If you’ve ever wanted to sip cocktails in a rooftop garden one minute and stroll through a butterfly sanctuary the next, Singapore might just be your dream city.
This Southeast Asian gem is often described as the “gateway between East and West”—a place where hawker stalls sit beside high-design boutiques, and ancient temples glow beneath futuristic skyline views. I recently spent a week exploring its neighborhoods, nature spots, and next-level food scene. Here’s how to make the most of your visit.
When to Visit
Singapore is warm and humid year-round, with temperatures usually ranging between 77°F and 95°F. If you’re hoping to avoid the heaviest downpours, plan your trip between February and April, when the weather tends to be drier. Bonus: this window also includes events like the Singapore Food Festival, Night Festival, and Grand Prix.
Arrival at Changi: Your First Taste of Wow
Most airports are functional. Changi Airport is a destination in itself. From the world’s tallest indoor waterfall to lush gardens and a rooftop pool, it’s worth budgeting an extra few hours to explore.
- Rain Vortex: A 130-foot indoor waterfall surrounded by a multi-level tropical forest.
- Butterfly Garden: More than 1,000 butterflies roam freely in a climate-controlled haven.
- Jurassic Mile: A fun outdoor walking path lined with dinosaur sculptures—ideal for stretching your legs post-flight.
Whether you’re arriving or departing, you’ll walk away thinking, “This is how airports should be.”
Where to Stay
Whether you want boutique charm or skyline views, Singapore has accommodation for every kind of traveler.
Artyzen Singapore (Orchard Road)
Once a lush garden mansion, this newly opened hotel blends heritage design with wellness-focused amenities. Think soaking tubs, indoor-outdoor lounges, and a rooftop pool surrounded by tropical greenery.
The Warehouse Hotel (Robertson Quay)
An industrial-chic hotel housed in a restored 19th-century spice warehouse. If you’re into cool interiors, river views, and craft cocktails, this one’s for you.Privacy Policy
The Clan Hotel (Telok Ayer)
A sleek city stay designed for modern travelers who want cultural immersion with five-star service. Located near hawker stalls, heritage trails, and local temples.
Getting Around
Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is fast, clean, and easy to use. Most attractions are accessible by train, and stations are well-signed in English. Grab a Singapore Tourist Pass for unlimited rides if you plan to explore widely.
What to Do
Gardens by the Bay
Home to the iconic Supertree Grove, this futuristic garden blends sustainability and spectacle. Don’t miss the nightly light show or the Cloud Forest’s misty mountain walk.
Katong-Joo Chiat
For vibrant shophouses and deep Peranakan culture, spend an afternoon exploring this laid-back heritage district. Visit The Intan, a private museum filled with antiques and family stories.
Chinatown
Singapore’s Chinatown is one of the most unique in the world—with a mosque, Hindu temple, and Buddhist temple all on one street. Be sure to step inside the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, especially if you’re interested in religious architecture or cultural history.
Soma Haus
A hidden wellness retreat offering ice baths, infrared saunas, sound healing, and integrative therapies. Perfect for recharging mid-trip.
Haji Lane
A narrow alleyway packed with independent boutiques, thrift stores, murals, and quirky cafés. Great for gift shopping or casual people-watching.
Where to Eat
Hawker Centres
These open-air food courts are the beating heart of Singapore’s culinary culture.
- Maxwell Food Centre: Famous for its chicken rice and oyster cakes.
- Newton Food Centre: A local favorite with grilled seafood, satay, and sugarcane juice (also featured in Crazy Rich Asians).
- Tiong Bahru Market: Quieter and more neighborhood-y. Try the lor mee and chwee kueh.
Candlenut
The world’s first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant. A thoughtful balance of spice, heritage, and modern plating.
Marina Bay Sands Rooftop
Not just a hotel—it’s an experience. Have a cocktail as the Gardens by the Bay light show glows beneath you.
Atlas Bar
Inside Parkview Square, this grand art deco bar holds over 1,300 gins, many dating back over a century. The space is dramatic, the drinks are meticulous, and it’s solo-traveler friendly.
Jigger & Pony
Currently ranked one of the world’s top bars, it’s a must for adventurous drinkers and cocktail purists alike.
Singapore is more than a stopover—it’s a study in contrast. Urban and lush. Structured and spontaneous. Diverse and deeply welcoming.
Whether you’re ziplining through Sentosa, reflecting inside a temple, or lingering over laksa in a hawker stall, there’s a certain ease to the city that’s hard to explain but easy to love. One week isn’t nearly enough—but it’s the perfect start.
