Exactly How To Spend 5 Days In Singapore (Our Step-by-Step Itinerary)

We spent more than 2 months living and working in Singapore back in 2017-2018, and we spent every single moment of our spare time exploring neighborhoods and visiting attractions. When we returned for our touristy 5-day trip in 2022, we definitely made some mistakes with timings and how we grouped areas. But by the end, we knew exactly how we would plan the perfect 5 days in Singapore itinerary if it was our first time all over again and we wanted to see the major highlights.

Our itinerary isn’t theoretical. We’ve learned which areas to focus on and which can be skipped. We figured out which attractions are worth it, and we experienced what’s actually possible in different timeframes. We know where the best foodie spots are, we have insider knowledge on how to save money, and we know how to structure days to avoid backtracking across town.

In this guide we walk you step-by-step through our complete 5-day itinerary – exactly how we’d do Singapore in a little under a week if we were first-timers. This comprehensive plan is based on our 5-day trip but adapted to be far more efficient based on what worked for us, and more importantly what didn’t. It’s fast-paced and filled with Singapore’s top attractions – but at the end of each day we explain how we’d slow it down.

We always book our attractions in Singapore through Klook rather than going direct because we discovered Klook is cheaper, they offer special bundles, and the website is much easier to navigate. Stick around until the end for our itinerary map, 5-day expense report, and advice on the most important things you need to know. Let’s dive in!

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Day 1: Marina Bay

Our first day is all about being wowed by the high-tech, futuristic, over-exuberant luxury of everything in Marina Bay. It’s home to the legendary Marina Bay Sands hotel, stylish museums, 5-star shopping, high-end dining, theater shows, and of course the unique supertrees and domes in Gardens by the Bay.

We spent more time walking around Marina Bay than any other part of Singapore across our extensive trips. Some people don’t like the manicured, artificial feel – but honestly, we can’t get enough. Every place we visited felt like being wrapped up in a luxurious blanket, and after traveling the world we can tell you that’s rare.

We’ve ticked off most of the unmissable things to see more than once and at various times of day. But here’s exactly how we’d spend our first day exploring Marina Bay in Singapore – the most efficient way possible, based on what we’ve learned:

Enjoy The View From Merlion Park (9:00 AM)

After a slow morning we’d walk or take the MRT from our hotel to arrive at Merlion Park for no later than 9:00 AM. During our 5-day trip to Singapore in 2022, we stayed at Paradox in Clarke Quay and enjoyed a scenic 20-minute walk along the riverside to reach the Merlion. We did it for sunrise photography and it was stunning, but it’s the first morning of your trip so a nice gentle start might be a better plan.

We’d snap the iconic Merlion with Marina Bay Sands photo, then walk south along the Fullerton Promenade – or through One Fullerton shopping mall if we wanted air-con. One of our top tips for day 1 is to walk through The Fullerton Bay Hotel to see its spectacular lobby, and if we needed breakfast we’d stop at Heavenly Wang to try the local kaya toast with runny eggs and kopi (coffee).

Sticking to the waterside, we’d loop around counter-clockwise and pass by the Red Dot Design Museum (do this instead of the ArtScience Museum if you love design) before arriving outside The Shoppes at Marina Bay. For now, we’d stay outside and walk past the floating Apple and Louis Vuitton stores before arriving at the ArtScience Museum.

Visit The ArtScience Museum (10:00 AM)

From the outside, the ArtScience Museum looks super cool – the massive white lotus design is one of the most recognizable buildings along Marina Bay’s sci-fi skyline. It only had a few permanent exhibits when we visited, and the rest were rotating exhibitions (digital art, architecture, media, technology) which change frequently.

We enjoyed the “crystal universe” and sleek exhibits, and overall we thought the museum worked well for anyone visiting Singapore with a healthy travel budget. But if we’re being honest, we thought SGD 49 each was a bit steep (it’s cheaper through Klook) – so if you’re visiting on a tight budget, our advice is to skip the museum and spend more time walking around The Shoppes instead, there’s plenty to see for free.

Explore The Shoppes At Marina Bay Sands (11:30 AM)

After the museum, we’d head inside the outrageously plush and pristine mega-mall called The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. We’ve been to the world’s most luxurious shopping malls (Dubai, London, Paris, Tokyo) but for pure architecture and high-end feel we think this has to be the best we’ve seen. And right now is the perfect time of day to be inside the mall with blissful air-con on full blast.

We didn’t go in a single designer store or celebrity chef fine-dining restaurant, but it was still fun to window shop and read the menus from outside. There’s also a canal with a gondola-style boat ride called a sampan ride that you can do – it only costs SGD 10 which isn’t too expensive for a gimmicky tourist trap experience.

The last thing we’d see before lunch is the totally unique Rain Oculus – a massive indoor waterfall show that begins at 1:00 PM (the next showing isn’t until 3:00 PM so don’t miss this one). We saw it twice and the crowds were heavy both times, so get there 10 minutes before to grab a front row standing spot.

Grab Lunch At The Shoppes (1:15 PM)

All the walking around would work up an appetite, so we’d choose between various lunch options depending on our travel budget. With heaps of cash to splash, we’d consider one of the high-end spots like CUT, Spago, Waku Ghin, Bread Street Kitchen or JUMBO Signatures (Mark’s first Singapore restaurant back in 2016 was Jumbo in East Coast for the famous chili crab – it was fantastic).

But more realistically for how we typically travel, we’d stick to a more casual and down to earth place like Tim Ho Wan for dim sum, Black Tap for burger and beer, or one of the many eateries in Rasapura Masters food court.

Be Wowed At Gardens By The Bay (2:30 PM)

Refueled and refreshed, we’d take the Marina Bay Sands bridge link straight into Gardens by the Bay. Now, across our trips we’ve done the seen and done every part of Gardens by the Bay at different times of day – and it was our first time again we’d walk straight through the supertrees to see them in daylight, before starting our visit with the two gigantic domes which house the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome.

Importantly, we’d have already pre-booked combo tickets for the two domes (compare ticket prices direct vs Klook – we found Klook to be cheaper and they often have a special offer to include the Skytree Observatory for just SGD 2 extra).

Starting with the Flower Dome, we’d spend a good hour walking around the beautifully themed gardens and floral displays. There was loads to see and it was a bit of a maze so we ended up walking back on ourselves a few times.

Then we’d head over to the Cloud Forest, see the waterfall from below, take the lift to the top floor and start descending the suspended walkway at exactly 4:00 PM when the mist begins (the mist only happens every 2 hours and is the best part).

Once down at ground level, we’d make our way back to the supertrees and either walk the OCBC Skyway – a narrow curving walkway between two supertrees OR go up to the Supertree Observatory – a rooftop observation deck with unobstructed 360-degree views on top of the tallest supertree. The light would be perfect for both in the late afternoon, and it wouldn’t be as hot or humid by now.

We enjoyed the Flower Dome (the other major attraction in Gardens by the Bay) during our last trip to Singapore, but honestly it got a bit samey, so we’d skip it and spend that SGD 20 on getting views from the top of Marina Bay Sands before going out for dinner.

Kristen’s insider planning tip: Don’t book the Skyway or Observatory in advance because they close during thunder storms (which are frequent in Singapore). Instead, wait until you’re on-site and you know the weather is clear.

See The Sunset From LAVO Or CE LA VIE (6:00 PM)

For every first Singapore trip, the most desirable thing to do is go up Marina Bay Sands. Now, there are three different options (excluding staying at Marina Bay Sands and having access to the infinity pool): the SkyPark, LAVO and CE LA VIE.

We did the SkyPark back in 2018 and while the view was cool, it costs a hefty SGD 39 after 4:00 PM (compare prices direct vs Klook), it’s small and it doesn’t include anything else other than the view. This was a mistake we made and now we always recommend skipping it.

Instead, our insider advice is to go for a drink at either LAVO or CE LA VIE. Why? Because at LAVO all you have to do is buy a drink to meet the SGD 30 minimum spend per person, and at CE LA VIE you pay a SGD 30 cover charge but that includes a drink. So for less money, you get the views and a drink. It’s a no-brainer.

Mark’s top timing tip: Singapore sits close to the equator so sunrise and sunset times don’t vary much throughout the year. Make sure to check sunset times so you don’t miss the spectacle, but it will be predictably close to 7:00 PM.

Eat Dinner At The Bay (7:30 PM)

After watching sunset and the Gardens by the Bay rhapsody light show from above with a drink, we’d be more than ready for dinner. If we were already up at LAVO staying there for more views as the city lit up below would be an option (this would need to be booked in advance). We’d also consider any of the dozens of restaurants in the mall, and there’s also the famous Palm Beach Seafood back near the Merlion in One Fullerton with Marina Bay views.

But for us, we’d actually step away from Marina Bay very briefly and take a 10 minute walk through the Central Business District to Lau Pa Sat hawker center on the edge of Chinatown. This place turns into a car-free zone after 7:00 PM, they light up the grills and the atmosphere is fantastic. We’ve eaten far too many chicken satays here, and we’ll definitely be back for more next time.

Watch The Spectra Light Show (9:00 PM)

No matter where we ate dinner, we’d walk back to The Shoppes and find a place to sit in-between Apple and Louis Vuitton in time to watch the 9:00 PM Spectra light and water show. It’s free to watch, and it’s well worth the effort. We had no idea what to expect, but the dazzling lights, lasers and fountains turned out to be awesome. It was a bit like the Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas but with more color.

How to slow it down: If day 1 sounds too busy, we would start by cutting the ArtScience Museum to free up an extra 1 hour 30 minutes. Or for something totally different, this top rated 4-hour sunset and night guided tour is a fun way to combine the merlion, walk to Clarke Quay, river cruise, brief visit to Gardens by the Bay when it’s lit up and the Spectra light show.

Day 2: Chinatown, Civic District & Clarke Quay

Our second day takes you on a journey from heritage to high life. We walk from the grit and smells of Chinatown to the polished marble of the Civic District and the vibrant riverside quays. There’s a few different ways to make the most of this day, but we’re going to show you how we’d do it most effectively:

Explore Chinatown (8:00 AM)

We’d get an early start and either walk or take the MRT to Chinatown, arriving around 8:00 AM. For the next hour we’d wander around Mosque Street, Pagoda Street, Temple Street and Smith Street with a coffee to see murals, street markets and the energetic chaos of Chinatown. And we’d also take a quick look around Sri Mariamman Temple – the oldest Hindu Temple in Singapore.

Next, right as it opened to the public at 9:00 AM, we’d go inside Buddha Tooth Relic Temple – a northern Chinese Buddhist Temple in the Tang style – and explore the various museum floors. Then at 10:00 AM we’d walk back through those same Chinatown streets and spend a good hour looking around the shophouse museum called Chinatown Heritage Centre to see what it was like to live there as an early settler.

Grab An Early Hawker Lunch (11:00 AM)

After the museum, we’d walk down Club Street and Ann Siang Hill (both are better at night but our itinerary leaves Chinatown after lunch) to Maxwell Food Centre – one of Singapore’s most famous hawkers.

By going early we’d beat the office lunch crowd and buy taste tian tian Hainanese chicken rice without waiting in a massive line. It’s a huge hawker centre, so we’d have a good look around to see what else piqued our interest.

Mark’s top foodie tours: Next time we’re in Singapore we’ll either book this incredibly popular food tour through Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam to sample the best local food – or this top rated cooking class if we wanted to actually cook classic Singaporean dishes fully hands-on in the heart of Chinatown.

Walk Up Telok Ayer Street To Boat Quay (12:00 PM)

After lunch we’d walk up Telok Ayer Street to see the Taoist Temple, Thian Hock Keng. We really liked this picturesque street with more history and far fewer tourists, it’s where we’d book a hotel if we ever stayed in Chinatown – The Clan Hotel.

At the end of Telok Ayer Street as it turns into Phillip Street, we’d take a quick look around Yueh Hai Ching Temple. It was interesting to see the tiny temple backed by massive CBD skyscrapers, a great example of how Singapore seamlessly blends old and new.

Next, we’d take a quick walk up and back down Boat Quay to see its many restaurants and pubs along the Singapore River. Boat Quay was always quiet when we walked through during the day, but it would get lively after work hours when the pubs put on happy hour promotions.

Cross Into The Civic District (1:00 PM)

We’d continue walking east on the south river bank until reaching The Fullerton Hotel – one of our favorite buildings in Singapore from a photography perspective. It’s stunning, and it’s worth taking a quick look inside to see the atrium filled with sunlight.

Crossing the Cavenagh Bridge, we’d walk past the Asian Civilizations Museum, the Old Parliament House and Victoria Concert Hall. This whole area is grand, open and grassy – a total contrast to the morning in Chinatown’s narrow crowded streets.

You could visit the National Gallery at this point, but we’re not massively into modern art so we’d skip it and do the National Museum later in the afternoon instead.

Order A Singapore Sling At Raffles (1:30 PM)

On the way to Raffles, we’d either walk along St. Andrew’s Road and past War Memorial Park to go the quickest way, or we’d walk through Funan and Raffles City malls if the humidity was too much and we needed air-con.

We’d definitely enter the world famous Raffles Hotel from the front (on Beach Road) to get the iconic hotel photo, then we’d walk straight around to the corner of Bras Basah Road and North Bridge Road to enter the Long Bar.

The Long Bar is where we’d order two Singapore Sling cocktails for the best part of SGD 50 a pop. We had tears in our eyes after dropping 100 bucks, but it was cool to sit at a table, take a ton of photos, and slowly slurp down the famous gin-based drink. It’s a rite of passage for first timers, so don’t miss it. We loved the colonial architecture and quiet gardens at Raffles – it would be a super tranquil place to stay.

Learn About Singapore At The National Museum (3:00 PM)

After leaving the Long Bar, we’d walk straight into Chijmes and grab a coffee and snack at The Glasshouse. Chijmes is a newer and increasingly popular place to grab dinner in a lovely setting (it was featured in the movie Crazy, Rich, Asians) but for now we’d grab a light bite.

From Chijmes it’s just a few minutes walk to reach the National Museum of Singapore. We thought the museum’s immersive exhibitions explaining Singapore’s origins were fantastic – all our senses were engaged. But it did cost us SGD 36 to get in, which is more expensive than the National Gallery.

Eat Dinner At Robertson Quay (5:30 PM)

We’d cross straight into Fort Canning Park after leaving the museum. There’s a superb photo spot you have to visit called the tree tunnel (make sure you have a wide angle lens or switch to 0.5 on your phone), and there’s also a brilliant alternative to the National Museum called Battlebox – a military museum in a bunker. It’s free for basic entry, but you can also get enhanced exhibits. We learned about the British surrendering to the Japanese here and thought it was excellent.

Next, we’d walk southeast through Fort Canning Park, exit next to the Old Hill Street Police Station, cross the Coleman Bridge, and take the steps down heading west along the Singapore River. We’d stick to the south bank and walk beyond Clarke Quay until crossing the Alkaff Bridge right into Robertson Quay.

There’s tons of great Western places to eat in Robertson Quay, it’s got a very Australian or European feel. We love Bakalaki Greek Taverna, but there’s everything from Italian to Mexican and from Japanese to Barbecue. We always like the chilled out vibe in Robertson Quay, it’s a great spot for a few casual drinks early in the evening.

Go For Drinks In Clarke Quay (7:00 PM)

After dinner we’d walk along the north bank of the river to the canopy-covered Clarke Quay. We need to warn you, it’s super touristy and drinks are outrageously overpriced (we’ve spent SGD 20 on a beer in Clarke Quay many times, which always hurts) – but the way we look at it is you’re paying for the lively atmosphere and unrivaled people watching.

This very loud, very Western feeling nightlife hotspot really starts to liven up later in the evening and it’s even home to a super-club called Zouk, which we’ve found ourselves in once or twice over the years. It’s always a good time in Clarke Quay!

How to slow it down: We’d be more concerned about the exposed walks than slowing things down. The very easy way to slow day 2 down is to skip doing any of the museums. But to combat the longest walk, we would take an MRT from Raffles Place to City Hall instead of walking from Boat Quay to Raffles Hotel.

Day 3: Botanic Gardens & Mandai Wildlife Reserve

Our third day gets you out of the urban sprawl and into nature for a change of pace. Most people only know about Singapore Zoo, but it’s actually part of a huge 5-park destination called the Mandai Wildlife Reserve. And the Botanic Garden is so peaceful. Here’s how we’d tick off the best of Singapore’s natural areas in the most efficient order:

Walk Through The Botanic Gardens (9:00 AM)

After breakfast, we’d take an MRT to Napier and enter Singapore Botanic Gardens via its southeast entrance – or if we booked a hotel like Artyzen in Orchard, we’d walk 10 minutes to the entrance instead. Here’s our guide on where to book a hotel in Singapore to learn more about the pros and cons to each area.

The first half of our Botanic Gardens route would be: Marsh Garden > Sundial Garden > Bandstand > Sun Garden > Ginger Garden > National Orchid Garden – which is the major highlight we absolutely wouldn’t miss.

The National Orchid Garden costs SGD 15 / adult (it’s cheaper with Klook), and we honestly think it’s well worth paying for. We loved seeing orchids and other plants in the artificially created tropical montane forest (mountain slopes), cool house (high elevation forest), mist house and other collections which emulate lower-mid elevations. The fountains and Instagram-favorite photo spot called Silver Arches are also unmissable.

Then the second half of our route would be: Symphony Lake > Evolution Garden > Ethnobotany Garden > and finally Jacob Ballas Garden (which is perfect for families with kids).

Early Lunch In The Gardens (11:30 AM)

Right next to the kids garden is Small Batch, which is exactly where we’d grab a coffee and healthy tapas-style lunch. Trust us, it’s a great spot. We had sourdough, avocado, eggs and a french toast treat with coffees to refuel. You’re going to need the energy so fill up here!

Now, we always try to walk as much as possible, and if walking isn’t an option we try to take public transport because it’s cheaper and better for the environment. But this is one occasion where taking a taxi or ride share is essential.

It only takes around 25 minutes by car from the Botanic Garden to Mandai, but it would take well over an hour to do it by MRT and shuttle bus, plus it would include a lot of walking. Tell the driver or book the Grab to “Mandai Wildlife West” – the ride should cost something like SGD 25.

Trek The Rainforest Wild (1:30 PM)

From the drop off, we’d walk straight into Rainforest Wild Asia. There are different difficulty options ranging from easy elevated walkways to stream and boulder treks for a more adventurous visit. We’d take the adventure route, but go with whichever you feel most comfortable – bearing in mind there’s a lot more walking to do in the afternoon.

This area includes reptiles, birds, free-roaming langurs, a sun bear and Malayan tigers. All in, we’d expect it to take us around 90 minutes to complete the Rainforest Wild loop, no matter which route we took.

Kristen’s money saving tip: The cheapest way to see multiple parks in Mandai Wildlife Reserve is to buy a combo ticket through Klook. The 5-in-1 combo ticket is often cheaper than individual entry to Rainforest Wild, Zoo and Night Safari (plus it includes entry to River Wonders and Bird Paradise if you wanted to see all five parks).

Explore Singapore Zoo (3:30 PM)

After the trek, we’d have to get from Mandai West to East, so we’d either walk the shaded boardwalk for 10 minutes or take the free shuttle bus. After entering Singapore Zoo, we’d immediately hop on the tram and get off at the far end of the zoo. This would give us a quick breather, help us get our bearings and mean that we could slowly meander back to the entrance without having to walk the full loop.

Our zoo route would be: Wild Africa > Australasia > Fragile Forest > Orangutan Island > Reptopia > Treetops Trail. We’re never sure how we feel about zoos, but Singapore’s is one of the best we’ve visited in terms of more natural feeling habitats and genuine conservation efforts.

Grab Dinner At Mandai West (6:00 PM)

The zoo closes at 6:00 PM and the Night Safari begins at 7:15 PM, so we’d eat dinner at Ulu Ulu Safari Restaurant. During our trip in 2022, Kristen ate a ton of chicken satay and Mark had a chicken tikka and naan platter. It was actually pretty good for zoo food. The restaurant had a fun atmosphere as the masses all gathered, ate dinner and waited for the Night Safari to open.

Kristen’s insider tip: We didn’t know during our visit so we missed it, but there’s a “creatures of the night” show that can be booked in advance using the Mandai mobile app 2 hours before each showing time of 7:30 PM, 8:30 PM and 9:30 PM. We strongly recommend setting an alarm for 5:30 PM so you can book the 7:30 PM showing. Tickets sell out almost instantly so be ready!

Do The Night Safari (7:15 PM)

After pre-booking the 7:30 PM creatures of the night show, we’d do that first and 20 minutes later once it finished we’d queue up for the tram – which is the only way to see the rhinos and Malayan tapir.

After the tram ride, we’d walk the Leopard Trail to see small cats and giant flying foxes. Our Night Safari was a complete washout with monsoon-like rains, so we got drenched and a lot of the animals weren’t out. But it was still fun and we’d recommend it to friends or family.

How to change it up: If the Mandai Wildlife area isn’t your cup of tea, we recommend hiking the MacRitchie TreeTop Walk after the Botanic Gardens instead. It’s a scenic walk through trees to a massive suspension bridge with wild macaques, just make sure the monkeys can’t steal anything valuable. Alternatively, skip nature altogether on day 3 and instead book this private walking tour of Singapore – it’s totally customizable, you pick the length and exactly where you want to go. Our advice? Ask to see hidden gems.

Day 4: Orchard & Kampong Glam

Our fourth day is all about the polar opposite experiences of polished mega-malls and artistic soul. Here’s how we’d plan the perfect walking route through Orchard, Bugis and Kampong Glam:

Shopping Orchard’s Super-Malls (9:00 AM)

If we weren’t staying in Orchard, we’d take the MRT to Orchard station on the west side of the long and busy shopping street. This would bring us straight into ION – a massive, futuristic-looking mall with several basement levels deep underground. And we’d start the morning by heading down to Food Opera to splash out on a fancy coffee at Bacha.

Here’s an insider tip – if you spend SGD 20 at any store in ION, you get free entry to ION Sky observation deck (using the ION Orchard app – Apple / Android). We’d do it if we bought something. Otherwise, we’d walk the underground link through Wisma Atria to Ngee Ann City. This network of pristine subterranean malls blew us away, it’s like a sci-fi city below a city.

Other impressive malls on both sides of Orchard Road include Paragon, 313 at Somerset, Orchard Central and The Centrepoint. We absolutely wouldn’t go in them all, but we’d spend a few hours visiting the entrances to see how each one is different. Another great tip for you – next to The Centrepoint is a narrow hidden street called Emerald Hill Road with luxury Peranakan shophouses, it’s a superb photo spot.

Eat Lunch At Bugis Street Market (12:00 PM)

Personally, we’d walk 25 minutes from Emerald Hill Road to Bugis, but you could take the red MRT from Somerset to City Hall and change onto the green MRT to Bugis to save energy. On the walk across to Bugis, we’d stop at Sri Krishnan Temple (Hindu) and Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple (Buddist) to enjoy two quieter temples.

Next, we’d walk through Bugis Street which is like a bazaar filled with shops and eateries. It’s massive and popular, so expect it to be busy around lunch time. We’d sample street snacks like rice balls covered in peanut, fried chicken and Thai milk tea. It’s a bit more touristy than local hawkers but it has a fun vibe.

Stop For A Cocktail In ATLAS (1:30 PM)

Once we were full of snacks, we’d walk a few minutes to Parkview Square (locally known as the “Gotham Building” because its design looks like a Gotham City building from Batman) and head for ATLAS – one of the world’s most famous high-end cocktail bars with a grand art deco interior.

It’s in the lobby so it doesn’t have views, but the room looks stunning. We missed this because we weren’t dressed smartly enough (before 5:00 PM the dress code isn’t strict, but we had running shoes and moisture wicking sports clothes on), so if you want to try a cocktail or afternoon tea in ATLAS, make sure to dress a bit smarter.

Mark’s top hotel tip: We love this area and will likely stay there next time we visit Singapore. The hotel we’ll stay at is called Andaz, which is located right next to the Gotham Building and has a popular rooftop bar called Mr. Stork.

Visit The Sultan Mosque (3:00 PM)

After leaving Parkview Square, we’d walk along N Bridge Road into Kampong Glam (Malay-Muslim heritage), one of our favorite neighborhoods in Singapore. We’d start by going inside the Sultan Mosque – it’s open 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM in the afternoon – and taking photos of the golden domes from outside.

We had to cover our shoulders and knees to go in, but there was someone at the entrance handing out free cover-ups. There were small groups of people praying on the carpeted floor, the interior architecture was stunning, and everyone was super friendly – so overall it was well worth going inside.

Take Photos On Haji Lane (3:30 PM)

Next, we’d walk down the Instagram-favorite Haji Lane. We loved the colorful narrow street covered with murals and flanked by vintage shops, eateries and bars. It’s a great place to top up with food and a beer, we did this at Black Sheep and Co, but there’s plenty of other fantastic places with tables spilling out onto the street.

Kristen’s top bike tour: This extremely popular guided bike tour explores Marina Bay, Civic District, Little India and ends in Kampong Glam. It’s exactly how we’d want to see Singapore’s neighborhoods if we short on time or wanted to learn more about each area.

Eat Dinner On Bussorah Street (5:30 PM)

We’d take a left at the bottom of Haji Lane, pass by Arab Street, and then take a left on Bussorah Street. Right on the corner there’s a very popular Singaporean restaurant called The Coconut Club, or there’s heaps of Turkish and Lebanese restaurants dotted all the way up Bussorah that have excellent ratings.

We enjoyed a delicious meze platter, lamb mandi, shish tawook and apple tea at Cappadocia. It was expensive (the whole street has tourist prices) but it had a busy and uplifting atmosphere. Next time we’d probably try Sultan Turkish Restaurant instead because it spills out into the pedestrian-only part of Bussorah Street which has direct views of the Sultan Mosque.

After dinner, we’d either hang out at a few more bars in the lively Kampong Glam, or we’d maybe take a night stroll through Little India to see another part of Singapore. The Mustafa Center is a chaotic but fun 24-hour department store that sells pretty much anything you can think of, Sri Veeramakaiamman Temple lights up at night, and the stretch of Serangoon Road back down towards the Tekka Centre is a good way to feel the vibe of Little India.

How to slow it down: This is already a pretty slow day, but you could skip Bugis and split the day in half between Orchard and Kampong Glam if you’d prefer to spend longer shopping the mega-malls.

Day 5: Sentosa Or East Coast

Our fifth and final day is a toss up between two totally different options – either spend a day attraction-hopping on Singapore’s tourist bubble Sentosa Island, or get completely off the beaten path in Katong and East Coast Park.

We’re including both because we know Sentosa will work perfectly for families, thrill-seeking couples or anyone who wants a vacation from their vacation, but it’s also the last place a lot of other visitors would go. That’s why we’re giving you a tourist-free alternative in Katong, which we know would better suit photographers, foodies, or anyone who wants to see where Singaporeans actually live.

Attraction-Hopping On Sentosa Island

For Mark’s birthday back in 2017, we did Universal Studios and Tanjong Beach Club on Sentosa Island. It was a fun day, but we barely scratched the surface of Sentosa’s tourist attractions. There’s so much to do for families and couples who enjoy things like theme parks or aquariums. In truth, you really need 2 full days to see it all, but here’s how we’d see the highlights in one day:

Morning: We’d start by taking the scenic cable car (look for special bundle deals with Klook) from Mount Faber Peak to Sentosa Station, aiming to arrive by around 9:30 AM. Then we’d either do 4 hours at Universal Studios or 2 hours at the Singapore Oceanarium and 2 hours at Adventure Cove Waterpark. They all open at 10:00 AM.

Afternoon: Around 2:00 PM we’d walk down Sentosa Sensoryscape, then take the free beach shuttle bus to Siloso Point. After getting off the bus we’d do the Fort Siloso Skywalk – which is effectively a treetop walkway that goes over a colonial fort. Next, we’d walk back down by the beach and drop into Ola Beach Club or Bikini Bar for a relaxing beer.

Evening: Finally, we’d book the 7:40 PM showing of the 20-minute long Wings of Time fountain and pyrotechnic show. It costs SGD 16 with Klook or SGD 22 direct. Once it finished, we’d take the monorail from Beach Station to VivoCity and hop on the MRT back to our hotel.

Getting Off The Beaten Path In Katong

During the two months we spent working and living in Singapore back in 2017-2018 before starting this travel business, we stayed at Hotel Indigo in Katong. We really liked the area because there were basically no tourists there at all, it was all locals going about their regular work days. Here’s how we’d see the highlights in one day:

Morning: We’d start with charcoal-toasted kaya, eggs and kopi at Chin Mee Chin Confectionary. Then we’d walk to Koon Seng Road to see the pastel shophouses – one of the best examples of Peranakan homes in Singapore. They’re all different colors and make for superb photos.

Lunch: We mostly ate on East Coast Road (our favorite restaurant was Rabbit, Carrot, Gun but that’s unfortunately no longer in business) and inside i12 Katong shopping mall. But in recent years, Joo Chiat Road has basically become a foodies paradise with stacks of top rated dining options like La Bottega Enoteca, Merci Marcel, Little Farms Bistro, Carlitos Casa de Comidas and Chuan Wei Xuan.

Afternoon: After lunch we’d take a 5 minute ride share to Marine Cove in East Coast Park. We hired rollerblades here in 2018 and that was good fun, but for this itinerary it’s better to take a slow walk heading east toward the Bedok Jetty. We’d stop at PS.Cafe for a coffee, then we’d stop in at East Coast Lagoon hawker for satay and street eats on the beach.

Evening: Without filling up too much, we’d continue walking along East Coast Park to Fico – a trendy Italian restaurant. Here, we’d either stop for dinner, or we’d have a drink before continuing our coastal walk to High Tide Bistro for dinner. Either way, it would be a lovely, romantic and breezy stroll with loads of food and drink stops. Eventually, after a celebratory end of trip beer, we’d take a ride share back to our hotel.

Kristen’s foodie alternative: This 6-hour top rated food tour begins in Katong at 9:00 AM and goes through both Kampong Glam and Little India – it would be a fantastic way for foodies to end the trip!

Singapore Itinerary Map

Map key:

• Red – Day 1
• Blue – Day 2
• Green – Day 3
• Orange – Day 4
• Purple – Day 5 (Sentosa)
• Yellow – Day 5 (East Coast)

How to use this map: Click the map above to activate, then tap any icon to see more information. See a list of all attractions by clicking the arrow icon in the top left, or see a full version of the map by clicking the “view larger map” icon in the top right. When you’re in Singapore you can open the map, tap the next place you want to visit and get directions. Stops for each day on the map are listed in order, so you can easily follow the route.

How to save this map: Click the small star next to the map title – this will add the map to your Google account. Open your Google Maps app, tap “saved”, then tap “maps” and open this map.

Planning For 5 Days In Singapore

From our extensive time spent in Singapore, we learned about budgeting and key tips you should know before your trip. These are the things we would love to have known before we visited:

5-Day Budget Breakdown

Singapore is one of those places that can be as expensive or cheap as you make it. Our 5-day trip in 2022 wasn’t anywhere near as pricey as expected based on how expensive we remember it being from our work trips in 2017-2018. Here’s why:

• We strategically chose to stay at a hotel offering exceptional value for money (Paradox in Clarke Quay cost us SGD 1,305 for 5 nights) rather than a famous hotel like Raffles or Marina Bay Sands.
• We ate at hawkers or quieter, local restaurants rather than fine-dining or eating in touristy areas.
• We walked or used the MRT as often as possible to keep costs down on ride shares.
• We calmed down the beers, glasses of wine and cocktails because alcohol is very expensive.

Unlike Rome, London or NYC, Singapore doesn’t have a totally contrasting busy peak season and quiet off season. That means you don’t have to book hotels months in advance, and as a result of high competition, there’s plenty of great hotels offering good value year round. If you eat conservatively, don’t drink much, and walk or use the MRT to get around, you can have a surprisingly affordable trip.

Here’s how much a couple might spend by following our itinerary (5 days and 5 nights):

• Hotel: SGD 1,500 (300/night)
• Food & Dining: SGD 800 (80/day per person)
• Alcohol: SGD 200
• Attractions: SGD 500
• Transport: SGD 200
• Total: SGD 3,200

Now, you absolutely could do it cheaper or you could easily spend 3-4 times that much. It all depends on your budget and travel style. But as mid-range travelers, this is a best-guess estimate of how much we’d spend if it was our first time in Singapore following this itinerary exactly.

What You Need To Know

SG arrival card: We used to fill out an arrival card as we began descending into Changi, but now you must submit an online Digital SG Arrival Card within 3 days of arrival. It’s free and doesn’t take long. Also, upon arrival get a Singtel or StarHub tourist SIM at the airport for SGD 15 and more data than you could use in 5 days.

Getting around: Without question, the best way to get around Singapore is by walking, taking MRT’s (see MRT map), and hopping in the occasional Grab ride share when an MRT won’t work. Renting a car for 5 days is not a good idea – they’re expensive, you’ll need gas, hotels charge nightly rates to park, getting parking spots is challenging, they drive on the left, you’ll end up with road tolls – the list goes on. It’s not worth it.

Physical demands: Singapore is incredibly hot and humid year round. Even walking slowly can feel physically exhausting if you’re not used to it. Avoid being outside during the hottest parts of the day if you can help it, always wear sunscreen and never go for long periods without drinking water. It’s amazing how fast you sweat it all out. Tap water is safe to drink.

Money: Tipping is not expected in Singapore, but in restaurants a 10% service and 9% GST (tax) are automatically added to the bill. If you ever see ++ on menus, that’s what it means. Most places are now cashless so you only need SGD 50 or so in cash for hawker stalls, but everywhere else including the MRT is credit card or phone taps.

Fines: Chewing gum can’t be bought or sold in the city-state, there’s strictly no eating or drinking on the MRT (not even water), and smoking is only allowed in designated areas. Fines will be dished out. It does make it feel a bit clinical, but it also feels safe which is a trade-off we don’t mind.

Packing: It’s actually super easy to pack for Singapore. We always just make sure we have double the amount of shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, dresses, and especially moisture wicking active gear than we usually would pack. Multi-functional dress up or down gear every single time. No “maybe” options. No heavy coats. One pair of comfy worn-in running shoes for all the walking, one pair of trendy shoes or Birkenstocks for meals out. Finally, a compact umbrella became our best friend. Oh, and always carry a light long sleeve upper layer handy at all times for malls, museums and other indoor areas with Arctic-feeling AC temperatures.

When to visit: We’ve been to Singapore in May, October, November, December and January – and there were some pretty big differences. November through January is monsoon season and boy did it rain. We were constantly getting soaked by massive downpours that came out of nowhere. August to October is haze season and we definitely felt the tail end of that in October. February through April is the best time to visit for more sunshine, less rain and low humidity – typical that we haven’t been at the best time! Mark’s trip in May 2016 was very hot and humid (the kind where you’re glistening the second you walk outside), and it’s the same in June.

Next Steps

We hope our 5-day itinerary helps you figure out how to spend your days in Singapore.

If you’d like more personalized help, we offer expert planning consultations where we answer any questions you have, help you avoid tourist traps and plan the perfect itinerary based on how you like to travel. Book a 1-on-1 call.

Still researching for your trip?

• Don’t miss these top Singapore experiences.
• These are the top areas to stay in Singapore.
• Here’s how to visit Gardens by the Bay.

Happy travels,

Mark and Kristen

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