5 days in Singapore

Day by day

1. Day 1: Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands SkyPark

   Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands SkyPark and Merlion Park and the Marina Bay promenade, then Night Safari in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Gardens by the Bay

      Visit the cool conservatories in the afternoon heat, then lie on the ground under the Supertree Grove for the free evening show. (3–4 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Marina Bay Sands SkyPark

      Go up about 30 minutes before sunset to see the skyline in daylight and after dark on one ticket. (1 hour, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Hainanese chicken rice

      Maxwell Food Centre in Chinatown is the classic stop; most hawker centres have a chicken-rice stall.

   4. Afternoon

      Merlion Park and the Marina Bay promenade

      Walk the loop at dusk when it is cooler, timing your arrival at the Event Plaza for a Spectra show. (1–2 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Night Safari

      Take an early entry slot so children are not exhausted, and walk the trails after the tram for quieter viewing.

2. Day 2: Singapore Botanic Gardens and Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

   Singapore Botanic Gardens, Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Little India, then Singapore River bumboat cruise in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Singapore Botanic Gardens

      Come at 7–8am with the joggers, when it is cool and the swans and terrapins on Swan Lake are most active. (2–3 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

      Cover shoulders and knees (shawls are provided), then cross to Maxwell Food Centre for lunch. (1 hour, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Laksa

      East Coast Road in Katong is the home of Katong laksa; hawker versions are everywhere.

   4. Afternoon

      Little India

      Come in the late afternoon, then eat dinner at Tekka Centre or a Race Course Road fish-head curry restaurant. (Half a day, free).

   5. Evening

      Singapore River bumboat cruise

      Take a sailing after dark to see the skyline lit up and, with good timing, the Spectra show from the water.

3. Day 3: Kampong Glam and Sultan Mosque and National Gallery Singapore

   Kampong Glam and Sultan Mosque, National Gallery Singapore and Asian Civilisations Museum, then Clarke Quay in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Kampong Glam and Sultan Mosque

      Visitors can enter the mosque outside prayer times; robes are lent at the door. (2–3 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      National Gallery Singapore

      Even without a gallery ticket, head to the rooftop for the view over the Padang and the bay. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Chilli crab

      Seafood restaurants at East Coast Seafood Centre and along the river at Clarke Quay; it is priced by weight.

   4. Afternoon

      Asian Civilisations Museum

      Combine it with a walk along the river to Boat Quay for lunch or a drink. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Clarke Quay

      Neon riverside bars and clubs in restored warehouses, busiest on Friday and Saturday nights.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Johor Bahru

   About 1–2 hours including the border each way. Getting there: Causeway bus from Queen Street, or shuttle train from Woodlands.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Johor Bahru

      About 1–2 hours including the border (Causeway bus from Queen Street, or shuttle train from Woodlands); about 25 km.

   2. Day

      Johor Bahru

      Malaysia's southern city lies just across the Causeway, with the Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque, an old town of shophouses and Legoland Malaysia in Iskandar Puteri. Best for budget, families and food lovers.

   3. Evening

      Back in Singapore

      Dinner: try Char kway teow.

5. Day 5: National Museum of Singapore and Singapore Zoo

   National Museum of Singapore, Singapore Zoo and Universal Studios Singapore, then Ann Siang Hill, Club Street and Keong Saik Road in the evening.

   1. Morning

      National Museum of Singapore

      Climb Fort Canning Park behind the museum afterwards for its spice garden and colonial-era gates. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Singapore Zoo

      Arrive at opening when the animals are active and before the midday heat; allow 45 minutes by MRT and shuttle bus from the centre. (Half a day, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Char kway teow

      Hawker centres such as Hong Lim Market and Chinatown Complex.

   4. Afternoon

      Universal Studios Singapore

      Go on a weekday outside school holidays and head to the coasters first. (Full day, expensive).

   5. Evening

      Ann Siang Hill, Club Street and Keong Saik Road

      Cocktail bars, wine bars and restaurants in restored shophouses on the southern edge of Chinatown.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and Universal Studios Singapore before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Marina Bay keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Chinatown ($$) suits first-timers, food lovers, budget, culture and solo travellers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 32–41 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 12 hours in December to 12.2 hours in May.

More or fewer days

• One day in Singapore
• 2 days in Singapore
• 3 days in Singapore
• 4 days in Singapore
• 7 days in Singapore

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