Singapore in 4 Days: The Ultimate First-Timer's Guide (That Won't Make You Miss a Thing)
When people talk about Singapore, you'll usually hear the same four things: "It's so hot", "It's so expensive", "Marina Bay Sands is incredible", and "Don't miss Gardens by the Bay” but in May 2026, I spent 4 days exploring this incredible city-state, and I'm here to tell you it's so much more than that.
This is a city that somehow makes you feel like you're in the future and the past at the exact same time. Singapore is a fascinating blend of cultures, where futuristic skyscrapers stand alongside historic neighbourhoods, world-class food can be found on almost every corner, and the views somehow keep getting better with every rooftop, garden and waterfront stroll.
Where a hawker stall with a Michelin star sits beside a colonial-era shophouse. Where you can eat one of the best meals of your life for €4 on a plastic stool.
This in-depth first-timer's guide is for travellers who want to do more than just scratch the surface. It's for those who want to understand the cultures that shape Singapore, explore its diverse neighbourhoods, eat beyond the tourist hotspots and experience what makes this tiny island nation one of the most fascinating places in the world.
Before we jump into it, want to skip ahead?
I like to kick all my blogs off with the boring but important stuff (I try to make it fun, I promise!) the tips, tricks and need to knows. If you’re here for the photo library of the trip and the fun itinerary, click the buttons below to jump to that particular section!
Jump to Singapore Travel Tips & FAQs section
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Travel Tips & FAQs
Tips You Need To Know Before Visiting
Getting around Singapore: Singapore is tiny. The whole city-state is smaller than Dublin, but it packs the population of the entire Republic of Ireland into it and then some (6.17 million). That means everything is dense, walkable, and incredibly efficient. However, it will most likely be HOT, so the MRT is an excellent, cheap, fast, air-conditioned way to get around and it goes almost everywhere. The MRT (subway) will take you almost anywhere for under €2 and it runs like clockwork. Grab (Singapore's version of Uber) fills any gaps and is very affordable.
Getting from the airport: Singapore Changi Airport connects directly to the MRT, take the East West Line to City Hall or Raffles Place. This is the cheapest and easiest airport transfer in Asia, genuinely.
The currency is Singapore Dollars (SGD). At time of writing, €1 = roughly S$1.47. Most things are paid by card, but some hawker centres are cash only, so always have a small amount on you.
The heat is real: We're talking 32°C+ with humidity that wraps around you the second you step outside. Dress light, carry a small fan if you can and hydrate constantly. A quick side note on the heat as a female, it's honestly hard to look nice. You just have to accept that you may be pink, dewy, and slightly damp at all times… lean into it, the cold wipes available at every 7-Eleven will become your best friends and a handheld fan is genuinely not optional. Wear the lightest thing you own and don't fight it.
Get your eSIM in advance: One of the first things I sort before travelling? Staying connected. The last thing you want after a long flight is to hunt for Wi-Fi or a SIM card. I use USIMS, a global eSIM that gets you connected as soon as you land, with no SIM swapping or airport queues. It’s also great for multi-country trips, and with free low-speed data, you can still access essentials like Maps, WhatsApp and Grab even after your paid data runs out meaning no roaming surprises and everything is sorted before you fly. Get your USIMS eSIM here and use code EVASEEKS for $3 off any plan 🩵
The expense: Singapore has a reputation for being expensive, and yes, drinks, hotels and transport can add upbut here's my biggest tip for keeping your Singaporean trip costs low. If you eat all your meals at hawker centres (which you absolutely should be doing anyway, because the food is extraordinary), your food costs are shockingly low. A full meal with a drink at a hawker centre will set you back around S$6-10 (€4-6) for Michelin-recognised dishes! It's genuinely one of the great food bargains on the planet and it makes up for the cocktail prices, which are very much not €4. Alcohol is expensive in Singapore, budget accordingly and don't be shocked. Accommodation is usually the biggest expense for every trip to Singapore and as a first timer I found Chinatown a great base, but if you are in the mood to splash the cash, Marina Bay would be ideal. Check out my full “Where to stay section below”
Avail for the free activities: Lots of the best experiences (Chinatown, Kampong Glam, Little India, Marina Bay, Supertree Grove, Singapore River) are completely FREE!
What to pack: A handheld fan (non-negotiable) and the lightest clothing you own, wear linen if you can. Cold wipes (every 7-Eleven sells them, buy immediately on arrival).
Apps you need:
Google Maps: my best friend. I’m so type A that I pin every hawker stall and neighbourhood before I land, so I know my route before I’ve even left the hotel.
Grab: Singapore’s answer to Uber, and an absolute lifesaver on the days it’s too hot and humid to walk (which, in Singapore, is most days).
Citymapper: your go-to for the MRT. Accurate train times and route info. So affordable too!
A note from Eva:
There are affiliate links in this post, Singapore in 4 Days: The Ultimate First-Timer’s Guide (That Won’t Make You Miss a Thing) and I may earn a small commission if you choose to book via my links (at no additional cost to you). These funds go right back into creating free content just like this and supporting my small business.
When is the best time to visit Singapore?
Singapore is a year-round destination, it’s hot, humid and tropical throughout the year, with temperatures generally sitting around 25-32°C. There isn’t really a true “dry season”, but there are periods that tend to be wetter or drier:
February-April: Generally a great period, with relatively lower rainfall.
May-September: Hot and humid, with frequent short thunderstorms. May is particularly warm, but still a good month to visit.
October-January: Generally wetter, with November–January seeing more frequent/heavier rainfall.
How Much Do You Need to Budget for Singapore?
Singapore isn’t the cheapest destination in Southeast Asia, in fact, it can be surprisingly expensive compared to neighbouring countries like Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. That said, you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy Singapore. Accommodation will probably be your biggest expense, but eating at hawker centres, using public transport and choosing your attractions wisely can keep your daily costs surprisingly manageable. I found Singapore really easy to enjoy at different budgets, whether you want to splurge on an iconic hotel, eat your way through the hawker centres or mix the two.
Here’s a rough breakdown to help you budget:
Food & Drink
This is where Singapore can actually be surprisingly affordable. You absolutely don't need to eat at fancy restaurants every day.
Hawker centre meal: SGD $4-7 ($4-$8 AUD,€2.40–€4.80)
Local / casual restaurant: SGD $9-18 ($10-$20 AUD, €6–€12)
Mid-range restaurant: SGD $22-40 (€25–€45 AUD, €15–€27)
Coffee: SGD $4-7 ($5–$8 AUD, €3–€5)
Cocktails: SGD $20-50 per cocktails ($21–$53 AUD, €14–€34)
Top tip: Make hawker centres part of the experience rather than simply using them to save money. Some of Singapore's most iconic dishes can cost just a few euro.
Accommodation
Singapore is one of the more expensive places to stay in Southeast Asia, but there are still good options at different price points:
Hostels & capsule hotels: SGD $20-45 per night ($25-$50 AUD, €15–€30)
Budget / mid-range hotels: SGD $60-115 per night ($70-$130 AUD, €42–€78)
Boutique & 3/4-star hotels: SGD $115-195 per night ($130-$220 AUD, €78–€132)
Luxury hotels: SGD $220-440+ ($250-500+ AUD, €150–€300+)
Top tip: Accommodation is where I’d spend the most time shopping around. Staying just outside Marina Bay, somewhere like Chinatown, Kampong Glam or Bugis can save you a LOT while still keeping you really central.
Sightseeing & Activities
One of the best things about Singapore is that lots of the best experiences are completely free.
Hawker centres, neighbourhoods & temples: Free
Gardens & outdoor attractions: Many are free
CapitaSpring Sky Garden: Free, with advance booking
Gardens by the Bay outdoor gardens: Free
Major attractions / experiences: SGD $31–$53 ($35–$60 AUD, €21–€36+)
Top tip: Don't feel like you need to pay for an attraction every day. Walking around Chinatown, Kampong Glam, Little India, Marina Bay and the Singapore River can easily fill a day.
Transport
Getting around Singapore is super easy and relatively cheap, especially compared with taxis in other major cities.
MRT / bus journey: SGD $0.88-$3.68 ($1–$2.50 AUD and €0.60–€1.50)
Airport → city by MRT: SGD $1.76-S$4.41 ($2–$3 AUD and €1.20–€1.80)
Grab/taxi around the city: SGD $5.88–17.64 ($7–$20 AUD, €4–€12, depending on distance and time)
Airport taxi: SGD 17.64–30.87 ($20–$35 AUD, €12–€21)
Top tip: Use the MRT as much as possible. It's clean, fast, air-conditioned and will get you almost everywhere you need to go.
Overall Daily Budget
Budget traveller: SGD $88-132 per day (€60–€90, $100–$150 AUD)
Mid-range traveller: SGD $176-294 per day (€120–€200, $200–$330 AUD)
High-end traveller: SGD $368+ per day (€250+ per day $415+ AUD)
These estimates include accommodation, food, transport and some sightseeing, but not international flights. Please note: If you intend to drink a lot of cocktails in fancy bars, expect the high-end traveller budget.
The good news? Singapore doesn't have to be the eye-wateringly expensive destination you might expect. Stay somewhere central but affordable, eat at the hawker centres and make the most of the city's free attractions, and you can experience a LOT without completely blowing your budget.
Where to Stay?
Singapore is compact, incredibly easy to get around and has a brilliant mix of neighbourhoods, so where you stay can completely change the feel of your trip. From skyline views and rooftop pools to colourful shophouses and beach resorts, here’s where I’d recommend staying depending on the kind of Singapore experience you’re after.
For a luxurious first trip → Marina Bay:
If it’s your first time in Singapore and you want to be right amongst the famous skyline, Marina Bay is hard to beat. You’ll be within easy reach of Gardens by the Bay, the Merlion, Marina Bay Sands and some of the city’s best views.
My hotel picks:
Marina Bay Sands: Go for the iconic infinity pool and that Singapore skyline. This is the splurge-worthy option if you want the full Singapore experience →Marina Bay Sands on Booking.com
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore: A beautiful historic hotel in a brilliant central location, with an infinity pool and plenty of old-world Singapore charm →The Fullerton Hotel Singapore on Booking.com
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore: A great option if you want to be right in the heart of Singapore, with the city’s skyline on your doorstep. The rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views, while the hotel also has a great pool, spa, gym and multiple restaurants. It’s around a 10-minute walk from City Hall MRT and close to Marina Bay so it’s a really convenient base for exploring → Book now on Booking.com
For a budget concious first timer who loves food & culture → Chinatown
Chinatown is a brilliant base, particularly if you want to eat your way around Singapore. Expect colourful shophouses, temples, hawker centres, cocktail bars and plenty to explore without needing to jump on the MRT every five minutes.
KēSa House, The Unlimited Collection managed by The Ascott Limited: A stylish boutique stay in the heart of Singapore’s Chinatown, set inside a beautifully restored 1920s heritage townhouse on Keong Saik Road. The location makes exploring the city incredibly easy, Chinatown MRT and Outram Park MRT are both just a short walk away →Book on Booking.com
Bliss Hotel Singapore: A low budget option in a great location. It’s right in the heart of Chinatown and just a 5-minute walk from Chinatown MRT, making it a really convenient base for exploring Singapore. The rooms are simple but comfortable, with great air-con, and there’s even a rooftop garden. Worth noting: some of the rooms don’t have windows, so check the room type carefully when booking, but if you’re only using your hotel as a place to sleep, this is a solid option for the price → Book on Booking.com
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering: Technically in Outram, but perfectly placed between Chinatown and Clarke Quay. The architecture is beautiful, with greenery cascading throughout the property, and its location between Chinatown and Clarke Quay means you're perfectly placed for exploring → Book on Booking.com
For cool cafés & colourful streets → Kampong Glam
Heritage Collection on KG is a great option if you want something a little different from a traditional hotel. These adults-only rooms are set in a heritage building in Singapore’s Kampong Glam area, with kitchenettes, private bathrooms and modern amenities. The rooms are compact but practical, and the location is excellent for exploring the city. A good pick for couples who want a central, self-contained stay without the price tag of a larger hotel → Book on booking.com
Village Hotel Bugis is a great option if you want to stay somewhere central with some of Singapore’s best neighbourhoods right on your doorstep. It’s just a two-minute walk from Haji Lane and Arab Street, with Kampong Glam, Little India and Bugis all within easy reach. A good choice if you want to spend less time on transport and more time exploring, eating and shopping → Book now on booking.com
For a Resort Escape → Sentosa Island
Want your Singapore trip to feel a little more like a holiday? Stay on Sentosa for beaches, swimming pools and resort life. It's further from the city centre, so I'd recommend this for a couple of nights rather than your entire trip (AFTER you experience the itinerary I’ve suggested below), especially if you want some downtime after exploring the city.
Raffles, Sentosa Singapore is the ultimate splurge if you’re looking for a luxury stay away from the hustle and bustle of central Singapore. Set right by Palawan Beach, the hotel has private villas, a stunning infinity pool, lush gardens and a beautiful spa. With multiple dining options, a pool bar and plenty of space to relax, it’s a great choice if you want to combine exploring Singapore with a proper resort escape. Book now on Booking.com
W Singapore, Sentosa Cove is another great option if you want a bit of a resort feel during your Singapore trip. The hotel sits right on the marina in Sentosa Cove, with a huge pool, stylish rooms, spa and plenty of restaurants and bars. Book now on Booking.com
Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa: A proper beachfront resort and a lovely choice if you want to slow things down for a few days. Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa on Booking.com
Now that you’ve got an understanding of Singapore, you know all my tips before you go, when to visit, what to budget and where to stay, let’s get into the specifics, here’s the perfect 3 night 4 day itinerary for First Timers!
The Perfect 3 Night/4 Day Itinerary for First Timers
Day 1: Arriving at the coolest airport, Chinatown, Merlion & the Best Sunset View in the City
When the Airport Is the Destination
Your Singapore adventure can start before you’ve even left the airport. Right at Changi, you’ll find Jewel, a glass-domed world of indoor gardens, restaurants, shops and one very impressive centrepiece: the 40-metre Rain Vortex, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall! Surrounding it is the Forest Valley, a five-storey indoor garden filled with lush greenery and walking trails, while up on Level 5, Canopy Park has giant slides, mazes and other attractions tucked beneath the glass canopy.
Most airports make you want to get out as quickly as possible, jewel does quite the opposite. There’s mist in the air, greenery everywhere and the sound of 40 metres of water pouring through the middle of it all. People actually stop here, sitting, wandering and taking it all in and if you happen to be fying out of Singapore late and have time before your flight, stay until after dark. The Rain Vortex transforms into a Light & Music Showcase in the evening, making an already spectacular arrival feel even more surreal. I’ve waited for flights in a lot of places, I genuinely can’t think of a better one than this.
Afternoon: Chinatown
We arrived at 3pm, dropped bags at the hotel, and immediately went exploring. No lying by a pool for us (not that we had a pool LOL), Singapore is a city you have to move in, if it’s your first visit.
Queic by Olivia in Chinatown was our very first stop and honestly, what a way to begin. The cheesecake here is something else, dense, creamy, flavour-packed and the coffee is just as serious. If you're a café person, this place will make you very happy. It's tucked away enough to feel like a find, but popular enough that you shouldn't be surprised by a small queue.
From there, we wandered through the streets of Chinatown, taking in all the colourful shophouses and little corners along the way. Keep an eye out for the Conan Durian Wall too, it’s a popular street mural that depicts the famous anime character trying a local durian.
While you're in the neighbourhood, don't miss the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple on South Bridge Road. It's one of the most striking buildings in Chinatown, a grand red and gold Tang Dynasty-style temple that houses a relic of the Buddha, and it's completely free to enter. Even if you just step inside for five minutes, the scale and the detail are worth seeing.
Chinatown is also where you want to eat! There are two amazing hawker’s here I think you have to visit during your trip (Chinatown Complex Food Centre and Maxwell Food Centre), today, you’re going to: Chinatown Complex Food Centre.
A hawker that boasts so many Michelin-awarded stalls under one roof! If you’ve heard of one Singapore Hawker you’ve probably heard of Hawker Chan and for good reason, this is the cheapest Michelin star food in the world! We got a portion of both the famous soya sauce chicken rice, soya sauce chicken noodles and vegetables for $11.30 SGD ($5.65 per person). Honestly, succulent and heartwarmingly divine. Food Street Fried Kway Teow Mee is another Michelin Gourmand awarded Fried Kway Teow which are traditional, smoky flat rice noodles stir-fried with a variety of ingredients, we got the bean sprouts, eggs & cockles. It was so divine and only $7 . For desert, try Singapore’s iconic desert Chendol $2.80.
The Merlion & Marina Bay
As soon as you see Marina Bay Sands for the first time, your jaw will genuinely drop. It’s one of those places you’ve seen a hundred times in photos, but it somehow feels completely different when you’re actually standing there. Walking along Marina Bay with that skyline in front of you is pretty hard to beat (especially at sunset). Whilst you’re here, you have to see Merlion Park, the half-lion, half-fish statue is Singapore's icon and standing there with Marina Bay Sands and the water in front of you is genuinely stunning. Go in the late afternoon for a completely different atmosphere to the midday crowds!
Feeling thirsty? Level 33 might be Singapore's best-kept secret for views. It's a microbrewery on the 33rd floor of an office tower, and the outdoor balcony looks directly over Marina Bay. Their house-brewed beers are excellent, it's also nowhere near as expensive as the hotel rooftop bars, and the view is arguably better. If you’re really into your beer, do their tour, I hear it’s great!
🎟️ Singapore: LeVeL33 Rooftop Brewery Tour & Craft Beer Tasting → Book here
Evening: Satay Street, Kinki Bar & the Bum Boat
Night one in Singapore deserves to be done properly. Lau Pa Sat is a stunning Victorian iron-lattice market building that transforms after dark when Satay Street closes off the road outside and fills it with smoke and skewers. Stand 9 is the one you want for chicken satay, the charcoal smoke hits you from a block away and that's exactly the vibe. Get a round of satay skewers (I loved the chicken and prawn), a cold Tiger beer, and just sit in it for a moment. This is Singapore! Satay Street opens from 7pm nightly.
Then walk 10 minutes to Kinki Bar for sunset cocktails with Marina Bay Sands views, and crucially, at a price point that won't make you cry. We timed our arrival for about 25 minutes before sunset it was amazing. The drinks are great, the views are better. After Kinki, walk along the waterfront and end the night on the river.
Take a Bum Boat up the Singapore River. It’s a romantic and magical thing to do. These small traditional boats chug slowly up the river past Clarke Quay, Boat Quay, and the illuminated colonial buildings, with the city glowing on both sides of you.
🎟️ Singapore River Cruises: from Clarke Quay or Riverside Point jetty, approx. S$25–30 per person → Book here
Day 2: Morning Views, World’s Best Coffee, Little India, Kampong Glam & the Best Free Shows in Asia
Morning: CapitaSpring Rooftop Garden
One of Singapore’s best free city views can be found 51 floors up at CapitaSpring. The 1-Arden Sky Garden is filled with lush greenery and gives you panoramic views across the city, including towards Marina Bay. Entry is free, but you’ll need to book a timeslot in advance and slots can go quickly.
Book this for a clear morning when the city is just waking up. It’s a great addition to a day exploring the CBD, Chinatown and Marina Bay.
🎟️ Book your free timeslot →CapitaSpring Sky Garden booking
Apartment Coffee
Before anything else on Day 2, go to Apartment Coffee.
This is officially the No. 1 coffee shop in Asia and No. 6 in the world and standing inside it, you understand immediately why. It's a small, minimalist space that feels more like a studio than a café. Every pour is precise, every cup intentional, the baristas work like artists and the atmosphere is quiet in the best way. It's one of those places that reminds you coffee can be genuinely extraordinary. A cup costs around S$9 (€6) completely fair for the best coffee in Asia. We arrived five minutes past opening and it was nearly full!
Afternoon: Little India & Kampong Glam
Head north to Little India (pictured below), and if you're hungry, start at Tekka Centre. It's one of Singapore's most beloved wet markets and hawker centres, sitting right in the heart of the neighbourhood. The ground floor is a wet market, the food hall above it is where locals go for Indian and Malay food, think biryani, roti prata, and freshly squeezed juices. It's loud, colourful, completely unpretentious and the food is exceptional.
Then wander the neighbourhood itself. The sensory shift from Marina Bay is striking every time jasmine, incense, vivid painted buildings and a completely different pace.
Things to see in Little India:
Srinivasa Perumal Temple: one of the most stunning Hindu temples in Singapore (cover shoulders, remove shoes)
Former House of Tan Teng Niah: a wildly colourful Chinese villa from 1900, now one of the most photographed buildings in the city
Little India Street Art: scattered through the neighbourhood, genuinely impressive murals
Masjid Abdul Gaffoor: a beautiful mosque with a sunburst facade and intricate Arabic calligraphy
Things to see in Kampong Glam:
Make your way from Little India to Kampong Glam (pictured above) where the buildings look straight out of a movie set. Kampong glam is where traditional Malay and Arab heritage blend , there’s such a cool vibe here.
Sultan Mosque: One of Singapore’s most recognisable mosques, right in the heart of Kampong Glam. Even if you don’t go inside, it’s worth wandering around the surrounding streets and taking in the architecture.
Haji Lane & Arab Street: The coconut shake is genuinely one of the most refreshing things you can have in 32-degree heat. The chendol and pandan chiffon cake are also very worth ordering.
The Coconut Club: The coconut shake is genuinely the most refreshing thing you can put in your body in 32-degree heat. The chendol and pandon chiffon cake are divine too.
Coffee at Arabica: Grab a coffee from % Arabica and wander around Kampong Glam while you explore Haji Lane and Arab Street. Great coffee + one of the most photogenic parts of Singapore = a pretty good combo.
Evening: Ce La Vie, Garden Rhapsody & Spectra
Ce La Vie at Marina Bay Sands is where we went at 5pm for cocktails, and I need to give you the tip I wish someone had given us. When you arrive, specifically ask to be seated at the poolside bar. They walked us straight to the opposite side, above the observatory, and the view from there honestly doesn't compare. The poolside bar is where you get the full Marina Bay panorama, the infinity pool stretching out beside you, the iconic skyline ahead of you. Just say it at the door: "Can we sit at the poolside bar?" and don't let them seat you anywhere else until you've confirmed that's where you're going.
Be prepared to pay for it, the entrace fee is $38 SGD but having a Singapore Sling at the top of one of the most iconic buildings in the world? Honestly, pretty iconic. Worth every cent for the experience, even if your bank account briefly disagrees. Then, when night falls, you're perfectly positioned for two of Singapore's best free shows.
Supertree Grove: Garden Rhapsody
Every night at 7:45pm and 8:45pm | Free | No booking required.
The Supertrees are 18 vertical gardens ranging from 25–50 metres tall, covered in over 160,000 plants. They collect rainwater and generate solar energy, but none of that is what you're thinking about when you're standing beneath them at night watching lights pulse and music fill the air. If you're a Crazy Rich Asians fan, you'll recognise this spot immediately. It's one of the film's most iconic scenes, and standing there yourself, you'll understand exactly why they chose it. It feels like another world.
Spectra Light & Water Show: Marina Bay Sands
Sun–Thu: 8pm & 9pm. Fri–Sat: 8pm, 9pm & 10pm. Free.
Stand on the waterfront promenade directly opposite MBS. The 15-minute show uses water jets, lasers, fire effects, and building projections, and the soundtrack is genuinely stirring. It's the kind of thing that makes you want to immediately book a return trip.
Hungry? Head to Satay by the Bay: A hawker located at Gardens by the Bay, think outdoor satay stalls in a beautiful setting. Perfect before the evening light shows!
Day 3: Gardens by the Bay During the Day, Joo Chiat, Raffles Hotel & the Great Gatsby Bar
Morning Breakfast in Chinatown
Start your morning with your morning coffee fix in Chinatown with ‘the barista’s breakfast at Kyuukei Coffee - thank me later! Then walk 2 minutes to Ya Kun Kaya Toast a Singapore institution - Kaya toast and soft-boiled eggs is the traditional Singaporean breakfast. To be totally honest, I much preferred the french toast to the plain toast but I’d be keen to hear what you think!
Gardens By the Bay Attractions: Cloud Forest, Flower Dome & the OCBC Skyway
Next up make your way to the Gardens by the Bay. In my opinion, it’s totally worth seeing this place in both the morning and the evening. A must visit attraction in Gardens by the Bay is the Cloud Forest. You walk in and you're immediately hit by cool air (absolute relief), and then you turn a corner and there is a 35-metre indoor waterfall with a mountain of tropical plants climbing up behind it. The whole structure is designed around biodiversity and climate storytelling, but honestly you don't need to engage with any of that to be completely floored by how beautiful it is. The suspended walkways take you right up through the mist, with views across to Marina Bay Sands through the glass dome.
Flower Dome is the largest glass greenhouse in the world and it's directly next door, worth visiting for the sheer scale of it and the rotating floral displays.
Once you're out of the domes, don't leave without doing the OCBC Skyway while it's daylight. It's a 128-metre suspended walkway sitting 22 metres above the ground, stretching between the Supertrees, and the panoramic views over Marina Bay and the gardens from up there are genuinely unreal. You're level with the canopy, surrounded by the structures rather than looking up at them. Save the Supertrees at ground level for the evening light show; the Skyway and the Garden Rhapsody are two completely different experiences and they complement each other perfectly.
🎟️ The Official Gardens by the Bay ticket with multiple options → Book now
Afternoon: Joo Chiat & the Peranakan Houses
A cab to Joo Chiat takes you to one of Singapore's most photogenic and genuinely fascinating neighbourhoods. The Peranakan (Straits Chinese) culture produced some of the most beautiful architecture in Southeast Asia, and Koon Seng Road is where you see it at its best, shophouses painted in pastel shades of mint, coral, yellow and lilac, with ornate tiled facades and detailed plasterwork. They're lived-in, working buildings, which makes them feel so much more real than a heritage site. Walk slowly, look up and notice the details.
Big Short Coffee is nearby for your afternoon coffee fix served as if you’re in a fancy cocktail bar. Order a Mont Blanc, thank me later.
Evening: Old Hill Street Police Station, Clarke Quay, Chinatown Hawker, Historic Cocktail Bars
Option A) Old Hill Street & Clarke Quay | Option B) Historic Cocktail Bars
Old Hill Street Police Station: One of Singapore’s most recognisable buildings, Old Hill Street Police Station is impossible to miss, its rainbow of colourful shutters makes it one of the city’s most photogenic spots. The building dates back to 1908 and was once home to the Hill Street Police Station. Today, it houses government offices, so you’re really here for the exterior and those colourful windows.
Clarke Quay: From Old Hill Street, it’s just a short walk down to Clarke Quay, where the Singapore River comes alive after dark. The colourful riverside shophouses, restaurants, bars and boats make this one of the liveliest areas of the city in the evening. Take a wander along the river, stop for a drink or dinner, or simply sit by the water and watch Singapore light up around you. Don’t feel like you need to book a fancy restaurant here, the atmosphere is the main event. Walk along the river and explore the surrounding streets before deciding where to stop. If you still have energy (hey it’s been a big 3 days!): Continue along the river towards Boat Quay for even more restaurants, waterfront views and that gorgeous Singapore skyline.
Head to Maxwell Food Centre, Chinatown for dinner: Savour in the delights of the iconic Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, the most famous chicken rice stall in Singapore! This hakwer stall holds a Michelin Bib Gorumand & is highly recommended by the late Anthony Bordain, he once said “This chicken rice is so fragrant & delicious, it can be eaten on it’s own”. It was perfectly poached , velvety chicken & aromatic rice and was so flavourful. This will cost $9 SGD for a large portion. While you’re here grab a refreshing sugar cane drink for $3, it’s icey and oh so refreshing!
Feeling thirsty? The Long Bar at Raffles Hotel is where the Singapore Sling was invented in 1915, and it is still the place to drink one. Yes, it's a tourist institution… but go anyway. The bar is colonial, slightly theatrical, and genuinely atmospheric, order one, throw your peanut shells on the floor like tradition demands, and soak it in. From there, Atlas Bar is a short cab ride and a complete tonal shift into 1920s glamour. The ceiling soars, the Art Deco details are extraordinary, and the gin selection is allegedly the most extensive in the world. It's one of those bars where you walk in and immediately feel the need to sit up a little straighter. Order something in a coupe glass, look around and feel extremely elegant! Book ahead via their website.
The Free Shows You Absolutely Cannot Miss
Supertree Grove: Garden Rhapsody
Every night at 7:45pm and 8:45pm | Free | No booking required.
The Supertrees are 18 vertical gardens ranging from 25–50 metres tall, covered in over 160,000 plants. They collect rainwater and generate solar energy, but none of that is what you're thinking about when you're standing beneath them at night watching lights pulse and music fill the air. If you're a Crazy Rich Asians fan, you'll recognise this spot immediately. It's one of the film's most iconic scenes, and standing there yourself, you'll understand exactly why they chose it. It feels like another world.
Tips for the best experience:
Arrive 15-20 minutes early and claim a spot on the grass
Lie down beneath the trees during the show, it completely transforms it
Do the OCBC Skyway in daylight (S$14 adults) for the elevated canopy perspective
The Supertree Observatory at the top of the tallest tree has 360° views, book ahead for sunset
Spectra Light & Water Show: Marina Bay Sands
Sun–Thu: 8pm & 9pm. Fri–Sat: 8pm, 9pm & 10pm. Free.
Stand on the waterfront promenade directly opposite MBS. The 15-minute show uses water jets, lasers, fire effects, and building projections, and the soundtrack is genuinely stirring. It's the kind of thing that makes you want to immediately book a return trip.
Where to Eat in Singapore: The Hawker Guide
If you take one piece of advice from this entire blog or me in general, it’s this - When in Singapore one simply must eat at the hawker centres! Not just because it's cheap (though it is, we're talking SGD$4-8 for a full meal), but because some of the best food you will ever eat in your life is being served from a stall with a ceiling fan and a plastic stool. Singapore's hawker culture is UNESCO-recognised for a reason. Some of the stalls below hold Michelin recognition. All of them are extraordinary and none of them will break the bank, I promise. Here were my favourite Hawker centres we visited during our trip, which stalls to try and the prices (as of May 2026*)
Chinatown Complex Food Centre, Chinatown: A hawker that boasts so many Michelin-awarded stalls under one roof! If you’ve heard of one Singapore Hawker you’ve probably heard of Hawker Chan and for good reason, this is the cheapest Michelin star food in the world! We got a portion of both the famous soya sauce chicken rice, soya sauce chicken noodles and vegetables for $11.30 SGD ($5.65 per person). Honestly, succulent and heartwarmingly divine. Food Street Fried Kway Teow Mee is another Michelin Gourmand awarded Fried Kway Teow which are traditional, smoky flat rice noodles stir-fried with a variety of ingredients, we got the bean sprouts, eggs & cockles. It was so divine and only $7 . For desert, try Singapore’s iconic desert Chendol $2.80. Some other great options I’ve heard about here are Hong Kee Soy Sauce Chicken, a tender, umami-deep chicken rice perfected over decades and Chinatown Crab Master, think Chilli crab at hawker prices, which feels almost illegal!
Maxwell Food Centre, Chinatown: Savour in the delights of the iconic Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, the most famous chicken rice stall in Singapore! This hakwer stall holds a Michelin Bib Gorumand & is highly recommended by the late Anthony Bordain, he once said “This chicken rice is so fragrant & delicious, it can be eaten on it’s own”. It was perfectly poached , velvety chicken & aromatic rice and was so flavourful. This will cost $9 SGD for a large portion. While you’re here grab a refreshing sugar cane drink for $3, it’s icey and oh so refreshing!
Lau Pa Sat’s Satay Street, Near Marina Bay: Located at Boon Tat Street you have to go for an evening’s dinner for the best Satay Skewers you will ever have, try the chicken and the prawn. Grab yourself a pint of beer, a set of skewers and marvel in the al fresco vibes of Satay Street. It’s this beautiful mix of culture and food but within the concrete jungle of Singapore’s urban metropolis.
Tekka Centre, Little India: The hawker centre to visit when you're in Little India. Brilliant Indian and Malay food, fresh juices, and when you’re here do as the locals do, curry for breakfast! We had a chicken tikka masala and naan bread.
Satay by the Bay, Gardens by the Bay: A hawker located at Gardens by the Bay, think outdoor satay stalls in a beautiful setting. Perfect before the evening light shows!
Other eats worth mentioning:
Ya Kun Kaya Toast: Not a hawker centre but a Singapore institution. Kaya toast, soft-boiled eggs, and kopi (local coffee) is the traditional Singaporean breakfast. Do it at least once. To be totally honest, I much preferred the french toast to the plain toast, and I did not love the coffee... don’t sue me!
Queic by Olivia in Chinatown was our very first stop of our trip and honestly, what a way to begin. The cheesecake here is something else, dense, creamy, flavour-packed and the coffee is just as serious. If you're a café person, this place will make you very happy. It's tucked away enough to feel like a find, but popular enough that you shouldn't be surprised by a small queue. It’s not cheap at $16.40 SGD per slice… would you pay it?
Coffee shops worth mentioning, if you’re a little bit of a coffee snob like me:
Big Short Coffee, Joo Chiat: Mont Blanc & a Green Mango - speciailty coffee as served as if you are at a cocktail bar.
Kyuukei Coffee, Chinatown: Your coffee fix in Chinatown. Order the barista’s breakfast, thank me later.
Arabica, Kampong Glam: SGD $7 for an oat milk flat white.
Apartment Cafe, near Little India: SGD $9 for a cup of heavenly pour over coffee.
Percolate, near Marina Bay/City: SGD $16 for an oat flat white and a freshly baked treat.
Bars You’ll Want to Visit:
Singapore's cocktail scene is quietly one of the best in Asia. Alcohol in Singapore is very expensive because of high government taxes, expensive commercial rent and strict social policies but here’s an honest breakdown of bars you’ll want to know about, including which ones will hurt your bank account:
Le Noir, Marina Bay Sands: This was a place we stumbled upon and it was one of our favourites, it’s an affordable and fabulous people watching spot near the free Spectra light show, be sure to go for happy hour!
Kinki Bar: Marina Bay views at honest prices. Best at sunset or as the night turns dark. Expect to pay $16-25 per drink.
Ce La Vie, Marina Bay Sands: The bar at the top of the Marina Bay Sands, you can get a cocktail here instead of paying from the observatory. I wasn’t necessarily pushed on the Observatory and would rather get a fancy cocktail with a view so Ce La Vie was a good solution. I saw the iconic views over the Marina Bay, Gardens by the Bay and the view out over the Singapore Strait from Ce La Vie. Tip: Make sure ask to be sat at the Poolside bar with the view of the infinity pool. We were originally sat at the other bar that overlooks the observatory deck that isn’t quite nearly as much of a vibe. We went for a a Singapore sling and paid $38 ! This is techincally the entry fee, but is redeemable against a drink. *Dress code: There is a smart casual/fancy dress code here, no shoulders on show for men, no open toed shoes either. They are very strict on this.
Atlas Bar: The Great Gatsby bar of your dreams with a world-class gin menu, extraordinary Art Deco interior and a glamorous crowd. You’ll need to book this one ahead. Again this is not budget-friendly, but worth it for a special night. Expect to pay $45-50 per cocktail.
Raffles Long Bar: Singapore Sling at its birthplace. Theatrical, historic, worth every dollar. Not budget-friendly, expect to pay $50 per cocktail.
Level 33: A very cool microbrewery on the 33rd floor of a building near Marina Bay with unbeatable views. It’s underrated with great beer. Go if you love craft beer.
Smoke & Mirrors: On top of the National Gallery with stunning views over the Padang and Marina Bay. Mid-range pricing.
Jigger & Pony: Consistently known as one of Asia's best cocktail bars. Classic technique, impeccable drinks, expect to pay $28 per cocktail.
Writers Bar, Raffles: Quieter and more intimate than the Long Bar in a beautiful colonial setting.
Singapore surprised me. Not because it's beautiful, (truthfully I expected that) but because of how many Singapores there are in one city! The futuristic Marina Bay Singapore, the colonial Raffles Singapore, the fragrant chaotic Little India Singapore, the pastel-perfect Peranakan Singapore and my personal favourite the plastic-stool Michelin hawker Singapore.
Three nights is a great intro to Singapore but truthfully I could have spent at least 5. I left with a list of things I still want to do and an even longer list of things I want to eat again.
I hope this guide helps you plan the perfect trip to one of the world’s most futuristic and culturally fascinating destinations. Make sure to follow @evaseeks on Instagram to stay up to date with new travel destinations from around our beautiful world.
THIS IS YOUR SIGN:
To follow your passions and travel the world. Have a beautiful day!
Eva x
