As a Filipino traveler, I expected Singapore to feel like a futuristic metropolis—and it is—but with a warmth that reminds me of home. The city buzzes with energy, yet it’s impeccably clean and organized (no jeepney chaos here!). The mix of towering skyscrapers and lush gardens feels surreal, and the food—oh, the food!—is a delicious blend of Malay, Chinese, and Indian flavors that rival our own karinderos. While Singapore weather can be as humid as Manila, the efficient MRT and air-conditioned malls make it easy to escape the heat. Filipinos will love the shopping (hello, Orchard Road!), hawker centers, and Instagrammable spots like Marina Bay Sands. If you're wondering where to stay in Singapore, there are options for every budget, from hostels to luxury hotels. Ready to explore? Here’s what to do in Singapore!
🌆 Marvel at the Supertrees in Gardens by the Bay
Standing beneath the towering Supertrees at night, I felt like I’d stepped into a sci-fi movie. The 50-meter-tall structures pulsed with colorful lights as the Garden Rhapsody show began, syncing to orchestral music. The air smelled faintly of tropical flowers, and the cool breeze made the humidity bearable. Walking along the OCBC Skyway, suspended 22 meters above, gave me a breathtaking view of Marina Bay’s glittering skyline
📖 About Gardens by the Bay
This futuristic nature park blends cutting-edge design with lush greenery, featuring two massive biodomes—the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest—alongside the iconic Supertree Grove.
✅ Opening Hours | 5:00 AM – 2:00 AM (Outdoor Gardens) |
📍 Location | 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore |
📅 Best time to visit | Evening (for the light show at 7:45 PM & 8:45 PM) |
📍 How to get there | MRT to Bayfront Station (CE1/DT16), 5-min walk |
💰 Cost | Free (Outdoor Gardens), Skyway (~₱500), Conservatories (~₱1,000) |
💡 Pro Tips
✔ Arrive 30 mins early for the light show to secure a good spot.
✔ Visit the Cloud Forest early to avoid crowds.
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly?
Yes, stroller-friendly with shaded pathways.
🚶♂️ Stroll Through Chinatown’s Vibrant Streets
Wandering through Chinatown felt like stepping into another era. The scent of roasted duck and incense filled the air as I passed rows of red lanterns and heritage shophouses. I stopped at a hawker stall for char kway teow—smoky, savory, and perfectly wok-fried—then browsed souvenir shops for trinkets. At the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, the golden interiors and chanting monks created a serene escape from the bustling streets.
📖 What Makes Chinatown Special?
A blend of history, culture, and food, this district offers everything from Michelin-starred street food to hidden cocktail bars.
✅ Opening Hours | Shops: 10 AM–9 PM / Temples: 7 AM–5 PM |
📍 Location | Chinatown MRT (NE4/DT19) |
📅 Best time to visit | Late afternoon (avoid midday heat) |
💰 Cost | Free (temples), meals from ~₱200 |
💡 Pro Tips
✔ Try ya kun kaya toast for breakfast.
✔ Visit Maxwell Food Centre for affordable local eats.
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly?
Yes, but crowded—hold kids’ hands.
Top Things To Do Singapore
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🍜 Slurp Up a Bowl of Laksa at 328 Katong Laksa
The first spoonful of laksa hit me with a riot of flavors—creamy coconut broth, spicy sambal, and springy noodles. The tiny eatery was packed, with locals expertly chopsticking thick bee hoon into their mouths. The rich, fragrant broth reminded me of sinigang but with a Malaysian twist.
📖 What Makes This Dish Special?
Katong laksa uses short noodles (eaten with a spoon) and is a beloved Singaporean staple.
✅ Opening Hours | 8 AM–10 PM |
📍 Location | 51 East Coast Road |
📅 Best time to eat | Early lunch (avoid queues) |
💰 Cost | ~₱250 per bowl |
💡 Pro Tips
✔ Order otah (spicy fish cake) on the side.
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly?
Yes, but space is tight.
Recommended eSIMs Options for Singapore
🦋 Discover the Hidden Butterfly Garden at Changi Airport
Even before leaving the airport, Singapore amazed me. On a layover, I followed signs to Terminal 3's secret garden - and entered a two-story glass enclosure filled with thousand of tropical butterflies. The humid air carried floral scents as colorful wings fluttered around me, sometimes landing on my shoulder. Waterfalls and feeding stations created perfect photo ops, all with the convenience of being airside.
📖 What Makes This Unique?
It's the world's first airport butterfly garden - a tranquil nature escape between flights.
✅ Opening Hours | 24/7 |
📍 Location | Changi Airport Terminal 3 (Departure Transit) |
📅 Best time to visit | Morning (butterflies most active) |
💰 Cost | Free |
💡 Pro Tips
✔ Visit the sunflower garden in T2 for another free nature surprise
✔ Night owls can spot nocturnal species
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly?
Perfect for kids - stroller accessible
Flights to Singapore
🍸 Secret Cocktails at The Library Speakeasy
Finding this bar was an adventure itself - no sign, just a "library" door in a nondescript building. After whispering the password (changed weekly), I entered a moody space where mixologists crafted drinks like "The Book Thief" - served with actual edible pages. The smoky aroma of barrel-aged spirits mixed with jazz piano created the perfect prohibition-era vibe.
📖 What Makes This Special?
Singapore's original speakeasy started the city's craft cocktail revolution.
✅ Opening Hours | 6PM-3AM |
📍 Location | 47 Keong Saik Rd (Chinatown) |
📅 Best time to go | Weeknights after 9PM |
💰 Cost | Cocktails ~₱800-1200 |
💡 Pro Tips
✔ Follow their Instagram for weekly password clues
✔ Try their famous "Breakfast Club" cocktail
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly?
21+ only
🏮 Experience the Thaipusam Festival
I'll never forget the sight of devotees in trance, carrying elaborate kavadis (metal frames) pierced through their skin, marching from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple to Batu Caves. The air vibrated with drumbeats and chanting, while the scent of incense and coconut offerings filled the streets. Volunteers handed out free food and drinks to spectators - an incredible display of faith and community.
📖 Cultural Significance
This Hindu festival honors Lord Murugan with acts of devotion and endurance.
✅ Dates | January/February (full moon) |
📍 Location | Starts at Serangoon Rd temples |
💰 Cost | Free to observe |
💡 Pro Tips
✔ Arrive by 6AM for the most intense processions
✔ Dress modestly and remove shoes near temples
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly?
Yes but prepare kids for intense visuals
🚇 Ride the World's Coolest MRT Stations
Singapore's metro isn't just transport - it's an art gallery! I made a game of spotting stunning station designs:
- Bayfront's "Rain Oculus" waterfall
- Bencoolen's rainbow light tunnels
- Chinatown's porcelain murals
- Dhoby Ghaut's psychedelic ceiling
The air-conditioned comfort made exploring effortless, with clean platforms and helpful signage.
📖 What Makes This Special?
Over 20 art-integrated stations transform daily commutes into cultural experiences.
✅ Opening Hours | 5:30AM-midnight |
💰 Cost | From ₱50 per ride (EZ-Link card) |
💡 Pro Tips
✔ Download the "SG MRT" app for art station guides
✔ Visit stations 10AM-3PM for best photos
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly?
Perfect for all ages
🦕 Dine Among Dinosaurs at Jurassic Nest
Stepping into this restaurant felt like entering a prehistoric jungle - life-sized animatronic dinosaurs roared and moved between tables while meteor showers "crashed" on projected screens. I enjoyed my "Volcano Beef Ribs" under the watchful eye of a T-Rex, with the sounds of jungle creatures and distant thunder adding to the immersive experience. The menu cleverly tied into the theme with dishes like "Dino Egg" desserts.
📖 What Makes This Special?
Asia's first dinosaur-themed fine dining concept combines gourmet food with Jurassic Park-level theming.
✅ Opening Hours | 11:30AM-10PM |
📍 Location | 2 Orchard Link (near Dhoby Ghaut MRT) |
💰 Cost | Mains from ₱1,200, set menus ₱2,500+ |
📅 Best time to visit | Weekday lunches for quietest experience |
💡 Pro Tips
✔ Book the "Waterfall Table" for best dinosaur views
✔ Try their signature Smoking Jurassic cocktail
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly?
Perfect for kids (but watch for scared toddlers)
🧊 Chill Out at Ice Cream Museum
I traded Singapore's heat for this pastel wonderland kept at -10°C! Wrapped in provided parkas, I slid down ice slides, posed in sprinkle pools, and sampled unlimited ice cream flavors from a vintage truck. The "Melted Room" with melting furniture and the giant rainbow unicorn were Instagram gold. My favorite part? The edible balloon you could "pop" to reveal candy inside.
📖 What Makes This Unique?
Singapore's version of this popular US museum adds Asian flavors like durian and matcha.
✅ Opening Hours | 10AM-10PM |
📍 Location | Dempsey Road |
💰 Cost | ₱1,500 (includes parka rental) |
📅 Best time to visit | Weekday mornings |
💡 Pro Tips
✔ Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes
✔ Bring gloves for better photo-taking
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly?
Yes (minimum age 4)
🍍 Hunt for the Best Pineapple Tarts
My tastebuds went on a journey through Singapore's most beloved Chinese New Year treat. From the melt-in-mouth versions at Shangri-La Hotel to the jammy ones at Traditional Haig Road Putu Piring, each bakery offered its own twist. The highlight? Joining the queue at 6AM for freshly baked tarts at the legendary Tai Chong Kok - the buttery aroma alone was worth the wait.
📖 Cultural Significance
These golden treats symbolize wealth and prosperity in Singaporean culture.
✅ Peak Season | December-February |
📍 Top Spots | 1. Tai Chong Kok 2. Shangri-La 3. Pine Garden |
💰 Cost | From ₱400/box |
💡 Pro Tips
✔ Pre-order during CNY season
✔ Try the durian pineapple tart fusion versions
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly?
Great for foodie families
Why I Fell for Singapore
Singapore left me in awe—it’s a city where futuristic marvels meet rich traditions, and every corner has something delicious or dazzling. Sure, it’s pricier than Manila, but the efficiency, cleanliness, and sheer variety make it worth every peso. Whether you’re admiring the Supertrees or hunting for the best laksa, Singapore’s energy is contagious. If you’re eyeing flights to Singapore, keep an eye out for travel promos—I’ve seen great deals on hotels in Singapore too! Trust me, this city will steal your heart.
Singapore may be small, but it leaves a big impression. Time to see it for yourself—let’s go, lah! 🛫🌸🌃