Singapore is a city-state that marries centuries of multicultural heritage with dazzling modern design. From Peranakan shophouses and spice-scented temples to cloud forests under glass domes, this compact destination rewards slow, curious travel. You’ll taste Malay, Chinese, and Indian flavors (often in a single food court), stroll through lush gardens, and cruise the river past colonial bridges and neon-lit skyscrapers.

Founded in 1819 as a British trading post and independent since 1965, Singapore grew into a global hub without losing its kampong soul. Hawker centers—recently recognized by UNESCO—are the beating heart of daily life; crispy roti prata, Hainanese chicken rice, and chili crab are practically rites of passage. Tap water is safe, public transport is efficient, and cashless payment is widely accepted, making the city easy to navigate.

Expect year-round tropical heat (and occasional showers), so pack light, breathable clothing. Dress modestly when visiting places of worship, carry a reusable water bottle, and consider a light scarf for over-air-conditioned interiors. Reserve popular restaurants and attractions in advance on weekends and holidays.

Singapore

Compact, green, and endlessly inventive, Singapore is a playground for architecture lovers and food-obsessed travelers. You’ll hop between neighborhoods on the MRT—sleek Marina Bay, storied Chinatown, technicolor Little India, bohemian Kampong Glam, and breezy East Coast—each with its own flavors and rhythm.

• Top sights: Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, National Gallery, Singapore River quays, Singapore Botanic Gardens (UNESCO), Southern Ridges, Sentosa beaches.
• Food icons: Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, satay, kaya toast, chili crab, rojak, and kopi pulled the old-school way.
• Fun facts: Nearly half the island is green space; the famed “Supertrees” are living vertical gardens; hawker culture is protected heritage.

Where to stay (handpicked):

• Iconic splurge with infinity pool: Marina Bay Sands.
• Well-priced, central, family-friendly: Hotel Boss (near Kampong Glam).
• Resort escape on the beach: Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa (ideal for Sentosa days).
• Classic greenery and polished service: Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore (near Orchard).
• Budget in the thick of it: Hotel 81 Chinatown.

Browse more stays: Hotels.com Singapore | VRBO Singapore

Getting there: Fly into Changi (SIN). Nonstops from regional hubs (Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta) are ~1–2.5 hours; from Tokyo ~7 hours; Sydney ~8 hours; West Coast USA ~16–17 hours (often via one-stop). Typical roundtrip fares range from ~$120–$220 regionally and ~$700–$1,300 long-haul, depending on season. Search and compare on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights.

Featured experiences (book ahead):

• Singapore Guided Night Tour with 2 Light Shows & River Cruise

  

• Lion City Bike Tour of Singapore

  

• Singapore OCBC Skyway Flower dome Cloud Forest Garden by the Bay

  

• 5 hours Little India, Kampong Glam, Chinatown with 9 Food Tasting

  

Day 1: Arrival, Marina Bay Glow, River Cruise

Morning: Fly into SIN and transfer to your hotel. If you arrive early, drop bags and grab a classic kopi with kaya toast at Ya Kun (buttery toast with coconut jam) or have an elevated brunch at Common Man Coffee Roasters on Martin Road—think Turkish eggs and excellent flat whites.

Afternoon: Stretch your legs around the Civic District: the Padang, St. Andrew’s Cathedral, and National Gallery’s rooftop views. Walk the Helix Bridge to the ArtScience Museum’s lotus-shaped silhouette. Snack break at Rasapura Masters (The Shoppes) for laksa or prawn noodles, with air-con to recharge.

Evening: Kick off with a guided Singapore Night Tour with River Cruise and 2 Light Shows to see the skyline at its best and catch Spectra and Garden Rhapsody.

Post-tour dinner: Satay by the Bay (casual skewers, chili stingray, and sugarcane juice) or palm-fringed views at Palm Beach Seafood (One Fullerton) for chili crab.

Day 2: Chinatown, Singapore River, and Heritage Gems

Morning: Join the Lion City Bike Tour to cover early landmarks, murals, and backstreets at a relaxed pace.

Prefer to wander? Start at Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, then meander past shophouses on Keong Saik Road.

Afternoon: Feast at Maxwell Food Centre—Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice (iconic silky chicken), Zhen Zhen Porridge for comfort bowls, and Popiah at Rojak, Popiah & Cockle. Explore Telok Ayer’s clan houses and sip a hand-brew at Nylon Coffee Roasters in Everton Park.

Evening: Sunset stroll along Boat Quay and Clarke Quay. Dinner at Chinatown Complex Food Centre (endless stalls—try char kway teow or claypot rice) or modern Singaporean at Labyrinth (reservations essential) to experience hawker flavors reimagined. Nightcap at speakeasy-style The Old Man SG or an al fresco pint at Riverside Point.

Day 3: Gardens by the Bay and Marina Moments

Morning: Immerse in the cooled conservatories—Flower Dome’s seasonal blooms and Cloud Forest’s misty indoor mountain. Then glide along the OCBC Skyway between Supertrees for sweeping city views.

Afternoon: Lunch at Satay by the Bay (smoky satay and sambal stingray under palms). Shop or people-watch at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands; consider the SkyPark Observation Deck for a panorama. Coffee break at % Arabica (Marina Bay Sands) for single-origin espresso.

Evening: If you didn’t catch Spectra on Day 1, watch it from the Event Plaza. Dinner picks: Din Tai Fung (precise xiao long bao) or CUT by Wolfgang Puck for steaks. For something uniquely local, try Jumbo Seafood’s black pepper crab at Riverside Point.

Day 4: Sentosa Island—Beaches, Views, and Play

Morning: MRT to HarbourFront and Sentosa Express to beach stations. Start with the Skyline Luge and Skyride for breezy thrills. Prefer marine life? The S.E.A. Aquarium is one of Asia’s largest—sharks, manta rays, and immersive tunnels.

Afternoon: Beach time: Siloso for activity, Palawan for families, or Tanjong for calm. Lunch at Coastes (feet-in-the-sand burgers, pastas) or Tanjong Beach Club (seafood platters, relaxed resort vibe). Stroll the Fort Siloso Skywalk for WWII history and leafy views.

Evening: Consider staying for sundowners at FOC Sentosa (Mediterranean plates and cocktails) or head back to the mainland. Dinner at VivoCity’s Food Republic for a hawker sampler, then dessert gelato at Birds of Paradise (Jewel or East Coast branch if you’re nearby on another day).

Day 5: Little India, Kampong Glam, and a Guided Food Odyssey

Morning: Start in Little India: Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple’s vivid shrines, spices and jasmine garlands on Campbell Lane. Breakfast: roti prata with fish curry at Mr and Mrs Mohgan’s (crispy, paper-thin) or thosai at Komala Vilas for a vegetarian feast.

Afternoon: Move to Kampong Glam—Sultan Mosque’s golden dome, textile shops on Arab Street, and colorful Haji Lane boutiques. Refuel with nasi lemak at Rumah Makan Minang or Malay kueh at Rich & Good Cake Shop (famous swiss rolls). Dive deep with the 5-hour Little India, Kampong Glam, Chinatown Food Tour—nine tastings across three cultures, plus storytelling about the quarters.

Evening: Post-tour, wind down with Middle Eastern bites and mint tea on Bussorah Street or modern Mediterranean at Artichoke (creative riffs, courtyard seating). If you’re craving sweets, try kulfi or gulab jamun along Serangoon Road.

Day 6: Nature Day—Botanic Gardens and the Southern Ridges

Morning: Singapore Botanic Gardens (UNESCO) beckons with swan lakes and towering rain trees; the National Orchid Garden showcases hybrids named for diplomats and stars. Brunch at The Halia (ginger garden setting) or casual pizzas and local plates at Casa Verde.

Afternoon: Taxi or bus to the Southern Ridges. Walk from Mount Faber to Telok Blangah Hill and Henderson Waves, a sculptural pedestrian bridge with forest-canopy views. Coffee at Tiong Bahru Bakery Dempsey or Plain Vanilla at Yong Siak Street, then browse indie bookshops in art-deco Tiong Bahru.

Evening: Dine at Dempsey Hill: Candlenut (Michelin-star Peranakan—think buah keluak and kueh pie tee) or Jaan by Kirk Westaway for a British-influenced tasting menu with skyline views. For a grand cocktail setting, Atlas at Parkview Square pours art deco glamour and world-class gin.

Day 7: East Coast Flavors, Katong Heritage, and Jewel Changi

Morning: Rent bikes at East Coast Park and coast by the water under casuarina trees. Breakfast picnic: kaya buns and kopi from Marine Parade Food Centre. Alternatively, savor flaky curry puffs from Old Chang Kee and pandan chiffon cake from Bengawan Solo.

Afternoon: Explore Joo Chiat/Katong’s Peranakan shophouses and tiled five-foot ways. Eat your way down East Coast Road: 328 Katong Laksa (short noodles, spoon-only tradition), Kim Choo Kueh Chang (Nyonya rice dumplings), and Rumah Bebe (heritage snacks). Head to Jewel Changi early to see the Rain Vortex and wander Canopy Park before your flight.

Evening: Last Singapore dinner at Lau Pa Sat’s Satay Street (Boon Tat Street transforms nightly; order satay sets and lontong) or pepper crab at Long Beach (Dempsey/UDMC). If time allows, browse duty-free or unwind at an airport lounge; Jewel’s late-night ambiance makes goodbyes easier.

Practical Tips and Getting Around

• Transport: Use the MRT and buses (tap with contactless cards). Most inner-city rides are 10–25 minutes; cabs/ride-hailing are plentiful for late nights or rain.
• Etiquette: No eating on public transport; dress modestly in temples and mosques; keep an umbrella for sudden showers.
• Costs: Hawker meals $4–$8; coffee $2–$6; museum tickets $10–$30; taxis within town $8–$18 depending on distance/time.

Optional Add-ons for Another Day: National Museum and Asian Civilisations Museum for context; Singapore Zoo and River Wonders for families; a hop-on hop-off city loop for quick orientation; day-trip across the causeway to Johor Bahru for bargain eats and malls.

In one week, you’ll sample three cultures in hawker form, wander futuristic gardens, slip away to Sentosa’s beaches, and watch the skyline shimmer from the river. Singapore’s greatest magic is how easily it lets you do everything—eat, learn, stroll, and rest—in a single, sparkling day.