Singapore in 5 Days: everything you need to know

Singapore is a futuristic city with many entertainment options available, so it seems difficult to organize an itinerary without leaving something out. Don't worry! Five days offers a perfect window of time to explore the best things to do in the city. This way, you will be able to discover the most fascinating places, such as the Madame Tussauds Museum.

You will also have the opportunity to relax in green spaces such as the Botanical Gardens, visit ethnic neighborhoods and see the oldest areas. Of course, don't forget to take advantage of all the magical attractions of Universal Studios Singapore, as well as getting lost in the most striking streets that will surely be engraved in your memory. Without a doubt, five days will be enough to experience a memorable vacation, so here's how to organize it!

Take advantage of your first day to get to know the most fascinating wonders of Singapore, you will probably be tired after a long flight, so take it easy and simply dedicate yourself to enjoy without rushing. Start the evening at the local zoo, which can be seen both day and night. Afterwards, stroll along the Singapore River waterfront or embark on a fun boat adventure. At the end of the day, sample local dishes at the traditional Lau Pa Sat market and return relaxed to your hotel.

Singapore Zoo

After spending a couple of hours in the gardens, you'll probably still have a little time left over. Take a cab to get to the Singapore Zoo in less than twenty minutes. As such, it is open from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm and is worth a tour for its daytime activities that take you to meet around 2,800 animals grouped in thematic zones. Here enjoy a walk through the park, hop on and off the electric train, watch the little Asian otters at play and immerse yourself in educational workshops.

If you are looking for another type of experience I recommend exploring the night side of the zoo, which has an additional cost but is well worth it. On board a streetcar or on foot you will be able to appreciate the routine of nocturnal creatures, which wake up as soon as the sun goes down. Observe their habitat in a controlled environment to see how they hunt, play and eat.

Singapore River

The key to surviving a long itinerary is to include breaks and relaxing activities, which is why I like the Singapore River for a 5-day visit. It is located a twenty minute cab ride from the museum, although it can also be accessed via SBS Transit bus line 123. Here you can spend the afternoon swarming along the waterfront to appreciate the electrifying harbor lifestyle. Or, perhaps, take advantage of the best local tours, which allow you to take a ride on a comfortable and fascinating boat.

It is a sensory experience, since navigating through its canals you can appreciate the city from another perspective and marvel at the mixture of aromas, sounds and colors. It is impossible to be indifferent to the imposing skyscrapers that tower over the boat. In addition, you will surely sigh at the sight of the green spaces that stand out everywhere, such as the metallic Supertrees of the Bay Gardens. You will also be able to appreciate monuments and areas such as Clarke Quay, Coleman Bridge, the Merlion Statue and part of Singapore's financial center.

Lau Pa Sat Market

To end this day you can take a cab or bus line 186, to reach the famous Lau Pa Sat Market in less than ten minutes. If you want to enjoy a dream experience, you can consider a ride aboard the best tour buses in Singapore, whose night route usually brings you closer to this iconic location to taste the most delicious dishes of the Asian panorama. In any case, this modern Hawker is open 24 hours a day and is a favorite stop after a long night of partying.

It is located in Singapore's vibrant financial district, which is bustling and trendy. It is also one of the best gastronomic stops in the city, as it is one of the oldest Victorian structures in Southeast Asia. Throughout its passages you will encounter tasty tastings, live entertainment and cultural shows.

Of course, you can't go through Singapore without visiting Universal Studios Singapore on Sentosa Island even once, as it would be like going to the United States and not stopping by Disney. This park ensures fun and will consume most of your day, and in the late afternoon, check out an authentic market on Bugis Street and explore the nightlife of Clarke Quay.

Universal Studios Singapore

To reach your first destination, simply purchase a Sky Pass for the Sentosa Cable Car, which is available from 8:45 am. This way, you can access the island through different stops thatconnect with several of Singapore's most iconic attractions. It is an adventure that gives you amazing panoramic views and reduces travel times, saving energy for your day.

This way you will arrive at Universal Studios Singapore, a magical stop that captivates children and adults, so it is normal to find endless queues. However, it is worth it as its themed areas take you on a journey through the most iconic movies and series. You will have the opportunity to walk the Hollywood Promenade, teleport to the charm of New York, climb the most thrilling mountains in the Futuristic City or take pictures with the characters of Shrek that swarm in the authentic kingdom of Far Far Away.

Ancient Egypt also has a place here and the Penguins of Madagascar roam the grounds, spreading laughter and helping you make good memories. There are also food areas where you can sample the favorite dishes of the most endearing characters. Or stop by the souvenir store where you'll find mugs, T-shirts, stuffed animals and many items to evidence your Singapore vacation.

Bugis Street

During your vacation you can give Bugis Street a try, a fascinating shopping street that is often overlooked, but well worth the trip. It is located approximately eighteen minutes by cab, it is important to consider that it is an area with a lot of traffic during rush hour and this can lengthen the route, upon arrival you will be rewarded withan authentic historical heritage.

Fascinating gastronomic experiences are hidden here, in fact, the area is characterized by the street market and street stores. Try a variety of Singaporean dishes or buy clothing with an Asian touch, just keep in mind that you can visit until 22:00. In general, you will find open-air spaces and a variety of proposals among bustling, colorful and fragrant passages that will guide you.

Clarke Quay

The coordinates of your itinerary will lead you to discover the most exciting nightlife area of Singapore, known as Clarke Quay. It is located less than five minutes away by bus and most transports connect with this area without any inconvenience. In fact, if you want to venture out on a guided experience, you can consider the night route of Singapore's best tour buses that usually stop at this Singapore Riverfront marvel.

In this lively area you will find the most outstanding activities to visit Singapore at night, such as the GX-5 extreme swing in Singapore that offers an intense 3-minute ride at over 120 km/h and can be enjoyed every day from 4:30 to 23:00 and on Saturdays until the wee hours of the morning. Of course, you can also relax and have a drink on the terraces with panoramic views, or party in the nightclubs on the perimeter.

After exploring Clarke Quay late into the evening, you're probably looking to recharge or relax. Passing by Universal Studio, you will surely have seen particularly the spaces of Sentosa Island. Therefore, on day 3, I recommend you to go there for a change of scenery, absorb vitamin D and escape the sonic pollution.

Specifically, I recommend you spend most of the day exploring the 101-hectare expanse of the Bay Gardens and at the end of the day check out the quirky Madame Tussauds Museum, one of Singapore' s best museums where wax dolls will return your gaze.

Gardens by the Bay

Singapore is known for its green spaces and ecological initiatives, in the Bay Gardens you can appreciate more than one million exotic plants that include specimens from five continents. Not in vain is one of the most popular attractions, as people are attracted by the metallic Supertrees whose futuristic aesthetics will not leave you indifferent.

I dare say it has positioned itself as the most famous park in Singapore, with its beautiful greenhouse, cultural events ideal if you plan to visit the city at Christmas and nightly cultural shows that beautify the stay.

Madame Tussauds Museum

The Madame Tussauds Museum is a local gem that can't be missed on a complete itinerary, located a ten-minute drive from the Gardens. This international chain is known for its wax dolls, which are divided into themed rooms revolving around sports, music, entertainment, K-pop, politics and history.

It is usually open from 10:00 to 18:00 and you can venture to photo shoots with your favorite celebrities, red carpets where you will feel like a real celebrity, interactive 4D experiences, jungle safaris and simulation games. It is an ideal destination if you are looking for things to do in Singapore with kids, the best thing is that it is usually included in the best tourist cards of the city.

Of course, a visit to Singapore is not complete without a tour of the ethnic areas. Diverse communities from Asia, Europe and other continents have arrived in the country, enriching the culture and history. The most popular are Chinatown and Little India, but the country has many areas that demonstrate multiculturalism and are worth a look.

Chinatown

Chinatown captivates in its different facets around the world, in fact this culture has adapted to different environments and Singapore is no exception. Here you will find iconic streets such as Pagoda Street, Smith Street and Trengganu Street that emanate a vibrant energy and have become one of the best things to do in the city for their ethnic richness.

The colorful street markets are very popular and allow you to learn about Chinese cuisine during guided tours or perhaps on your own, buy souvenirs and delight in cultural performances. You can also sample authentic Chinese tea and visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum that preserves the Buddha's tooth, one of Southeast Asia's most important treasures. In addition, if you travel to the city in February you cannot miss the activities and rituals of the Chinese New Year.

Little India

Just five minutes by cab and ten minutes by subway hide the wonders of Little India. The Hindu neighborhood is one of the richest locations in history and culture, where you can visit the old Tan Teng Niah House, a historical landmark that was built in 1900. If you plan to visit Singapore in November you have to make a stop at the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, where religious and spiritual rituals will hardly leave you indifferent.

In addition, here hides the oldest mosque in Singapore, known as the Abdul Gaffoor Mosque, a building that shows the fusion of Muslim and Indian culture. In these places let yourself be fascinated by the smell of incense, the colors of this peculiar neighborhood and the history of the first Indian immigrants. Please note that Singapore' s tour buses often offer stops here and walking tours.

End this fascinating journey beyond the popular sites and allow yourself to delve into **Singapore'**s past. I propose a fascinating walk from an island that was founded more than five thousand years ago, to an ethnic neighborhood considered the oldest urban area on the perimeter.

Pulau Ubin Island

Start your day with all the positive energies on Pulau Ubin Island, which can be reached by a mixed route that starts on the subway, continues aboard the public bus and ends in a short ferry ride of about ten minutes. In total, it will take you about an hour to get to this paradise, but I promise you it's worth it. It is quite the opposite of the bustling Sentosa Island, in fact its nature trails are the perfect place to escape the heavy city life.

Here you will find an island more than five thousand years old where you can visit the original village where granite tiles were made, or climb the Jejawi Tower that offers panoramic views of this Singaporean beauty. You can also go mountain biking, explore wildlife, kayaking and fishing. You can visit on your own or take advantage of the best tours in Singapore.

Kampong Glam

The last stop will take you back to the city, for which you have to reverse the one-hour journey combining ferry, bus and subway. This way, you will arrive in Singapore's Arab quarter, better known as Kampong Glam. It is one of the first local areas and its antiquity can be seen in every corner. Here I recommend you stop at the famous Sultan Mosque, or appreciate the colorful Arab Street that offers a sensory experience where you can touch fabrics and carpets, taste traditional dishes and smell the scents of the region.

The Sultan's Palace is another important stop, as it is a place of historical interest whose construction dates back to 1840, by Sultan Ali. In this corner you will learn more about the history of British colonization and feel like you are traveling back in time.

A 5-day itinerary offers a comprehensive overview of all there is to see and do in Singapore. You'll have a wide window of time with walks through historic sites, popular attractions and tours of Sentosa Island. The best part is that you won't be rushed and can enjoy a relaxing vacation.