3 Days in Singapore:
Vibrant Gardens, Street Food, and Multicultural Charm
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March 19, 2026
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The city-state of Singapore is a fascinating melting pot and a 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, the range of things to see and do in Singapore is varied. You can stroll botanical gardens and nature reserves, explore museums spotlighting regional talent, or sample standout craft cocktails. Nearby Sentosa Island is destination in itself; swing by for brunch at Tanjong Beach Club or spend a day getting your adrenaline pumping at theme parks that include the world’s tallest dueling roller coasters.
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.
Best Time to Visit
Singapore is consistently hot and humid year-round. November to January bring the heaviest rain, while February to April is drier and more comfortable for sightseeing. June to August is sunny, but extremely warm, with temperatures often hitting 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Major festivals like Lunar New Year and Hari Raya Puasa, which marks the end of Ramadan, attract crowds.
Getting There
Fly Singapore Airlines to Singapore and enjoy savings on select premium tickets on designated international flights with Platinum Member Airfares™* when booked through American Express Travel®. Platinum Card and Centurion Members receive reduced fares compared to fares available for other American Express® Card Members through Amex Travel™. Plus, Platinum Card® Members earn 5X Membership Rewards® points* on up to $500,000 per calendar year on flights booked through American Express Travel® or flights purchased directly from airlines.
Get Settled in Singapore
Accommodations
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore
Conrad Singapore Orchard
Places of Interest
Singapore Botanic Gardens
Museum of Ice Cream Singapore
Eat & Drink
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 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
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore
In the heart of Marina Bay, Mandarin Oriental, Singapore is located by the Central Business District and Orchard Road retail hub. This Card Member favorite offers contemporary rooms and suites with refined Asian art, warm wood furnishings, and floral motifs; suites boast lavish marble bathrooms, spacious living areas, and stunning bay or city views. Dining highlights include Cantonese cuisine at the award-winning Cherry Garden and Italian fare served by the outdoor pool at Dolce Vita. Cozy up in a shaded cabana, or head to Haus 65, a sophisticated lounge on the 21st floor with sweeping panoramas and curated events.
Conrad Singapore Orchard
Conrad Singapore Orchard is an elegant urban oasis nestled between the Botanic Gardens and Orchard Road’s shopping district. Centered around a sunlit atrium, this 12-story hotel features modern, airy rooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, soft neutral tones, and local botanical artworks; select rooms offer private balconies. Unwind at the circular pool or join a yoga class, then dine at Seoul for upscale Korean barbecue, Dolcetto for Italian fare, or Sushi Kamuri for omakase.
*
12pm check-in, when available
Room upgrade upon arrival, when available1
Daily breakfast for two
$100 credit to use towards eligible charges2
Guaranteed 4pm check-out
1Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.
2Eligible charges vary by property.
3,*
12pm check-in, when available
Room upgrade upon arrival, when available1
$100 credit to use towards eligible charges2
Late check-out, when available
1Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.
2Eligible charges vary by property.
3The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
More of Our Favorite Singapore Hotels
Raffles Hotel, Singapore is a colonial-style icon featuring glamorous suites with butler service, lush gardens, and award-winning dining. Guests can explore designer boutiques in the arcade, enjoy afternoon tea in the grand lobby, unwind at the rooftop pool or tranquil spa, and visit the Long Bar for a Singapore Sling cocktail—invented there in 1915.
A tranquil escape that lives up to the Singapore’s “Garden City” nickname, the Shangri-La Singapore spans 15 acres of landscaped grounds and an open-air orchid conservatory. Accommodations range from modern rooms to resort-style layouts with balconies and ultra-private suites with butler service. Dining highlights include authentic Cantonese cuisine, open-fire grilled specialties, and all-day international dishes.
Minutes from the city center on Sentosa Island, W Singapore Sentosa Cove delivers a sleek, high-energy resort experience. Newly refreshed rooms, suites—some with private plunge pools—and social spaces include a 24-hour pool with a swim-up bar and waterslide, a marina-front lounge, and a buzzy day club atmosphere. Shuttle service brings guests to nearby beaches and attractions.
Dine on Peruvian or French Fare
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 (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, Singapore Botanic Gardens spans 183 acres of impeccably maintained beauty and is a favorite destination to exercise, stroll, and decompress amid rare orchids, waterfalls, and tropical birdsong (nparks.gov.sg). From the cultural conservation of ethnobotany to a dedicated children's garden designed for adventure and exploration, there's something for everyone in this tranquil slice of Singaporean life.
Museum of Ice Cream Singapore
This pink-and-white fun house near the Botanic Gardens features 14 multisensory installations where you can learn about the origins of everyone's favorite frozen dessert. Draw your own ice cream design, play in the giant pink bouncy castle, and do some taste testing. Also be prepared to take plenty of photos; popular spots include the sprinkle pool, the giant banana swing, and beneath beautiful archways.
Book Museum of Ice Cream Singapore at GetYourGuide.com
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 Meta (short for metamorphosis) is helping to satisfy the hunger for Korean cooking in a bold flavored way (metarestaurant.sg). With a menu blending traditional dishes with international influences and techniques, Meta has become a local favorite while also capturing the global stage—earning international acclaim.
Fiamma
A renowned culinary team invites diners to slow down and savor special occasion meals at Fiamma, a beautifully modern Italian restaurant at the Capella Singapore hotel on Sentosa island. Both the cooking and the farmhouse-style dining room center around the wood-fired oven, where loaves of sourdough and fresh pizzas are crisped to perfection. White tartufo pie, Mediterranean sea bream carpaccio, and decadent 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, the historical center of Singapore’s Malay community. Each neighborhood and colorful enclave has its distinctive architecture, landmarks, and bustling street life—and has played its role in developing the vibrant cultural soul of present-day Singapore.
Book the Chinatown and Little India walking tour at GetYourGuide.com
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. In between sightseeing, you’ll stop at a local market for a traditional snack and a drink.
Book the Singapore bike tour at GetYourGuide.com
The Restaurants and Shops of Marina Bay Sands
Shopping hits the stratosphere at Marina Bay Sands’ The Shoppes (marinabaysands.com), which features 170-plus luxury fashion brands. The vast scale and soaring architecture add a sense of airiness to the experience, right down to the central indoor canal. You’ll also find outposts of international restaurant concepts like Yardbird (southern-American comfort food from Miami) and Roberta’s (wood-fired pizza from New York), as well as large-scale art installations. Look for immersive virtual oceanscapes, calligraphic art, and CGI flowers at the interactive Digital Light Canvas.
National Gallery of Singapore
Reflecting the city-state’s location and heritage, National Gallery Singapore (nationalgallery.sg) 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 covered in plant life and designed to resemble giant trees—and enjoy bird’s-eye views of Gardens by the Bay’s lush surroundings and the Marina Bay area from 16 stories up. Explore conservatories filled with tropical blooms and the magnificent indoor waterfall within the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. Picnic on the Bay East lawn and, after dark, stick around for the spectacular Garden Rhapsody music and light show.
Enjoy an Outdoor Light Show or the Performing Arts
SkyPark Observation Deck
The SkyPark Observation Deck offers the perfect vantage point to take in the city's iconic landmarks, Gardens by the Bay, and the impressive Supertree Grove. Consider making 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 breathtaking spectacle of Spectra, an outdoor light and water show with its dazzling lasers and fountain jets over the promenade.
Book SkyPark Observation Deck at GetYourGuide.com
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
Singapore’s National Performing Arts Center, Esplanade, is a striking two-dome structure in the city (esplanade.com). Inside, the center is home to a concert hall, a theatre, the Singtel Waterfront Theatre, and smaller performance spaces. With more than 2,900 performances each year, there is always something exciting to see, from exquisite ballet to jazz orchestras and operas. The complex also houses a mall where visitors can browse boutiques, cafes, and restaurants.
Sample a Local Japanese Institution or Creative Indian Dishes
Nanbantei Japanese Restaurant
Since opening in 1983, Nanbantei has served more than 700,000 dishes—primarily skewered meats, seafood, and bento sets (nanbantei.com.sg). The best seats are at the counter, where diners can watch the chefs in action at the traditional yakitori grill, roasting seasoned cuts of meat and seafood to perfection over charcoal. Glazed chicken meatballs, known as tsukune, are one of the biggest hits.
Thevar
There’s an abundance of Indian restaurants in Singapore, but Thevar serves original dishes that you’re unlikely to find anywhere else (thevar.sg). The contemporary cuisine is influenced by heritage family recipes, infusing classic French techniques with distinct flavors from the Malay Peninsula. 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 covered with gilded flourishes and Art Deco motifs (atlasbar.sg). While the bartenders can whip up anything you fancy, the house specialties are Champagne and gin, which were all the rage in the Gilded Age. At the center of the space, a showstopping three-story gin tower displays a collection of over 1,300 bottles from around the world. The Atlas Collections also features private selections from the Parkview Family Cellar (the building’s owners)—50,000 bottles of fine wine and more than 10,000 bottles of whiskey.
Smoke & Mirrors
At Singapore’s National Gallery, Smoke & Mirrors is an acclaimed rooftop bar with sweeping panoramas and indoor-outdoor spaces that feel warm and inviting (smokeandmirrors.com.sg). The culture of Southeast Asia inspires the specialty cocktail list, and you can read up on the music and art behind each libation. The location also offers stunning views of Marina Bay Sands, perfect for sipping cocktails while taking in the iconic skyline.
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
Revered artifacts of the Buddha—including a tooth salvaged from his funeral pyre in Kushinagar, India—await visitors 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 houses 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, packed with stalls serving affordable favorites like hokkien 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 flavorful 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 “feast for the senses” foodie experience, as you’ll be sampling eight of Singapore’s best local dishes. Your knowledgeable guide will lead you through the famous hawker centers of Chinatown and into the lesser-known side streets and alleys to discover spots that many other visitors miss. Your reward is authentic delights like Hainanese chicken rice, crispy spring rolls, and 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 and, at times, soaring a hundred feet above the ground (nparks.gov.sg). It’s an invigorating, scenic outing in a lesser-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 NTU Center for Contemporary Art, funded by the public university. The complex also features restaurants, bars, and parties on select Friday nights.
Opt for Wine with Small Plates or an Elaborate Nordic Meal
Le Bon Funk
This casual neighborhood wine bar concept focuses on natural wines, with two locations in Singapore (bonfunk.com). The name, Le Bon Funk, is an allusion to the “good funk” from living wines—and serves as an invitation not to take yourself too seriously. Le Bon Funk curates a list of exciting, approachable wines, complemented by produce-led plates that are never fussy and always tasty.
Zén
Zén, an outpost of the renowned Swedish restaurant Frantzén, is one of the most opulent dining experiences in Singapore—and that really says something (restaurantzen.com). Expect a Nordic kaiseki feast with a menu of refined seasonal dishes, premium seafood, and the signature French toast, a savory interpretation with balsamic vinegar and shaved black truffles. A highlight of dining at Zén is moving through the stylish three-story shophouse; each floor is dedicated to a different chapter of the extended meal.
Get more out of your Singapore getaway with American Express
Enjoy savings on select premium tickets with Singapore Airlines to Singapore on designated international flights with Platinum Member Airfares™*. Platinum Card and Centurion Members receive reduced fares compared to fares available for other American Express Card Members through Amex Travel™. As a Platinum Card Member, enjoy access to savings for up to 8 passengers per itinerary on select tickets in first class, business class, and premium economy with participating airlines on designated international flights. Eligible Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary.
Get more out of your Singapore getaway with American Express
With the American Express Global Lounge Collection®, Platinum Card Members 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. Terms apply.
Get more out of your Singapore getaway with American Express
As an American Express Card Member, make your trip unforgettable with 10% off tours and activities booked at gyg.me/amex from 03/01/26 to 08/31/26. Terms apply.
Get more out of your Singapore getaway with American Express
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