Marina Bay and the Skyline

Marina Bay is the dazzling, futuristic face of modern Singapore, a waterfront showcase of the city-state's soaring ambition. It is dominated by the instantly recognisable Marina Bay Sands, three soaring hotel towers topped by a vast, ship-shaped SkyPark with its famous infinity pool, facing a glittering skyline of skyscrapers across the water. The spouting Merlion statue, the lotus-like ArtScience Museum, a waterfront promenade and nightly light-and-water shows complete a spectacle that is at its most magical after dark.

What you actually see

• Marina Bay Sands - the iconic three-towered, ship-topped hotel.
• The skyline and Merlion - the glittering towers and the spouting Merlion.
• The SkyPark - the observation deck atop the hotel.
• The Spectra light show - the nightly light-and-water show over the bay.

When to go

Year-round; the bay is at its most spectacular after dark, when the skyline lights up and the free nightly Spectra light-and-water show plays over the water. Singapore is hot and humid, so the cooler evenings are the pleasant time to stroll the waterfront.

Honest expectations

The famous rooftop infinity pool atop Marina Bay Sands is reserved for hotel guests, so non-guests can only visit the paid observation deck for the view. The waterfront is a showcase of modern, manufactured spectacle rather than history or culture, which is either dazzling or soulless depending on taste. It is best after dark for the lights and the free light show. It is genuinely striking.

Nearby

Gardens by the Bay, the Merlion Park and the historic quarters are close.