3 perfect days in Singapore

Singapore used to be known as a business hub or a quick stopover city en route to other parts of Southeast Asia. No longer. This place is bursting with fresh energy. The cocktail scene is setting the pace for innovation, art has found life, young entrepreneurs are ditching their 9-5 jobs for passion projects, and the city is greener than ever. Add to all that a string of high-profile hotel openings—like Mondrian and Edition—and you’ve got a buzz-worthy travel destination.

In three days you won’t experience everything in this multicultural island, but we’ve rounded up the must-see sights, along with local faves, emerging spots, and hacks from our Tripadvisor community to give you a taste of modern Singapore. And even if you’ve visited before, you’ll still discover something new with this must-have guide.

There’s no better introduction to Singapore than Gardens by the Bay in the Marina Bay area. The stars of the show are the Supertrees—space-age looking towers that are actually vertical gardens housing over 160,000 plants. The thread that connects these structures is a 72-foot-high aerial walkway that offers spectacular views of the city’s southern coast. And don’t miss the Cloud Forest, one of two lush glass conservatories with the world’s largest indoor waterfall. Come first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds and catch the day’s first misting experience at 10 a.m. When the dome is enveloped with atmospheric vapor, it feels like you’ve been transported to another planet. Hot tip: If you find yourself back in Marina Bay at night, the Garden Rhapsody light show is worth checking out.

There’s more to ultra-modern Singapore. Take a leisurely stroll around Marina Bay, where you can catch a glimpse of Marina Bay Sands (yes, the boat hotel), the Singapore Flyer (one of the largest observation wheels in the world), and the city’s stunning skyline. Get your camera ready—this is your chance to see the water-spewing Merlion, Singapore’s mythical creature, up-close.

MARINA BAY TOUR OPTIONS

Your reward from all that walking? A hearty lunch at National Kitchen by Violet Oon. This popular restaurant is known for its spellbinding array of Peranakan dishes, a cross-cultural cuisine that emerged when early Chinese immigrants married locals from the Malay Archipelago. For spots that go easier on the spices, try New Ubin at CHIJMES for zi char (stir-fried dishes) or Wah Lok at the Carlton Hotel for dim sum.

As the tropical heat can be brutal for many travelers, the National Gallery Singapore is balm to the soul. Set in a pair of neoclassical buildings, this museum is home to the world’s largest display of modern Southeast Asian art. It’s also great for uncovering lesser-known traditions like Nanyang art. The grounds are massive, so start with the galleries that pique your interest. If you’re traveling with little ones, don’t miss the Keppel Centre for Art Education—it just completed a big revamp.

When it comes to iconic Singaporean food, chili crab is always a top contender. Invented in the 1950s, this sweet, savory, and spicy dish is one of this city’s national dishes. The most picturesque spot to try it—in my books, at least—is Jumbo Seafood at Riverside Point, as you’ll be dining right along the Singapore River.

Ready for a nightcap? Get a taste of Singapore’s buzzing cocktail scene around the corner at 28 Hong Kong Street, a cool speakeasy. Another top pick that’s not far away is Atlas, an Art Deco bar with over 1,300 gin brands. If the night's still young, hit up the Telok Ayer neighborhood—there are a clutch of bars with boundary-pushing menus. Fura, Native, and Pocket Junior Bar are some of my faves.

Singapore may come across as a concrete jungle, but MacRitchie Reservoir Park is where you’ll think again. Spanning almost 5,000 acres of dense rainforest, it features a 12.4-mile network of trails and boardwalks. As you explore Singapore’s largest reservoir and spot wild macaque monkeys along the way, don’t miss the Treetop Walk, an 820-foot freestanding suspension bridge with panoramic views of the forest canopy. A tip: This adventure can be a sweaty affair, so bring along a hat, water bottle, towel, and a change of clothes. Mosquito repellent might also come in handy.

Ask a local for lunch recommendations and they’ll likely point you toward a hawker center. Dotted all around the island, these open-air food courts are a shoo-in for cheap and great eats. There’s no better jumping-off point than Chinatown Complex Food Center. This is not only Singapore’s largest hawker center, it’s home to multi-generation hawkers whose ancestors used to ply the street with their mobile kitchens.

Don’t be overwhelmed by the dizzying number of stalls. Here’s the lowdown on the highly-rated spots: Go to Hill Street Fried Kway Teow for char kway teow (stir-fried flat noodles), Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck and Kway Chap for kway chap (rice sheets served with braised pork cuts), and Xiu Ji Ikan Bilis Yong Tau Fu for yong tau fu (Hakka Chinese dish using stuffed tofu). The most famous stall is arguably Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice, as it used to serve the world’s cheapest Michelin-starred meal. Traveling alone? Simply leave a packet of tissue paper or your business card on an empty table, and locals will assume the seat is taken.

Your next stop is literally a stone’s throw away: the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, a majestic worship hall that has incorporated architectural elements from the Tang Dynasty. On the same street, you’ll also find Sri Mariamman, Singapore’s biggest and oldest Hindu temple, and Masjid Jamae, an Indian muslim mosque. They speak to Singapore’s multicultural identity—a port city built on the shoulders of many races and religions.

If you have extra time, People’s Park Complex is worth a visit. It’s a distinctive brutalist structure that’ll take you back to 1970s Singapore. Cap off your Chinatown escape with a secret observation spot that only locals know about. Head to the public housing flats at Block 335B Smith Street and take Lift A to the high floors—you’ll get an eye-popping view of the old shophouses and sparkling Central Business District skyscrapers.

As evening rolls along, head to Little India. Formerly home to cattle herders and lime kilns, this vibrant neighborhood has kept its charm through the years. Open-air markets spill into backstreets, and larger-than-life murals are found at every turn. You’ll be spoiled for choice at dinnertime. The top picks are Podi & Poriyal for South Indian vegetarian dishes, Barakath for banana leaf rice, or Mr Biryani for Hyderabadi-style dum biryani.

Come dusk, it’s time to step into Singapore’s past—but with a twist. Set around Jalan Besar (right next to Little India), New World’s End combines immersive art with an audio-guided walking tour. Armed with an old-school MP3 player and a map, you’ll track the story of a cinema projectionist and a cabaret dancer who met at New World’s Amusement Park, a popular nighttime haunt in the 1960s. Follow along and you’ll venture into back-alleys, uncover secret set pieces, and learn about the area’s fascinating backstory. Psst: There’s also a hidden pop-up bar at your final stop.

CULTURAL TOUR OPTIONS

The final day is all about exploring old Singapore. It starts way east at Changi Village, a low-slung beachside neighborhood with an easygoing vibe. An incredible breakfast awaits at Changi Village Hawker Centre. Most locals make a beeline for nasi lemak (a coconut rice dish) from International Muslim Food Stall, but lighter meal options include goreng pisang (fried banana fritters) from Million Star Fried Banana or freshly made soya bean milk from Changi Smoothie & Sugarcane.

After your morning fix, make your way to Changi Point Ferry Terminal for an offshore voyage. Out of Singapore’s 64 (who would have guessed?) offshore islands, Pulau Ubin is my all-time fave. Set off the mainland’s northeastern coast, it used to be a granite quarry in the 1800s. Today it’s a rustic sanctuary known for one of Singapore’s last remaining kampongs (traditional villages) and Chek Jawa Wetlands, a wildlife haven. A 15-minute bumboat ride is all it takes to reach this balmy island.

PULAU UBIN TOUR OPTIONS

A short car ride from Changi Point Ferry Terminal will whisk you to Singapore’s hippest neighborhood, Joo Chiat-Katong. But first, it’s time for lunch. Head to Beach Road Prawn Mee for the prawn noodles—the broth is packed with so much umami, one bowl may not be enough.

The Intan—a living museum—is the perfect starting point for exploring this neighborhood. It's steeped in Peranakan culture and filled with family heirlooms, antiques, and colorful stories. Other treasure troves of all things Peranakan include Straits Enclave (a private museum), Kim Choo (a snack shop-slash-gallery), and Rumah Bebe (a chic boutique). Be sure to check out the pastel-hued shophouses along Koon Seng Road—they are a sight to behold.

That’s not the end of your Joo Chiat-Katong excursion. This neighborhood has been gaining ground as a lifestyle spot in the last two years, with a new wave of restaurants, stores, and cafes setting up shop. My personal picks are SOJAO for a beautiful curation of home goods, Rye for understated womenswear, Wine Mouth for delicious natural wines, Birds of Paradise for botanical-flavored gelato, and Kway Guan Huat Joo Chiat Popiah for traditional popiah (radish spring rolls).

While much of Singapore may feel clean and polished, there are no airs about Geylang. What used to be a plantation settlement in the 19th century is today an area that’s rough around the edges but packed with great late-night eats. It’s hard to pick from the incredible options, but I’d go with Swee Guan Hokkien Mee for hokkien mee (stir-fried seafood noodles). Cooked over a charcoal flame, every bite oozes with wok hei (the elusive smoky flavors and aroma of stir-fry).

But there’s so much to savor in this neighborhood, you could easily embark on your own food trail, especially if you’re traveling as a group. Here’s a local tip: Instead of going for individual portions, share a few plates from different eateries—communal dining is very Singaporean. Top food picks include Sik Bao Sin for traditional Chinese dishes, L32 Handmade Noodles for ban mian (wheat noodles with a savory broth), and JB Ah Meng for zi char (stir-fried dishes). And the grand finale is none other than tasting the king of all fruits, durian. Geylang has lots of durian stalls to choose from, but Durian SG Prime has been a recent fave of mine, as they get their fruit directly from plantation owners in Pahang, the durian capital of Malaysia.