Singapore
Singapore
Compact city-state of gardens, hawker centers and distinct ethnic quarters. Stay 3 days. We have mapped 1 sight, 2 activities and 3 outdoor spots here, each with a reason to go.
- Places
- 10
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- Feb – Apr, Jun – Aug
- Warmest month
- April
- Coolest month
- January
- Wettest month
- December
1 See · 2 Do · 3 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 2 Drink
Singapore, Malacca & Kuala Lumpur
from our route notes
30°C / 87°F avg high
28°C / 83°F avg high
about 300 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.
Things to do in Singapore
10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
See
The landmarks we would not skip in Singapore in Civic District.
Photo: Basile Morin · CC BY-SA 4.0SeeNational Gallery Singapore
Southeast Asian art in the former Supreme Court and City Hall buildings.
Tip The rooftop garden has free views of the Padang.
Do
Hands-on ways to spend time in Singapore across Kampong Glam and Little India.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: KimonBerlin · CC BY-SA 2.0DoLittle India
Temples, spice shops and Tekka Centre's food stalls along Serangoon Road.
Tip Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple is the area's focal point.
Outdoors
Trails, views and open space in and around Singapore. 2 of them are free.
- Outdoors
Gardens by the Bay
Bayfront gardens with the Supertree Grove and two giant cooled conservatories.
Tip The free Garden Rhapsody light show runs at 7:45pm and 8:45pm.
Photo: Velela · Public domainOutdoorsSingapore Botanic Gardens
UNESCO-listed 160-year-old gardens with the National Orchid Garden.
Tip Go early before the heat; the main gardens are free.
Photo: Caryn See · GoogleOutdoorsMacRitchie Reservoir TreeTop Walk
Rainforest trails to a suspension bridge above the canopy.
Tip Round trip is about 11 km; carry water and watch for monkeys.
Eat
2 places to eat across Chinatown and CBD, picked for groups who care about the food.
Photo: Aaaatu · CC BY-SA 4.0EatMaxwell Food Centre
Chinatown hawker center known for Tian Tian Hainanese chicken rice.
Tip Reserve a table by leaving a tissue packet, the local custom.
Photo: kallerna · CC BY-SA 4.0EatLau Pa Sat
Victorian cast-iron market where Boon Tat Street becomes a satay street each night.
Tip Satay stalls start around 7pm.
Drink
2 bars & cafés across Civic District and Bugis for coffee, a round or a nightcap.
Photo: Long Bar · GoogleDrinkLong Bar at Raffles Hotel
Birthplace of the Singapore Sling, where peanut shells go on the floor.
Tip Come mid-afternoon to avoid the line.
Photo: Yoshiaki Uno · GoogleDrinkAtlas Bar
Art deco lobby bar in Parkview Square with a towering gin collection.
Tip Smart dress; book ahead for evenings.
How to fit Singapore into a trip
Singapore is stop 1 of 3 on our Singapore, Malacca & Kuala Lumpur route. Follow it as-is or lift Singapore into your own plan.
Stop 1 of 3
Singapore, Malacca & Kuala Lumpur
Hawker food and Straits history up the coast
- Trip length
- 8 days
- Best season
- Feb – Apr, Jun – Aug
- Pace
- easy
- Next: Malacca
Getting here and onward
- Singapore to MalaccaMalacca is about 204 km / 127 mi away in a straight line
Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.
Singapore month by month
Average daily highs run from 28°C / 83°F in January to 30°C / 87°F in April. December is the wettest month, with about 300 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan28° / 83°F average high
- Feb29° / 84°F average high, in our recommended season
- Mar30° / 85°F average high, in our recommended season
- Apr30° / 87°F average high, in our recommended season
- May30° / 86°F average high
- Jun30° / 85°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jul29° / 84°F average high, in our recommended season
- Aug29° / 85°F average high, in our recommended season
- Sep29° / 85°F average high
- Oct30° / 85°F average high
- Nov29° / 84°F average high
- Dec28° / 83°F average high
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Singapore weather and the best time to visit →
Near Singapore
2 other destinations from our guides within about 350 km (217 mi), measured in a straight line.
Singapore questions, answered
How many days do you need in Singapore?
Our route notes suggest 3 days in Singapore. On our Singapore, Malacca & Kuala Lumpur route it is stop 1 of 3 in a 8-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 20 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is Singapore best known for?
Compact city-state of gardens, hawker centers and distinct ethnic quarters. Stay 3 days. Standouts on our list: National Gallery Singapore (Southeast Asian art in the former Supreme Court and City Hall buildings); Gardens by the Bay (Bayfront gardens with the Supertree Grove and two giant cooled conservatories); Singapore Botanic Gardens (UNESCO-listed 160-year-old gardens with the National Orchid Garden).
When is the best time to visit Singapore?
Our Singapore, Malacca & Kuala Lumpur route is best Feb – Apr, Jun – Aug. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in April (30°C / 87°F), the coolest in January (28°C / 83°F) and the most rain in December (about 300 mm).
What are the best things to do in Singapore?
Start with Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Botanic Gardens, National Gallery Singapore, Kampong Glam and Little India. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 1 sight, 2 activities, 3 outdoor spots, 2 places to eat and 2 bars & cafés.
Where should a group eat in Singapore?
Our picks: Maxwell Food Centre (Chinatown); Lau Pa Sat (CBD). Reserve a table by leaving a tissue packet, the local custom (Maxwell Food Centre).
What is near Singapore?
The closest destinations in our guides are Malacca (about 204 km / 127 mi) and Kuala Lumpur (about 316 km / 197 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.
Plan Singapore with your crew
Open the Singapore, Malacca & Kuala Lumpur route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.