Singapore is a compact city-state with a big personality—an island where 19th-century shophouses sit beneath futuristic “supertrees,” and hawker stalls share the spotlight with Michelin-starred restaurants. Once a British trading post founded in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles, it’s now a global hub of finance, design, and food, threaded together by the spotless, efficient MRT.

Expect a tropical climate (hot, humid, with sudden showers), impeccable safety, and tap water that’s safe to drink. The city thrives on rules that make it run smoothly—no littering, smoking only in designated areas, and a famously strict chewing gum policy. Bring a contactless card (Visa/Mastercard/Apple Pay) to tap onto buses and trains—no tickets needed.

The highlights sparkle day and night: Gardens by the Bay, the Marina Bay skyline, multicultural quarters (Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam), the National Gallery, and laid‑back Sentosa beaches. Add in a UNESCO‑recognized hawker culture and you’ve got the makings of a deeply delicious long weekend.

Singapore

Singapore rewards curiosity. Wander from the incense-scented Buddha Tooth Relic Temple to the kaleidoscopic shophouses of Little India, then sip kopi at a kopitiam before sunset at the waterfront. When the sun dips, the skyline glows—best seen from the Marina Bay promenade or on a river cruise past Clarke Quay’s pastel warehouses.

Top sights include Gardens by the Bay (Cloud Forest, Flower Dome, and the OCBC Skyway), the National Gallery Singapore inside two beautifully restored civic buildings, and Kampong Glam’s Sultan Mosque with indie boutiques along Haji Lane. For family-friendly fun, hop to Sentosa for beaches, S.E.A. Aquarium, zip lines, and a memorable sunset sail.

• Where to stay (our picks):
  • Iconic splurge: Marina Bay Sands — Rooftop infinity pool, dazzling views, and direct access to the bayfront.
  • Resort vibe: Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa — Beachfront on Sentosa, perfect for families and sunseekers.
  • Classic luxury: Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore — Verdant grounds just off Orchard Road, serene and refined.
  • Great value, central: Hotel Boss — Modern rooms near Lavender MRT; easy access to everywhere.
  • Budget in the thick of it: Hotel 81 Chinatown — Simple, super central for food markets and MRT.
  • Browse more stays: Hotels in Singapore or apartment-style options on VRBO Singapore.
• Getting in: Fly into Changi Airport. From major Asian hubs, flights are often 1–4 hours; from Australia ~5–8 hours; Middle East ~7–8 hours; Europe ~12–14 hours; US West Coast ~16–18 hours (often via Tokyo/HK/Seoul). Compare fares on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com; if departing from Europe, also check Omio flights.
• Getting around: The MRT is fast and inexpensive (most rides $1–2). Taxis and ride-hailing are plentiful; cross-bay journeys run ~S$12–25 depending on distance and time.

Day 1: Marina Bay Welcome — Civic District, Merlion, and a Night on the Water

Afternoon (arrival): Check into your hotel and stretch your legs along the Civic District—pass the Padang and the neoclassical Old Supreme Court (now part of the National Gallery). Stroll to Merlion Park for your first skyline shot of Marina Bay Sands.

Coffee & snack: Grab an iced kopi and kaya toast at Toast Box near Raffles Place or the more old-school Tong Ah Eating House in Chinatown (rich coconut jam on crisp toast—pure Singapore comfort).

Evening: Dine alfresco with satay skewers and chili stingray at Makansutra Gluttons Bay by Esplanade or head to Lau Pa Sat’s Boon Tat Street for the nightly satay lane. Then cap the night with a small-group river cruise and the city’s two signature light shows—Spectra at Marina Bay and Garden Rhapsody at Supertree Grove.

Featured experience: Singapore River Cruise with Spectra & Garden Rhapsody Light Show

Nightcap: Sip a signature Singapore Sling at the Long Bar or head to Jigger & Pony for refined cocktails; if you prefer grandeur, Atlas pours gin in an Art Deco cathedral.

Day 2: Heritage to High-Tech — Chinatown, Kampong Glam, and Gardens by the Bay

Morning: Start in Chinatown. Visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple (rooftop lotus garden) and the Thian Hock Keng temple, then browse traditional medicine halls and tea shops. Breakfast at Chin Mee Chin (retro pastries) or Nylon Coffee Roasters for third-wave brews.

Midday food deep-dive: Join a guided tasting that weaves through Michelin-listed stalls and beloved hawkers—think soy sauce chicken rice, laksa, and char kway teow—while learning the backstories behind the recipes and the people who cook them.

Featured experience: Small Group: Michelin and Local Hawker Food Tour

Afternoon: Explore Kampong Glam—the golden-domed Sultan Mosque anchors a neighborhood of Malay heritage, Middle Eastern eateries, and indie fashion along Haji Lane. Cool off with pistachio gelato at Brotherbird or Turkish coffee on Arab Street.

Evening: Head to Gardens by the Bay. Time your walk along the elevated OCBC Skyway for sunset views sweeping over Marina Bay, then descend for the Garden Rhapsody light-and-music show among the Supertrees. Dine nearby at Satay by the Bay (grilled prawns, satay, sugarcane juice) or treat yourself to coastal Italian at Art di Daniele Sperindio in the National Gallery before the show.

Featured entry: Singapore OCBC Skyway Flower dome Cloud Forest Garden by the Bay

Day 3: Sentosa Escape — Beaches, Aquarium, and a Sunset Sail

Morning: Make for Sentosa Island. Begin at Siloso or Palawan Beach for a swim; stroll the Fort Siloso Skywalk for treetop sea views and WWII history. Coffee at Le Faubourg (French pastries) or Tanjong Beach Club for a lazy beachside brunch.

Afternoon: Visit S.E.A. Aquarium to stand before the Open Ocean Habitat, then browse Quayside Isle at Sentosa Cove. Families can opt for zip-lining at Mega Adventure or indoor skydiving at iFly. Lunch ideas: Malaysian Food Street for Penang char koay teow or Trapizza for kid-friendly pizzas steps from the sand.

Evening: Board a classic tall ship for a sunset cruise off Singapore’s southern isles, complete with a multi-course dinner—an unforgettable way to see the skyline ignite after dusk.

Featured experience: Royal Albatross - Sunset Sail Cruise with 5-Course Seated Dinner

Night: Back on the mainland, head to CE LA VI or Spago Bar & Lounge for sky-high cocktails, or keep it laid-back with craft beers at Little Creatures in Club Street.

Day 4: Gardens and Neighborhoods — Botanic Bliss and Little India (Departure Afternoon)

Morning: Rise early for the Singapore Botanic Gardens (UNESCO World Heritage), wandering the National Orchid Garden’s rainbow of hybrids. Brunch at The Halia inside the gardens or Atlas Coffeehouse on nearby Bukit Timah.

Late morning: Dive into Little India: the technicolor House of Tan Teng Niah, jasmine garlands along Serangoon Road, and spice shops near Tekka Centre. Lunch on a banana leaf at The Banana Leaf Apolo (fish head curry) or go vegetarian at Komala Vilas for dosa and thali.

Afternoon (departure): Collect your bags and set course for Changi. If you have a spare hour, pop into Jewel for the Rain Vortex view and last-minute snacks (pandan cake, bak kwa). Aim to arrive at the airport 2–3 hours before your flight; check fares or changes on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Optional Add-Ons (swap into any day if they suit you better)

• Private city tour by car to hit multiple districts efficiently, ideal in hot weather.
• National Gallery Singapore to see Southeast Asia’s largest public collection of modern art inside two national monuments.
• Peranakan Museum for a vivid look at Straits Chinese culture—beadwork, ceramics, and family histories.

Where to Eat & Drink (bookmark-worthy picks)

• Hawker centers: Maxwell Food Centre (Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice), Chinatown Complex Food Centre (Lian He Ben Ji claypot rice), Amoy Street Food Centre (A Noodle Story), and Tiong Bahru Market (chwee kueh).
• Restaurants: Candlenut (elegant Peranakan), Burnt Ends (modern Australian BBQ), Humpback (seafood and oysters), Hjh Maimunah (kampung-style Malay).
• Cafés: Common Man Coffee Roasters, % Arabica (Arab Street), Tiong Bahru Bakery (kouign-amann).
• Bars: Atlas, Native (foraged local ingredients), MO Bar (creative, Asia-inspired cocktails).

What You’ll Book in Advance

• Flights: Compare on Trip.com, Kiwi.com, and if coming from Europe, Omio.
• Hotels: Reserve Marina Bay Sands, Shangri-La Hotel, or browse Hotels.com Singapore and VRBO.
• Tours & tickets: River cruise and light shows, food tour, Gardens by the Bay OCBC Skyway, and the Royal Albatross dinner sail:
  • River Cruise + Spectra & Garden Rhapsody
  • Michelin & Local Hawker Food Tour
  • OCBC Skyway Entry
  • Royal Albatross Sunset Dinner Cruise

With sky-grazing gardens, a waterfront skyline, and some of Asia’s most exciting food, Singapore packs a lot into four days. This itinerary balances heritage neighborhoods with modern icons and time on the water, leaving space for serendipitous snacks and sunset views. Safe, efficient, and endlessly tasty—Singapore is a city you’ll want to revisit.