3 Days, 1 City: Singapore

On your first day in Singapore, I highly recommend starting with Gardens by the Bay. There are several attractions within the gardens, but I’d focus your time on the Cloud Forest, Flower Dome, and Supertree Observatory.

The Supertree Observatory was one of my favorite experiences—it offers panoramic views of the Singapore skyline, including Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore Flyer. The Cloud Forest was also incredible. It’s a climate-controlled dome filled with lush plants and butterflies, complete with a massive indoor waterfall and an aerial walkway winding through the space.

Pro tip: Book the very first time slot of the day so you can arrive before the crowds. It makes a huge difference, especially for the Cloud Forest.

After spending a few hours wandering around Gardens by the Bay, it’s time for some authentic dim sum. For an upscale experience, Peach Blossoms at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay would be my choice. If you’re looking for something more classic and lively, check out Asia Grand. I went to both and thought they were phenomenal. The cheong fun (rice noodle rolls) at Asia Grand were especially delicious.

From there, I’d head back to your hotel for a break. Singapore is so hot and humid, and my husband and I found that the best way to handle the heat was to retreat to the hotel around midday, lounge by the pool, and freshen up before dinner. It’s also a nice way to pace yourself rather than trying to power through the entire day.

For dinner, I highly recommend Claudine Restaurant. Yes, it’s French cuisine, but it was some of the best French food I’ve had—even compared to meals I’ve had in Paris!

To end the night, head to Nutmeg & Clove for cocktails. It’s relatively casual, but it has earned a spot on numerous lists of the world’s best cocktail bars. One important tip: Bring a jacket. They absolutely blast the A/C in this particular bar, and you’ll be very grateful for the extra layer!

On your second day, I recommend heading slightly north to visit the Singapore Botanic Gardens, which are completely free to enter. You could spend as little as 30 minutes wandering around or easily stay for several hours, depending on how much time you have.

One of the highlights for us was spotting the monitor lizards! We saw quite a few throughout the gardens, including some crossing our path and others swimming in the ponds. Just like the rest of Singapore, the Botanic Gardens are incredibly spotless and well maintained, making them a really peaceful place to spend the morning.

For dinner, I highly recommend Fura. It’s an award-winning, women-owned restaurant that takes a sustainable approach to both food and cocktails. I’d recommend ordering a bunch of their small plates to share so you can try as much as possible—and definitely don’t skip the cocktails. My favorite cocktail was their carbonated mezcal and tomato cocktail, named “Make Local Tomatoes Great Again.”

And now for my all-time favorite cocktail spot in Singapore: Elephant Room.

Elephant Room is an Indian-inspired cocktail bar that takes creativity to an entirely different level. Think biryani, chicken curry, and spicy crab rasam—but in cocktail form. The flavors and presentation were so unexpected, and we were completely blown away by the experience.

Please, please check this place out and let me know what you think! It was easily one of the most memorable cocktail experiences of all of my travels.

For your third day, I’d recommend exploring a different side of Singapore and heading to Robertson Quay. This historic riverside neighborhood was once a swamp that was transformed into a bustling trade hub, and today it’s a beautiful upscale lifestyle area filled with restaurants, cafés, and bars.

Spend some time walking along the river. Please keep an eye out for otters! They’re a surprisingly common sight along the Singapore River, and we spotted a few hunting for their lunch.

After sightseeing, head to SanSara for what I think is some of the best Indian food in Singapore. Their menu changes almost monthly, so I won’t recommend a specific dish, but everything we tried was fantastic. They offer both a fixed-course menu and à la carte options, so you can choose whichever experience suits you best.

For the afternoon, you have a few options depending on what you’re in the mood for. You could visit the Merlion, explore one of Singapore’s famous hawker centers, or head out to Southern Ridges for some walking and beautiful city views.

For dinner, check out Po Restaurant, located inside The Warehouse Hotel. This was one of the most intimate and authentic dining experiences we had in Singapore. Po is one of the few restaurants showcasing Peranakan culinary traditions, and I still think about their popiah. My biggest piece of advice here: Trust your server. The menu can be a little unfamiliar if you’re new to Peranakan cuisine, so let the staff guide you toward the dishes they think you’ll enjoy. They know what they’re doing!

For cocktails, Jigger & Pony is always top of mind, but I’d also consider ATLAS or Sago House. We’ve been to all three, and they each have a completely different vibe. Jigger & Pony is polished and sophisticated, ATLAS is in a beautiful hotel lobby, and Sago House is more casual and laid-back.

If you’re a cocktail lover, I’d honestly try to squeeze in all three—you won’t get the same experience twice!