4 to 7 Day Itineraries

A Singapore 5-day itinerary, day by day

A Singapore 5-day itinerary gives you time to see the main sights and then go further. You can add quieter neighbourhoods, an island and a nature walk. You can also slow down, which helps in the heat. Use this outline as a base. Stretch it to six or seven days with the extra ideas further down.

Day 1: Marina Bay

Start at Gardens by the Bay and its cooled glass domes. Walk around the bay to Merlion Park in the late afternoon. Stay for the free evening light shows.

Day 2: The Civic District and the river

Visit National Gallery Singapore or the National Museum of Singapore. Then walk up Fort Canning Park, a green hill in the city centre. In the evening, take a Singapore River Cruise past Boat Quay and Clarke Quay.

Day 3: Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam

Spend the morning at Chinatown's temples and hawker centres. In the afternoon, visit Little India and Sultan Mosque in Kampong Glam. Dress modestly for places of worship, with shoulders and knees covered.

Day 4: Sentosa

Reach Sentosa by monorail or on foot from VivoCity mall at HarbourFront. You can also ride the cable car across. Choose a theme park, such as Universal Studios Singapore. Or relax at Palawan Beach.

Day 5: Wildlife in Mandai

Spend the day in Mandai, in the north. Visit the Singapore Zoo or Bird Paradise by day. Stay on for the Night Safari after dark.

Days 6 and 7: going further

With a full week, add one or two of these:

• Pulau Ubin: take a bumboat, a small passenger boat, from Changi Point Ferry Terminal to Pulau Ubin. Rent a bike and ride past village houses and wetlands.
• Katong and Joo Chiat: see the colourful Koon Seng Road Shophouses and try a bowl of Katong laksa.
• Botanic Gardens and Dempsey: walk through the Singapore Botanic Gardens, then have lunch at Dempsey Hill.
• Southern Ridges: hike the Southern Ridges and Henderson Waves trail through hill parks.
• Tiong Bahru: explore the old housing estate, its market and its cafés.
• A day trip abroad: some visitors cross to Johor Bahru in Malaysia or take a ferry to Batam or Bintan in Indonesia. Check visa rules first. See our Day Trips guides.

Where to stay for a longer trip

For five days or more, think about splitting your stay. Spend most nights in the centre, then move to Sentosa for the last night or two. Or choose one central base close to an MRT station.

• Hotels in Marina Bay & CBD suit views and short walks to the bay.
• Hotels in Chinatown & Tanjong Pagar put food and heritage on your doorstep.
• Sentosa & Resorts offer pools and beaches for the end of a trip.
• Serviced Apartments give families more space and often a small kitchen.

Tips for a 4 to 7 day trip

• Group sights by area. Less travel means more time at each place.
• Leave a rest day. The heat is tiring, and a pool afternoon helps you recover.
• Plan rainy-day backups. Museums, malls and indoor sights work well. See Rainy Day Activities.
• Eat around the city. Each area has its own food. Try a different hawker centre each day.
• Use a contactless card. It works on MRT trains and public buses, so a travel pass is optional.

FAQs about a Singapore 5-day itinerary

Is 5 days too long for Singapore?

No. Five days lets you see the main sights without rushing. You can also add an island, a nature trail and several food areas.

What should I add with a full week?

Add Pulau Ubin, the Southern Ridges, Katong and Joo Chiat, or a day trip abroad. A slower pace with a pool afternoon also helps in the heat.

Is it worth staying on Sentosa?

It can be, especially for families and beach lovers. Many visitors spend most nights in the city and one or two on Sentosa.

How should I get around on a longer trip?

The MRT and buses reach almost every area in this plan. Tap in with a contactless bank card. Use taxis late at night or for Mandai, which is far from the city centre.