How To Maximise One Day in Singapore
There is no more magical and enchanting travel destination than Singapore. This city-state is full of things to do and with only one day in Singapore, you will have a packed itinerary. One day is just enough time to capture a snapshot of what Singapore has to offer and will surely leave you wanting more.
Singapore’s Changi Airport is one of the most impressive airports in the world. It has various attractions inside and is one of the most popular stops over destinations for travel all around the world. For this reason, people often have only a short amount of time to spend exploring Singapore and all its beauty.
Without a proper itinerary, you can easily feel overwhelmed with all the possible things to do, where to go, and how to get there. Singapore offers more than what meets the eye and one can easily spend quite a few days here to really see everything. This quick Singapore itinerary will provide you with the ultimate guide to ensure your short Singapore experience is perfect.
This itinerary is timed out so that you know how long you should be spending at each place to make sure you get to see everything. Use this to experience Singapore in the best way possible.
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7:30 – 8:30 – Breakfast in Singapore
Start your day off right with a nice breakfast. This can either be had at your accommodation or at a restaurant. In order to get started on the day’s itinerary as quickly as possible, I suggest eating at your accommodation. But if you are a foodie and want to experience all of the amazing food options of Singapore there are plenty of restaurants to satisfy you!
One of the more interesting breakfast dishes in Singapore is Souffle Pancakes which are premium light and fluffy pancakes that can be found around the city. If you do choose to eat out, you might need to budget more time for breakfast as most restaurants only open at 8AM or later.
8:30 – 10:30 – Gardens by the Bay
The Gardens by the Bay is Singapore’s most iconic landmark and something you cannot miss. Exploring the gardens is one of Singapore’s most romantic things to do for couples. This 101-hectare park is full of exciting things to do and see, however, with only 1 day in Singapore you cannot do it all. The Gardens by the Bay is home to some of Singapore’s most unique attractions like the Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, Floral Fantasy, Art Sculptures, and the Supertree Grove.
- The Flower Dome is the largest glass greenhouse in the world and is full of stunning floral displays.
- The Cloud Forest is a misty attraction full of greenery, mystery, and stunning mountain views.
- Floral Fantasy is a floral garden that is designed in an artistic and innovative way to make visitors feel like they have been transported into some fantasy land.
- The Supertree Grove is one of Singapore’s most famous attractions with various 25 – 50-meter tall Supertrees.
Supertree Grove is free to enter and explore, however, the other attractions charge an admission fee. With the limited time available you will have to make a choice on what you want to explore most. Allow around two hours to explore Supertree Grove, stroll the gardens, and enter one other attraction is enough if you are a fast traveller.
Also, note that this itinerary will bring you back to Supertree Grove in the evening for an amazing light show.
10:30 – 12:00 – Kampong Glam
After exploring Gardens by the Bay, it is time to see a more cultural and unique side to Singapore called Kampong Glam. This area is reachable by taking the MRT from Bayfront to Nicoll Highway MRT Station and it only takes 20 minutes. Kampong Glam is a hip area of Singapore that is becoming increasingly popular. It is packed with tasty restaurants, trendy shops, and amazing architecture.
While in Kampong Glam, you must visit the two main streets Haji Lane and Arab Street. On Haji Lane you will find vibrant and unique street murals, artistic shops, and hip restaurants. While Arab Street is where you will find Sultan Mosque and various middle eastern restaurants. Take a photo of the stunning Mosque and get a taste for the middle eastern roots of Singapore.
If you are feeling hungry, this is a great place to stop in for a quick bite to eat while admiring the surroundings.
12:00 – 1:00 – Little India
After seeing one side of Singapore’s multifaceted cultural roots it is time to see another in Little India. Little India is just a 15-minute walk from Sultan’s Mosque and offers an insight into a completely different world and culture. The whole area is full of vibrant and colourful buildings and a visit here feels like you’ve truly transported to India.
While in Little India be sure to look for Tan Teng Niah House and the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple. The Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple is a Hindu temple unlike anything else in Singapore and viewing it from both the outside and the inside is a must.
Depending on the type of food you prefer you can either stop for a nice lunch in Little India or wait until the next stop on this itinerary, Chinatown. Both are great options, but Little India is the best option for vegetarians or people who love Indian cuisine. This area is full of Indian restaurants to indulge in and the aromas from the various restaurants will surely pull you in.
Little India is additionally a great place for shopping and has a shopping experience unlike anywhere else on earth. In the chaotic shopping center called Mustafa you can find anything and everything you could ever need! Plus, Little India is open 24 hours making it super easy to visit even with only one day in Singapore.
Also Worth Exploring: Little India in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1:00 – 3:00 – Chinatown
A 30-minute MRT ride from Little India Station to Chinatown Station will bring you to the beautiful Chinatown area of Singapore. Chinatown offers some insight into Singapore’s other prominent roots in Chinese culture.
The streets of Chinatown offer an escape from the towering skyscrapers. You will find a variety of colourful and elegant buildings, restaurants, shops, and cafes. If time permits, it is nice to sit in Chinatown in one of the restaurants and enjoy a drink while admiring the surroundings.
Also Worth Exploring: Chinatown in Bangkok
3:00 – 4:30 – Singapore Sling at Raffles Hotel
The Singapore Sling is Singapore’s most famous drink and having one while in Singapore only makes sense. A Singapore Sling is a sweet gin-based cocktail that tastes and looks amazing. It was invented in 1915 at the Raffles Hotel which is why heading to the famous Raffles Hotel and getting one there is ideal.
A Singapore Sling at Long Bar in Raffles Hotel will set you back about SGD30, not exactly a cheap drink, but an experience we reckon is worth having!
4:30 – 5:30 – Relax and Prepare for Evening
After a long day of exploring, we recommend allowing an hour to relax at your accommodation. Get changed, freshen up, and recharge for the night because there is still plenty more to fit in this one day in Singapore.
5:30 – 7:00 – Marina Bay Sands
The top of the famous Marina Bay Sands Hotel offers some of the most breath-taking panoramic views of Singapore. Visitors can get to the top with either an observation deck ticket or by booking a reservation at one of the rooftop bars and restaurants.
A reservation at Ce La Vi rooftop bar is the best way to admire the stunning views of Singapore and enjoy some great drinks and snacks at the same time. The atmosphere atop the Marina Bay Sands is magical and to see the city skyline lit up at night is nothing short of amazing.
7:00 – 8:00 – Gardens by the Bay Light Show
Every night at 7:45 and 8:45 the Supertree Grove at the Gardens by the Bay put on a free light show called Garden Rhapsody. The light show is complete with music and the trees changing colours. This is something you can’t miss since you are right beside them! Head here after your drinks at Ce La Vi and watch the light show in all its magical glory. This also gives you a chance to see the Gardens by The Bay at night when everything is lit up and romantic.
8:00 – 11:00 – Dinner & Evening in Clarke Quay
Clarke Quay is the best place to head to for a fun night in Singapore. This spot is always buzzing with excitement and is full of restaurants and bars. The restaurants serve a ton of different types of cuisines and are all unique and cool. Plus, there are lots of bars that serve a variety of drinks. Clarke Quay is in a magical location and the views it offers at night are amazing. This is the ultimate place to end your 1 day in Singapore adventures with a bang. The various bars, restaurants, and music venues make it a fitting place for all types of visitors, plus it is clean and safe!
Author Bio: Samantha Karen is the founder of the travel bog Sam Sees World. She is a twenty-something traveler on a mission to explore the world to seek the new and unknown so she can document her experiences and inspire others to explore this wondrous world. Her objective is to learn about the world while also searching for her place in it. Check out Sam Sees World for valuable information on the best things to do, see, eat, and experience while traveling and making memories along the way. You can find more useful information on her Pinterest and Instagram pages too.
