7 Days in Singapore Itinerary (A First-Timer’s Bucket List)

If you’re trying to put together a Singapore itinerary for 7 days, I can help you out!

I traveled to Singapore for the first time a few years back. My mom was on a work trip there, so it was the perfect excuse for some mother-daughter time. I explored the city solo most days since my mom’s office expected her to work on this trip (the audacity!). 

The surprising part was that even with a whole week to explore Singapore, I still felt overwhelmed trying to figure out an efficient plan to see all the highlights. 

It’s a massive city-state. 

In the end, I’d do a few things differently next time (more on that later), but I found some fascinating museums, ordered hawker food like a pro, and discovered why the Singapore Zoo is best at night!

Here’s a detailed itinerary for how to make the most of a week in Singapore. 

When you’re ready to visit France, find the cheapest flights with this tool.

If it’s your first time here, use my cheat sheet to plan your week.

Day 1 – Explore Marina Bay

Morning – Gardens by the Bay

On the first morning in Singapore, head over to Marina Bay and take a morning stroll through the iconic supertrees and other cool attractions in the area.

Almost every single Singapore travel blog mentions the Supertree Grove, and now I can see why. It ended up being one of my favorite experiences!

The purple metal structures have greenery winding its way up the trunks to form living, man-made trees that tower over the city of Singapore.

There’s a suspended walkway you can stroll along to get a closer look at these futuristic-looking trees.

The Flower Dome is another fascinating part of Marina Bay – even if you have terrible allergies, like me. It’s spring year-round here, and you’ll easily spend an hour exploring the prettiest pathways of flowers.

The dome has air-conditioning, which keeps it at a reasonable temperature for the flowers and makes it more comfortable for visitors like me who want to escape the heat.

You should also check out the Cloud Forest, a surreal indoor biodome next door. When you open the doors to the Cloud Forest, you’ll feel like you’ve left Singapore for the Amazon. There’s an 8-story waterfall!

I also noticed species from all around the world. I could spot the orchids and the ballerina flowers I’d come to love in New Zealand, but there were many flowers I’d never seen before.

Looking to grab tickets before you go? You can get an all-in-one access pass here!

I find the Singaporean food scene so extra (in the best way). It’s so over-the-top that their hawker stalls are rated by Michelin, but it’s also very cool. 

Hawker food courts are a big part of Singaporean life. They offer a diverse mix of cuisines, including Chinese, Indian, Malaysian, Japanese, Korean, and Western.

But they can get overwhelming quickly, so I recommend starting with the tourist-friendly Jurassic Nest right at the center of Gardens by the Bay.

Lunch recommendations

• Hawker Chan – world’s first hawker to get a Michelin star.
• Tsuta – world’s first ramen stall to get a Michelin star.
• Bismillah Biryani – Michelin-rated biryani.

Take this hawker food tour to learn more about Singapore’s hawker culture

Afternoon – Marina Bay 

After all that food, you’ll want to take a walk to recover.

I recommend strolling along the Marina Bay boardwalk around the waterfront area to see the iconic Marina Bay Sands.

If you’re like me, you’ll somehow manage to get lost for 3 hours by taking a strange turn. But I’m guessing you’ll have a better sense of direction and Google Maps! 

For some trippy tech-inspired art, visit the ArtScience Museum. But if that doesn’t sound like your thing, you could also do more shopping near the waterfront at The Shoppes Mall. 

P.S. It gets super hot here, so plan time for indoor pit stops along your walk.

Evening – Spectra Light & Water Show

The Marina Bay lights up every night in a stunning light show.

There are usually two shows each night at 8PM and 9:30PM. The show begins with laser lights, firework displays, and synchronized music over the water.

Marina Bay is known to be home to the world’s best restaurants. I recommend splurging a little and treating yourself to a fine dinner! Here are some of my top recommendations.

• KOMA – otherworldly sushi bar serving up modern Japanese eats.
• CUT by Wolfgang Puck – come here for excellent steaks.
• Mott 32 – I hear the Apple-Wood Peking Duck here is the best in Singapore!

End the night with cocktails at Marina Bay Sands‘ rooftop bar. Yes, it’s way overpriced, but you’ll get an amazing view. You could even come here a little early and get the best seats for the evening light show.

Another option for nightlife is across the bay at Raffles Hotel. The famous Singapore Sling cocktail originated in their hotel bar!

Day 2 – More Famous Landmarks

Morning – The Merlion

Visiting the Merlion is a rite of passage in Singapore. It’s a half-fish, half-lion statue that serves as the city’s mascot.

The mythical creature holds a lot of significance. It became the national symbol back in the 14th century when the city-state was first named Singapura – Singa (lion) Pura (city-pura). The Merlion designer drew inspiration from this.

The main Merlion was under construction when I was there, so I had to settle for the mini version beside it, which you can see in the photo.

Afternoon – The Fullerton Hotel 

The Fullerton Hotel is one of the most historic places in Singapore.

In a city-state where almost everything is less than 20 years, that’s saying something!

Stop by this stunning hotel to see its Art Deco interior, adorable cafe, and small museum. You’ll learn about the former post office that once called the hotel home.

Then, have lunch at the cafe for a classy Singaporean meal, which is known for its cakes!

I also recommend dressing up for this stopover to take photos in their grand lobby. 

Seriously, the Fullerton is classy AF!

Want to Stay at the Fullerton? Check Prices & Availability Here!

Evening – Explore Chinatown

After leaving The Fullerton Hotel, I got desperately lost (as often happens to me). But hey, getting lost is part of the fun with travel and sometimes leads to even more fun experiences than you could have planned. 

That was true in this case!

Thanks to my ability to confuse left and right, I wandered to Chinatown and discovered some unique places you can check out.

Cool things to see in Chinatown

• Old Singapore architecture. I love seeing all the old shophouses.
• Michelin-starred curry puff hawker stand (don’t laugh until you try it!)
• Thian Hock Keng Temple – first Chinese temple in Singapore.
• Buddha Tooth Relic Temple – Buddhist temple and museum. It looks so majestic!
• Sri Mariamman Temple – Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple.

Once you start getting hungry, you should use this evening to try Singapore’s most famous dish – Chili Crab.

Chilli crab has Chinese and Malaysian roots but is utterly Singaporean. It’s served in the shell but cut into pieces. It’s sitting in a red sauce that I managed to cover myself to the elbows while devouring.

I even sliced open my index finger, trying to get the elusive bit of crab meat from the joint.

The sauce is a mixture of spices that bring on a pleasantly slow burn as you eat. It’s not overly spicy, but your lips will be tingling by the end of the meal.

There are plenty of chili crab restaurants in the Chinatown area. I went to JUMBO Seafood. It’s a chain restaurant, but it’s where the locals get their crab!

While you’re there, order some cereal prawns and black pepper crab. Their fried rice is also delicious!

Day 3 – Get to Know Singapore’s History & Culture

Morning – The National Museum of Singapore

I make it a point to visit museums when I travel to get to know the place better. I arrived at The National Museum of Singapore just in time for the free guided tour in English. 

The tour took an hour and a half. It covered the entirety of the museum and discussed all key points in history that make up the Singapore we know today.

Before arriving in Singapore, I hadn’t even realized it was a city-state. I’d assumed there were other cities inside it!

The two floors of the expansive museum would have been incredibly daunting to deal with on my own. Reading signs about the wars or schooling issues wouldn’t have been as impactful as hearing our guide recount his personal experiences with them.

On a side note, I found out that the church where they shot the Crazy Rich Asians wedding scene is a short walk away from the museum (and that it’s not actually a church but a nightlife spot!).

Afternoon – Little India

Singapore is a multi-racial country, so you’ll find neighborhoods for every ethnicity living in Singapore.

Little India is a lively area with Bollywood music blasting from restaurants and shops. Each shop sells beautiful, shimmering things, from saree fabric to jewelry.

Cool things to see in Little India

• Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple – a historic Hindu temple known for its grand five-tiered tower.
• House of Tan Teng Niah – one of the last Chinese villas around. The rainbow-colored house makes for cute photos!
• Indian Heritage Centre – showcases the history of the Indian community in Singapore.
• Tekka Centre – stop at this market to see rare vegetables you’ve probably never even heard of before.

On your way to Little India, you should stop for lunch at Zam Zam. 

Zam Zam is the best place to have Murtabak in Singapore. They’ve been around since 1908, making it one of the oldest restaurants in the city. 

Murtabak is like a spiced, stuffed pizza. You can choose to have a chicken or mutton filling.

The side dish sounds a little weird, but apparently, it’s very Singaporean (and Southern Malaysian) to eat murtabak with a plate of cucumbers topped with sweet chili sauce.

Enjoy snacks along the way on this Little India Hawker Tour

Evening – Haji Lane

Haji Lane is a hip neighborhood southeast of Little India near the Sultan Mosque. 

You can head here later in the evening for lively nightlife and great food! Take your time walking down the small alleyways and checking out all the super cool murals.

It’s a great spot to shop at indie boutiques, sample local craft beer, and grab dinner. 
Good Luck Beerhouse is an excellent spot for dim sum with drinks, and Blu Jaz Cafe is an eclectic bar with a massive selection of Singaporean and international food.

Day 4 – Shop Til You Drop

Morning & Afternoon – Shopping

Singapore is well known for its luxurious shopping.

I may have been a budget solo traveler at the time, but I still wanted to shop at the local stores.

Whatever you plan to get, you’ll probably find it on Orchard Road. The street has a seemingly endless line of shopping malls, so set aside at least half a day to go through them all.

On a side note, I was hoping Singapore would have a few treats for me to add to my wardrobe of 8 shirts (yes, I only brought 8 shirts to New Zealand. It made for complicated laundry days.) It turns out that the treat Singapore had for me was body issues.

An XL in Singapore is about an XS in Canada. If I hadn’t gotten a size small shirt from H&M, I would easily have had some sort of body image meltdown.

Evening – Singapore Night Zoo

I love zoos (which I now struggle with due to animal rights politics and my agreement with those politics).

But the night safari at the Singapore zoo was a big highlight on my Singapore 7-day itinerary.

My mom had been before, and she loved it. It’s pretty cool to see nocturnal animals in action.

We decided to walk the trails, but I found it kind of creepy. The paths are pretty dark, and the jungle grows high on either side. Occasionally, a spider web or mosquito will brush against your leg.

The tram route passes different animals, so even if you’ve walked the trails, it’s still worth doing! 

During our visit, we saw almost every creature in the exhibits, from the heaviest-maned lions to stalking cheetahs to inquisitive owls. They were all awake and active. It made me feel like an excited kid again, spotting all my favorite animals!

Take the Singapore Night Safari tour

Day 5 – Coffee, Croissants & Parks

Morning – Tiong Bahru

Another thing I love about Singapore is the buzzing cafe scene, and Tiong Bahru is home to some of the best spots.

It’s a cute little area with an old-world charm. It’s fun to check out the funky street art, art deco buildings, and cool boutiques.

For brunch, head to Tiong Bahru Bakery. The French bakery has some of the best croissants and kouign-amman outside of France. 

For fellow celiacs, don’t worry, though. There’s always TIANN’S. This fully gluten-free cafe serves a celiac-friendly take on all kinds of local pastries, like the kaya butter toast, a sandwich topped with butter and coconut curd.

Afternoon – Singapore Botanic Gardens

Walk off all those yummy treats with a relaxing stroll at this beautiful UNESCO site. The garden’s lush greenery makes it a great hideout from the city’s insane heat, and it’s free to enter. 

One of my favorite sections is the National Orchid Garden, which has the world’s largest orchid collection (Note – there’s an entrance fee to this section).

You should also stop by Swan Lake and the Singapore Botanic Gardens Heritage Museum to learn about the garden’s historic role as a plantation.

Evening – Dinner at Michelin-Starred Peranakan Restaurant

Our family friend Kean decided to take us out of the city for dinner, and it was so fantastic that I couldn’t help but add it to my 7 days in Singapore itinerary.

Candlenut specializes in Peranakan food, a type of Malaysian cuisine. It’s a rich mix of Chinese and Malay cooking. Kean is from Malaysia, so he navigated the menu for us. 

My meal was above and beyond my expectations. I’ve had some pretty amazing food in my life (even just on this trip), but Candlenut blew me away.

Everything we got was like a bite of heaven.

If you don’t have your own Kean, I recommend giving the waiter complete control of your menu. Tell them how hungry you are and let them choose from their specialties.

Day 6 – Soak Up the Sun in Sentosa

Morning & Afternoon – Day Trip to Sentosa Island

For your last full day in Singapore, take the chance to soak up some sun away from the downtown crowds.

Sentosa is a small island packed full of entertainment. It has white-sand beaches, a Universal Studios amusement park, resorts, and an extensive cable car track.

If we’d come to Singapore when I was 13 or younger, I would have had no interest in leaving Sentosa the whole trip. It’s such a fun place!

I recommend taking the cable car to the island of Sentosa and then walking back to the mainland. You’ll pass the beach, where you can pose with the Sentosa sign, like I did.

Bring your swimsuit and a towel to enjoy the water, or relax on the sand and get something to sip on from the oceanfront resorts.

You can grab our tickets in advance for the Sentosa Cable Car here!

Evening – Dinner at Maxwell Food Center

Now that we’re coming to the end of our 7-day Singapore itinerary, it’s time to level up the hawker experience by going to an authentic, local-approved spot.

These hawker centers are essentially open-air food stands where you can buy a mix of different dishes simultaneously. Each vendor specializes in 1 to 3 dishes that they have perfected.

What’s good at Maxwell Food Center?

• Tian Tian – Hainanese chicken rice (rocks a Michelin Bib Gourmand!). 
• Ye Lai Xiang Tasty Barbecue – Singaporean-style chicken chops with a tangy sauce.
• Fu Zhou Oyster Cake – super crispy fritters stuffed with oyster, pork, and prawns.
• Danlao – Hong Kong-style scrambled egg rice.

Hawker Center Survival Guide

It’s hot, chaotic, and gets super overwhelming for first-timers. So here are some of the best tips I learned about how to have the best time here.

• Have one person save a table. If you’re on your own, leave a napkin on the table to reserve it. Singaporeans often use tissue packets to do this.
• Order an assortment of items at the same time. Go to different stalls to try the best eats.
• If you’re unsure what to get, ask the owner to recommend something.
• If you don’t know how to pronounce a dish, there are usually pictures you can point at.
• Be prepared to pay in cash, as some stalls don’t accept credit cards.
• If the market isn’t busy, it’s OK to hang out at your table after you’ve eaten. If it is, it’s polite to move along so others can eat.

Day 7 – Explore Jewel Changi Airport

Singapore’s Changi Airport is rated as one of the best in the world. It’s one of the few airports you should get to well before your departure.

Not because it’s busy, but rather it’s a destination all on its own!

Jewel Changi Airport has so much to explore, including an indoor waterfall, a butterfly garden, a trampoline park, a hedge maze, adult slides (yep, for adults), a movie theatre, and a fantastic food selection.

There are also a few transit hotels, so you don’t need to go through customs again if you have an overnight layover.

I had a super early flight back to New Zealand, so I never got to enjoy the airport properly. But next time, I hope to spend more time here!

Tips for Spending 7 Days in Singapore 

• Singapore’s public transportation system is efficient, extensive, and easy to navigate. The Singapore Tourist Pass allows unlimited daily travel on the local bus, LRT, and MRT lines. 
• If you’re up for it, you can explore most areas on foot. Singapore is very pedestrian-friendly.
• It gets really hot and humid here! Dress in light, breathable clothing and be prepared to duck into the cool, air-conditioned malls along your walks. 
• This is a weird one, but don’t bring chewing gum with you in your luggage. Chewing gum is banned in Singapore.

What’s the Best Time to Visit Singapore?

February to April is generally the best time to visit Singapore.

The city-state enjoys great tropical weather throughout the year, but the dry season between February and April means there’s less chance of rain, and the humidity is lower, too.

This period also has some of the best cultural festivals, including Chinese New Year, Thaipusam, and the famous Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar.

If you’re looking for cheaper times to travel to Singapore, try the off-peak season between April and May.

I don’t recommend visiting Singapore in June and December. June is the school holiday season, which means it gets overcrowded everywhere. December is the monsoon season, and your travel plans will very likely be derailed by heavy rain.

Where’s the Best Area to Stay in Singapore?

The best place to stay in Singapore is in the downtown business area.

This puts you close to all the major attractions, and you’ll get iconic views of the Marina Bay light show every night. 

My favorite place to stay in Singapore is the Ritz Carlton Millenia.

The stunning hotel is just one street from Marina Bay, and each room has giant tubs to soak in after a long day walking around. I also loved the luxurious breakfast buffet. 

Read more about my experience at the Ritz Carlton Millenia to find out why you should book this hotel.

Want more hotel options? Here are some more recommendations

Best luxury hotels in the CBD area

• Marina Bay Sands
• Fullerton Hotel
• Raffles Hotel

Best budget-friendly boutique hotels in Singapore

• The Great Madras in Little India
• Heritage Collection in Chinatown
• The Sultan in Kampong Glam

Is Singapore Safe? 

As a solo female traveler, I felt very safe in Singapore. It was easy to get around, and I never felt in danger.  

However, there are always risks associated with traveling overseas, and I feel a lot more confident when I have insurance. 

For my peace of mind, I recommend Safety Wing. It’s the most affordable, full-coverage insurance for traveling to Singapore. 

You don’t need the added stress of dealing with medical bills, lost luggage, or delayed flights when things go awry. You need a travel insurance provider you can trust to get you through the stress and be accessible 24/7.

I’ve always been able to rely on them when I’m sick abroad, have had flight cancellations, or have had something lost/stolen (these things happen!).

👉 Find out how much it costs to protect your trip today with Safety Wing travel insurance.

Wrap-Up

Singapore is a magnificent country with a ridiculous amount to do. Thanks to our family friend, we had a local guide who showed us the authentic Singapore.

Using this itinerary, you will be able to see all of Singapore’s major neighborhoods (including some hidden gems), discover local culture, and enjoy delicious bites that many tourists miss out on.

Also, if you want a luxurious place to stay, I cannot say enough about my experience at the Ritz-Carlton Milenia Hotel. Check out my full review of the Ritz-Carlton Milenia Hotel!

More Posts About Asia:

• Pros and Cons of Living in Singapore
• Pros and Cons of Living in the Philippines
• Pros and Cons of Living in Japan
• Pros and Cons of Living in Vietnam
• Pros and Cons of Living in Taiwan
• Pros and Cons of Living in Turkey
• Hotel Review: The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Hotel in Singapore

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