How Many Days in Singapore is Enough

Find out how long you need in Singapore to experience the city's top things to do!

UPDATED NOVEMBER 2024
By Adam Fraiel
Gardens by the Bay Singapore

It’s only a small island, but Singapore has plenty to keep you occupied. With so many attractions, adventure parks, complexes, and cultural centers to squeeze in, how much time do you need to see it all? Regardless if you’re visiting for a day, weekend, or longer, we’ll cover how to see the most attractions with the time you have.

How long do I need in Singapore?

How Many Days in Singapore is Enough

Historically, people visited Singapore as a stopover or as part of a holiday in Southeast Asia. However, with the rise of Singapore as a tourism hotspot, people are flying direct and staying for longer and longer. How much time do you need in Singapore? That depends on what you want to do and see, plus your budget.

You should plan to spend at least 4-5 days in Singapore if you want to see as much as possible. This would give you time to visit Singapore’s iconic sites like the Merlion, Gardens by the Bay, and Marina Bay Sands, as well as explore its diverse neighborhoods like Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam, and Tiong Bahru.

We also recommend longer stays for first-timers. This gives you time to experience Singapore’s culinary scene, see the UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Singapore Botanic Gardens and the Singapore Zoo, and enjoy its rich culture.

It’s also a good idea to spend at least 2-3 nights in Singapore to experience the nightlife. The city never stops, but at night it steps up a gear with nightclubs, light shows, and a superb selection of rooftop bars.

 

Must-see attractions in Singapore

You can’t leave Singapore without visiting these popular attractions. Tick these off your itinerary and you’ll have a greater appreciation of the Garden City.

 

Gardens by the Bay

How Many Days in Singapore is Enough

This attraction is not to be missed when you come to Singapore. Gardens by the Bay is an urban garden spanning 101 hectares, with two immense greenhouses; the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. Surrounded by over 100,000 plants from over 5,000 species, take a stroll along the Supertree Grove or the Dragonfly Lake and surround yourself with Singapore’s lush greenery.

Night Safari

Singapore Zoo is famous for its nocturnal animals. The Night Safari showcases a vast array of animals, including lions, leopards, Malaysian tapirs, hippos, tigers, hyenas, otters, bears, and more. They’re all housed in a zoo environment that mimics their natural habitats, meaning you get to discover how these amazing animals behave at night.

Sentosa Island

Sentosa Island is one of the top tourist attractions in Singapore. This resort island offers exciting activities for everyone in the family. If you want to go on an adventure, visit Universal Studios Singapore and ride the adrenaline-packed rides, or get up close and personal with sea life at Adventure Cove Waterpark. Sentosa’s also home to plenty of stunning beaches, clubs, and restaurants, so there’s no shortage of activities.

Singapore Flyer

How Many Days in Singapore is Enough

Singapore Flyer is Asia’s largest giant observation wheel. Take a fully air-conditioned capsule ride to the top of the Singapore Flyer, and enjoy the 360-degree panoramic views of the Singapore city skyline and Marina Bay, all from 165 meters high.

The Marina Bay Sands Hotel

The Marina Bay Sands Hotel is a 55-story hotel with over 2000 rooms. The hotel features the SkyPark, a 150,000-square-foot rooftop garden with an infinity swimming pool. You can dine at any of the restaurants and bars in the hotel, visit one of many museums or art galleries in the hotel, or shop at the variety of stores in the hotel.

You could see all these attractions in one long weekend, although you’d probably want to spread them out to really enjoy the experience.

If you’ve got the extra days, it’s probably best to split your days into different zones, depending on your preferences.

There’s easily enough on Sentosa island to keep you entertained for a full weekend:

  • Universal Studios
  • Adventure Cove Waterpark
  • Resorts World Sentosa
  • Palawan Beach
  • Tanjong Beach Club
  • Skypark Sentosa by AJ Hackett
  • Many, many more attractions

That’s just one island. Marina Bay and Marina Bay Sands could happily take up another few days. The $5.5 Billion complex is a jaw-dropping feat of engineering.

Gardens by the Bay and the Botanical Gardens are both delightful escapes from the heat and hustle of the city. There are also plenty of boat rides and cruises around the bay, offering a change of pace and amazing views of the city from a unique angle.

Singapore Zoo, Jurong Bird Park, and the Night Safari all offer fascinating days out for nature lovers.

In the evenings there’s endless nightlife, whether you prefer to dance the night away or relax with a Singapore Sling cocktail or two. But before you settle down for the evening, be sure to catch a light show.

The light shows in Singapore are legendary, with our favorite being Wings of Time - fireworks, water jets, and lasers choreographed to music, set over the water. If you’ve got one day or one week, try to squeeze in a performance of Wings of Time.

If you can’t make it for whatever reason, worry not. There are light shows all over the city, from Mount Faber Park, Marina Bay, and Gardens by the Bay, to name a few. They’re the perfect end to a day out exploring, or the ideal start to a night on the town.

As you can see, there’s a vast amount of things to do and see, and we didn’t really touch on the delicious food stalls, shopping opportunities at The Shoppes or Orchard Road, or even Changi Airport and the Jurassic Mile.

4 or 5 days is a good amount of time to get a feel for Singapore. You may need to miss out on some attractions, but that gives you the perfect excuse to book a return trip later in the year.

 

 

 

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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. So grab a Singapore attraction pass and save while you sightsee!

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Adam Fraiel
Go City Travel Expert

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Best souvenirs to bring back from Singapore

Fed up of leaving a place with the usual cheaply-made tourist trinkets? Looking for unique Singapore gifts for loved ones back home? Fortunately, Singapore won’t let you down. Yes, you can get a molded plastic Merlion is that’s what you’re after. But with a little bit of local know-how, those looking for something more special can also find exactly that. What are the best souvenirs to bring back from Singapore? We’ve spent some time sifting through endless meters of shelf space to discover just that! Sumptuous textiles Add a Singaporean twist to your home or wardrobe by seeking out the stores and market stalls dedicated to cloth and fabric. Displaying a range of styles, from contemporary to traditional patterns, buying a cut of cloth is a great way of remembering your time in the Lion City. Singapore’s diversity means there’s plenty of choice, with designs originating from the country’s Malay, Peranakan and Indian communities all on offer. From batiks to silks, the range will likely leave you spellbound. There’s a multitude of stores to check out in Chinatown and Arab Street in Kampong Glam. Others are dotted along Little India’s Serangoon Road close to the Indian Heritage Centre. Meanwhile, high-end Holland Village’s Independent Market has a seriously cool selection of tea towels, cushions and tote bags all created by local artists. Each have a very Singapore twist, such as cushion covers honoring the city’s famed chili crab. Tea for two Tea has been at the heart of Singaporean culture since the very beginning. Just a few months after Sir Stamford Raffles claimed the island for the British Empire, it had become one of the key ports in the export of tea. Clipper ships could soon be seen loading in the port before making the months’ long journey to the docks of London. You can stop off at any street side stall to sample the highly-sugared brew that’s the mainstay of everyday life in the city. But for a more laid-back affair, you’ll have to head to Tea Chapter for a tea appreciation experience. Recreating the Chinese tea ceremony in a traditional teahouse located in Chinatown, you’ll get to sample a wide range of teas. These include the very special Imperial Gold Cassia. Made using leaves from Fuijin province in China, the delicate floral brew was even served to Queen Elizabeth II during a visit in 1989. It’s not recorded whether the queen took any back to Buckingham Palace with her, but you certainly can. Alternatively, head to one of TWG’s stores, who are constantly blending and perfecting. Look out for their Singapore Breakfast Tea, which combines green and black teas with a hint of ginger to celebrate the mixed cultural traditions of the island nation. Flower power The must-visit Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome & Cloud Forest demonstrates Singapore’s status as a garden city. But if it needed confirming, this city known for its rampant development has over 300 public parks. And that’s alongside attractions including Singapore Botanic Gardens and Mount Faber. When it comes to gifts made in Singapore, what could be better than taking a piece of this away with you? Although buying live plants can cause you issues at customs, there is still a way to have these memories close at hand long after you’ve said goodbye to Singapore. RISIS, for instance, was founded in the 1970s. Since then, this jewelry and lifestyle store has used the skills of local craftspeople to encapsulate real orchids in gold. The result is an incredible range of necklaces, bracelets, brooches and rings, as well as picture frames, sculpture and even chopsticks. Tomes with a sense of place It’s stating the obvious to say that the best Singapore souvenirs for booklovers are going to be books about Singapore! Thankfully, though small, Singapore has a thriving book industry. This means not only can you find photobooks and histories of the island, but also an abundance of children’s books and novels. Either set in Singapore or written by Singaporeans, SingLit has gone from strength to strength. Look out for the writings of Catherine Lim, Imran Hashim and poet Cyril Wong. Their books can be purchased from all the big bookstore and are sure to add a touch of class to any shelf they rest on. Old and new Meanwhile, all you history buffs out there looking for something extra special from Singapore will delight in the city’s antique stores. With a cluster on the streets running from the northern end of Orchard Road, you won’t be limited in choice either. Displaying items from all around the world, these largely independent stores have stock that ranges from coins to sofas, by way of artworks, ornaments and firearms. There are plenty of retro and vintage goods on show too. But for a gift Singapore is known for, keep an eagle eye out for Peranakan porcelain. This style of brightly-colored ceramics has a distinctly Chinese look. Much of it dates to the nineteenth century, so prices pre-bargaining can be on the steep side. More wallet-friendly modern versions can be found at Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle. Their potters use the last remaining dragon kiln in Singapore to create contemporary examples of the style. Family friendly souvenirs from Singapore Relive your time on the streets of Singapore with the city’s very own version of that family favorite – Monopoly. Replacing some of the original player tokens with a T-Rex, rubber duck and penguin, streets incorporated include Connaught Drive, Orchard Road and Marina Square. Using local currency, the railway stations of the original board game have been replaced with four of Singapore’s MRT (Mass Rapid Transport) stations. Find it in toy shops and souvenir stores across the island. Save on Singapore attractions, spend on Singapore souvenirs Whether you’re buying for yourself or for friends and family, the best souvenirs to bring back from Singapore go beyond the tacky and cheap. Made by skilled artisans, they let you take a little of the city’s culture home with you. At Go City we’re big on memories. That’s why we work so hard to provide travelers to Singapore with savings on admission to the biggest attractions around. That way, you’ll never say you can’t afford that extra souvenir from Singapore!
Alex Birungi
Singapore Skyline
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Things to Do in Singapore in Autumn

By Mia Russell Glitzy and glamorous, sleek and sophisticated, Singapore has it all. Take a peek behind the shimmering skyline and you’ll find a wealth of incredible things to see and do in Singapore in Autumn. From spectacular green urban spaces and awe-inspiring architecture to out-of-this-world shopping and a world-class culinary scene, Singapore will steal your heart. Why visit Singapore in the autumn? Autumn in Singapore runs from September through November and the rain and humidity tend to increase over this time. Temperatures are still very hot during autumn with averages of 30 °C (86 °F) during the day and the humidity begins to rise towards the middle of October. This may not sound like the most comfortable weather for exploring the city, but it's nothing a good umbrella can’t handle. The rain and humidity tend to keep tourists away in autumn, so you’ll find some great deals on airfares and hotels around the city. Autumn is also the best time to hit Singapore’s incredible art galleries and museums, which are air-conditioned and cool, and a saving grace from the rain. This is also the time to shop until you drop into the myriad shops and stores that make Singapore a world-class shopping destination.   Make the most of your trip with a Singapore Pass. Save while you sightsee all of the best Singapore attractions.  
Alex Birungi
family-feeding-elephant-zoo-children
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Guide to Singapore Zoo

Animal lovers will relish the opportunity to visit this immensely popular zoo. Singapore Zoo is designed around the concept of housing animals in naturalistic environments and is home to more than 300 different species. It’s also one of the most beloved animal parks in the region and attracts around two million visitors per year. Come here to encounter a wide array of fauna from across the globe, including everything from Asian elephants and sea lions to reptiles and the world’s largest population of captive orangutans. Spanning multiple themed areas, the zoo itself is an expansive animal park that takes hours upon hours to explore fully, so be sure to prepare in advance of your visit. To help you plan your time at Singapore Zoo, we’ve put together this helpful guide. It’s designed to make the most of your zoo experience and includes tips for visiting, must-see exhibits, and ways to save on admission. Singapore Zoo Tickets Looking for discount Singapore Zoo tickets? Snag a Go Singapore pass. You’ll spend less on admission to the Singapore Zoo and dozens of other popular area attractions. Save up to 52% on combined admission versus paying at the gate. What’s more, you can choose from two pass options: All-Inclusive Pass – All you can do for one fixed price. Includes admission to the zoo as well as 30+ attractions. Explorer Pass – Choose a number of attractions and visit them over a 30-day period. Includes admission to the zoo plus your choice of other attractions. When is the Best Time to Go to Singapore Zoo? You should plan to spend a full day at the zoo. It’s also advisable to go early to avoid the crowds as well as to increase the likelihood of seeing animals at their most active. The more time you allow yourself to spend at the zoo, the more feedings and keeper talks you can enjoy. These special experiences take place at scheduled intervals throughout the day; consult the operating calendar before your visit to see what you’ll catch during your trip. What to Bring Water: Singapore Zoo is massive, so you’ll definitely need to stay hydrated. It’s an especially hot climate during the warmer months so extra water is highly recommended. Sunscreen: Ditto for sunscreen—you’ll be outside in hot weather quite a bit and the last thing you want is a bad sunburn. Umbrella: The climate in Singapore can be temperamental, so be prepared for a sudden downpour. A rain poncho wouldn’t hurt either. Camera: One of the best parts of Singapore Zoo is the many opportunities you’ll get to see unique animals up close. Capture these moments with a camera or camera phone so you can remember your experience. Picnic: While the zoo offers plenty of dining options, you can save money by bringing your own picnic lunch. Please remember to eat only in designated picnic areas. Insect Repellent: It also gets quite buggy in the zoo, especially with so much natural vegetation devoted to the animal enclosures. Be sure to use bug spray or another form of insect repellent. Where to Eat at the Zoo There are plenty of dining options within the zoo itself, including everything from fast food and ice cream to the Ah Meng Kitchen (which features sumptuous local cuisine). You can also find the Wild Deli (which includes gourmet sandwiches and pizzas) and the Chawang Bistro (selling everything from seafood pasta to hotdogs). Save on Tickets with a Go Singapore Pass The Go Singapore Pass® is the best choice for saving and flexibility. Get Singapore Zoo tickets, plus admission to several other top area attractions. You’ll save up to 52% on museums, tours, and activities versus paying at the gate!
Katie Sagal

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