Your Ultimate Itinerary: Exciting Things to Do in Singapore for Every Traveler
By Alejandra Mendoza Garcia - Posted on October 27, 2026 - Ale Around the World
After spending an incredible week in Malaysia, it was time to head to Singapore. I am genuinely excited to write this blog post because, so far, Singapore has become my favorite destination in all of Asia. Between the technology, skyscrapers, welcoming people, fantastic food, and stunning sights, it truly stands out.
Coming from Malaysia, which is very budget-friendly, Singapore is a noticeable contrast. It is widely considered one of the most expensive places to travel. However, in our experience, most of the spots we visited turned out to be quite affordable.
Singapore is spotless, modern, and highly developed. When you visit, you almost feel wealthy just by being there because everything looks so high-end and luxurious, from the futuristic skyline right down to the shopping malls.
Our journey started with a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, which took less than an hour on AirAsia. Round-trip tickets cost around $230 CAD. The moment you land at Changi Airport, you immediately notice the shift in atmosphere. The airport itself is an attraction worth visiting, but because we arrived late at night, we saved our airport exploration for our departure day.
To reach our hotel, we chose public transit (the MRT). While Grab is available, it can get quite pricey, making the train your best option. You will need a transit card to ride the buses and trains, which you can purchase right at the airport. We recommend getting the Singapore Tourist Pass for $30 SGD for 3 days; after that, you can top it up with a minimum of $10 SGD. The exchange rate is nearly equal, at roughly 1 SGD to 1.10 CAD. The transit system is remarkably easy to navigate using Google Maps or Apple Maps, and because all signs are in English, you never have to worry about getting lost.
We got off near our accommodation, Robertson Quay Hotel, which was only a six-minute walk from the station. The hotel was very comfortable, offering room service, clean spaces, a pool, easy transit access, and convenient proximity to top tourist spots. Best of all, it had an incredible, upscale view of the city. Rates were just over $100 CAD per night. The only downside was that the room was quite small walking around the space was a bit of a challenge for the three of us.
The next morning, we woke up early to explore. I took a morning stroll along Robertson Quay, which is the largest and most upstream of Singapore's three historic quays along the Singapore River. It offers a scenic, relaxed, and pedestrian-friendly riverside walk, sitting right next to our hotel. There is also a small mall nearby filled with dining and shopping options. We bought Starbucks on our first day, but realizing how expensive it was compared to Malaysia, we switched to buying our breakfast from 7-Eleven and local convenience stores for the rest of the trip to save money.
Next, we visited Sri Thendayuthapani Temple, also known as the Chettiars' Temple. Located just a five-minute walk from Robertson Quay, it is one of the Hindu community's most important historic monuments in Singapore. The architecture is stunning, but keep in mind that you must remove your shoes before entering.
From there, we took the train to Singapore’s most famous landmark: Gardens by the Bay, an urban park spanning 105 hectares. The park offers plenty of attractions, most of which require paid admission. However, the Supertree Grove is completely free to visit. This area features 12 of the park’s 18 vertical tree-like gardens, rising up to 50 meters and hosting over 162,900 plants across 200 species. If you want to see them lit up at night, be sure to catch the Garden Rhapsody, a signature light and sound show that is also free to watch.
Because we wanted the full experience, we booked a complete package via GetYourGuide that included access to the main attractions alongside shuttle transport between sites.
After snapping photos around the Supertree Grove, we headed up to the OCBC Skyway. Suspended between the giant trees, this aerial walkway, along with the Supertree Observatory canopy, offers sweeping, panoramic views of the lush gardens and the Marina Bay skyline. Walking along the suspended bridge was an unforgettable experience that I highly recommend.
Next was the Flower Dome, a massive, air-conditioned glass greenhouse showcasing themed gardens filled with exotic plants from around the world. It is an absolute must-visit for plant and flower enthusiasts.
Our third stop was the Cloud Forest, featuring lush tropical highland vegetation and a towering indoor waterfall inside a soaring greenhouse. During our visit, it featured a unique animatronic dinosaur theme that made us feel as if we had stepped right into Jurassic Park. This was easily my favorite attraction of the day.
Finally, we explored Floral Fantasy, an indoor garden showcasing colorful hanging blossoms, small waterfalls, and Disney character displays, a charming stop that is especially great for families with kids.
After spending nearly half the day at Gardens by the Bay, we headed over to take photos outside Marina Bay Sands, the iconic 5-star integrated resort located at 10 Bayfront Avenue. Directly in front of the resort sits The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, a luxury mall packed with high-end designer brands. It even features a man-made canal inside where you can take a ride on a small boat, reminiscent of the canals in Venice. It was an incredible sight to cap off the day.
Here is a quick food tip: eat at the food courts inside any of the malls. They are much cheaper, offer a wide variety of delicious options, and let you sample different local dishes.
Once you step out the other side of the mall, you will be greeted by an incredible view of the city, soaring skyscrapers, palm trees by the water, and the striking spherical Apple store. It is the perfect spot for photos, and you will also spot the ArtScience Museum right there.
If you keep walking to your right, you will come across the Helix Bridge, a pedestrian bridge that links Marina Centre with Marina South across Marina Bay. You definitely need to walk across it; the views are fantastic, and it is easily one of the best photo spots in the area.
From there, open Google Maps and take a stroll over to Merlion Park, Singapore’s most famous landmark. Located at One Fullerton near the Central Business District, it features the iconic Merlion, a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish that serves as Singapore's national mascot. The statue itself is a water fountain that looks out directly over stunning views of Marina Bay.
Next, we made our way to the historic Sultan Mosque (Masjid Sultan). Stepping into this area feels just like walking onto the set of Aladdin. The mosque is nestled along vibrant Arab Street, which is lined with vendors selling very affordable souvenirs. The street itself is great for photos, and there are plenty of cozy cafés and restaurants to check out.
Our final stop for the day was Parliament House, the official seat and meeting place of the Parliament of Singapore. It is a beautiful building and definitely worth a quick photo before calling it a day.
The next morning, we set off for Sentosa Island. To get there, you need to buy a train ticket to enter, though the return trip back is free. Keep in mind that your standard tourist transport card will not work at this train station; you will need to buy a separate ticket at the kiosk inside the VivoCity station (which is also a great mall for shopping and grabbing a bite).
We visited Sentosa specifically for Harry Potter: A Vision of Magic. My sister is a massive fan and I love the movies too, so we couldn't pass it up. It is an interactive art experience that takes you through the most mysterious corners of the Wizarding World. The set pieces make you feel completely immersed in the films, my personal favorite was the Chamber of Secrets. Best of all, they hand you an interactive wand so you can cast spells at different stations throughout the venue. The whole experience lasts about an hour, ending at a gift shop and a small café where you can finally try the famous Butterbeer. The experience is located inside The Forum, which is a lovely area to explore in its own right.
Afterwards, we took a scenic walk toward the beach. Along the path to Palawan Beach, you will pass through "San Fransokyo Street" and "Town Square", fun, Disney-themed immersive walking zones.
Before long, you will arrive at Palawan Beach, a gorgeous, family-friendly spot featuring soft white sand and calm, clear shallow waters. One of the highlights here is the suspension bridge leading to the Southernmost Point of Continental Asia. Crossing it offers sweeping views of the open ocean and makes for amazing pictures. Another fun perk is the nearby 7-Eleven where you can grab cold drinks and snacks before kicking back to unwind. It was the perfect, relaxing way to wrap up another wonderful day in Singapore.
The next day, we headed to Universal Studios Singapore. To be honest, it isn't the best Universal park I’ve ever visited, mainly because it feels quite small compared to the others. It only has a couple of themed areas that set it apart, but my absolute favorite, and the main reason I wanted to go, was Far Far Away from Shrek. This land is completely amazing and really makes you feel like you've stepped right into the movie. It has a few rides and, of course, several shows throughout the day. And that's pretty much how we wrapped up our day!
On our last day in Singapore, our flight wasn't scheduled until the afternoon, which gave us plenty of time to explore what is widely considered the best and most famous airport in the world. We arrived very early because our main goal was to see its most iconic attraction. Just keep in mind that Changi is massive, so you will need to take buses or shuttles to get between some of the terminals.
We went straight to the airport's standout highlight: Jewel Changi. Linked to Terminals 1, 2, and 3, Jewel is a nature-themed entertainment and retail complex. Its centerpiece is the Rain Vortex, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, completely surrounded by a terraced indoor forest. Watching the waterfall show begin, which starts every day at 10:00 AM, is an incredible sight, and it’s even more impressive in person. You can access Jewel right by Terminal 1.
After that, you can head over to Terminal 2 if you want to check out "The Wonderfall," a massive digital waterfall installation. It's another fantastic spot to snap some photos and videos before you fly.
After wandering around the airport, it was finally time to say goodbye to Singapore. We caught our flight back to Kuala Lumpur, where we connected to another plane bound for Japan, with a layover of 12 hours in Japan. If you want to know what to do during a long layover in Osaka,Japan, stay tuned for my next blog post!
