Singapore Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do, Eat & See

Ready to explore Singapore? You are in the right place.

Singapore surprised us in the best way possible.

The funny thing is—we almost came here by accident.

Like many of our adventures, this trip started with a Spartan Race. We signed up for the race first, then built an entire vacation around it. After four incredible days exploring Singapore, we continued on to Malaysia, but Singapore quickly became one of our favorite cities in Southeast Asia.

From futuristic architecture and lush green spaces to incredible street food and vibrant cultural neighborhoods, Singapore packs an unbelievable amount into a relatively small island.

Singapore is also a culturally diverse country, with four official languages—English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. Its multicultural heritage is reflected everywhere, from the food to the festivals. We even had a taxi driver proudly explain how public holidays celebrate Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and other religious traditions throughout the year.

What stood out most to us was how incredibly clean, modern, and green the city felt. Despite being a bustling metropolis, Singapore is filled with gardens, parks, and tree-lined streets that make exploring on foot a pleasure.

Watch Our Singapore Travel Guide

Along with this guide, be sure to watch our video: 🎥 Top 8 Things You Must Do in Singapore

Best Things to Do in Singapore

1. Gardens by the Bay

If there's one attraction you absolutely shouldn't miss, it's Gardens by the Bay.

Yes, it's Singapore's most famous attraction—and yes—it absolutely lives up to the hype.

We actually visited twice: once during the afternoon to explore the conservatories and again after sunset for the spectacular Supertree light show.

The Flower Dome houses an ever-changing collection of flowers and plants from around the world inside one of the largest glass greenhouses on Earth. During our visit, sections were decorated with an Alice in Wonderland theme, making the experience even more magical.

Next door is the breathtaking Cloud Forest, where a massive indoor waterfall greets visitors before elevated walkways wind through mist-covered tropical vegetation.

At night, the Supertree Grove transforms during the free Garden Rhapsody light show at 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM.

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Travel Tip: Arrive at least 30 minutes early, grab a spot beneath the Supertrees, and bring a blanket. Watching the lights dance overhead while lying on the grass was one of our favorite memories from Singapore.

2. Haji Lane

Hidden within Kampong Glam, Singapore's historic Muslim district, Haji Lane is one of the city's most colorful streets.

Lined with boutique shops, cafés, record stores, murals, vintage clothing, and quirky photo booths, it's impossible not to stop every few steps for another photo.

Just around the corner sits the stunning Sultan Mosque, whose golden dome dominates the neighborhood skyline.

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The surrounding streets are also home to some of Singapore's best Middle Eastern restaurants, making this the perfect place to spend an afternoon wandering before grabbing dinner.

3. Buddha Tooth Relic Museum and Temple

Located in the heart of Chinatown, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is one of Singapore's most impressive cultural landmarks.

Opened in 2007, the temple houses what Buddhists believe to be a sacred relic of Buddha on the fourth floor.

Even if you're not religious, it's well worth exploring the multiple levels filled with Buddhist art, museums, meditation halls, and beautifully crafted statues.

Don't miss the rooftop garden, home to the Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda and a peaceful escape from the busy streets below.

After your visit, spend some time wandering Chinatown, where temples, murals, local shops, and street food create one of Singapore's most vibrant neighborhoods.

Best Places to Eat in Singapore

Singapore is one of the world's great food cities.

One of our favorite parts of visiting was simply eating wherever we happened to be exploring. Whether we were in Chinatown, Kampong Glam, or along the riverfront, we rarely had a bad meal.

Some of our favorite dining areas included:

• Chinatown

• Haji Lane

• Boat Quay

• Clarke Quay

• Robertson Quay

  
  

Here are three restaurants we'd happily return to.

1. LeVel 33

Known as the world's highest urban microbrewery, LeVeL33 offers incredible food paired with one of the best views in Singapore.

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Every dish impressed us so much that we kept ordering more just to try additional menu items.

If possible, reserve an outdoor table overlooking Marina Bay—it makes for an unforgettable dinner, especially around sunset.

Travel Tip: Head directly to Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 1. We wasted time wandering between buildings before finally finding the correct entrance.

2. CÉ LA VI

Perched atop the iconic Marina Bay Sands, CÉ LA VI combines upscale dining with one of Singapore's most spectacular panoramic views.

We timed our reservation perfectly, enjoying sunset over the skyline before watching the city illuminate after dark.

After dinner, it's only a short walk to Gardens by the Bay, making this an ideal evening itinerary.

3. Cafe Kreams

Sometimes the best discoveries are completely unplanned.

Late one evening while walking back to our hotel, we stumbled across Café Kreams—and we're so glad we did.

The autumn-inspired interior feels like stepping into another world, while the beautifully crafted desserts and specialty drinks were every bit as impressive as the décor.

If you have a sweet tooth, don't skip this one.

Where to Stay in Singapore

M Hotel Singapore

We stayed at M Hotel Singapore, and it turned out to be an excellent base for exploring the city.

Its central location meant we could easily walk to Chinatown, Marina Bay, and several MRT stations.

The staff upgraded our room, and we especially enjoyed:

• Rooftop swimming pool

• Well-equipped fitness center

• Excellent breakfast buffet

• Comfortable modern rooms

Considering Singapore's hotel prices, we thought it offered excellent value.

Travel Tip: Hotel prices increase significantly during peak travel seasons (June–August and November–December), so book early if possible.

Getting Around Singapore

One of our favorite things about Singapore was how easy it was to explore.

• Walking: Many of the city's top attractions are surprisingly close together, making Singapore an incredibly walkable destination.

• Grab: Download the Grab app before arriving. It's the easiest way to book taxis throughout Singapore and is generally affordable.

• MRT: Although we mainly walked and used Grab, Singapore's MRT system is fast, clean, inexpensive, and connects nearly every major attraction.

Final Thoughts

Singapore completely exceeded our expectations.

What started as a trip centered around a Spartan Race quickly became one of our favorite city breaks. Between the incredible food, stunning architecture, rich cultural diversity, and immaculate green spaces, Singapore offers something for every traveler.

Whether you're visiting for two days or a full week, you'll quickly understand why so many people fall in love with this city.

If it's your first visit, start with the places on this list—you won't be disappointed.