The three towers of the Marina Bay Sands hotel in Singapore, crowned with the stunning infinity pool, is among the world’s most ‘Instagrammed’ spots. It’s tough to imagine that this iconic structure sits on reclaimed land, part of one of the island nation’s most ambitious reclamation works that began in the 1970s. There is also more to the area than this iconic hotel.
These are the spots worth exploring when in Marina Bay:
Gardens by the Bay
Courtesy: Gardens by the Bay
This haven for nature lovers is a blend of the best of Singapore — a tropical paradise with modern architectural elements. It debuted in 2012 and has won multiple awards and accolades ever since, including the ‘Landscape Award’ from World Architecture News in 2013.
Spread over 101 hectares on the waterfront, it has themed gardens including the world’s largest glass greenhouse, the Flower Dome. The indoor gardens house plants and flowers from five continents, from 1,000-year-old olive trees to magnolias and orchids. One of the main draws is the daily evening show, Garden Rhapsody, where the 50-metre-high Supertrees at the Supertree Grove come alive with an immersive light and musical show at night.
An Apple store that floats
Courtesy: Singapore Tourism
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is home to some of the world’s finest luxury brands, but it’s Singapore’s third Apple Store that is a must visit. The Apple Marina Bay Sands is the first Apple Store in the world to sit directly on the water. It appears like a sphere floating on the iridescent Marina Bay from a distance. Entirely surrounded by water, the store offers 360-degree panoramic views of the island and its dramatic skyline. It’s a great photo-op spot with multiple mirrors and breathtaking views. This all-glass dome structure is fully self-supported, consisting of 114 pieces of glass with only 10 narrow vertical mullions for structural connection.
360-degree views
View from SkyPark Observation Deck showing the Art and Science Museum marinabaysands/Instagram
The SkyPark floats atop the soaring Marina Bay Sands hotel towers and is the brainchild of celebrated architect Moshe Safdie, who has also designed Jewel Changi Airport. The SkyPark offers unhindered 360-degree views of the Singapore skyline.
It is an engineering feat housing an observation deck, gardens, dining and an infinity pool. It’s large enough to park four and a half A380 Jumbo Jets. Even if you’re not a hotel guest, you can still access these stunning views. Visitors can sign up for activities like a yoga session to catch the views at sunrise; a great time for photography.
Entry tickets SGD 22 / Rs 1,250
Museum hopping
A lit-up Art and Science Museum Wikimedia Commons
The Art and Science Museum lives up to its name as an intersection of art and science. The building’s lotus-inspired form is made up of 10 ‘fingers’ anchored by a unique round base in the middle. Opened in 2011, it made waves for its large-scale exhibition that celebrated Leonardo da Vinci. The museum contains 21 gallery spaces spread over 5000 square feet and has hosted exhibitions covering a range of themes, from particle physics, to marine biology and space exploration.
Red Dot Design Museum on Marina Bay designmuseumshop/Instagram
If you’re obsessed with design, a visit to the Red Dot Design Museum on Marina Bay — the only one in Asia — is most recommended. Opened in 2005, it showcases over 1,000 local products, projects and creations.
Singapore Flyer
Courtesy: Singapore Flyer
One of the world’s largest observation wheels, the Singapore Flyer allows you to catch glimpses of Malaysia and Indonesia with visibility as far as 45km on a clear day. You can also get a bird’s-eye view of Singapore landmarks like the riverfront Merlion Park in and the commercial square of Raffles Place from the comfort of one of the 28 air-conditioned capsules.
Tickets SGD 33 / Rs 1,900
