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Singapore is an island and city state in Maritime Southeast Asia. Ruled by England, Japan, and Malaysia before becoming an independent country in 1965, Singapore features a diverse culture.  It boasts a population of nearly 6,000,000, with 43% being foreign born.

Table of Contents

How to Get Around Singapore

The island is broken into five districts with the Central Area or the City featuring the most popular tourist attractions in Singapore.  With Grab (Singapore’s equivalent of Uber), taxis and a simple metro system, it is easy to get around Singapore. 

Visitors may purchase a multiple day metro pass or simply tap their credit card at the turnstiles to come and go in the metro stations conveniently located near points of interest. 

How Long to Visit Singapore

Three days is plenty of time to hit the highlights of Singapore.  Many connecting flights on Singapore Airlines allow for a multiple day layover in the Lion City or Garden City as some like to call it.

Things to Do in Singapore

There are many things to do in Singapore.  Enjoy the nightlife.  Shop ‘til you Drop. Taste the cuisine.  Appreciate the culture. Stroll the Gardens.  Take your pick…there is something for everyone!

We prefer culture and outdoors, so our three-day stay included a half day in Chinatown, a half day in Little India, about one and a half days in the Colonial District, Marina Bay and the Quays, and a few hours at the Botanic Gardens, Singapore’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.

If you prefer more high-end shopping, you can substitute Orchard Road for the Singapore Botanic Gardens. If you have kids and are looking for a resort atmosphere with man-made beaches and lots of attractions like Universal Studios, substitute Sentosa Island in for Chinatown and Little India.

Weather in Singapore

When planning your trip, be prepared for warm and humid weather! Located just one degree north of the equator, its tropical rainforest climate produces uniform temperatures, high humidity and significant rainfall (especially from November to January).

Places to Stay in Singapore

A few popular places to stay in Singapore include Marina Bay Sands and the Fullerton Hotel.  Marina Bay Sands is comprised of three towers topped with a “boat”.  The complex includes a casino, approximately 50 restaurants, the Skypark Observation Deck, the Skypark infinity pool, a huge shopping mall, an artscience museum, shows, and more.  It’s like a mini Las Vegas! Centered in the middle of popular tourist attractions, you can’t go wrong with this pricey option.

Across the bay from this modern marvel is the Fullerton Hotel, a historical landmark.  Built in 1928 this National Monument was once home to the General Post Office, the Exchange, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Singapore Club. Nestled beneath skyscrapers,  the historic building features 400 rooms, fine dining, and a spa.

For a more affordable place to stay in Singapore, try the boutique hotel, the Scarlet Singapore which brings together the old and the new.  Housed in a row of 13 shop houses dating back to 1968 and a vintage 1924 Art Deco Building, the hallways undulate downhill like a sidewalk to small, comfortable rooms.

Very unique, the Scarlet Singapore has won numerous awards including the Singapore Architectural Heritage Award 2005 and the ‘Leading Boutique Hotel’ by World Travel Awards in 2018 and 2019.

Most importantly, it is conveniently located next to the Maxwell Food Center and the MRT in Chinatown, making it easy to grab a quick bite and get to popular destinations with the metro.  It also sets out free water and treats which come in handy when you are on the go.  This 4-star hotel is an excellent choice for a reasonable price. 

Places to Visit in Singapore

Chinatown

Just a short walk from the Scarlet Hotel is the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.  Built in 2007, this Chinese Buddhist temple is home to what is believed to be Buddha’s left canine tooth.  Found in a collapsed stupa in Myanmar, the tooth whose authenticity is debated, is now encased in a 320kg solid gold stupa. It is situated behind glass in an ornate room on the fourth floor.

Ceremonies take place on the first floor, there is a museum on the third floor and a garden with a huge prayer wheel on the top.  The temple is free to enter, though be respectful and cover your knees and shoulders.  Wraps and shawlsare provided.

Sticking with temples, only a few blocks away from the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is the Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore.  You can’t miss this 1843 structure which a strikingly colorful tower at its entrance. Each October the temple hosts the Thimithi festival where Hindus walk on hot coals.  These temples reminded me of the temples and culture of Mongolia.

Chinatown Street Eats

Speaking of culture, don’t miss the hawker stalls in Chinatown, from Hawker Chan which once earned a Michelin Star to the Chinatown Complex to the Maxwell Food Centre, they are all close together and surrounded by many shops.

To pick a stall for the best food, just look for the long line of locals.  Try some noodles or the local breakfast kaya (coconut jam) toast, soft boiled eggs and Kopi (coffee in Singapore style).  There are many ways to order it, but just plain Kopi is black coffee with condensed milk and quite tasty!

For an excellent restaurant meal make a reservation at Jungle.  It is spectacular and with 4.9 stars on Google, top-rated.  It has a great atmosphere, fast service, fabulous food, and a super friendly owner.  We were blown away by our experience.

Little India

Sticking with culture, spend a ½ day in Little India.  You’ll love the colorful streets, temples, markets, and cheap eats.  Afternoons, evenings, and Sundays are the busiest times.  A few highlights of Little India include the following:

Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple

This striking and colorful Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple is dedicated to the ferocious goddess Kali.  The building itself with colorful carvings of Hindu deities draws in tourists.  But take a moment and soak in the culture and prayer sessions at this active site of worship.  It is quite interesting to see the rituals and offerings.  Be respectful, remove your shoes, and wear clothing that covers your knees and shoulders.

Former House of Tan Teng Niah

Another colorful structure in Singapore’s Little India is the Former House of Tan Teng Niah.  The two-story Chinese bungalow is the only surviving Chinese building in the area.  Painted in a rainbow of colors, it is a photographer’s delight.

The Tekka Market

Wow, there are so many bargains at the Tekka Market.  Even non-shoppers like me can’t resist the ridiculously low prices.  This market is a maze of stalls offering clothes, flower garlands, chess sets, electronics, trinkets, veggies, spices, meats, chicken, and a variety of seafood, just to name a few. 

Save time for a Henna tattoo and lunch.  As with Chinatown, Little India boasts some Michelin Star hawker stalls.  I don’t even like Indian food, but there are some tasty choices at Delhi Lahori.  You can wash the spicy meal down with the popular tea from the drink stall next to it!

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Little India is an easy metro ride away from the Singapore Botanic Gardens.  The MRT has air conditioning too, so it is a nice relief from Singapore’s warm, humid climate. As mentioned above, the Botanic Gardens were the Garden City’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

The massive green space has been a major center for plant conservations and research in Southeast Asia since 1875.  It features a variety of gardens, lakes, boardwalks, and a canopy walk.  With the exception of the orchid garden, the Singapore Botanic Gardens are free to enter. Keep an eye out for monitor lizards and visit in the morning when it is cooler.

Walking through these tropical gardens is like a jungle version of strolling through NYC’s Central Park, an oasis in a vibrant city.

Gardens by the Bay

Today, however, most people visiting Singapore are attracted to the modern gardens at Gardens by the Bay next to Marina Bay Sands.  Gardens by the Bay sprawls across 101 hectares of reclaimed land and cost $1 billion to build.  It is one of Singapore’s main attractions.

The futuristic gardens are free to enter though its conservatories and popular sites charge a hefty fee. Highlights include the Supertree Grove, Flower Dome and Cloud Forest.  If you can only choose one attraction, I’d pick the Supertree Grove.

Supertree Grove

The 18 Supertrees, adorned with several hundred thousand plants, tower above the canopy.  It is fun to see in daylight, but certainly aim to visit at sunset and the evening for the free light and sound show that takes place and 7:45pm and 8:45pm every night.

Watch the light show from the ground but observe the sunset from the OCBC Skyway or Supertree Observatory.  Go early because a line forms, and it is not guaranteed you will make it to the top as the number of people allowed on the skyway at one time is limited.  We arrived at 6 for a 7 pm sunset.

Flower Dome and Cloud Forest

The Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest both have air conditioning, so if you need a break from the heat, pop into one of these conservatories.  The Flower Dome holds the Guiness World Record for the largest glass greenhouse.  It features several flower gardens and a Monet virtual projection exhibit.  Its restaurant, the Marguerite, is Michelin Star rated and a popular place to eat in Singapore.

The Cloud Forest is home to one of the tallest, indoor waterfalls in the world.  The aerial cloud walk leads visitors past all sorts of plants and provides cool views of Singapore.  While those are just a few highlights, you could spend all day strolling through the Gardens by the Bay.

Marina Bay Sands

Standing next to Gardens by the Bay is Singapore’s most acclaimed icon, Marina Bay Sands.  As previously mentioned, this $5.6 billion complex features a hotel, a casino, a theater, and exhibition hall, a mall, and a museum.

Sky Park Observation Deck and CE LA VI

SkyPark, with its famous infinity pool, tops the three 55 story hotel towers.  While the pool is only for hotel guests, visitors may purchase a ticket to the observation deck.  The deck surrounds a roof-top bar called CE LA VI.

Serious photographers will probably want to buy a ticket to the observation deck for better opportunities to shoot the Singapore Skyline, but those who want to enjoy a drink and a view should go to CE LA VI.

CE LA VI requires a minimum purchase, but with the price of drinks, it is easy to meet, so at least you get an appetizer or drink while enjoying the view.

Spectra Sound and Light Show

While in the area, be sure to stay for the sound, water, and light show on Marina Bay.  Spectra is a 15-minute extravaganza featuring fountains, lasers, and music.  Shows are every night at 8 pm and 9 pm with an additional show at 10 pm on Friday and Saturday.  It is a modern version of the Bellagio fountain show in Las Vegas.

ArtScience Museum

For those who love the arts, don’t miss the ArtScience Museum located in a building that looks like a white lotus flower.  21 galleries cover 4,600 square feet over three stories.

Merlion Park

Across the Bay, next to the Colonial District and the Quays and near the Fullerton Hotel is Merlion Park.  The iconic park features a mermaid lion statue.  The fish body symbolizes Singapore’s origin as a fishing village and the lion head stands for Singapore’s original name, Singapura meaning lion city in Sanskrit.

The Quays

From Merlion Park heading northwest along the Singapore River brings you to the quays and Fort Canning Park.  If you don’t want to walk, you can take a bumboat tour. The Quays include Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, and Roberston Quay.  All three quays are loaded with dining options. 

The tourists tend to sit on the waterfront while the locals go a street behind for more authentic fare and better prices.  Getting in the longest line behind the locals in the food courts will never disappoint.

Boat Quay has a more historic feel with an art deco style, Clarke Quay with its rainbow colors is known for its nightlife, and Robertson Quay is for the 30-something crowd that enjoys fine dining and wine. 

Fort Canning Park

Opposite Clarke Quay is Fort Canning Park which was once the palatial grounds of 14^th century Malay kings.  When the British took over, it was also the site of Raffles’ residence.  Now it is a park with gardens, a “tree tunnel” (a popular Instagram shot), and remnants of Fort Canning where Singapore was surrendered to Japan in 1942. The Battle Box, as it is called, features a 26-room underground bunker.

Other popular spots in Singapore’s Colonial District include the National Gallery, Asian Civilisations Museum, and the Raffles Hotel.  You can’t leave Singapore without trying the Raffle’s Bar famous Singapore Sling.

Conclusion

Of course, there are countless things to do in this vibrant city, but these are a few of Singapore’s highlights.  And depending on your travel preferences, you might end up with an entirely different 3-day itinerary for Singapore! ETB

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