3-Day Singapore Itinerary: The Best Attractions, Food & Culture

Looking for a DIY Singapore Itinerary? This guide covers the top attractions in Singapore in an easy-to-follow route that allows you to experience the best the Garden City has to offer.

By: Paul Healy | Last Updated: February 7, 2026 | Jump to Comments

From our first visit to Singapore over 20 years ago, there seems to be so much more to do.

It’s no longer just a quick stopover between Europe and Asia; Singapore is worth exploring properly.

There are world-class museums, cool bars, some of the best street food in the world, colonial heritage and modern touches that make Singapore a city well worth getting to know.

This 3-day itinerary covers the best modern attractions, historic neighbourhoods, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, top food, museum highlights, and cultural landmarks.

Each day includes a mix of indoor and outdoor activities to help manage the heat, and we’ve organised each day to make it as efficient as possible.

If you find this itinerary useful, you might also like to read our guide to the best things to do in Singapore, which has more options if you have a little more time.

Table of Contents show

Map: 3 Days in Singapore

We’ve organised the map below into the 3 days so you can see where you’ll be exploring each day.

Click on the top right corner to open our map in your Google Maps app. Click the star next to the title to save it to your Google account.

Our Singapore Itinerary

Day 1: Chinatown & Marina Bay

Colonial District

Start your Singapore trip in the historic heart of the city. The Colonial District is quite cool early in the morning, so it’s the perfect time to explore before the heat kicks in.

From Merlion Park, get the iconic photo of Singapore’s national symbol with the Marina Bay Sands hotel in the background.

Head over to the Fullerton Hotel to admire the lobby of this beautifully restored heritage building, before making your way to the Asian Civilisations Museum.

Asian Civilisations Museum

The Asian Civilisations Museum traces the origins of Asian cultures, from Islamic West Asia through Southeast Asia to China. It’s an interesting museum, but it’s not huge. Allow around 1-1.5 hours to see it all.

Chinatown

From the Raffles Hotel, it should take around 15 minutes to walk to Chinatown.

Chinatown is a maze of narrow roads with souvenir shops, boutiques and trendy bars. Before lunch, you should have time to explore a few of the highlights in the area.

Spend a bit of time wandering around, soaking up the atmosphere.

Pop into the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. This beautiful 5-storey Buddhist temple houses what’s believed to be Buddha’s tooth. The rooftop garden is free to enter, but you are asked to dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered).

Chinatown Complex Food Centre

This is Singapore’s largest hawker centre with over 260 stalls – your first proper introduction to Singapore’s incredible hawker culture.

Try the Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice from the world’s first Michelin-starred hawker stall.There will be a queue, but it generally moves fast.

chinatown complex singapore — Chinatown Complex Food Centre

3 day singapore itinerary 4 — Chinatown Complex Food Centre

Gardens by the Bay

After lunch, make your way over to Gardens by the Bay. The best way to get there is to take the MRT to Bayfront Station, then it’s a 10-minute walk.

Gardens by the Bay is Singapore’s most spectacular modern attraction—a massive 101-hectare horticultural wonderland on reclaimed land next to Marina Bay.

There are several different attractions which are:

Supertree Grove & outdoor gardens: FREE
Conservatories (Flower Dome + Cloud Forest): S$28 adults, S$15 children
OCBC Skyway: S$14 adults, S$10 children
Supertree Observatory: S$14 adults, S$10 children
Book: Gardens by the Bay combo tickets (save up to 15% by booking online)

We suggest starting with the Flower Dome & Cloud Forest. They are both great to visit, and it’s a good place to be when the heat of the day is at its peak.

Enter the Cloud Forest first. Take the lift to the top floor and walk down through the Cloud Walk and Tree Top walk.

Next, cross over to the Flower Dome to explore the world’s largest glass greenhouse with Mediterranean and semi-arid plants.

cloud forest gardens by the bay singapore

flower dome gardens by the bay singapore

Supertree Observatory

After the conservatories, head up to the Supertree Observatory. This is the tallest of the Supertrees, offering panoramic views of the entire Gardens by the Bay complex and the Marina Bay skyline.

Satay by the Bay

Grab a drink and snack at Satay by the Bay (hawker-style food court) or one of the cafés in the Gardens by the Bay complex if you need a quick pick-me-up before the evening activities.

Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Observation Deck

From Gardens by the Bay, it’s around a 5-minute walk to the pedestrian bridge to the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Head up to the SkyPark Observation Deck to take in a truly remarkable sunset.

There is a small bar selling drinks and basic snacks. However, it’s standing-room-only on the standard SkyPark ticket.

If you want to sit and have a drink, you’ll need to book a table at one of the rooftop bars (Cé La Vi, LAVO).

Spectra Light & Fountain Show

After the SkyPark, head down to ground level and walk to the waterfront promenade for the free Spectra Light & Fountain show, a synchronised water and laser production.

The best location is from the Event Plaza in front of Marina Bay Sands Shopping Mall. The show takes place at 8 PM and 9 PM daily (plus 10 PM on Fridays & Saturdays)

Amoy Street, Chinatown

Take the MRT from Bayfront to Chinatown (one stop), to finish the night up in Amoy Street, Chinatown.

Amoy Street is where locals go for a night out. It’s a row of restored shophouses packed with creative restaurants and cool bars.

Here are a few dinner options:

For Dumplings & Cocktails: Dumpling Darlings has creative dumplings and excellent cocktails in a trendy setting. Expect a queue or book ahead. Budget: S$30-40 per person.
For Sichuan Flavours: Birds of a Feather does modern Chinese cuisine with bold flavours.
For fine dining: Hashida by master chef Kenjiro Hashida offers excellent Omakase. Expect to pay around S$150+ per person.
For Budget-Friendly: Maxwell Food Centre is a great choice for more hawker options.

Drinks at Boat Quay or Clarke Quay

Boat Quay is a 10-minute walk from Amoy Street. It’s a historic riverside strip beneath modern skyscrapers. It’s touristy, but it’s a good place for a nightcap with waterfront views.

Clarke Quay is around a 15-minute walk from Amoy Street. This former warehouse district has been converted into a purpose-built entertainment area. There’s a more local crowd, especially on weekends and a better selection of bars and clubs if you want a longer night out.

Day 2: Gardens & Culture

Singapore Botanic Gardens

The Singapore Botanical Gardens are open from 5 AM so you can get an early start today to beat the heat.

To get here, catch the MRT to Botanic Gardens station (Circle or Downtown Line), from there it’s a 5-minute walk to Tanglin Gate

Spread across 82 hectares, the gardens are the first and only tropical garden in the world to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You’ll find a mix of stunning flowers, landscaped lawns, jungle walks and pretty ponds.

The general gardens are free, but we recommend purchasing a ticket to the National Orchid Garden (8:30 AM-7 PM). It has 1,000 orchid species in stunning themed displays. Don’t miss the VIP Orchid Garden, where orchids are named after famous visitors.

botanic gardens singapore 3 — National Orchid Garden

Orchard Road & National Museum

After the Botanical Gardens, catch the MRT to Orchard to explore Orchard Road. You could also walk, but it’s around 30 minutes from the National Orchid Garden.

Singapore’s famous shopping boulevard is worth a stroll even if you’re not buying anything. The air-conditioned malls are the perfect refuge from the afternoon heat.

National Museum of Singapore

It’s around a 10-minute walk from Orchard Road to the National Museum of Singapore. So, after you’ve cooled off with a bit of shopping, you’re perfectly located to explore the museum.

You could also catch the MRT to Bras Basah.

The National Museum of Singapore is the city’s oldest museum and offers a fascinating look into Singapore’s history. You are guided through the city’s evolution across various engaging exhibitions.

The Life in Singapore Galleries are particularly good to get an understanding of what it has been like to live in the city over the years.

Book skip-the-line tickets for the National Museum of Singapore.

Important Note: The main Singapore History Gallery is closed for renovation until October 2026.

Sunset Drinks at Level 33

After the museum, take the MRT to Raffles Place (2 stops from Bras Basah), then it’s a 5-minute walk to Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 1, where we recommend you go for a sunset drink.

Level 33 is Singapore’s highest urban microbrewery with spectacular views over Marina Bay. To score a good seat on the outdoor deck, it’s a good idea to book in advance.

We tried a few, but this is one of the best bars with a view in the city. The added bonus is that the drinks are not ridiculously overpriced.

Boon Tat Street (Satay Street)

After soaking up the magnificent views at Level 33, walk for 5 minutes to Raffles Place. (or catch the MRT)

Every evening from 7pm, Boon Tat Street closes to traffic and transforms into Satay Street – one of Singapore’s most atmospheric outdoor dining experiences.

You’ll find plastic tables out in the street and smoke from multiple satay grill vendors wafting in the air.

It’s full of vendors touting for business, but it’s one of those quintessential Singapore experiences – sitting on a street, surrounded by skyscrapers, eating satay and drinking cold beer.

Day 3: Kampong Glam & Colonial Heritage

Kampong Glam

Kampong Glam is Singapore’s historic Muslim Quarter and one of its oldest residential areas. There aren’t major tourist attractions here; this neighbourhood is all about atmosphere, colourful streets and interesting boutiques.

To get here take the MRT to Bugis or Nicoll Highway stations

Sultan Mosque (Masjid Sultan)

Begin at Singapore’s most iconic mosque, known for its golden domes and intricate Islamic architecture. Entry is free but you need to be dressed modestly. Robes are available at the entrance if needed.

Haji Lane

Leaving the mosque, head for Haji Lane, a narrow street that’s become Instagram-famous for its colourful shophouses, street art, and boutique shops.

The main thing we loved about Haji Lane was the street art. There’s also a lot of great coffee.

Arab Street & Surroundings

Arab Street is another main thoroughfare lined with shops selling Turkish carpets, perfumes, fabrics, and Middle Eastern goods. Great for browsing and soaking in the atmosphere.

Kampong Glam Lunch

Find somewhere in the Kampong Glam area for lunch. Here are a few suggestions from us.

Zam Zam (North Bridge Road) – Famous for murtabak (stuffed flatbread) since 1908. S$6-12 per person. Expect queues.
Victory Restaurant (North Bridge Road) – Excellent nasi padang (rice with various curries and dishes). S$8-12 per person.
The Malayan Council (Aliwal Street) – Modern Malay/Peranakan cuisine in a stylish setting. Great cocktails too. S$25-35 per person.
Piedra Negra (Bali Lane) – Excellent Mexican food if you need a break from Asian cuisine. S$25-35 per person.

National Gallery of Singapore

Next, head to the National Gallery of Singapore to admire a great collection of art in two of Singapore’s most historic buildings.

It’s a 15-minute walk from Kampong Glam, or you can take the MRT to City Hall.

The primary focus of the gallery is the influence of European culture as told through Asian art techniques.

Our highlight was Xu Beihong’s portrait of Lim Loh, one of Singapore’s pioneers who, alongside the Chinese, fought against the Japanese. There is also a special focus on life in Singapore throughout the years.

After strolling through the galleries, visit the Rotunda Library and Archive, one of the most notable buildings in Singapore.

Long Bar at Raffles Hotel

Raffles is a 10-minute walk from the National Gallery, so depending on how long you spend at the gallery, you should be ready for a late afternoon drink.

The Long Bar at Raffles is where the Singapore Sling was invented in 1915. Having a drink here is a touristy, overpriced Singapore experience. But it’s undeniably iconic.

Expect to wait 30 minutes to 1.5 hours to get in, especially on weekends and evenings. The queue moves steadily but slowly.

Once inside, the earthy décor inspired by Malay life, with peanut shells covering the floor, is worth the wait. However, the Singapore Sling is currently S$39.

Gluttons Bay or Maxwell Food Centre

After the expensive Raffles drinks, balance it out with an affordable hawker centre dinner.

Option 1 is Gluttons Bay (10-minute walk from Raffles), a hawker centre with a waterfront setting and views of Marina Bay. It’s a little more expensive than usual hawker centres, but the atmosphere makes it worth it.

Option 2 is the Maxwell Food Centre (15-minute walk or quick MRT ride) between Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar. It’s famous for Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, and you can expect long queues. But it’s so good.

After dinner

If you ate at Gluttons Bay, you could stroll along the waterfront to see the city lights. The Marina Bay Sands, ArtScience Museum, and skyline look awesome in the evening.

If you ate at Maxwell Food Centre, you could explore Chinatown’s bar scene. We absolutely love Employees Only on Amoy Street, a speakeasy-style cocktail bar.

employees only singapore — Employees Only

3 day singapore itinerary 9 — Employees Only

Logistics & Practicalities

Where to Stay in Singapore

To make the most of Singapore’s compact city centre, we’d suggest staying as centrally located as possible. Chinatown, the Colonial District, and the Marina Bay Sands area are all great choices.

Here are a few places we recommend.

The Clan by Far East Hospitality ($$$) – Elegant stay with a superb infinity pool and floor-to-ceiling windows with top views. They offer free guided tours.
Naumi Hotel ($$$) – A stylish Small Luxury Hotel property with all the boutique hotel trimmings, including earthy tones and high-tech bathrooms.
KINN Capsule ($) – Smart, clean, very budget-friendly cabins in an excellent location near the quays. They have a shared lounge, sun terrace and free WiFi.

Getting Around

Singapore has a highly efficient public rail system, the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit).

To save some cash, check out the Singapore Tourist Pass. It gives you unlimited travel for 1, 2, or 3 days on all buses and trains.

Taxis are generally easy to get in Singapore. In some places, you’ll find a taxi rank where you need to press a button to call a cab. Uber does not operate in Singapore, but Grab is the most popular ride-sharing app.