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If you’re planning 3 days in Singapore, this itinerary is for you! This guide will show you the best of Singapore in your limited time. Prepare to be amazed during these 2/3 days in Singapore.
This fascinating Asian city has everything to seduce you. We fell in love with this very modern yet very green city!
Another thing I loved about Singapore was the diversity of its population. Thanks to its history of British colonization, this small island south of Malaysia has become a veritable cultural and ethnic melting pot.
3 days in Singapore itinerary & practical information
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Some practical information before visiting Singapore
Here is some practical information before visiting Singapore.
- Time zone: Singapore is in the UTC + 8 time zone, which means that there is a 7-hour time difference with France/Belgium.
- Electricity: Singapore has G-type sockets (the same as in England). You’ll need a universal adapter.
- Visas: French, Belgian, Swiss, and Canadian nationals benefit from visa exemption for all tourist stays of less than 90 days.
- Currency: Singapore’s currency is the Singapore dollar. This is abbreviated to S$.
- Budget: In terms of budget, Singapore is not a cheap city, especially when it comes to accommodation. For a trip to Singapore, you’ll need to budget between €45 and €50 per day per person on average (without luxury accommodation).
- Official languages of Singapore: Singapore is a very small country, but they have 4 official languages: English, Mandarin, Tamil, and Malay. English is taught from an early age, so the vast majority of the population speaks English. Officially, the country’s anthem is in Malay. We found it very pleasant to travel to Singapore for this reason, because with English you are understood everywhere and by everyone.
When to visit Singapore?
Singapore has a tropical climate, which means that temperature variations are relatively low throughout the year. By this I mean: it’s always hot and humid (between 25°C and 33°C).
There is no monsoon as such, but there are drier and wetter periods. On the whole, it’s drier between May and September and wetter between October and April.
Want to extend your stay in Singapore? Take a look at my 2-week itinerary in Malaysia.
Our accommodation in Singapore
On a backpacker’s budget, we stayed at the backpacker’s cozy hostel. It’s a decent place to stay in Singapore if you’re on a budget. The accommodation is located in the heart of the Bugis district and is easily accessible by public transport.
3 days in Singapore itinerary: our must-sees
Singapore is a city where it’s hard to get bored. Below are the must-sees:
- Visit Gardens by the Bay.
- Visit one of the many shopping malls in the business district.
- Climb onto a rooftop.
- Stroll through the Arab, Chinese & Indian Quarters.
- See Spectra – a Light & Water Show.
- Stroll through the Riverside (Civic District).
How do I get to Singapore from Singapore airport?
Most travelers arrive by plane from Singapore International Airport. And yes, it’s one of the most beautiful airports! Changi Airport itself is well worth a visit as an attraction. Every year, it wins the title of the best airport in the world: gardens, a cinema, a butterfly garden, children’s play areas, free massage chairs, etc. It’s just crazy!
Changi Airport is well-served by public transport to central Singapore. Below you’ll find the various options.
- Mass Rapid Transit (MRT): The most economical and convenient option for many travelers is the MRT, Singapore’s clean and efficient subway system. Changi Airport MRT Station is located on the East West Line (green line), and it takes about 30-40 minutes to reach the city center, depending on your final destination.
- Bus: Bus stops are located in the basement bus bays. You can catch buses 24, 27, 34, 36, 53, 110 and 858. Tickets cost around SGD 2.10 and the journey takes around an hour.
- Cab via the Grab app: A cab from the airport to central Singapore costs around SGD 35 and takes about 30 minutes.
Visit Singapore: What to do
Stroll through Kampong Glam (Arab Quarter)
Kampong Glam was one of Singapore’s first inhabited neighborhoods, and its inhabitants turned it into what we know today as the city’s Arab Quarter.
In the Arab quarter, you’ll find a cheerful mix of Middle Eastern countries. Turks, Lebanese, Afghans, Sikhs, and even Indian Muslims, all in a very varied atmosphere.
What to see in Kampong Glam?
- Sultan Mosque (Masjid Sultan): built in 1924, this is Singapore’s most beautiful and most important mosque. It can be visited from 09:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 16:00 (Fridays from 14:30 to 16:00).
- Bussorah Street: this is the most beautiful street in the district, where you’ll find the best restaurants and cafés. At its northern end is the Sultan Mosque.
- Arab Street: filled with fabric, carpet, and perfume stores, Arab Street is the most representative street in Kampong Glam.
- Haji Lane: a small, colorful street right in the heart of the district. It’s a great place to stroll and browse the trendy, arty boutiques in the small shophouses.
Strolling through Chinatown
Here, red lanterns welcome you, as do the many smells of food.
What to see in Chinatown
- Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and its rooftop garden, a haven of peace.
- Sri Mariamman Indian temple.
- Thian Hock Keng Temple, with its frescoes and garden.
- Amoy Street, with its hidden side of colorful shophouses.
- Eat Haianese chicken rice at the Maxwell food center.
Stroll through the Indian Quarter
In this district, please take the opportunity to sample Indian food, which we think is truly delicious. Here are 2 must-tries in this district:
- Tan Teng Niah. This large, colorful building surrounded by small shops is the city’s last Chinese villa. From here you can quickly reach the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple and its equally colorful facade.
Riverside (Civic District)
Built around the Singapore River, this is where you’ll find the essence of this destination. Here you’ll find colonial souvenirs such as Clarke Quay and the Raffles Hotel, as well as museums and a large esplanade featuring the strange figure of the Merlion, a creature half lion, half seahorse that has become the city’s mascot. Nowhere else can you feel the cosmopolitan side of the city, with its mixed populations and places of worship (temples, various churches…). And why not discover this district on board a mini-cruise along the river?
Clarke Quay is THE hotspot for Singaporean nightlife, with its restaurants, bars, and numerous clubs housed in former docks.
A visit to the Raffles Hotel is well worth the detour, especially if you like cocktails, as this is where the Singapore Sling was created. Enjoy it at the Long Bar or in the inner courtyard, in a highly refined atmosphere!
The Merlion esplanade, in addition to offering a superb view of the Singapore skyline, is also the gateway to the upcoming Marina Bay district.
The Merlion, the embodiment of Singapore’s values, stands out as one of the few monuments in this ultramodern city. It is a tribute to its history, Singapura meaning “City of the Lion”, and traces the evolution of what was once a fishing village called Temasek.
Gardens By the Bay Singapore
Located on the Marina Bay waterfront in the heart of Singapore, Gardens by the Bay is a sanctuary for nature lovers and budding horticulturists.
Comprising three distinct spaces over 101 hectares – Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden, and Bay Central Garden – this oasis of lush greenery has received numerous awards since its opening in 2012.
We couldn’t come to Singapore without taking a look at these trees! The first positive thing to remember is that you can stroll through the park and admire the trees without paying an entrance fee!
Gardens by the Bay – Music and light experience
A must on any visit to Singapore is the Gardens by the Bay nighttime music and light experience. Immerse yourself in the mesmerizing symphony of lights and music that creates an enchanting spectacle. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!
To help you plan your visit, we’ve compiled all the details on show times, itineraries, and useful tips for a night full of lights!
Time ⌚
Every day, 19h45 et 20h45.
Entrance fee 🏷️
Free.
Location 📍
Supertree Grove.
There are also other things to do but for a fee. Here’s an overview. Here you’ll find further information.
- The Flower Dome: This verdant space is the largest of the three conservatories and broke the Guinness World Record for the largest glass greenhouse in the world in 2015. It is home to plants and flowers from five continents, from thousand-year-old olive trees to magnolias and orchids.
- Floral Fantasy: This spot is inspired by fairy tales and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, with cavernous spaces, dramatic driftwood sculptures, and floral artworks.
- Cloud Forest: Gardens by the Bay’s third conservatory, the aptly named Cloud Forest, is a misty landscape of rare vegetation and spectacular views, shrouded in mist and covered in lush vegetation.
- Supertree Observatory: You’ll probably notice a grove of surreal structures known as Supertrees. These vertical gardens range in height from 25 to 50 meters, and two of these imposing structures are linked by the spectacular arch of the OCBC Skyway. At dusk, the grove lights up with a sound and light show. For an unforgettable view of Singapore, climb to the top of the Supertree Observatory, a 50-meter-high observation deck offering a breathtaking view of the magnificent Marina Bay district. For information on prices and timetables, click here.
Spectra – a Light & Water Show
At the end of the evening, take a stroll to Marina Bay Sands and enjoy a spectacular free show: Spectra – a Light & Water Show. This 13-minute synchronized show presents the history of Singapore, a multicultural society and cosmopolitan city as we know it today.
Schedule: Sun – Thurs: 8 pm & 9 pm / Friday and Saturday: 8 pm, 9 pm and 10 pm.
Soaring high: Marina Bay Sands
Singapore is one of those cities where you can spend most of the day with your nose in the air, looking up at the impressive buildings in the city center.
A good way to get an unobstructed view of the city is to climb to the top of one of these buildings! There are several options for getting up high, but the most popular is to climb to a rooftop bar to enjoy a cocktail with a breathtaking panorama.
The best-known is probably the Altitude Bar and Cé La Vi at the top of Marina Bay Sands.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this 3 days in Singapore itinerary. If you have any questions, please use the comments section below.
If you’re interested in Asia, take a look at our other articles about our trip to Southeast Asia.
