Singapore is a city-state with big stories: a 14th-century trading outpost, a British colonial port, and since 1965, a fiercely modern nation known for clean streets, multicultural harmony, and a skyline that looks borrowed from science fiction. You’ll feel that ambition the moment you see Supertrees bloom with light or watch the city’s mirrored towers catch the sunset over Marina Bay.

Beyond the iconography lives a restless food capital. Order silky Hainanese chicken rice beside wok-fired char kway teow at a hawker center, then book a table for progressive Singaporean cuisine or Michelin-starred Peranakan cooking. Neighborhoods like Kampong Glam, Little India, Chinatown, and Joo Chiat tell the island’s story through temples, murals, and flavor.

Practical notes: the climate is tropical—hot, humid, with quick showers—so carry water and a light rain layer. Tap your contactless credit card to ride MRT and buses; English is widely spoken; and local etiquette is tidy and respectful. Reserve top restaurants and attractions ahead, especially on weekends and holidays.

Singapore

Compact yet endlessly layered, Singapore rewards slow exploration. Spend mornings in leafy gardens or by the sea, afternoons tracing historic districts and museums, and nights cruising the river or catching light shows beneath the Supertrees.

• Top sights: Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, Gardens by the Bay, National Gallery Singapore, Singapore Botanic Gardens (UNESCO), Southern Ridges & Henderson Waves, Sentosa (beaches and theme parks), and vibrant neighborhoods like Tiong Bahru, Kampong Glam, Little India, and Chinatown.
• Where to stay: Splashy views around Marina Bay, resort vibes on Sentosa, or heritage-rich stays near Chinatown and Bugis.
• Cafés and bars worth the detour: Common Man Coffee Roasters, Tiong Bahru Bakery, Nylon Coffee Roasters, and cocktails at Atlas, Jigger & Pony, Manhattan, Native, Smoke & Mirrors, and LeVeL33.

Hotels and vacation rentals: Browse stays on VRBO (Singapore) or Hotels.com (Singapore). Standouts include Marina Bay Sands (legendary rooftop infinity pool), Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore (lush urban resort near Orchard), Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa (beachfront on Sentosa), Hotel Boss (value pick near Kampong Glam), and Hotel 81 Chinatown (simple, central).

Getting there: Book flights to Changi with Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: 13–14 hours from London, 17–18 hours from US West Coast (or 20–24 hours with one stop), and 1–3 hours from regional hubs (Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta). The MRT from Changi to downtown takes ~30–40 minutes.

Day 1: Marina Bay Icons and Supertrees

Afternoon (arrival): Check in and freshen up. If you’re hungry, graze at Lau Pa Sat (try satay skewers on Boon Tat Street after 7pm), or sample pepper crab and Hokkien mee at Makansutra Gluttons Bay by the Esplanade. Coffee fix? Common Man Coffee Roasters pours excellent flat whites.

Late Afternoon: Head to Marina Bay Sands. Pre-book the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Observation Deck E-Ticket for sweeping views of the skyline, the Singapore Strait, and the Supertrees below.

Evening: Time your stroll for the Spectra light-and-water show at Marina Bay (usually 8pm and 9pm; check on the day). For a dazzling first-night orientation, join the Singapore River Cruise with Spectra & Garden Rhapsody Light Show: you’ll glide past the Merlion and colonial quays, then catch Supertrees dancing at Gardens by the Bay.

Day 2: Civic District, Chinatown, and Hawker Classics

Morning: Start with kaya toast and soft eggs at Ya Kun (classic) or Tong Ah (for kopi pulled the old way). Walk the Civic District: Padang, St. Andrew’s Cathedral, and the National Gallery Singapore (art of Southeast Asia inside a stunning former courthouse and city hall). Pause for pandan chiffon cake at Chin Mee Chin if you’re in the Katong mood later, or stay central with a pastry at Tiong Bahru Bakery (Raffles City outlet).

Afternoon: Dive into Chinatown’s flavors on the Small Group: Michelin and Local Hawker Food Tour. Expect bites like soy sauce chicken, char siew, and heritage desserts while learning hawker lore and stallholder stories.

Evening: Visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Sri Mariamman Temple before dinner at Maxwell Food Centre (Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice or Zhen Zhen porridge). For cocktails, try Atlas (grand art deco gin library—dress smart), or 28 HongKong Street (discreet, award-winning speakeasy). Late-night snack? Liao Fan Hawker Chan still draws queues for soy sauce chicken rice.

Day 3: Sentosa—Beaches, Rides, and Sunset Views

Morning: Ride the cable car from Mount Faber to Sentosa for skyline views. Choose your adventure: Universal Studios Singapore (movie rides), S.E.A. Aquarium (one of the region’s largest aquariums), or a relaxed beach day at Siloso, Palawan, or Tanjong Beach.

Afternoon: Lunch beachside at Coastes (casual pastas and seafood), FOC Sentosa (Mediterranean plates with a pool), or Tanjong Beach Club (modern coastal). If it’s hot, cool off at Adventure Cove Waterpark.

Evening: Return via VivoCity for local bites at Food Republic or head to Marina Bay’s LeVeL33, a sky-high craft brewery with killer terrace views and barley-fed pork schnitzel. Nightcap at Smoke & Mirrors atop the National Gallery with creative tipples overlooking the Bay.

Day 4: Gardens, Ridges, and Dempsey Hill Dining

Morning: Explore the Singapore Botanic Gardens (UNESCO) and the exquisite National Orchid Garden. Breakfast at Bee’s Knees (inside The Garage) for eggs and waffles under greenery, or at Atlas Coffeehouse (Duke’s Road) for ricotta pancakes and specialty brews.

Afternoon: Hike the Southern Ridges: start at Mount Faber, cross the sculptural Henderson Waves, and wander forest canopies toward Telok Blangah Hill. Art lovers can detour to Gillman Barracks for contemporary galleries.

Evening: Dine at Candlenut (Michelin-starred Peranakan; book ahead) in Dempsey, or try Open Farm Community for garden-to-table plates. Post-dinner, sip at Manhattan (classic hotel bar at Regent) or RedDot BrewHouse (Dempsey) for local ales under the trees.

Day 5: Kampong Glam, Haji Lane, and Little India

Morning: In Kampong Glam, admire the golden dome of the Sultan Mosque, browse batik shops and indie boutiques along Arab Street and Haji Lane. Breakfast ideas: % Arabica (single-origin coffee), Fika (Swedish meatballs and cinnamon buns), or Symmetry-style cafés in the area for eggs and shakshuka.

Afternoon: Walk or MRT to Little India: visit Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, spot the pastel Tan Teng Niah villa, and wander the spice-scented Tekka Centre hawker market. Lunch on banana-leaf curries at The Banana Leaf Apolo or vegetarian South Indian thali at Komala Vilas. Sweet end: kulfi or masala chai along Serangoon Road.

Evening: Shop late at Mustafa Centre (open long hours) or head toward Bugis for a refined drink at Atlas. Dinner near Bugis? Try Artichoke for playful Middle Eastern plates or stay local with nasi padang at Rumah Makan Minang (daytime best).

Day 6: Pulau Ubin Nature + Night Safari

Morning: Take a taxi to Changi Point Ferry Terminal for a bumboat to Pulau Ubin (cash fare, boats depart when full). Rent a bicycle and ride to Chek Jawa Wetlands for coastal boardwalks and mangroves; look for hornbills and mudskippers. It feels like stepping back to kampong days.

Afternoon: Seafood lunch on Ubin (simple zi char at Season Live Seafood) or back at Changi Village Hawker Centre (famed nasi lemak—fragrant coconut rice with sambal and crispy chicken). Return to town for a rest or a swim.

Evening: Meet the nocturnal crowd on the Night Safari Tour with Transfer. Ride the tram through themed zones, then walk trails to see leopards, owls, and slow lorises up close. Quick dinner options inside include Ulu Ulu Safari Restaurant with local favorites.

Day 7: Tiong Bahru Charms, Orchard Shopping, and Jewel Changi

Morning: Stroll Tiong Bahru, a pre-war art deco neighborhood. Breakfast at Tiong Bahru Bakery (kouign-amann, almond croissant) and coffee at Nylon Coffee Roasters. Pop into Woods in the Books (illustrated titles) and neighborhood grocers for edible souvenirs (local kaya, pineapple tarts).

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping on Orchard Road (ION, Ngee Ann City for bookstores and snacks), then head to Jewel Changi. Gaze at the HSBC Rain Vortex, wander Canopy Park, and choose lunch: Violet Oon Singapore (Peranakan specialties), Shake Shack, or local bites at Five Spice Food Court. Aim to arrive at your terminal 2–3 hours before departure.

Evening (departure): If time allows, one last taste: kopi and kaya toast in Jewel, or pick up bak kwa (barbecued pork jerky) and bak kwa crisps for the plane. Safe travels!

Practical Tips, Getting Around, and Booking

• Transport: Use contactless credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) on MRT and buses. Taxis and ride-hailing are easy; traffic is light outside peak hours.
• Weather: Hot and humid year-round; brief showers are common. Dress light, hydrate, and carry a compact umbrella.
• Cultural etiquette: Temples and mosques appreciate modest dress; remove shoes where required. Eating/drinking is not allowed on MRT trains.
• Book ahead: Popular restaurants (Candlenut, Labyrinth) and top attractions (SkyPark, Night Safari) fill up on weekends.
• Flights: Compare fares and schedules on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Regional hops often run $60–200 roundtrip; long-haul varies by season.
• Stays: For resort feels, pick Sentosa; for skyline drama, Marina Bay; for local life, Tiong Bahru/Chinatown. Compare options on VRBO and Hotels.com, or book standouts like Marina Bay Sands and Rasa Sentosa.

Optional add-ons if you have extra time: The Singapore River Cruise E-Tickets for a daytime ride, the Asian Civilisations Museum for regional art and history, and the Peranakan Museum to deepen your understanding of Straits Chinese culture.

Across seven days, you’ll taste Singapore’s layered heritage—temples to Supertrees, kampong paths to rooftop decks, hawker stalls to Michelin stars. Expect a city that never stops refining itself, yet still invites you to slow down for one more kopi and one more story.