The Best 3-Day Itinerary for First-Time Visitors to Singapore

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This ultimate Singapore itinerary takes first-time tourists to various neighbourhoods that showcase Singapore’s varied background. Your itinerary will include colorful historic shophouses, futuristic skyscrapers, and interesting activities.

You could spend a week in Singapore to see the sights, but three days is enough.

Day 1: Colonial District and Gardens by the Bay (Buy Ticket)

Day 2: Night time Marina Bay and Singapore’s Multicultural Heritage

Day 3: Universal Studios Singapore (Buy Ticket)

Where to Stay in Singapore

Staying centrally will maximize your city experience. We recommend a hotel in one of these convenient neighborhoods for this Singapore itinerary:

Marina Bay has Great views, riverfront, close to Gardens by the Bay. A bit pricey.

Bugis is convenient to Marina Bay, Kampong Glam, and Little India.  Luxurious and budget accommodations both are available.

Chinatown has affordable motels near Marina Bay.

Orchard Road is close to retail malls and embassies (we received Thailand and Indonesia visas here). While the Singapore Botanic Gardens are nearby, they are less handy for this itinerary.

Bugis, Andaz, Singapore

andaz-singapore-hotel-
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Low-cost accommodation

Beary Best and The Hive Singapore Hostel are among many Bugis and Kampong Glam hostels and capsule hotels. Chinatown has cheap hotels. Hotel Mono features charming ensuite double rooms and the Bohemian Chic is a chic hostel.

Andaz Singapore
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Singapore Transport

Singapore is accessible. Walking in this walkable city is usually rewarding, although the heat makes it tiresome and sweaty in the middle of the day.
A S$34 Singapore Tourist Pass provides unlimited rides for three days (with a $10 refundable deposit).

Armenian Street
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Best Time to Visit Singapore

You may visit Singapore year-round. There are lively events like Chinese New Year in January or February or Little India Diwali in October or November.

If you are planning a trip to Singapore check for local holidays and festivals.

Day 1: Colonial District and Gardens by the Bay

Visit Colonial District

The National Museum of Singapore introduces Singapore’s history and multiculturalism.
A magnificent Neo-Palladian structure from 1887 houses it, with a huge Indian rubber tree outside.

After seeing the National Museum, stroll through Singapore’s Colonial District to see 150-year-old St Andrew’s Cathedral and Fort Canning Park.One of Singapore’s biggest tourist destinations is nearby. In the Long Bar of the historic Raffles Hotel, the Singapore Sling cocktail was invented and peanut shells are brushed over the floor.

National Museum
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Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay is a top Singapore attraction. It is crowded on weekends, so avoid them. Since the gardens are beautiful at night, plan your visit to be completed before sundown. You should have time if you come by 2 or 3 pm.The huge outside gardens are free, but at this time of day, you’ll undoubtedly want to enter the excellent paying conservatories.

Buy discounted tickets for Gardens by the Bay here

The Cloud Forest is the most distinctive climate-controlled dome and has a massive waterfall, so if you have limited time, visit it. Tickets cost S$53 adults/S$40 children.

Transport: Gardens by the Bay is a 30-minute walk from the Colonial District or Bayfront on the Downtown and Circle lines.

Gardens by the bay
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Marina Bay Sands Sunset Cocktail

The most famous building in Singapore is Marina Bay Sands. A boat-shaped edifice with the iconic infinity pool, gardens, and an observation deck above three 55-story towers. The structure has a hotel, stores, and restaurants.

Transport: Marina Bay Sands is a 10-minute walk from Gardens by the Bay.

Marina Bay Sands Sunset Cocktail
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Supertrees Light Show

The steel trunks of these 25–50-metre futuristic trees are covered in orchids, ferns, and climbing tropical blooms. Many trees provide solar power and collect rainwater.

The Supertrees look best at night, and the free Garden Rhapsody light and sound performance happens daily at 7.45pm and 8.45pm.

Supertrees Light Show
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Day 2: Night time Marina Bay and Singapore’s Multicultural Heritage

In multicultural Singapore, Chinese, Malay, and Indian are the main ethnic groupings.
Visit three ethnic neighborhoods in Singapore on your second day.If you have limited time, this Private Chinatown, Little India & Kampong Glam Tour sounds good.

Little India

Singapore’s Indian community lives in Little India, a vibrant, bustling neighborhood that smells like India and plays Bollywood music.

Transport: Stay in  Bugis and stroll to Little India or take the Downtown or North East MRT.

littleindia-singapore
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Kampong Glam

Muslims and Arabs live in Kampong Glam, Singapore.Singapore’s oldest urban sector was given to Malay and Arab communities by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1822.Mosques, colorful shophouses, and hipster cafes and bars dot the area.

Transport: Walk 15 minutes from Little India to Kampong Glam or take the MRT Downtown to Bugis.

hajilane-singapore
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Chinatown

Chinatown, originally home to Singapore’s Chinese immigrant community, today has historic temples and hip eateries. Only one Chinatown in the world has a Buddhist, Muslim, and Hindu temple on one block.

Transport: Take the MRT Downtown from Bugis to Chinatown.

Riverside/Marina Bay Walk

Marina Bay is worth two nights because there’s enough to see. See the Spectra Light from Merlion Fountain.

Spectra light show from the Merlion fountain
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Day 3: Universal Studios Singapore

Universal Studios Singapore

Movie-themed rides and attractions make Universal Studios Singapore a fantastic day out.
The park is small, so if you come at 10 am (to avoid crowds), you can finish by midafternoon and return to your hotel for a refreshing dip.

Buy discounted tickets for Universal Studios Singapore here

Transport: MRT to HarbourFront station, then Sentosa Express monorail to Waterfront station, a short walk from the park. The monorail costs S$4 for one trip, although you can use your MRT card to board. You’ll travel 30 minutes from Bugis.

universal-studios-singapore-
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Singapore: Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! Diverse neighborhoods, fun attractions, and wonderful food make Singapore special. This Singapore travel guide should help you plan.

Anangsha Alomyan
Anangsha Alomyan
I'm a passionate digital marketer and content writer with a flair for creating compelling online experiences. My journey involves navigating the ever-evolving digital landscape, crafting engaging content, and bringing brands to life in the digital realm.

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