So you want to explore Singapore, one of Asia’s most dynamic cities, but only have a weekend to do so? Have no fear, I have the perfect itinerary for you! This itinerary will take you all over the city to discover all the heavy hitters and hidden gems that make this country so unique. Read on to find out how to make the most of your weekend in Singapore.
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Introduction to this Itinerary
Singapore may be small, but it packs a mighty punch. Based on my trips there over the years, including my six-day sojourn in December 2022, I believe that, in order to gain a deeper understanding of and appreciation for this dynamic country, the longer you stay the better. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great time with only a weekend in Singapore! You can still see all the highlights, make time for some lesser-known tourist sights, and eat your way around the island in 2 or 3 days, depending on how much time you have.
Just a couple more things before I get to the itinerary. This article assumes you only have two days and one night in your weekend in Singapore, with your flight arriving before lunch on your first day (Saturday) and leaving late at night (after 7pm) on Sunday. There will also be a section for those who have a third day available to make it a long weekend.
Ok, that’s enough of me blabbing. Let’s get straight to this Singapore weekend itinerary!
DAY 1: Your Weekend in Singapore Begins
Marvel at the Jewel Changi Airport
Your Singapore weekend adventure has officially begun! It’s probably 6am-9am and you’ve just arrived at Changi International Airport. You’re probably raring to go out and explore, but for the purposes of this itinerary, I would suggest that you stay put for a second. Now you’re probably wondering, why would I stay put at the airport when I’ve got such limited time? Well, if you haven’t heard, Singapore’s airport is a modern marvel in and of itself. So, after claiming your bags (if you have any) and exiting your terminal, make your way to terminal 1 and enter the Jewel Changi Airport.
The Jewel is more impressive in person than it is in pictures. Opening in 2019, the Jewel is a gigantic achievement of modern design and engineering, with the tallest indoor waterfall in the world as its centerpiece. The moment you see it, it will leave you with your jaw agape. Surrounding the rain vortex (what they call the waterfall) are leveled pathways that lead to the top of the superstructure. At its peak, you will find various activities such as rope courses and glass walkways, all of which can be experienced for a fee. I only did the glass walkway and, while very cool, it didn’t really add to my overall experience of the Jewel, but your mileage may vary. And for those who are wondering, the Jewel does have a luggage storage area on the first floor.
This is the perfect introduction to Singapore as it showcases one important part of Singapore’s identity: its constant melding of nature and man-made structures into a symbiotic harmony, a philosophy that respects nature and turbocharges innovation and sustainability with the environment in mind. You can see this on full display at the Jewel as the plants and streams and waterfall all complement the futuristic structure of the building. In my opinion, you cannot miss this on your Singapore weekend trip.
Explore the Singapore National Museum
You’ve had your fill of the Jewel, so now it’s time to explore the rest of Singapore! Catch a Grab to your hotel or Airbnb and drop off your bags at the concierge. From there, head to the second destination of your weekend in Singapore. Make your way over to Singapore’s Colonial District and visit one of the country’s most important cultural institutions: the National Museum. It’s the oldest museum in Singapore, and was originally a library established in 1849.
I always make it a point to include a history museum of some sort in any sort of itinerary as I believe that learning about the history of a city or country can greatly enhance your experience and appreciation of that country. The National Museum does a good job of this, especially with its Singapore History Gallery. The Singapore History Gallery is a permanent exhibition that chronicles the history of Singapore, from its pre-colonial days till its economic renaissance that transformed it into the powerhouse country it is today. The nation’s story is told through intricate displays and thoughtfully constructed scenes of Singapore’s past and present. It’s an incredible chronicle of Singapore’s history, and one well worth seeing.
In addition to the Singapore History Gallery, don’t forget to check out the Story of the Forest exhibition, which uses video and sound to create an immersive multimedia experience. It’s located on the top floor of the museum. It should take you about 90 minutes to 2 hours to completely see everything in this museum.
Click here to find out what Singapore Museums to visit!
Have Lunch at Chijmes
Once you’re done with the National Museum, walk a couple of blocks southeast until you reach Chijmes. Chijmes was originally a church that was then converted into a shopping and dining space. Chijmes was made famous internationally for being the site of the famous wedding scene from the movie Crazy Rich Asians.
Here you’ll find a plethora of mouthwatering food options. My personal favorite is The Glasshouse. When I was there I had the Egg Burger, which I would highly recommend. There are also Japanese, Indian, and Seafood restaurants on site, and they’re all worth trying! Don’t take too long at lunch, though! We’ve still got a lot of Singapore to see!
Slurp on Some Singapore Slings at the Raffles Long Bar
Following your lunch, walk a couple of blocks away from Chijmes and head to the Raffles Long Bar located at the Raffles Hotel. This is a must visit spot because you can order the original Singapore Sling here! If you don’t know what the Singapore Sling is, it’s a drink that was created by Long Bar bartender Ngiam Tong Boon sometime in the early 1900s. Back then, it was socially unacceptable for women to drink alcohol, so Ngiam Tong Boon made a cocktail that looked like fruit juice so that women could still drink at the Long Bar without any social repercussions. Fast forward to today and the Long Bar continues this fine tradition of serving up the original Singapore Sling.
When you get there, you’ll probably have to deal with some sort of line, but I wouldn’t worry. We waited only 10 minutes before we were shown to our table. You’ll notice once you enter the bar that peanut shells are strewn on the floor. It’s customary in this bar to eat peanuts and subsequently throw their shells on the floor, making this bar the only place in Singapore where you can legally litter. The Sling can be a bit pricey, coming in as of this writing at S$ 39. But it’s well worth it for the historical and cultural experience.
Take the Famous Tourist Picture at Merlion Park
After finishing your Singapore Sling, it’s time to continue your tour. Walk south until you reach the Merlion statue. Alternatively, you can take a bus to get there, but the bus sometimes takes longer to reach the Merlion statue from the Colonial District than walking. But if you’re tired of walking and want to minimize being outside at the hottest part of the day, then taking the bus might be the best option.
The Merlion park is small, really just encompassing the Merlion statue that famously spits a stream of water out into the bay. But it does provide you with some incredibly scenic views of Marina Bay Sands, the ArtScience Museum, and the Helix Bridge. The Merlion has become the symbol of Singapore, routinely being featured in Instagram stories. The fish part of the statue is a reference to Singapore’s beginnings as a fishing village, while the lion part of the statue is a reference to Singapore’s original name, Singapura, also known as the “Lion City”.
While you’re there, don’t forget to take the incredibly touristy picture of you swallowing the water that comes from the Merlion’s mouth. It’s a shot that thousands of tourists replicate everyday, almost in a rite of passage kind of way. But taking a picture of just the Merlion is fine.
Discover the Majesty of the Gardens by the Bay
After visiting the iconic Merlion, it’s time to visit another iconic Singapore landmark, but this one is a lot newer than the Merlion. Head over towards the back of the Marina Bay Sands until you see the giant Supertrees of Gardens by the Bay. Gardens by the Bay expands upon Singapore’s wish to be known as a “City in a Garden” by incorporating nature into its developments, in the same way the Jewel at Changi Airport does.
This installation was opened in 2012 and has since attracted millions of visitors to its lush landscapes. The Supertrees are a fantastic feat of engineering. There are about 18 of these supertrees and you can even go up on an elevated walkway that connects some of them called the OCBC Skyway. You also don’t need to pay any kind of entrance fee to get up close and personal with these trees (although the OCBC Skyway does cost money).
But the real stars of the show in my opinion are the two conservatories: the Cloud Forest and the Flower Dome. The Cloud forest especially is exquisitely designed. It feels like stepping into another world. As soon as you enter you’re greeted by a towering 35m tall indoor waterfall that stretches towards the ceiling. You then make your way up to the very top of the structure and then slowly make your way down, passing an innumerable amount of plant life along the way. It’s a really well-constructed and designed space, and is one of my favorite places in all of Singapore and will undoubtedly be a highlight of your weekend in Singapore.
The Flower Dome, while not as grand and awe-inspiring as the Cloud Forest, is still impressive nonetheless. Its footprint is larger than the Cloud Forest and is the largest glass greenhouse in the world, and within it are plants and trees from all over the world. As a fan of the book “The Little Prince” I was happy to see some baobab trees in the gardens. But they’ve also got plants and trees from every continent, from Australia to the Americas and Africa too. It’s a charming place, and you could spend a couple of hours just admiring its exotic plant-life.
After taking in the two conservatories (which I forgot to mention are air-conditioned and a perfect way to get away from the heat), you can watch the Supertree light show known as Garden Rhapsody which is performed twice nightly at 7:45pm and 8:45pm. The show has different themes and music depending on what time of year you’re watching it. While it is a fun show, there are more impressive light shows out there. This one was pretty basic and, from what I remember, not every Supertree was even a part of the show. So you can see it if you want to, but I don’t think it’s a must-see.
Sojourn into the Marina Bay Sands
On your way to dinner, you will inevitably pass by the Marina Bay Sands. Another iconic landmark owned by Las Vegas Sands, this hotel and shopping complex is as lavish as they come. It was built at a cost of US$ 6.8 Billion and has over 2500 hotel rooms. While the shops were definitely out of my price range, I did appreciate its design and architecture. I mean what other mall has an indoor river that you can take a boat ride on. You can eat here if you’d like as they have a very good, albeit pricey, food court. But if you want an authentic Singaporean hawker center dining experience, I would hold off on eating here and instead head to the next and last stop of the day.
Have a Hearty Meal at Lau Pa Sat
Take the subway from Marina Bay’s Bayfront station to the Downtown station and walk a few minutes to reach your first hawker center of the trip. Lau Pa Sat has, from my memory, the best assortment of food of any hawker center I’d been to. It was the only one where I remember there being a Filipino food stall, but I instead opted for something more local and had some Hainanese Chicken rice while I was here.
There was also a grilling area at the back of the hawker center known as Satay Street where I got some mouthwatering, you guessed it, satay. I was also in Singapore during the 2022 World Cup so a lot of locals were gathered around the TVs stationed throughout the hawker center watching the games intently. I would highly recommend stopping at Lau Pa Sat as the perfect way to cap off the first day of your weekend in Singapore.
Click here to discover the Singapore Dishes you should eat!
After indulging in some delicious food, head back to your hotel for a good night’s sleep, which you will need as tomorrow will be another full day of exploring.
DAY 2: Get Immersed in the Multi-Cultural Districts of Singapore
Breakfast at Maxwell Food Center
Start your day bright and early. You’ve only got one day left, so make it count! After checking out early and storing your bags at the front desk of your hotel, head to Maxwell food center for a traditional Singaporean breakfast: kaya toast! Kaya toast is a dish consisting of two slices of bread, butter, and kaya (also known as coconut jam), served with kopi (coffee) and a soft boiled egg.
Maxwell Food Center also has other options available if that doesn’t sound like something you would like. Alternatively, you can also get Kaya toast from places like Ya Kun Kaya Toast and Killiney Kopitiam that specialize in making this breakfast delicacy. But I recommend getting some from Maxwell Food Center as it is located in your first stop of the day.
Checkout the Temples and Streets of Chinatown
After finishing your breakfast, it’s time to start exploring! I recommend starting your day in Chinatown. One of Singapore’s most famous districts, Chinatown has a multitude of sights and experiences to sink your teeth in. Created when Stamford Raffles decided to create districts for the ethnic groups who lived in Singapore, this neighborhood has elements of baroque and victorian architecture in its buildings.
Go shopping for products at the Chinatown Street Market, where you can also find unique wares for sale. If breakfast hasn’t satiated your appetite, head over to the Chinatown Complex for more hawker stalls than you can count. You can also go on a mural walk in Chinatown. Chinatown’s murals are known throughout the island, and you can find mural walk itineraries online. Chinatown also has several streets that have houses flanking either side with amazing architecture, including Amoy Street, Keong Saik Street, and Duxton Road.
But the standout attractions of Chinatown are its temples. There are two main temples in Chinatown: the Taoist temple named Thian Hock Keng and the Buddhist temple known as the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. The former is the oldest Chinese temple in Singapore, dating back to 1839 and dedicated to Mazu, the goddess of the sea, and includes within its walls some meticulously carved statues of dragons and other mythical animals, as well as its porcelain-adorned roof.
The latter is the more modern of the two, opening in 2007 and costing SG$ 75 million, and is located near the Maxwell Food Center and Chinatown Complex. It gets its name from the supposed left canine tooth of Buddha that is displayed in the temple encased in a golden stupa that is made up of 320kg of gold. The temple also has a museum and a rooftop garden that is as serene as it is interesting. With limited time in your weekend in Singapore, I would recommend going to these two temples only, with your priority being the Tooth Relic Temple if you only have time to do one.
Click here to discover the Singapore Neighborhoods you should visit!
Meander through Little India
After getting your fill of Chinatown, head over to nearby Little India next. This vibrant district is energetic and full of character. Just like Chinatown, this area was created by Stamford Raffles’ district creation plan for Singapore. The architecture of this area is stunning, led by its amazing temples. This is also the number one place in Singapore to go shopping, in my opinion at least.
You have malls like the Mustafa Center, built in 1973 at 900 square feet and is now over 40,000 square feet, where you can buy everything imaginable, in addition to all the shops lining the streets of Little India, all selling different things. There is also one hawker center in Little India known as the Tekka Center, which we will visit later on in this itinerary. Make sure to visit Tan Teng Niah House and take a picture with its colorful walls and Chinese-European architecture.
But the best things to do in Little India, much like in Chinatown, are its temples. The two temples that are worth seeing are the Sri Veeramakaliamman temple, as well as the Sri Srinivasa Perumal temple. They’re located only a ten minute walk from one another, but if you only have time for one, I would recommend seeing the Sri Veeramakaliamman temple. Sri Veeramakaliamman is dedicated to the goddess Kali, destroyer of evil, and was built in 1855. You’ll find this temple is more alive with activity, with various people praying and giving offerings. If you’re lucky, you might even see a ceremony taking place.
Now you’ve probably worked up an appetite from all this temple-hopping. So it’s time for some lunch!
Have Lunch at the Tekka Center
For lunch I would recommend you check out the Tekka Center. This hawker center specializes in, you guessed it, Indian food! It also has ample seating so finding a table shouldn’t be too hard. I remember having roti at the Tekka Center after a couple of hours of touring Little India and I’m not kidding, it was the best roti I’ve ever had. I forgot what the sauces were but they were just so flavorful. Definitely make a stop here if you like Indian Food.
Window Shop at Kampong Glam
After having lunch it’s time to explore your last neighborhood: Kampong Glam. Highlights include Arab Street and Haji Lane, as well as the Sultan Mosque. Arab Street is similar to the streets of Little India. It’s peppered with shops and restaurants selling an assortment of things. But the main draws of the area are Haji Lane and the Sultan Mosque.
Haji Lane is THE quintessential shopping street in Singapore (well, maybe Orchard road deserves that title too). But if you’re looking for quaint shops in an aesthetically pleasing street, this place is for you. From boutique clothing stores to artisanal dessert establishments, this street is the beating heart of Kampong Glam.
If you have time, make your way to Sultan Mosque to get a taste of Islamic architecture. It opened in 1932 and is named after the first sultan of Singapore. While not the grandest mosque in the world, I think it’s still worth visiting. The interior is as beautiful as the exterior, with incredibly detailed carpets and gold plated fixtures. There’s also a small display near the entrance that teaches visitors about the origins and nature of Islam. Definitely pay a visit during your weekend in Singapore if you’ve never been to a mosque before or have some time to kill.
Admire Art at the Singapore National Gallery
Once done with Kampong Glam, head on over to the National Gallery and see the world’s largest collection of Southeast Asian art. Housed in Singapore’s former city hall and supreme court, the museum has over 8000 works of art adorning its walls and filling its 64,000 square meters worth of space. The art comes from the 1900s till the present day, and the museum remains one of the largest museums in the region. Southeast Asian art doesn’t usually get noticed on the world stage, so coming here offers a one of a kind experience to soak in rarely seen pieces from regions of Southeast Asia that aren’t really represented in the art sphere.
If you’re feeling peckish, and want something fancy, the National Gallery is home to Odette, a three starred Michelin restaurant, as well as National Kitchen, a Peranakan restaurant.
Cruise Down the Singapore River
After perusing the National Gallery, head on over to Clarke Quay and go on a Singapore River Cruise. Just head on over to the area with all the restaurants and clubs are and you’ll eventually find the Singapore River Cruise desk. From there you can board a boat and head out on a 40 minute boat ride that heads down the Singapore River and into Marina Bay.
This cruise gives you a unique vantage point of the city from the water and, depending on when you go, it might even be twilight or evening, which is arguably the best time to go as you can see all the buildings with their lights on. The Marina Bay Sands is especially striking, as are the ArtScience Museum and the Merlion park. While it might be shorter than other river cruises around the world, I think it’s still worth doing and is a nice way to close our your weekend in Singapore.
Head to the Airport
And so ends a successful weekend foray into Singapore’s history and culture. Hopefully you learned a thing or two about the country and are itching to come back. But what’s this? You’ve decided to extend your trip by a day? That’s great! Here are some recommendations for what I think you can do with extra time in your weekend in Singapore.
Day 3: Extra Time Fun
These are some of the attractions you may visit during your extra day in Singapore. They are in no particular order, and you can’t go wrong with any of them!
Venture into the Urban Jungle A.K.A. the Singapore Botanic Gardens
The world’s only tropical botanic gardens that are designated a Unesco World Heritage Site, these gardens are as impressive as they are expansive. Greenlit by, once again, Stamford Raffles, the 165-year old site sits on 200 acres of land and houses a park that is bursting with life. If you’re lucky, you might even catch some otters swimming in one of the park’s many ponds. Here you’ll find locals on walks, doing tai chi, or just enjoying the beauty of the gardens. This would make for the perfect morning stroll during your extra morning in Singapore.
Shop Til You Drop at Orchard Road
Orchard Road is a shoppers paradise. Home to over 25 malls, this street, which was a former fruit orchard, has stores and brands from all over the world. Nike even just opened their largest store in Southeast Asia on this street in 2024. My personal favorite mall is ION Orchard, but you’ll almost certainly find what you’re looking for amongst Orchard Road’s thousands of stores. If you want to include some shopping and people watching in your Singapore weekend, definitely come here! Don’t forget to visit Emerald Hill while you’re in the area to see some traditional Peranakan shophouses in Chinese baroque architecture! And be sure to grab an ice cream sandwich from the many vendors stationed along the street.
Get Lost in the Art Deco Maze of Tiong Bahru
With Art Deco architecture and an abundance of murals, Tiong Bahru is the perfect place to get lost in. Singapore’s largest housing estate has some delectable hawker centers, restaurants, and cafes, as well as some cute shops you can take a look at. Their hawker center in particular is known as one of the best hawker centers in the country, while the shops found in the area sell everything from clothing to records to books. Finding the many murals scattered throughout the area should bring an element of a scavenger hunt to your trip. Definitely consider visiting if you want something more laid back to do on your extended weekend in Singapore.
Unleash Your Inner Adventurer at Sentosa
The playground of the country, Sentosa welcomes every type of adventurer. A former British military base and Japanese Prisoner of War camp, and converted into a tourist destination by Lee Kwan Yew, it houses many of Singapore’s world class attractions. Into theme parks? Universal Studios Singapore is one of the best theme parks in Southeast Asia. Interested in Marine life? The S.E.A. aquarium is for you. Want to unwind on a beach? Sentosa has multiple beaches for you to relax in. Add the Luge, Adventure Cove water park, Fort Siloso, and more and you’ve got an island that can keep you entertained for an entire week, let alone a weekend in Singapore!
See the Jungle from Above at the Southern Ridges
Situated on the tops of Singapore’s mountains, the Southern Ridges are the perfect outdoor attraction for nature lovers and fans of modern architecture. Located a few paces away from the Mount Faber cable car, the highlight of the whole area is the Henderson Waves, an elevated 274m long walkway that opened in 2008 and is suspended 36 meters or 118 feet above the ground. Consider visiting during your Singapore weekend if you’re on the way to or on the way back from Sentosa.
Encounter Animals at Night Safari
Probably the most unique zoo in the world, the Night Safari, opened in 1994, and needs to be seen to be believed. Featuring nocturnal animals and enclosures that make you feel like the animals are mere feet away from you, you can start your night at the zoo by riding the tram around the park. Then from there, walk through the numerous animal trails that criss-cross the zoo. See everything from rhinos, lions, tigers, and elephants, among other unique animals. A visit to one of Singapore’s zoos is a must-do (the Singapore Zoo and River Safari being the other two), and if you only have time for one, definitely make it the Night Safari.
And that ends our weekend in Singapore itinerary! What did you think about the itinerary? Comment down below!
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