Seriously, if you’re on the fence about going, just book it. It’s clean, it’s green, it’s futuristic, and the food… oh, the FOOD!

Here’s a rundown of our week:

What We Saw & Did (The Highlights!):

• Gardens by the Bay (2 visits!): You HAVE to do this. The Cloud Forest with its indoor waterfall blew my mind, and the Flower Dome was beautiful. We went back another evening for the Supertree Grove light show (Garden Rhapsody) – magical, and free!
• Marina Bay Sands SkyPark: Pricey, yes, but the views are iconic. We went up for sunset, and it was worth it to see the city light up. The Spectra light and water show in front of MBS (also free!) is another must-see in the evening.
• ArtScience Museum: Right next to MBS, the building itself is a work of art. We loved the “Future World” exhibit – super interactive and fun, even for adults.
• Singapore Zoo & Night Safari: We dedicated a whole day to this area. The Zoo is amazing, very open-concept. The Night Safari was a unique experience, seeing nocturnal animals. Book trams in advance for Night Safari!
• Chinatown: So vibrant! Explored the temples (Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is stunning), browsed the markets, and ate SO MUCH good food (more on that later).
• Little India: A total sensory explosion – the colours, the smells of spices, the music. Visited Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple and Mustafa Centre (a 24-hour shopping labyrinth where you can find anything!).
• Kampong Glam (Arab Street & Haji Lane): Loved the vibe here. Beautiful Sultan Mosque, quirky independent boutiques and street art on Haji Lane, and great Middle Eastern food.
• Botanic Gardens (UNESCO World Heritage): A peaceful escape. The National Orchid Garden within it is stunning – so many varieties. Perfect for a morning stroll.
• Sentosa Island: We took the cable car over which was fun. Spent an afternoon at Palawan Beach. If you have kids (or are a kid at heart), Universal Studios is there, but we skipped it this time for more local experiences.
• Orchard Road: If you love shopping, this is your mecca. Miles of malls. We mostly window-shopped but it’s impressive to see.

What We ATE (The REAL Reason to Go!):

Honestly, you could spend 7 days just eating. Hawker centres are your best friend – cheap, authentic, and delicious!

• Hainanese Chicken Rice: A MUST. We had it multiple times. Tian Tian at Maxwell Food Centre is famous, but honestly, most places do it well.
• Chilli Crab: Get ready to get messy! It’s a bit of a splurge, but a quintessential Singaporean experience. We went to Jumbo Seafood at East Coast Park for the ambiance.
• Laksa: That spicy, coconutty noodle soup. Heaven. Sungei Road Laksa is a classic.
• Satay: Skewered grilled meat with peanut sauce. Lau Pa Sat hawker centre at night has a whole “satay street” that comes alive – great atmosphere.
• Hokkien Mee: Stir-fried noodle dish, so flavourful.
• Kaya Toast & Kopi: The classic Singaporean breakfast. Sweet coconut jam toast with a strong local coffee. Ya Kun Kaya Toast or Toast Box are everywhere.
• Carrot Cake (Chai Tow Kway): Not a sweet cake! It’s a savoury fried radish cake, either “white” or “black” (with sweet dark soy sauce). Both are delicious.
• Roti Prata & Murtabak: From Indian-Muslim stalls, great for breakfast or a snack.
• Drinks: Sugarcane juice is super refreshing. Teh Tarik (pulled milk tea) is a must.

Where We Stayed & Other Hotel Ideas:

We wanted something central but not bank-breaking. We stayed at Hotel G Singapore (Middle Road area) and it was fantastic. Stylish, compact rooms, great rooftop pool and bar, and walking distance to Bencoolen/Bras Basah MRT, plus lots of food options nearby.

For other budgets/styles:

• Luxury Splurge:
  • Marina Bay Sands: If you want that infinity pool experience (only accessible to guests).
  • The Fullerton Hotel: Stunning colonial building, impeccable service, great location.
  • Raffles Hotel: The legendary icon. Even if you don’t stay, visit for a Singapore Sling at the Long Bar.
• Stylish Mid-Range/Boutique:
  • The Warehouse Hotel: Super cool design, on the river at Robertson Quay.
  • Lloyd’s Inn: Minimalist, chic, oasis-like feel near Orchard.
  • YOTEL Singapore Orchard Road: Modern, tech-savvy, compact but well-designed rooms.
• Good Value:
  • There are many decent, clean hotels around areas like Bugis, Lavender, or Little India that offer good value. Just check recent reviews!

A Few Extra Tips:

• MRT is King: Singapore’s public transport is cheap, efficient, and easy to navigate. Get an EZ-Link card.
• Stay Hydrated: It’s humid! Carry a water bottle.
• English Widely Spoken: Makes everything super easy.
• It’s Safe: Felt incredibly safe everywhere, even late at night.
• Pace Yourself: There’s SO much to do. Don’t try to cram everything into one day. We often did a big morning activity, then relaxed by the hotel pool in the afternoon heat before heading out again in the evening.

Seven days was a good amount of time to see the main sights without feeling too rushed, and to eat plenty! We’re already dreaming of going back. Singapore, you were a delight!