How to spend 3 days in Singapore

Travel Itinerary

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Itinerary by: Sook

3 years ago

Traveller

Duration: 3 days

Itinerary Contents

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3

Itinerary Introduction

Have you ever heard people saying "3 days is more than enough for Singapore", "Singapore has nothing much to see because it's so small"? In this itinerary, I combined popular tourist destinations with lesser-known ones so it's not just populated with gentrified tourist attractions. Explore Singapore's off-the-beaten path attractions on your own free-and-easy trip. This itinerary is designed with active people in mind (there's lots of walking involved) and for those who want to use this as a complementary option to add on to the main attractions of Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Jewel Changi Airport, Sentosa etc. It is also well suited for those who want to appreciate the unique potpourri that is Singaporean culture in more detail and depth. Cover photos by Pang Yuhao, Keming Tan, Kirill Petropavlov, Miguel Sousa and Mike Enerio respectively on Unsplash

Useful information about Singapore

The history of Singapore

Singapore as the independent republic it is today only emerged as recently as 1965, having previously been a state of Malaysia. Long used as a trading port, the Island of Singapore was settled at least as far back as the fourteenth century. The last king of the Kingdom of Singapura was Parameswara, and Singapore was then taken over by the Malacca Sultanate, followed by the Johor Sultanate, before the British established the crown colony of Singapore in 1867. After being occupied by the Japanese during World War II, Singapore was again controlled by the British, before joining Malaysia in 1963, and finally securing independence in 1965.

The economy of Singapore

Singapore modernised rapidly in the 1960s and 1970s, and the prosperous country now boasts the highest per capita GDP in Asia, and the seventh-highest per capita GDP in the world.

A fun fact from Singapore

Singapore is a city, a state, and a country. It’s also among the twenty smallest countries in the world, and covers around 275 square miles.

The language in Singapore

Singapore is a real melting pot of cultures, meaning that a lot of languages are spoken here. Malay is the official language, but as well as Malay, the most commonly used languages are English, Chinese and Tamil, with English being spoken between Singaporeans of different native languages. Singlish (a colloquial English) is also spoken.

Best times to visit Singapore

The weather in Singapore is warm all year, but there can be short downpours, particularly in the monsoon season, which runs between November and January. June and July are two of the busiest months to visit Singapore, and they coincide with sale season in the shops, but the temperature can be hot and humid. February is also busy due to Chinese New Year. For this reason, February can be a fun time to visit Singapore, thanks to the celebratory activities taking place, but markets and malls often close. You may wish to avoid coming during the Singapore Grand Prix, which usually takes place in September each year, because accommodation prices rise and the city-state becomes busy with visitors from around the world. The weather is most pleasant for exploring in March, April and May, before the temperature reaches its summertime peak. While they're during monsoon season, December and January are the coolest months, with temperatures around 24℃, making these months the best time to visit Singapore if you're planning on outdoor activities. August to November tend to be the quietest months to visit Singapore. At the end of the summer, August is still hot, and it’s also drier than other months, with September hot and misty, with occasional strong winds. In October, storms can come in the evenings, with short bursts of rain, and rain showers become even more likely in November. As the low season, these months are a good time to visit to escape the crowds.

Getting to Singapore

Singapore’s Changi Airport welcomes a lot of flight connections, meaning there are direct flights from around the world. Once you’ve arrived, it’s around a half-hour drive from the airport to the city centre. There are two options for taking the train from the airport: from Changi Airport MRT Station, either go to Tanah Merah MRT Station and switch to the East West Line in the direction of Tuas Link MRT Station, or travel to Expo MRT Station and switch to the Downtown Line in the direction of Bukit Panjang MRT Station. Lots of public buses run from the airport throughout the day.

Getting around in Singapore

Taxis are popular in Singapore, and while it is possible to walk to many of the city-state’s attractions, when the temperature is hot, taking a taxi can be a more pleasant way to travel. The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is the quickest way to get around Singapore, and the bus is the most scenic. To travel on either of these, use the Singapore Tourist Pass (STP), which can be bought in many train stations, for unlimited travel across one-, two- or three days. Alternatively, simply use your contactless Mastercard or Visa card to pay your fare. Or, buy an Adult Stored Value Smartcard for $12, which includes $7 to use on public transport and can be bought at convenience stores and Transitlink ticket offices. For a more active option that’s best suited to the cooler months, rent a bike from a licensed operator and follow the cycle paths around town.

Local cuisine in Singapore

With so many different cultures living in Singapore, the cuisine is a wonderful mix of tastes, with Malay, Chinese and Indian influences, as well as European-Asian fusions, Peranakan (a medley of Chinese and Malay flavours) and even Western food. Singapore’s national dish, however, is the flavourful chicken rice, a Hainanese poached chicken-and-rice dish with chilli sauce.

Tipping in Singapore

Tips are not expected in Singapore, and can be seen as rude. Occasionally, you might see a tipping jar at the entrance to a restaurant, so do feel free to drop some change into these. As a reference, around 5–10% is the correct amount if you do choose to tip.

Local customs in Singapore

There are some local customs worth knowing before visiting Singapore. For example, it’s impolite to wear your shoes in someone’s house, so always take them off when entering a home, and the same applies to temples and mosques. Rest your chopsticks on the top of your bowl during meals, and avoid leaving them sticking upright in your food, which is reserved for funerals. If you’re looking for an empty table in a market and see a packet of tissues with “Chope!” printed on them, these have been placed by someone to save their spot, so don’t move them away. Finally, smoke only in designated areas.

Beaches in Singapore

As an island nation with a tropical climate, Singapore has some excellent beaches – although many are now manmade. Head to Sentosa Island, just below the main island, for some of the best: Tanjong, Siloso and Palawan.

Singapore - Travel Itinerary

Day 1

09:00 - 10:00

Conserved Peranakan Terrace Houses

150 E Coast Rd, Singapore 428837

These houses, while being very similar to the Peranakan houses, are built on raised columns to protect its occupants against rising tides as this area was what used to be the seafront of Singapore. Deliberately painted in contrasting yet complementary pastel colours, these rows of pastel-coloured buildings are ideal for an insta-worthy picture. Photo by Winel Sutanto on Unsplash

Article By: Sook

Price covers: Entry

Prices for Conserved Peranakan Terrace Houses
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	Free

Notes

Explore this area by starting off with the local Singaporean breakfast at Chin Mee Chin Confectionary for their traditional kaya toast and kopi/teh (coffee/tea) just two streets the the right of the Peranakan Terrace Houses. Note that Singaporean coffee/tea are slightly more robust and strong as compared to Americano/Latte/Milk Tea.

Conserved Peranakan Terrace Houses

10:00 - 11:00

Peranakan Houses

287 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427540

These vibrant and unique architectural landmarks are in the Katong/Joo Chiat neighbourhood. Once an area filled with coconut and cotton plantations as well as country shophouses and seaside bungalows for the wealthy in the 19th century, this area has transformed into a residential suburb populated by wealthy English-speaking Peranakans (generally referring to Straits-born Chinese of Malay/Indonesian heritage) and Eurasians within a span of a few decades. This area which was named after Chew Joo Chiat, a wealthy Peranakan trader, landowner and philanthropist, became the first ever designated Heritage Town in Singapore in 2011. While the plantations are gone, visitors can still soak up the unique Peranakan and colonial architecture in the forms of two-storey shophouses and terrace houses. Photo by Winel Sutanto on Unsplash

Article By: Sook

Price covers: Entry

Prices for Peranakan Houses
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	Free

Notes

En route to the Peranakan Houses for some photo time, slow down your pace and drop into one of the many shophouses lining East Coast Road. Some notable shops are Rumah Bebe and Birds of Paradise Gelato Boutique.

Peranakan Houses

11:00 - 12:00

Eurasian Heritage Gallery

139 Ceylon Rd, The Eurasian Association, Singapore 429744

If you want to learn all about the Eurasians community in Singapore, the Eurasian Heritage Gallery explores the intricate history and diverse culture behind one of the smallest but earliest ethnic group in Singapore. As the term 'Eurasians' suggest, be prepared to experience the beautiful coming together of East and West cultures. If you have the chance, take part in immersive experiences such as sampling Eurasian dishes, participate in cooking sessions, or even a Portugese folk-dance workshop! For those who're hungry, there is an on-site Eurasian restaurant called Quentin's The Eurasian Restaurant where they serve up perfected recipes handed down from generations. Foreign visitors need to pay SGD$5 entry fee while locals and permanent residents are free-of-charge. There are also tours you can opt for at SGD$8 which includes a complementary guided tour, a slice of sugee cake and a cup of tea. If you want a more comprehensive tour, you can opt for the Origin Journey Eurasian Heritage Tour at SGD$60/pax - a 4-hour programme with a Peranakan bento set lunch included by Quentin’s Eurasian Restaurant. Photo by Winel Sutanto on Unsplash

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Article By: Sook

Price covers: Entry

Prices for Eurasian Heritage Gallery
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	3.70 USD

Notes

Have lunch at Quentin's or head back down to sample the famous 328 Laksa along the main East Coast Road.

Eurasian Heritage Gallery

12:00 - 18:00

East Coast Park

E Coast Park Service Rd, East Coast Park, Singapore

East Coast Park is a beloved park that stretches 15km from Changi Airport all the way to Marina Bay, basically the entire coastal area on the South-East region of Singapore. With a total land size of 185 hectares (which translates to about 345 football fields), visitors will be overwhelmed with the kinds of activities available to do: - Bicycles and in-line skates rental: Rentals available for as low as SGD$8. Normally, rental shops include a promotion where they give you a complementary hour free. - Coastal Playgrove: Housing a 4-storey vertical net play feature, it is Singapore's tallest outdoor play area suitable for children and adults alike! Children can also splash around the water play area and immerse themselves among nature at the Nature Playgarden. There are also a variety of food options here. - Children's Playground at Marine Cove: Over 3,500 sqm of play area for children (and those young at heart). Toddlers are welcomed too! - Singapore Wake Park: Singapore's only cable-ski park, it is an adrenaline fix for both beginners and experienced riders. - Variety of Sea Sports: Enjoy a variety of sea sports from windsurfing to stand-up paddling to sailing (depending on the capricious weather conditions of course). - East Coast Lagoon Food Village: Be one amongst the smokey aromas of satay (grilled skewered meat), the seafood-y umami of grilled stingray bathed in sambal sauce (Malay/Indonesian chilli sauce) while sipping a cool and refreshing sugar cane drink. Photo by Christian Chen on Unsplash

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Article By: Sook

Price covers: Entry

Prices for East Coast Park
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	Free

Notes

Have a chill and relaxing first day in Singapore by ending your day at East Coast Beach. How many people can say that they cycled all the way to Changi Airport from East Coast or cycled all the way down to Gardens by the Bay? Just remember to return your bikes before the time limit. Have dinner at the East Coast Lagoon Food Village to have your first deep dive into local cuisine! Singaporean food is much more than just Newton Circus Food Centre (Crazy Rich Asians reference).

East Coast Park

Day 2

09:00 - 12:00

Singapore Botanic Gardens

1 Cluny Rd, Singapore 259569

The country's first and only (at the point of writing) UNESCO's World Heritage Site as well as the first tropical botanic garden to be inscribed back in 2015, the Botanic Gardens spans over 60 hectares which houses a myriad of attractions. The most popular of all has to be the National Orchid Garden which boasts the world's largest collection of the flower species (over 60,000 plants and orchids)! Be careful not to get lost in the intertwining paths as you hop from one attraction to another. It's almost hard to believe that this tranquil garden is just a five minutes drive away from the bustling and busy Orchard Road. Entry into the garden is free but selected attractions imposes entry fees. For the National Orchid Garden, foreign visitors have to pay around $3 (students and seniors) to $15 (adults). Photos by Antoinette Biehlmeier and Annie Spratt on Unsplash respectively

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Article By: Sook

Price covers: Entry

Prices for Singapore Botanic Gardens
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	Free

Notes

Explore the vast expense of the Botanic Gardens. Recommended to enter from the Bukit Timah Gate rather than Tanglin Gate for a smoother travel experience. Take the MRT (train) to Botanic Gardens Station and either grab some local cheap food from Adam Road Food Centre or drop by Serene Centre for some Western cafe food. You may also want to take away the food to have a morning picnic session in the gardens!

Singapore Botanic Gardens

12:00 - 14:00

Chinatown

133 New Bridge Rd, Singapore 059413

Looking at the Chinatown of today, one can never imagine the delipidated and filthy conditions the Chinese immigrants of the past lived in. When the British arrived in Singapore in 1819, they begin working to segregate ethnic groups according to various territories along the Singapore River. Chinatown for the Chinese, Kampong Glam for the Malays, Little India for the Indians and the Europeans in European Town. Contrary to its name, Chinatown is not exclusively Chinese. In fact, Singapore's Chinatown is the only Chinatown in the world where a Buddhist temple (Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum), Mosque (Masjid Jamae) and Hindu temple (Sri Mariamman Temple) coexist peacefully on one single street. Chinatown actually consists of five different precincts - Tanjong Pagar, Bukit Pasoh, Kreta Ayer, Telok Ayer and Ann Siang. From two-storey colonial shophouses to the sprawling 50-storey Duxton Pinnacle, from traditional Chinese teahouses to hip bars, from uncles dressed in singlets playing chess in Kreta Ayer Square to businessmen dressed in crisp button-downs holding a cup of Starbucks while rushing to their next appointment - this unlikely combination of the old and new created the unique unspoken charm that Chinatown has. 1st photo by Albert Vincent Wu, 2nd by Simone Fischer, 3rd by NICHOLAS LOO, 4th and 5th by Lily Banse on Unsplash

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Article By: Sook

Price covers: Entry

Prices for Chinatown
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Standard	Free

Notes

Have lunch at the expansive Chinatown Complex which houses hundreds of food stalls in addition to shops selling souvenirs, clothes and other knick-knacks. Alternatively, you could also follow your nose to see where it leads you along the plethora of food places selling Chinese and other cuisines.

Chinatown

14:00 - 16:00

Kampong Glam

Kampong Glam, Singapore

Kampong Glam is derived from the Malay words for compound, "kampong", and the paperbark tree called "Gelam", which is commonly found in the area and used for boat-making, food seasoning and even medicine. One of the oldest neighbourhood, it too was demarcated by the British in 19th century to be the home of Malay, Arab and Bugis communities. Nowadays, it is a seamless blend between cultural traditions and a burgeoning hipster community. Just like Chinatown and Little India, Kampong Glam has also embraced modernity without forgetting its roots. You can find traditional Malay grub here just as easily as a hip cafe serving acai. Street art aficionados can satisfy themselves with Singapore's first outdoor gallery, home to 30 works of street art and murals by local and international artists alike! Photos by Jia Han, Bna Ignacio and Chapman Chow on Unsplash respectively

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Article By: Sook

Price covers: Entry

Prices for Kampong Glam
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Standard	Free

Kampong Glam

16:00 - 19:00

Little India

Little India, Singapore

Little India is an assault (in a good way) on the senses every time you visit. Another one of the ethnic enclaves designated by the British in 19th century, it offers a little slice of India in multicultural Singapore. There's lots to see, eat and do here in this neighbourhood. Satisfy your cravings with delicacies ranging from North Indian to South Indian and everything in between. Fancy some shopping while you're at it? Go to the 24-hour Mustafa or wade through the hustle and bustle of Tekka Centre and Little India Arcade. You'll be able to find anything you're looking for, guaranteed! Photos by Danist Soh and Charles Postiaux on Unsplash respectively

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Article By: Sook

Price covers: Entry

Prices for Little India
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Standard	Free

Notes

Feast yourself on the hustle and bustle of Little India once dusk hits and also literally feast yourself on the humongous variety of Indian cuisine all the way from North Indian to South Indian and everything in between!

Little India

Day 3

08:00 - 10:00

Tiong Bahru

Tiong Bahru, Singapore

Tiong Bahru is the oldest housing estate in Singapore and that is evident from the uniquely designed flats in the area. Dating back to 1930s, the style of flats along Tiong Bahru and Seng Poh Road, the main highlight of the area, are a testament of the Art Deco style fashionable at that time. Long symmetrical shapes, spiral staircases, curved corners and round porthole peepholes gives the area a quintessential charm that cannot be replicated elsewhere. In recent years, the area experienced gentrification, bringing about new swanky cafes and independent boutique shops. However, the old-school places like Tiong Bahru Market and Qi Tian Gong Temple (Monkey God Temple) manages to hold on to people's hearts and as a result, the area became an eclectic mix of the old and the new. All photos by Rayson Tan on Unsplash

Article By: Sook

Price covers: Entry

Prices for Tiong Bahru
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Notes

Start your day at the Tiong Bahru Market and find out which hawker stalls are the most delicious by asking the locals or you can just observe which stalls have the longest queue (Singaporeans love to join queues). If you want, get up a little earlier to catch the bustling wet market where people buy fresh food and vegetables. If you've had enough of local food for awhile, there's also the all so familiar taste of home in the cafes to be found in the neighbourhood. Explore the area and admire how different it is from the usual skyline you see in Singapore.

Tiong Bahru

11:00 - 12:00

Haw Par Villa

262 Pasir Panjang Rd, Singapore 118628

If you're into gory and dystopian dioramas based around Buddhist and Taoist teachings, this place is perfect for you. Though not on the listed recommended sites to visit when you come to Singapore, Haw Par Villa will surely remain in your memories for a long time to come. Filled with over 1,000 sculptures that has been restored over the years, the park's main attraction is the ten courts of Hell exhibit, which has been revamped and expanded to include a newly added Hell's museum. Expanding on the Buddhist and Taoist narrative of death, more religions have been included to curate the world's first museum on the topic of death and the afterlife. It's difficult to express how stationary sculptures can bring about a sense of unease and eeriness so do visit to experience it yourself! Built in 1937 by the Aw brothers who brought Tiger Balm into the world, it was originally intended to be a theme park for children to learn about Buddhist and Taoist teachings. However, that plan was abandoned and in recent years, a private tour operator took over the grounds from the government and planned an interesting list of things to revitalise the area, including an upcoming escape room, container hotel and even art jamming sessions! Do note that although the main park grounds are free, Hell's museum charges an entrance fee of SGD$18 for adults and $10 for children (free for children under 6 years old but you probably won't want to bring them here). Photo by Vuitton Lim on Unsplash

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Prices for Haw Par Villa
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Haw Par Villa

13:00 - 15:00

Gillman Barracks

9 Lock Rd, Singapore 108937

The colonial looking architecture is a nod back to Gillman Barrack's history as a former British military barracks back in 1936. Surrounded by lush greenery, it is located just a few minutes drive away from the city centre. Launched in 2012, the area's smattering collection of buildings was set to be a collection of art galleries displaying international and home-grown art, giving rise to one of Singapore's art enclave. Some are permanent galleries while others are temporary so you will definitely not see the same things on every visit! It also houses cafes, bars and restaurants to provide places of respite from all the walking. Photo by Estherkhm from Wikipedia

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Article By: Sook

Price covers: Entry

Prices for Gillman Barracks
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	Free

Notes

Do look up on what galleries and exhibits are there at Gillman before you commit to going there.

Gillman Barracks

16:00 - 18:00

Southern Ridges

10, Telok Blangah Green, Telok Blangah Hill Park, Singapore 109178

Ever thought the words hiking (more like walking) and Singapore don't go together? Actually, there are a lot of trails and hiking enthusiast groups hidden amongst the supposed 'concrete jungle'. The Southern Ridges trails is just one amongst the tons of walking trails in Singapore. This 10km stretch connects Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, HortPark, Kent Ridge Park and Labrador Nature Reserve, offering a fresh respite to take one's mind off stresses in our daily lives. Feel free to start and end at any point of the journey if you don't plan on completing the trail but the top recommendations are Henderson Waves and HortPark. Standing at 36m, the former is the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore and an ideal spot to catch the sunset. The latter can rival Botanic Gardens in terms of being the most beautiful and idyllic park in the garden city. The 23-hectare park offers an serene and tranquil respite from the bustling of the city right next to it. Like any other garden/park in the city, there's some cafes where you can rest your feet at, sipping on coffee all while enjoying the lush greenery around you. Photo by Felix Fuchs, Will Truettner and Rita Chou on Unsplash respectively

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Article By: Sook

Price covers: Entry

Prices for Southern Ridges
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Notes

Catch the sunset at Henderson Waves.

Southern Ridges

19:00 - 20:00

Lau Pa Sat

18 Raffles Quay, Singapore 048582

Gazetted as a national monument in 1973, Lau Pa Sat or Telok Ayer Market has been an iconic presence ever since it was built as a wet market back in the 19th century. In present day, it has been converted to an iconic hawker centre housing all types of local food you can find. Granted, it is in the middle of the central business district so prices tend to run slightly higher and lunchtime will see waves upon waves of office workers, but the real gem happens when nightfalls. Every night, a satay street is set up on the cordoned off Boon Tat Road to allow food stalls to set up along the street, giving off a bustling night market vibe you can easily find in Bangkok. Serving not only satay (skewered meat) and grilled seafood, one can also easily get food dishes from all over the world in just one location. Photos by Ethan Hu and Lily Banse on Unsplash respectively

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Article By: Sook

Price covers: Entry

Prices for Lau Pa Sat
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Notes

Enjoy your last experience at this open air night market and feast yourselves on the delectable satays and sambal stingrays and a plethora of other dishes.

Lau Pa Sat

Privacy: public

Submitted by: Sook, 3 years ago

About the author

Sook

A dreamer trapped in a physical body, daydreaming about the day where I break free of societal constraints and own a quiet cafe/b&b/farm in Jeju island 👩🏼‍🌾

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