With this 4 day Singapore itinerary, you’ll have the perfect balance of time to explore.
You can tick off the big-name attractions, wander through colourful neighbourhoods, relax on Sentosa Island, and uncover some of the city’s lesser-known cultural spots.
It’s a trip that blends sightseeing, food, nature, and downtime – without ever feeling rushed.
I’ve been to Singapore several times now and four days is a great amount to start exploring Singapore for the first time.
In this guide, I’ll share a day-by-day plan covering the best places to visit, where to eat, and how to get around.
Whether it’s your first trip or a return visit, this 4-day plan will help you make the most of your time in Singapore.
Contents
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4 Day Singapore Itinerary at a Glance
To save you scrolling, here’s a quick look at how to spend 4 days in Singapore. You will find details for each day below.
- Day 1: Merlion, Esplanade, Helix Bridge, Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, Gardens by the Bay, The Shoppes, ArtScience Museum, Garden Rhapsody and/or Spectra Light & Water Show
- Day 2: Kaya Toast, Chinatown temples & markets, Maxwell Food Centre, Little India, Kampong Glam, Sultan Mosque, Haji Lane, Joo Chiat
- Day 3: Sentosa Island – Universal Studios or Singapore Oceanarium, Siloso Beach, Skyline Luge, Wings of Time
- Day 4: Haw Par Villa, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Fullerton Hotel afternoon tea, Singapore Sling at Raffles
Get a pdf copy of the itinerary to save here
Day 1 – Marina Bay Icons & Evening Lights
Morning: Merlion Park, Esplanade, Gardens by the Bay.
Lunch: Satay by the Bay or Marina Bay Sands food court.
Afternoon: The Shoppes, ArtScience Museum.
Evening: Spectra Light & Water Show, Marina Bay Sands SkyPark.
Start your 4 day Singapore itinerary with some of the city’s most famous sights.
Begin early at Merlion Park for iconic photos without the crowds, then stroll past the Esplanade towards Gardens by the Bay.
Wander through the Supertree Grove and, if time allows, step inside the Flower Dome or Cloud Forest.
After lunch at Satay by the Bay or the Marina Bay Sands food court, explore The Shoppes and the ArtScience Museum.
In the evening, watch the Garden Rhapsody light show and/or the Spectra Light & Water Show before heading up to the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark for panoramic night views.
Tip: If you’re tired now and can only choose one light show, I prefer Garden Rhapsody, even though it does mean backtracking a little to the Gardens by the Bay.
Day 2 – Cultural Neighbourhoods & Evening Food Tour
Breakfast: Kaya toast at Tong Ah Eating House.
Morning: Chinatown (temples, heritage streets, hawker centre lunch).
Afternoon: Little India, Kampong Glam
Evening: Joo Chiat (optional evening food tour)
Dedicate your second day to Singapore’s rich cultural mix. Start with kaya toast and kopi at Tong Ah Eating House, then explore Chinatown’s temples, markets, and heritage streets.
Either go it alone, or join in a walking tour to get more out of your morning.
Have lunch at Maxwell Food Centre before heading to Little India to visit Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple and browse Mustafa Centre for bargains or Tekka Centre for delicious snacks.
In the late afternoon, discover Kampong Glam’s colourful street art and Arab Street’s boutique shops.
Finish with an evening visit to Joo Chiat to taste Peranakan flavours and local favourites.
Note: I wanted to include a food tour in Joo Chiat but the one I loved is currently paused and others I have found are in the mornings only. You may be able to find one that suits or you can rearrange the itinerary for today to fit one in, and if you do, I would jump at it.
Day 3 – Sentosa Island Adventure
Options: Universal Studios, S.E.A. Aquarium, beach clubs, Skyline Luge.
Relax: Palawan or Siloso Beach.
Evening: Wings of Time show
Spend your third day on sunny Sentosa Island, home to both thrilling attractions and relaxing beaches.
Adrenaline-seekers can enjoy Universal Studios Singapore, Adventure Cove Waterpark, the Singapore Oceanarium, the Skyline Luge and more.
If you prefer a slower pace, choose a beach club or relax at Palawan or Siloso Beach.
Learn about the history at Fort Siloso and admire the views from the Siloso Skywalk.
Sentosa is also great for family-friendly fun with plenty of dining and entertainment options to keep you busy until evening.
Once the sun goes down, enjoy the Wings of Time water and light show before calling it a day.
Day 4 – Nature, Local Life & Night Safari
Morning: Southern Ridges walk or Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Lunch: Nearby hawker centre.
Afternoon: Haw Par Villa or Tiong Bahru.
Evening: Night Safari at Mandai Wildlife Reserve.
Wrap up your trip with a mix of green spaces and unique neighbourhoods.
Start the day with a walk along the Southern Ridges or a visit to the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
After lunch at a local hawker centre (depending on which morning option you choose), spend the afternoon exploring Haw Par Villa’s quirky statues or the Art Deco charm of Tiong Bahru.
End your Singapore adventure with an unforgettable Night Safari at Mandai Wildlife Reserve, where you can see nocturnal animals in a naturalistic setting.
This will give you a nice mix to finish off your stay.
Practical Tips for 4 Days in Singapore
Where to Stay
For a short trip, it helps to base yourself in a convenient spot. Marina Bay puts you right in the middle of the action, Chinatown is great for culture and food at a lower price point, and Clarke Quay works well if you want nightlife on your doorstep.
Getting Around
The MRT is fast, cheap, and easy to use, with stations close to most attractions. Pair it with the Grab app for times when you’d rather not navigate buses or late-night connections. Both options are reliable and won’t blow your budget.
Book Ahead
Popular attractions like Gardens by the Bay, Universal Studios, or the Night Safari can sell out, especially on weekends and holidays. Book tickets online before you arrive to skip the queues and lock in your plans.
What to Pack
Singapore is hot and humid year-round, so lightweight clothes and comfortable walking shoes are essential. A reusable water bottle is handy, and a small umbrella or poncho will save the day when those sudden tropical showers roll in.
Stay Connected
Buying a local SIM card at Changi Airport is easy, but an eSIM is even simpler — you can set it up before you fly and be connected as soon as you land. It makes navigating, booking rides, and checking attraction hours much easier. My eSIM choice is Airalo, which works perfectly in SIngapore.
Is 4 Days in Singapore Enough?
Four days in Singapore is the perfect amount of time to tick off the must-see sights, soak up the city’s diverse culture, and still enjoy a little relaxation.
You’ll leave with a real feel for the city – and maybe even a few favourite spots to revisit next time you’re drawn back to this amazing country.
If you’re short on time, my 3 Day Singapore Itinerary will help you condense the highlights into a shorter trip.
If you’re lucky enough to have extra days, my 5 Day Singapore Itinerary adds more attractions, local experiences, and hidden corners of the city to explore.
TRAVEL PLANNING ESSENTIALS
Find flights – I always use Skyscanner as my starting point when searching for flights. One search will give many options including airlines I may not have thought of. This means I can find the best possible flights to suit my needs
Book accommodation – my go to is always Booking.com for the best places to stay. It’s not just hotels anymore, but hostels, apartments, B&Bs and more. I love that the bookings are usually cancellable, and that I can book now and pay later.
Hire a rental car – RentalCars.com is my go to here. It allows me to do just one search and it finds cars from many of the different supplies, so no checking multiple websites to compare.
Get travel insurance – you would have heard by now that saying “if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel”. If we’ve learnt anything from the last couple of years it should be how essential travel insurance is. I use CoverMore for my insurance.
Pick up an eSIM – I tried an eSIM on my last trip and it was fantastic. I set it up before I went so it was ready as soon as I landed, and I still had access to my home number for emergencies. Get your own eSIM at Airalo.
Book activities, tours & attractions – I use a few different websites for this. Viator and Get Your Guide tend to be the first places I look. In Asia, Klook often has more options, and in Australia it’s Experience Oz.
Manage your money – the best way to manage your different currencies is with an account from Wise. You can hold money in many different currencies, and use them with the ATM card or from your phone.
