Singapore
Five days through the neighbourhoods of Singapore
Singapore is a city where ancient temples stand alongside gleaming towers. It is warm and humid, which makes it a good time to discover the neighbourhoods on foot.
21 September 2026 · Wayloha editorial · 4 sources
Day 1: Chinatown, where your journey begins
You start in Chinatown, the heart of the old city. Walk past the low-rise houses and visit the Sri Mariamman Temple.
Around midday, look for a hawker centre, a covered market with dozens of stalls. There you can eat dishes from all over Asia for very little money. It is covered, so it is a pleasant place to escape the heat. You stay overnight in or near Chinatown.
- Visit the Sri Mariamman Temple: it is free to enter and open to visitors.
- Eat lunch at a hawker centre for cheap and varied food.
In Singapore, an ancient temple and a skyscraper are often just a street apart.Singapore
Day 2: In search of old houses and stories
From Chinatown, you walk on to The Baba House, a well-preserved mansion that shows how the Peranakan community used to live.
After that, wander through the surrounding streets with their traditional architecture. It is a good time to explore on foot. In the evening, you stay near the historic district, close to eateries and shops.
- Visit The Baba House to learn about Peranakan history.
- Wear light clothing: it is humid.
Day 3: The colourful houses of Katong Joo Chiat
Today you travel to Katong Joo Chiat, a neighbourhood with brightly coloured houses and few tourists. You can recognise the streets by their graceful, tiled facades.
Here you can taste the local cuisine without the bustle of the centre. Take your time to simply wander around and discover the side streets. You stay in or near Katong Joo Chiat tonight, so you can be out and about straight away in the morning.
- Walk slowly through the side streets of Katong Joo Chiat to see the finest facades.
- Look for an eatery away from the main street for a quieter spot.
Day 4: Shopping and modern Singapore
This day is about the other side of the city: the large shopping centres. You will hear Mandarin, Malay, Tamil and English all around you, as Singapore is a mix of many nationalities.
Shopping indoors is also pleasant when it feels quite hot outside. Keep your bag zipped shut in the crowds, especially near escalators and lifts. In the evening, you stay in the centre, close to the Tanjong Pagar neighbourhood.
- Pay extra attention to your belongings in crowded shopping centres.
- Take a short break in one of the cool shopping centres if it gets too warm outside.
Day 5: A final evening in the city
You begin your last day quietly and build up the evening slowly. Tanjong Pagar is a good place to finish.
If you get hungry at night, you will find 24-hour coffee houses in Singapore where you can always drop in for a quick meal. If you are travelling by car or scooter yourself, remember that you drive on the left. This way, you end the trip as you began it: among people, scents and light late into the night.
- Find a 24-hour coffee house for a late bite.
- Call 999 for police or 995 for fire and ambulance, even as a tourist.
