see the Supertree Grove and Marina Bay Sands Hotel.
The massive, grassy park is perfect for a picnic, flying a kite and watching sunset. Guests with ample time can cross the dam to walk through Gardens by the Bay East.
Top Tip: If you need to cool off before or after arriving at Marina Barrage, kick off your shoes and wade into the splash park at the base of the Barrage.
#9 ArtScience Museum Marina Bay Sands
If you are wondering what to do in Marina Bay indoors, then the ArtScience Museum is your answer!
As part of the hotel complex, visiting the ArtScience Museum is one of the more educational Marina Bay Sands activities.
The shiny building, designed to resemble a lotus flower, houses intriguing exhibitions relating art to science. A ticket is required for entry.
#10 Helix Marina Bay Bridge
The Helix Bridge is a DNA-looking pedestrian bridge straddling the narrow opening of the bay – and crossing it is one of the top things to do in Marina Bay Sands. It has lookouts offering views of the marina and Singapore from different vantage points.
#11 Singapore Flyer
From a distance, the Singapore Flyer might look like any ordinary carnival Ferris wheel, but the Marina Bay observation wheel is truly incredible.
Standing at 541 feet, it ranked as the World’s Tallest Ferris Wheel when it opened and only was surpassed in 2014 by the Vegas High Roller.
The wheel has 28 air-conditioned capsules, each of which can hold up to 28 people – and is a major Marina Bay tourist attraction. A ride requires a ticket.
#12 Marina Bay Float
Complete your Marina Bay walking tour along the promenade on the north side and pass by the Marina Bay Float: a professional floating soccer field. The floating platform also hosts other events, like ceremonies and concerts.
#13 Esplanade Theaters by the Bay
Another example of unique Singapore architecture on Marina Bay, Esplanade Theatres by the Bay is a performing arts center, housing both a concert hall and a theater inside.
It’s the outside, however, that garners much attention from tourists. The design looks to some like the eyes of a fly, but to many Singaporeans, it resembles the stinky, tropical fruit, durian.
#14 Makansutra Gluttons Bay
End your Singapore Marina Bay self-guided walking tour with a bite to eat at the popular Gluttons Bay hawker stalls – some of the best cheap food around Marina Bay Sands.
At the Hawker Centre, cooks whip up meals at a frenzied pace and the aromas are too good to pass by! Grab a plate of local fare and dine Singapore-style at the plastic picnic tables.
Top Tip: We liked the spicy noodles from Soon Lee Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee – but each stall has a signature dish, so check them all out and decide which looks best to you!
#15 Light Show Marina Bay Sands
One of the top Marina Bay things to do is see the bay at night! With glowing city lights, Marina Bay at night is spectacular – and is enhanced with the impressive laser light show.
Colorful streams of light cut through the dark sky set to the beat of a music soundtrack. Marina Bay Sands Light Show times are: Every day at 8pm and 9pm – and an additional show on Fridays and Saturdays at 10pm.
Top Tip: See the best of Singapore at night on a guided tour – sights include Gardens by the Bay and the SkyPark Observation Deck. Book before you go with Viator.
Marina Bay Tourist Map of Sights
Use this Google Map for an interactive version of our Map of Singapore Tourist Attractions in Marina Bay below.
Start planning your trip to Singapore! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
Pin it! See all of our travel pins on our JetSetting Fools Pinterest Board.
