Many people use Singapore as a stop-off en route to other destinations in South East Asia, and we highly recommend spending a couple of days here on your own trip if you have the time. This vibrant city is a multi-cultural hub, with influences from across the wider continent creating the diversity that you see today.
We enjoyed 2 days in Singapore before heading onwards to Vietnam, and it makes the perfect layover, with plenty to see and do. This is more or less the itinerary that we did, packing in lots of sights but going at a leisurely pace, after all, it is a very hot and humid city!
Day 1 in Singapore
Morning
Begin your first day with a visit to the famous Gardens by the Bay. This is one of Singapore’s most iconic attractions, and a must-see if it’s your first time in the city. You could linger for several hours here, depending on how much you want to spend, and how into flowers you are!
We recommend starting your visit to Gardens by the Bay with a stroll around the Supertree Grove to get a feel for the place and admire the enormous ‘trees’. Then head up onto the OCBC Skyway for a walk up in the canopy. If you have a head for heights, we suggest including a trip up to the Supertree Observatory – the views across Singapore from here are some of the best in the city.
Meanwhile, the Flower Dome is filled with rare plants from around the world, and the Cloud Forest is home to the world’s highest indoor waterfall. That’s probably enough of the floral-themed activities, but if you want more, there are other areas of the gardens to explore too.
Lunch
Grab a bite to eat at Satay by the Bay, a foodie-favourite spot for those wanting to try authentic local dishes in a traditional food court atmosphere. There are stalls selling everything from barbeque chicken and vermicelli noodles to chilli crab and carrot cake.
Afternoon
Enjoy a leisurely stroll around Marina Bay this afternoon, crossing the striking Helix and Jubilee Bridges on the way. This is where you’ll get those iconic city skyline shots, so take your time, and keep your camera handy.
Pop into the Marina Bay Sands Shopping Mall for some retail therapy, or a bit of window shopping if you’d rather not splash the cash. It’s a great place for cooling down in the hot afternoons, enjoying tea and scones in one of the tea shops, or taking a cool boat ride along the indoor canal.
Back outside, stop by the Merlion statue, which stands on the edge of the bay, keeping watch over the city. With its lion head and fish body, the Merlion has become a beloved city symbol, representing the heritage of Singapore, which was once a fishing village.
Evening
It’s time to let your hair down this evening with a decadent meal out at Marina Bay Sands and a bit of fun at the casino. Inside this glamourous complex, you’ll find dozens of restaurants serving up delicious treats from a worldwide menu, including Greek, French and Chinese favourites. After indulging your tastebuds, you can spend the rest of the evening perfecting your Black Jack moves or trying your luck on the slot machines.
Day 2
Morning
Today’s a day packed full of culture, which reflects the diverse heritage of this intriguing city. Start your morning in Chinatown, where temples, lively streets and food courts are the main visitor attractions.
Don’t miss the Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore with a dazzling façade carved with religious deities. Thian Hock Keng is well worth a visit too – this is the oldest Chinese temple in the city, with elaborate dragon carvings and plenty of beautiful red lanterns. We also recommend popping into the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, which is home to a sacred relic of the Buddha himself. It’s very similar to the Buddha Tooth Temple in Kandy which we enjoyed visiting on our last trip to Sri Lanka.
If you have time, it’s also worth checking out the Chinatown Heritage Centre, which is set in three restored shophouses. Inside, the interiors have been recreated just as they would have originally looked in the 1950s, offering a glimpse into Chinatown’s bygone days.
Lunch
There’s nowhere better for lunch in Singapore than Chinatown. The streets are alive with delicious-smelling restaurants, and the food courts are some of the most vibrant in the city. There are lots of places to choose from, so we suggest just wandering around and seeing what takes your fancy.
Afternoon
This afternoon, jump on the metro (or walk if you prefer and don’t mind the heat) and head across the river to St. Andrew’s Cathedral. It’s the oldest Anglian church in Singapore and has a beautiful neo-gothic design. Just next door you’ll find City Hall, another stunning colonial-era building that’s home to the National Gallery, where you’ll find work by artists from Singapore and Southeast Asia.
Next, because you can’t visit Singapore and not do this, pay a visit to the super-elegant Raffles Hotel and cool down with the obligatory Singapore Sling. The Long Bar here in the hotel was where this famous tipple was invented in 1915, and we highly recommend giving it a try!
Spend the rest of the afternoon up in Little India, for colourful streets, temples and a buzzing atmosphere. Take in Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, a beautifully carved Hindu temple that’s just made for the camera! It was built in the 19th century and is dedicated to the Goddess Kali.
Tan Teng Niah House is another must-see, remarkable mainly for its vividly painted exterior. It’s the final Chinese house left here in Little India, so it certainly stands out from the crowd.
Evening
As dusk falls, head back to the Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay to see one of the light shows that are held daily at 7.45pm and 8.45pm. The enormous ‘trees’ are illuminated against the night sky and a sound show makes the place come alive. It’s a totally different vibe to during the day.
Before returning to your hotel or finding dinner, pop along to the promenade to see the city skyline lit up. If you have the energy, walk over Helix Bridge, which is also illuminated at night. The bay area is one of the most beautiful spots in Singapore and a great place for taking those quintessential city photos.
