Gardens at the Bay Singapore

4 Days in Singapore Itinerary

By Adam Fraiel

Organized, safe, and clean, Singapore blends technology with nature, all while maintaining and celebrating its rich history. Despite its small size, Singapore packs a huge punch. A luxury shopping haven alongside a natural paradise, with adventure parks, endless nightlife, and world-class museums all packed into one small island.

Whether you’re visiting for days, weeks, or months, you’ll never be bored in Singapore. Four days is a perfect amount of time to get a real feel for the city, whatever your goals. To help you plan your itinerary, we’ve put together a selection of our top recommendations.

Must-Do Museums

National Museum of Singapore

Recommended Visit: 2 - 3 hours

As one of the largest museums in Asia, The National Museum of Singapore exhibits sculptures, paintings, drawings, and archaeological finds from Singapore and around the world. Housing both permanent and temporary exhibitions, it covers a wide range of fields and aims to enhance understanding of Singapore society.

National Gallery Singapore

Recommended Visit: 1 - 2 hours

The National Gallery Singapore is the country’s premier art museum and gallery that showcases the major art movements from the 19th century to modern-day masterpieces. The gallery currently houses over 9,000 pieces from both Singapore and Southeast Asian modern art.

Spread across two iconic buildings - City Hall and the former Supreme Court, the gallery spans 64,000 square meters and takes a unique transnational approach, displaying works from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, The Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Brunei.

Engaging Activities

Trickeye @ Southside Singapore

Recommended Visit: 2-3 hours

Experience the power of illusion with Singapore’s very own optical art museum, Trickeye. Combining optical illusions with augmented reality, the Trickeye Museum creates mind-bendingly fun exhibits that defy belief, leaving you with amazing photos to baffle your friends and family.

Nightlife

Last orders: 9:30PM

Marina Bay Sands’ premier bar, CÉ LA VI, offers some of the best views in Singapore, as well as a VIP area where you can feel like a celebrity. It is undoubtedly one of the best rooftop bars in Singapore, offering stunning 360-degree panoramic views from the 57th floor.

Retail Therapy

Recommended Visit: A full day experience

Shopping in Singapore is an unforgettable experience, with tons of trendy shops and retail chains to choose from. From cheap T-shirts and jeans at Bugis Street to luxury watches and high-end fashion at Orchard Road, you’ll find it all here.

For the ultimate luxury shopping experience, head to The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands - full of big brands, the latest technology and some of the finest restaurants in the city. It’s not just the shops though. Waterfalls cascading from the roof, gondolas paddling down the rivers - it’s a delight for all the senses.

Outdoor Escapes

River Cruise

Recommended Visit: 60 minutes

Escape the hustle of the city and enjoy a relaxing Singapore River Cruise. Sailing in a traditional bumboat, you’ll pass famous sights like Old Parliament House, Fullerton Hotel, and Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort.

The river cruise takes you on a journey of Singapore’s past, present, and future. It’s the perfect way to relax after a hard day’s shopping or sightseeing. Aim for a sunset or evening cruise to enjoy the cooler temperatures and mesmerizing light show.

Singapore Zoo

Recommended Visit: 3 hours

The number 1 zoo in Asia, Singapore Zoo, is an enchanting place for all the family!

Located in Mandai Wildlife Reserve, enjoy an unforgettable experience as you discover the wonders of the animal kingdom up close. The 26-hectare award-winning Singapore Zoo, with over 4,200 animals of over 300 species, allows the opportunity to see the wildlife in their natural habitats.

Learn about the ongoing conservation work which helps preserve the endangered species and environments as you get up close and personal with white tigers, Malayan tapirs, flying foxes, and much more.

Parks

Recommended Visit: Whenever you need to escape the city life

Singapore is home to over 350 parks, with just under half of the city classed as ‘green zones’. While shopping, adventure parks, and nightlife are integral parts of the Singapore experience, it’s not difficult to find a tranquil oasis to calm your mind.

Bukit Batok Nature Park, formerly an abandoned quarry, is one such escape. Spanning 36 hectares and offering stunning natural vistas, the focal point is the huge reflecting pool. You’ll also spot endangered birds, monitor lizards, and enchanting flowers in this perfect pocket of peacefulness.

If flowers are your thing, then a trip to Floral Fantasy is the dream. The four diverse garden landscapes combine natural beauty, artistic majesty, and technological innovation to deliver a sensory sensation.

Getting Around

By foot

Singapore is one of the safest cities on earth, so traveling by foot is not only a possibility but positively encouraged. If you’ve got the time, allow yourself the opportunity to just wander. You’ll discover Buddhist temples, delightful little tea rooms, lively clubs and pubs, and stunning parks.

Public Transport

If time’s against you, the public transport system in Singapore is one of the best in the world. Clean, efficient, reliable, and spanning every corner of the island, nowhere is out of reach.

The MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) Subway system has 130 stations across 6 lines, servicing over 3 million trips per day. They offer tourist passes, covering 1, 2, or 3 days of unlimited travel, or you can use a contactless bank card.

If you’re using a bank card, be sure to scan it both before entering and after exiting the system. Admin fees may also apply to foreign-issued cards, so we recommend the unlimited tourist pass for convenience and peace of mind.

Cycling

One of Asia’s most cycle-friendly cities, Singapore is a two-wheeled dream. With 500km of dedicated cycling routes, it’s a great way to combine exercise with sightseeing.

Take a Historical Singapore Bicycle Tour and gain a local perspective as you explore not just the iconic tourist destinations, but also the less traveled areas - residential and non-touristic neighborhoods to gain a true understanding of daily life in the Garden City.

Cable car

Travel in style as you soar above the city, from Mount Faber to Sentosa. The entire journey takes around 15 minutes, but the memories will stay with you long after. The 5.6km journey is fully air-conditioned, the views are spectacular and, in the evenings, they have a light show atop Mount Faber.

Save on Admission to Top Singapore Attractions

Explore the best things to do with a pass for Singapore by Go City®. Select from top attractions with our All-Inclusive and Explorer passes, where you’ll enjoy access to galleries, museums, tours much more.

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The lights of the Singapore skyline reflected in water as multicoloured fireworks explode above
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Singapore in January

Wondering what’s the best time to visit Singapore? Hooray! - there’s no wrong answer! Just 85 miles from the equator this tiny tropical island is balmy all year round - and its multi-ethnic, multi-lingual society comprising Chinese, Malay, Indian and other nationalities, means the welcome is equally warm. That crazy cultural melting pot also means that there’s almost always a festival underway and January is no exception. So whatever time of the month you visit, be ready to be swept up in the colour and joy of celebrations. Whilst January is one of the wettest and windiest months by Singapore standards, there’s definitely no shortage of sunshine, with average temperatures still a far-from-cold 27oC. So, whether you’re looking for nature or nightlife, sights, scenery or city living, pack your shorts (and perhaps a portable umbrella) and bask in the best things to do in Singapore in January, including: • New Year in Singapore • Singapore festivals (Pongal and Thaipusam) • Chinese New Year in Singapore • Gardens by the Bay • Singapore Wildlife Attractions - Bird Paradise - Singapore Zoo - Night Safari • Singapore Indoor Attractions - National Museum of Singapore - Madame Tussauds - Virtual Room Singapore New Year in Singapore Grab your glad rags and pop some corks; there’s no shortage of celebrations for New Year’s Eve in Singapore. As the sky lights up with pyrotechnics and light projections, Marina Bay Sands is a focal point for partying and live performance. An icon of modern Singapore, this luxury hotel, shopping and lifestyle destination is topped by... yes, believe your eyes...a full-size ship, which also happens to be home to the world’s largest infinity pool. You don’t need the excuse of New Year to take a dip there - nor to come aboard to indulge in the luxury of Marina Bay Sands’ premier bar. Book your spot in the VIP area of the CÉ LA VI Skybar and sip your complimentary drink whilst you take in the stunning 360o city panorama. New Year’s Day is also the final day of the Great Bay Fiesta, Marina Bay’s winter playground, complete with snow and ice attractions, breathtaking circus shows, carousels, carnival games, food stalls and loads more. Throw yourself into the fun throughout December, knowing that New Year’s Day is a national holiday in Singapore when you can kick back, make like the locals and celebrate with a foodie feast, champagne brunch or afternoon tea. Pongal Time your visit for the middle of January to join in the joyous celebrations for the Tamil Hindu harvest festival when farmers give thanks to Surya (the Sun God), Mother Nature and the farm animals. Families honor the Sun God by cooking a pot of rice to offer up at dawn and share with family and friends. Pongal means ‘to overflow’ so the rice has to bubble over to symbolize prosperity and abundance.Although it’s a four-day festival, celebrations go on all month so you’ll find the streets are also overflowing with light, color and things to see and do. Hit Little India, the vibrant historic and cultural center of Singapore’s Indian community, for the Pongal Light-up Ceremony and grab all the pics for the ‘gram as a myriad of magical lights welcome in the festival. Visit the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple - dedicated to Kali a protector goddess and destroyer of evil. Explore the mix of Hindu and Chinese temples on Serangood Road. Shop for everything from spices to unique home decor in the Festive Village. Find flower garland sellers jostling with modern eateries and boutique hotels. Check out the Tekka Centre (Singapore’s largest ‘wet’ market) for a mystifying array of rare produce. Browse open-air goldsmith shops and sari centers. And feast your way along the colorful streets and alleys, discovering South Indian vegetarian food, North Indian tandoori dishes and local treats like prata (round pancakes) and teh tarik (pulled tea). You’re welcome. Thaipusam You may also be around to catch another colorful, but deeply religious, Hindu festival celebrated in Singapore in January or February (according to the timing of the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai). Thaipusam literally brings traffic to a standstill, thanks to its vibrant annual procession in honor of Lord Subramaniam (sometimes known as Lord Murugan), the destroyer of evil and representing virtue, youth and power. Stake out your spot in Little India’s historic streets, as the procession winds its way from the dazzling Sri Thendayuthapani Temple, the roof of which is made from 48 colored and etched glass panels angled to catch the sparkle of the rising and setting sun.Then try not to wince as you watch traditional devotees carry kavadi (literally ‘a sacrifice at every step’) which range from wooden spikes that pierce the tongue and other body parts - to huge heavy frames decorated with flowers and feathers. Less alarmingly others carry pots of milk, symbolizing abundance and fertility. Chinese New Year in Singapore The date of the first full moon of the year also determines the most important date in the Chinese calendar - Chinese, or Lunar, New Year. Whether it falls in January or February, revel in the festive atmosphere in Singapore’s Chinatown as beautiful lanterns blaze for the Chinese New Year Opening Ceremony. Be dazzled by the lights and ornaments that adorn the streets and jostle with tourists and locals among stalls selling everything from pottery, homeware and clothes to delicious sweet and savory treats. On the eve of the new year families hurry home to share a Reunion Dinner with their loved ones, to honour ancestors and traditional deities, a tradition so important to so many people that it is often known as ‘the world’s largest human migration’. Don’t miss the Chingay parade in Marina Bay, as the year is ushered in with floats and performances including stilt walkers and lion dancers. To get a handle on what it’s all about, why not drop by the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Museum, which often hosts exhibitions to help visitors understand Chinese history and culture. It includes an exhibition of Nian Hua, traditional woodblock prints used to decorate homes for Chinese New year. Gardens by the Bay Even though local markets and shops are shut for at least a week, the major malls, tourist areas and entertainment attractions will all be buzzing. Join the crowds for River Hongbao, one of the most popular New Year celebrations, featuring live stage performances and amusement rides. It takes place at Gardens by the Bay, the stunning natural park recognizable around the world as a symbol of Singapore. Make the most of the photo ops whilst the gardens are decorated with good luck symbols, positive messages, giant coin pouches and particularly giant lanterns. But, whatever the time of year, you can Pick up a Gardens by the Bay ticket that also includes access to the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest featuring Avatar: The Experience. For New Year the Flower Dome showcases Dahlia Dreams, a breathtaking floral display of over 2000 dahlias, which appear alongside other auspicious New Year blooms like azaleas and chrysanthemums. Chinatown Not just in January but all year long, Singapore’s Chinatown is a heady mix of heritage, culture and architecture, where historic temples sit alongside hip bars and colorful street art. Testament to Singapore’s multi-ethnic society, it is the only Chinatown that is home to a Buddhist temple, a mosque and a Hindu temple along the same street.Share the peace and beauty of the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum, with its tranquil rooftop garden, pagoda and beautiful interior designed in the form of a mandala.Or compare the architecture of Masjid Jamae (the Big Mosque) with the Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. Though Chinatown is not all tradition. After dark the streets come alive with music, so make the most of the bustling bars and food ranging from traditional flavors to modern fusion. Singapore Wildlife Attractions As the holiday season comes to a close and the crowds die down, January can be a peaceful time to enjoy some of Singapore’s main attractions at your own pace. Jurong Bird Park Wing your way to Bird Paradise, Asia's largest bird park, to discover over 3,500 birds, as well as the tallest artificial waterfall in the world. Singapore Zoo Over at the Singapore Zoo you can watch orangutans swing high above their platforms, not to mention sloths, chimpanzees, meerkats, a komodo dragon, white tigers, kangaroos and many more. Over 300 species living amid lush vegetation have ensured the zoo’s reputation as the world’s best rainforest zoo and an important center for conservation. Night Safari When night falls, take the Night Safari; you can’t fail to be fascinated by over 100 species in the world’s first nocturnal wildlife park. Follow one of the four walking trails or take the tram to see the natural habitats and learn the secrets of native and endangered species including the Malayan tiger, Malayan tapir and Asian elephant. Singapore Indoor Attractions And you needn’t let the rainy season put a damper on your adventures since Singapore has plenty of undercover attractions too. From culture to family fun, there’s something for every age and taste. Perhaps you’ll choose to get a handle on the country’s rich culture and history via the captivating installations at The National Museum of Singapore. Head over to Madame Tussauds Singapore to pose for a selfie with Taylor Swift, David Beckham and a galaxy of other stars of Hollywood, Bollywood, TV and sport. Your ticket offers an exciting 5-in-1 experience, with other attractions including the Spirit of Singapore Boat Ride and a Marvel 4D Experience. Or escape reality at the unique virtual adventure that is Virtual Room Singapore. Enjoy multi-player fun in the world’s best team-based virtual reality experience, where 3D cinematic effects are combined with an escape room concept. Immerse yourself in high-tech, high definition gameplay as you interact, walk, talk and problem-solve your way through each activity. Phew! It’s only the beginning of the year and there’s already so much to see and do. Whether you choose to throw yourselves into the colourful celebrations, pack in the attractions, or prefer a peaceful natural retreat, remember that picking up an All-Inclusive Pass or an Explorer Pass is the best way to sight-see and save in Singapore. Happy new year and happy adventuring - with Go City.
Jo Cooke
Singapore skyline with a pink and yellow sky
Blog

Places to watch the sunset in Singapore

Have a look through the photos on your phone and chances are you'll find plenty of sunsets. There’s just something about a glowing pink sky that makes us want to stop and capture it, despite the fact that it happens every day. When we’re traveling, finding a good place to watch it becomes part of the itinerary, almost like a destination hunt, or going to see a show. Singapore, with its iconic skyline, rooftop terraces and scattered islands, has plenty of picture-perfect places to see it, but you have to get your timing right as they only tend to last between 20 and thirty minutes. The good news is, because Singapore is so close to the equator there isn’t much variation in its timing – you can expect the sun to set between roughly 6:50 and 7:20pm whatever time of year you’re there. For the best views, head to: The Marina Bay Sands The Gardens by the Bay The Pinnacle@Duxton From the river Mount Faber Park and Cable Car Sentosa Island The Marina Bay Sands If you’re not staying at the Marina Bay Sands, you should at least make one visit to this iconic structure and its 57th floor SkyPark. With 360-degree views it’s the perfect place to watch the sun sink below the horizon, whether you want to look east over the bay or west towards Sentosa Island. While you’re there, see if you can take a selfie with a celebrity in the background, and be sure to stop for a drink at the Ce La Vi SkyBar. Inside the hotel you’ll also find a casino, museum, shopping mall and several celebrity chef-inspired restaurants, so you won’t run out of things to do! The Gardens by the Bay No visit to Singapore would be complete without a visit to the iconic Supertrees in the Gardens by the Bay – and because of their unmistakable silhouette this enchanting canopy makes the perfect backdrop to any sunset. If you can time it right, watch the light fade from the OCBC Skyway, a 128-meter-long boardwalk between two of the Supertrees, 22 meters above the ground. Even better, head up to the garden’s highest point in the Supertree Observatory, where you’ll also find refreshments and interactive information displays. Look out at familiar landmarks like Floral Fantasy and the Marina Bay Sands Hotel as you enjoy nature’s most spectacular and ever-changing display. The Pinnacle@Duxton This little-known vantage point is the tallest public residence in Singapore, right on the western edge of Chinatown. It has two sky bridges and the highest one, on the 50th floor, is open to the public for a small fee. It’s a wonderful spot for looking down on the district, especially in the evening when the red-roofed pagodas begin to glow and colorful paper lanterns twinkle cheerfully. It’s open until 9pm and there’s a garden as well as a deck area, so you can lounge around with a drink if you like or have a quiet stroll before you return to the bustle below. From the River The gentle lapping of water, pink and yellow hues reflecting in the water, cool breezes gently blowing in your hair – we all know that sunsets look better from the water. It’s a great way to see Singapore as well, giving you a chance to move back from the hive of glass and concrete and admire the skyline as it turns from glowing pink edifice to stunning silhouette. Bop along gently in a traditional bumboat from Marina Bay and along the Singapore river, watching as iconic landmarks like the Fullerton Hotel and the Merlion Statue are lit up in the harbor. The Singapore River Cruise lasts around 40 minutes, so time it for about 6:30pm and you should be in for some exceptional evening entertainment. Mount Faber Park and Cable Car If you like a hike before your sunsets, head to the top of Mount Faber Park to the west of the city for stunning views over Keppel Harbor and the waterways to the west. Here you’ll find a number of eateries, if you need a degustation-themed reward for your exertions, and also plenty of spots to sit and have a picnic – especially if you want to stay and watch the stars come out. You could also ride the cable car from Faber Peak, which will carry you over the glittering harbor to Sentosa Island – float over city lights and lush rainforests while the sky turns to indigo around you. The cable car runs until 10pm and your pass includes a return trip, so you can enjoy a pleasant evening exploring the island before heading back. Sentosa Island It’s on the western side of the city and has plenty of beaches, which makes it the perfect place to sit and savor a spectacular sunset. There are hotel rooftop terraces – such as at the Outpost and Village hotels, or you could ride the SkyHelix Sentosa, which is a rotating gondola that takes you 79 meters above sea level. If that’s not enough adrenaline for you, perhaps you’d prefer the AJ Hackett Sentosa Skybridge, where you can swing from a height of 40 meters over the beach. On the other hand, if you’ve spent the day exploring Universal Studios, enjoy the sunset view from the top of one of its unique rides, such as Puss in Boots’ Giant Journey, the Battlestar Galactica: Human vs Cylon Dueling Coasters, or Donkey’s Dragon (from Shrek) Enchanted Airways Coaster. Follow the sun with Go City No matter where you go in Singapore, there’ll always be a sunset worth finding a spot for. And whatever you do, make sure you have your Go City All-Inclusive or Explorer Pass to hand, to make sure you save on all your favorite attractions around the city.
Karleen Stevens

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