Top things to do in Singapore in 3 days

Selamat Datang to Singapore!

Although its history dates back millennia, but the modern Singapore was founded by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819 as a trading post of the British Empire. Located in Southeast Asia, Singapore is just 1 degree of latitude (135 km) north of Equator. Thus, one can expect to get drenched in rain here, almost anytime.

This teeny tiny, beautiful, futuristic country has a lot to offer, in variety as well as quantity, however, one can pretty easily explore majority of Singapore in just two to three days.

I visited Singapore last year around Chinese New Year and it was just a few days before the novel corona virus outbreak had started to grip the world at supersonic speed. I was lucky to have made it to Singapore and back right in time. It was a business trip so I had to squeeze the exploration part, but I did cover the important parts of this city aka state aka nation. By this post, I will take you through the places which you can easily cover with less time in hand, whether you are on a business trip or have a layover in Singapore, it is doable. 

Singapore is a tropical island in Southeast Asia, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. 

It is a city, a nation and a state.

[Read here: Traveling (or not) in the times of COVID-19]

Singapore - the richness of Diversity

Considered to be one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, Singapore is also one of the cleanest and pollution-free countries with state of the art facilities, beautiful architecture, variety of food and honest people. With low crime rate, Singapore is also easy and safe for travelers, however, a bit heavy on pocket; yes, it is also one of the costlier countries in the world. But one must visit Singapore at least once in their lifetime to see how futuristic the world can be.

My Stay

I stayed at 'Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay' which is a modern, reasonably priced, strategically located hotel. They also have an amazing buffet breakfast included in your stay which they call  'Express Start Breakfast'. They also have a coffee shop, 'Baker & Cook' and for drinks, 'Great Room Bar' inside the hotel but they do not have a proper restaurant with big menu. However for its location you have a lot of places around to head for pet puja (food). The Singapore River, Robertson Quay, CBD and China Town are at walking distance and latter is in fact the food haven. Also, the hotel is just 7 min walk from Clarke Quay MRT Station, with accessibility to all of Singapore's major attractions including Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Little India, Chinatown (walkable), etc. At night you can even enjoy the beautifully lit skyline from the roof top of the hotel. [I had a comfortable and peaceful stay at Holiday Inn Express. Their staff is amazing too].

Top things to do in Singapore in 3 days

I will now take you through the places in the form of the itinerary (considering the stay in Clarke Quay or around that location), which will make the city easy for you to explore and in less time. You may tweak the itinerary based on your stay-location.

Day 1: China Town, Little India, Clarke Quay

China Town

If you land in Singapore in the morning, then straight head to your hotel, check-in, freshen up and leave for China Town. Spend time exploring the streets of colourful, bustling China Town. 

Sri Mariamman Temple

One of the older shrines in Singapore, it was built to honor Goddess Mariamman, the deity of disease and protection. It was originally erected by Naraina Pillai (in 1827), an Indian trader from Penang. The temple belongs to South Indian Tamil Hindu community.

Timing: Daily, 0700 to 1200 and 1800 to 2100 hrs

Entry: Free

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum

It is a peaceful Buddhist temple and museum complex which exhibits extensive Buddhist art, history and stories of culture from over thousands of year. Built in 2007, it gets its name from the left canine tooth of Buddha, which was recovered from his funeral pyre in Kushinagar, India. It is displayed on the temple’s grounds and can be viewed from public space (photography is not allowed ONLY on this floor)

This Tang-styled Chinese Buddhist temple was inspired by the Buddhist Mandala, a symbol of Buddhist culture that represents the universe. On the roof, the Pavilion enshrines one of the Five Tathagathas or Five Wisdom Buddhas, and there is a Prayer wheel of Vairocana in the central pagoda, as a beautiful and well maintained, colourful garden around embellish the surrounding which feels Zen-like. The Buddhist Culture Museum is on the third floor which holds many artefacts of Buddha and is a must visit. There is so much history in the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum as much as there is shanti.

Timing: Daily, 0900 to 1800 hrs

Entry: Free

Thian Hock Keng Temple

Taoist-Buddhist temple was dedicated to Ma Zu Po, the Mother of Heavenly Sages and the protector of sailors.

Timing: 0730 to 1730 hrs 

Entry: Free

Chinatown Food Street and Street Market

An interesting market and a shoppers haven, specially for travelers. China town market sells everything [Things you can buy: scarves, bags, shoes, silk robes, chopsticks with interesting design, playing cards, shot glasses etc.]. Chinatown Food Street is in the next lane and has variety of options to gorge on.

Timing: 1100 to 2300 hrs

Entry: Free

You can also visit the famous Maxwell Hawker Centre for Food which remains open from 0800 to 0200 hrs and visit Munch Munch Store to buy Old school Singaporean snacks, candies, toys ($2 onwards), if time permits.

Do watch out for the murals and graffiti which adorns the walls of China Town and the buildings are so colourful. It is a paradise for photographers, so is Little India, amazing art wherever your eyes goes.

Little India

After spending a good first half of your day at China Town including the hearty lunch there, you can straight head to Little India either by MRT (pocket friendly) or cab (costly). 

You can get the EZ card made with some refill amount. It does come handy while using MRT.

House of Tan Teng Niah

The House of Tan Teng Niah is a colourful 2-storey villa dating back to 1900. Located on Kerbau Road, it’s one of the few remaining Chinese structures in Little India that were built during the colonialization of Singapore. It is one of the landmarks and tourists stop by it, on their visit to Little India. It's very colourful and an inviting structure, take as many pictures you want but from the outside, you cannot enter the house.

Entry: Not allowed

Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple

It is one of the older temples in Singapore and a famous one. This beautifully built temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali. The structure, architecture and stone work is really admirable. DO attend the evening aarti if possible.

Timing: Tue: 0530 to 1215 and 1430 to 2100 hrs, Wed–Mon: 0530 to 1215 and 1600 to 2100 Entry: Free

Mustafa Centre

A 24-hour shopping mall that offers designer products at low prices. Shopping at this mall is akin to shopping at an indoor market – narrow aisles jam-packed with all manner of products. Look for Chocolates (viz. Merlion shaped), Sweets, Tea (floral garden collection), souvenir products like key chains, playing cards etc. 

Abdul Gafoor Mosque

Abdul Gafoor Mosque dates back to 1859. It was built to serve South Indian Muslim merchants and those who worked at the old race course at Farrer Park. A must-see at Abdul Gafoor Mosque is the Arabic-style glass cupola, which is supported by Roman pillars inspired by Roman architecture.  

Timing: Fri: 0800 to 1200 and 1430 to 2000 hrs, Sat–Thurs: 0800 to 2000 hrs

Entry: Free

You can easily cover these places by evening. Have dinner at Tekka Centre, one of the top hawker centres in Singapore and among the best places in the city to grab a tasty Indian food or just indulge in some snacking there, if you want to enjoy late dinner at Clarke Quay.

Visit Clarke Quay at night and you will not regret it.

Clarke Quay

There are night clubs if you wanna enjoy Singapore nightlife or take the Singapore river cruise or indulge in the vibrancy from the restaurants and entertainment venues. Eat in the open to sky - food corners (the extensions of the indoor restaurants with tall menus) and enjoy the view of the Singapore River. Also, if you are lucky you will spot street performers (singer) while enjoying the walk around Clarke Quay. I did and it was so fantastic. You can watch the clip here - Singapore Street Singer.

Day 2: Merlion Park, Bay Grandstand, Helix Bridge, ArtScience Museum, Cloud Forest, OCBC Walk, Planet, Garden Rhapsody

Merlion Park

The view of the complete bay area from Merlion Park is impeccable. Merlion park is synonymous with Singapore, its most famous landmark and a major tourist attraction. Visit early to avoid crowd and get your picture with the Merlion statue without the accidental photobombing. 

The Merlion is a mythical creature with a lion's head and the body of a fish that is widely used as a mascot and national personification of Singapore

Originally the Merlion Park was designed by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) as an emblem of Singapore near the mouth of the Singapore River in 1964. However, upon completion of the Esplanade Bridge in 1997. Since, the Merlion statue could no longer be properly viewed from the Marina Bay Waterfront, it was relocated to the present location in the year 2002, that is on the other side of The Esplanade Bridge and adjacent to The Fullerton hotel.

Entry: Free

Esplanade Bridge also known as Jubilee Bridge is a pedestrian bridge and was constructed to commemorate and in the celebration of Singapore's 50th year of independence (2009)

Bay Grandstand and Helix Bridge

It offers a beautiful view of the bay area, has beautiful small gardens, sitting areas and status as you walk towards the ArtScience Museum via Helix Bridge.

The Helix Bridge which is also called 'The Helix', is a pedestrian bridge linking Marina Centre with Marina South in the Marina Bay area in Singapore. The bridge is covered on top and sides in spiral shaped fritted-glass and perforated steel mesh providing shade for pedestrians. At night, the bridge is illuminated by a series of lights which highlights the double-helix structure, and creates a delightful experience for all. While walking through it, one can see pairs of colored letters "c and g, and a and t" which light up at night in red and green representing cytosine, guanine, adenine and thymine, the four bases of DNA. It's an intentional left handed DNA-like design, which is the opposite of normal DNA on earth.

Entry: Free

ArtScience Museum

This was such a delightful experience, a very different kind. ArtScience museum, located adjacent to Marina Bay Sands is the world's first ArtScience museum, featuring major exhibitions that is an astonishing blend of art, science, culture and technology. The Museum also hosts touring exhibitions curated by other museums. The architecture of the museum is said to be a form of lotus flower (designed by the Moshe Safdie) which reminded me of the Lotus Temple (Delhi) and the Opera House (Sydney). 

It has 21 gallery spaces with a total area of 6,000 sqm. But I could visit only one, the 'Future World: Where Art Meets Science'. These installations take you to another world and I think in this case the pictures will speak for itself. To add, there is one exhibit where you see digitalized underwater creatures, and they're nothing but the drawings by the visitors. Color the already sketched underwater creatures, scan it, and then watch them swimming through the beautifully digitalized water screen (this activity made the kid in my heart very happy).

The ArtScience museum apart from its exhibits is also known for sustainability. The lotus shape design is anchored by a round base in the middle, with ten extensions referred to as "fingers" wherein each finger denotes various gallery spaces with skylights at the "fingertips" for sustainable illumination for the curved interior walls. 

Additionally, the rainwater is also harvested and then channeled down the centre of the building, flowing through its bowl-shaped roof into a reflecting pond at the lowest level of the building which is then recycled for use in the building's restrooms. 

Admission Time: 1000 hrs

Ticket: $19

Garden by the Bay

Garden by the Bay is a futuristic nature park spanning 250 acres and consists of three waterfront gardens viz. Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden and Bay Central Garden. It also has two conservatories, the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest. Thus, there is a lot to explore in Garden by the Bay for which a day wouldn't be enough. 

On the way to Garden by the Bay, if you are lucky, you may spot some exotic birds and animals too.

Cloud Forest

I only went for Cloud Forest and it was nice. The Cloud Forest welcomes you with a beautiful waterfall, as misty clouds ☁️ envelops you from outside and within. Take in the mountain views surrounded by diverse vegetation and hidden floral gems all inside a glass dome. 

Learn about nature, sustainability, rare flora and fauna as well as their fast-disappearing environment. It also take you through a variety of interesting, eye-opening installments. 

Timing: 0900 to 2100 hrs

You can have lunch at one of the cafes/restaurants here and relax. 

OCBC Skyway

OCBC Skyway is a 128 m long aerial walkway which offers close-up views of the 12 vertical gardens at Supertree Grove (giant manmade tree structures as tall as 50 m) towering into the sky.

Art Sculptures

Gardens by the Bay is home to more than 40 sculptures from around the world. They are unique pieces and only enhance the beauty of already beautiful Garden by the Bay. Among many art sculptures I saw, 'The Planet aka Floating Baby' intrigued me the most. For me it represented the innocence, calmness and happiness, a baby has which is almost like floating in the air and that is how one feel when they are free of the negativity and worldly things. 

Entry: Super Grove Tree (free) + OCBC Skyway ($8) + Cloud Forest ($28 along with flower dome), if using shuttle service, that’s $3 for unlimited rides in a day. Total = $39

After exploring so much you can relax in café or one of the many gardens as you wait for Garden Rhapsody.

Garden Rhapsody

Lay down in the garden or the walkway, looking towards the sky as supertrees dazzle over you with the light and music. It is magical and fills your heart with so much energy. The orchestra play out some of the most iconic soundtracks in history and the light performance crazily matches every beat of the music. It is an incredible 15 min show. 

I was so mesmerized with the music and the light show against the darkness of night, and when the orchestra played the Bollywood song chaiya chaiya 'छैया छैया', wow, that was such an amazing feeling. 

Timing: Everyday, 1945pm and 2045 hrs

Entry: Free

After the show either you can have dinner in the complex or head to China Town. I suggest latter.

Day 3

Tan Si Chong Su Temple

If you are staying at Holiday Inn Express (Clarke Quay) then visit Tan Si Chong Su (Ancestral Hall of the Tan Clan), a Chinese temple which is hardly a minute walking distance from the hotel.

Located on Magazine Road, it was constructed between 1876 and 1878 as the ancestral temple for those with the same Tan surname. It also meant that Chinese people with the same surname would share a common ancestry and therefore belong to the same clan. The temple is also known as the "Tan Seng Haw" and Po Chiak Keng, also written as Bao Chi Gong and other variants, meaning "palace for the protection of the innocent".

You can visit this temple and then straight head to the airport or depending upon the time of departure can try and explore more of Clarke Quay which includes some amazing spots viz. take a stroll by the Singapore River in the morning or go for a boat tour, visit Asian Civilizations Museum, Fort Canning Park, or experience Lockdown Singapore which is a real-life escape game (Ooh, thrilling!)

Other things you can do in Singapore if you have more time

Sentosa Island 

Sentosa is a 1,236-acre island resort and is home to major tourist attractions like Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A. Aquarium, and Tiger Sky Tower observatory. You need a minimum of one whole day to cover some of the important sights here. If more time is available, enjoy the beaches, try zip line at Mega Adventure Park, shop at the massive Luxury Fashion Galleria,  go Golfing and the list goes on.

With five days plan you may further cover some of the following per your interest

• Singapore Flyer
• National Gallery Singapore
• Spectra – Marina Bay Sands Light Show
• Sands - Skypark Observation Deck

• Red Dot Museum
• Bugis Street Market
• The Southern Ridges
• Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

• Raffles place
• Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay
• St. Andrew's Cathedral
• Haw Par Villa
• Pulau Ubin
• The Intan
• Kampong Glam
• Singapore Botanic Garden - Singapore's First UNESCO World Heritage Site

Also, watch out for the creative art installations and murals across the city.

[Read here: 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Nepal]

Singapore Changi Airport

Do not forget to visit the Rain Vortex which is the world's tallest indoor waterfall. It is seven storeys tall, and pumps 500,000 liters of rainwater through the roof of the Jewel building (a fifth of the volume of an Olympic-sized swimming pool). 

You can also shop from the airport which is home to various brands and variety of products.

[Read here: What it's like to fly business class with Jet Airways]

Important notes and tips for your travel to Singapore

• Stay: Singapore being costly, try to book your stay as per your budget. Hostel is a good option as the city is safe and tourist friendly. I stayed in Holiday Inn Express (Clarke Quay) for my business trip, and it is quite reasonably priced too considering the location.
• Eat and Drink: If you are on a budget, go for street food/ hawkers. The food is amazing and the street food is quite famous too among the tourists. Non-veg options are in plenty, however veg options on budget can be an issue. But if you are okay with fruits and salads, ice cream and soups, there should not be much problem. Do try kaya toast if you are an eggetarian (the jam is egg and coconut based) with coffee. However, try such a place for your stay which has breakfast included. Also, no need to buy water bottles, the tap water here is drinkable.

• Travel Kit: Do carry your travel kit, it may be costly to buy new set of everything, remember Singapore is costly.

[Read here: What's in your travel kit?]

• Intracity travel: Cab is one option but costly and since the city is well connected with MRT system, I suggest you get an EZ card for easy, comfortable and cheaper commute. Also check for hop on - hop off bus and Singapore Tourist pass. Try free walking tours in the city.
• Clean and Green city: Absolutely no littering, there are heavy fines. Chewing gum is banned in Singapore.
• Best time to visit: Any time is a good time to visit Singapore or no as it is hot and humid year around. However if you visit during Chinese new year, you will find Singapore in a different light with interesting decorations adorning the streets. But it may get costlier and crowded in such period.
• What to wear: Comfortable clothes, cotton and light clothes will be perfect.
• Visa: Indians to apply for visa prior to their arrival in Singapore.
• Shopping: China town is the best place to shop for souvenirs. In eateries apart from Merlion shaped chocolates, look for rock chocolates, Kaya jam (coconut and egg based), Sling (alcohol) to bring back home.
• GST Refund: The tourists in Singapore can claim GST refund so keep all your receipts safe. However, do read T&C on how to claim it.

Here's a small video on 3 days itinerary which showcases my experience. 

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A post shared by stuti 🚲 (@junkkdna)

Hope the above detailed itinerary and my video helps with your Singapore travel planning. 

Have a safe and great vacation friends (plan now travel post pandemic).

Yours truly,

Me and My Suitcase

Note: 

All pictures are taken by me unless otherwise mentioned.

The post is in no way affiliated with any individual or party and is influenced purely by my amazing experience of Singapore.