Singapore is a city-state that punches far above its size. Founded as a British trading post in 1819 and independent since 1965, it is a fusion of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Eurasian cultures with a modern skyline, lush tropical parks, and meticulous urban planning. It’s nicknamed the Lion City, a nod to the legend of Sang Nila Utama, and its efficiency makes it a traveler’s dream.

Expect world-class attractions—Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands, the UNESCO-listed Botanic Gardens—alongside living heritage in Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam. Food is a national obsession: from chili crab and kaya toast to Hainanese chicken rice, some of the best meals happen in hawker centers.

Practical notes: English is widely spoken, tap water is safe to drink, and the MRT is clean and fast (use contactless payment on gates). Singapore is tropical year-round; plan for humidity and brief showers. Laws on littering, smoking in public areas, and drugs are strict—be mindful.

Singapore

Singapore dazzles with its Marina Bay skyline by night and jungle-green parks by day. Neighborhoods tell the city’s story: the gold-domed Sultan Mosque in Kampong Glam; spice-scented Little India; and shophouse-lined Chinatown. Balance your days between polished icons and intimate local gems.

• Top sights: Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore Botanic Gardens (UNESCO), National Gallery, Southern Ridges, Sentosa Island.
• Neighborhoods to wander: Joo Chiat/Katong (Peranakan heritage), Tiong Bahru (Art Deco, indie cafes), Arab Street/Haji Lane (textiles, street art, boutiques).
• Food to chase: Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, satay, roti prata, Peranakan classics, seafood (chili crab, black pepper crab).

Where to stay (curated picks):

• Showstopper: Marina Bay Sands — sky-high infinity pool vibes and unbeatable views. Book via Hotels.com.
• Resort by the sea: Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa — ideal for families and beach access. Book via Hotels.com.
• Urban oasis: Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore — lush gardens just off Orchard Road. Book via Hotels.com.
• Value with a view: Hotel Boss — central and convenient for MRT connections. Book via Hotels.com.
• Budget in the thick of it: Hotel 81 Chinatown — steps from hawker heaven and heritage streets. Book via Hotels.com.

Browse more stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.

How to get here: Fly into award-winning Changi Airport. From major Asian hubs, flights are ~1–4 hours; from Australia ~5–8 hours; from the Middle East ~7–8 hours; from the US West Coast ~17–20 hours (usually 1 stop). Search fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Airport to city: The MRT runs from Changi to town (~35–45 minutes, a few SGD). Taxis/ride-hailing take ~20–30 minutes (~SGD 20–35) depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrival, Marina Bay Promenade, River Cruise & Light Shows

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs along the waterfront: Merlion Park, Fullerton, and the lotus-shaped ArtScience Museum make great first photos. Coffee stop ideas: Nylon Coffee Roasters (roastery-style, rich espressos) or The Providore Downtown for cold brew and a light bite.

Evening: Head to Lau Pa Sat for skewers on the famous Satay Street (charcoal-grilled satay with peanut sauce; try chicken, beef, and prawn). For a night of sparkle, join this small-group experience that pairs a Singapore River Cruise with both light shows:

Singapore River Cruise and 2 Must-see Water Light Shows

Nightcap options with views: LeVeL33 (rooftop craft brewery, try the IPA with skyline panoramas) or CÉ LA VI for cocktails under the stars.

Day 2: City Overview by Open-Top Bus, Chinatown Flavors, Historic Quays

Morning: Breakfast near Chinatown at Tong Ah Eating House (kaya toast, soft-boiled eggs, kopi) or Common Man Coffee Roasters (hearty sourdough, specialty coffee). Then hop on the classic open-top loop for an easy orientation across Marina Bay, Orchard, and heritage districts:

Big Bus Singapore Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

Afternoon: Alight in Chinatown. Explore Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple, and shophouse lanes like Telok Ayer. Lunch at Maxwell Food Centre: Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice (silky poached chicken; iconic) and Zhen Zhen Porridge (comforting congee). Coffee break at Nanyang Old Coffee for a traditional kopi-o.

Evening: Stroll Clarke Quay and Boat Quay at dusk. Dinner ideas: Jumbo Seafood (Riverside Point) for chili crab and fried mantou; or Keng Eng Kee Seafood (Alexandra) for coffee pork ribs and moonlight hor fun. Post-dinner drinks: Native (foraged ingredients, Singaporean spirits) or Jigger & Pony (classic cocktails, ranked among Asia’s best bars).

Day 3: Kampong Glam, Little India, and a UNESCO Hawker Culture Tour

Morning: Start in Kampong Glam. Gaze up at Sultan Mosque, browse textile shops along Arab Street, and snap street art on Haji Lane. Breakfast at Tolido’s Espresso Nook (pandan pancakes, solid flat whites) or Symmetry (Aussie-style brunch with a garden courtyard).

Afternoon: MRT to Little India. Visit Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple and shop the Tekka Market produce hall. Lunch ideas: Zam Zam (legendary murtabak and biryani across from Sultan Mosque if you loop back) or Komala Vilas (South Indian vegetarian thali, dosa).

Evening: Dive into a guided tasting dedicated to Singapore’s UNESCO-listed hawker culture—history, etiquette, and a greatest-hits menu in Chinatown:

UNESCO Hawker Culture: Chinatown Food Tasting Tour

After, grab dessert at Chinatown Complex (peanut tang yuan or grass jelly) or head to Ann Siang Hill for a mellow wine bar or speakeasy-style cocktail.

Day 4: Botanic Gardens, Southern Ridges, and Night Safari

Morning: Wander the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a serene UNESCO World Heritage Site. Don’t miss the National Orchid Garden’s themed houses. Breakfast nearby: Tiong Bahru Bakery (almond croissant, kouign-amann) at its Tanglin outpost or The Halia inside the gardens for ginger-focused dishes.

Afternoon: Walk a slice of the Southern Ridges from HortPark toward Henderson Waves, a sculptural bridge with canopy views. Late lunch at Dempsey Hill: Candlenut (Michelin-star Peranakan; book ahead) or PS.Cafe (truffle fries, leafy ambience).

Evening: Experience the world’s original nocturnal wildlife park with transfers handled for you:

Night Safari Tour with Transfer

Eat early near Mandai (Mandai Wildlife West has quick local bites), or detour via Upper Thomson for prata at The Roti Prata House or zi char at Ban Leong Wah Hoe Seafood.

Day 5: Sentosa Island Playday (Beaches, Aquarium, and Sunset)

Morning: Breakfast at VivoCity (synonymous with pre-Sentosa fuel—grab kaya toast or pastries). Take the cable car or Sentosa Express. Choose your adventure: S.E.A. Aquarium for manta rays and shipwreck galleries, or Adventure Cove Waterpark for lazy rivers and slides.

Afternoon: Beach time at Palawan or Tanjong. Lunch at Good Old Days Food Court (hawker-style plates near Beach Station) or Ola Beach Club (Hawaiian-inspired bites, paddleboards). If you prefer thrills, opt for Universal Studios Singapore and focus on marquee rides like Battlestar Galactica and Revenge of the Mummy.

Evening: Stay for Wings of Time (outdoor light-and-water spectacle). Dinner on-island: FOC Sentosa (Mediterranean plates, sea views) or Rumours Beach Club (Indo-Balinese grill, feet-in-sand vibes). Return to the city for gelato at Birds of Paradise (botanical flavors such as white chrysanthemum).

Day 6: Peranakan Heritage in Joo Chiat/Katong + East Coast Park

Morning: Explore pastel shophouses on Koon Seng Road and browse indie boutiques on Joo Chiat Road. Breakfast at Chin Mee Chin Confectionery (traditional buns, kaya, and kopi) or Micro Bakery (sourdough toasts, seasonal jams).

Afternoon: Taste Peranakan flavors at Guan Hoe Soon (ayam buah keluak) or Violet Oon Katong (dry laksa, kuehs). Then rent bikes and cruise East Coast Park’s seaside path. Snack stops: 328 Katong Laksa (spoon-only, coconut-rich broth) and Nine Fresh (Taiwanese-style desserts) if you fancy something cool.

Evening: Seafood feast by the shore: Long Beach or Jumbo Seafood (East Coast) for iconic chili crab, black pepper crab, and cereal prawns. For a breezy drink, Coastes on Siloso Beach or a return to town for rooftop views around Marina Bay.

Day 7: Gardens by the Bay Finale, Orchard Shopping, Departure

Morning: Cap your trip with Gardens by the Bay. Wander the Cloud Forest’s misty falls and the Flower Dome’s rotating floral displays. Walk the Supertree Grove and time your photos when the crowds thin.

Afternoon: Lunch at Satay by the Bay (stingray, satay, sugarcane juice) or Majestic Bay (dim sum by the water). If time allows, pop to Orchard Road for last-minute shopping at Design Orchard and the big-name malls. Transfer to Changi for your afternoon departure.

Evening: (If you have a late flight) Detour to Jewel Changi’s Rain Vortex for a final rainforest-meets-architecture moment. Grab a final kopi and pineapple tarts for the road.

Practical Eating & Coffee Shortlist

• Hawker centers to prioritize: Maxwell Food Centre, Amoy Street Food Centre, Tiong Bahru Market, Old Airport Road Food Centre, Newton Food Centre.
• Signature dishes to target: Hainanese chicken rice (Tian Tian), laksa (328 Katong), bak chor mee (Hill Street Tai Hwa), satay (Lau Pa Sat), roti prata (The Roti Prata House), Peranakan plates (Candlenut, Violet Oon).
• Cafes worth a detour: Nylon Coffee Roasters, Common Man Coffee Roasters, Tiong Bahru Bakery, Tolido’s Espresso Nook, Chye Seng Huat Hardware.

Getting Around

The MRT is fast and intuitive; use contactless bank cards at gates. Taxis and ride-hailing are plentiful and affordable for short hops (SGD ~8–18 across most inner-city rides). For flight planning and schedules, compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Optional Upgrades & Alternatives

If you’re after more viewpoints, consider the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, or swap in the National Gallery for art and rooftop cocktails at Smoke & Mirrors. Nature lovers can trade an urban afternoon for MacRitchie Reservoir’s boardwalks and (time permitting) the TreeTop Walk.

Viator Experiences Used in This Itinerary

• Singapore River Cruise and 2 Must-see Water Light Shows
• Big Bus Singapore Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
• UNESCO Hawker Culture: Chinatown Food Tasting Tour
• Night Safari Tour with Transfer

Seven days in Singapore lets you taste its many layers—skyline icons, living heritage, and nature threaded through a modern metropolis. With this plan, you’ll eat brilliantly, see widely, and leave with both big-ticket highlights and small, delicious memories.