"Singapore is the city of the future, but its soul is in the past. I arrived at Changi — legitimately the only airport in the world I'd happily spend 6 hours in — and took the MRT straight to my hotel in Tanjong Pagar. Within an hour, Rovago had me scheduled for a food crawl through Maxwell Food Centre. I stood in line for Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice for 20 minutes, and the first bite made me understand why Anthony Bourdain loved this place so much. It's simple, perfect, and cost $5."
"Gardens by the Bay at night is like being on the set of Avatar. The Supertree Grove light show happens at 7:45pm and 8:45pm, and it's completely free. I booked tickets for the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome through Klook to skip the ticket booth queues. The mist in the Cloud Forest is surreal. Pro-tip: Bring a light jacket; they keep the conservatories at a very brisk 'perpetual spring' temperature that can feel freezing after the Singapore humidity."
Ready to experience this for yourself?
We've curated the highest-rated tours and experiences for this destination. Check live availability and book your next adventure today.
"Marina Bay Sands is the icon, but the best view of the ship-shaped hotel is actually from the rooftop of Level 33 or the LeVeL33 microbrewery across the water. I spent an evening there with a local craft beer watching the laser show. I used Expedia to find a boutique hotel in a converted shophouse in Chinatown — much more character than the big chains and half the price. Singapore is expensive, but Rovago helped me find the high-value swaps."
"I spent my third day in Little India and Bugis. The colors of the houses and the smell of jasmine and incense are a total sensory shift. I grabbed a Viator walking tour of the heritage districts which explained the history of the different communities. We ended up at a tiny shop making 'teh tarik' (pulled tea) and it was the best $1.50 I spent all week. Don't skip the Haji Lane street art — it's the most Instagrammed street for a reason."
"Connectivity is seamless in Singapore. I had an Airalo eSIM that connected before I even left the plane. I used it for everything — from booking Grab rides (the local Uber) to checking the bus times on Citymapper. The bus system is actually better than the MRT for seeing the city. I also made sure my SafetyWing insurance was active — Singapore's healthcare is world-class but it will cost you a fortune if you're not covered."
"My final meal was at a hawker centre in the heart of the business district during the lunch rush. Seeing thousands of offices workers 'chope' (reserve) their tables with packets of tissues is Singaporean culture in a nutshell. I ate Laksa so spicy it made my eyes water and I loved every second of it. Singapore is a city that rewards those who aren't afraid to explore the markets. It's safe, clean, and incredibly efficient — a perfect introduction to Asia for any traveller. Life is too short for average trips. Let Rovago craft your perfect itinerary and go explore."
