Singapore · 5-day itinerary
5 days in Singapore
Hawker feasts, supertrees and a garden city. Here's a 5-day plan that clusters each day by neighbourhood, with real times, so you walk less and see more.
Day 1
Arrive & settle into Singapore
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Arrive in Singapore
Check in at your stay in Clarke Quay / Chinatown.
- 12:15 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. · Little India · ~$14
Little India
Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple and Tekka Centre.
- 6:00 p.m. Dinner · Hainanese chicken rice at Maxwell Food Centre
7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. · Marina Bay
Garden Rhapsody light show
Free evening light show at the Supertree Grove.
Day 2
Icons & culture
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. · Chinatown
Chinatown and Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
Heritage shophouses and temples.
- 12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. · Kampong Glam
Kampong Glam and Haji Lane
The Sultan Mosque and indie boutiques.
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. · Chinatown · ~$21
Hawker centre feast
Michelin-listed food stalls for a few dollars.
Day 3
Family fun
- 1:15 p.m. Lunch
- 6:00 p.m. Dinner · Laksa
7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. · Marina Bay · ~$57
Rooftop bar at Marina Bay
Skyline cocktails with a view of the bay.
Day 4
Into the green
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. · Central Catchment
MacRitchie treetop walk
A suspension bridge through rainforest canopy.
- 1:15 p.m. Lunch
2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. · Civic District · ~$28
National Gallery Singapore
Southeast Asian art in the old Supreme Court.
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Evening at leisure
Dinner somewhere that catches your eye, then a stroll or an early night.
Day 5
Farewell, Singapore
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Wander Singapore
Unscheduled time for cafés, rest, or the discovery you didn't plan.
- 12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Depart Singapore
Check out and head to the airport or station, allowing plenty of time.
- 7:00 p.m. Dinner · Kaya toast and kopi for breakfast
Where to stay in Singapore
Shoestring
Little India / Kampong Glam
Colourful and the best-value stays.
Hotels in Little India / Kampong GlamComfort
Clarke Quay / Chinatown
Central, with river walks and hawker food.
Hotels in Clarke Quay / ChinatownLuxury
Marina Bay
Skyline hotels and rooftop pools.
Hotels in Marina Bay
What to eat in Singapore
Hainanese chicken rice
Poached chicken, fragrant rice and chilli-ginger sauce.
Chilli crab
Mud crab in sweet, spicy tomato gravy. Mop it up with fried buns.
Laksa
Coconut curry noodle soup; Katong-style is eaten with a spoon.
Kaya toast
Coconut jam toast with soft-boiled eggs and kopi.
Char kway teow
Smoky wok-fried flat noodles with cockles and lap cheong.
Satay
Grilled skewers with peanut sauce.
Where locals send visitors
Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice $
Hawker stall · Maxwell Food Centre · Best for lunch
The famous chicken rice stall; the whole hawker centre is worth grazing.
ReviewsLau Pa Sat $
Hawker centre · Raffles Place · Best for dinner
Victorian market hall; the satay street opens on the road outside in the evening.
ReviewsHill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle $
Hawker stall · Lavender · Best for lunch
Michelin-recognised bak chor mee. Expect a long queue.
Reviews328 Katong Laksa $
Laksa · Katong · Best for lunch
Katong-style laksa with noodles cut short.
ReviewsYa Kun Kaya Toast $
Kopitiam · Several locations · Best for breakfast
The classic breakfast set since 1944.
ReviewsJumbo Seafood $$$
Seafood · Clarke Quay / East Coast · Best for dinner · Reserve ahead
A reliable place for chilli and black-pepper crab.
Reviews
Heads-up: what to steer clear of
- Local rules: Fines are strict and enforced: no eating or drinking on the MRT, no chewing gum imports, and no littering or jaywalking.
- Scam: When buying electronics, agree the total price in writing before paying, and refuse surprise "warranties" or add-ons.
- Safety: Heat and sudden thunderstorms are the real risks. Carry water and an umbrella.
Giro's notes, reviewed October 2026. Things change, so check current advice before you go: Government of Canada travel advisories .
Good to know
- Tap a contactless card on the MRT and buses.
- Carry an umbrella because afternoon storms are common.
- Chewing gum sales are banned, and littering fines are steep.
Daily budget per person
| Shoestring | ~$125 |
| Comfort | ~$280 |
| Luxury | ~$711 |
A shared double room, meals and local transport. Flights and tickets not included.
Make this Singapore trip yours
Giro rebuilds this plan for your dates, your group and your budget. Swap stops, drag them between days, add your flights and hotel, and share it with everyone coming.
Plan this tripTimes and prices are estimates (prices in CAD at the latest ECB rate). Check opening hours before you go. Place descriptions and photos from Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons, credited on each photo. Giro may earn a commission on bookings, at no extra cost to you.