Singapore is a compact city-state with outsized personality. From 14th-century trading post to British colony to independent nation in 1965, it has evolved into a meticulously green, hyper-modern hub where Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Peranakan traditions meet cutting-edge design.

Expect contrasts at every turn: shophouse streets flowing into futuristic supertrees; quiet temples beside glass towers; humble hawker stalls next door to Michelin-lauded restaurants. It’s safe, efficient, and easy to navigate—ideal for a one-city trip that never feels repetitive.

Practical notes: tap credit card or mobile wallet on MRT and buses (SimplyGo) for cashless rides; English is widely spoken; dress light for the tropical heat and carry an umbrella for sudden showers. Respect local laws (no littering, no smoking in many public areas), and bring an appetite—food is a national sport.

Singapore

Welcome to a city where urban planning doubles as an art form. The skyline around Marina Bay Sands dazzles, but so do neighborhoods like Kampong Glam, Joo Chiat, and Tiong Bahru—with street art, indie boutiques, and breakfast spots that locals actually frequent.

Headliners include Gardens by the Bay, the UNESCO-listed Botanic Gardens, National Gallery Singapore, and the Mandai wildlife parks. Evenings shine with the Spectra light-and-water show at Marina Bay and Garden Rhapsody at Supertree Grove—both free, both spectacular.

Food anchors your week: chilli crab, laksa, chicken rice, satay, kaya toast, bak kut teh, and south Indian thosai. You’ll taste them at storied hawker centers and beloved old-school bakeries, then end nights at cocktail temples like Atlas or neighborhood bars along Keong Saik Road.

Where to stay (curated picks):

• Bucket-list icon with infinity pool: Marina Bay Sands.
• Great value near vibrant food streets: Hotel Boss (Lavender/Kampong Glam).
• Classic city sanctuary with lush grounds: Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore (near Orchard).
• Beachy resort vibe for Sentosa days: Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa.
• Budget in the thick of it: Hotel 81 Chinatown.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com Singapore or apartment-style options on VRBO Singapore.

Getting in and around:

• Flights: Compare fares to Changi (SIN) on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
• Airport to city: MRT takes ~30–40 minutes (about S$2–3). A taxi/ride-hail is ~20–25 minutes off-peak.
• Transport: Use MRT/bus with contactless cards; typical rides cost S$1.10–S$2.50. Taxis are plentiful late-night.

Day 1: Arrival, Civic District, and Marina Bay Glow

Morning: Fly to Singapore. Check flight deals on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Hydrate on the way—humidity greets you at the gate.

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs around the Civic District. Walk the Padang past the National Gallery’s neoclassical facade and the Singapore River’s historic quays. Coffee break at Chye Seng Huat Hardware (industrial-chic roastery) or Nylon Coffee Roasters (tiny, serious about beans).

Evening: Head to Marina Bay. Time your ascent for golden hour views with the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Observation Deck E‑Ticket.

Watch skyscrapers flicker on, then catch Spectra (nightly light-and-water show) along the bay. Dinner at Lau Pa Sat: queue for Satay Street (try Best Satay #8), then add hokkien mee or roti john inside the hall.

Day 2: Bike the City, Sultan’s Quarter, and Riverside Nightlife

Morning: Cover big highlights on two wheels with the Lion City Bike Tour of Singapore—a guided, easy-paced ride through the riverfront, Marina Bay, and heritage districts.

Fuel first with kaya toast and soft-boiled eggs at Ya Kun (try kopi c) or Killiney Kopitiam; both are quintessential Singapore breakfasts.

Afternoon: Dive into Kampong Glam. Admire the golden dome of Sultan Mosque, browse Haji Lane’s indie boutiques, and follow the scent of attar along Arab Street. Lunch ideas: Singapore Zam Zam for murtabak (beef or mutton), Hjh Maimunah for kampung-style Malay classics (beef rendang, lemak), or Tipo for fresh, halal handmade pasta.

Evening: Sunset stroll from Boat Quay to Clarke Quay, two historic riverfronts reborn as dining districts. Casual dinner at Song Fa Bak Kut Teh (peppery pork rib soup with youtiao), or dine riverside at Empress (modern Cantonese, great for sharing plates). Nightcap at Atlas (grand Art Deco, gin temple; smart dress) or Native (foraging-driven cocktails using regional ingredients).

Day 3: Chinatown Stories, Tiong Bahru Charm, and the Night Safari

Morning: Start at Maxwell Food Centre. Classics: Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice (tender poached chicken; light, ginger-forward dip), Fu Shun Shao La for roast meats, and Hum Jin Pang (fried dough fritters). Walk to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple (roof garden) and Thian Hock Keng, then explore Ann Siang Hill and Club Street’s shophouses.

Afternoon: Hop to Tiong Bahru, a 1930s estate with curving Art Deco blocks. Browse indie shelves at Woods in the Books, then coffee-hop to Tiong Bahru Bakery (kouign-amann), Forty Hands (flat whites), or Plain Vanilla (sea-salt caramel cupcakes). Lunch at Tiong Bahru Market: chwee kueh, lor mee, and Teochew fishball noodles.

Evening: Meet Singapore’s nocturnal side on the Night Safari Tour with Transfer—the world’s first night wildlife park, with tram routes through recreated habitats and walking trails for close encounters.

Eat early in town (Kok Sen on Keong Saik for zi char dishes like big prawn hor fun), or try Ulu Ulu Safari Restaurant before the showtime.

Day 4: Gardens by the Bay, Art & Architecture, and Keong Saik Eats

Morning: Immerse in Gardens by the Bay. Do Flower Dome for Mediterranean blooms, Cloud Forest for the misty waterfall and mountain, and time the OCBC Skyway for sweeping city views. Coffee at Hortus inside Flower Dome, or grab fresh juices at Supertree Food Hall.

Afternoon: Walk the Helix Bridge to the ArtScience Museum (rotating blockbuster exhibitions) or head to National Gallery Singapore to see Southeast Asian masterpieces inside the former Supreme Court and City Hall. Late snack: pandan chiffon cake at Bengawan Solo or ice kachang at nearby hawker stalls.

Evening: Dinner along Keong Saik Road. Choices span Burnt Ends (modern Australian barbecue; book well ahead), Cure (mod-Irish tasting), Kok Sen (old-school wok hei), and Thevar (Indian-inspired contemporary; Michelin-starred). End with Garden Rhapsody beneath the Supertrees if you missed it on Day 1.

Day 5: Sentosa Island—Beaches, Thrills, and “Wings of Time”

Morning: Ride the cable car from Mount Faber or HarbourFront to Sentosa for views over the port. Pick your adventure: Universal Studios Singapore (rides and shows), Skyline Luge (downhill fun for all ages), or a chilled beach morning at Palawan or Tanjong.

Afternoon: Lunch at Resorts World Sentosa (think Malaysian fare, noodles, dim sum), or beachside at Coastes (burgers, salads) or Ola Beach Club (Hawaiian plates). If you prefer aquariums, check the latest status for the marine attraction at Resorts World before you go; otherwise, try Madame Tussauds and the immersive boat ride.

Evening: Stay for “Wings of Time,” Sentosa’s outdoor night show on the water. For a relaxed finale, book a daybed at Tanjong Beach Club (sunset cocktails) or dine at Trapizza near Siloso for family-friendly Italian with surf views.

Day 6: Joo Chiat–Katong Heritage and East Coast Park

Morning: Explore Joo Chiat’s pastel Peranakan shophouses. Breakfast at Chin Mee Chin Confectionery (butter-kaya buns baked in-house) or the breezy 328 Katong Laksa (short-cut noodles, coconut-spicy broth). Drop by Kim Choo Kueh Chang for handmade Nyonya rice dumplings and a primer on Peranakan culture.

Afternoon: Rent bikes and cruise East Coast Park’s seaside path (flat, breezy, family-friendly). Refuel at East Coast Lagoon Food Village: try sambal stingray, satay bee hoon, or Hokkien mee. Alternatively, detour to the UNESCO-listed Singapore Botanic Gardens for rainforest trails and the National Orchid Garden.

Evening: Back in town, Dempsey Hill offers leafy dining: Candlenut (Peranakan tasting), Hathaway (modern local), or Long Beach for black pepper crab. Nightcap at Tippling Club or a low-key bar along Holland Village if you prefer a neighborhood vibe.

Day 7: Little India, Last-Minute Shopping, and Departure

Morning: Wake in Little India. Start with prata at Mr & Mrs Mohgan’s (crispy edges, fluffy center) or Komala Vilas for South Indian vegetarian thali. Visit Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple and the technicolor House of Tan Teng Niah for photos.

Afternoon: Swing by Orchard Road for gifts—Design Orchard for Singaporean labels, or food halls (ION, Ngee Ann City) for pineapple tarts and kaya. If time allows, head early to Changi to see Jewel’s Rain Vortex and grab one last kopi before your flight.

Evening: Flight home. If you’d like to end with a guided feast before you go, consider the Small Group: Michelin and Local Hawker Food Tour with 9 tastings in Chinatown—an expert-led dive into the hawker scene and its stories.

Then head to the airport with a full heart—and stomach.

Local Gems to Add (If You Have Extra Time)

• Southern Ridges: a 10km green corridor with the photogenic Henderson Waves bridge.
• Haw Par Villa: surreal open-air park of Chinese folklore dioramas.
• MacRitchie Reservoir: tree-top walk and jungle trails 20 minutes from town.

Optional Night Out: If you want one more illuminated evening on the bay, the Singapore Starry Night Cruise, Garden Rhapsody & Spectra Show weaves river views with both light shows for a photogenic finale.

Book for your free evening (Day 4 or 6) if that cadence suits you.

Seven days in Singapore lets you savor neighborhoods, not just monuments—cycling by the river, ducking into temples, and lingering over hawker classics between garden wanderings and beach sunsets. You’ll leave with a deeper sense of how history, design, and food culture shape daily life in the Lion City.