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The Perfect 3 Days in Singapore Itinerary for First Timers

My college study abroad was in Singapore, a dynamic city-state that marries modernity with a rich cultural heritage. I spent a few months exploring Southeast Asia with Singapore as my home base and have grown to truly love the country. From enjoying delicious dishes at busy hawker centers to exploring futuristic attractions, Singapore is a wonderful way to start your Southeast Asia adventure, especially as everyone here speaks English.


I recommend spending 3 days here and enjoying the rest of your trip in a nearby country, as I don't find the attractions in the Other Activities section to have the "wow factor" or cultural aspects I look for when visiting a country. However, if you'd like to explore more thoroughly, I've included options for a longer trip!



Courtesy of Unsplash


Table of Contents

         Weather and best time to visit

         Money: Currency exchange and tipping

Arrival and Singapore Jewel

Visit the magical Gardens by the Bay

Marvel at the Supertrees Light Show

Take in rooftop views at CÉ LA VI Skybar at Marina Bay Sands

Weather and best time to visit

Singapore is in a dry season from February to April, meaning it has the most sunshine and lowest humidity during this time. Therefore, this is usually the best time to visit the country. However, there are special events that occur in Singapore that you may want to experience such as Chinese New Year which falls in January or February. To take advantage of cheap flights and hotels, visit between July and August.


Where to stay

Since Singapore is so small, accommodation location is less important than in other countries. I would still recommend staying close to the action: Clarke Quay has a lot of great options that are budget-friendly, as well as the Bugis area. If you're interested in gorgeous views and are able to stay in a more expensive location, stay at Marina Bay.


Money: Currency exchange and tipping

I often exchanged my money near the National University of Singapore, as that was where I was staying. However, you can find even cheaper exchanges at Raffles Money Change or Arcade at Raffles Place.


Tipping is not expected in Singapore, and most restaurants will include a 10% service charge to your bill.


Getting around

Public Transportation

You can expect punctual and clean buses or subways during your stay; simply use contactless card payment such as Apple Pay to hop on. In order to keep the transport among some of the best in the world, make sure not to eat, drink, or smoke on public transport, and especially remember not to bring durian onto the train as it's explicitly prohibited.


Taxis

Uber is not allowed in Singapore, but Singapore and many other South Asian countries use Grab. This app works almost exactly like Uber and can be used as an alternative to hailing a cab. While you can rent a car instead of relying on taxis or public transportation, I do not think it's necessary due to the country's small area.


Safety

Singapore is also considered one of the safest countries in the world. Even petty crime doesn't seem to be much of a problem here! I once accidentally left my wallet on the seat of a subway car and realized about 15 minutes later after transferring to a different line. I traced my steps back to the stop I thought I lost my wallet on and found that someone had turned it in without taking a penny! Such a thing would never happen in New York, where I moved a few years later. Obviously, you should still be aware of your surroundings as you would when traveling in any other location, but safety should not be a major concern.



Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival, Gardens by the Bay, and Night Time Views

Arrival and Singapore Jewel

You made it to Singapore! Before heading out of the airport, check out the Jewel. I've spent many times in the airport before my flight people-watching and sitting in awe of this beautiful attraction. Get settled into your hotel and grab a bite at your closest hawker center, a delicious outdoor food mart where most locals dine, before heading to Singapore's most famous site.




Visit the Magical Gardens by the Bay

Visiting Gardens by the Bay is on every Singapore itinerary for good reason. For only $24 USD, you can buy a Cloud Forest and Flower Dome ticket to see the best of the area. Spend at least 2 hours visiting the Cloud Forest and step into another world by seeing the world's tallest indoor waterfall, the magical cloud mountain, and more. Pro tip: The misting happens every 2 hours starting from 10 am. Learn about the sustainability efforts and the story behind the gardens here before you visit.


If you have time, wander around the Canyon, the world's largest collection of sculptural rocks. Then, grab a bite at Satay by the Bay for dinner. This area is by no means a representation of the best hawker center food in the country, and food is pricier due to location, but it's located within the Gardens by the Bay complex and offers (you guessed it) really great satay.



Courtesy of Unsplash


Marvel at the Supertrees Light Show

Walking around the Supertree Grove is free! After enjoying dinner, head to the trees for the Garden Rhapsody at either 7:45 or 8:45 pm for a light show. A short narration will play, followed by music and a beautiful display of lights from the trees. I recommend getting there at least 15 minutes early to get a good view. You can also pay for the OCBC Skywalk, a walkway that connects 2 of the supertrees, but I don't think it's worth the extra cost as it doesn't provide a very different view.




Take in Rooftop Views at CÉ LA VI Skybar at Marina Bay Sands

After enjoying the gardens, walk back through the gardens for 25 minutes or grab a taxi to CÉ LA VI Skybar at Marina Bay Sands. Pro tip: Visit on a Wednesday and all ladies enter free! This is true for most popular bars in the city. Otherwise, the entry fee for the skybar is about $30 and can be used towards the cost of your drink. This is a great way to take in a view of the city at night instead of going to the Singapore Flyer or Observation deck, and if you visit on Wednesday like me, your entire experience could be free of charge. There is a dress code, so just don't show up in shorts, t-shirts, or flip-flops.



Day 2: Multicultural Neighborhood Tour and Clarke Quay

Have a Photo Op at Fort Canning Tree Tunnel

If you want, wake up early today (like 6:30 am early) and beat the crowds at Fort Canning to get some of the gorgeous pictures you see below. Pose on the staircase or within the tunnel for an amazing photo op!


Eat Breakfast and Explore Little India

Head to the Tekka Center for a taste of an authentic hawker center. As there is a large Tamil Indian population in Singapore, South Indian food is prominent in the area. Try an egg prata or masala dosa from one of the many stands. I didn't have a bad meal once during my entire study abroad in Singapore, so any of the stands are probably going to be a safe bet.


Walk around the colorful streets in Little India and stop by Sri Veeramakaliamman temple, an incredibly ornate Hindu temple that's open to the public. It reminds me of a smaller version of this temple in Madurai, India. You can leave your shoes outside and step in. If you visit in January or February, you may see some devotees preparing for the Thaipusam Hindu Festival, where some pierce their bodies with large hooks and pull shrines behind them. It's absolutely fascinating to witness. January also has the Pongal festival where little India is lit up and you can eat free pongal from street vendors.


Enjoy the Arab Influence at Kapong Glam

Haji Lane at Kampong Glam is an increasingly trendy street with indie cafes and quirky bars. You can stop into any of the shops for a quick snack before heading to Arab Street with the beautiful Sultan Mosque, where you can also step inside. There are rows of Middle Eastern restaurants and shops with gorgeous Persian rugs and trinkets that you can stop in.




Eat and Wander Through Chinatown

Experiencing Chinatown during Chinese New Year is obviously ideal, but even if you aren't able to visit during this time, you can still find excellent dinner on Chinatown Food Street or stop into one of the many temples, such as the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.


Take a Boat Ride or Dance the Night Away at Clarke Quay

You can take a boat from Clarke Quay Jetty down the river for about $20 USD. Even if you're not interested in a boat ride, Clarke Quay has some of the best nightlife in Singapore with spots like Zouk guaranteed to give you a good time.


Day 3: Must Do Odds and Ends — The Best of Singapore

Savor a traditional Singaporean breakfast

If you haven't already, enjoy a traditional Singaporean breakfast somewhere like Killiney Kopitiam. This will include Kaya (similar to coconut) toast, soft-boiled eggs, and kopi (coffee) or Milo.


See monkeys at TreeTop Walk at the MacRitchie Reservoir

Although it's about a 90 minutes from the city by public transport, hiking around the MacRitchie Reservoir is one of my must do's, but that may just be because I love a good hike. Included in this is a suspension bridge over the trees that is absolutely breathtaking. If you're lucky you'll see monkeys and other wildlife. You can also decide to take multiple different routes depending on the distance you want to walk.


Experience the eclectic Haw Par Villa

Because this attraction and the previous one are both farther away from the city, you may pick just one in order to have a more relaxed day. If so, I'd recommend going to this attraction. It's a quirky theme park that shows scenes from Chinese folklore, history, and legends. It takes about 2 hours to visit, and one of the standout features is the Ten Courts of Hell exhibit, kind of like the Chinese version of Dante's Inferno. I'd say this attraction is a 10/10!





Snap awesome pictures at the ArtScience Museum

Head back to your hotel and change out of your hiking clothes because you'll be taking lots of pictures soon! The ArtScience Museum is insightful, exciting, and fun for all ages. There are futuristic rooms, rooms that make you think, and everything in between. I'd recommend at least 2 hours here.




Watch the Spectra light show from Merlion Fountain

Cross the Helix Bridge and head to the famous Merlion fountain to watch your second light show of the trip at 8 or 9 pm. There's also a 10 pm showing on Fridays and Saturdays. Hopefully you have a very late flight today or leave first thing tomorrow morning so you can take advantage of a full 3 days in Singapore!


Other activities

Sentosa Island

Sentosa Island has enough to do for a full day of adventure. You can buy a Universal Studios ticket, see yet another light show at the Wings of Time, relax by the beach, enjoy the aquarium, and more. Although there are plenty of things to do here, I wouldn't recommend adding an extra day to your trip just for Sentosa Island as your time would be better spent in a different country.


National Museum of Singapore

If you like to take in the history of a location when traveling, this museum will have it all. At only $11 USD (as of June 2024), you'll be engaged in a story from Singapore's ancient past to the current state with distinct information on each era. You can spend 2-3 hours here, with part of this being a free guided tour.


Shopping on Orchard Road

If a shopping day is more your style, Orchard Road offers 16 mall complexes for you to choose from. The most popular of them is ION Orchard which offers luxury fashion, fine dining, and 8 levels of retail therapy.


 

Overall, Singapore has a lot of interesting gems packed in a small space, so it's a great addition to any Southeast Asia tour. Be on the lookout for a future post where I rank all the must-have Singaporean foods — there were too many to include in this post!



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