Top 10 Attractions, Food and Tips for Filipinos 🇸🇬

Planning your first trip to Singapore? Get ready for a city that's modern, clean, safe, easy to navigate and packed with attractions.

Singapore is a great destination for Filipino travelers because you can experience futuristic architecture, gardens, shopping, theme parks, diverse food and beautiful waterfront views in just a few days.

For a first visit, I recommend 4–5 days. Add another full day if you want to spend a day at Universal Studios Singapore.

🌆 Top 10 Attractions You Must Visit

1. Gardens by the Bay 🌳 ⭐

This should be at the top of your Singapore itinerary.

The Supertrees have become one of Singapore's most recognizable landmarks. Walk around the gardens, visit the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, and return in the evening for the spectacular Garden Rhapsody light and sound show.

Best time: Late afternoon to evening

Tip: Even if you're on a budget, you can explore large parts of Gardens by the Bay for free. The conservatories and some attractions require tickets.

2. Marina Bay Sands 🌃

You can't visit Singapore without seeing Marina Bay Sands.

Walk around the waterfront and enjoy the iconic skyline, then head toward the Merlion for one of the classic Singapore photos.

The famous SkyPark Observation Deck offers panoramic views, while the infinity pool is reserved for hotel guests.

Best time: Sunset to evening

Tip: You don't need to stay at the hotel to enjoy the Marina Bay area.

3. Merlion Park 🦁

Meet Singapore's most famous mascot!

The Merlion, with the head of a lion and body of a fish, is one of the country's most recognizable symbols.

The waterfront location gives you a great view of Marina Bay Sands.

Best for: First-time visitors and photos

Tip: Visit at night when the skyline is illuminated.

4. Jewel Changi Airport 💦

Don't leave Singapore without visiting Jewel Changi Airport.

The spectacular Rain Vortex, surrounded by greenery and shops, has become one of Singapore's most photographed attractions.

And yes — it's inside the airport!

Tip: If you're flying home from Changi, arrive early enough to explore Jewel before your flight.

Best time: Any time, but especially beautiful after dark.

5. Sentosa Island 🏝️

Sentosa is where you'll find beaches, attractions, resorts, restaurants and entertainment.

You can spend an entire day here or choose only the attractions you're interested in.

Don't miss:

• Siloso Beach
• Resorts World Sentosa
• Universal Studios Singapore
• Skyline Luge
• Sentosa cable car experience

Tip: Don't try to do every attraction in one day.

6. Universal Studios Singapore 🎢

Calling all theme-park fans!

Universal Studios Singapore is one of the biggest attractions on Sentosa and features themed areas, rides, shows and movie-inspired experiences.

Best for: Families, couples and movie/theme-park fans

Tip: Arrive before opening and prioritize your must-try rides first.

If you're a theme-park fan, give this attraction a full day.

7. Singapore Botanic Gardens 🌿

Want to escape the city without leaving Singapore?

Visit the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the city's best green spaces.

It's perfect for a relaxing morning walk.

Best for: Nature lovers and families

Tip: Go early before the heat becomes intense.

8. Chinatown 🏮

Singapore's multicultural heritage is one of its biggest attractions.

Explore Chinatown, visit the temples, walk through the streets and try local food at the hawker centres.

Don't miss the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.

Best time: Morning to evening

Tip: Combine Chinatown with Maxwell Food Centre for lunch.

9. Little India & Kampong Glam 🕌

Experience another side of Singapore by visiting Little India and Kampong Glam.

Explore colourful buildings, Indian restaurants, textile shops, cafés and the beautiful Sultan Mosque.

For photography, don't miss Haji Lane.

Best for: Culture, food and photography

Tip: Visit both areas on the same day because they're relatively close.

10. Clarke Quay & Singapore River 🌃

End your day at Clarke Quay.

The riverside area is filled with restaurants, bars, cafés and nightlife.

Even if you're not interested in nightlife, it's worth walking along the Singapore River and seeing the city lights.

Best time: Evening

Tip: Have dinner around the river, then take a relaxed walk toward Boat Quay.

📸 Top 5 Photo Spots

1. Gardens by the Bay
Supertrees + Marina Bay skyline.

2. Merlion Park
The classic Singapore travel photo.

3. Jewel Changi Airport
The Rain Vortex is a must.

4. Haji Lane
Colourful murals and shophouses.

5. Marina Bay waterfront
Beautiful skyline, especially after sunset.

🍜 Food You MUST Try in Singapore

Singapore is a foodie paradise, especially if you love Southeast Asian cuisine.

🍗 Hainanese Chicken Rice

One of Singapore's most famous dishes.

Simple, affordable and delicious.

🍜 Laksa

A spicy, creamy noodle soup influenced by Peranakan cuisine.

🦀 Chilli Crab

One of Singapore's signature dishes.

It's more expensive than hawker food, but worth trying at least once if your budget allows.

🍞 Kaya Toast

Perfect for breakfast.

Try it with soft-boiled eggs and traditional kopi or teh.

🍢 Satay

Grilled meat skewers served with peanut sauce.

Perfect for sharing.

🍜 Char Kway Teow

Stir-fried flat rice noodles with a smoky flavour.

🍚 Nasi Lemak

Rice cooked with coconut milk and served with different accompaniments.

🍽️ Hawker Centres & Restaurants to Consider

If you're visiting Singapore on a budget, don't skip hawker centres.

They're one of the best ways to experience Singaporean food without spending too much.

Maxwell Food Centre

A classic stop in Chinatown and a convenient place to try several local dishes.

Lau Pa Sat

A historic food centre in the CBD that's particularly popular with tourists.

It's also famous for its evening satay street atmosphere.

Old Airport Road Food Centre

A great option if you want a more local hawker-centre experience away from the biggest tourist attractions.

Newton Food Centre

Made famous internationally by Crazy Rich Asians, Newton is another popular destination for local food.

My tip: Don't spend your entire food budget on restaurants. Some of the best Singaporean food is found at hawker centres.

💡 Singapore Tips and Tricks for Filipinos

1. Use the MRT

Singapore's MRT is one of the easiest ways to get around.

You can reach most major tourist areas without needing a taxi.

2. Use a contactless card

Singapore's public transportation supports contactless payment options, making it convenient for tourists.

Make sure your Philippine-issued card is enabled for overseas transactions.

3. Stay near an MRT station

This is one of my biggest hotel tips.

You don't necessarily need to stay in Marina Bay.

A hotel near an MRT station can make your trip much easier and potentially save money.

4. Bring comfortable shoes

You will walk A LOT.

Even with the MRT, you'll spend plenty of time walking between stations and attractions.

5. Bring an umbrella

Singapore's weather can change quickly.

An umbrella can be useful for both sudden rain and strong sunshine.

6. Prepare for the heat

Singapore is hot and humid throughout much of the year.

Bring:

• Water
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Light clothing
• Portable fan

7. Don't eat or drink on public transportation

Singapore has strict rules regarding eating and drinking on MRT trains and buses.

Follow the signs and local regulations.

8. Hawker centres are your friend

If you're trying to control your budget, eat at hawker centres instead of restaurants every day.

You can enjoy authentic local food without spending a fortune.

9. Plan attractions by area

For example:

Marina Bay → Merlion → Gardens by the Bay

can easily be combined.

Another day:

Chinatown → Maxwell Food Centre → Clarke Quay

And another:

Little India → Kampong Glam → Haji Lane

This saves transportation time.

10. Don't underestimate walking distances

Singapore looks small on the map, but you'll still do plenty of walking.

Plan breaks, especially when traveling with children or older family members.

🇵🇭 Sample 4-Day Singapore Itinerary

Day 1 – Marina Bay

Merlion Park → Marina Bay Sands → Gardens by the Bay → Garden Rhapsody

Stay until evening for the lights.

Day 2 – Culture + Food

Chinatown → Buddha Tooth Relic Temple → Maxwell Food Centre → Little India → Kampong Glam → Haji Lane

Day 3 – Sentosa

Universal Studios Singapore

Or, if you're not a theme-park fan:

Sentosa → cable car → beaches → Resorts World Sentosa → evening

Day 4 – Nature + Shopping

Singapore Botanic Gardens → Orchard Road → Clarke Quay

Then head to Jewel Changi Airport before your flight if your schedule allows.

💰 Is Singapore Expensive for Filipinos?

Singapore can be expensive, but you can definitely travel there on a budget.

The biggest expenses are usually accommodation, attractions and some restaurants.

Save money by:

• Staying near an MRT station rather than directly in Marina Bay
• Eating at hawker centres
• Using public transportation
• Taking advantage of free attractions
• Booking attractions online
• Comparing hotel prices
• Avoiding taxis when the MRT is convenient

And remember, many amazing Singapore experiences are free.

You can walk around Marina Bay, visit Merlion Park, explore Chinatown, see Haji Lane, walk through Gardens by the Bay's outdoor areas and enjoy the Singapore skyline without spending much.

🆓 Best FREE Experiences

If you're traveling on a budget, don't miss:

Merlion Park
Free skyline views.

Gardens by the Bay outdoor areas
You don't need a ticket to explore many outdoor areas.

Haji Lane
Free to walk around and photograph.

Chinatown
Explore the streets and temples.

Kampong Glam
Beautiful architecture and street art.

Singapore Botanic Gardens
General admission is free.

Marina Bay waterfront
One of the best free city walks.

❤️ Is Singapore Worth Visiting for Filipinos?

Absolutely!

Singapore gives you a little bit of everything:

🇸🇬 Modern city life
🌳 Incredible gardens
🏙️ Futuristic architecture
🍜 Amazing food
🏝️ Beaches
🎢 Theme parks
🛍️ Shopping
🏮 Multicultural neighbourhoods
✈️ One of the world's most impressive airports

And because Singapore is relatively compact and has excellent public transportation, it's a great destination for first-time international travelers, families and even short weekend trips.

🇸🇬 My biggest Singapore tip:

Don't spend your entire trip inside malls and expensive attractions.

Walk around Marina Bay. Explore Chinatown. Eat at hawker centres. Visit Little India. Take the MRT. Watch the Supertrees light up. And save some time for Jewel Changi.

For a first trip, my recommended combination is:

Marina Bay → Gardens by the Bay → Chinatown → Little India → Kampong Glam → Sentosa → Universal Studios → Jewel Changi

That gives you the best mix of Singapore's skyline, culture, food, nature, entertainment and shopping.

Singapore may be small, but there's a lot to experience. 🇸🇬❤️

Attraction hours, ticket prices, transportation conditions and show schedules can change. Check official attraction websites before your visit, particularly for Gardens by the Bay, Universal Studios Singapore, Jewel Changi Airport and other ticketed attractions.