Singapore 3-Day Itinerary

Singapore is a popular day-trip destination as a stopover during trips to other Southeast Asian countries or to Australia and New Zealand. In reality, it is a city that deserves at least 3 days of visit: there are so many things to do and see that it will truly capture your heart. It's that destination you don't expect, that surprises you at every corner, and will make you think, "maybe I should have stayed longer."
Here are all our tips for organizing the perfect 3-day itinerary for Singapore.

Consider purchasing a pass: to save on the cost of individual attractions, we recommend buying the Singapore All Inclusive Pass. It includes major attractions such as Gardens by the Bay with Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, Universal Studios, Floral Fantasy, Sentosa and its giant swing, the Marina Bay Sands Observation Deck, as well as bus tours, river cruises, and many other experiences.

First time in Singapore? Get inspired: and discover this wonderful Asian destination by participating in a private city welcome tour with a local guide or on board the panoramic tour bus.

Dedicate the morning to discovering Marina Bay (Get directions), following the entire walking promenade. Cross the Helix Bridge, a stunning bridge with futuristic spiral architecture. Walk all the way across, stopping at the small lookout terraces to take photos, until you reach the opposite bank.

Enjoy the entire walk, cross the Esplanade Bridge, and in about ten minutes, you will find yourself at the feet of the Merlion, the symbol of Singapore. This statue, standing 8.5 m tall, has the body of a fish and the head of a lion, representing the city's origins: the fish symbolizes Singapore when it was just a small fishing village, and the lion refers to its original name, "Singapura," meaning lion city.

Visiting time: 1 hour

Reach The Promontory@Marina Bay: perhaps the most beautiful spot to admire all of Marina Bay. From here, you will have the Merlion on one side, the Helix Bridge on the other with the Singapore Flyer in the background, while being completely surrounded by skyscrapers.

To reach this stop: 20 min walking (Get directions).

From the Merlion, continue to follow the walking path around the bay until you reach what is one of Singapore's most famous landmarks: Marina Bay Sands.

The iconic Marina Bay Sands Resort hotel, one of the city's symbols, has a unique ship-shaped terrace: here is the famous infinity pool, accessible only to hotel guests, and the observation deck from which to admire one of the most beautiful views of Singapore. Go to the top and enjoy the show!

Visiting time: 1 hour

Buy your ticket online for the observation deck: enjoy 360° views of Singapore from the SkyPark Observation Deck, located on the 57th floor of Marina Bay Sands, and avoid the entrance lines. Info and costs here

To reach this stop: 2 min walking (Get directions).

Leaving the Marina Bay Sands, take the opportunity to visit the ArtScience Museum, one of the most famous museums in Singapore.

This museum is dedicated to the world of art and science. Easily recognizable due to its structure resembling a lotus flower, it contains various sections with interactive rooms, futuristic design, and light and color displays.

Visiting time: 1.5 hours

Don't miss Marina Bay Sands: the large shopping mall near the hotel. Stop for lunch here and enjoy a stroll inside, making sure to admire the Digital Light Canvas show or take a boat ride in the canal that runs through the ground floor!

To reach this stop: 15 min walking (Get directions).

Finally, dedicate the second part of your afternoon to Gardens by the Bay, one of the most beautiful and visited places in Singapore. You can reach them by following the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade, and you will arrive in just over 10 minutes.

These gardens, spanning 100 hectares, are truly unique, where nature and modernity intertwine to create a stunning spectacle! Take the rest of the afternoon to explore this little "city" and don't miss the walk on the OCBC Skyway, a walkway that passes between the Supertree Grove, the large artificial trees symbolizing the garden.

Visiting time: 2 hours

To reach this stop: 2 min walking (Get directions).

Additionally, don't miss two futuristic architectural wonders: the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, admission with a single electronic ticket.

The Flower Dome is the greenhouse that houses thousands of flowers, arranged based on the season to ensure a different spectacle at all times. Meanwhile, the Cloud Forest features a large waterfall and offers a walkway to the top for a stunning view.

Visiting time: 1.5 hours

Spend the evening at Gardens by the Bay: and witness the wonderful spectacle of the Supertree Grove, known as the Garden Rhapsody. Sit on the lawn, perhaps grabbing dinner at one of the garden's eateries, and enjoy the magic: the trees light up to the rhythm of music, with constantly changing soundtracks, including tunes from films.

On the second day in Singapore, dedicate it to discovering the city's diverse identities. Here you can find entirely different neighborhoods, fascinating and colorful, that will make you feel like you're on a journey within a journey.

Start from Arab Street, the Arab district of the city (Get directions). This area is located between Bussorah Street, Haji and Bali Lane, and Muscat Street, with its vibrant heart at Haji Lane. Enjoy a walk among the boutiques, spice shops, and small craft stores, while also admiring the Sultan Masjid Mosque from the outside.

Visiting time: 1 hour

A tour through Singapore's delicacies: the city has undergone various influences over the years, which are now reflected in its cuisine. So consider a culinary tour that stops in Arab Street and Little India, to explore Singapore through its flavors.

To reach this stop: 15 min walking (Get directions).

The second stop in the morning is Little India, the Indian district of Singapore. You can easily reach it on foot in less than 15 minutes from the Arab neighborhood, by following Upper Weld Rd and Arab St.

In Little India, stroll through one of the oldest streets in the city, Serangoon Road. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore, the Sri Veerkamaliamman Temple, located in the heart of the neighborhood.

Visiting time: 1 hour

To reach this stop: 20 min walking (Get directions).

In late morning, head to Orchard Road, the shopping street of Singapore and one of the main arteries of the city. From Little India, it is reachable by the North East Line metro (2 min) or on foot in 20 min via Selegie Rd. We recommend using public transport, as the humidity in Singapore can be quite stifling.

Stop for lunch at one of the many eateries and enjoy a walk along the street: here you will find stylish boutique stores from prestigious brands, shops, and large shopping malls that offer everything you could wish for. Walk with your head up to admire the skyscrapers and the futuristic architecture that characterizes the entire city.

Visiting time: 1.5 hours

To reach this stop: 5 min by metro (Get directions).

After thoroughly exploring Orchard Road, move on to Chinatown, the Chinese neighborhood of Singapore. The best way to get there is to take the North East Line metro (Dhoby Ghaut-Chinatown, 5 min).

Once you arrive, immerse yourself in the atmosphere of this neighborhood, it will almost feel like being in China. Stroll through its streets to admire the traditional buildings, follow Pagoda Street, the main thoroughfare full of shops and stalls. Finally, don't miss the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, an important temple in the area.

Visiting time: 1.5 hours

Don't miss Smith Street: it's the best street to try Chinese street food. Here you will find the Chinatown Street Market, and besides numerous delicacies, you can shop at many craft stalls, searching for the perfect souvenir to take home.

To reach this stop: 15 min walking (Get directions).

Finally, conclude your day at Clarke Quay, the nightlife hub of Singapore. You can easily walk from Chinatown: just reach the riverside and cross the Read Bridge or Malacca Bridge.

Clarke Quay is a truly unique neighborhood with a very lively atmosphere. This area has been completely revitalized: it consists of a complex of old warehouses converted into bars and restaurants. There are pubs, bars, and clubs, restaurants serving all kinds of cuisine, and a lovely view of the canal, beautifully lit at night.

Visiting time: 1.5 hours

Spend the evening at Clarke Quay: one of the hotspots of Singapore's nightlife. Enjoy an evening among numerous venues mingling with tourists and locals, and don't miss out on a river cruise before or after dinner, also passing through Marina Bay. Departures every hour until 9:00 PM, lasting 40 min.

On your last day in Singapore, we suggest heading to Sentosa Island, a true outdoor amusement park. You can get there by taking the Sky Pass ticket for the Sentosa cable car and admire the island from above. The starting station is reachable by the North-East Line metro to Harbour Front. (Get directions).

Here, you'll find water parks, amusement parks, and beautiful beaches to relax all day. There are countless activities to do, but we recommend spending the day at Universal Studios Singapore.

Visiting time: 30 min

To reach this stop: 5 min by metro (Get directions).

Among the many activities available, we recommend spending the day at Universal Studios Singapore, the famous amusement park from the well-known chain of theme parks, also located in Florida and Hollywood.

Dedicate the entire day to it, both to make the most of the high ticket price and because there are many things to do: the park is divided into 7 themed areas, with 28 rides and themed shows, based mainly on movies and TV shows.

Visiting time: 7 hours

Buy your ticket online: it will save you precious time by skipping the line at the ticket counter. Info and costs here

To reach this stop: 40 min by metro (Get directions).

Once you conclude your day at Universal Studios Singapore, return to Marina Bay to spend the last evening in the city. Take the cable car again and then the North-East Line metro to Chinatown, where you can continue walking to Marina Bay or take the Downtown Line metro, getting off at Bayfront.

Once you arrive, ride the Singapore Flyer, the largest Ferris wheel in the world. Now a true symbol of Singapore, by taking this ride you can admire the entire city from above, perhaps at sunset. The full ride lasts about 30 minutes.

Visiting time: 1 hour

Spend your last evening at Marina Bay: where your journey began. Enjoy your last night here, strolling among the lights of the skyscrapers and attractions, and above all, witness the Spectra show, the laser, light, and color show of the Marina Bay fountains, at the heart of the bay.

For this third day, there are many alternatives you can consider based on your interests if you're not keen on spending an entire day at Universal Studios Singapore.

If you are traveling with children, Universal Studios is definitely a great option, but alternatively, you can also visit the Singapore Zoological Garden, a zoo that resembles a natural park: it covers 26 hectares of tropical forest. It's also interesting to experience the Night Safari, with night safari, tram ride, and round trip transfer from Singapore.

Visiting time: 7 hours
See also: Excursions from Singapore

Singapore is one of the most expensive destinations in Southeast Asia, but with some small precautions, it's possible to save. Keep in mind, however, that the cost of living is different from other Southeast Asian destinations; it is more similar to a Western city.

Once you arrive, you'll need to choose your accommodation area. Marina Bay is the best neighborhood, but obviously, it is the most expensive due to its popularity. To save money, you can consider Chinatown, which has a great location, or alternatively, Little India and Arab Street. To get around, you will need to use public transportation, particularly the subway, which is indeed punctual and efficient. We also recommend using the tour bus, ideal for getting acclimated to the city. Finally, meals are what will help you save the most: you can try the local street food, stopping by markets or stalls, but you will also find wonderful luxury restaurants with stunning city views.

Let's look in detail at the costs for a weekend in Singapore: