Singapore is known for its striking skyline, modern waterfront, and attractions that blend history with contemporary architecture. At the heart of Marina Bay stands Merlion Park, home to the country's iconic half-lion, half-fish statue overlooking the bay. The open-air promenade offers panoramic views of landmarks like Marina Bay Sands and the surrounding skyline, making it one of Singapore's most photographed locations.
In this guide, you'll learn about Merlion Park timings, its history, the best time to visit Merlion Park, how to reach it from Raffles Place, Singapore, photo spots, and nearby attractions to include in your itinerary.
What Is Merlion Park?
The Merlion symbol was created in 1964 as the logo for the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board (STPB, now the Singapore Tourism Board), and later brought to life as a statue by sculptor Lim Nang Seng. Unveiled on 15 September 1972 by then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at the mouth of the Singapore River, the statue was relocated to its current site at Merlion Park in 2002; the Esplanade Bridge, completed in 1997, had blocked the original view.
The lion head represents Singapura, Singapore's original name, meaning "Lion City" in Sanskrit. The fish body represents the city's roots as a fishing village called Temasek. Merlion Park, Singapore, sits on the Marina Bay waterfront, in front of The Fullerton Hotel.
Most visitors photograph only the main statue, which is 8.6 metres tall and weighs 70 tonnes. Walk to the back of the plaza, and you'll find the Merlion cub, just 2 metres tall and 3 tonnes.
Detail | Main Merlion | Merlion Cub |
Height | 8.6 metres | 2 metres |
Weight | 70 tonnes | 3 tonnes |
Year Unveiled | 1972 | 1972 |
Symbol Designer | Alec Fraser-Brunner | Alec Fraser-Brunner |
Blueprint | Kwan Sai Kheong | Kwan Sai Kheong |
Sculptor | Lim Nang Seng | Lim Nang Seng |
Location | Front of plaza, facing bay | Back of plaza |
What Are Merlion Park Timings and Entry Information?
Merlion Park timings: Open 24 hours a day, every day. There are no tickets, entry gates, or admission fees.
Address: 1 Fullerton, Singapore 049213. The park is in front of The Fullerton Hotel, on the Marina Bay waterfront.
Plan 20 to 30 minutes for the Merlion Park itself. If you are combining it with the waterfront walk or the Spectra light show at Marina Bay Sands, allow 1 to 2 hours.
Spectra is a free light-and-water show at the Marina Bay Sands event plaza. It runs at 8 PM and 9 PM every night, with an extra 10 PM show on Fridays and Saturdays. You can catch a partial view from the Merlion promenade, though the best angle is from the MBS side.
There are no food stalls inside the park. Dining at One Fullerton and Marina Bay Sands is a short walk away.
Detail | Information |
Opening Hours | 24 hours, every day |
Entry Fee | Free |
Address | 1 Fullerton, Singapore 049213 |
Nearest MRT | Raffles Place (Exit B or H), 5 to 7 min walk |
Recommended Duration | 20 to 30 min (park only); 1 to 2 hours with waterfront walk |
Spectra Show (Sun to Thu) | 8 PM and 9 PM |
Spectra Show (Fri and Sat) | 8 PM, 9 PM and 10 PM |
When Is the Best Time to Visit Merlion Park?
The best time to visit Merlion Park is between 7 and 8 AM. The light is soft, the promenade is quiet, and the water is still for clean reflections. By mid-morning, tour groups arrive, and the railing fills up fast.
Avoid 11 AM to 4 PM. Singapore's heat and humidity peak during this window, and the glare on the white statue washes out photos.
Weekdays are quieter than weekends. A weekday morning gives you the most room and the clearest shots.
The late afternoon into the blue hour is the second-best slot at Merlion Park. Marina Bay Sands lights up across the water, and the skyline warms just before dark.
Rain is fine. Covered walkways near One Fullerton give you shelter, and wet tiles produce strong reflections of the lit Merlion and skyline.
National Day (9 August) and New Year's Eve bring large crowds and a fireworks display over the bay.
- Early morning (7 to 8 AM): Crowd level is low. Soft, even light with no harsh shadows.
- Midday (11 AM to 4 PM): Crowd level is high. Harsh overhead light, strong glare on the white statue, peak heat.
- Late afternoon (4 to 7 PM): Crowd level is moderate to high. Golden-hour light warms the statue and the skyline.
- Evening (7 PM onwards): Crowd level is high on weekends and moderate on weekdays. The Merlion is lit in changing colours; the Spectra show runs from the MBS side at 8 PM.
How to Reach Merlion Park?
Getting to Merlion Park is simple by public transport, with multiple MRT options all within a short walk of the waterfront.
By MRT (Recommended)
- Raffles Place, Singapore (North-South and East-West Lines): Take Exit B or H and walk 5 to 7 minutes toward the bay, following signs to Marina Bay. This is the most direct route.
- Bayfront Station (Circle Line / Downtown Line): Best if you are already on the Marina Bay side or coming from Gardens by the Bay, Singapore.
- Esplanade Station (Circle Line): Use this if you are arriving from the arts precinct or City Hall area.
By Taxi or Grab
Drop off at One Fullerton or the Esplanade Mall Taxi Stand. Both are a 2-minute walk from the park entrance.
How Can You Take the Best Photos at Merlion Park?
The best Merlion Park Singapore photos come down to choosing the right angle and timing. Here are a few tips that work well:
- Classic shot: Stand to the left of the Merlion with Marina Bay Sands framing the background across the bay.
- The "drinking" shot: Step to one side so the Merlion's water stream appears to land in a cup or bottle you are holding.
- Wide-angle: Walk back toward One Fullerton to get the statue, the bay, and the full skyline in one frame.
- Reflection shot: After an evening light rain, the promenade tiles mirror the lit-up Merlion. Use phone night mode or a wide aperture lens for best results.
- Merlion cub: Walk to the back of the plaza. Many visitors overlook it. The cub sits in a small fountain, easy to photograph without crowds.
- Avoid glare: The best times to visit Merlion Park for photos are before 11 AM or after 4 PM. Direct midday sun hits the white statue, washing out the contrast.
Tribe Travel Tip: Use night mode on your phone and wait for the promenade tiles to reflect the Merlion's lighting after light rain.
What Can You See Near Merlion Park?
Merlion Park sits at the start of a flat waterfront loop around Marina Bay. From here, several key sights are within easy walking distance.
Esplanade Theatres on the Bay
A 5-minute walk north from the Merlion brings you to the Esplanade Theatres on the Bay, Singapore's national performing arts centre.
- What it is: Two iconic domed buildings opened in 2002, their aluminium-shaded curved roofs earning the local nickname ‘The Durian’
- Free access: Outdoor performances at the concourse and outdoor theatre run regularly; check esplanade.com for current programming
- Photo tip: The Esplanade Theatres on the Bay waterfront promenade gives you a back-angle view of the Merlion with the full city skyline behind it
- Nearest MRT: Esplanade station (Circle Line) or City Hall station (North-South / East-West Lines)
Makansutra Gluttons Bay
Right beside the Esplanade Theatres on the Bay, at 8 Raffles Avenue, is Makansutra Gluttons Bay.
- What it is: An open-air hawker space by Makansutra, Singapore's well-known food brand, with waterfront tables facing the bay
- Popular dishes: Satay, oyster omelette, char kway teow, chilli crab, and BBQ stingray
- Hours: Daily 4 PM to 11 PM (last order 30 minutes before closing; open on the eve of and on public holidays)
- Evening tip: Have dinner at Makansutra Gluttons Bay to finish just before the free Spectra show starts at 8 PM at Marina Bay Sands
Gardens by the Bay Singapore
From Raffles Place Singapore MRT, take one train stop to Bayfront station (Circle Line / Downtown Line) to reach Gardens by the Bay Singapore, or walk the waterfront promenade in around 20 minutes.
- Size: 101 hectares along Marina Bay
- Free highlights: Supertree Grove and the Garden Rhapsody light show nightly at 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM (free admission under normal conditions; charges may apply during ticketed events such as Christmas Wonderland)
- Paid attractions: Cloud Forest and Flower Dome conservatories
- Day plan: Start at Merlion Park in the morning, walk the Helix Bridge, then head to Gardens by the Bay Singapore for the afternoon and stay for the evening light show
Note: Sections of Supertree Grove are temporarily closed from 22 June to 16 July 2026 for the Singapore Garden Festival. Visitors will be re-routed. Check the official Gardens by the Bay website for the latest information before visiting.
Final Takeaway
Merlion Park is open around the clock with no entry fee, making it an easy addition to any Marina Bay itinerary.
The best time to visit Merlion Park is early morning for clean shots, or after sunset when the bay comes alive with evening lights and the Spectra show begins across the bay. Pair it with an evening at Makansutra Gluttons Bay and the Garden Rhapsody light show at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore, for a full day around the bay.
If Singapore is your next travel destination, let Holiday Tribe's advisors build customised itineraries covering stays and sightseeing, so you can focus on the experience.
