7 Days in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Bali: A Southeast Asia City-Hop Itinerary

Glide from Singapore’s skyline and hawker centers to Kuala Lumpur’s temples and towers, then wind down among Ubud’s emerald rice terraces. A fast-paced, flavorful 7-day itinerary with culture, street food, and nature.
Dazzling view of the Singapore cityscape with Merlion and illuminated skyscrapers at night.
Photo by Kin Pastor on Pexels

Three countries. One week. This Southeast Asia itinerary blends Singapore’s futuristic skyline and hawker culture, Malaysia’s vibrant capital with its Islamic, Chinese, and Indian heritage, and Indonesia’s Ubud—Bali’s spiritual heart ringed by rice terraces and temples. Expect efficient travel, big flavors, and photogenic moments at every turn.


Historically, these ports and crossroads shaped spice routes and modern nation-states. Today, they offer soaring architecture like Singapore’s Supertrees and the Petronas Twin Towers, alongside centuries-old shrines from Batu Caves to Tirta Empul. Street food is the common language: satay smoke, nasi lemak’s coconut perfume, Bali’s babi guling crackle.

Practical notes: Fly short hops between cities to maximize time; book key tickets in advance. Dress modestly for temples and caves, and carry cash for markets. The region’s cuisines can be spicy; start mild and work up. Hydrate, use sun protection, and plan evenings outdoors—tropical nights here are a spectacle.

Singapore

Once a colonial trading post, Singapore reinvented itself as a garden city with a taste for innovation. Wander from shophouse districts to cooled conservatories, then watch Marina Bay’s nightly water-and-light performances mirror off the bay.

Top hits include Gardens by the Bay (Cloud Forest’s indoor waterfall still stuns), the Singapore River quays, and hawker centers where Michelin lauds stalls as readily as white-tablecloth temples. Neighborhood-hopping—Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam—reveals the city’s multicultural rhythm.

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur pairs bold modernism with timeworn charm: the Twin Towers gleam above kopitiams pouring thick kopi and heritage shophouses. It’s a city of contrasts—Batu Caves’ 272 rainbow steps and limestone caverns sit a train ride from glass-and-steel boulevards.


Food is a highlight. From Jalan Alor’s smoky skewers and char kway teow to nasi lemak wrapped in banana leaf, your days orbit meals. Museums, mosques, temples, and markets fill the gaps in delicious fashion.

Ubud (Bali)

Ubud feels like a different tempo: morning mist over paddies, temple bells, and galleries lining leafy streets. It’s Bali’s creative center, where artisans, dance, and cuisine meet jungle valleys and river gorges.

Expect temples like Tirta Empul, the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, craft villages (Mas for woodcarving, Celuk for silver), and cafes that make long breakfasts an art form.

Day 1 — Singapore Arrival, Marina Bay & River Lights

Afternoon: Arrive in Singapore and check in. Shake off the flight with a stroll around the Civic District—see the National Gallery’s neoclassical façade and the riverside warehouses of Boat Quay. Coffee fix at Common Man Coffee Roasters (nutty flat whites, hearty brunch plates) if you need a lift.

Evening: Ease into the city with an all-in-one night sampler—river cruise, Supertree light show, and Spectra at the bay.


  • Singapore Starry Night: Cruise, Garden Rhapsody & Spectra
    Singapore Starry Night : Cruise, Garden Rhapsody & Spectra on Viator
    Expect a narrated cruise past Clarke Quay and the Merlion, then the Supertrees’ Garden Rhapsody and the Spectra light-and-water show at Marina Bay. Ideal first-night orientation.

Dinner: Lau Pa Sat’s Satay Street (skewers 7–10 for a set, peanut sauce and cucumber relish) or Din Tai Fung at MBS if you crave dumplings. Nightcap views from the Marina Bay waterfront.

Day 2 — Singapore’s Neighborhoods, Temples, and Hawker Culture

Morning: Chinatown warm-up: Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple, and the wet market. Breakfast options: Ya Kun Kaya Toast (coconut jam and butter on charcoal toast) or Tiong Bahru Bakery (kouign-amann, excellent coffee).

Afternoon: Join a local-led culture-and-food experience that threads together China, Indian, and Malay quarters by public transit—great for context and insider bites.

Evening: Dinner at Maxwell Food Centre: Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice (silky poached chicken, ginger-scallion magic), Zhen Zhen porridge, and BBQ stingray. For a sleek cocktail, Atlas Bar’s art deco room is a showstopper.

Day 3 — Gardens by the Bay, Art, and Night Safari

Morning: Beat the crowds at Gardens by the Bay’s conservatories. Cloud Forest’s indoor waterfall and the new Cloud Forest avatar-inspired exhibits are ethereal; Flower Dome rotates seasonal themes. Add the OCBC Skyway walk for treetop views.


Afternoon: Choose one: National Gallery Singapore (Southeast Asian modernists in a stunning space) or Sentosa’s southern beaches for a quick vitamin-sea fix. Lunch nearby: Hawker Chan (soy sauce chicken rice; Michelin-lauded) or Candlenut for refined Peranakan flavors if you want a splurge lunch.

Evening: Head to the world’s original nocturnal zoo for a tram ride past free-roaming wildlife, then walking trails under the stars.

Dinner (pre- or post-safari): Tekka Centre in Little India (biryani, roti canai, teh tarik) or Old Airport Road Food Centre for char kway teow.

Day 4 — Fly to Kuala Lumpur, Batu Caves, and Night Market

Morning: Fly Singapore to Kuala Lumpur (~1 hr). Book early morning departures to maximize the day: compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Check in, then grab kopi and kaya at VCR or Merchant’s Lane (cafe-in-a-shophouse vibes).

Afternoon: Head to Batu Caves for rainbow stairways and cavern shrines; learn about Hindu traditions and limestone geology.


Evening: Feast at Jalan Alor Night Market—grilled stingray, satay, Hokkien mee, and mango sticky rice. For seated dining, Hakka Restaurant KL serves big-plate classics in a leafy courtyard; Old China Café offers Peranakan staples in a time-capsule interior.

Day 5 — KL Icons: Petronas, Heritage Core, and KL Flavors

Morning: Visit the Petronas Twin Towers. Time slots sell out; pre-book observation deck and Skybridge for skyline panoramas.

Lunch: Yut Kee (since 1928; Hainanese pork chop, roti babi) or Soong Kee (beef ball noodles). Coffee at Artisan or Feeka.

Afternoon: Explore Merdeka Square, Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Masjid Jamek’s Mughal spires, and Central Market for handicrafts.

Evening: Join a small-group food tour to navigate KL’s Malay, Chinese, and Indian bites with a pro—15+ tastings is a full dinner.


Optional nightcap: Petaling Street night market for souvenirs, or rooftop views near KLCC Park.

Day 6 — Fly to Bali (Denpasar), Transfer to Ubud, Forest & Crafts

Morning: Fly KUL→DPS. Search options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Arrange a driver to Ubud (1–1.5 hrs). Check in and refuel at Seniman Coffee Studio (house roastery, flight tastings) or KAFE (plant-forward bowls, smoothies).

Afternoon: Stroll Ubud Monkey Forest (watch your sunglasses), then browse artisan boutiques along Jalan Hanoman and the Ubud Art Market. If energy allows, visit Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) for 11th-century carvings.

Evening: Dinner at Bebek Bengil (crispy duck with sambal and rice in garden pavilions) or Casa Luna (Balinese dishes and excellent desserts). Catch a traditional dance at Pura Dalem if scheduled (check times day-of).

Day 7 — Ubud Rice Terraces & Holy Springs, Depart

Morning: Sunrise at Tegallalang Rice Terrace for terraces in soft light; continue to Tirta Empul for a temple walk (bring a sarong; purification is optional). Coffee stop at a small roastery en route, or brunch at Alchemy (raw treats) before packing.


Afternoon: Depart for DPS airport. Aim to leave Ubud 4 hours before flight time to cushion traffic and check-in. If you prefer a guided wrap-up, consider a customizable Ubud highlights tour that can be condensed to your timing.

  • All-Inclusive Ubud Private Tour
    All-Inclusive Ubud Private Tour on Viator
    Ask to prioritize Tegallalang, Tirta Empul, and a waterfall, with an airport drop-off.

Where to Eat & Drink: Quick Picks

  • Singapore: Maxwell Food Centre (Tian Tian, Zhen Zhen), Chinatown Complex (oyster cake, claypot rice), Tekka Centre (biryani, thosai), Jumbo Seafood (black pepper crab), Common Man Coffee Roasters, % Arabica at MBS, Tiong Bahru Bakery.
  • Kuala Lumpur: Jalan Alor Night Market, Village Park Nasi Lemak (coconut rice, sambal, fried chicken), Yut Kee (Hainanese classics), Hakka Restaurant KL, Old China Café, VCR (specialty coffee), Merchant’s Lane (Brigade Road-chic).
  • Ubud: Seniman Coffee Studio, KAFE, Alchemy, Bebek Bengil (crispy duck), Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka (roast pork feast), Copper Kitchen & Bar (rooftop Indonesian-inspired plates), Casa Luna.

Getting Around & Booking Tips

  • Flights: For all intra-Asia hops, compare fares and times on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
  • Trains/Buses: In Malaysia, intercity trains and buses are options, but for this 7-day plan, flying saves time. For Asia rail research, see Trip.com Trains.
  • Money & SIMs: Card acceptance is excellent in Singapore/KL and common in Bali tourist areas; carry small cash for markets and temples. Airport SIM kiosks are quick; eSIMs are widely supported.

In one week you’ll sample three distinct rhythms: ultramodern Singapore, flavorful and multi-faith Kuala Lumpur, and Ubud’s serene, temple-dotted highlands. Short flights keep the focus on food, culture, and unforgettable views—exactly what Southeast Asia does best.

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