Marina Bay in Singapore is built for people who love to shop. The skyline alone feels like a statement piece, and the retail mix matches it: glass-domed luxury halls, subterranean commuter malls, quirky theatre shops, and waterfront design boutiques.
Everything sits within a compact loop that you can walk or ride on the MRT, yet the variety is wide enough to fill several days. Here’s a current, practical guide to making the most of the area’s malls, boutiques, and hidden stops in 2025.
Why Marina Bay Feels Fresh Again in 2025
Tourism is surging back. According to the Singapore Tourism Board, the country welcomed 16.5 million visitors in 2024, setting a record for receipts, with shopping taking a healthy share.
Air capacity has almost reached pre-pandemic levels, which translates into busier malls, extended retail programming, and frequent new openings. In Marina Bay, that energy shows up as fuller event calendars, pop-up installations, and global launches landing on Singapore soil first.
The magic here is variety. Within a short radius you can stroll from a canal-lined luxury arcade to a small design museum shop, then disappear underground into a network of air-conditioned corridors lined with commuter-friendly services. It is a rare district where statement architecture and everyday convenience sit side by side.
Headline Malls Worth a Dedicated Stop
Marina Bay has landmark malls that each feel like an attraction in their own right. Under this section, you’ll find the standout spots that reward a focused visit, whether you’re chasing luxury flagships, family-friendly spaces, or quieter design corners.
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
If there’s time for only one mall, make it The Shoppes. This is the glossy retail spine of Marina Bay Sands, and it remains Singapore’s most recognisable luxury arcade.
The glass-roofed hall runs alongside an indoor canal and packs over 170 luxury and premium boutiques. Multiple duplex flagships set the tone, and photo opportunities are everywhere.
Flagship stores here showcase limited editions and experiential retail; think immersive pop-ups, branded installations, or even glowing custom neon signs at launch events.
- Apple Marina Bay Sands – a glass dome sitting entirely on water, the first store of its kind worldwide.
- Louis Vuitton Island Maison – the only floating LV boutique on earth, with its own dockside entry.
- Sampan rides – a gentle loop under the glass oculus that doubles as a break for families.
- ArtScience Museum shop next door – a well-curated store stocking exhibition-related books and gifts.
Quick profile
| MRT | Vibe | Best for |
| Bayfront (DTL/CEL), connected | Luxury showcase with big-ticket gifting and limited editions | Statement purchases, photo-worthy shopping, single-stop luxury crawl |
Suntec City
Suntec City is a giant integrated complex combining a mall, offices, and a convention centre. It is practical, expansive, and a strong option on rainy afternoons. You can roam for hours through mid-range fashion, lifestyle stores, and a heavy concentration of food. The mall runs daily from 10 am to 10 pm.
Quick profile
| MRT | Vibe | Best for |
| Esplanade and Promenade, connected | Big-format, family friendly, heavy on food and services | One-stop errands, mid-range fashion, dining marathons |
Suntec is also the flagship retail asset of Suntec REIT, which highlights it as a signature integrated property. Families often start here because the mall’s sheer size offers multiple playgrounds and food courts under one roof.
Marina Square
Across from Suntec City sits Marina Square, another mid-market powerhouse. With five levels, over 200 specialty shops, and a dedicated dining wing called The Dining Edition, it feels built for families and groups.
Kids’ play spaces such as Kiztopia and Pororo Park are tenant highlights. The mall runs daily from 10 am to 10 pm.
Quick profile
| MRT | Vibe | Best for |
| City Hall, Esplanade, Promenade via underground linkways | Mid-market, family-oriented, practical buys | Children’s activities, value fashion, easy access from three train lines |
Families like pairing Marina Square with Suntec City in one day, moving between them through covered corridors.
Millenia Walk
For a calmer browse, Millenia Walk leans lifestyle and design. It is the spot for homeware, artisanal food, and specialty cafes.
The pace is slower, the crowds lighter, and the store mix curated for people who want something less cookie-cutter. Hours vary, so check the official site before going.
Quick profile
| MRT | Vibe | Best for |
| Promenade | Design-led, slower pace | Home, lifestyle, specialty dining |
Air-Con Shopping in the Linkways
Stepping below street level in Marina Bay opens a cooler, quieter world of shops and eateries.
The linkways keep you in air-conditioning while connecting major malls, perfect for humid afternoons or quick errands between meetings.
Marina Bay Link Mall
Beneath the Marina Bay Financial Centre runs a commuter-focused retail network called Marina Bay Link Mall.
It lines the Underground Pedestrian Network and connects office workers, residents, and visitors with everyday services, mid-tier dining, and quick fashion. Official figures cite about 180,000 square feet of retail space across its two phases.
- Banks and pharmacies right where commuters pass.
- Quick-service eateries for lunch breaks and coffee.
- Fashion and services without stepping into the heat.
Quick profile
| MRT | Vibe | Best for |
| Downtown station links directly into the mall | Useful, underground, office-hour buzz | Everyday needs, coffee breaks, quick-service eats without leaving the air-con |
CityLink Mall
CityLink Mall, Singapore’s first underground mall, links City Hall MRT to Marina Square and Suntec City.
It is functional, weather-proof, and filled with small outlets. For shoppers, it doubles as an indoor walking route between major complexes.
Quick profile
| MRT | Vibe | Best for |
| City Hall | Functional link mall | Seamless indoor walking between major complexes |
Hidden and Culture-Rich Stops
Tucked between the headline malls are quieter corners where culture and retail meet.
They’re perfect for finding design-led gifts, museum shops, and small boutiques with a more local feel.
Esplanade Mall
Under the iconic “durian” theatres sits a quiet collection of boutiques and eateries. Gift stores, accessories, and small cafes cluster here, making it a pleasant pre-show stop.
For culture lovers, it’s a top place to pick up design-forward gifts after a concert. Hours and tenant lists are posted on the official Esplanade site.
The Shop at ArtScience Museum
The museum shop offers exhibition-inspired merchandise, books, and artful gifts.
Its range changes with the programming, so you might find exclusive exhibition tie-ins that disappear after a few months.
Factor browsing time in if you are catching a show at the museum.
Red Dot Design Museum Shop
On the waterfront, the Red Dot Design Museum hosts a compact but inventive design shop. Expect original objects and souvenirs by Singaporean and international designers.
It is an easy stroll along the bay and a solid choice for creative, locally made items.
The Fullerton Heritage Waterfront
From One Fullerton to The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, the heritage precinct layers dining, galleries, lifestyle stores, and a hotel shop for elegant souvenirs. The walk itself, framed by the bay and city views, is part of the appeal.
Quick Comparison Table
How to Plan a Smart Shopping Loop
@c.ynthiacho The shoppes at marina bay, singapore #shoppes #theshoppes #theshoppesatmarinabaysands #marinabay #marinabaysands #singapore #singaporeimagine #travel #shoppingcentre
Think of this part as your shortcut to plotting a stress-free shopping day. A few smart route choices can help you cover the biggest names, sneak in hidden gems, and stay cool between stops.
A Luxury and Design Day
Start at The Shoppes for flagship boutiques and the Apple dome on the water. Pop into the ArtScience Museum Shop for books and exhibition pieces.
A Family-Friendly Day
Begin at Marina Square for kids’ play spaces and family dining, then cut across to Suntec City for more food and practical buys. If energy is high, circle back through CityLink Mall to keep everyone in air-con.
A Rainy-Day, Fully Indoor Route
Ride the Downtown Line to Downtown station and work your way through Marina Bay Link Mall.
Continue under cover toward CityLink Mall, then up into Marina Square and across to Suntec City without touching the curb.
Practical Tips for Shoppers
Before heading out with your card or camera ready, a few smart pointers can make shopping around Marina Bay smoother, cheaper, and far more enjoyable.
Opening Hours and Peak Times
Many Marina Bay complexes operate daily from 10 am to 10 pm. Two clear examples are Marina Square and Suntec City.
Luxury flagships at The Shoppes may run different hours, so check the directory for your brand. Weekend afternoons and early evenings are typically peak.
Getting Around
Bayfront MRT drops you right into The Shoppes. Downtown station links straight to Marina Bay Link Mall.
City Hall, Esplanade, and Promenade stations tie together Marina Square, Suntec City, and Millenia Walk through underground corridors. Official mall and MBFC pages confirm those connections and the subterranean layout.
GST and Tourist Refunds
Singapore’s Goods and Services Tax is 9 percent from 1 January 2024.
Tourists can claim GST refunds via the Electronic Tourist Refund Scheme at participating retailers when spending at least S$100, including GST, in a single receipt, subject to rules.
Look for the eTRS logo at checkout and keep your passport details handy.
Where to Find Distinctly Singaporean Gifts
- The Shop at ArtScience Museum and Esplanade Mall for books, design objects, and exhibition-based pieces.
- Red Dot Design Museum’s store for local designers.
- Fullerton Heritage precinct for refined souvenirs with a sense of place.
Sample Buys and Photo Moments to Look For
- A signature shot next to the water-bound Apple store or outside the LV Island Maison.
- Museum-grade gifts from the ArtScience Museum Shop after catching an exhibition.
- Design souvenirs from Red Dot Design Museum’s shop for gifts that feel local rather than logo-driven.
- Easy commuter finds under MBFC at Marina Bay Link Mall when you want banking, salons, and grab-and-go eats without stepping into the sun.
Wrapping Up a Marina Bay Shopping Day
Marina Bay is built for browsing. You can shop high luxury at The Shoppes, switch to family-friendly retail in Marina Square and Suntec City, and then move through the underground network to beat the weather and humidity.
Add in culture stops at the Esplanade and the ArtScience Museum, and you have a precinct that feels like a city inside the city.
With visitor numbers at record highs and retail programming steady, 2025 is a prime year to plan a shopping day here.
Keep refund rules in mind, map your loop around MRT connections, and leave room in the schedule to wander into the smaller corners. That’s where the souvenirs with stories usually appear.