The Ultimate 3-Day Singapore Itinerary
Discover vibrant contemporary street art in trendy neighbourhoods, view Singapore from above at the iconic Marina Bay Sands, visit one of the world’s tallest indoor waterfalls amongst exotic lush greenery, get lost in Chinatown’s maze of streets adorned with colourful murals and admire gorgeous pastel-hued 1920s Peranakan houses. Read our guide for the ultimate 3-day Singapore itinerary and everything you need to know.
Singapore, Southeast Asia’s smallest country, is a fascinating blend of old and new. It’s a place of contrasts and a captivating fusion of Asian and European. You’ll quickly see why it’s dubbed the country where East meets West.
Historical shophouses and ancient temples sit nestled at the base of huge futuristic skyscrapers. Bustling hawker centres rub shoulders with high-end, lavish restaurants.
Singapore has many neighbourhoods, each so different that it makes you feel like you’ve visited several countries in one day.
Marina Bay is the heart of Singapore’s modernity, with cutting-edge design and architecture and innovative engineering. Kampong Glam is vibrant, trendy and adorned with colour. Chinatown is a bustling multicultural melting pot whose heritage shophouses are decorated with colourful murals. Little India is one of Singapore’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, full of market stalls, temples and restaurants.
In this 3-day Singapore itinerary, you’ll discover what to do in Singapore for 3 days, the best time to visit, how to get around, our top recommendations on where to eat in Singapore and more.
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3-Day Singapore Itinerary
Contents
Day 1 - Marina Bay and Chinatown
You’ll start your 3-day Singapore itinerary in the most recognisable area of the city, Marina Bay.
First, head to Merlion Park to visit Singapore’s official mascot, the Merlion. This has the head of a lion and body of a fish, which symbolises Singapore’s origins as a fishing village and also the city’s original name, ‘Singapura’, meaning Lion City, in Sanskrit.
Across the water from The Merlion and the focal point of Marina Bay is the iconic Marina Bay Sands. This luxurious integrated resort is renowned for transforming Singapore’s ever-expanding skyline, and is home to the world’s largest infinity pool. The pool is at the top of the resort, in what looks like a boat, and offers sweeping views across the city.
Access to the pool is for hotel guests only, however, there’s an observation deck and bar where you’ll be rewarded with the same view. You’ll head up there later today.
Next on your 3-day Singapore itinerary is one of the absolute best things to do in Singapore: Gardens by the Bay. These gardens are a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and are worth spending a few hours admiring beautiful plants from around the world and fascinating architecture.
Gardens by the Bay is free to visit, and you can stroll around the lakes, wetlands, gardens, Supertree Grove and art sculptures without tickets. There are also areas you’ll need to buy tickets for. The two we’d recommend are the Cloud Forest and OCBC Skyway.
The Cloud Forest was one of our favourite places on our 3-day Singapore itinerary. Home to one of the world’s tallest indoor waterfalls and full of beautiful plants and flowers from around the world. You’ll walk up the aerial walkway, getting higher in the observatory, looking out across the lush greenery. There’s even a viewing deck behind the waterfall with a view of Marina Bay Sands.
Gardens by the Bay is home to 18 impressive Supertrees, 12 of which are at Supertree Grove. These trees are 50-metre-high sustainable vertical gardens housing over 162,000 plants. 7 of the Supertrees also harvest solar energy. One of the best things to do in Singapore at night is to visit Supertree Grove when these gardens come alive with a spectacular light and sound show (more on that on day 2).
The OCBC Skyway is a walkway suspended between two of the Supertrees 22 metres above the ground, offering fantastic views over the gardens, with Marina Bay Sands dominating the foreground.
There are plenty of food options, from gourmet dining to hawker stalls. Check out Jurassic Nest, which is a Michelin-rated and themed food hall with various cuisines. There are also huge dinosaurs which put on a show throughout the day.
After you’ve finished at Gardens by the Bay, it’s time to view Singapore from above at Marina Bay Sands. You have a couple of options.
You can either visit the Observation Deck on the 56th floor. Or, head to the rooftop bar CÉ LA VI’s on the 57th floor and enjoy the view with a delicious cocktail in hand or tasty bar snacks. Visiting the bar costs 35 SGD per person, however, this comes off your bill. It’s just to stop loads of people from going up for free.
The final stop on day 1 of your 3-day Singapore itinerary is Chinatown. It’s a 20-minute walk from Marina Bay Sands, or you can hop on the metro for a couple of stops.
Chinatown was one of our favourite places to visit on our Singapore 3-day itinerary. It’s a vibrant burst of colour and a beautiful fusion of old meets new. Ancient temples and traditional shophouses are home to chic boutiques, and trendy bars and cafes sit nestled at the base of futuristic skyscrapers.
Chinatown’s narrow maze of streets is adorned with brightly-coloured murals depicting Singapore’s history and stories from the artists’ lives. You’ll find several pieces by Ernest Zacharevic, most known for his street art in Penang.
Chinatown is incredibly multicultural and has a Buddhist temple, mosque and Hindu temple along the same street within a few metres of each other.
When deciding where to eat in Singapore, Chinatown is without a doubt one of the top places. Fragrant smells waft through the streets from restaurants, hawker centres and street food stalls.
For dinner, you have the option of a hawker centre, and we’d recommend either the Maxwell Food Centre, Chinatown Food Complex, or one of the area’s many restaurants. Fortune Court is one of the best restaurants in Chinatown, Singapore. It’s a family-owned restaurant serving classic Cantonese dishes – the soft shell crab is a must-have!
Another spot to visit in Chinatown is Cafe Monochrome, Singapore’s first 2D cafe. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped straight into a sketchbook; everything is black and white.
That brings day 1 of your 3-day Singapore itinerary to an end.
Day 2 - Kampong Glam, Little India, Clarke Quay and Gardens by the Bay
On day 2 of your 3 days in Singapore, you’ll visit some of the city’s most colourful neighbourhoods.
First up is the vibrant and trendy Kampong Glam, which, back in the 1800s, was an ethnic enclave for the Muslim community. Today, it’s a multicultural melting pot of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European cultures.
One of the best things to do on your Singapore 3-day itinerary is to stroll Kampong Glam’s picturesque streets of restored shophouses and admire the contemporary street art on many of the buildings.
Haji Lane and Arab Street are two of best places for street art. Haji Lane is also where you’ll find the shophouses which are now charming boutiques, cafes and eateries. Arab Street is home to traditional Arabic shops selling items such as textiles and spices.
The pedestrianised section of Bussorah Street has a lovely view of the beautiful Sultan Mosque in between colourful restored shophouses with Middle Eastern restaurants and shops.
After you’re finished exploring Kampong Glam, the next stop on your itinerary for Singapore is Little India, one of Singapore’s most vibrant and colourful areas.
Little India retains a lot of its unique heritage. The myriad of bustling narrow alleys is a captivating blend of old and new, with modern street art and eateries nestled amongst age-old temples and market vendors.
This neighbourhood is one of the best places in Singapore for shopping, particularly budget shopping. Check out the 24-hour Mustafa Centre for designer products at low prices. And, at the Tekka Centre, you can browse everything from Bollywood music to silk for saris and a huge range of food options.
Little India is one of the best spots for food in Singapore, so have lunch here. From the varied regional cuisine of South Asia to Northern Indian dishes, there are endless delicious options.
Your next activity is probably the most iconic thing you’ll do on your 3-day Singapore itinerary. Head to the historic Long Bar in Raffles Hotel, where the Singapore Sling was born, and sip on one of these tasty and refreshing cocktails.
The decor is inspired by 1920s Malayan life and whisks you to a tropical plantation. What’s really fascinating and feels quite wrong is that you brush your empty peanut shells onto the floor. The only place in Singapore where littering is actively encouraged! This dates back to the early 1900s when plantation workers would visit the bar and casually drop their peanut shells on the floor. Over time, this habit evolved into a tradition still seen today.
Our top tip: the bar only accepts walk-ins. Unless you arrive at 11am for opening, expect a queue. However, we think the upper floor is open from 3pm, as we joined the queue at 2:40pm and it moved quite slowly. At 3pm, a huge influx of people went in, and we were clearly the first ones upstairs. If you do need to queue, it’s definitely worth it, and it’s a huge bar, particularly once upstairs is open, so it doesn’t take too long.
After enjoying a Singapore Sling and maybe one of their other tasty cocktails, walk to Clarke Quay. Located on the Singapore River, Clarke Quay once served as a dock for riverfront warehouses and businesses. After the port moved, Clarke Quay fell into a state of disrepair until 1989, when it was designated a heritage conservation area. It was then cleaned up and revitalised. Traditional shophouses were restored and have been painted bright colours. Today, Clarke Quay is a lively commercial and entertainment hub.
There’s an abundance of restaurants from cuisines from all around the world. We haven’t factored in a meal here with your 3 days in Singapore, as we get the impression they’re not very authentic and more like overpriced chain restaurants (think Leicester Square in London). It’s still worth coming to see the colourful restored buildings and maybe having a drink in one of the riverfront bars.
If you’re planning a night out on your Singapore itinerary, Clarke Quay is a hotspot for nightlife with bars and nightclubs galore!
For dinner, head to Lau Pa Sat, one of Singapore’s best and most vibrant hawker centres that once stood as a humble wet market. It’s housed in one of the oldest Victorian structures in South East Asia and is a stark contrast to the modern glass skyscrapers that surround it.
Lau Pa Sat is a living testament to Singapore’s multiculturalism with over 80 stalls from a diverse array of Malay, Chinese, Indian and international delicacies. It’s also home to Singapore’s largest open-air satay street with 9 carts all BBQ’ing various satay skewers. From 7pm the street is closed to vehicles and piled full of tables and chairs for people to eat and drink at. The atmosphere is energetic. A true authentic experience and one of the best things to do in Singapore at night.
After dinner, you’re going to head back to Gardens by the Bay for another of the best things to do in Singapore at night: the Garden Rhapsody. The Supertrees come to life with a beautiful light and sound show. Sit below the massive vertical gardens and take it all in. It’s on at 7:45pm and 8:45pm daily and is free to attend.
That wraps up day 2 of your 3 days in Singapore.
Day 3 - Katong-Joo Chiat, Marina Bay
On the final day of your Singapore itinerary, you’ll visit one of the best Singapore hidden gems.
Head out of the city to Katong-Joo Chiat. Here, you’ll discover a rich Peranakan culture, stunning brightly-coloured heritage houses, charming cafes and vibrant street art.
Peranakan culture emerged in Southeast Asia through interactions and intermarriage between Chinese immigrants and local populations, particularly in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. This created a unique and distinct way of life.
First, visit Koon Seng Road to see the absolute highlight of Katong-Joo Chiat. Two rows of gorgeous 1920s Peranakan-style traditional shophouses face each other in various pastel hues and are decorated with intricate geometric tiles and patterns.
Next, walk down Joo Chiat Road and pop into King’s Cart Coffee Factory. This cafe houses real coffee trees and numerous lush green plants, creating a peaceful and inviting atmosphere. You can try some really interesting and unique drinks such as lychee cold brew, yuzu cloud, mocha bloom and lychee kris grey – this was delicious and really refreshing.
As you walk down Joo Chiat Road, you’ll see many colourful murals painted onto the sides of buildings.
If you’d like to learn more about Peranakan culture, two of the best places to visit on your itinerary for Singapore are the Straits Enclave and The Intan. These are museums filled with antiques and items from Peranakans. You can also speak to members of the Peranakan community who wish to keep their culture alive.
Katong-Joo Chiat is a food lover’s paradise, so stick around for lunch. This neighbourhood has a range of dining options from heritage restaurants serving traditional dishes to contemporary international cuisine. Some of the best places to eat are:
- Janggut Laksa @ Roxy Square: this used to be The Original Katong Laksa, where the original dish was served back in the 1950s. The laksa is fragrant and has a strong coconut taste. The noodles are cut short, and the dish is only eaten with a spoon.
- Katong Mei Wei: hidden away in the basement of Katong Shopping Centre, is one of the best chicken rice spots in Singapore.
- Bei-Ing Wanton Noodles: serving delicious wanton noodles with a modern twist. Try the Malaysia-style wanton mee with egg noodles in a black sauce, giving it a rich umami taste.
After you’ve finished exploring Katong-Joo Chiat, continue down Joo Chiat Road to East Coast Park. This is a huge beachside park with a wealth of things to do, including cycling, cable skiing, wakeboarding, fishing, or just strolling amongst the trees next to the sea.
Make your way to Marina Bay. You can either jump in a Grab Taxi for 15 minutes or hop on the metro. Depending on where you finish in East Coast Park, the nearest metro stations are Marina Parade, Marina Terrace, Siglap and Bayshore.
This evening, you’ll see another of the best things to do in Singapore at night, the Spectra Light Show. This is a light and water show of fountain jets, colourful projections, lasers and mist effects played to an orchestral soundtrack on the water at Marina Bay. It’s a 15-minute show every night at 8pm and 9pm, and 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Depending on the time, you could go for dinner and/or drinks along the promenade opposite Marina Bay Sands. They’re quite pricey, but the restaurants are lovely and have a great view of the resort.
Alternatively, you can do a bit of shopping at The Shoppes located in Marina Bay Sands.
Or, after the Spectra Light Show, head back to Chinatown for your final meal, as there are endless options.
That’s your 3-day Singapore itinerary at an end. Continue reading for everything else you need to know.
Everything You Need to Know For Your 3-Day Singapore Itinerary
The best time to visit Singapore
Although Singapore has fairly consistent weather year-round, the best time to visit Singapore is February to April, which falls in the dry season.
Where to stay in Singapore
As you’ve seen in this 3-day Singapore itinerary, there are several neighbourhoods, each with a distinct charm and atmosphere. Which is why we’ve dedicated an entire post to where to stay in Singapore. However, as Singapore’s public transport is very efficient, wherever you stay, it’ll be easy to get around.
Getting around Singapore
Getting around Singapore is easy and efficient with the city’s public transport system.
The MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) is the country’s main mode of railway transportation, which, along with the bus, is how the majority of locals and tourists get around Singapore.
The easiest and most cost-effective way to pay for transport on your 3-day Singapore itinerary is either with an EZ-Link Card or your contactless card.
Taxis are convenient, although don’t flag one down. Use the ride-hailing app Grab, which is fairly cost-effective.
We’d always recommend walking whenever possible. Many of the best things to do in Singapore are within walking distance of each other. You’ll no doubt stumble upon hidden gems you wouldn’t have otherwise found. Walking is always our favourite way to get around new cities.
Getting to Singapore
Singapore is a major transport hub and, the airport is consistently voted the best airport in the world. After landing at Changi Airport, you can either take the metro to the city or use Grab.
After spending 3 days in Singapore, you may want to fly on to Australia, Bali or New Zealand as it’s perfectly positioned as a stopover city.
Currency
Singapore uses the Singapore Dollar. At the time of writing, 1 USD is 1.29 SGD.
Cash/card in Singapore
Singapore is very card-friendly, and we actually struggled to get rid of our cash at the end of the trip, so bear this in mind. Hawker centres and cheap restaurants will be a mix of card and cash, with some vendors only accepting one. Bars, restaurants and shops all accept cards.
Plug
You will need plug type G.
Entry requirements to Singapore
As a UK passport holder, your passport needs to be valid for 6 months after the date you arrive. You don’t need a visa to stay up to 30 days. For any other nationality, check the Singapore entry requirements here.
All travellers are required to submit the SG Arrival Card within 3 days before arriving in Singapore. This is free and can be done using the link above.
We hope you enjoyed this 3-day Singapore itinerary. If you have any other questions, feel free to leave us a comment or get in contact and make sure you’re following us on Instagram to stay up to date with us in real time.
If your 3 days in Singapore is part of a larger trip around Southeast Asia, check out our posts below on Vietnam, Malaysia and Bali.