Singapore is an inspiring city from the future with access to nature, good eats, and cultural sights. Because of its strategic geographic position in the heart of Southeast Asia, Singapore is a popular layover city.
I’m begging you to extend your layover in Singapore and follow this two-day itinerary to see the highlights of this futuristic city-state.
This two-day itinerary assumes you have two full days to explore the city. To make the most out of your short time in Singapore, stay in Chinatown or Marina Bay to be close to the action.
Let’s get into it.
Day 1: Chinatown + The Bays
On the first day, we’ll check the absolute must-sees off your Singapore bucket list. We’ll start with an introduction to the city’s most culturally significant neighborhood and finish by visiting the city’s most important tourist spots: Marina Bay and Gardens by the Bay.
Breakfast at Glasshouse
Begin your day at Glasshouse in Chinatown. This trendy cafe serves food that both looks good and tastes good. The matcha and coffee were especially delicious.
Go temple hopping
The best way to get to know Chinatown is through its many temples of different faiths. After breakfast, go temple hopping to visit Thian Hock Keng Temple, Sri Mariamman, and Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. All of these temples are free to enter.
Thian Hock Keng Temple
The first stop is the Thian Hock Keng Temple, a Taoist temple with a low-key vibe. The outdoor temple is a venerated place that isn’t as popular as the rest, making it more peaceful.
Sri Mariamman Temple
Next stop: Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest and largest Hindu temple in Singapore. The architecture and art on the outside draw you in with its bright colors and intricate details, but the inside isn’t as spectacular. If you do choose to enter, make sure to take off your shoes and grab a pashmina to cover up.
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
The final stop is the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, the grandest of them all. The exterior and interior of the temple are very impressive, featuring pagoda-style architecture and shimmering gold statues. At the entrance, you can borrow pashminas to cover your legs and shoulders if they’re exposed.
Lunch at Chinatown Complex
Right behind the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is the sprawling Chinatown Complex. Chinatown Complex is home to a market selling Chinese goods from lanterns to spices and the biggest hawker centre in Singapore. Walk through the merchandise stalls and then grab a bite to eat.
That Planner Friend Tip: The hawker centres in Singapore don’t provide napkins, so you’ll want to bring your own if you’re a messy eater.
See the views at Marina Bay
Marina Bay is the sight to see in Singapore. It’s the epicenter of the city. From Chinatown, it’s about a 10-minute walk to Marina Bay. For a point of reference, put the Fullerton Bay Hotel into maps and walk there. There’s a great view of Marina Bay Sands Hotel from the Fullerton.
Walk down the boardwalk to the Merlion
The Merlion is a half-mermaid, half-lion fountain that spurts into the bay. While the statue itself isn’t very impressive, the views around it are.
Cross the Helix Bridge
Continue your loop around the bay by heading toward the Helix Bridge. This modern bridge connects pedestrians to Marina Bay Sands, the famous hotel that looks like a boat floating in the sky.
Step into Marina Bay Sands
Marina Bay Sands is a hotel, casino, and shopping destination. For a blast of AC to beat the heat, walk through Marina Bay Sands and window shop.
Marina Bay Sands is famous for its infinity pool on the top floor overlooking the city. Unfortunately, it’s only accessible to guests. For a similar view, you can go to the bar at the top of Marina Bay Sands, CÉ LA VI Singapore.
Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay is a must-see tourist attraction in Singapore. It’s home to Supertrees, the towering vertical gardens that look like trees from the future.
Behind the Marina Bay Sands hotel, you’ll find Gardens by the Bay. Start your visit by going up the OCBC Skywalk in Supertree Grove to walk from Supertree to Supertree on a network of bridges. You’ll want to check this off your list before it gets dark.
After, head to The Canopy to go to the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome. All these attractions require tickets that you can buy near the attractions themselves. You can expect to spend about 50 SGD on tickets during your visit.
Read What to Know Before Visiting Gardens by the Bay for a full guide to the park.
Dinner at Lau Pa Sat
After you Gardens by the Bay, head downtown for dinner at Lau Pa Sat, one of the most historic hawker centres in Singapore. Taste local Singapore dishes like Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, and carrot cake.
Day 2: Cultural Neighborhoods + Riverwalk
You’ll explore the local neighborhoods on your second and final day in Singapore. This day is jam-packed, so get an early start to see it all.
Breakfast at Common Man Coffeeroasters in Joo Chiat
Start your day at Common Man Coffeeroasters in Joo Chiat. Common Man Coffeeroasters has an Australian cafe vibe with good food and coffee. It’s on the main road in Joo Chiat making it a great jumping-off point to explore the neighborhood.
Shopping on Joo Chiat Road
After breakfast, walk down Joo Chiat Road and pop into shops like Crane that sell art, home goods, and tasteful souvenirs.
Take a photo at the Peranakan Houses
Off Joo Chiat Road on Kool Seng Road are the Peranakan Houses, a row of colorful heritage shophouses that are a symbol of Singapore.
These houses are a must-see in the neighborhood but you’ll notice many shops on Joo Chiat Road have the same beautiful architecture, so don’t forget to look up.
Stroll the streets of Kampong Glam
From Joo Chiat, order a Grab or taxi to Kampong Glam, the Muslim quarter of Singapore. In Kampong Glam you’ll wander the streets to see Middle Eastern shops and colorful facades.
Visit the Sultan Mosque
The Sultan Mosque is the heart of Kampong Glam. It’s situated on a palm tree-lined pedestrian street with a surprising number of Turkish restaurants. The inside isn’t worth a visit but the outside is a great photo opp.
Go to Haji Lane
After seeing the mosque, go to Haji Lane, an alley-like street with cafes, bars, and shops. Haji Lane is a bit too touristy for my liking (It’s giving 2010s millennial Instagram core) but you’ll see it on almost every Singapore blog post you read.
Explore Little India
From Kampong Glam it’s a short walk to Little India. In Little India, you’ll feel transported to a new place with people selling flowers to offer to the Hindu gods on the street and traditional gold shops on every corner. On the main street is the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, an impressive Hindu temple you can visit for free.
Enjoy a Singapore Sling at The Long Bar
After exploring Little India, it’s time for a drink in the Raffles area. It’s no surprise that Singapore is home to the Singapore Sling cocktail. It was invented at The Long Bar at the famous Raffles Hotel.
The cocktail bar has a colonial tropical vibe and serves free peanuts. The peanuts help soften the blow of paying 41 SGD for the famous Singapore Sling cocktail. The bar can have long wait times so make sure to visit before 4 p.m. to avoid a line.
Hungry for more than peanuts? Go to CHIJMES, a beautiful Catholic convent that has been converted into a mall with dining options.
Raffles Hotel
Since you’re already at the Raffles Hotel, take a peek into the historic hotel. Beyond its colonial history, it was featured in the rom-com Crazy Rich Asians.
Walk down the Riverwalk
Next up: the Riverwalk. Along the Singapore River, you’ll pass many quays (pronounced keys) like Boat Quay, Robertson Quay, and Clarke Quay. While walking by the river be on the lookout for wild river otters floating by.
Coffee or Drinks at Swee Lee in Clarke Quay
The colorful Clarke Quay is the most popular of the quays along the river. Within Clarke Quay is Swee Lee, one of the coolest cafes you’ll go to. Half music shop, half coffee shop, Swee Lee is a listening bar in Clarke Quay that serves coffees and cocktails.
Order a drink and listen to a vinyl record from their library on a personal set of headphones. All you need to do is sign up for a free membership to access a 30-minute listening session.
Dinner on Geylang Road
For your last meal in Singapore, go on a self-guided food tour of Geylang Road. You’ll start off strong at J.B. Meng Restaurant for their famous white pepper crab and san lou mee hoon which is a crispy noodle pancake. J.B. Meng is cash only so make sure to bring at least 100 SGD if you’re ordering the crab. (It won’t be that expensive but you’ll want to be safe for dinner for two).
After feasting on crab, walk down to Durian 36 to try the infamous smelly fruit. Durian has such a pungent smell that it’s not allowed on public transit or in most hotels.
The fruit is an acquired taste. To me, it tastes like overripe cantaloupe. At Durian 36 you can get a pre-sliced piece to eat at a sidewalk table.
End your food tour at Haig Road Putu Piring at the Haig Road Market & Food Centre. Putu Piring is a sweet treat of steamed rice flour filled with palm sugar. It’s the perfect sweet finish to your trip to Singapore.
Going to Singapore for more than two days? Check out more Singapore itineraries on the blog.
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The Ultimate Guide to Singapore
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