Singapore in 5 days

The cleanest, safest, most efficient food paradise in Asia. Best time to visit: February-April (driest months). Average daily budget: $90 to $160 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Chinatown, Heritage shophouses, Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Maxwell Food Centre.

Morning: Satay and satay at Lau Pa Sat (after 7pm). The street closes, the grills come out, the air smells of peanut sauce.

Afternoon: Explore Chinatown, Heritage shophouses, Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Maxwell Food Centre.

Evening: Gardens by the Bay at 7:30pm. The light show starts at 7:45pm. Arrive early, stay for the Supertrees.

Eat: Hainanese chicken rice at Tian Tian (Maxwell)

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Kampong Glam, The Malay-Muslim quarter. Sultan Mosque, hip cafés, fabric shops.

Morning: Hawker centre crawl: Maxwell, Old Airport Road, Chomp Chomp. Chicken rice, chilli crab, carrot cake. Three centres, one perfect day.

Afternoon: Explore Kampong Glam, The Malay-Muslim quarter. Sultan Mosque, hip cafés, fabric shops.

Evening: Sunset at Marina Bay Sands SkyPark. Book ahead. The city lights up at dusk and it's genuinely spectacular.

Eat: Chilli crab at Jumbo Seafood

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Tiong Bahru, Art deco flats, indie bookshops, the city's coolest brunch scene.

Morning: Hawker centre feast at Maxwell or Lau Pa Sat. The soul of Singapore's food scene and incredible value. Chase a Michelin-listed chicken rice or chilli crab, then satay by the dozen, expect to queue at the best stalls, that's how you find them.

Afternoon: Explore Tiong Bahru, Art deco flats, indie bookshops, the city's coolest brunch scene.

Evening: Gardens by the Bay light show. The Supertree Grove's free Garden Rhapsody show after dark is pure spectacle, towering steel trees lit and synced to music. Pair it with the Cloud Forest dome and the Marina Bay waterfront walk.

Eat: Laksa at 328 Katong Laksa

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Sentosa, Beaches, Universal Studios, the southernmost point of continental Asia.

Morning: Pulau Ubin - rent a bike, ride through jungle, no Singapore skyline in sight.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Sentosa, Beaches, Universal Studios, the southernmost point of continental Asia.

Evening: The Projector - independent cinema in a restored cinema hall.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Kaya toast and soft-boiled eggs at Ya Kun Kaya Toast

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Joo Chiat & Katong, Peranakan houses, the best laksa, local Singapore without the Marina Bay price tag.

Morning: Bukit Brown Cemetery - overgrown Chinese graves, a different side of Singapore.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Joo Chiat & Katong, Peranakan houses, the best laksa, local Singapore without the Marina Bay price tag.

Evening: Chwee Kueh at Jian Bo Shui Kueh (Tiong Bahru Market) for $2.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Hainanese chicken rice at Tian Tian (Maxwell)

Hidden gems

Pulau Ubin - rent a bike, ride through jungle, no Singapore skyline in sight.
The Projector - independent cinema in a restored cinema hall.
Bukit Brown Cemetery - overgrown Chinese graves, a different side of Singapore.
Chwee Kueh at Jian Bo Shui Kueh (Tiong Bahru Market) for $2.

Getting around

The MRT is spotless, cheap and covers everything. Get an EZ-Link card. Buses are great too. Taxis and Grab are affordable. Walking is fine in the heat if you stick to covered walkways (many exist).

Safety

One of the safest cities on earth. Solo travellers, including women, walk home at 3am without concern. The main risk is the heat - hydrate, use sunscreen, and plan indoor breaks.

Singapore in 3 days | Singapore in 7 days | Full Singapore guide