Singapore
City Highlights
5 Day
Located on the southern tip of the Malaysian peninsular, Singapore is usually seen as a stopover destination and has become synonymous with the eight-hour layover tour. But having spent twelve months living and working in the city, you quickly realise why it is seen as one of the most Instagramable cities in the world, with so much to offer.
Overview
01
Marina Bay
02
Sentosa
03
Clarke Quay
& Chinatown
04
Lazarus &
St Johns Island
05
Southern Ridges
& Raffles
01
Marina Bay
Accommodation
First things first, where to stay? Being one of the smallest countries in Asia, the truth is, you can’t go wrong as its MRT travel system is world-leading and inexpensive – making it easy to get around. That said, if you don’t have long and want to be well connected to all the major sights, I recommend you focus your search around Marina Bay or alternatively slightly further north around Dhoby Ghaut MRT, one of the best-linked stations in the city.
Marina Bay Sands Hotel
Morning
There are no prizes for guessing your first stop when visiting Singapore. Marina Bay is worthy of any travel cover and certainly lives up to the billing. To kick things off, head to the Gardens by the Bay. It is easily accessible by MRT, and you can begin exploring the three interconnecting water gardens.
There is plenty to keep you busy for a few hours, notably the Skywalk, Cloud Forest, and Flower Dome. But make sure you book ahead as numbers are limited, and these are very popular attractions.
Afternoon
Next, head back towards Marina Bay Sands Hotel. In case you’re unsure, it resembles a floating boat, fifty-seven stories in the sky. A full bay lap is roughly a mile and worth the walk. It takes you across the Helix Bridge; along parts of the iconic F1 circuit as well as the Merlion. It is packed full of photo stops and bars so a great way to drink away the afternoon and grab a bite.
Evening
Marina Bay has plenty of eating options, but my favourite is Level 33. This microbrewery is positioned (you guessed it) on the 33rd floor of Marina Boulevard and offers one of the best skyline views the city has to offer. Make sure to book ahead and request one of their front-row tables to watch this wonderful city come to life at night.
Marina Bay takes on a whole new look once the lights go down, so make sure you take your time wandering back to your hotel to be able to take it all in.
Gardens by The Bay - Skywalk
Lavo Brunch - Marina Bay
02
Sentosa
Morning
Sentosa island is a must on any Singapore itinerary, and you will be hard-pushed to fit everything in. It is most famous for its Resort World and Universal Studios but in my opinion, both are rather tired, and if you look a little harder the island has so much more to offer.
Sentosa can be reached by taxi, foot (via boardwalk) and mono-rail (from Harbourfront Centre) but is best reached via the cable car. Head to Harbourfront MRT and Tower 2, where you can pick up the cable car from mid-station. Take your time and allow yourself a full loop that will take you up to the top of Mount Faber Park and back around to Sentosa’s only station.
Once there, I recommend following the Imbiah Trail towards Siloso Skywalk and Fort. It offers a bit of island history and some great views across the island.
Afternoon
The afternoon can be spent walking the length of the beach promenade, taking you along Siloso, Palawan and Tanjong beach fronts. These are packed full of beach bars; water sports, and activities so take your pick; one of my favourites was Coastes Bar on Siloso beach. For thrill seekers, there is also a sky luge, iFly and AJ Hacket bungee jump.
Evening
This is where you will need to choose. For those that want to grab a sun lounger, turn up the music and sink a few cocktails, then make sure you head to Tanjong Beach Club (afternoon session 3pm – 8pm).
Otherwise, I would suggest booking a spot on The Royal Albatross. This relaxing sail cruise leaves Resort World and takes you along the length of Sentosa towards Marina Bay. Great food and service and a relaxed atmosphere give a more sophisticated option. It only runs on certain days so do your research and book ahead.
Singapore F1 Track
Universal Studios
Royal Albatross
03
Clarke Quay
& Chinatown
Morning
I recommend heading to Dhoby Ghaut MRT and beginning your walk there. It is one of Singapore’s largest MRT stations and can be a bit of a maze, but once you find your way to street level, follow the signs for Fort Canning Park. Entrances are not obvious, but once you find your way in, you can explore this green oasis hidden in the city centre.
Make sure you exit Fort Canning through the southern corner, which overlooks Clarke Quay. From here, you can begin your walk along the river and take a well-deserved drink at any of the spots along Boat, Clarke and Robertson Quays.
Afternoon
A short walk along New Bridge Road, and you can begin to wind through the streets of China Town, the perfect mix of East meets West. Packed with local street vendors, this area has a distinctly different feel, yet never too far from the skyscraper backdrop.
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For foodies and non-foodies alike, no visit is complete without stopping at a local Hawker. These open-air food centres are a hit with locals and can be found all over the city. But the China Town Complex Food Centre is my favourite and was famously put on the map by the Michelin Guide, with one of its stalls being awarded a Michelin star.
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If that doesn’t take you fancy, there are plenty of bars and eateries on Club Street.
Evening
For dinner, I recommend heading to Tg Pagar Road, the centre of Korean BBQs in the city. These tiny restaurant fronts are home to some of the best dining experiences in Singapore. Be warned, leave your best clothes at home as it gets smoky!
If that’s not your scene, then next door is Duxton Hill. It’s hard to believe that this laid-back area is only one road away. Home to some fancier drinking and dining spots, my favourite was Mozzarella Bar, a great choice for lunch or dinner full of Italian flavours.
China Town
Atlas Bar
04
Lazarus &
St Johns Island
Morning & Afternoon
Most tourists, stopping over or doing short breaks in the city, rightly prioritise the urban highlights. But if you are willing to get out of the city, there is a whole new world to explore (see Singapore top 10 days off the beaten track).
To escape the hustle and bustle, head to Lazarus and St Johns Island, as well as neighbouring Kusu Island. While there are several other island options in Singapore, most notably Pulau Ubin to the north, the southern islands were my favourite. There are a few options to get there. The first is by heading to Marina South Pier and hopping on one of the passenger ferries. We did this once, but with limited island facilities and a bit of a walk to the main beach, it can be both tiring and hot.
The best way (but admittedly more expensive) was to hire one of the many private catamaran charters from Sentosa Cove.
Sentosa Cove
Evening
It took me a little while to find this area of Singapore, but once I had, it was a regular stop. Haji Lane is a short walk from Bugis MRT and packed with bars, making for a great atmosphere. Either get there early or book ahead as tables fill up quickly. If you don’t, I guarantee you will walk the length without finding a single table.
Another great option is to head to Little India, a short fifteen-minute walk away. My favourite spot for food was Lagnaa, its nondescript entrance makes it an easy miss, but it serves up some of the neighbourhood’s best food. Be warned, it is not for the faint-hearted and works to its renowned one-to-ten spice scale. Even those who love hot spice might be worth trying their tasting tower before taking the plunge with a full curry.
05
Southern Ridges
& Raffles
Morning
I have to admit I’m a little biased when it comes to this selection. Living in Keppel Bay, this walk was on our doorstep, but for me, it was one of the best in the city. The full walk of the Southern Ridges is 10km long, and if you have time is well worth the effort. I’ve slightly changed our original route to make it a circular walk.
Start early, head to Harbourfront MRT, and make your way to the Marang Trail and the steepest section of the walk that takes you to Mount Faber Park with some incredible views. Then stick with the Southern Ridges walk through Henderson Waves and the canopy Forest Walk. After that, I recommend you head towards Labrador Park instead of Hort Park. This requires a left turn along Alexandra Road heading past Gillman Barracks, a revitalised British Army compound full of art galleries where you can pick up a cold drink or an ice cream.
You follow the promenade the entire way towards Harbourfront Centre through Labrador Park.
Afternoon
With the morning hike done, you can get changed into your best frock and reward yourself in Singapore’s most famous establishment – Raffles. The birthplace of the Singapore Sling cocktail, this colonial-style hotel is a must. If you have the time, book in for one of its themed afternoon high-teas or alternatively swing by the Courtyard Bar for a more relaxed drink and peanuts.
Raffles High Tea
Ce Le Vi - Marina Bay Sands
Evening
There is only one place to go on your final evening to complete the Singapore experience. Make a reservation and head to Ce Le Vi at the top of Marina Bay Sands. This exclusive bar gives you a breathtaking panoramic view across Singapore and is a must to sign off your trip in style.
S P E C I A L M E N T I O N S - A T T R A C T I O N S
Orchard Road - This impressive boulevard is a must for any shopper.
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Pulau Ubin – Take a bumboat across to Singapore’s northern island and explore the eastern trail towards the Chek Jawa Wetlands.
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East Coast – Hire a bike and explore Singapore’s eastern coastline.
S P E C I A L M E N T I O N S - R E S T A U R A N T S
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Singapore: City Highlights | 5 Day.
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