Welcome to Singapore, a vibrant fusion of cultures, cuisines, and cutting-edge architecture! Whether it’s your first time or you’ve been before, this buildable Singapore itinerary will give you the perfect mix of iconic sights, cultural experiences, and mouth-watering meals. I’ve was lucky enough to live in Singapore for 3-years, and I’m excited to share the very best with you. From futuristic gardens to cultural heartlands, let’s dive in and make the most of your trip or layover!
When to Visit Singapore
Singapore sits less than 2-degrees north of the equator, which means it’s hot and humid with a chance of a storm, year-round. However, the best time to visit Singapore is from February to April, when the weather is slightly drier, and sunnier.This is great for outdoor attractions like Gardens by the Bay. Conversely, avoid peak monsoon season (November to January), when storms are more frequent.
Keep in mind, though, June and July can get quite busy due to school holidays, pushing up accommodation prices.The Chinese New Year period (usually in late January or early February) is another popular time, with colourful events and celebrations, but higher prices and larger crowds.
If you’re hoping to avoid the masses, stick to the shoulder months of February to April, where you can still enjoy the city’s lively atmosphere without the surge in tourist numbers or the hottest, rainiest weather.
How Long to Spend in Singapore
Wondering how many days to spend in Singapore? Singapore is a small island country, with efficient transport methods, so you don’t need to overdo it. In my opinion, 5-days is the sweet spot. You can hit all the must-see sights while also taking your time to savour the city’s rich cultural heritage. If you’re tight on time, you can see the highlights in 1 to 3 days, but if you’re keen to dive deeper, I’d recommend at least 4 to 5 days.
1-5-Day Singapore Itinerary
Whether you have one day or five, we have you covered. Each day in the following Singapore itinerary builds on the previous, from icons to off-beat sights. The longer you stay, the deeper you dig into Singapore’s history and culture.
1-Day in Singapore: Marina Bay Marvels
Let’s kick things off with some icons! Day one will take us to Marina Bay, one of Singapore’s most recognisable areas.
The Merlion
Start your day by meeting The Merlion, Singapore’s half-lion, half-fish mascot. Merlion Park on the shores of Marina Bay is a great spot for some fun photos, and the waterfront views are stunning.
Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Observation Deck
Nex up, make your way to the world-famous Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Observation Deck, offering sweeping views of the city skyline. You’ll get a 360-degree panorama of the Marina Bay waterfront, perfect for those ‘gram-worthy photos! This is one of Singapore’s most photographed landmarks, so let’s soak it all in before the day gets going. Note, you can’t swim in that amazing infinity pool unless you are a hotel guest, so choose your accommodation wisely!
Tip: The Marina Bay Sands SkyPark isn’t the only topdown view of Seattle. Alternatives include Level33 a restaurant that also claims the world’s highest microbrewery. Also, Sky Garden at CapitaSpring, a free indoor garden and observation deck 51-floors up. Like the one in London, it’s free but you need to book a timeslot in advance.
ArtScience Museum
As the day heats up, we’ll head to the ArtScience Museum, located nearby. This striking lotus-shaped building is an architectural masterpiece, and the exhibits inside are just as impressive. Expect to see digital art displays and interactive installations, blending art and technology. Check the website for their latest exhibits.
Lunch at Clarke Quay
Grab some lunch at Clarke Quay where you won’t find any shortage of cuisines to choose from. The outdoor mall type atmosphere is right on the edge of the Singapore River, where we are headed next.
Singapore River Cruise
From Clarke Quay, jump on a Singapore River cruise to learn more about the history of the city-state and its evolution.
Gardens by the Bay
As the day winds down, we’ll head to Gardens by the Bay. This is the perfect sight for a day to night transition. Explore the Gardens and two conservatories about 1-2-hours before sunset. Stay after sundown to watch The Supertree Grove illuminate! Be sure to catch the Garden Rhapsody light and sound show—it’s a magical way to end the day.
Dinner
Enjoy some of Singapore’s UNESCO-inscribed hawker culture and cuisine at Lau Pa Sat, an open-air hawker centre housed in a gorgeous, Victorian-era building. Lau Pa Sat, aka “Satay Street” is known for its satay offering, but there is a broad culinary landscape to explore. Best of all, the servings are small and relatively inexpensive, so why not try more than one?!
2-Days in Singapore: History, Culture and Charm
If you have 2-days in Singapore, we continue diving deep into Singapore’s history and cultural heritage.
Singapore National Museum
Start the day at the Singapore National Museum, the country’s oldest museum, where you’ll learn about Singapore’s transformation from a small trading post to the global city it is today. The exhibits are interactive and super engaging.
Civic District Trail
Afterward, we’ll stroll the Civic District, taking in Singapore’s Fort Canning Park and colonial architecture. Highlights include Chijmes, a stunning former convent-turned-dining complex (the one in the wedding scene from Crazy Rich Asians). Not to mention the legendary Raffles Hotel! There you can sip on an original Singapore Sling cocktail at the Long Bar or indulge in afternoon tea. Finish up your lap of the Civic District with an hour or so at the Peranakan Museum.
Peranakan Museum
Next up is the Peranakan Museum, where we’ll explore the unique culture of the Peranakan people, a community with combined Southeast Asian heritage. The vibrant textiles, ceramics, and artefacts here tell the story of this fascinating group.
Dinner
Finish the day with a meal right next door at True Blue, known for its traditional Peranakan cuisine. This Michelin Bib Gourmand-rated restaurant will give you’re a tangible bite of Peranakan culture.
3-Days in Singapore: Neighbourhoods & Night Safari
On your third day in the Red Dot, we’re exploring Singapore’s cultural enclaves and finishing with an evening adventure.
Little India & Kampong Glam
We’ll start in Little India, a vibrant district brimming with colourful shops, temples, and aromatic food stalls.Don’t miss the stunning Sri Veeramakaliamman Templeand colourful former home of Former House of Tan Teng Niah.Afterward, head over to Kampong Glam, the city’s Malay-Muslim quarter. Here, you’ll find the Sultan Mosque and plenty of cool cafes to stop for a break. Check out Haji Lane for murals and dining.
Mandai Night Safari (Singapore Zoo)
After a cultural morning, let’s get wild at the Singapore Zoo, now known as Mandai Wildlife Reserve! World-renowned for its open-concept enclosures, this zoo is perfect for animal lovers. After sunset, embark on the famous Mandai Night Safari, where nocturnal creatures come alive and the enclosures seem to melt into the dark. It’s a unique experience you won’t forget!
4-Days in Singapore: Gardens & Heritage
Got more time in your Singapore itinerary? Today we slow things down with nature and heritage hotspots.
Singapore Botanic Gardens & National Orchid Garden
Start your morning at the UNESCO-listed Singapore Botanic Gardens, a lush oasis of tropical plants. The broader garden is free, but it’s worth paying a little to get inside the National Orchid Garden. Singapore’s national flower is the Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid and they take their Orchidaceae very seriously! The National Orchid Garden showcases over 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids of orchids.
Chinatown & Telok Ayer
In the afternoon, we’ll wander through Chinatown, filled with heritage shophouses, a range of food outlets and a bustling market. Next, cut through Ann Siang Hill Park to wander the oldest part of Chinatown on Amoy Street and Telok Ayer. Here you’ll find more fantastic architecture, historic temples and plenty of places to eat.
Dinner
No visit to Singapore is complete without partaking in the national dish: Chicken Rice. Finish up your day over at Maxwell Food Centre, a hawker market with the top-local-rated Chicken Rice in Singapore plus much, much more.
5-Days in Singapore: Off the Beaten Path
Let’s explore Singapore’s quirky side before heading to some green spaces to finish off your Singapore itinerary.
Haw Par Villa aka Tiger Balm Gardens
This eccentric theme park is unlike anything you’ve seen before! Haw Par Villa was built in 1937 by Aw Boon Haw, the man who gave the world Tiger Balm. It consists of a recently refurbished garden filled with larger-than-life statues and dioramas depicting Chinese mythology and folklore. It’s an unusual, fun start to our last day. From here I suggest one of two options.
Option 1: MacRitchie Reservoir & Treetop Walk
Escape the urban landscape for a while to MacRitchie Reservoir. There are miles of trails to hike here if you don’t mind sweating it out in the tropical heat. The highlight here is the Treetop Walk, a suspension bridge offering panoramic views of the surrounding rainforest. It’s a peaceful end to an exciting week.
Option 2: Southern Ridges
The Southern Ridges is a recreational trail that connects various parks tracking the southern ridge of Singapore: Kent Ridge, HortPark, Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill and Labrador Nature Reserve.It’s certainly not unadulterated nature. However, it does offer a greenspace with occasional views over Singapore Strait andarchitecturally interesting walkways such as the Henderson Waves. The full walk, end-to-end is 10-km (6.2-mi), but just the 4-km (2.5-mi) from Kent Ridge to Mt Faber is plenty.
That wraps up our 1-5 day Singapore itinerary! You’ve seen the best of this amazing city, from historic districts to modern marvels. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions or get more practical tips for your Singapore trip here!
Peace, love & Chicken Rice,
Madam ZoZo
Pin for later…
