The Perfect Itinerary for your first time in Singapore

If you’re planning your first international trip or you want a super-safe and fun place to visit with your friends or you want to travel with your extended family, Singapore is the ideal holiday destination for you. It is easy to explore the island country as it is safe and easy to navigate. We’ve tried to include all details that will help you plan your trip independently but if you have any other questions about visiting Singapore, then leave them down below and we’ll do our best to answer them.

Getting into Singapore

Singapore Airlines offers convenient connections from most prominent cities. It is one of our personal favorite airlines! Once you reach Singapore, there are plenty of cabs at the airport. The island is safe, so there is no need to book in advance or look for other services. You can easily hail cabs or take buses and get around easily.

You can use the MRT, buses to get around within Singapore. Cabs are plentiful and cheap but MRT can be the faster option sometimes because peak-hour traffic jams are common in Singapore.

Accommodation on your trip to Singapore 

There is no dearth of accommodation to suit all budgets in Singapore. We’d suggest staying in a centrally located hotel, close to Orchard Street.

If you prefer mid-range hotels, then Hotel Jen Tanglin is a great option. The hotel is located in a quiet street just minutes away from Orchard Road. The entire vibe is upbeat, youthful, and luxurious with walls adorned with bikes and an independent café at the entrance. Expect well-equipped rooms with colorful wall art. The breakfast buffet is expansive and has everything from local delicacies to continental cold cuts and cheeses. One thing is for sure – you will be well fed when you leave for sightseeing.

Rooms at Hotel Jen - hip and luxurious

If you prefer luxury hotels on holiday or you’re travelling with kids, then we’d recommend Shangri-La Singapore. The sprawling hotel has an entire wing, dotted with gardens and pools, that is ideal for families. The Garden Wing has a resort feel to it, so it offers the perfect escape from the skyscrapers and malls of Singapore. It also boasts of a gorgeous dome of orchids, which was one of my favorite corners in the hotel.

The pool - perfect for a swim at the end of a tiring day

We stayed in the tower wing that offers classic luxury with views of the city 🙂

The buffet lunch at Lobby Lounge

Staying connected in Singapore

From face-timing family and streaming videos to going live on social media and checking maps, a lightning-fast connection is essential on the go these days. One of the popular tourist SIM cards in Singapore comes from Singtel, our personal favorite. The Singtel tourist SIM card offers lightning-fast speeds on a 5G network. It is also super easy to get hold of – you can purchase online or pick one up at Singapore Changi Airport (Travelex Foreign Current Exchange or Changi Recommends) or 7-Eleven stores island wide.

Here’s a nifty table that summarizes all the Singtel tourist SIMs available, with an abundance of data, up to 120GB of 5G access, and how much they cost:

You can opt for the plan that best suits your need

An Itinerary for your first time in Singapore

Day 1: Morning

Spend half a day visiting the River Safari and Singapore Zoo. Singapore Zoo is more like an educational wildlife park that makes for an ideal visit if you’re travelling with kids. It gives them a chance to observe animals such as zebras, giraffes, monkeys, and even pandas in their habitat. The animals are not confined in tiny cages – kids can feed them, interact with them, and learn tons about wildlife conservation too.

Combine this with a visit to the adjoining River Safari. Here a small boat will take you through a replica of the Amazon rainforest. The boat ride is a fun little adventure and lasts 15 minutes.

Unwind by having the cutest panda shaped buns (we had the chocolate custard filling – YUM) and panda-stamped coffee at Mama Panda – it’s definitely the cutest looking coffee we’ve had in a while!

Singapore Zoo

Day 1: Afternoon

After a fair bit of activity in the first half, you would want to cool down in the second half of the day. If you are an art or culture enthusiast, you could visit the National Gallery Singapore. The historical building (a combination of Singapore’s erstwhile Supreme Court and City Hall buildings) is gorgeous, and it houses a huge selection of South East Asian Art and several temporary exhibits too.

The area around the National Gallery Singapore makes for some great photographs, so make sure you take a stroll in the area. If it’s too hot for photos, you could also cool down with a drink at the uber-scenic terrace bar at the National Gallery called Smoke and Mirrors.

Day 1: Evening

You’ve been exploring all day. It’s time to unwind. Take the river cruise and enjoy the panoramic views of skyscrapers and colorful buildings. Get off at Boat Quay or Clarke Quay, the focal points of nightlife in Singapore. Walk around enjoying the view of the distinctive colored houses in the area and have dinner at Violet Oon Satay Bar and Grill. A satay meal here is a nice way to try local foods, so we’d suggest having dinner here and then grabbing a drink at any bar that catches your fancy.

Best time to go on the river cruise is at sunset

Day 2: Morning

This is a day of adventure and loads of fun, so make sure you dress comfortably. Also pack a change and swimwear because you’ll need it.

Make your way to Mt. Faber to take the cable car to Sentosa Island. Kick start your day with some fun at the Skyline Luge. There are many attractions available at Sentosa but we would highly recommend the Skyline Luge, irrespective of whether you’re 6 or 60 years old. The karting track is so much fun and completely safe. Once you’ve reached the end, you can take the skyride (an open-air cable car similar to ski lifts) back to the entrance.

Day 2: Afternoon

You could head to Madame Tussauds to marvel at wax figures of your favorite celebrities. But if you want to burn some calories on holiday, head over to the obstacle course called Mega Climb and indulge in a bit of zip lining, climbing ropes, and breaking into a sweat. After you’ve exhausted yourself, head over to Good Old Days Restaurant for a meal – a set meal is a great idea, so choose one you like but make sure you try the Ice Kacang (Singaporean shaved ice) for dessert. Yummy!

We suggest spending an hour or so at one of the beaches in Sentosa too 🙂

Day 2: Evening

Now that you’re well fed and well rested, it’s time for round 2 of fun activities.  Head over to Resorts World’s Adventure Cove Waterpark in the vicinity. If you’re with kids or just love sugary treats, make sure you take a pit-stop at the gigantic candy store called Candilicious. It’s candy heaven. 🙂

Once you’re at Adventure Cove Waterpark, change into your swimwear and let the adventures begin. Waterparks are always fun but kids especially love Adventure Cove Waterpark because of the range of activities available. There are several rides for kids and adults alike. You can go snorkeling in a tank full of thousands of colorful fish called Rainbow Reef or try out Asia’s first hydro magnetic roller coaster (loads of fun). One thing is for sure – your second evening will be packed with memories, smiles, and adventures.

There are plenty of enthralling rides 🙂

Day 3: Morning and Afternoon

All that activity on Day 2 is bound to leave you tired. So wake up late on Day 3 and go for brunch to Ya Kun at Suntec City to sample the traditional Ya Kun Kaya Toast. After that you can choose between two options below.

• Explore Chinatown:  Visit the Chinese Heritage Centre to gain a better understanding of Singapore’s history, sample some scrumptious street food at the Chinatown Food Street where several hawkers cook a feast for tourists, and walk in the bustling alleys of Chinatown for a spot of shopping.

Head to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple early morning

Chinese Heritage Centre - must visit to get a glimpse into the history of Chinatown and Singapore

• Explore Little India and Arab Street: The colorful by-lanes of Little India have some amazing murals and street art. Explore them and walk to Arab Street to sample local delicacies like Roti Prata or Murtabak at hole-in-the-wall eateries in the area. We definitely suggest stopping by the former house of Tan Teng Niah in Little India and Masjid Sultan near Arab Street sometime during the morning.

Day 3: Evening

Wrap up your trip to Singapore by visiting some of it’s premier attractions. Hop on to the Singapore Flyer to get panoramic views of Singapore. 

Singapore Flyer - perfect for a 360 degree view of Singapore

Walk to Gardens By The Bay and explore its 2 colorful domes, lined with flowers, plants, and even a waterfall! Expect to spend at least 2 hours exploring Gardens By The Bay. 

Waterfall at Cloud forest dome in Gardens by the Bay

Beautiful décor at the flower dome

As the sun sets, make your way to the super trees for the amazing Garden Rhapsody Light and Sound Show that begins at 7.45 pm. The 15 minute show is sure to leave you spellbound and you might want an encore when it’s all over. 

Garden Rhapsody Light and Sound Show

Shopping In Singapore

There are endless shopping malls and markets in Singapore but here are a couple of our favorites:

• Ion Orchard Mall and Paragon shopping center are ideal choices if you want a variety of high-street brands such as Zara, Mango, Warehouse, H&M etc. and designer brands such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Dior under one roof.
• The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is perfect for a spot of luxurious and designer shopping
• Lucky Plaza and Far East Plaza are ideal if you want to do a bit of cheap shopping but not venture out of Orchard Road. You will find plenty of clothes, accessories, shoes, and tech gear here. Make sure to bargain.
• Another area with some great shopping opportunities is Bugis. It offers a mix of street-side shopping, malls, and independent boutiques and you’re sure to find something that tickles your fancy.

Dining In Singapore

If there is one thing that trumps the shopping opportunities in Singapore, it is the dining opportunities. The country boasts of some scrumptious street food, heavily influenced by Chinese, Indian, and Malaysian flavors. You must try traditional dishes like hainanese chicken rice, prata (fried and stuffed flatbreads served with a curry), teh tarik (tea made with condensed milk), claypot rice, noodle soups, and Singapore laksa when you are there. The best way to try out these dishes are local food courts scattered throughout the city. You will find these food courts in most malls and shopping complexes. Walk around and take your pick. But that’s not all. Here are some more suggestions for memorable meals in Singapore:

• Lau Pa Sat – this iconic street food market amongst both locals and expats. Drop by for some chilled Tiger beer and grilled meats. Lau Pa Sat is famous for its satays but we find them quite tasteless and mediocre at best. Instead try the noodle soups and chicken rice for a filling meal.
• Seafood Buffet at J65, Jen Tanglin – if you enjoy your seafood, then you must reserve a place at the popular seafood buffet at J65. From lobsters and crabs to sushi and fried fish, you’ll find it all here. And it’s cooked to perfection. There is even a live counter where you can request the chef to customize dishes for you.

• Tim Ho Wan – the legendary eatery has the approval of both food critics and restaurant goes. If you like dumplings, you must pay a visit to the iconic Tim Ho Wan. The ambience isn’t the best and service can be hit or miss, but the food is great and it’s easy on the pocket too.
• Arab Street – Spend an evening sipping beer or coffee at an outdoor bar at one of the hippest neighborhoods in Singapore. You could choose to visit a traditional establishment like Kampong Glam Café or someplace more more such as BluJaz Café.

• If you want to catch up with friends over a drink or two, hit one of Singapore’s rooftop bars that offer great views of the skyline. 1-Altitude is the highest rooftop bar and extremely popular. But it is by no means the only one. There are many other great options such as the luxurious Ce La Vi, New Asia Bar, and Level 33.

Hope you enjoy our suggestions for Singapore and have an amazing time on your next trip to this little island nation. If you have a question or any suggestions, leave them down below 🙂