Singapore in three days: a guide of the city of the future

The city of the future

If you have looked into Singapore or heard about this city, you must know that it is considered the city that lives in the future, and I can tell you, it is true.

Other than the impressive architecture that characterises the city,Singapore is known as one of the most organised, safe, clean, functional and wealthy city of Asia, but also of the world.

I was in Singapore by myself and I had the best self-time ever. Here you can find out more about solo traveling in my article ''8 reasons why you should solo travel at least once in your life''.

I would say that three or four days are enough for visiting Singapore, but it’s up to you on how much time you want to spend here.
If you look online, you can see that Singapore has some “city rules’’ that is good to know before visiting the city. Don’t tell me you haven’t heard about the chewing gum one!

You can find them all here, but don’t be scared, they may seem crazy for the society we live in, but they are totally normal in Singapore and they are part of the reason why this city is so great.
In this article I am gonna share the essential things to know before traveling to this country and what to do and see.

Visa / Permits

To enter in the country it’s not necessary to get e Visa, but it’s important to check depending on your country of provenience. In my case, being Italian what I needed was to fill a form online to get a QR code for free, that needed to be shown at the airport at the moment of arrival, before entering in Singapore.
Click here for all the instructions on how to get your QR code.

Where to stay

If you are coming from a trip in Southeast Asia and you decide to Visit Singapore, it's impossible not to notice the price difference. I wouldn’t consider Singapore to be super expensive, since the costs are pretty similar (or less) to Italians once.

If you are a solo traveler, with a low budget, I would definitely recommend to choose a hostel. I recommend the Bluewater Pods 8 Hong Kong Street.
This hostel is located in Clark Quay, which is a very nice neighbourhood, close to everything by foot.
I stayed in a 10 bedrooms female dorm, but the hostel was very clean and the pods make it very private. The price can vary from 25$ to 35$ per night, which compared to the rest of Southeast Asia can seem expensive, but for Singapore, I assure this is pretty cheap.

If you have a higher budget, you can consider staying in the most beautiful and touristy area of the city, Marina Bay.

What to do in Singapore

Day one

Are you prepared to discover the wonders of this incredible city?

Singapore Changi Airport

If you arrive or leave by plane, you can’t skip a visit to the best airport of the world, Singapore Changi Airport. Once you arrive, follow directions towards the Jewel, which is the shopping center located in the airport, where you will find the famous world's tallest indoor waterfall.
Changi Airport clinched the title of the world's best airport in Skytrax's annual World Airport Awards, for 12 times, as voted by travelers. Renowned for its extensive retail options and captivating indoor attractions, including the indoor waterfall, a stunning butterfly garden, and the upscale Crowne Plaza airport hotel.
Ensure yourself to take at least 2 hours to visit this place, it’s insanely worth!

Boat Quay

If you are staying in Clark Quay, I would recommend to get some food on Boat Quay. You will be immersed in the Singapore life straight away, surrounded by beautiful buildings, but sitting by the water.

Then get lost in the street of this amazing city, you will get to admire the perfect balance between modern buildings and vegetation. This is one of the things that impressed me the most and convinced me that I could definitely live there.

Marina Bay and Gardens by the Bay

Walking in these safe streets, you will get to Marina Bay, one of the most famous areas of Singapore, where you will find the famous building with a surf board shape Marina Bay Sands, and the Gardens by the Bay.

I would suggest to visit the Gardens by the Bay first, starting in the afternoon, when there is still light and get lost in the gardens.
At Sunset time, climb on the OCBC Skywalk, an on-air bridge walk that attaches the famous flower installations. The price to get starts from 7$ and I suggest to purchase your ticket here online.

When the sun goes down, it’s time to get off the OCBC Skywalk and find a nice spot on the grass to admire the music and light show there, at the Garden Rhapsody.
The show is free and it’s happening every night at 7.45pm and 8.45pm and it lasts around 15 minutes.

Day two

Little India

Fresh start your second day visiting a very characteristic area of the city, Little India.
You will be tele-transported to India while walking on these streets, smelling the spices coming out of the restaurants and visiting the local Indian shops full of fabrics and Indian products.
Take a picture by the Former House of Tan Teng Nian, a colorful surviving Chinese building, which is now listed on the Little India Heritage Trail.

Check out the Hindu temple Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, check out the Tekka center and Mustafa Center for some shopping, and little curiosity, the Mustafa Center is open 24 hours!

End your visit in Little India by eating some delicious Indian food from a local Indian restaurant, from north to south dishes. Here some recommendations:

- Veera Flavours

- Click here for more restaurants in Little India!

Chinatown

Are you ready for another cultural immersion?
Singapore’s Chinatown is very famous for its street food and little souvenir shops and it is the perfect place to take a walk in the afternoon and eat some Chinese food!

Start on Pagoda Street and Temple Street and the get lost in the little streets of Chinatown to get to the Chinatown Street Market and Chinatown Mural.

You can also visit Maxwell Food Centre, for some traditional Asian cheap food!

Take a night walk

End your day taking a night walk, I highly recommend to walk through Queen Elizabeth Walk, but it’s really up to you and from where you hostel or hotel is located.
Remember that Singapore is very safe even at night so I can tell you, you will have the best night walk of your life, especially as a girl and it will feel so weirdly amazing to not feel any fear!

Day three

After all the walking and exploring isn’t it time for some relaxation? If the answer is yes I have the perfect last day plan for you and it includes some beach time, because yes, you can also go to the beach in Singapore!

Sentosa Island

Yes, there is an island attache to Singapore and it is Sentosa Island, the most southern point of Southeast Asia.

But how do you get there? Well it’s very easy.
Take a bus to VivoCity shopping mall, and from there you will be able to walk to the island thought a bridge called Sentosa Boardwalk. This short walk of about 20 minutes will bring you directly to the Island.

Once you get to the island, there are different activities, from the Universal Studios, which you can either decide to get a ticket and get the full experience or just walk in the outdoor part to have a free, but still cool experience, as I did.
Go to the Palawan Beach and walk on the most iconic hanging bridge and chill on the white sanded beach, the water is also very nice for a deep, but you can find a lot of little beaches to chill!
Grab some food at the Central Beach Bazaar and enjoy the free fountain show.

If you want to see the island from another perspective you can also take a cable car from Merlion station, close to the Central Beach Bazar and start your ride.

End your visit of Sentosa with a visit at the Fort Siloso Skywalk for a very nice view of the island, the beach and the skyline of Singapore! You can get there walking, by bus or cable car.

I personally visited the island by foot and took a bus back to VivoCity, which was the starting point in Singapore.

Sunset on the SkyPark Observation Deck

Buy your ticket in advance and get ready to the most iconic view you will admire at SkyPark Observation Deck of Marina Bay Sands!
From this rooftop you will have a 360° view on the city. I suggest to go for sunset time to get a full experience of the city with light and then at night and enjoy the sun going down over the city.

Marina Bay fountain show

You can’t leave Singapore without seeing one of the most famous fountain show in the world, the Spectra - A Light & Water Show. Make sure to arrive in advance and take a nice spot on the walking wood board by the water and enjoy the show.
There are two shows every night one at 7:30pm and another one at 8pm, it's free and they last 15 minutes.

Isn’t it the perfect city? Well for me it is and I hope you will love it and enjoy it with these tips, as much as I did, because it has some real magic!

See you on the next adventure around, and make sure to leave a comment below if you liked this article!

Xoxo,
Carmi Around