Singapore was one of my favorite places to visit. It felt like New York City, but in the future. Everything is clean and easy to navigate. You can find almost any type of cuisine, shop, museum, or religious building. It’s a perfect place to spend a few days exploring, so we put together a Singapore itinerary you can use as inspiration.
Singapore was a double stop for us on our big trip. The airport is incredibly convenient as a layover destination, so we decided to spend a few nights there between Bali and Vietnam and then again after leaving Kuala Lumpur on our way to Australia. After our multiple visits, we wanted to share our suggestions for four days in Singapore so you can make the most of a stopover as well. This small country was one of our favorite surprises on our trip around the world, and it’s a destination that offers so much to any type of traveler. Let’s dive in.
A Four-Day Singapore Itinerary
Day 1 – Explore the Center of the City
River Cruise
Start your exploration of the city with a River Cruise. A tour (like this one) can provide some great history of Singapore. We always love to do some kind of tour when we arrive somewhere new to help us understand the layout of the city and flag things that we want to return to explore. With Singapore being on the water, this tour was a fun way to see the skyline from the middle of the action.
Lau Pa Sat Hawker Center
The city is famous for hawker centers, so it has to be part of your Singapore itinerary. We visited a few when we were there, but this was the best. It’s big and has many options, and the people-watching was fantastic. It opened over 130 years ago and became a national monument in 1973. You can explore the 52,000 square feet of space or pick the first stall that looks appetizing and grab a snack. You’ll want to eat enough to energize the rest of your explorations.
Thian Hock Keng Temple
This temple is the oldest Chinese temple in Singapore and was built to worship Mazu, a Chinese sea goddess. It was one of the most beautiful buildings we saw, and its style was different from the ones we saw throughout Southeast Asia. Not a single nail was used in the original construction. It’s definitely worth a visit to enjoy all the intricate carvings.
Chinatown
We have visited Chinatowns in many US cities, but the one in Singapore was quite a bit different. There’s so much to explore here, and you can easily spend a whole day eating, drinking, and wandering. I would recommend heading there for another food stop. Punch in “Chinatown Food Street,” and you’ll be guided to an entire block of vendors to choose from.
If you want to explore some of the attractions, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum is a popular destination that houses the actual left canine tooth of Buddha. Another spot is the NUS Baba House, a museum where you can learn more about the Peranakan shophouses and the people who have lived in them. You’ll hear stories of the rich, interesting people of Singapore’s history.
Boat Quay for Sunset Happy Hour
Make your way back near the river and grab a spot on a patio for sunset. Order a drink and another snack and watch the city lights turn on everywhere. You’ll likely be tired from all the exploring and might want to head back to your hotel early. If you’ve got energy, do a little bar hopping in this area, where there are dozens of spots to choose from.
Day 2 – Explore the Natural Beauty of Singapore
Singapore Botanic Gardens
Spend the morning strolling around the Singapore Botanic Gardens. You’ll be visiting more gardens later, so you could skip this one, but it’s a great way to be outside and enjoy the weather before it gets too hot. Plus, this is the only UNESCO site in Singapore. I’ve bookmarked this specific tour because it would be a great way to explore this area and enjoy breakfast.
Orchard Road
You can visit this upscale shopping area near the Botanic Gardens. You might not be that interested in a mall, but they are next level in Asia (coming from someone who grew up near the Mall of America). Consider at least one mall on your Singapore itinerary.
Marina Bay Sands
At midday, it’s time to head to one of the most famous buildings in Singapore. Marina Bay Sands is a mix of a mall, a resort, and an art installation. Head to the Skypark Observation Deck, visit the Artscience Museum, or just wander through the mall and enjoy the views and interesting stores. You’ll have free access to the rooftop pool if you book a night’s stay there.
Get a ticket to the stunning Artscience Museum here and add on admission to the observation deck to hold your spot.
Gardens by the Bay
When the heat kicks in during the afternoon, you can escape inside at the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome. Learn about some of Singapore’s incredible eco-friendly initiatives and explore the colorful blooms with rotating exhibits in the Flower Dome throughout the year. Grab a snack here and enjoy the air conditioning while still feeling like you’re in nature.
Book your admission ticket online in advance here.
Sunset and After Dark at the Supertree Grove
Hang out in the area until the sun sets because the Supertree Grove is so cool at nighttime. Each one lights up, and the walkway above gives you a cool overview of the entire garden area. This is a super popular tourist site on a Singapore itinerary, but for good reasons. You won’t see anything like this anywhere else.
Day 3 – Enjoy the Multicultural Wonders of this City
Bugis Street Market
Beat the crowds by reaching the Bugis Street Market earlier in the day. The markets open around 10 AM, and you can find souvenirs and gifts for everyone on your list. There are over 800 different stalls. You can also check out the Sri Krishnan Temple in the area to enjoy the South-Indian temple. Don’t forget to try some food here.
Raffles Hotel
Even if you aren’t staying at the fancy Raffles Hotel, it’s a fun place to come and enjoy the famous Singapore Sling. The hotel bar features all-you-can-eat peanuts and this tall and refreshing cocktail. The building started as a privately owned beach house built in the 1830s and became a hotel in 1878. It became the Raffles Hotel in 1887 with just 10 rooms. Now, after recent renovations, while we were there, it’s reopened with 115 suites.
Little India
Head over to Serangoon Road, and you’ll find yourself deep in the Little India neighborhood. Visit the Indian Heritage Center if you want some inside time. There are incredible murals throughout this part of the city that are worth seeking out. Spend time wandering through the streets and enjoying the architecture and colorful structures everywhere. This part of town cannot be missed.
Sultan Mosque
The Sultan Mosque is a must-see in the heart of the Kampong Gelam district. It was built in 1824 for the first sultan of Singapore. One of the coolest parts of this incredible building is that each dome base is decorated with glass bottles. Those were donated by low-income Muslims to help show that all Muslims could contribute. The mosque offers guided tours in many languages.
Dinner on Haji Lane
I saved one of the best parts of town for this last night. Haji Lane is just outside of the Sultan Mosque. The street is filled with enticing restaurants and music clubs. Explore the shops and take a million photos of all the colorful artwork until you’re ready to feast. My favorite restaurant here is Flying Monkey, but it looks like it’s “temporarily closed,” so try the Coconut Club or Blu Jaz.
Day 4 – One Final Colorful Singapore Surprise
Peranakan Houses and Katong
Before heading out of town, we recommend making a morning stop in the Katong neighborhood with the stunning Peranakan Houses. If you take the train, you’ll get off near the Haig Road market, where you can find a stall serving Putu Piring. Once you’ve had a treat, walk to the Peranakan Houses. They are a perfect example of the old homes that were common in Singapore for a long time. Visiting earlier in the day will help you avoid hoards of influencers snapping photos in front of the pastel homes. If it’s already hot, stop at Birds of Paradise Gelato before grabbing a ride to the airport.
Head to the Airport with Time to Explore
The Singapore Airport is insane and it’s a given on any Singapore itinerary (unless you’re sailing into town). With a giant indoor waterfall and garden features, it’s OK to get here on the early side and enjoy the beauty of this space. You were likely so excited when you arrived that you missed all the fun features of this high-tech, futuristic airport.
Other Add-On Options for a Longer Singapore Itinerary
Singapore Zoo
The Singapore Zoo is a popular attraction. One unique experience offered is the Breakfast with the Orangutans. We aren’t zoo people, but if you’re traveling with kids or want to add this experience to your trip, grab a ticket.
Southern Ridges
Take a guided hiking tour along the Southern Ridges of Singapore. You’ll get some of the best views in the country and learn more about the native plants in the region. It’s a great way to spend time outdoors and work the legs.
Haw Par Villa
The Haw Par Villa heritage park covers Asian culture, history, religion, and philosophy. The park was originally donated by the millionaire philanthropist who created Tiger Balm. There are workshops, exhibits, and more to explore here.
Universal Studios Singapore
Love theme parks? Add Universal Studios to your Singapore itinerary. You can purchase a one-day pass and explore seven different park sections. Ride the rides and enjoy the activities at this popular theme park.
Sentosa Island Beaches
Take a day on Sentosa Island to sprinkle some beach time into your Singapore exploration. There are tons of activities here, like the cable car, water sports, and even a hydrodash water park.
Things to Know Before Visiting Singapore
- The laws in Singapore are extremely strict. Do not chew gum, litter, or jaywalk. Most of the things you should avoid doing anywhere, but they come with a strict penalty here.
- Do not drive in Singapore unless you really need to. You must have an international driving permit and additional insurance. Transportation is very easy, and you definitely do not need a car.
- Tipping is appreciated but not expected. You can tip if you receive excellent service.
- Singapore is incredibly safe and clean. If you’ve been to any large city, you’ll notice the cleanliness almost immediately. Plus, there are rules and signs posted everywhere and people follow them.
Where to Stay in Singapore
There really isn’t a bad area to stay in Singapore. Each day in this itinerary is organized so you are in the same section of town, but it’s easy to get around on public transportation in Singapore. Our first hotel was more budget-friendly, but the rooms were clean and nice, and there was a great restaurant downstairs. Here is the link for that spot.
The second time we visited Singapore, we stayed in the Katong neighborhood at this hotel with a rooftop pool, and we LOVED it. The rooms were very spacious, and we could explore different parts of the city.
The Raffles Hotel and the Marina Bay Sands are iconic hotels in Singapore. They are even on our itinerary. If you want to have an epic, luxury trip to Singapore. I would check these hotels out.
Final Thoughts on Singapore
Let us know if you plan a trip to Singapore so we can follow along on Instagram. There is so much to explore in this beautiful city.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Singapore is known for its huge variety of food from around the world. Definitely enjoy as many flavors as possible. The hawker stalls are legendary, and you can get some great food for a cheap price.
We found the hotels and attractions to be more expensive in Singapore than in other areas of Southeast Asia. Kuala Lumpur was much more affordable to stay and explore.
Gardens by the Bay is the number one attraction. There’s nothing like the supertrees anywhere else, and the gardens are so beautifully laid out.
The temperatures are warm year-round, so I recommend visiting when you need a break from cold weather. Chinese New Year, which occurs early in the year and is the biggest holiday in this country, is also a good time to visit.
Public transportation is easy in Singapore, but we recommend walking if the weather isn’t too hot. There’s so much to explore, and it’s best seen on foot.
Singapore is close to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and some of the popular destinations in Thailand. The airport is so busy that it’s a great spot to add a layover for a few days.
