Day 1 - marking the highlights
Singapore only has one commercial airport (Changi airport), and it has 4 terminals. It’s a great airport and no matter which terminal you land in you’ll be able to get easy access to taxis (can be ordered with the app Grab), busses and the MRT. There are also free shuttle busses/skytrains between terminals.
See the Jewel
The Jewel is an indoor forest and home to the worlds largest indoor waterfall. It is located at terminal 1 at Singapore’s airport and attracts a magnitude of travellers coming through. A great spot to sit and recollect yourself for a moment after your flight. The Jewel will also give you a great first photo to share with the socials. Take the MRT or a Grab (taxi app) to your hotel/hostel to check in and drop your bags. Have some food in the area before you go to tick off Singapore’s must sees.
Take the iconic photo at the Merlion
From your accommodation, take the MRT or a Grab and go to the Merlion first. This water spewing statue is one of Singapore’s iconic views, so you have to make sure you have the photo. From here, you’ll have a very nice view of Marina Bay Sands (MBS). This is quite a touristy spot, as many people would love to get an iconic photo of the Merlion and MBS in the background, but still worth seeing at least once.
Be amazed by Marina Bay waterfront
Continue walking along the water, we would advise to walk in the direction of the Esplanade to get a stunning view of the Singapore skyline and MBS. This is a great introduction to the city and a must include in a 3-day Singapore itinerary. Make your way to MBS by crossing the helix bridge, an interesting looking structure that represents human DNA.
See the Marina Bay Sands
Singapore’s iconic building. Or the building with the boat on top as some describe it. This brilliant piece of architecture is located on the marina waterfront and is quite the spectacle. There is a large infinity pool at the top which most people want to swim in, but this is only for hotel guests.
Instead, you can visit the observation deck from 11am – 9pm daily for S$32 which gives you a beautiful panoramic view over the city. At the bottom of the MBS hotel, you’ll find a massive fancy shopping mall, very handy if you need to cool down a bit from the walking.
Walk through the magical Gardens by the Bay
The large garden is only a short walk from MBS. You can get here by taking the escalator up from the MBS shopping mall and crossing through the MBS hotel. Keep on walking and you’ll see the impressive trees in the distance. This offers a nice introduction to the green-city vibes of Singapore. Within the gardens there is the cloud forest, flower dome, supertree grove, skyway and observatory.
The flower dome is not really worth the money in our opinion but the cloud forest is quite nice. Unfortunately you can only buy them as a package deal which costs S$53. The observatory and skyway cost S$14 and S$12 respectively and offer a treetop walk over the Supertrees. These four are open from 9am to 9pm daily. The supertree grove on the other hand is open from 5am to 2am daily and is free to visit but is best seen at night.
Eat at the vibrant Lau Pa Sat hawker
Go to Lau Pa Sat for food and introduce yourself to the concept of Singaporean hawker centers. These are big complexes that consist of small food stalls that sell a variety of dishes from different cuisines for very cheap. Lau Pa Sat is one of the more famous and touristy hawkers, as the building looks really nice and is centrally located. We included this on in the 3-day Singapore itinerary as it is simply a must see and must try!
Cool off with tiger beer along Boat Quay
After a long day of walking and sightseeing, you can relax with a cold beer along the water. Go to Boat Quay and settle down at one of the many bar/restaurants here. This long street along the water is almost always lively at night and you can enjoy the good atmosphere and nice view. A perfect way to end the day.
See the night shows
There are free nightly water shows in front of the Marina Bay mall at 8pm and 9pm every single day (and even an extra one Friday and Saturday at 10pm). They are 15 minutes long and really nice to watch with the city skyline in the background. Be a little early because this can get busy.
There is a light and music show at Gardens by the Bay at 7:45pm and 8:45pm every night. This is simply a must see when in Singapore so do include it in your 3-day Singapore itinerary! Make your way here after the water show and find a spot with good view on the big trees.
Day 2 - cultures and cuisines
Singapore has a very rich history and multiethnic population. With influences from Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Western traditions, Singapore’s culture is a tapestry of traditions, languages, religions, and culinary delights. From the colourful festivals celebrated throughout the year, such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, and Deepavali, to the stunning architecture that seamlessly blends modernity with heritage, Singapore embraces its cultural heritage while embracing progress.
Start your morning on the east coast
For the early sportive birds: start your day with a walk along on the east coast of the island. This is not a must in your 3-day Singapore itinerary if you like to sleep in, but the east coast is very picturesque and is really nice for sunrise. It is quite a long way to walk but if you’re up for it then its definitely worth it. If not, there are numerous bike rental places around the marina which you can rent for varying times. We have gone with City Scoot @ Esplanade a number of times and we would definitely recommend them.
Be surrounded by colours in Little India
One of the more vibrant areas in Singapore and a real taste for the senses. Little India is known for its colourful streets, rich culture and flavoursome meals. When entering little India it often feels like you are entering a whole new world. Go for a walk through this area and be amazed by the many delicious restaurants, gold jewellery, barber shops, colorful silks and fresh flowers.
Places worth checking out are the Tekka centre, for cheap dishes and a variety of garments for sale, the colorful Tan Teng Niah building and its surroundings, and the Sri Veeramakaliamman Hindu temple. Little India is the perfect place for lunch!
Step into the middle east on Arab Street
Situated in the Kampong Glam neighbourhood you’ll find Arab street. The area is colorful and especially beautiful in sunlight. In this street and its parallels, you can explore the many textile shops, middle Eastern restaurants and little cafes.
This place is often busy, and the many waiters will try to sell you a spot in their restaurant as you walk past. Also a good option to have lunch if you feel like middle Eastern food. Don’t forget to check out he Sultan Mosque, which you’ll find at the one end of all these little streets.
Take a stroll down Haji Lane
After Arab Street, stroll through the boutiques and shops along Haji Lane. Another cute, little and very narrow street in Kampong Glam. Haji lane shows a more artistic side of Singapore with its colour murals and street signs. Its known for its vintage stores, indie cafes and is a hotspot for art lovers and foodies. There are quite a lot of hidden stores so don’t rush through here too quick.
After the sun sets Haji lane really comes alive. It has an awesome nightlife as all the bars start to spill out onto the street. Our favourite bar is down a smaller alleyway about halfway along Haji lane and is called Blu Jaz, be sure to check it out.
Fall in love with Chinatown
One of our favourite places and therefore a must see in your Singapore 3-day itinerary. In the heart of Singapore, Chinatown is a historically significant area and offers a glimpse into the rich Chinese heritage and traditions. We find this place very unique as the contrast between the old Chinese shopfronts and skyscrapers in the background is very evident. Have a delicious dinner here with a cold drink to end the day.
Chinatown complex is a big building with markets on the ground level and a big hawker center above it. Here you can find some of the best and authentic meals, including what we think are the best dumplings on earth (stall #02-135).
Day 3 - Shop till you drop
Shopping in Singapore is a paradise for both locals and tourists. Singapore offers a plethora of options, ranging from luxury brands to budget-friendly finds. From Orchard Road, the retail heart of Singapore, to the more traditional Bugis Street. You’ll find anything from international fashion brands, to vintage stores, to local handicrafts. With the convenience of tax-free shopping and the assurance of quality products, Singapore offers a delightful retail experience for all.
Get your morning steps in at Orchard Road
This is a very wide and central road in Singapore with many stores on both sides of the street. Besides shops, you will also find many restaurants and cafes. It is a generally expensive shopping area, but nice to check out. Especially the architecture of the shopping mall called the Ion. It is pretty impressive.
Find everything you need at Vivo City
If you like indoor shopping with many well-known fast-fashion brands, then this is the spot for you. Vivo city is a very big mall which is often crowded. The MRT station that stops here is called Harbour front. You’ll find many small cafes, restaurants, and all kinds of different stores here, from shoes to electronics. You will have to walk through here if you are taking public transport to Sentosa island. But read more on that below!
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Get your souvenirs in Chinatown
Chinatown is one of the best places for some standard souvenirs and cheap funny little things to buy. We really like strolling through Chinatown and checking out the things that are being sold here. The streets, particularly Pagoda street, are filled with markets where you can buy just about anything you could imagine.
There are also a few more artistic stores here where you can get some little paintings with Singapore’s views or where the owner will write your name in Chinese, really cute and more unique to bring home instead of a magnet. Even if you don’t like buying souvenirs, it is still worth strolling through sometime in your 3-day Singapore itinerary!
If you’re in for a more cultural look, check out the Hindu and Buddhist temples which you can enter for free. Just make sure to take off your shoes and cover up to avoid being yelled at!
Make your way through Bugis Street
A small, narrow and partly indoor shopping street. It is one of the cheapest places in Singapore to find souvenirs, clothes, accessories, and other fun things to buy. As you make your way through you’ll see that the street is actually a small maze of little shops. Along the street, there are also many options to buy snacks and drinks.
Cool off on Sentosa
Sentosa is a popular tourist attraction that offers a lot of entertainment. It is a fully man-made island that is home to some of the only beaches in Singapore. For some beach volleyball, drinks, live music, and sunset views, we recommend going to the Tanjong Beach Club.
You can get to Sentosa by taxi or take the Sentosa Express, which leaves from the shopping mall in VivoCity. Besides that you can also embark on the Cable Car from which you can see Sentosa’s views from above. This is very pretty, but also relatively expensive (S$35 for adults and 25 for kids) for only a 15 minute ride.
Enjoy the nightlife at Ce La Vi
Located at the very top of the Marina Bay Sands, this bar offers amazing panoramic views over Singapore.The rooftop bar is right above the observation deck and has the best views over the city. We recommend going here for sunset as it is absolutely phenomenal. The entrance is S$30, but this is fully redeemable for food and drinks, which is a good deal. It does get very busy particularly around sunset so get there early to secure a table as there are no reservations. Enjoy the live music, atmosphere, views and a cold beer or famous Singapore Sling on Singapore’s most famous building.
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