30+ of the Best Things to Do in Singapore in 3 Days

Singapore is a city where you’ll never get bored. It’s the modern, futuristic hub of South-East Asia. It’s also home to some incredible cultural and historic sites; combining many Asian cultures in one place. We spent 4 full days exploring Singapore’s top attractions, and in this guide, we’ll share the top things to see and do.

From world-class gardens and historic neighbourhood walks to street food markets and the relaxing Sentosa Island, we’ll cover the top sites and hidden gems. Can you comfortably visit 30 of Singapore’s top attractions in only 4 days? We did exactly that! Explore this incredible city with us on a long weekend break.

Continue reading for inspiration on the top things to do in Singapore, one of our favourite places in the world.

Gardens by the Bay

We’re starting our guide with Singapore’s most iconic attraction, The Gardens by the Bay. We spent a full day exploring this free botanical garden and it proved to be a highlight of our trip. Located just behind the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, this sprawling 100+ hectare garden is full of unique landscapes, attractions, restaurants and garden areas.

The most recognisable area of the park is its Supertree Grove. These futuristic steel trees are covered in over 150,000 plants and you can walk across their connecting bridges for a bird’s eye view of the gardens. Gardens by the Bay is a must-see during your time in the city.

Cloud Forest

As well as the free things to do in Gardens by the Bay, there are several paid attractions. One of them is the Cloud Forest, an indoor greenhouse that’s full of tropical plants, orchids, ferns and waterfalls. To see the Cloud Forest, you take an elevator to the top of the dome and walk back down on hanging bridges.

The greenhouse is shrouded in mist and has some amazing photo spots. Many people regard it as the best attraction at Gardens by the Bay and it’s well worth the extra fee. When we visited, the Cloud Forest was themed on Jurassic Park, bringing together ancient plant species and giant dinosaur animatronics.

Flower Dome

The second indoor garden worth mentioning at Gardens by the Bay is the Flower Dome. As its name suggests, the dome hosts unique flowers and colourful plants, with species from across the globe. It’s currently the world’s largest glass greenhouse. Unlike static botanical gardens, the Flower Dome’s centrepiece changes every few weeks to showcase seasonal themes, from Dutch tulip fields to Japanese orchid gardens.

We’ve been to many botanical gardens around the world and not many are as beautiful as the Flower Dome. Its selection of flower displays is grouped into different global regions, from Africa to South-East Asia.

Garden Rhapsody Evening Show

The final attraction we’d like to mention at Gardens by the Bay is the Supertree Grove. Visit the trees at select times in the evening and you’ll be captivated by its free Garden Rhapsody light show. The giant trees light up is different colours and seemingly dance to the music.

The backdrop of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and immersive experience of the show make it one of the best places to visit in Singapore on an evening. There are two showings for Garden Rhapsody; 7:45pm and 8:45pm. We recommend stopping by for the later showing for fewer crowds.

Clarke Quay

Clarke Quay is Singapore’s historic riverfront area and nightlife hub. Once a cargo dock in the early-1800s and 1900s, it’s now the go-to place in Singapore for bars, restaurants and scenic, riverside walks. Visit during the day to see its colourful, historic shophouses and enjoy a casual drink.

Return to Clarke Quay in the evening to soak in its lively atmosphere and embark on one of the river boat cruises. If you want to enjoy a craft beer or cocktail with a nice view, this is the place to visit when the sun goes down.

River Cruise

Clarke Quay is one of the best places in Singapore to board one of the river cruises the city is famous for. Operating throughout the day and into the late evening, these traditional wooden tourist boats take you on a sightseeing cruise down Singapore River to the bay area.

We recommend joining a river boat tour when it’s dark. You’ll get to see the colourful lights of the riverside and the Marina Bay area lit up in vibrant shades of purple. One of the best reasons to do a boat cruise at night is for a chance to see the Spectra Light Show. You’ll get a great view of the laser fountain show from the water.

Old Police Station

Another attraction worth seeing in the Clarke Quay area is the Old Police Station. Built in 1934 with a neoclassical style, this iconic Singapore building has one of the most vibrant facades in the city. It’s famous for its collection of 927 coloured window shutters. The Old Police Station was once a former police house and jail, but these days, it houses government offices and art exhibitions. Stop by to take some photos and admire its colourful exterior.

Marina Bay Sands

Next up is the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, the most iconic hotel in Singapore and a building that’s recognised worldwide. Overlooking the city’s riverside bay on one side and The Gardens of the Bay on the other, this 55-storey-high, triple tower hotel has a unique terrace at the top that looks like a cruise ship. It features several high-end bars and restaurants, and an infinity-edge swimming pool.

If you don’t fancy paying the high nightly rate to stay at this luxury hotel, you can visit it’s SkyPark viewing platform for a much lower fee. It’s observation deck and rooftop bar is a great place to soak in the amazing city sites. If you fancy doing something extra special, you can reserve a table in one of the hotel’s rooftop restaurants.

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands

Right next to the Marina Bay Sands hotel we just mentioned is a large shopping mall. The Shoppes at Marina Bay is a collection of designer brand stores, including Luis Vuitton, Gucci and Chanel. It also has global high-street shops, including Oakley, Lululemon, Adidas and Zara.

Alongside its stores, there are unique art installations and the whole mall has a modern, glass design. The most unique reason to visit The Shoppes at Marina Bay is to see its Venetian-style river. The manmade river runs through the centre of the mall, and you can even hop on a gondola for a tour.

Singapore Botanic Gardens

One of the things we love most about Singapore is how many green spaces it has. One of the best on offer is Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded that was founded in 1859. As one of the city’s oldest and most beloved parks, it’s a great place to go for a morning walk or jog.

Serene lakes, quiet forests, scenic boardwalks an abundance of beautiful tropical trees and plants makes it a must-see for those that want to see some of Singapore’s nature.

National Orchid Garden

The National Orchid Garden is one of the best places to visit in Singapore for those that appreciate nature, flowers and beautiful tropical scenery. Located inside the botanic garden we just mentioned, it’s the largest orchid garden in the world, featuring over 1,000 orchid plants and 2,000 hybrid orchids.

The garden is full of ornate, colourful displays and is a beautiful place to wander around for a couple of hours. The flowers bloom year-round so you can visit during any month of the year and still see its beauty.

Chinatown

Located in the city centre, Chinatown is one of Singapore’s most diverse cultural neighbourhoods. It has origins dating back to when modern Singapore was founded, with buildings that appear very different to the modern façade of the rest of the city. It’s full of grand temples, traditional red Chinese arches and streets that are decorated with lanterns.

Stop by Chinatown to browse its market stalls, see its impressive buildings and sample some food at the Hawker Stalls. Chinatown is one of the best places in Singapore to sample the dishes the city is famous for.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is one of Chinatown’s most recognisable buildings. Built in 2007, and inspired by Tang Dynasty-style Buddhist Temple design, the building is one of the most beautiful temples in the city. It has four stories of vibrant red-and-gold furnishings and its main hall is lined with thousands of Buddha statues.

You can see the outside of the temple at any time. However, to venture inside and see its sacred Buddha relic, you’ll need to check opening hours. It’s free to visit but is only open for tourists at select times of the day.

Hawker Centres

Singapore has some of the best-rated restaurants in the world, with options for every cuisine. Even though Michelin-star food is on offer, many people flock to Singapore for its affordable Hawker Centres. These no-frills food markets can be found all over the city, hosting lots of different food stalls in one place.

Hawker Centres have long been a top thing to do in Singapore and you can’t leave the city without visiting at least one. Top dishes to try include Hainanese Chicken Rice, Laksa, Hokkien Mee, Satay, Char Tway Teow and Chilli Crab. We’ve listed some of the top-rated Hawker Centres below:

• Maxwell Food Centre
• Chinatown Food Complex
• Old Airport Road Food Centre
• Lau Pa Sat

Raffles Hotel Long Bar

If you like cocktails, you can’t visit Singapore and not try its iconic, fruity alcoholic drink, the Singapore Sling. Invented in Raffles Hotel, the Singapore Sling is a tropical, gin-based cocktail that can now be found at bars all over the world. To taste the original, stop by Long Bar at the 5-star Raffles Hotel.

Understandably, the bar gets very busy and has long queues later in the day, so we recommend arriving around lunchtime. It has a quirky, 1920’s-style interior and a fun, upbeat atmosphere. As well as trying its iconic drink, it’s tradition to order some monkey nuts and throw the shells onto the floor. Prices at Raffles Long Bar are quiet expensive, but in our opinion, it’s well worth it for the unique experience.

Merlion and Singapore’s waterfront promenade

Singapore’s waterfront promenade is one of the most scenic places to go for a walk. It has a stunning view of iconic buildings such as the Marina Bay Sands hotel and the many skyscrapers of the city centre. It also has shops, food stalls and entertainment venues, especially if you visit in the early-evening.

One of the must-see sites in this area is the Singapore Merlion statue. Depicting a being that’s half lion and half mermaid, it has become an icon of Singapore. We recommend visiting the waterfront promenade early in the evening. The glow of the sun setting against Singapore’s skyline is something special.

Spectra Light and Water Show

As it gets dark, Singapore’s waterfront is illuminated with colourful neon lights. Every evening, the Spectra Lake Show takes place just outside of the Marina Bay shopping mall. This free, 15-minute show is a great way to see the beauty of Singapore at night, as water fountains and lasers dance to the sound of music. It takes place twice every evening with different times depending on the day of the week.

We suggest seeing the earlier showing of Spectra Light and Water Show and then walking through the shopping mall to Gardens by the Bay to see the Garden Rhapsody evening show we told you about earlier.

Universal Studios

The next Singapore attraction is for all the theme park lovers out there. Universal Studios Singapore is one of three Universal Studios parks in Asia. Located on Sentosa Island, a short metro or taxi ride from the city centre, it’s a great place to visit in Singapore for those that have completed the main sites and want a fun, full-day activity away from the city.

Universal Studios is split into themed areas with live shows, rides for all ages and some excellent movie theming. Key attractions include a stunt show, the family-friendly Minion Land, and our favourite area, Jurassic Park. We’ve been to a few Universal Studios parks around the world and loved Singapore’s smaller, less crowded atmosphere. It has some excellent attractions and is more affordable than the parks in the US.

Sentosa Island Palawan Beach

Sentosa Island isn’t just worth visiting for Universal Studios. The wider island has an abundance of things to do, including cable car rides, shopping centres, activity parks, and the next recommendation on our list, beaches. Sentosa’s Palawan and Tanjong beaches are a nice place to chill-out after a day exploring the island. They feature soft white sand, beach clubs and plenty of relaxation areas.

In a city as urban as Singapore it’s rare to find beautiful beaches such as the ones on Sentosa Island. If you have some extra time or just want a break for the city, add Palawan Beach to your itinerary.

Fort Canning Park

Fort Canning Park is one of Singapore’s oldest and most historic parks. Once home to Malaysian royalty and then a British military fortress, it’s a charming place to go for a walk and escape the busyness of the city. It has nine themed gardens, walking trails, and remnants of the park’s past. Walk through Fort Canning Park and you’ll see giant cannon batteries, old statues and the decaying remains of its fort.

The park also has some excellent photo spots, including the Instagram-famous tree tunnel, a museum and plenty of places to grab a snack or drink. Aim to spend an hour or two exploring all corners of Fort Canning Park.

Sang Nila Utama Garden

One of Fort Canning’s main attractions is Sang Nila Utama Garden. Located inside the main park, on the slope of a hillside, the park reimagines the royal garden that once graced the hill during the 14th century. It features towering Javanese-style gates at its entrance, intriguing statues and several fruit tree gardens and pond areas. It’s an interesting place to visit whilst wandering around Fort Canning Park.

CHIJMES Heritage Building

CHIJMES (pronounced “chimes”) is a stunning heritage building in the heart of downtown Singapore. Originally built in the 1800s as a Catholic convent and school, this white-walled compound has been restored into an event and entertainment venue.

Walk into CHIJMES open-air courtyard to see its historic Gothic architecture, neatly-manicured gardens and stained glass windows. Visit in the evening and you’ll see the courtyard come alive with lively outdoor cafes, restaurants and bars.

Orchard Road

Next up is Singapore’s premier place for shopping. Orchard Road is the go-to place to stay for those that want some retail in therapy and to see the modern, futuristic design that the city is famous. It’s a collection of dozens of hotels, shopping malls and department stores, all located on one 2.2km-long boulevard. Whether you want high-street brands, designer clothing or tech, Orchard Road is widely regarded as one of the best places to shop in Asia.

Visit Orchard Road to see the modern, luxurious side of Singapore and explore its giant air-conditioned shopping malls. Some of the top malls to check out include:

• ION Orchard (and its sky-high observation deck ION Sky)
• Ngee Ann City (Takashimaya)
• Design Orchard

Emerald Hill

Hidden amongst the towering buildings of Orchard Road is a small street known as Emerald Hill. Known for its colourful rows of terraced houses and Old Singaporean style, it’s an interesting detour to an Orchard Road shopping trip. During the day, it is a great place to take a peaceful walk and snap some photos. At night, the street lights up and a few cosy bars open.

Emerald Hill is a great place to see a traditional side of Singapore amongst the hustle and bustle of the modern city centre.

Arab Street

We’re now heading east of the city centre to Arab Street, one of the most unique streets in Singapore’s Kampong Glam neighbourhood. Influenced by Middle Eastern and Arabic culture, it’s a melting pot of tourists and locals, with some excellent restaurants, colourful textile shops and traditional shophouses.

Aim to spend an hour or two browsing Arab Street’s craft stalls, grab a drink in a quirky café or sample Turkish tea, lamb kofta and other Middle-Eastern dishes.

Sultan Mosque

Sultan Mosque is one of the main sites to see in the Kampong Glam district. Originally built in 1824 and redesigned in the 1920s, it’s one of the most impressive religious buildings in Singapore. Its large, golden domes dominate the skyline and it makes a nice backdrop for some photos.

The inside of the mosque is open for visitors outside of prayer hours, though you can see its beautiful exterior at any time of the day.

Haji Lane

Another interesting street to check out in the Kampung Glam neighbourhood is Haji Lane. Once lined with simple houses for Hajj pilgrims, the street has transformed into Singapore’s centre for indie culture. Bright, multi-story street art covers the walls of its old shophouses, giving the entire lane a colourful, artistic appearance.

Walk down Haji Lane at any time of the day to soak in its vibrant atmosphere. It’s a cool place to enjoy a drink or a meal, or find vintage clothing. We loved its selection of trendy coffee shops.

Shopping Malls

Shopping Malls may be something you can see anywhere in the world. However, not all malls are equal. The vast shopping complexes of Singapore are so good, people visit from other Asian countries solely for a long weekend of shopping and eating out. Even if you don’t plan on buying anything, browsing the city’s metropolis of malls is a cool activity.

They’re home to global brands you’ll recognise, but also food courts, entertainment centres and interesting works of art. Singapore has over 150 shopping malls and it’d be impossible to see them all. Therefore, we’ve narrowed it down to the top 5:

• Vivocity: The largest mall in Singapore with shops for all interests. It’s particularly good for electronics.
• Raffles City Shopping Centre: A modern city centre mall with a good selection of fashion brands.
• ION Orchard: One of Singapore’s most popular shopping destinations. It has shopping options for all budgets; from high street brands to luxury fashion.
• Paragon: The go-to mall for luxury brand shopping.
• The Jewel at Changi Airport: Singapore Airport’s shopping mall is a huge complex of shops, restaurants and attractions. Pay it a visit when arriving or departing from Singapore.

Bugis Junction and Street

Bugis Street, and the connecting Bugis Junction is one of Singapore’s long-standing hubs for shopping, entertainment and street food. Located above Bugis MRT Station, it’s a sprawling complex of vendors. You have the modern shops and restaurants in a giant glass plaza, much like a shopping mall. You then have the older, historic side of Bugis Street.

Walk the full length of Bugis Street to see vendors selling drinks, street food and souvenirs, or head into the food court for a countless selection of affordable eats. It’s an excellent place to visit for lunch.

Sri Krishnan Temple

Located just behind Bugis Street Junction are two colourful temples. Sri Krishnan Temple is a Hindu temple that was built in 1870. It has an intricate entrance with carvings of Hindu mythology and a small shrine where locals light incense and pray.

Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple

The neighbouring temple is a Buddhist temple called Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho. The exterior is covered in dragon sculptures and there’s often a crowd of visitors outside. Both temples are very popular in the community and are well worth seeing while exploring the Bugis Junction area.

Changi Airport Jewel

You’ll likely arrive into Singapore via Changi Airport, an airport that has been rated as the top transport hub in the world for consecutive years. Changi isn’t just any airport, it’s a shopping and entertainment complex that will overwhelm you with things to do while you wait for your flight. Its main attraction is The Jewel, a giant manmade waterfall that seems to cascade from the ceiling of the airport into the centre of the plaza.

When arriving or departing Singapore, take time to explore The Jewel and the surrounding shops, restaurants and cafes. The conservatory area has some excellent viewpoints of the waterfall, along with a jungle maze, garden canopy and plant-covered walking trails.

Singapore MRT transport

To get between all of the places we’ve mentioned in our guide, consider Singapore’s MRT transport. This affordable metro network is one of the cleanest and well connected transport systems in the world; so much so, it’s an attraction in itself. Buy a day pass for extra-affordable daily travel or ride it once to experience its modern, reliable trains.

That brings us to the end of our comprehensive guide on the top things to do in Singapore. Even though we’ve listed over 30 places to visit and things to do, there’s countless more places to visit in this incredible city. If you need any help organising an itinerary or have any questions about the places we’ve mentioned, be sure to post a comment.