4 Days in Singapore
Lush Gardens, Street Food, Multicultural Charm
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September 18, 2025
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The city-state of Singapore is a fascinating melting pot and shining example of urban planning. Public transport is efficient, and there’s greenery at every turn. The hypermodern buildings of the financial district blend seamlessly with Chinatown’s charming shopfronts and other distinctive ethnic enclaves.
An old trading port, Singapore is a natural choice for anyone who wants to shop – or eat. From no-frills hawker centers to award-winning restaurants, the dynamic cuisine of Singapore draws foodies from around the globe. While the weather stays hot and humid, things to do in Singapore are varied. You can hit the beach, get your adrenaline pumping at theme parks, explore museums championing regional talents, or sample award-winning craft cocktails.
Remember that you can explore freely with no foreign transaction fees1 on purchases made abroad made with your Platinum® Card.
Read on for our recommended Singapore itinerary and learn about some of the benefits that you can enjoy throughout your journey when you book through American Express Travel®.
1American Express will not charge any foreign transaction fee on the purchases you make outside of the United States with your Card. However, there may be circumstances where ATMs or merchants charge a fee on foreign transactions.
Get Settled in Singapore
Accommodations
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore
Shangri-La Singapore
W Singapore Sentosa Cove
Places of Interest
Singapore Botanic Gardens
Museum of Ice Cream Singapore
Eat & Drink
Open Farm Community
Canchita Peruvian Cuisine
Claudine Restaurant
Meta Restaurant
Fiamma
Explore Marina Bay & Beyond
Places of Interest
Discover the Neighborhoods of Singapore
Cycling the Heart of Singapore
National Gallery of Singapore
Gardens by the Bay
SkyPark Observation Deck
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
Eat & Drink
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
Atlas
Smoke & Mirrors
Nanbantei Japanese Restaurant
Thevar
Dig into the Local Street Food
Places of Interest
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
Mount Faber/Southern Ridges walks
Gillman Barracks
Eat & Drink
Taste Singaporean Street Food
Inside Chinatown Street Food Experience
Le Bon Funk
Zén
Embrace the Sentosa Resort Lifestyle
Places of Interest
A Day on Sentosa Island
Singapore Light Show Spectacular
Soaring and Racing over Sentosa Island
Eat & Drink
Ocean Restaurant
Native Kitchen
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore
In the heart of Marina Bay, Mandarin Oriental, Singapore is also close to the Central Business District and the Orchard Road shopping district. The 510 renovated rooms and suites feature Asian art and wood furnishings, with floral motifs and granite accents. Suites up the ante with stunning views. The award-winning Cherry Garden presents authentic Cantonese dishes while Dolce Vita serves Italian cuisine by the outdoor swimming pool. Settle into a cabana or head upstairs to Haus 65, a see-and-be-seen type of social lounge with event programming.
Platinum Card® Members receive a complimentary suite of benefits that offers an average total value of $550◊ at over 1,800 Fine Hotels + Resorts® properties worldwide when booking through Amex Travel.*
◊Average value based on Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings in 2024 for stays of two nights. Benefits include daily breakfast for two, room upgrade upon arrival when available, $100 credit towards eligible charges (which vary by property), guaranteed 4PM late checkout and noon check-in when available. Certain room categories not eligible for upgrade. Actual value will vary based on property, room rate, upgrade availability, and use of benefits.
12pm check-in, when available
Room upgrade upon arrival, when available**
Daily breakfast for two
$100 credit towards eligible charges††
Guaranteed 4pm check-out
**Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.
††Eligible charges vary by property.
$600 HOTEL CREDIT
Platinum Card Members get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection‡ bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®.
‡The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
Shangri-La Singapore
One of Singapore’s nicknames is the Garden City, and the Shangri-La Singapore cultivates 15 acres of gardens as well as its own open-air greenhouse, The Orchid. As you wander the grounds, you’ll pass a pool and rooms and suites located in three distinct wings: the modern Tower Wing; the Garden Wing with resort-style layouts and private balconies; and the Valley Wing with additional privacy, an exclusive lounge, and butler service. Dining options include the Origin Grill, the authentic Cantonese cuisine of Shang Palace, and all-day international dishes at The Line.
Platinum Card® Members receive a complimentary suite of benefits that offers an average total value of $550◊ at over 1,800 Fine Hotels + Resorts® properties worldwide when booking through Amex Travel.*
◊Average value based on Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings in 2024 for stays of two nights. Benefits include daily breakfast for two, room upgrade upon arrival when available, $100 credit towards eligible charges (which vary by property), guaranteed 4PM late checkout and noon check-in when available. Certain room categories not eligible for upgrade. Actual value will vary based on property, room rate, upgrade availability, and use of benefits.
12pm check-in, when available
Room upgrade upon arrival, when available**
Daily breakfast for two
$100 credit towards eligible charges††
Guaranteed 4pm check-out
**Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.
††Eligible charges vary by property.
$600 HOTEL CREDIT
Platinum Card Members get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection‡ bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®.
‡The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
W Singapore Sentosa Cove
Just minutes from the city center, on an island in the South China Sea, W Singapore Sentosa Cove delivers a sleek resort experience. It’s fresh off a transformation of rooms, suites, and public spaces like the vibrant W Lounge, whose outdoor terrace overlooks the marina. There’s a new day club, WET Deck, and a huge pool with a waterslide that stays open 24/7, plus shuttle service that can bring you to Sentosa’s beaches and blockbuster attractions. After a day out, soak in your suite’s private plunge pool and treat yourself to a fiery meal at grill restaurant SKIRT.
With The Hotel Collection*, Platinum Card® Members receive elevated benefits that offer an average total value of $1501 at more than 1,300 hotels plus enjoy 12pm check-in and late check-out, both when available when booking two or more nights through Amex Travel™.
1Average value based on The Hotel Collection bookings in 2024 for stays of two nights. Actual value will vary based on property, room rate, upgrade availability, and use of benefits.
12pm check-in, when available
Room upgrade upon arrival, when available**
$100 credit towards eligible charges††
Late check-out, when available
**Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.
††Eligible charges vary by property.
$600 HOTEL CREDIT
Platinum Card Members get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection‡ bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®.
‡The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
Dine on Locavore, Peruvian, or French Fare
Open Farm Community
This urban farm and restaurant connects organic farmers with chefs, who transform the homegrown Singaporean bounty into delicious, ground-breaking dishes that you can enjoy over lunch or dinner (openfarmcommunity.com). The goal is to raise awareness of the origins of our food and, if inspired, you can learn more during one of the guided farm tours.
Canchita Peruvian Cuisine
Peruvian cuisine hasn’t taken off in Singapore as much as it has in other global food capitals, but that may change thanks to Canchita, run by husband-and-wife chefs Daniel Chavez and Tamara Chavez (canchita.sg). Start off strong with an order of the Octopus a la Brasa and at least two types of ceviche or causa. The tacos are also fantastic; Tamara, originally from Mexico, introduced them as an off-menu item and they’ve become a permanent fixture by popular demand.
Claudine Restaurant
Chef Julien Royer has achieved almost every possible industry accolade at the Singaporean restaurant Odette, known for its exquisitely executed modern French fare. But having grown up in the mountainous region of Cantal, France, Royer is also fond of hearty comfort food – and that’s what you’ll find at Claudine, a more casual neighborhood restaurant opened in late 2021 in a colonial-era chapel (claudinerestaurant.com). Quintessential French dishes with a twist include Claudine ‘Bouillabaise’ and Vol-au-Vent.
Singapore Botanic Gardens
Founded in 1853 and granted Unesco World Heritage Site status in 2015, this is 183 acres of impeccably maintained gorgeousness and a favorite place to exercise, stroll, loll about, and generally decompress amid rare orchids, waterfalls, and tropical birdsong (nparks.gov.sg). From the cultural heritage conservation of ethnobotany to the dedicated children's garden for adventure and exploration, there's variety in this tranquil slice of Singaporean life.
Museum of Ice Cream Singapore
This pink-and-white fun house near the Botanic Gardens counts 14 multisensory installations where you can learn about the origins of everyone's favorite dessert. Draw your own ice cream design, play in the giant pink bouncy castle, and do some taste testing. Also be prepared to take a ton of photos; popular spots include the sprinkle pool, the giant banana swing, and beneath beautiful archways.
Opt for Korean or Italian Cooking
Meta Restaurant
All things Korean are taking over lately, from movies to pop music to beauty treatments. It’s no different when it comes to food, and Chef Sun Kim of Meta (short for metamorphosis) is helping to satisfy the hunger for Korean cooking (metarestaurant.sg). While he has a firm grasp of classical techniques, Kim is adept at adding a playful spin to traditional dishes. Meta has become a local favorite and captured the global stage, earning two Michelin Stars as well as the American Express ‘One to Watch’ Award at Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021.
Fiamma
Chef Mauro Colagreco brings diners together for special occasion-type meals at Fiamma, a beautifully modern Italian restaurant at the Capella Singapore hotel on Sentosa island. The cooking and the dining room center around the wood-fired oven, where loaves of sourdough and fresh pizzas are crisped to perfection. Tartufo pizza, sea bream carpaccio, and bistecca alla fiorentina are among the standout dishes.
Join Neighborhood Tours by Foot or Bike
Stroll Through Ethnic Enclaves
Let a local guide take you on a walking tour through Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Gelam, a hub for the Malay community. Each neighborhood has its distinctive architecture, landmarks, and street life – and has played its part in developing the vibrant cultural mashup of present-day Singapore.
Cycle Through Singapore
If you prefer to pedal, this guided cycling adventure takes you along the Singapore River and the Marina Bay Sands promenade, passing a variety of neighborhoods, including Chinatown and Kampong Gelam, with their fascinating places of worship, museums, and monuments. You’ll stop at a market and break for a local snack and a drink.
The Restaurants and Shops of Marina Bay Sands
Shopping hits the stratosphere at Marina Bay Sands’ The Shoppes (marinabaysands.com), which counts 170-plus luxury fashion brands. The vast scale and soaring architecture bring airiness to the experience, right down to the central indoor canal. You’ll also find outposts of international restaurant concepts like Yardbird (yakitori from Hong Kong) and Roberta’s (pizza from New York) and art installations. Look for immersive virtual oceanscapes, calligraphic art, and CGI flowers at the interactive Digital Light Canvas.
National Gallery of Singapore
National Gallery Singapore reflects the city-state’s location and heritage (nationalgallery.sg). It boasts the world’s largest public collection of modern Singaporean and Southeast Asian art – and is working to raise global awareness of regional talents. Singapore’s former Supreme Court and City Hall buildings were joined together as part of a triumphant renovation to form the 650,000-square-foot space that now houses exhibition halls, plus restaurants and entertainment and education venues.
Gardens by the Bay
This waterfront nature park dazzles at every turn (gardensbythebay.com.sg). Stroll the suspended walkway that connects the Supertrees – towering vertical gardens – and delivers birds-eye views of Gardens by the Bay’s lush surrounds and the Marina Bay area from 16 stories up. Explore the conservatories of tropical blooms and the indoor waterfall within the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. Picnic on the Bay East lawn and, after dark, stick around for the Garden Rhapsody music and light show.
Enjoy an Outdoor Light Show or the Performing Arts
SkyPark Observation Deck
The Sky Park Observation Deck offers the perfect vantage point to witness the city's iconic landmarks, Gardens by the Bay, and the impressive Supertree Grove. Make a reservation to dine at one of the two restaurants or order a Singapore sling from the rooftop bar. At night, visitors can witness the magnificent spectacle of Spectra, an outdoor light and water show with its dazzling lasers and fountain jets over the promenade.
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
Singapore’s National Performing Arts Center, Esplanade, is a stand-out two-dome roofed structure in the city (esplanade.com). Inside, the space is home to a Concert Hall, a Theatre, the Singtel Waterfront Theatre, and smaller performance areas. With more than 2,900 performances each year, there is always something exciting to see, from exquisite ballet to jazz orchestras and operas. The center is even home to a mall where you can find a range of boutiques, cafes, and restaurants.
Sample a Local Japanese Institution or Creative Indian Dishes
Nanbantei Japanese Restaurant
Since opening in 1983, Nanbantei has sold approximately 700,000 dishes – primarily skewered meats, seafood, and bento sets (nanbantei.com.sg). The best seats are at the counter where you can watch the chefs in action at the traditional yakitori grill, roasting seasoned cuts of meat and seafood until they’re perfectly grilled over the charcoal. Glazed chicken meatballs known as tsukune are one of the biggest hits.
Thevar
There are Indian restaurants a-plenty in Singapore, but Thevar serves original dishes that you’re unlikely to find anywhere else (thevar.sg). Chef Mano Thevar draws on his upbringing on the Malay Peninsula, his travels in India, and his training in French techniques. The tasting menu is full of inspired combinations such as strawberry or rhubarb chaat, Chettinad chicken roti, and a spiced rack of lamb with butternut squash masala.
Pair Innovative Cocktails with a Gorgeous Setting
Atlas
There are few places in Singapore as awe-inspiring as Atlas, a lounge and bar whose opulent interior is replete with gilded accents and Art Deco motifs (atlasbar.sg). While the bartenders can whip up anything you fancy, the house specialties are champagne and gin; you certainly won’t miss the towering showcase housing a diverse collection of 1,300 gins. Plus, the Atlas Collections features select bottles from the Parkview Family Cellar (the building owners), a collection of 50,000 bottles of fine wine and over 10,000 bottles of whiskey.
Smoke & Mirrors
At Singapore’s National Gallery, Smoke & Mirrors is an acclaimed rooftop bar with sweeping views and indoor-outdoor spaces that feel warm and inviting (smokeandmirrors.com.sg). The culture of South East Asia inspires the speciality cocktail list, and you can read up on the music and art behind the libations.
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
Revered artifacts of the Buddha – including a canine salvaged from his funeral pyre in Kushinagar, India – await within the four-story Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum in Chinatown (buddhatoothrelictemple.org.sg). Conceptualized and designed by Chief Abbot Venerable Shi Fa Zhao, the temple also contains a theater and a tranquil roof garden for quiet contemplation.
Eat Your Way Through Street Food Favorites
Hit the Hawker Centers
Hawker centers are a cultural mainstay in Singapore and full of stalls turning out affordable favorites like hokeein mee (fried prawn noodles), satay, and laksa (spicy noodle soup). Maxwell Food Center and Tiong Bahru Market are two top institutions. Tekka Center specializes in Indian cuisine, such as biryani specialties at Allauddins and Yakader Muslim Food, while East Coast Lagoon Food Village is perfect for no-frills beachside dining. At the Chinatown Complex Food Center, stop by Xiu Ji Ikan Bilis Yong Tau Fu for yong tau fu, a broth of homemade fish paste, vegetables, and tofu. Or sample charcoal grilled specialties from Lian He Ben Ji Claypot and generously filled crispy spring rolls from Ann Chin Popiah.
Join the Inside Chinatown Street Food Experience
It's wise to keep breakfast light before this foodie experience as you're going to try a lot of dishes, eight in total. Your guide will lead you through the famous hawker centers of Chinatown into the lesser-known tiny side streets and alleys to discover the places that many other visitors miss. Your reward is authentic dishes like Hainanese chicken rice, crispy spring rolls, and a savory fried carrot cake.
Book your tickets at letsgotoursingapore.com.
Mount Faber and the Southern Ridges
From Mount Faber Park, a series of elevated walkways extends westward for miles through interconnecting parks and nature reserves, weaving through a secondary native forest, at times a hundred feet above the ground (nparks.gov.sg). It’s an invigorating, scenic outing and less-visited part of Singapore.
Gillman Barracks
Built in the 1930s as a British military camp, Gillman Barracks is now a hub for contemporary art with galleries such as Fost and Sundaram Tagore as well as the public university-funded NTU Center for Contemporary Art. There are also restaurants and bars and parties on select Friday nights.
Opt for Wine with Small Plates or an Elaborate Nordic Meal
Le Bon Funk
Le Bon Funk is a series of neighborhood wine bars run by chef-owner Keirin Buck and Jos Kjer who spearheads the bar’s wine program (bonfunk.com). The name, Le Bon Funk, is an allusion to the “good funk” from living wines — and an invitation not to take yourself too seriously. Le Bon Funk curates a list of of exciting and accessible wines, complemented with produce-led plates that are never fussy, always tasty.
Zén
Zén, an outpost of Swedish restaurant Frantzén, is one of the more opulent dining experiences in Singapore – and that really says something (restaurantzen.com). Chef Bjorn Frantzén delivers a Nordic kaiseki feast with a menu that includes the signature Grand Tradition French Toast. A highlight of dining at Zén is moving through the stylish three-story shophouse; each floor is dedicated to one chapter of the long meal.
Thrills and Chill Time on Sentosa Island
The hardest part of a day at Sentosa Island is choosing which of the 70-plus activities and experiences to prioritize (sentosa.com.sg). Feel the adrenaline rush at theme park rides that include the world’s tallest dueling roller coasters, and encounter some beloved cartoon characters.
You can glide across the island's majestic terrain on a 1,500-foot Zip line, or try a free-fall simulator that will scare and delight you in equal parts (sg.megaadventure.com). If you'd rather look up than down, scale the wall course, or tackle the climbing obstacle course. On Sentosa, you’ll also find opportunities to observe marine animals and enjoy water park adventures like Southeast Asia's first hydromagnetic roller coaster or a journey along one of the world's longest slow river (rwsentosa.com).
If you prefer to take it easy, head for gentle waters and fine sands of Palawan Beach; from the arrival by tram, to the island’s rope bridge crossing, Hydrodash water park, and the watch tower’s bird’s eye view of turquoise lagoons, Palawan fuses family fun with relaxation.
Or hang at Tanjong Beach Club, which blends mid-century modernism and maritime chic (tanjongbeachclub.com). Weekdays are calm, while weekends get rowdy. It’s a popular brunch choice and the Ibiza-like Beach Club is a default for some locals on a sunny Sunday (come early if you’re with kids or in the late afternoon for DJ sets and poolside champagne).
Be Dazzled by Lights or the High-Speed Luge
Singapore Light Show Spectacular
A spellbinding show (marinabaysands.com) in a super modern venue at Sentosa Island in Singapore with 3D effects, water spouts, lasers and fireworks takes you on a magical adventure around the globe with the theme of friendship and kinship at its core. Wings of Time is the perfect way to end a family day out after hours at the beach.
Soaring and Racing over Sentosa Island
Speeding along the Skyride at Skyline Luge Sentosa delivers an exciting rush along with expansive views of Sentosa Island and beyond. Choose between four purpose-built tracks with hairpin corners, tunnels, and downhill slopes that pass through a rainforest with wildlife. You control the speed of your own Luge cart and can opt to take the Skyride cable car to the top of the Luge track.
Dine with the Fish or Enjoy More Hawker Classics
Ocean Restaurant
At Singapore’s only underwater fine-dining experience, you’re in the company of majestic manta rays and 40,000 marine animals while indulging in exquisite modern-European cuisine (rwsentosa.com). The menu is inspired by Ocean’s consultant chef, Oliver Bellin, who champions locally farmed produce.
Native Kitchen
True to its name, Native Kitchen serves up hawker center classics and flavors that take you on a culinary journey across the island nation of Singapore (nativekitchen.com.sg). You can expect prawn noodles, nasi lemak, Kurobuta pork, and laksa. The vast restaurant space channels the tropical surroundings with rattan furniture and plants.
Must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly.
Get more out of your Singapore getaway with American Express
Fly Singapore Airlines to Singapore and enjoy savings on premium seats with the International Airline Program*. It offers Platinum Card® Members access to lower fares on International First, Business, and Premium Economy seats. Discounts are available to Card Members and up to seven of their companions when traveling on the same itinerary. Plus, earn 5X Membership Rewards® points* on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year when you book through American Express Travel.
Get more out of your Singapore getaway with American Express
With the American Express Global Lounge Collection® get access to 1,550+ airport lounges in over 500 airports around the world, including The Centurion® Lounge. Enjoy exclusive Centurion Member perks like priority check-in, complimentary premium drinks, and dedicated seating at select Centurion Lounges.
Get more out of your Singapore getaway with American Express
Make your trip unforgettable through unique tours and activities booked at gyg.me/amex. Terms apply.
Get more out of your Singapore getaway with American Express
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