If you are planning a trip to Singapore but aren't sure how to organize your time to get as much as possible out of the city as you can, than this 3 Day Itinerary is for you! This is the way I visited the city and felt like I saw most of what Singapore had to offer. By no means do you have to follow my exact itinerary, this is just an example of how to organize a trip to Singapore in order to see the most sights! I may have been very ambitious in the way I visited the city – I was definitely very tired at the end of each day – but it was all worth it! If you have more time, check out my list of additional attractions at the bottom to extend your stay. For full descriptions on all of these attractions including costs and insider tips, read my list of 10 Things to Do in Singapore.
Day One
Morning
Start your day by having one of the most popular breakfasts in Singapore, Kaya Toast! One of the more well known spots to have it is Ya Kun Kaya Toast. Since most are located in malls along Orchard Road, they do not open until 10 am. The perfect day to sleep in a bit before heading out for the day!
After enjoying your toast, wander along Orchard Road, maybe stopping to do some shopping. Along the way, make time to see Emerald Hill Road, one of the most picturesque streets in Singapore.
If you decide to walk along Orchard Road toward the next stop (the Raffles Hotel), you will pass both Chijmes, a historical building complex that was once a famous convent called Caldwell House, and the Singapore Art Museum. If you fancy having a look, definitely stop at one or both of these.
Afternoon
The midday heat might drive you indoors, which is a perfect time to stop by the Raffles Hotel for their famous Singapore Sling. Take some time to walk around the grounds and see the gift shop before leaving.
After finishing your pink cocktail, walk past the Esplanade, Theatres on the Bay to see the famous Merlion shooting water into Marina Bay. Wander along the path toward the famous Marina Bay Sands hotel on the other side, crossing over the Helix Bridge. If you're up to it, head to the top of the hotel for a drink at one of the rooftop bars, Sky at 57 or Ce La Vi (check the websites for opening times and possible deals).
Behind the Marina Bay Sands is the most famous attraction in Singapore – the Gardens By the Bay. Wander the paths through the various themed gardens, making such to see the two indoor conservatories: Cloud Forest and the Flower Dome.
If you get hungry, Satay By the Bay located in the gardens is a great place to enjoy a meal. Set up like a classic hawker centre, it has several food stalls with an array of food to choose from, as well as a bar to get drinks.
Night
Before sunset, head over to Marina Barrage for a spectacular sunset and a chance to watch locals fly their kites on the green roof above the dam. The views of the city from here are amazing!
After sunset, walk back to the gardens and head straight for the Supertree Grove where the Garden Rhapsody show is held every night at 7:45 pm and again at 8:45pm. Find a good spot, sit down and enjoy the show!
If you are hungry afterwards, take the MRT to Clarke Quay for dinner and drinks along the Singapore River! My suggestion is to grab a few beers at 7/11 and hang out on Read Bridge like the locals! A relaxed way to end the day. Save your big night out for tomorrow!
Day Two
Day two is the day to explore the ethnic enclaves of Singapore and, most importantly, sample all of their food!
Morning
Start the day in Kampong Glam, where you can catch the morning prayers at the Sultan Mosque. Mornings are the least busy time of this neighborhood, which will mean you can snap perfect photos of the fantastic street art without the crowds. Some of the shops do not open until midday, so if you see something that looks intriguing, you may have to come back later in the day. History buffs will want to make time to check out the Malay Heritage Centre.
Head to Little India next, a short walk away from Kampong Glam. Work your way along one side of Serangoon Street and back along the other. Along the way, make sure to duck into the Indian bakeries, pawn, jewelry and spice shops that line the street. Campbell Street is a well known pedestrian only area where the Indian Heritage Centre is located. Make sure to visit the Hindu Temple, Veeramakaliamman, before working your way back to Tekka Centre where you can see the wet market that locals shop in and afterwards grab food at the hawker centre located there as well. My suggestion is to try prata and briyani washed down with a fresh coconut. Yum!
Afternoon
The next stop is Chinatown! Standouts here are the shopping on Trengganu Street, the Chinatown Food Street, Buddha Tooth Relic Museum and the Maxwell Street Food Centre, where you can try the famous Hainanese Chicken Rice. There is also the Chinatown Heritage Centre for those looking to learn more about the history of the area. If you are tired at this point in the day and need a break, Chinatown is also a great place to come back to at night. In the evenings, the night market is set up, and you can discover all kinds of different food and find cool souvenirs.
After exploring Chinatown it is time to wind down! After a day of exploring the different neghborhoods, relax with a few drinks at a happy hour along the water of Marina Bay. The restaurants and bars at One Fullerton provide the best views and most have deals for happy hour.
Night
Around 6, walk less than 10 minutes over to the Raffles Place building for a spectacular view of the city from the Altitude Bar! This rooftop bar is the highest alfresco bar in the world, and is a great place to watch the sunset.
For dinner, walk along the Singapore River toward Roberston Quay and Clarke Quay. Dine on seafood and try the famous chili crab at one of the many restaurants along the water. Make sure to walk and ask about the market price before picking where to eat. Some restaurants offer free glasses of wine or beer with your meal! Hunt for the best bargains. If you are not in the mood to hunt, check out Jumbo Seafood or Red House. Both restaurants are well known seafood places (though not cheap!).
If you aren't too tired after such a busy day, have a big night out in Clarke Quay at one of the many bars and clubs!
Day Three
If, like me, you tried prata on Day 2 in Little India and are now obsessed, stop for one more bite of it before heading to the National Museum. This is a great way to learn about the history of the country. The exhibits also explain the way the different ethnic groups came together to form this amazing place! Check their website for when the free daily tours are offered!
After seeing the exhibits in the museum, walk up Fort Canning Hill just behind it. At the top, see the old fort and the Raffles House as well as several other historical features. If history really isn't your thing, the park is still absolutely beautiful. I saw many photo shoots happening while I wander around. It also makes a nice place to just relax.
After seeing the park, I headed on the MRT to the airport for a late afternoon flight back to Bangkok, satisfied with my Singapore visit. The Changi International Airport in Singapore is world famous for all of the activities that are available to travelers. Check out my post on 10 Things to Do During a Singapore Airport Layover. It will leave you wanting to check in extra early for your flight!
Got more than 3 days?
While I only had two and a half days to explore Singapore, it is possible to see and do more with 3 or 4 days. Thrill seekers may want to head to Sentosa Island where there is a Universal Studios. There are also a few beaches, golfing and restaurants for a full day of fun! Check their website to help you plan an exciting day. Alternatively, check out the Singapore Botanic Gardens, one of the only tropical gardens in the world to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Orchid lovers will want to visit the National Orchid Garden which houses the largest orchid collection in the world.
Where to Stay
I chose to stay in a great little Airbnb right near Clarke Quay. This made a convenient area to stay as I could just walk the 10 minutes home at the end of the day. This is also why my itinerary ends in Clarke Quay both nights. If you are staying in another area, plan your day so that you end the day closer to where you will be staying. Chinatown is another popular place to stay with lots of hostels and boutique hotels.
Airbnb is a great way to find a place to stay. If you are not a member click here for $40 off your first stay. Alternatively, you can check Agoda for deals on accommodation in Singapore!
Getting There & Around
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MRT
Singapore has a very good and pretty extensive train system that connects to the airport. This makes it easy to get to and from the city once you land. Known as the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) it has frequent stops in or near all of the locations you would want to visit in the city! To use it simply buy a ticket at the GTMs (General Ticketing Machines) which are located in each station. Next to the machine you can find a system map. There is also a sign with fares depending on where you want to go. Buying a ticket is easy. Just choose the station that is your destination, put in your money, collect your ticket and go! Machines only accept smaller change (2 and 5 dollar bills as well as coins). You can always get change at the counter.
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Bus
In addition to an excellent train system, the bus system in Singapore is quite extensive. If you plan on riding the bus and trains a lot during your stay, it may be worth investing in the Singapore Tourist Pass which gives you unlimited rides for the number of days selected on all trains and buses!
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Walk
Singapore is a very walkable city. I did a lot of walking while I was visiting, but I really enjoy seeing a city by walking around. The city is not huge and most sights are within easy walking distance of each other.
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Grab
If you prefer to get a ride everywhere, you can use the Grab app in Singapore. It is a company that operates just like Uber in Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia. Don't have the app? Click here to sign up and get your first ride free!
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Hop on/Hop off Bus
If you fancy getting a little history with your ride, you may want to check out Hippo Tours, one of the most popular sightseeing systems in Singapore. The bus company operates 7 different routes and can be used for unlimited rides for 24, 48, or 72 hours. Buses run every 15-20 minutes from 9:00 – 6:00 pm, making it a great and flexible way to see the sights. As an added bonus, they offer free walking tours of Chinatown every Mon/Wed/Fri from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm and Little India every Tue/Thu/Sat from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm!
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