Rooftops, high places and observation decks in Singapore you can easily get up to (2018 update)

Although Singapore does not share very top spots in the tallest skyscrapers list of the world anymore due to its rigid height cap, it consistently appears in various lists of the most beautiful skylines in the world.

If you are like me, a person who enjoys the spanning panoramic view - here are a few good places to truly admire the beauty of Singapore from above.

Height: 194m

Entrance fee: $20

Situated on top of the brand new 5-star hotel complex, luxurious shopping centre and a casino, Marina Bay Sands SkyPark is the iconic destination and one of the must-sees in Singapore. Completed in 2010, the SkyPark has already made headlines in international media as the engineering marvel. If you are the patron of the Marina Bay Sands hotel, the 150m long swimming pool, dubbed the highest infinity pool in the world is open at your service. However, if $450 for a night in the cheapest room is over your budget, there's an option of $20 for visiting the SkyPark's observation deck. This is the place that strongly recommend to every visitors in Singapore. As for myself, I've never missed an opportunity to bring my guests up here for a good evening as part of the "tour".

The view from up here is so good, I've decided to include a few more good photos, click around on the thumbnails to view more.

Marina Bay Sands Skypark (map)

10 Bayfront Avenue

Singapore 018956

6688 8868

Height: 165m

Entrance fee: $40

The iconic ferris wheel, completed in 2008 has become the tallest ferris wheel in the world, dwarfing the famous London Eye by 30 metres. Each of the 28 air-conditioned pods in the flyers are made to accommodate up to 28 passengers. The viewing capsules can be changed to private restaurant upon requests to create a romantic dinner for the lovebirds or turn into luxurious business meeting room with a breathtaking view.

Singapore Flyer (map)

30 Raffles Avenue

Singapore 039803

6333 3311

Height: 218m

Entrance fee: Free* (with $20 purchase in the mall)

Absolutely stunning location, rather hidden away for most tourists, surprisingly - so shhh!

Located on top floors of the most extravagant ION Orchard mall, it is accessible through a private lift on the 4th floor, and needs a check-in with the desk. Once you reach the 56th floor through the direct elevator, you are opened to the breathtaking 360 view from the centre of Orchard. Admittedly the location of ION Orchard does not have the Singapore skyline sweep of the Marina Bay, but it offers an alternative view on the city from the heart of its luxurious shopping district. Along the windows there are helpful tips of the locations ahead as well as some curious local facts, tastefully organised.

The only downside is the place is frequently booked for private events. Also mind that the opening hours are only in the afternoon, 2pm-8.30pm. The place gets pretty crowded during sunset hours - reach there at least an hour before, otherwise visitors will be turned away at the lifts.

*2018 update - sadly the free entry was cancelled. Instead you'll have to spend $20 worth of purchases in the mall per ticket. This is both good and bad. Bad because it's no longer free for a quick pop-in and look, and now requires pre-booking. But also potentially makes it less crowded without young students setting up camp here. There is a new performance every 45 minutes to make your money's worth! Trust me, $20 is rather not difficult to spend in a meal in myriads of restaurants around this mall.

ION Orchard Mall (map)
2 Orchard Turn, Level 56
Singapore 238801
6238 8228

Height: 156m
Entrance fee: $5

When the Pinnacle@Duxton was finished, it claimed the title of the tallest HDB building (or more correctly, series of buildings) in Singapore and probably the only HDB that allows visitors on the rooftop deck. The skybridge comes at a low price of only $5 and payable by Ez-Link card. The beautiful building is located in between bustling and modern Central Business District area and the historic Chinatown with colonial style building enables the viewers appreciate the history of Singapore and the ways

Pinnacle@Duxton (map)

1 Cantonment Rd,

Singapore 080001

6225 5432

Height: 282m
Entrance fee: $20 (including drinks)

The world's highest al-fresco bar - and at the same time - the absolute highest point you can get to in Singapore as it is located on the rooftop of the tallest skyscraper, the OUB building.

Due to the proximity and the flight path of the military airport base nearby (not the International Changi Airport), all buildings in Central Business District of Singapore are restricted to the maximum height of 282m, creating a host of buildings with the same height. Nevertheless, with such restrictions 1-Altitude still managed to snatch up the title of the world's highest open air bar. Do come here in the evening and witness the majestic sunset while sipping on a glass of Singapore Sling.

1-Altitude (map)

OUB Centre

Singapore 048616

6438 0410

Height: 110m
Entrance fee: $15

Previously known as Carlsberg Sky Tower, it is a highest movable observation tower in Singapore. Situated on the island of Sentosa off the coast of Singapore, it's also located on top of the hill, making the total height of tower 134m above sea level. The Tiger Sky Tower will give you the best views on the Integrated Resorts World Sentosa, a sprawling net of 5-star hotels and casino next to the sandy beaches of Sentosa island.One advice - if you decide to visit this place, the money is better spent buying a in package (zoo, underwater world, garden by the bay) as they usually can hand out the ticket for free or at much lower price. Do check out some options before buying.

Tiger Sky Tower (map)

1 Thomson Rd,

Singapore 307591

6276 1453

Height: 36m
Entrance fee: Free

Henderson Waves is a 274m long pedestrian bridge, hovering above the road and connecting Mount Faber Park and Telok Blangah Hill Park. It also serves as the tallest pedestrian bridge in Singapore. The bridge has a wave-form made up of seven undulating curved steel ribs that alternately rise over and under its deck. The curved ribs form alcoves that function as shelters with seats within. Slats of yellow balau wood, an all-weather timber found in Southeast Asia, are used in the decking.

Henderson Waves Timber Deck (map)

Telok Blangah Hill Park

Height: 163m
Entrance fee: Free

The only natural entry in this list makes the highest hiking point that the more adventurous ones among us would climb up, rather than riding up a building on an airconditioned elevator.

Bukit Timah is located near the centre of the Singapore main island. The hill stands at an altitude of 163.63 metres and is the highest point in Singapore. Even though it's been redeveloped to be hiked up and civilized, there's no easy way to get here. So prepare your sports shoes and water bottles, for the climb of 200 flights of stairs will take you 2 hours on average.

Bukit Timah Summit (map)

Bukit Timah Hill

Height: doesn't really matter
Entrance fee: Free

A rather unusual addition to the list, VivoCity Rooftop Park is not a really tall place, located on the 4th floor of a mall situated in the south of Singapore, next to Sentosa island. What separates this from the other entries is the uniqueness of the structure by itself - it represents a 97,000 m² green park with grass fields, bamboo trees, kids playgrounds and a few large wading ponds. All of these are built on the rooftop of the largest shopping mall in Singapore.

As the sun setting by end of the day, you will see couples sitting on the wooden steps of this place, chatting their days off and witnessing the beauty orange sky and the cool breeze from the sea.

VivoCity (map)

1 Harbourfront Walk

Singapore 098585

6377 6860

Height: 290m

Entrance fee: $100mil (give or take)

Finished in 2017, Tanjong Pagar Centre, or commonly known as Guoco Tower, topped at 290m and claimed the title of the tallest building in Singapore. If you want the ultimate experience, visiting higher floors in Tanjong Pagar Centre is unfortunately not free for public.

However, if you really feeling the urge to be in the structure 10m above previously tallest building, you can do so for a (negotiable) price of $108,000,000.00. This, by the way, comes with a complimentary 3-story super-penthouse suite, private elevator and a massive brag right. If you do get this, erm, ticket, do let me know for a quick pop!

Tanjong Pagar Centre (map)
1 Wallich Street 078882
Singapore 078882
6225 9000