If you only have time for a handful of things, this is the shortlist — the things you'd genuinely regret skipping on a first visit.

The shortlist

  1. Gardens by the Bay — the Supertrees and at least one conservatory dome.
  2. A proper hawker centre meal — Maxwell or Chinatown Complex, not a mall food court.
  3. Marina Bay Sands SkyPark — the skyline view, without needing to be a hotel guest.
  4. Chinatown & Buddha Tooth Relic Temple — heritage and street life in one walk.
  5. Katong / Joo Chiat — the Peranakan shophouses, ideally with a laksa stop.
  6. Sentosa, for at least half a day — beach time or Universal Studios, depending on who's travelling.

If you have more time

Add the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a Pulau Ubin half-day, and Tiong Bahru's art deco streets — the three additions that reward a longer stay most.