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Singapore, Singapore: 5 days in SingaporePhoto by Hu Chen on Unsplash
Indulgence TreatTrip idea · Singapore, Singapore

5 days in Singapore

The 3-day plan, rearranged for 5 days: every place stays and a few more are added, and each day keeps to one part of town.

5 daysAnyoneEarly March25 places
Copy this plan to your own trips, then change anything you like.
Singapore: Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Photo by Hu Chen on Unsplash
Singapore: San Marina Bay, Singapore
Photo by Mike Enerio on Unsplash
How many days?Pick yours and the plan rearranges.
Rearranged from the 3 day plan. See it as written

Best time to go

January to March and June to October are the most comfortable months for walking around.
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Arrival day

Before Day 1. Singapore is hot and humid all year, so keep the first evening small and let the heat set the pace.Details
From the airport
Changi is linked to the city by the train line, by taxi and by ride-hailing, and the ride into town is short. Even a late landing leaves you able to eat something nearby before bed.
Where to stay
Chinatown, Tanjong Pagar and the streets near Kampong Glam put many meals on foot from the door. Choose a room you will want to return to in the middle of the day, because a rest and a cool shower are part of the plan.
Eating the local way
At a hawker centre find a table first; a packet of tissues on it means the seat is taken. Then order and carry the food over. Peanuts, shrimp paste, shellfish and egg turn up in many sauces, so tell the stall holder about any allergy and ask again, as an answer is never a promise.
First evening
Walk, eat something light and sleep early. Day 1 starts in Chinatown, where the morning is the coolest part of the day.

Day 1. Katong and the east and Marina Bay and the river

5 stops · 21.6 km

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

  1. 1
    MorningWorth the time

    Geylang Serai Market

    A Malay market and food centre in the east, with fresh produce, spices and cakes on the lower floor and stalls of rice and noodle dishes above. A local place for a breakfast away from the center.

    Go when Morning, when the stalls are fresh.

    Local tip Look for the kueh and rice dishes. Ask about coconut and nuts if you avoid them.

    Geylang Serai Market, Singapore
    Photo: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
    About 14 min by car or transit4.6 km
  2. 2
    AfternoonWorth a short visit

    Sultan Mosque

    The golden-domed mosque at the heart of Kampong Glam, the old Malay quarter. The building and its street are the draw, and visitors are welcome outside the times of prayer. Dress modestly, and check ahead for the visiting rules.

    Go when Afternoon, once the heat of the day has eased.

    Local tip Walk the street of Arab shops and cafes beside it. Visitors are asked to dress modestly, so cover your shoulders and knees.

    Sultan Mosque, Singapore: selective focus photography of woman taking photo
    Photo by Charles Postiaux on Unsplash
    About 14 min by car or transit4.8 km
  3. 3
    AfternoonWorth the time

    Joo Chiat Road

    A street in the east of the city, lined with pastel Peranakan shophouses and small shops that sell kueh, laksa and cakes. A neighborhood to wander slowly and eat in.

    Go when Afternoon, then a late meal.

    Local tip The painted terrace houses of Koon Seng Road are a short walk away, and they are private homes, so keep your voice low.

    Joo Chiat Road, Singapore: a row of multicolored buildings on a city street
    Photo by Kate Branch on Unsplash
    About 14 min by car or transit4.9 km
  4. 4
    EveningWorth the time

    Gardens by the Bay

    A park of lawns, lakes and giant tree-shaped structures covered in plants, beside the bay. Walk it after dark, when the heat drops and the trees are lit. The big glass conservatories are cool and a good wet-weather choice, and some need a ticket, so check ahead.

    Go when Evening, after sunset (about 7:16 PM), when the heat drops and the trees are lit.

    Local tip Take the walkway between the tall trees at a slow pace. Check ahead for any evening show and for which glass conservatories are open.

    Gardens by the Bay, Singapore: aerial view of trees, river, and architectural landmark
    Photo by Sergio Sala on Unsplash
    About 18 min by car or transit7.2 km
  5. 5
    EveningA place to sit

    East Coast Park

    A long park on the eastern shore, with paths for walking and cycling, a beach and seafood places nearby. A quiet end to the day by the sea.

    Go when Evening, around sunset (about 7:16 PM).

    Local tip Walk a stretch of the shore and then eat nearby. Seafood and sauces often contain shellfish, so ask before you order.

    East Coast Park, Singapore
    Photo: S5A-0043, CC BY 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
If it rains. Geylang Serai Market is covered, so keep it. Move Sultan Mosque, Joo Chiat Road, Gardens by the Bay and East Coast Park to a dry day if you can.

Day 2. Marina Bay and the river and Little India

5 stops · 13.7 km

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

  1. Travel from East Coast ParkAbout 21 min by car or transit8.4 km
    Where Day 1 ended.
  2. 1
    MorningWorth the time

    Tekka Centre

    A busy building in Little India with a market below and a hawker centre above. Indian and Malay stalls cook breads, curries and rice dishes, and the market hall smells of fresh spice. Go early and eat while the stalls are fresh.

    Go when Morning, for a first breakfast of breads and curry.

    Local tip Eat at the hawker centre upstairs and walk through the market below afterward to see the spices and the fresh produce.

    About 3 min walk0.3 km
  3. 2
    MorningWorth a short visit

    Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple

    A Hindu temple to the goddess Kali, with a tall gateway of bright carved figures facing the busy street. Step inside for the quiet and the scent of flowers and incense. Dress modestly and take your shoes off at the door.

    Go when Morning, once the first heat arrives, as a cool pause.

    Local tip Cover your shoulders and knees, and take your shoes off at the door. The street outside is busy, so the quiet inside feels larger.

    Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, Singapore
    Photo: ScribblingGeek, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
  4. Lunch

    Banana leaf rice

    A south Indian meal served on a banana leaf: rice, a few vegetable curries, a pickle, a crisp papad and a choice of fish or meat. The staff come round and refill the dishes until you wave them off. Little India has many places that serve it.

    Local tip Fold the leaf toward you when you finish to show you enjoyed the meal. Curries often use nuts and dairy, so ask about the ones you avoid.

    Banana leaf rice
    Photo: Ted Garvin, CC BY-SA 2.5 on Wikimedia Commons
    About 24 min walk1.9 km
  5. 3
    AfternoonPick your galleries

    National Gallery Singapore

    A large art museum of Singapore and Southeast Asia, set in two grand old buildings that once held the city hall and the court. Cool, quiet rooms for a hot or wet afternoon.

    Go when Afternoon, in the heat of the day.

    Local tip Choose one wing and stay there rather than walking the whole building. Check ahead for exhibitions and for what needs a ticket.

    National Gallery Singapore, Singapore
    Photo: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
    About 18 min walk1.4 km
  6. 4
    EveningA place to wander

    Haji Lane

    A narrow lane of small boutiques, cafes and painted walls beside the mosque. A good place to wander slowly as the lights come on and the air cools.

    Go when Evening, around sunset (about 7:16 PM), when the lane fills and the lamps come on.

    Local tip The lane is short, so wander it twice, once for the shops and once for the painted walls. Cafes along it make a good place to sit and watch.

    Haji Lane, Singapore: people walking on street during daytime
    Photo by Rifki Fajar Hadiawan on Unsplash
    About 21 min walk1.7 km
  7. 5
    EveningWorth a short stop

    Merlion Park

    The statue of the Merlion, half lion and half fish, spouting water into the bay, with the towers of the business district across the water. A short stop for the view and the photograph.

    Go when Evening, as the towers light up.

    Local tip It is a small park and busy at sunset, so come for a quick look and then walk on along the bay.

    Merlion Park, Singapore
    Photo: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
If it rains. Tekka Centre and National Gallery Singapore are covered, so keep them. Move Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, Haji Lane and Merlion Park to a dry day if you can.

Day 3. Marina Bay and the river and Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar

5 stops · 3.2 km

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

  1. 1
    MorningWorth the time

    Fort Canning Hill

    A hill park in the middle of the city, with old gates, shaded paths and a spice garden. A cool, green walk before the day warms up.

    Go when Morning, before the heat builds.

    Local tip Wear shoes with a grip, since the paths and steps can be slippery after rain.

    Fort Canning Hill, Singapore
    Photo: LN9267, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
    About 3 min walk0.2 km
  2. 2
    MiddayPick your galleries

    Peranakan Museum

    A small, rich museum of the Peranakans, descendants of early Chinese settlers who blended Chinese, Malay and other ways of life into their own cooking, clothes and craft. The food and the beadwork are the best part, and it is a cool room in the heat of the day. Check ahead before you go.

    Go when Midday, in the shade of the hottest hours.

    Local tip Look for the beadwork slippers and the embroidered wedding rooms, then go and taste the food the museum describes. Check ahead for any closure.

    Peranakan Museum, Singapore: people walking on street near building during daytime
    Photo by Winel Sutanto on Unsplash
    About 18 min walk1.5 km
  3. 3
    AfternoonWorth a short visit

    Thian Hock Keng

    A Hokkien temple to the sea goddess Mazu, built when the waves reached the foot of this street, before the shore was moved by land reclamation. Carved beams, painted doors and a quiet courtyard make it a calm stop on a hot afternoon.

    Go when Afternoon, as a quiet pause between a long lunch and the evening.

    Local tip Walk slowly through the courtyards and look at the roofs and the painted doors. The street outside, Telok Ayer, has other old temples and shophouses to wander past.

    Thian Hock Keng, Singapore
    Photo: Zairon, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
    About 4 min walk0.3 km
  4. 4
    EveningWorth the time

    Lau Pa Sat

    A graceful Victorian market hall of cast iron and an eight-sided roof, now a food centre in the middle of the business district. In the evening, satay stalls set up outdoors beside it and the smoke carries down the street.

    Go when Evening, around sunset (about 7:16 PM), when the satay stalls light their fires.

    Local tip Order satay by the skewer in a mix of chicken, beef and mutton, and eat it with the sweet peanut sauce. Ask about peanuts if you avoid them, and check ahead on how the outdoor stalls run.

    Lau Pa Sat, Singapore
    Photo: kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
    About 14 min walk1.1 km
  5. 5
    EveningA place to sit

    Clarke Quay

    Restored riverside warehouses along the old trading river, now lined with restaurants, bars and a walkway at the water. A lively place for a drink or a late supper.

    Go when Evening, around sunset (about 7:16 PM), when the lights come on at the water.

    Local tip Walk the whole quay first and choose a table by the river rather than the first one you see.

    Clarke Quay, Singapore
    Photo: Chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
If it rains. Peranakan Museum and Lau Pa Sat are covered, so keep them. Move Fort Canning Hill, Thian Hock Keng and Clarke Quay to a dry day if you can.

Day 4. Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar and Dempsey Hill and the Botanic Gardens

5 stops · 5.5 km

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

  1. 1
    MorningWorth a short visit

    Sri Mariamman Temple

    The oldest Hindu temple in the city, with a tall gateway covered in colorful carved figures. It stands in the middle of Chinatown, so the temple, the incense and the market lanes sit side by side. Dress modestly and take your shoes off at the door.

    Go when Morning, when Chinatown is quiet and the air is cooler.

    Local tip Cover your shoulders and knees, and take your shoes off at the door. Look up at the gateway, where every level is crowded with carved figures.

    Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore
    Photo: Chainwit., CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
    About 2 min walk0.2 km
  2. 2
    MorningWorth a short visit

    Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum

    A large temple in the Tang style, in the middle of Chinatown, said to hold a relic tooth of the Buddha. Its halls are cool and calm, and a good pause from the heat of the street. Dress modestly.

    Go when Morning, before the street fills.

    Local tip Cover your shoulders and knees. The temple is close to Sri Mariamman Temple, so the two pair well on foot.

    Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, Singapore: Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum with a fence around it
    Photo by Diego Allen on Unsplash
  3. Lunch

    Hainanese chicken rice

    Poached chicken with rice cooked in the broth, with chili sauce, ginger paste and a bowl of soup. Plain on the surface and deeply satisfying, it is the dish most people call the national plate.

    Local tip Sauces are part of the dish. Ask what is in them if you avoid peanuts or shellfish, and share a second plate so you can compare stalls.

    Hainanese chicken rice
    Photo: No machine-readable autho…, CC BY 2.5 on Wikimedia Commons
    About 11 min walk0.9 km
  4. 3
    MorningCheck ahead

    Baba House

    A restored Peranakan townhouse on Neil Road, furnished as a home from the early twentieth century. Visits are by guided tour, so check ahead and book.

    Go when Morning, on a day you have booked.

    Local tip It is a small house and a guided tour, so choose it only if you like seeing how people lived.

    Baba House, Singapore
    Photo: Franklin Heijnen, CC BY-SA 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons
    About 11 min walk0.9 km
  5. 4
    MiddayWorth the time

    Maxwell Food Centre

    A big, roofed hawker centre at the edge of Chinatown, with rows of small stalls that each cook a few dishes and little else. It is a good first lesson in how Singapore eats: pick a table, wander the stalls and carry back whatever looks best.

    Go when Late morning, a little before the lunch rush fills the tables.

    Local tip Find a seat first, then order. If you avoid an ingredient, tell the stall holder before you pay. Stalls are busy, so ask again if you are not sure.

    Maxwell Food Centre, Singapore
    Photo: Aaaatu, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
    About 12 min by car or transit3.6 km
  6. 5
    EveningWorth the time

    Newton Food Centre

    A lively open-air hawker centre known for grilled seafood, satay and sweet cold desserts, busy from early evening. A fitting last supper: share a few dishes and stay until the plates are clean.

    Go when Evening, as the tables fill after dark.

    Local tip Stalls grill seafood by weight, so ask what you are being charged for before they cook. Tell the stall holder about any shellfish or peanut allergy before ordering.

    Newton Food Centre, Singapore: person holding stainless steel fork and bread knife
    Photo by Nauris Pūķis on Unsplash
  7. Dinner

    Chili crab and grilled seafood

    The famous crab in a thick, sweet and spicy tomato and chili sauce, with fried buns for mopping it up. Add grilled stingray with a sambal paste and share it all. It is messy, and that is part of the pleasure.

    Local tip Crab is shellfish, and the sauce contains egg. Tell the stall holder about any allergy before you order, and do not take a reassurance as a promise.

If it rains. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, Baba House, Maxwell Food Centre and Newton Food Centre are covered, so keep them. Move Sri Mariamman Temple to a dry day if you can.

Day 5. Dempsey Hill and the Botanic Gardens and Tiong Bahru

5 stops · 8.8 km

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

  1. 1
    MorningWorth the time

    Tiong Bahru

    One of the oldest housing estates in the city, with curved white blocks from the 1930s, a wet market, a hawker centre and a few bakeries and bookshops. It is a calm neighborhood to walk and eat in, away from the main sights.

    Go when Morning, with breakfast at the market.

    Local tip Walk the curved blocks to see the 1930s design, then look for the bakeries and the wet market. Be gentle with the residents, because people live in these flats.

    Tiong Bahru, Singapore
    Photo: Petepalmer, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
    About 12 min by car or transit4.0 km
  2. 2
    MorningWorth the time

    National Orchid Garden

    A garden inside the Botanic Gardens given to orchids, with thousands of plants and named hybrids in arbors and cool houses. A gentle walk among flowers.

    Go when Morning, when it is coolest.

    Local tip This part of the gardens has its own entry, so check ahead before you plan the visit.

    National Orchid Garden, Singapore
    Photo: This Photo was taken by T…, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
  3. Lunch

    A long lunch among the trees

    A sit-down lunch in one of the old barracks buildings, with the trees outside the window. Choose a table you like and give the afternoon a slow start.

    Local tip Book ahead at weekends. Tell the staff about any allergy at the start, and again when you order.

    About 16 min walk1.3 km
  4. 3
    MiddayWorth the time

    Dempsey Hill

    A cluster of old military barracks among tall trees, now home to restaurants, cafes and galleries. A good place for a long lunch in the shade, with room to sit as long as you like.

    Go when Midday, for a long lunch in the shade.

    Local tip The old barracks are spread through the trees, so walk to a corner that looks calm. Book ahead for a table at a weekend lunch.

    Dempsey Hill, Singapore
    Photo: War Office official photo… on Wikimedia Commons
    About 17 min walk1.4 km
  5. 4
    AfternoonWorth the time

    Singapore Botanic Gardens

    A very large garden of lawns, lakes and old trees, with a patch of real rainforest inside it. It is a World Heritage Site and a place to walk slowly, find a bench and sit. Go in the afternoon, when the shade is long.

    Go when Afternoon, near sunset (about 7:16 PM), when the light is gold and the paths are cooler.

    Local tip Take the rainforest path for a cool walk under tall trees, then end at a lake with a bench. Bring water, and expect a short shower at any time of year.

    Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore: a path through a forest
    Photo by Simon Wiedensohler on Unsplash
    About 26 min walk2.1 km
  6. 5
    AfternoonWorth a short look

    Orchard Road

    The city shopping boulevard, lined with air-conditioned malls and food courts. A place to get out of the heat, browse and eat something cool.

    Go when Afternoon, in the heat of the day.

    Local tip The malls are linked and cold inside, so bring a light layer.

    Orchard Road, Singapore
    Photo: Erwin Soo, CC BY 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons
If it rains. Dempsey Hill and Orchard Road are covered, so keep them. Move Tiong Bahru, National Orchid Garden and Singapore Botanic Gardens to a dry day if you can.

Departure day

After the last day. Give the airport a calm run and eat well before you go.Details
Check-out
Many hotels will hold your bags if you ask, so a late breakfast and a last stroll cost you nothing. Leave the room with the day still ahead of you.
To the airport
The way back is the same train line or a short taxi ride, and the road is usually clear outside the busiest hours. Allow extra time on a weekday evening.
If you have a few hours
Changi Airport is a place to eat and wander in its own right, with food courts and gardens inside the terminals. A last bowl of laksa or a cold sweet is an easy way to say goodbye.

Questions people ask

When is the best time to visit Singapore?

By average weather from 2021 to 2025, January to March and June to October are the most comfortable months for walking around Singapore. This plan is built for early March, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.

How many days does this plan cover?

It covers 5 days in Singapore, planned for early March. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.

Who is this plan for?

It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.

Is anything on this plan booked?

No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.

Can I plan my own days like this?

Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.

Can I change this plan?

Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.

How much walking is there?

Each day has about 3.2 to 21.6 kilometers between its stops, and 44.4 kilometers in all across 5 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.

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