Singapore is a city-state where old shophouses meet futuristic “supertrees,” and where a morning temple visit can easily flow into a rooftop sunset. Founded as a British trading post in 1819 and now one of Asia’s greenest cities, it’s famously clean, safe, and efficient—ideal for both first-time visitors and seasoned travelers.

Food is the island’s heartbeat. Hawker centers bring Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Peranakan flavors under one roof—from silky Hainanese chicken rice to smoky satay and aromatic laksa. With English widely spoken, an easy-to-use MRT, and contactless payments accepted on transport, getting around and eating well couldn’t be simpler.

Expect tropical heat (carry water, sunscreen), modest dress inside temples, and strict rules on littering. Chewing gum sales are restricted, but the city’s rewards are sweet: sky-high views, biophilic gardens, and neighborhoods packed with color, culture, and coffee.

Singapore

Singapore dazzles with a skyline crowned by Marina Bay Sands, the luminous domes of Gardens by the Bay, and a waterfront that gleams after dark. Yet its soul lives in neighborhoods—Chinatown’s clan houses, Little India’s gold-flecked saris, Kampong Glam’s murals and mosques, and Joo Chiat’s pastel Peranakan terraces.

• Top sights: Marina Bay, Gardens by the Bay, National Gallery Singapore, Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, Sultan Mosque, Sentosa beaches, Pulau Ubin, Jewel Changi’s Rain Vortex.
• Essential experiences: Hawker center feasts, night-time light shows, a riverside cruise, and a moonlit Night Safari.
• Where to stay: Marina Bay (views and convenience), City Hall/Bugis (culture and museums), Chinatown/Tiong Bahru (character and food), Orchard (shopping), or Sentosa (resort vibe).

Book stays: Browse handpicked stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com—search by neighborhood for the vibe you want.

Getting there: Find flights to Changi on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From the airport, taxis to Marina Bay take ~20–30 minutes (~S$20–35), or ride the MRT (~30–40 minutes, ~S$1.50–2). Use contactless bank cards or a SimplyGo card on public transport.

Day 1: Arrival, Jewel Changi, and Marina Bay Glow

Morning: In transit. Aim to arrive by early afternoon to settle in and catch Singapore’s evening magic.

Afternoon: Land at Changi Airport and stroll Jewel’s Rain Vortex and indoor forest before heading to your hotel. Drop bags, freshen up, and take an easy promenade around the Civic District—Padang, Victoria Theatre, and the historic Fullerton building—so you shake off jet lag gently.

Evening: Watch the bay light up from above.

Pre-book the Marina Bay Sands Observation Deck E-Ticket and time your visit for sunset to see the skyline blush into night. Afterwards, dine alfresco at Satay by the Bay in Gardens by the Bay—order smoky satay, sambal stingray, and ice-cold sugarcane juice. Nightcap options: LeVeL33 (craft beers with a view) or Jigger & Pony (award-winning cocktails) back in the city.

Day 2: Civic District, Gardens by the Bay, and Night Lights by River

Morning: Coffee at Common Man Coffee Roasters (thick, juicy pancakes and serious espresso) or Tong Ah Eating House on Keong Saik for classic kaya toast and soft-boiled eggs. Explore National Gallery Singapore’s Southeast Asian collection in a beautifully restored colonial complex; grab a kopitiam-style kopi if you need a top-up.

Afternoon: Wander the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, then ascend the aerial walkway above the Supertrees:

Reserve the OCBC Skyway Entry Ticket for panoramic city-and-garden views. Lunch nearby: Satay by the Bay (laksa, prawn noodles), or head to Lau Pa Sat for charcoal-grilled satay and Hainanese chicken rice.

Evening: Let a guide handle the logistics of the two must-see light shows and a river cruise:

Join the Guided Night Tour with 2 Light Shows & River Cruise to catch Garden Rhapsody among the Supertrees and the Spectra show at Marina Bay, plus scenic views from the water. If you’re still peckish, detour to Makansutra-inspired stalls at Esplanade area or tuck into chili crab at Jumbo Seafood (Riverside Point).

Day 3: Chinatown Stories and Tiong Bahru Cool

Morning: Start at the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple (observe respectfully) and the Sri Mariamman Temple a short walk away, reflecting centuries of migration and faith. Breakfast at Maxwell Food Centre—Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice (arrive early), Zhen Zhen Porridge, and Jin Hua fish soup are local favorites.

Afternoon: Hop to Tiong Bahru, a pre-war Art Deco estate turned café-and-boutique enclave. Try Tiong Bahru Bakery’s kouign-amann or Plain Vanilla’s cupcakes, then browse indie bookstores and murals. Coffee people: Nylon Coffee Roasters pulls some of the city’s cleanest, sweetest shots.

Evening: Stroll Ann Siang Hill and Club Street’s shophouses, then dine at Burnt Ends (modern wood-fired, at Dempsey) or Restaurant Labyrinth (inventive Singaporean cuisine). Cocktails at Native (for foraged, regional flavors) or Atlas (gin palace grandeur) round out the night.

Day 4: Little India and Kampong Glam

Morning: Tekka Centre is breakfast paradise—prata with fish curry, thosai, nasi briyani. Visit Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple’s jewel-like interior, then thread through flower-garland stalls and sari shops on Serangoon Road.

Afternoon: Walk to Kampong Glam. Visit Sultan Mosque, then explore Haji Lane’s indie boutiques and street art. For lunch, try nasi padang at Warong Nasi Pariaman or ayam panggang and sambal at Rumah Makan Minang; cap it with pistachio baklava and mint tea on Arab Street.

Evening: Feast on Peranakan dishes: babi pongteh and ayam buah keluak at Candlenut (Michelin-starred) or traditional classics at Guan Hoe Soon in Joo Chiat. For a relaxed drink, Blu Jaz Cafe has lively music; for a refined pour, try The Elephant Room (spirits inspired by Little India).

Day 5: Sentosa Sun and Sea

Morning: Ride the cable car from Mount Faber/HarbourFront for panoramic harbor views en route to Sentosa. Start at Siloso or Palawan Beach for a swim and a slow coastal stroll.

Afternoon: Choose your adventure: S.E.A. Aquarium’s manta rays, the Skyline Luge’s downhill thrills, or the waterfront Imbiah trails. Lunch at Malaysian Food Street (bak kut teh, char kway teow) or Ola Beach Club for poke bowls and island vibes.

Evening: Stay for Wings of Time, a water-light-laser spectacle that arcs over the sea. Dinner on-island at Tanjong Beach Club (seafood platters, grilled mahi-mahi) or head back to Vivocity’s eateries before returning to town for a gentle nightcap.

Day 6: Eastside Heritage, Nature Trails, and the Night Safari

Morning: Explore Joo Chiat/Katong’s pastel shophouses along Koon Seng Road and learn about Peranakan culture. Brunch on laksa (328 Katong Laksa), kueh from Kim Choo Kueh Chang, and kopi at Chin Mee Chin (retro confectionery).

Afternoon: Go green. Rent a bike at East Coast Park to cruise the seaside path; or ferry to Pulau Ubin to wander kampong lanes and the Chek Jawa wetlands at low tide—Singapore as it once was. Early dinner nearby: East Coast Lagoon Food Village for Hokkien mee, satay, and sambal stingray.

Evening: Meet the world’s first nocturnal wildlife park under the stars:

Book the Night Safari Tour with Transfer for easy transport, priority entry windows, and the Creatures of the Night show. Pro tip: arrive a bit early for the tram to avoid queues and then loop back on foot trails like Leopard or Fishing Cat for quieter encounters.

Day 7: Orchard Stroll, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Shop Orchard Road’s flagship stores or hunt design souvenirs at Design Orchard. Brunch at PS.Cafe (fluffy truffle fries, hearty salads) or Merci Marcel Orchard (French-leaning plates and good coffee). If you missed it earlier, swing by a hawker center for a final kaya toast and kopi.

Afternoon: Transfer to Changi for your flight. If time allows, pop back into Jewel for last-minute treats and to watch the Rain Vortex one more time. Fly out on fares you found via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Where to Stay (Areas & Picks)

• Marina Bay/City Hall: For skyline views and easy access to museums and the bay’s night shows.
• Bugis/Kampong Glam: Culture-rich, near the MRT, with great cafes and indie shops.
• Chinatown/Tiong Bahru: Characterful shophouses, hawkers, and boutique stays.
• Orchard: Shopping and convenience, good for families.
• Sentosa: Resort feel, beaches, and attractions in one place.

Compare and book: VRBO Singapore stays | Hotels.com Singapore hotels

Optional: One-Ticket Convenience for Highlights

If you prefer guided logistics, these two timed entries pair perfectly with your Day 1–2 plan:

• Observation views: Marina Bay Sands Observation Deck E-Ticket
• Supertree skywalk: OCBC Skyway Entry Ticket

Logistics Notes: Most attractions open late morning to evening; light shows typically run twice nightly but confirm on the day. Reserve popular restaurants and tours in advance, especially weekends and holidays.