How Many Days in Singapore is Enough

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

By Adam Fraiel
Published: July 18, 2024
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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Singapore’s Geylang neighborhood is certainly something of a head scratcher. Although descriptions often begin with its status as the country’s legally-recognized red-light district, it is also one of the country’s most culturally diverse areas. Exploring its historic shopfronts is just one of the many things to do in Geylang Singapore, alongside delving into a food scene that includes everything from frog leg porridge to Ramadan treats. Lying to the east of the Kallang River as it flows towards the river cruises of Marina Bay, east-west running Geylang Road remains at the heart of all that goes on in the neighborhood. Providing a sense of old Singapore, before soaring skyscrapers took hold, it’s a street busy with Singaporeans, Malays, Chinese and western expatriates by day and night. Meanwhile unnamed lorongs (lanes) span off to north and south with the promise of all manner of delights. Wondering why Geylang is so popular and on the lips of so many? 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For the chance to head inside one of these preserved homes, make an appointment to visit The Intan, a house museum dedicated to recording Peranakan culture for prosperity. The work of one man, its collection is as encyclopedic in scope as it is colorful. Discover Geylang’s artistic side If a visit to The Istan gets you in the mood for more of Geylang’s artistic side, the Eurasian Heritage Gallery is just a couple of blocks south. Created to tell the story of Singapore’s Eurasian community, it succeeds in bringing its history to life in three excellently curated galleries refurbished in 2019. Detailing a heritage which takes in Britain, Portugal, Goa and Macau, the sections on how the community survived the Japanese occupation of the island in World War Two is particularly poignant. More uplifting stories include those of swimmer Joseph Schooling, the first Singaporean to win an Olympic gold medal. Just beyond the official bounds of Geylang, on the banks of the Geylang River, you’ll also find the Goodman Arts Centre. Hosting a wide range of exhibitions and workshops, the center sits within a lush three-hectare site. It also includes a café serving up Australasian dishes with looks perfect for social media and flavors not far behind. Fill your stomach with Geylang’s specialty dishes For a more authentic look at Geylang’s culinary magic, the choices are almost endless. Geylang Serai Market is one of the largest wet markets in Singapore, meaning you can find just about anything you might ever point towards a wok. After you’ve breathed in the rich aroma of nutmeg, cinnamon and lemongrass (serai in Malay), enter the attached bazaar for fabrics, homewares and other dry goods. Carrying a buzz at any time of year, the market outdoes itself each Ramadan, when stalls lit up with decorations and open long into the night help adherents break their fast. 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Try G7 Sin Ma or Eminent Frog Porridge to taste this savory stew flavored with soy sauce, ginger, garlic and chili. If you’re looking for a late evening drink, there are also plenty of bars in Geylang – head either along Geylang Road, or along Geylang riverfront. Enjoy Geylang’s green spaces When Stamford Raffles, ‘founder’ of modern Singapore arrived in Geylang, it was an area of coconut palms and coastal marshland. Although no longer awash with greenery, the Geylang riverfront provides a nice contrast to the bustling lanes of the area. Save your shoe leather with Gogreen Bicycle Rentals, the easiest way of taking in all the river’s sights as it doglegs through the neighborhood. Don’t worry though, there are plenty of benches on which to rest up with an ice cream, kelongs (floating platforms) and shelters resembling the kampong (village) huts that once would have been found here. Further north, Geylang East Park’s L-shaped form provides another escape from the hubbub of its nearby roads. Clean, tidy and well-maintained, you could do far worse than stop by for a lunchtime picnic with the daily mix of residents and office workers. Ways to save in Geylang Singapore Save on the top sights and attractions in Singapore with Go City. From the best things to do in Geylang Singapore to nature kayaking adventures in Pulau Ubin, we offer out of this world experiences at less than astronomical prices with our All-Inclusive and Explorer passes!
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10 historical places in Singapore

Hey there, history buffs! If you haven’t been to Singapore, now is the perfect time to consider a trip to this unique and elegant city. It’s clean, bright and modern, with reminders of its past everywhere and grand architecture dating to the European settlement in the early 19th century. Since then, the Lion City has become home to many major religions, as well a hub of world events from the Chinese Revolution to occupations to several important military campaigns. Singapore is fairly compact, and much of it can be seen in a single visit. To get a good overall picture of the history of this intriguing city state, take in: The Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall Raffles Hotel Tea Chapter Chinatown Old Parliament House The Civilian War Memorial Kranji War Memorial and Military Cemetery The Battle Box Fort Siloso Museums 1. Sun Yat-Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall Sun Yat-Sen was a Chinese revolutionary who led the resistance against the Qing dynasty in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He would go on to become the first president of the People’s Republic and became known as the Father of the Nation. Yat-Sen used this colonial-style villa as a base for many of the rebellion’s activities, and it’s now been refurbished as a museum featuring artifacts and stories from the revolution and the mastermind behind it. 2. Raffles Hotel Possibly the most famous building in Singapore – from the Colonial era at least – Raffles Hotel is a must for any visitor to this city and is on the yellow line of the Big Bus Tour. This immense neo-renaissance-style villa, which started as a quaint beach hotel set amidst tropical palms, was converted into a luxury hotel in 1887 and named after the city’s founder, Sir Stamford Raffles. Stroll the long corridors, following in the footsteps of famous guests like Sir Rudyard Kipling, Charlie Chaplin and Queen Elizabeth II, and try a cocktail in the famous Long Bar - birthplace of the Singapore Sling. 3. Chinese tea drinking at Tea Chapter Tea drinking has been an important ritual in Chinese culture for at least 2,000 years, and possibly more. What better way to experience it than in the oldest tea house in Singapore? Escape from the bustle of Chinatown and enjoy a moment of calm as you kick off your shoes (literally) and enter the tranquil space of the tea room. Relax in zen-like surroundings, sip on a cup of Tea Chapter’s signature Imperial Golden Cassia tea, and know that you’re helping to keep an ancient tradition alive. 4. Chinatown In 1843 Sir Stamford Raffles officially allocated the area west of the Singapore River as the Chinese Campong. It’s now the largest historic district in the city and is a hub for many major religions – keep an eye out for the city’s oldest Hindu temple, Sri Mariamman, the oldest Hokkien temple, Thian Hock Keng, the Masjid Jamae Mosque and the aptly named Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum. Spend a few hours wandering the district and soaking it all up (it’s on the Red Line of the Big Bus Tour), but if you need a little guidance, or want to dive a little deeper into the history of the area, try a guided bike tour or even an open world outdoor escape room. 5. Old Parliament House Explore the history of Singapore’s government and legal system at the oldest building in the city. Originally built as a residence in 1827, it became a courthouse soon afterwards and remained so until 1865, even after being purchased by the East India Company in 1841. Throughout the twentieth century it served as the Supreme Court, the Legislative Assembly House and then Parliament House, until the new parliament building was opened in 1999. It’s now an arts center, and visitors are welcome to stroll the old corridors where permanent exhibitions detail the story of the building and the lives of famous Singaporeans throughout history. 6. Civilian War Memorial The former burial chambers of victims of the Japanese occupation of Singapore in World War Two now form part of the foundations of the Civilian War Memorial, standing tall in War Memorial Park. It was opened on February 15th, 1967, 25 years after the fall of the city, and a memorial service is held here every year on that date. The monument is made up of four pillars (affectionately called ‘The Chopsticks’ by locals) representing the Chinese, Malayan, Indian and Eurasian populations of the city. Nearby is the Indian National Army Monument, which stands on the site of an earlier memorial to an unknown Indian soldier. 7. Kranji War Memorial and Military Cemetery A poignant and eerie place, the Kranji War Memorial is a stark and upright monument honoring lives lost in the two world wars. Originally a military camp, the Kranji area was used as a prison by the occupying Japanese forces, and it was the inmates who first established a small cemetery here for their deceased compatriots. The memorial is now the final resting place of more than 4,000 commonwealth and Chinese soldiers and is the site of a significant remembrance ceremony on November 11 every year. 8. The Battle Box True to its name, the Battle Box is a small underground bunker which was used as a bomb shelter during World War Two. Visitors can explore 26 rooms below Fort Canning Hill, reconstructed with wax statues, moving figures and historical artifacts. Learn how Lieutenant-General Percival and his senior officers directed the Battle of Singapore, watch battle campaigns unfold on land, sea and air and get lost in the labyrinth of rooms and corridors. Your ticket includes a 30-minute guided tour, but after that you’re free to wander and explore on your own. 9. Fort Siloso Another World War Two site, though this one has history dating back to the nineteenth century when it was one of three forts built to defend the city from potential sea invasion. Sitting at the north-west corner of the island of Sentosa, Fort Silosa was brought back into service in the twentieth century and now houses a military museum, underground tunnels and interactive video displays. Get there via a pretty coastal walk or ride the gondola from Faber Peak. 10. The Museum District Okay, so not strictly a historical site in itself, but Singapore’s museums together offer an interesting and comprehensive guide to the history of the area, pre- and post-colonialization. The National Museum of Singapore, dating to 1887, captures the history of the city through its cultures, traditions and stories. The Indian Heritage Center reaches a little further, exploring the history of India and southern Asia, while the Asian Civilizations Museum takes a religious perspective, covering Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Christian and Jain heritage in the city. Be a history buff with Go City Singapore has a rich heritage of cultural, military and religious history. See it all and save money with a Go City Explorer or All-Inclusive Pass today!
Karleen Stevens

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