Why Singapore for a long weekend?
Singapore is the easiest entry point into Southeast Asia — and one of the most impressive cities on earth. Changi Airport is consistently voted the world's best. The city is immaculate, the food is extraordinary, the public transport is flawless, and in 4 days you can see a genuinely astonishing amount.
It sits at the intersection of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Peranakan cultures, and nowhere is that fusion more delicious than in its hawker centres — open-air food courts where €3 buys you a plate of Hainanese chicken rice or laksa that would cost €20 in a London restaurant. Eat at every opportunity.
Long weekend plan: Day 1: Gardens by the Bay (Supertrees, Cloud Forest), Marina Bay Sands rooftop, skyline at night. Day 2: Chinatown, Little India, Hawker Chan (Michelin-starred hawker stall). Day 3: Sentosa Island, cable car, Universal Studios or beaches. Day 4: Botanic Gardens, Dempsey Hill brunch, Changi.
Best areas in Singapore
Where to eat and drink
Hawker centres: The soul of Singapore. Maxwell Food Centre (Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice — queue is worth it), Lau Pa Sat (downtown, touristy but iconic), Newton Circus (open air, lively at night), Old Airport Road (locals' favourite, no tourists). Budget €2–5 per dish — you can eat magnificently for €10.
Restaurants: Singapore has a serious fine dining scene. Odette (French, regularly tops Asia's 50 Best list). Candlenut for Peranakan cuisine. Burnt Ends for modern Australian-style BBQ. Joel Robuchon, Jaan, Iggy's — the full luxury tier. Budget €60–120/person at the top end, €20–30 at good mid-range.
Drinks: Singapore Sling at the Raffles Hotel Long Bar (€22, touristy but you have to). Manhattan at the Regent for world-class cocktails. Rooftop bars: LeVeL33 (world's highest urban craft brewery), 1-Altitude. Clarke Quay for a more casual waterfront night out. Drinks are expensive by Southeast Asian standards — budget €12–18 for a cocktail.
Weekend budget
Singapore is expensive for Southeast Asia but comparable to northern Europe. Budget: €120–200/person per day (excluding flights). Accommodation: €80–150/night for good hotels; capsule hotels and hostels from €40. Food: €15–40/day if you eat at hawker centres (extraordinary value). Transport: the MRT is excellent and cheap — €1–2 per trip. Flights from Europe: €450–750 return depending on airline and time of year. Singapore Airlines flies direct from multiple European hubs.
Getting around
Singapore's MRT is one of the best metro systems in Asia — clean, air-conditioned, reliable, and cheap. Get an EZ-Link card at the airport (works on MRT and buses). Grab works well for late nights when the MRT has stopped. Walking is pleasant in the cooler parts of the day (mornings, evenings) — avoid midday heat. Changi Airport is connected directly to the city by MRT (30 minutes to the centre, around €1.80).
When to visit Singapore
Feb–Apr: Drier months with lower humidity. Chinese New Year (January/February) turns Chinatown spectacular — lion dances, lanterns, and fireworks. One of the best times to visit.
May–Jul: Hot but manageable. Formula 1 street circuit builds excitement in September. Good flight prices in May–June before school holidays.
Sep–Nov: Singapore Grand Prix (September) brings the city to life — book well ahead. Also wetter, but Singapore's rain falls in short intense bursts rather than all-day drizzle.
Dec–Jan: Christmas in Singapore is surprisingly festive — Orchard Road is beautifully lit. Slightly wetter but still warm. New Year's Eve at Marina Bay is spectacular.
Fly to Singapore from these airports
Click your nearest airport to search flights to Singapore Changi (SIN).
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Singapore?
Most European, UK, US, Australian, and Canadian passport holders get 30–90 days visa-free. Singapore is one of the easiest countries to enter in Asia — just show your return ticket and proof of accommodation at the border.
Is Singapore really that expensive?
For accommodation and drinks, yes — it's comparable to Zurich or Oslo. But hawker centre food is genuinely cheap (€2–5 per dish) and the MRT is inexpensive. You can have an incredible time in Singapore on a moderate budget if you eat like a local and stay in a hostel or mid-range hotel.
What's the one thing not to miss?
Gardens by the Bay at dusk followed by the Supertree light show. It's touristy and you should go anyway — the Cloud Forest dome alone justifies the entry fee, and the skyline view from the Supertrees at night is genuinely one of the most spectacular things in Asia.
Is Singapore good for first-time Asia visitors?
It's the perfect gateway. English is spoken everywhere (it's an official language), the infrastructure is impeccable, the food is world-class, and it feels safe and familiar enough to be comfortable while still being unmistakably Asia. An excellent place to start before heading on to Thailand, Indonesia, or further afield.