What’s a girls’ trip without new core memories? Singapore may not be the first name that pops up on the group chat, but the more you think about it, the more it makes sense. Consider this: If destinations were people, Bali would be the barefoot friend with salt in her wavy hair, and no concept of time. Bangkok would be the night owl with a sixth sense for hidden bars. Seoul would be the impeccably-groomed overachiever.
Singapore, though? She’s cool, in-the-know, glamorous and efficient without ever being boring. The one who books the flights, reads the menus, knows where to go dancing, and gets everyone home safely.
The city-state offers everything a group of women travelling together crave: it’s clean, safe, compact and brilliantly connected. You can cross town in under 30 minutes, going from sumptuous brunches to indie boutiques to your personal World’s 50 Best Bars trail seamlessly.
Come for the shopping. Stay for the food. Leave with inside jokes. Here’s our list of the top things to do in Singapore—plug your faves into Google Maps. Your girls will thank you.
Day one: Slow strolls and surprise discoveries
Touch down and check into one of Singapore’s many newer, more quietly cool stays—ones that slot you into real neighbourhoods rather than tourist grids.
The Warehouse Hotel remains a standout for its restored riverfront charm. If the group prefers contemporary style, Mett Singapore offers a retreat-like escape in lush Fort Canning Park, while 21 Carpenter delivers sleek minimalism near Clarke Quay.
For something more intimate and quirky, try the recently-opened Mama Shelter on Killiney Road at the edge of Orchard, or The Serangoon House in Little India, which blends heritage glamour with bold, maximalist interiors.
Once you’ve freshened up, make your way to Tiong Bahru, Singapore’s original hip estate, where curved Art Deco blocks house some of the city’s most charming indie finds. Browse Yenidraws & Friends for whimsical Singapore-inspired homeware and souvenirs.
This is also perfect café-hopping territory. Start with Tiong Bahru Bakery, then wander over to MICRO Coffee Roasters for serious brews, or Plain Vanilla for coffees, smoothies and cold pressed drinks. (Pick one or two depending on your pace—Tiong Bahru Bakery for atmosphere, MICRO for serious brews, Plain Vanilla for something lighter.)
For dinner, keep it local at Tiong Bahru Market’s hawker centre for some of the best chicken rice and char kway teow in town, or book ahead at the House of Peranakan Petit for dishes like scallop lemak, duck soup, or the cendol.
If the night still feels young, slip into Kings, a relaxed bar nestled in the heart of Tiong Bahru, with amazing craft beers and a distinctly charming vibe.
Day two: Coffee, culinary wins and quiet recharge
Start the morning with a coffee pilgrimage.
At Chye Seng Huat Hardware on Tyrwhitt Road, you’ll encounter coffee and roastery tours in an industrial setting. Nylon Coffee Roasters in Everton Park is minimalist and meticulous. Award-winning Apartment Coffee hides in a quiet residence in Joo Chiat, while Tokyo-born Kurasu has two outposts—in Bugis and on Orchard Road—and turns every pour-over into a ritual.
From there, escape to Dempsey Hill, a leafy former army-barracks-turned-dining enclave. This is where you book Candlenut, the world’s first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant, for heritage flavours done beautifully.
After lunch, reset with Japanese onsen-style treatments at Ikeda Spa, or garden massages at Aramsa - The Garden Spa. Then nap.
Evenings are about your energy levels. First, you could drift back into Duxton Hill for dinner at Xiao Ya Tou or Mag’s Wine Kitchen, then wander into Keong Saik Bakery for desserts that belong on your Instagram feed (order the sea salt butterfly pea ganache and Earl Grey cheesecake), followed by drinks at The Store, a cosy backroom hideout serving an ever-changing lineup of imaginative cocktails.
Alternatively, if the girls want a beach-and-sunset detour, this is also a good evening to head to Sentosa. Charter a yacht from Sentosa Cove via trip provider Seek Sophie. Champagne flows, the skyline melts into silhouette, and the world narrows to you and your inner circle. Tanjong Beach Club is ideal for cocktails and laid-back plates by the water as the sky turns starry.
Day three: Culture, craft and catharsis
A great girls’ trip is measured in the number of memorable meals.
Begin in Chinatown at Tea Chapter, where a traditional tea ceremony slows everything down. Wander past clan associations and shophouses before choosing your bonding moment: blend custom scents at Oo La Lab, learn mahjong like a local at Mahjong Lah, or try tingkat painting with local artist Pei Lin (via Pei Lin Crafts), decorating tiered tiffin carriers with Peranakan motifs.
After lunch at Ann Siang Hill (we like Luke’s Oyster Bar & Chop House followed by a slice of the most decadent cheesecake in town at Queic by Olivia), switch gears at The Fragment Room. Smash therapy here blends a kickass soundtrack, laughter and adrenaline—cathartic all the way.
As night falls, let someone else do the planning. Join a curated Singapore bar crawl (try Singapore Pub Crawl) that takes you through some of the city’s best speakeasies without worrying about logistics, what to order, or access. If you prefer a DIY pub-crawl, make sure classics like 28 Hong Kong Street, Mama Diam and Sago House are on your list. Expect a short Grab ride (the local equivalent of Uber) between stops.
When hunger strikes at 2am, follow the locals to BK Eating House, Takagi Ramen or Café de Muse.
Day four: Mangroves, beaches and golden hour
Singapore’s relationship with water and nature offer another kind of play.
Start early and cross over to Pulau Ubin on a bumboat from Changi Point Ferry Terminal (about 40 minutes by taxi from the city). On arrival, rent bikes or join guided kayaking and nature tours. Asian Detours offers a morning of kayaking through mangroves, where glass and steel give way to stillness and green, reframing the city entirely.
Head back to your hotel in the afternoon to rest after the morning’s adventure. In the evening, kick things off with a sundowner at Spago Bar & Lounge at Marina Bay Sands, or NOVA at One Raffles Place. For dinner, choose between riverside dining at Shunjuu Izakaya, an award-winning Japanese bar and restaurant, or Publico—both located along Robertson Quay for the perfect way to begin winding down your trip. Or take a cab to one Michelin-star Japanese restaurant Waku Ghin at Marina Bay Sands for a final, celebratory splurge.
Day five: Coffee, shopping and the long goodbye
Spend your final morning exploring local boutiques and global outlets before heading back home. Beyond Orchard Road, where you’ll find labels aplenty, hidden gems like Sifr Aromatics in Haji Lane offer small-batch luxury perfumes, while Bugis+, Bugis Junction, Funan Mall and Bugis Street Market cover everything from local designers to accessible fashion. Explore homegrown brands like Beyond The Vines, Love, Bonito and Charles & Keith for a shop-till-you-drop final date with the girls.
Make your way to Jewel Changi early to browse global flagships and local favourites under one roof, with a quick break at Birds of Paradise for a scoop of botanical-inspired gelato in a thyme cone. Let your inner child loose at Canopy Park (think aerial walking nets suspended over Jewel’s indoor forest, and massive slides). Make a last quick stop at Rich & Good Cake Shop, for delicious Swiss rolls and authentic kaya before its time to board.
Image credit: Instagram.com/changiairport
The Singapore effect
By the time you leave, Singapore will have worked its magic. In the laughter over a game of mahjong. In the coffee you still think about. In the bar you can never quite explain how to find. In the workshop that gave you something beautiful to carry home.
It’s the kind of city that turns a girls’ trip into a tradition.
