Chinatown and the river, Marina Bay, then Sentosa or Mandai.
This Singapore 3 day itinerary starts from the Duxton hotel and puts Chinatown and the river on day one, Marina Bay and the gardens on day two, and a choice of Sentosa or the wildlife parks on day three. Chinatown's Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is 360 metres north-east of the hotel in a straight line, so day one needs no long transfers.
Day one: Chinatown, Duxton and the river
Spend the morning on the Chinatown temples and heritage centre, then eat at a hawker centre.
The Chinatown relic temple at 288 South Bridge Road is built in Tang-inspired architecture and holds Buddhist art.
It is an active worship site, so dress respectfully and check museum access before you go.
Chinatown Heritage Centre at 48 Pagoda Street recreates 1950s shophouse interiors to explain the lives of early residents.
The Smith Street food centre at 335 Smith Street serves traditional local dishes at its level-two food centre.
Walk back through Duxton and Keong Saik for dinner, using the Tanjong Pagar eating guide.
Praelum Wine Bistro at 4 Duxton Hill is built for sommelier-led wine flights, with a substantial cellar and food designed for pairing.
It is 90 metres north of the hotel in a straight line.
Finish with a drink on the water, choosing a bank from the river quay comparison.
The river cruise runs river tours in traditional bumboats from the Clarke Quay jetty.
Day two: Marina Bay
Start with the museums at midday and the gardens in the late afternoon, using the Marina Bay walk. Fit afternoon tea in before the gardens, picked from the hotel tea rooms.
The old municipal gallery is an art museum for Singapore and Southeast Asian art, housed in a restored municipal building dating to 1929.
National Kitchen by Violet Oon and Odette both sit inside the building.
The Raffles tea room inside Raffles Hotel on Beach Road serves breakfast and afternoon tea seatings with a savoury and sweet menu.
The Marina Bay park at 18 Marina Gardens Drive is a botanical park of modern greenhouses and waterfront parks.
Its supertrees are lined with solar cells.
Spend the evening on a skyline drink from the rooftop bar list.
CÉ LA VI Singapore sits atop Tower 3 of Marina Bay Sands and serves lunch, dinner and weekend brunch with a long cocktail list.
It is 2.1 km east of the hotel in a straight line.
Day three: pick one
For beaches and theme parks, go to the Sentosa plan.
The Sentosa movie park at 8 Sentosa Gateway is a movie amusement park with themed sets and rides.
It is 3.4 km south-west of the hotel in a straight line.
Tanjong Beach Club at 120 Tanjong Beach Walk is a beachfront restaurant and bar with coastal Italian dining, cocktails and music.
For animals, use the Mandai wildlife parks guide and finish with the Night Safari.
The Mandai rainforest zoo at 80 Mandai Lake Road is a rainforest zoo with immersive habitats.
Night Safari is a night zoo with tram rides and walking trails through the rainforest after dark.
For a slower day, combine the Botanic Gardens with lunch on Dempsey Road.
National Orchid Garden sits within the grounds and shows thousands of orchid species and hybrids along paved paths.
Swaps and extras
Swap in the Haji Lane and mosque stop or Little India for temples and banana leaf rice if you want a cultural day. Weather affects the order, so read the seasons comparison before you fix dates.
The full set of districts is in the complete Singapore overview.
