3 days in Singapore: a day-by-day sightseeing plan

Singapore packs gardens, colonial landmarks and modern waterfront architecture into a small, easy city, so most of this plan is on foot with one short taxi ride. Day one starts in the Botanic Gardens and follows the Civic District down to the Singapore River and the Merlion, day two crosses Marina Bay from Gardens by the Bay to the Flyer and ends in Kampong Glam, and day three mixes art, a hill park and a cathedral before finishing at the ArtScience Museum.

Open in Atlazi Read the Singapore guide

Day 1

Botanic Gardens, the Civic District and the Merlion

5 stops

09:00
Singapore Botanic Gardens
About 1 h 10 min
The gardens are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the plan's slot suits a walk past Swan Lake and a visit to the National Orchid Garden inside. Go early while it is cooler, then take a taxi into the Civic District.
Taxi, 11 min
10:25
Cathedral Of The Good Shepherd
About 45 min
Singapore's oldest Catholic church, completed in 1847, is a white neoclassical building in a quiet garden compound. Step inside for the restored interior, then walk south towards the river.
Walk, 14 min
11:25
Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall
About 20 min
Two colonial-era halls joined by a clock tower, with the bronze statue of Stamford Raffles standing in front. It is a short outside stop, and the Asian Civilisations Museum is two minutes away.
Walk, 2 min
11:50
Asian Civilisations Museum
About 1 h 30 min
The museum in the Empress Place Building covers the cultures of China, Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Islamic world, and its gallery of finds from a ninth-century shipwreck is the highlight. Ninety minutes lets you see that and a few galleries of your choice.
Walk, 7 min
13:30
Merlion Park
About 45 min
The half-lion, half-fish statue spouts water into Marina Bay, with Marina Bay Sands straight across the water. It is the last stop of the day, so carry on along the waterfront promenade if you still have energy.

Day 2

Gardens by the Bay, the Singapore Flyer and Kampong Glam

5 stops

09:00
Gardens by the Bay
About 1 h 5 min
The Supertree Grove and the outdoor gardens fill the plan's hour well; the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest conservatories are cooled glasshouses and need extra time if you add them. Walk past Marina Bay Sands to the Helix Bridge afterwards.
Walk, 11 min
10:20
The Helix Bridge
About 20 min
A pedestrian bridge whose curved steel tubes are shaped like a strand of DNA, with good views back over the bay. It is a quick crossing that leads straight to the Singapore Flyer.
Walk, 6 min
10:50
The Singapore Flyer
About 1 h 10 min
The observation wheel's air-conditioned capsules take about half an hour for one turn, with Marina Bay, the city centre and the strait laid out below. The rest of the slot covers the queue and the walk to Suntec City.
Walk, 12 min
12:15
Fountain Of Wealth
About 20 min
A large bronze ring fountain in the middle of the Suntec City complex, once listed as the biggest fountain in the world. It is a quick stop on the way to Kampong Glam; tradition says to walk around it touching the water for luck.
Walk, 13 min
12:50
Masjid Sultan
About 30 min
The Sultan Mosque, rebuilt in 1932 with its golden domes, is the centre of the Kampong Glam quarter. Dress modestly to go in (robes are usually lent at the entrance), then stay for lunch around Arab Street and Haji Lane.

Day 3

National Gallery, Fort Canning and the ArtScience Museum

4 stops

09:00
National Gallery Singapore
About 1 h 30 min
The gallery fills the former Supreme Court and City Hall buildings and holds the largest public collection of modern art from Singapore and Southeast Asia. Ninety minutes covers the main galleries; look at the old courtroom spaces as you go.
Walk, 11 min
10:45
Fort Canning Hill
About 1 h
This hill park was once the seat of early Malay rulers and later the colonial headquarters, and it now has shaded paths, old gateways and the Battlebox wartime bunker. An hour is enough for a loop over the top before walking down to St Andrew's.
Walk, 10 min
11:55
St Andrew's Cathedral
About 45 min
Singapore's Anglican cathedral is a white Gothic Revival church whose walls were finished with a plaster mixed from shell lime, egg white and sugar. A short look inside suits the plan, then cross towards Marina Bay.
Walk, 16 min
13:00
ArtScience Museum
About 1 h 30 min
The lotus-shaped building at Marina Bay Sands holds changing exhibitions that mix art, science and technology, alongside a long-running digital art gallery. It is the last stop, so take your time and end on the bay promenade outside.

Good to know

Singapore is hot and humid all year with frequent short downpours, so carry water and a small umbrella and plan the outdoor stops for the morning.
Contactless bank cards and phones work on the MRT and buses, which helps if you want to skip a walk in the heat, such as the stretch to Kampong Glam on day two.
Cover shoulders and knees for Masjid Sultan and the cathedrals.
You can open this plan in Atlazi and change it to your pace.

Make this plan yours

Copy it into your trips, then change the days, places and times as you like.

Open in Atlazi

3 days in Singapore: a day-by-day sightseeing plan

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Cathedral Of The Good Shepherd

Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall

Asian Civilisations Museum

Merlion Park

Gardens by the Bay

The Helix Bridge

The Singapore Flyer

Fountain Of Wealth

Masjid Sultan

National Gallery Singapore

Fort Canning Hill

St Andrew's Cathedral

ArtScience Museum

Good to know

Make this plan yours