2 & 3 Day Itineraries

How to plan a Singapore weekend itinerary

A Singapore weekend itinerary should be simple. Two or three days is enough for the main sights if you group them by area. Stay central, use the MRT and plan one main area for each half day. Leave space for long meals and a rest in the hottest hours.

For a detailed plan, read The Perfect 3-Day Singapore Itinerary. The outline below is a shorter version you can adapt.

Day 1: Marina Bay and the river

Begin at Gardens by the Bay, a short walk from Bayfront MRT station. See the Supertrees, then visit one of the two cooled glass domes. In the late afternoon, walk around the bay to Merlion Park. Watch a free evening light show at the Supertrees or at Marina Bay Sands.

For dinner, go to Lau Pa Sat, a hawker centre in a historic market building. Satay stalls set up on the street beside it in the evening. Or walk along the river to Clarke Quay for riverside restaurants.

Day 2: Heritage districts and hawker food

Spend the morning in Chinatown. Visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, then eat at Maxwell Food Centre. A hawker centre is a large food court of small stalls, each with a short menu and low prices.

In the afternoon, head to Kampong Glam & Haji Lane for Sultan Mosque, small shops and cafés. Dress modestly for the mosque, and visit outside prayer times. End the day in Little India. Try banana leaf rice for dinner: rice, curries and vegetables served on a banana leaf.

Day 3: Sentosa, nature or shopping

If you have a third day, choose one of these:

• Sentosa: a beach, a theme park or a ride on the Singapore Cable Car.
• Nature: the Singapore Botanic Gardens in the cooler morning, then lunch at Dempsey Hill nearby.
• Wildlife: the Singapore Zoo by day, or the Night Safari after dark.
• Shopping: the malls of Orchard Road, with cheap food courts in many mall basements.

With only two days, save these ideas for your next visit.

Where to stay for a weekend

On a short trip, location matters most. Stay within a short walk of an MRT station. Marina Bay suits sightseeing and views. Chinatown and Bugis are central and close to good, cheap food. Orchard Road suits shoppers. Where to Stay in Singapore: Best Areas Compared explains each area in more detail. To compare places to stay, browse Hotels in Marina Bay & CBD or Hotels in Bugis & Kampong Glam.

Weekend tips

• Book popular sights ahead. Weekends are busier, especially at Sentosa and Gardens by the Bay.
• Eat a little early or late. Hawker centres are busiest at lunch and dinner.
• Check stall days. Some stalls in office areas close at weekends.
• Use the MRT. Tap in with a contactless bank card. Trains are fast and frequent.
• Plan for rain. Keep a museum or mall as a backup.

FAQs about a Singapore weekend itinerary

Is a weekend enough for Singapore?

Two days covers Marina Bay, Chinatown and one more area. Three days lets you add Sentosa, the zoo or the Botanic Gardens at a calmer pace.

Should I choose 2 or 3 days?

Choose three days if you can. The extra day gives time for rest, rain delays and one big attraction.

What can I do for free on a weekend in Singapore?

The Supertree Grove, the Marina Bay light shows and Merlion Park are all free. The Botanic Gardens are free to enter, apart from the orchid garden. 20 Free Things to Do in Singapore lists more ideas.

Where should I eat on a short trip?

Hawker centres give you the most local food for the least money. Try chicken rice, laksa and satay at places such as Maxwell Food Centre and Lau Pa Sat.

Do I need to book attractions in advance?

For popular paid sights, booking online saves time at the gate. This matters most at weekends and on public holidays. Free sights, such as Merlion Park, need no booking.