3 Days in Singapore: A Detailed Itinerary That Makes Sense

If you're visiting Singapore for the first time, three days is enough to see many of the city's highlights without having to rush too much from one attraction to the next. The key is to plan your days by area, which means you can spend more time exploring and less time travelling across the city.

This 3-day Singapore itinerary takes you to the city's biggest attractions, including Marina Bay, Gardens by the Bay, while also giving you time to explore Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam and Sentosa. I've also included plenty of suggestions for where to eat, where to grab a drink and how to make the most of your time in Singapore.

Day 1: Marina Bay, Gardens by the Bay & the Singapore Skyline

Your first day in Singapore is all about the city's most recognisable sights. Marina Bay is home to many of the attractions you've probably seen in photographs, and the great thing is that several of them can be explored on foot.

I'd recommend starting relatively early. Singapore is hot and humid throughout much of the year, and getting some sightseeing done before the middle of the day will make the experience much more enjoyable.

Morning: Walk Around Marina Bay

I recommend starting your day in Marina Bay. You can head straight to Merlion Park to see the famous half-lion, half-fish statue as a starting point. The Merlion is one of the country's most recognisable symbols, and the location is just as important as the statue itself. From the waterfront, you get a fantastic view across Marina Bay towards Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore skyline. You don't need to spend hours here. Around 30 minutes is plenty of time to take some photos, walk along the waterfront and enjoy the view.

From there, continue walking around Marina Bay and just take it all in. This is one of the best places in Singapore to simply wander without having a strict sightseeing plan. Follow the waterfront and take in the skyline, architecture and views across the bay.

Stop by Fullerton Hotel, one of Singapores most famous historic buildings. After that continue towards Green Heart. It’s one of Singapores new initiatives to bring more green into the city and I think it’s a really cool spot to wander around. It’s not a must, but I liked it.

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Midday: Explore Gardens by the Bay

After exploring Green Heart I recommend heading to Level33 for a lunch or a drink with amazing views of the Marina Bay. Just remember to book a table in advance. It’s not very budget friendly, so if you’re travelling on a budget just grab a drink here and grab some food at one of the nearby hawker centres instead.

After a little break, head to Gardens by the Bay. The gardens are huge so you can easily spend hours wandering around here. My recommendation is to spend some time here during the day and then come back in the evening for the light show. During the day you can wander around and see the Serene Garden, Floral Fantasy, Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. You’ll also walk past the Supertrees, but I personally think they are more impressive at night during the light show.

Keep in mind that some places require their own tickets and you can get those tickets here.

Evening: Visit Marina Bay Sands & Museum

After exploring the Gardens, walk over to Marina Bay Sands. Even if you're not staying at the hotel, the enormous complex is worth exploring. The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands has designer stores, restaurants and cafés.

If you want a panoramic view over Singapore you can visit the SkyPark Observation Deck located at the top of Marina Bay Sands. Alternatively you can grab a drink or an early dinner at one of the nice restaurants at the top. If you want to see the famous infinity pool I recommend booking a table at Spago Bar & Lounge.

One thing to be aware of is that booking a table at one of these spots just for a drink wont make it any cheaper than buying a ticket to the Observation deck. There are minimum spends, so the price will end up being about the same, if not more. So if you just want the views, you’ll get the best possibilities at the SkyDeck.

If you want to swim in the famous infinity pool it’s important to know that that’s only allowed for hotel guest, so the only way to do that is by actually booking a night at Marina Bay sands.

Depending on how much time you have, you can either just relax a bit until the light show, or you can head to the Singapore flyer or the ArtScience Museum and explore that.

Get tickets to the observation deck

Have everything figured out in advance, pick your timeslot and buy tickets here.

Night: See the Light show at Gardens by the Bay

In the late afternoon, head back to Gardens by the Bay for one of my favourite things to do in Singapore. The light show on the Supertrees are free and start at 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM.

You can watch it by either just grabbing a spot, wandering around or head up to either the SkyDeck or the Supertree Observatory. Just know that the last two options need tickets, and it’s two different spots. One ticket does not include both viewpoints.

You’re probably pretty tired after it finishes, but if you still have more energy I recommend heading to Lantern for a late night drink. It’s one of my favourite spots in the city and is especially nice in the evening when you get really great views of the Marina Bay Sands lit up at night.

If you don’t come here on day one, I still recommend coming another day. Another option is to head to CÈ LA VI, a really cool rooftop bar on Marina Bay Sands. Just remember that both spots need reservations.

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Day 2: Chinatown, Little India & Kampong Glam

Day two is all about seeing the more colourful and cultural side of Singapore. Rather than focusing on skyscrapers and modern attractions, you'll spend the day exploring Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam. These neighbourhoods are all quite different from each other, and together they give you a much better sense of Singapore's multicultural character.

Morning: Explore Kampong Glam

I recommend starting the day in Kampong Glam and just wander around without a huge plan. This is one of my favourite areas in Singapore for wandering around without a strict itinerary, just explore the various streets, shops and relax at a cafe you think looks charming.

Wander towards the Sultan Mosque and along the Arab street. This area is full of colourful shophouses, textile shops, cafés, restaurants and independent boutiques, but my favourite street is Haji Lane. It’s one of the most recognisable streets in Kampong Glam. It’s quite narrow, covered in murals and filled with cafes and bars on both sides. It can get a bit crowded so that’s one of the reasons I recommend starting your day in this area, before it gets too packed.

Grab a drink and some snack at one of the stalls and just people watch for a bit. This is also a quite fun place to come in the evening if you have extra time or if you want to change up this itinerary.

Midday: Explore Little India

From Kampong Glam it’s an easy walk over to Little India. And as soon as you arrive you’ll notice the atmosphere changing completely. I’ll be honest and say that I don’t think there is as much to see in Little India as in Kampong Glam or ChinaTown, so this is the area I would spend the least time in. However, I still think it’s worth a visit.

Spend some time walking along Serangoon Road, taking in the colourful shops, restaurants, temples and markets. Visit Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple and explore the surrounding streets before continuing to Tekka Centre.

Tekka Centre is perfect for lunch, especially if you love Indian food. So grab some food here before you move on.

Evening: Explore Chinatown

I recommend spending the most time in Chinatown. Part of that is because it’s fun to explore during the day, but there’s also so many great spots to check out in the evening as well. However, if you didn’t have time for all the big sights yesterday you can add some of it today instead and spend less time here.

I would start around Pagoda Street and wander through the surrounding streets and colourful shophouses. You'll find plenty of souvenir shops, restaurants and cafés. One of the best parts of Chinatown is simply walking around and looking at the architecture.

Make your way towards Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore's oldest Hindu temple. The incredibly detailed entrance tower is hard to miss, and it's worth taking a look inside if it's open. Remember that this is an active place of worship, so you need to dress respectfully to get in.

Next, head to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum. The enormous red temple is one of Chinatown's most recognisable buildings and provides a completely different experience from Sri Mariamman Temple.

If you’re getting hungry you can head over to one of two Hawker centres. Either Chinatown Complex Food Centre or Maxwell Food Centre depending on what is closest. They’re both really good.

Later in the evening I would head over to Ann Siang Hill & Club Street where you’ll find plenty of cute bars to end the evening. There are so many to choose from, but some of my favourite spots were Employees Only, The Otherside and Native.

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Day 3: Sentosa Beaches & Theme Parks

After two busy days, day three is intentionally a little more relaxed. Today gives you the chance to experience a different side of Singapore, with Sentosa Island’s beaches and theme parks. There are several ways to experience Sentosa, so choose the option that suits your interests rather than trying to squeeze everything into one day. Do you want to relax on the beach or explore Universal Studios? You can of course do both, but I recommend picking a couple of things instead of trying to see the whole area.

Head to Sentosa Island

You can reach Sentosa by public transport, taxi, the Sentosa Express or cable car. If you've never taken the Singapore Cable Car, I'd choose this option if your budget allows. The journey gives you views over the harbour and Sentosa, and it makes getting to the island part of the experience. Just keep in mind that you can only buy a round-trip ticket, so if you only want to take it one way it might not make sense financially.

What to Do on Sentosa

This is where you need to make a choice. There is far too much to do on Sentosa to realistically see everything in one day, so pick the experience that interests you most.

Option 1: Universal Studios Singapore

If you're travelling with children or love theme parks, spend your day at Universal Studios Singapore. You could easily spend most of the day here, so don't try to combine it with a long list of other Sentosa attractions.

Option 2: Spend the Day at the Beach

If theme parks aren't your thing, head to one of Sentosa's beaches. Palawan Beach, Siloso Beach and Tanjong Beach are the main options. Spend the morning swimming, walking along the beach or simply relaxing with a drink. After two days of sightseeing, having a few hours where you don't have anywhere you need to be can be surprisingly nice.

Option 3: Combine a Few Attractions

You can also choose one or two attractions and spend the rest of the day exploring the island. The important thing is not to try to tick off everything. Sentosa is much more enjoyable when you leave some time to relax.

Some choices to consider are Harry Potter: Visions of Magic, Dopamine Land, Fort Siloso Skywalk, Madame Tussauds, bungee jumping, zip-lines and much more. They really have almost everything you can think of, so you wont have any problems figuring out how to fill your day.

Where to Stay in Singapore

Marina Bay Sands

This is without a doubt the most famous hotel in Singapore. Staying here gives you something you simply can't get anywhere else: access to the famous rooftop infinity pool. You’ll also get direct access to the shops and restaurants, while Gardens by the Bay is right next door.

Check prices and availability

Andaz Singapore, By Hyatt

This hotel has a stylish design, excellent city views and a rooftop pool and bar. Its location puts you close to Kampong Glam, Arab Street and Haji Lane while still giving you easy access to the rest of Singapore.

Check prices and availability

Mondrian Singapore Duxton

This is one of the more stylish options in the Chinatown/Tanjong Pagar area. The hotel is surrounded by heritage shophouses, restaurants and bars, while the hotel itself has a much more contemporary feel. There is an outdoor pool, a garden and stylish public spaces.

Check prices and availability

For most first-time visitors, I'd narrow it down to Marina Bay, Chinatown, Bugis/Kampong Glam or Clarke Quay. These areas give you an excellent combination of sightseeing, restaurants, public transport and things to do.

If you're travelling on a tighter budget, Little India is one of the best places to look. If shopping is the main reason you're visiting Singapore, choose Orchard Road. And if you want your Singapore trip to feel more like a resort holiday, Sentosa is the obvious choice.

Map of the Best Hotels in Singapore

Below you'll find a map where I've pinned my favourite hotels in Singapore to make it easier for you to navigate when you're looking for where you want to base yourself.

How to Get Around Singapore

You don't need to rent a car for this itinerary. Singapore's MRT is the easiest way to get around, and taxis or ride-hailing services are useful when you're tired, travelling late or carrying luggage.

Most of the neighbourhoods in this itinerary are also very walkable once you arrive. I'd actually recommend walking whenever possible. Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam are all places where you'll notice much more when you're walking than you would from a taxi.

Final Thoughts: Is 3 Days Enough for Singapore?

Yes, three days in Singapore is enough for a fantastic first visit. You won't see absolutely everything, but you'll have time to experience many of the city's biggest attractions while also getting a taste of its different neighbourhoods, food and nightlife.

Three days will give you a great introduction to Singapore, but don't be surprised if you leave already thinking about what you'll explore on your next visit. If you have even more time in Singapore you can check out my guide to the Top Things To Do in Singapore for even more inspiration.

Plan Your Trip to Singapore

Hopefully this guide has given you everything you need to plan your trip to Singapore. To make planning the rest of your trip even easier, I've included all the resources I personally use when I travel.

Find the best hotels and compare prices on Booking.com

Find the best hotels and compare prices on Hotels.com

Compare flight prices on Skyscanner.com

Book buses, trains and ferries with 12Go

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Compare eSIM plans with Airalo here

Get travel insurance from SafetyWing here

Every recommendation is based on tools and services I genuinely use and would recommend to friends and family.

By using these links you help me continue to create free travel guides like this one.

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-Ingrid

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