Singapore: Top 5 Things to do on a Rainy Day

Singapore’s weather wasn’t so friendly on my recent visit. The several times I’ve been to this tiny yet wealthy city-state in south-east Asia, it was always sunny. Thankfully, there are lots of things you can do in this tropical country even when it’s raining cats and dogs. Here are the top 5 things to do if you have limited time or if the sun decides to hide.

1. Shop

While Hong Kong is considered by many as Asia’s shopping capital, Singapore is also a must-visit city to go shopping in Asia. Go to the world-famous Orchard Road and you’ll be surprised to know that almost every building you see is a shopping mall.

There’s no need for an umbrella. You won’t get drenched as you don’t even have to go outside to switch malls. As you keep roaming around, you’ll find that many of these gigantic shopping centers are connected to one another via underground walkways

2. Dine

This is a no-brainer. When you’re overseas, there will always be too many must-eat dishes. In Singapore, restaurants are abundant, and the range of food available can be intimidating. The following isn’t a list of the best dining places out there but the ones personally memorable to me not just because of the food but the total experience as well.

Marché Mövenpick (313@Somerset)

This has been my favorite since 2015. I love the variety of European and Western cuisine they offer here. There’s not a dish I haven’t liked every time I ate at this restaurant which has a unique setting. You’ll be given a card that you’ll be using at every food station you order from. You’ll need this card to pay the cashier as you leave.

Ce La Vi 

Make a reservation before your visit as it’s often fully booked. This restaurant is located on the rooftop of the famous Marina Bay Sands hotel. Some of the photos on this post were taken from their bar while my company and I were waiting for a table. The food was superb but I have to admit I didn’t even understand the menu. Haha! Luckily, the waiter who served us was Filipino. He took the time to explain what we were devouring!

Yamazaki Japanese Restaurant Bar 

Admittedly, it was the location that lured me to try this restaurant. It’s situated right across the Marina Bay Sands where you can get an awesome view of the light and water show held at the hotel’s promenade. Surprisingly, they had great food and equally great service. The waitress who served us was again from the Philippines. She made sure my cup of tea was always full 🙂

Cuppage Terrace 

Whether you’re looking for Asian, Middle Eastern, or European cuisine, you’ll have it in this haven for food lovers. It’s adjacent to the Centrepoint Shopping Centre and has an array of dining outlets indoor and outdoor.

Din Tai Fung 

If you fancy soup dumplings and noodles, you’ll love it here. I’m not a dumpling fan but what they serve is the best I tried so far. Din Tai Fung earned a Michelin star and is one of the world’s Top 10 Best Restaurants according to the New York Times. While you may walk-in and easily get a table if you’re lucky, it’s better to make a reservation. Otherwise, be prepared to wait in line.

3. Visit the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome

These two conservatories are found at Singapore’s famous man-made nature park, Gardens by the Bay. The Flower Dome is the largest columnless glasshouse in the world while the Cloud Forest has the world’s tallest indoor waterfall.

These two sites are perfect to spend your hours away from the rain. 

4. Ride the Singapore Flyer

Once the world’s tallest Ferris wheel, the Singapore flyer is now second to the High Roller of Las Vegas which was launched in 2014. 

It doesn’t matter if it’s gloomy and wet outside because inside this capsule you can stay warm and dry while enjoying the view of the city.

5. Explore the Marina Bay area

This one is easy. Most tourists in Singapore go to Marina Bay as most of the iconic landmarks of the country are found here such as the Merlion, ArtScience Museum, Esplanade, and the ones I already mentioned.

Get a good spot in front of the Marina Bay Sands to enjoy the light, water, and sound show. We were at the Yamazaki Bar when I took this video on my phone. You can, however, also see this spectacle from the city side or the hotel area. This is a nightly event that you can enjoy for free.