8 Days in Singapore: Gardens, Hawker Food, Sentosa Thrills, and Skyline Nights
Singapore is a city-state that moves at two speeds at once: brisk and unhurried. Born as a British free port in 1819, it became a proudly independent nation in 1965, and today it’s among the world’s safest, greenest, and most multicultural cities. You’ll feel that blend everywhere—from kampong-era shophouses and Hindu gopurams to sky-forests and kinetic light shows.
Expect a cuisine atlas at every turn. Hawker centers gather Malay nasi lemak, Chinese chicken rice, Indian prata, and Peranakan classics under one roof for the price of a latte back home. Between meals, stroll botanical wonderlands, cycle harborfront promenades, and chase sunsets from beaches to rooftop bars.
Practical notes: English is widely spoken, tap water is safe, and the MRT is efficient and cashless (use contactless cards via SimplyGo). Dress light for tropical heat, carry a small umbrella for sudden showers, and be mindful of local rules (no smoking in many public areas, return trays at hawker centers, and yes, chewing gum is regulated).
Singapore
Welcome to a “City in a Garden” where orchids bloom in a UNESCO-listed park and steel “Supertrees” power themselves with solar. By day, wander temple-lined streets in Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam; by night, catch the Spectra light-and-water show rippling across the Marina Bay skyline.
- Top sights: Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Botanic Gardens, National Gallery Singapore, Jewel Changi’s Rain Vortex, and the southern-coast trails (Henderson Waves).
- Family fun: Sentosa’s Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A. Aquarium, Skyline Luge, and soft-sand beaches at Siloso and Palawan.
- Food highlights: Hainanese chicken rice, chilli crab, laksa, kaya toast, satay, roti prata, and Peranakan favorites like ayam buah keluak.
- Fun fact: Nearly half the island is green space, and heritage trees are tagged like living monuments.
How to get here: Compare flights on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Regional flights from Bangkok/KL are ~1–2.5 hours; Tokyo ~7 hours; US West Coast ~16–18 hours (typical round-trips range widely, often $600–$1,400 depending on season). From Changi, MRT to the city takes ~30–40 minutes (~S$2), taxi/grab ~20–30 minutes (S$22–S$40, traffic-dependent).
Where to stay (Hotels.com & VRBO):
- Marina Bay Sands — iconic rooftop infinity pool and direct access to the bayfront promenade.
- Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore — resort-like oasis near Orchard with lush grounds and a superb breakfast.
- Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa — beachfront bliss ideal for families on Sentosa.
- Hotel Boss — wallet-friendly, central, and steps from the MRT.
- Hotel 81 Chinatown — no-frills base in the heart of Chinatown heritage streets.
- Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Singapore | VRBO: Singapore
Pre-book these popular experiences (they sell out):
- Lion City Bike Tour of Singapore
Lion City Bike Tour of Singapore on Viator - OCBC Skyway + Flower Dome + Cloud Forest (Gardens by the Bay)
Singapore OCBC Skyway Flower dome Cloud Forest Garden by the Bay on Viator - Small Group: Michelin and Local Hawker Food Tour
Small Group: Michelin and Local Hawker Food Tour on Viator - Singapore River Cruise with Spectra & Garden Rhapsody Light Show
Singapore River Cruise with Spectra & Garden Rhapsody Light Show on Viator
Day 1: Arrival, First Bites, and Marina Bay Glow
Morning: Fly into Changi. If you have a long layover or arrive early, peek at Jewel’s Rain Vortex and indoor forest before heading into town. Grab kopi and kaya toast at Ya Kun or Killiney for a classic sweet-salty start.
Afternoon: Check in (consider Marina Bay Sands for a bucket-list stay or the value-friendly Hotel Boss). Stretch your legs along the Marina Bay Promenade: spot the Merlion, the durian-like Esplanade, and Helix Bridge. If energy allows, browse Design Orchard or the Shoppes’ local fashion labels.
Evening: Welcome dinner at Lau Pa Sat’s Satay Street (after sunset they pedestrianize Boon Tat St; stalls 7 & 8 are reliable). Order satay (chicken, mutton), BBQ stingray, and sugarcane juice. End with the free Spectra light-and-water show by the bay (usually nightly; arrive 10–15 minutes early for views). Post-show drinks: rooftop bar at Marina Bay Sands (smart-casual) or craft beers at LeVeL33 with skyline panoramas.
Day 2: Cycle the Civic Core + Gardens by the Bay
Morning: Fuel up at Common Man Coffee Roasters (rich flat whites, Turkish-style eggs) or Tiong Bahru Bakery (kouign-amann worth the queue). Then roll through history on the Lion City Bike Tour of Singapore—a relaxed, guided ride past the Civic District, the river quays, and hidden corners you’d miss on foot.
Afternoon: Head to Gardens by the Bay. Wander the Flower Dome’s rotating floral shows and the Cloud Forest’s misty mountain and waterfall. Time your entry for late afternoon when it’s cooler and the glasshouses glow.
Evening: Book the OCBC Skyway + domes to stroll 22 meters above ground between Supertrees at golden hour.
Day 3: Chinatown Stories + Michelin Hawker Tastes
Morning: Start with a traditional kopitiam breakfast at Nanyang Old Coffee (strong kopi, soft-boiled eggs, kaya toast). Explore the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple (check modest attire) and Sri Mariamman Temple, then wander Telok Ayer’s conserved shophouses and mural-lined streets.
Afternoon: Dive into Singapore’s hawker culture on the Small Group: Michelin and Local Hawker Food Tour.
Evening: If you still have room, grab a claypot rice at Chinatown Complex (look for long queues at Lian He Ben Ji) or book Kok Sen (old-school Cantonese zi char; signature big prawn hor fun). Nightcap along Keong Saik: try Native (for foraged local ingredients) or Jigger & Pony (classic cocktails, Asia’s 50 Best regular).
Day 4: Little India Color + Kampong Glam Culture
Morning: Breakfast at Tekka Centre: queue for roti prata (egg or cheese), masala dosa, and teh tarik. Visit Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, then browse sarees and spices along Serangoon Road. Pop into the Indian Heritage Centre if you enjoy compact, well-curated museums.
Afternoon: MRT to Kampong Glam. Admire the golden dome of Sultan Mosque and stroll Bussorah and Arab Streets. Shop Haji Lane’s indie boutiques and graffiti alleys. For lunch, try nasi padang at Hjh Maimunah (sumptuous beef rendang) or a vegetarian set at Warong Ijo.
Evening: Dinner at Zam Zam (murtabak and biryani since 1908) or Beirut Grill for Levantine grills and mezze. If you’re up for a late outing, head north to the Night Safari near Mandai (reserve ahead; trams and walking trails let you glimpse nocturnal wildlife). Otherwise, chill with mocktails and shisha cafés under fairy lights on Bussorah Street.
Day 5: Sentosa—Theme Parks, Luge, and Beach Time
Morning: Coffee at %Arabica in VivoCity, then ride the Sentosa Express monorail. Start at Universal Studios Singapore (arrive at opening to beat queues). Must-rides rotate with refurbishments, but classics include Revenge of the Mummy and Battlestar Galactica; families love Minion Land’s newer attractions.
Afternoon: Lunch at Malaysian Food Street (hawker-style nostalgia indoors). Visit S.E.A. Aquarium for serene manta glides, then zip to Skyline Luge for a few gravity-fueled runs. If you prefer low-key, claim a lounger on Siloso or Palawan Beach and swim off the afternoon heat.
Evening: Sunset stroll on the Fort Siloso Skywalk with harbor views. Dinner by the sand at Coastes (casual mains and spritzes) or Trapizza (family-friendly, seaside pizzas). If you’re staying beachside, the Rasa Sentosa keeps the vibe wonderfully relaxed.
Day 6: Peranakan East—Joo Chiat, Katong, and East Coast Seafood
Morning: Old-school breakfast at Chin Mee Chin Confectionery (kaya buns, chocolate cream puffs). Walk the pastel shophouses on Koon Seng Road and browse Peranakan wares (beaded slippers, enamel tiffins). Try 328 Katong Laksa for a coconut-chilli bowl where you’ll eat with a spoon (no chopsticks—noodles are cut).
Afternoon: Rent bikes in East Coast Park and cruise the seaside path. Snack at East Coast Lagoon Food Village—BBQ stingray with sambal, satay, and sugarcane juice are beach-day staples. Gelato stop: Birds of Paradise (botanical flavors like white chrysanthemum).
Evening: Crack into chilli crab at Jumbo Seafood or black-pepper crab at Long Beach, both at East Coast Seafood Centre. Pair with mantou buns to mop up sauce. It’s messy, celebratory, and utterly Singaporean.
Day 7: Green Mornings, Sky Bridges, and a River of Lights
Morning: Wander the UNESCO-listed Singapore Botanic Gardens—orchid lovers should not miss the National Orchid Garden. Brunch at Bee’s Knees (garden pancakes, pesto eggs) or The Halia (ginger garden views and Asian-leaning plates).
Afternoon: Lace up for the Southern Ridges: Mount Faber to Henderson Waves (the city’s highest pedestrian bridge), then through wave-like canopies to HortPark. If you prefer galleries, detour to National Gallery Singapore for Southeast Asian art in a stately colonial complex.
Evening: Cap the day with a small-group Singapore River Cruise with Spectra & Garden Rhapsody Light Show.
Day 8: Tiong Bahru, Orchard Finds, and Departure
Morning: Coffee crawl in Tiong Bahru: Tiong Bahru Bakery for pastries, then Nylon Coffee Roasters for serious espresso. Browse indie books at Woods in the Books and vinyl/artisanal shops sprinkled around Yong Siak Street.
Afternoon: Early lunch at Tiong Bahru Market—try Hainanese chicken rice, lor mee, or char kway teow. If you’re in a shopping mood, Orchard Road’s malls (ION, Ngee Ann City, Paragon) are a climate-controlled dream for last-minute gifts. Head to the airport for your afternoon departure.
Evening: If you leave later, detour to Jewel Changi for final bites (hello, A5 wagyu sando and kaya soft-serve) and one last look at the Rain Vortex. Save your EZ-Link/SimplyGo card—balances can be refunded or reused on your next visit.
Getting around tips: The MRT is fast, clean, and intuitive; buses are great for short hops and air-conditioned sightseeing. Fares are low (most rides S$1–S$2). Taxis and ride-hailing are plentiful; allow extra time during peak hours or rain. For flights and regional connections, compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. If you’re continuing elsewhere in Asia by rail, browse Trip.com Trains.
Eight days in Singapore lets you savor the full spectrum: morning orchids and evening light shows, kampong-era recipes and cutting-edge architecture, beach time and skywalks. You’ll leave with a camera full of color, a palate tuned to sambal and pandan, and a soft promise to return for seconds.