Singapore is a city-state that rose from a trading outpost in 1819 to one of the world’s most innovative hubs. Walk from British-colonial landmarks to soaring supertrees in minutes, then sit down to a bowl of laksa perfected over generations. It’s a place where street food earns Michelin recognition and where cutting-edge design coexists with kampong memories.

Expect efficient public transport, immaculate streets, and a thriving multicultural tapestry shaped by Chinese, Malay, Indian, Peranakan, and Eurasian communities. English is widely spoken, and safety standards are high. Do note local regulations: no smoking in most indoor/outdoor public spaces, no eating on the MRT, and gum sales are restricted.

Come hungry. Hawker culture is UNESCO-recognized, and neighborhoods pulse with flavor—Chinatown for claypot and roast meats, Little India for spice-laden curries, Kampong Glam for Arab Street vibes, and Tiong Bahru for indie cafes. This 7-day itinerary balances icons like Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands with local markets, hidden corners, and breezy seaside moments.

Singapore

Compact, green, and endlessly photogenic, Singapore rewards both planners and wanderers. Marina Bay glitters after dark; heritage enclaves like Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam hum with temples, mosques, and markets. Sentosa Island brings beach time and family attractions, while trails like the Southern Ridges link city and rainforest in an urban oasis.

Top highlights include Gardens by the Bay’s Cloud Forest, the Merlion and Esplanade, the National Gallery, vibrant hawker centres (Maxwell, Lau Pa Sat, Newton), and the renowned Night Safari. Coffee culture thrives—expect roaster-driven espresso bars alongside traditional kopi toasts.

• Stay: For skyline drama, consider Marina Bay or the Civic District. For hip cafes, Tiong Bahru. For family resorts, Sentosa. For budget and food, Bugis or Chinatown.
• Eat: Don’t miss Hainanese chicken rice, chili crab, laksa, satay, roti prata, and kaya toast. Sample hawker centers by day and mixology temples by night.
• Move: The MRT is fast, cheap (about S$1–2 per ride), and air-conditioned. Taxis and ride-hailing are plentiful. Walking is pleasant early or after sunset.

Where to book your stay:
- Browse vacation homes on VRBO Singapore.
- Compare hotels on Hotels.com Singapore.

• Iconic splurge: Marina Bay Sands—infinity pool views and direct access to shopping and the Bay.
• Serene luxury: Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore—lush city retreat with excellent service.
• Beach resort: Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa—family-friendly on Sentosa.
• Mid-range hub: Hotel Boss—near Kampong Glam with a pool.
• Budget in the action: Hotel 81 Chinatown—simple rooms amid markets and temples.

Getting to Singapore: Fly into Changi (SIN). Search flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: ~8 hrs from Sydney, ~4 hrs from Hong Kong, ~14–17 hrs (1 stop) from Los Angeles. From Changi, the MRT to town takes ~35–45 minutes; taxi is ~20–30 minutes depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrival, Marina Bay Welcome, Spectra Lights

Morning: Fly into SIN. If arriving early, freshen up and grab kopi with kaya toast at Ya Kun (smooth kaya coconut jam on toast with soft-boiled eggs) or try a flat white at % Arabica in Jewel.

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs along Marina Bay. Stop by the Merlion, the Esplanade (“durian” domes), and the Helix Bridge for skyline views. Snack break: at Satay by the Bay, order grilled satay and sugarcane juice amid garden breezes.

Evening: Ease into the city with a night river-and-light experience. Join Singapore: River Cruise, 2 Spectra & Garden Rhapsody Light Shows for a guided small-group evening that includes the bay’s Spectra show and Supertrees’ Garden Rhapsody.

Post-show supper: Head to Makansutra sibling stalls around the bay have shifted, so opt for nearby late-night bites at Glove Club Street area bars or grab chili crab at Jumbo Seafood (Riverside) if you want your first feast with a view.

Day 2: Civic District by Bike, Chinatown Flavors and Cocktails

Morning: See the city’s story on two wheels with the Lion City Bike Tour of Singapore—a relaxed, licensed historical ride connecting the Civic District, riverside quays, and hidden murals.

Afternoon: Tuck into hawker classics at Maxwell Food Centre: try Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, Zhong Guo La Mian Xiao Long Bao, and fresh sugarcane. Explore Chinatown’s Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Thian Hock Keng, and the shophouses of Telok Ayer.

Evening: Dinner on Keong Saik Road: Kok Sen’s big wok Cantonese zi char (try prawn paste chicken and big prawn hor fun) or modern Chinese plates at CURE’s neighborhood peers. Cocktails after at Jigger & Pony (hotel lobby glam) or Native (foraging-inspired Southeast Asian spirits). Late dessert: traditional tong shui (sweet soups) at Mei Heong Yuen.

Day 3: Gardens by the Bay Icons, Art, and Sky Views

Morning: Enter Singapore’s eco-future at Gardens by the Bay with a skip-the-counter ticket: Gardens By The Bay Ticket (Cloud Forest & Flower Dome). Wander the misty mountain and seasonal floral displays; time your Supertree return for sunset if you want a second look later.

Afternoon: Lunch at Satay by the Bay (BBQ stingray, laksa, and ice kacang). Then cross to the ArtScience Museum or the National Gallery for Southeast Asian art. Coffee pick-me-up at % Arabica or The Coffee Academics at Marina Bay Link Mall.

Evening: Sunset at Marina Bay Sands SkyPark for panoramic photos. Dinner: black pepper or chili crab at Palm Beach Seafood or Mellben (hearty, peppery sauce), or go refined at Labyrinth (modern Singaporean tasting menu celebrating local farms). Stroll the Bay as the skyline mirrors the water.

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

Morning: Ride the Sentosa Express from VivoCity (or the cable car for views). Start at Fort Siloso Skywalk for coastal panoramas and WWII history. Beach option: Siloso or Palawan for soft sand and calm waters.

Afternoon: Choose your adventure: Universal Studios Singapore (movie-themed rides), Adventure Cove Waterpark (lazy river, snorkel reef), or the Skyline Luge & Skyride (family favorite). Lunch beachside at Coastes (casual pastas, burgers) or Tanjong Beach Club (Mediterranean plates, daybeds).

Evening: Freshen up and catch Wings of Time (lights, lasers, seawater screens) on the beach. Dinner at Quayside Isle (Mediterranean and Japanese with marina views) or return to VivoCity’s Food Republic for quick local bites (chicken rice, nasi lemak). Nightcap back in the city at 28 HongKong Street (speakeasy-style) or Atlas (Deco grandeur, gin temple).

Day 5: Kampong Glam and Little India + Night Safari

Morning: Breakfast near Haji Lane: Symmetry (Aussie brunch) or Konditori (Scandi-inspired bakes). Explore Kampong Glam—Sultan Mosque’s golden dome, Arab Street textiles, and street art around Haji Lane’s indie boutiques.

Afternoon: MRT to Little India. Visit the Indian Heritage Centre and Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple. Lunch at Tekka Centre: biryani, fish head curry, and masala dosa. Cool off with kulfi or mango lassi at Komala Vilas’ sweet counter.

Evening: Experience the world’s first nocturnal animal park with the Singapore: Night Safari Entry Ticket. Ride the tram through distinct habitats, then stroll the walking trails for shy nocturnal species.

Pre- or post-safari eats: The nearby Mandai area has casual bites, or head back to town for supper at Newton Food Centre (BBQ stingray, Hokkien mee, satay).

Day 6: Tiong Bahru Charms, Southern Ridges, and Modern Singaporean Dining

Morning: Start in Art Deco Tiong Bahru: Tiong Bahru Bakery (kouign-amann, sourdough) or Forty Hands (flat whites, hearty toasties). Browse indie bookstores and murals, then pop into the neighborhood market for tropical fruit and local breakfast sets.

Afternoon: Lace up for the Southern Ridges, a 10km green corridor linking Mount Faber, Telok Blangah Hill, and Kent Ridge Park. Don’t miss Henderson Waves—the undulating timber bridge with city-meets-jungle views. Late lunch at Alexandra Village Food Centre (avocado shake, rojak, charcoal-grilled satay).

Evening: Dinner on Dempsey Hill: Candlenut (Michelin-starred Peranakan—ngoh hiang, buah keluak), or Blu Kouzina for Greek under the trees. For something downtown, Cloudstreet and Burnt Ends (now Dempsey) deliver bold flavors and fire-led cooking. Finish with a Singapore Sling at Long Bar or inventive sips at Sago House.

Day 7: Peranakan Katong, East Coast Breezes, and Departure

Morning: Head to Katong/Joo Chiat for pastel shophouses and Peranakan heritage. Breakfast at Chin Mee Chin (kaya buns, old-school kopi) and try famous 328 Katong Laksa (short noodles eaten with a spoon). Stroll to heritage bakeries and tile shops.

Afternoon: Walk or cycle East Coast Park’s seaside path, then transfer to Changi early to marvel at Jewel’s Rain Vortex. Last-minute snacks: pandan chiffon cake, bak kwa, or pineapple tarts. Depart in the afternoon with easy airport formalities.

Evening: Flying late? Consider lounge time and a final meal before your flight. For flights, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com for real-time options and pricing.

Practical Bites & Sips (Daily Ideas)

• Breakfast/coffee: Nylon Coffee Roasters (Tanjong Pagar), Common Man Coffee Roasters (Robertson Quay), Tong Ah (kaya toast).
• Hawker hits: Lau Pa Sat (satay street at night), Old Airport Road (wanton mee, char kway teow), Amoy Street Food Centre (noodles, nasi lemak).
• Dinners worth planning: Odette (French-Asian artful plates), Restaurant Zen (contemporary tasting), Candlenut (Peranakan), Labyrinth (neo-Singaporean).
• Drinks: Atlas (Deco, gin), 28 HongKong Street (speakeasy), Tippling Club (avant-garde), No Sleep Club (café-to-cocktail).

Optional Add-On Tours (If you want a driver or bespoke evening)

If you prefer hands-off logistics or a customized route, consider a private night experience or driver-led exploration:

• Private Guided Night Tour: 2 Light Shows & Singapore River Cruise—door-to-door convenience with a local guide.

Seven days in Singapore let you taste dizzying variety—from hawker legends to Michelin dining, from jungle-canopy walks to sci‑fi gardens. With this plan, you’ll move smoothly between heritage quarters and neon nights, savoring the city’s many layers. You’ll leave already plotting a return—there’s always another bowl, another view, another story.