Putting together your Singapore itinerary? There’s plenty for visitors to check out in Singapore – your bigger concern is what exactly to see, especially when you’re short on time. Whether you have just 1 day in Singapore on a long layover or several days to explore, we’ve put together several Singapore day tour itineraries with different themes to help you map out an itinerary and narrow down the key sights to maximise your time and enjoyment.
Best Singapore Day Tour Itineraries for First-Time Visitors
Here are some 1-day itineraries in Singapore with different themes to help you plan your next trip here.
Have just 24 hours in Singapore? Check out our Perfect City Tour Itinerary for our ultimate recommendations on things to do in Singapore.
Classic Singapore City Tour (Full-Day)
Civic District – Marina Bay – Gardens by the Bay
For first-time visitors looking to cover Singapore’s key sights in a single day. Hit the main sights in Singapore’s downtown area. Start from the Singapore River and wander through the historic buildings of the Civic District where the British administration once ruled Singapore from.
Trace the river to Merlion Park and snap a shot with the half-lion half-fish statue. Take in the modern skyline of Marina Bay as you walk around the reservoir towards Marina Bay Sands (MBS) and the lotus-shaped ArtScience Museum. The Skydeck on top of MBS is a great spot for a tipple and sunset views 56 stories up.
Hide from the heat in the cooled conservatories of Gardens by the Bay and hang out till the evening for the daily light and music show at the Supertree Grove. Grab alfresco dinner along the river at Boat Quay or hop on the Singapore River Cruise from nightlife spot Clarke Quay for an easy way to end your day.
Cultural & Heritage Day Tour
Chinatown – Little India – Kampong Gelam
Soak in Singapore’s culture in the heritage districts of its three main ethnic groups: the Chinese, Malays and Indians. Landmarks to see in Chinatown include the beautifully decorated Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Chinatown Heritage Centre with the history of the area, and Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple. Chinatown Complex and Maxwell Food Centres are also home to some of Singapore’s most famous street food.
Over in Little India where the South Asians have congregated, visit Tekka Market for a wide array of Indian and local cuisine, the rainbow-hued Tan Teng Niah House for fun photos, and step into the modern Indian Heritage Centre for a closer look at how the Indians came to Singapore.
Nearby, the former Malay village of Kampong Gelam beckons, centered around the majestic Sultan Mosque with its golden domes. Seek out the street art and murals amidst the shophouse lanes. Haji Lane comes alive in the evenings with alfresco dining and bustling bars.
Sentosa Island Adventure Day Tour
Mount Faber – Sentosa
Escape the city by hopping to Singapore’s resort island of Sentosa for a fun getaway. Head up to Mount Faber and take the cable car over the water while soaking in the scenic views of Singapore’s southern waterfront.
Over on Sentosa island, there’s plenty of entertainment at Resorts World Sentosa for the whole family to enjoy, from the thrilling rides at Universal Studios Singapore, to the wondrous underwater world at the Singapore Oceanarium. Families can also enjoy riding the luge down the hill or some splashing fun at Adventure Cove waterpark.
For a relaxing time, chill out on the white sand beaches: Tanjong Beach, Palawan Beach and Silos Beach. Fort Siloso on the western tip of the island also has a lovely 11-storey high Siloso Skywalk for more coastal views and the remnants of Singapore’s last remaining British sea fort.
Stick around for the daily Wings of Time show in the evening complete with fireworks, or ride the Royal Albatross tall ship for dinner on the seas.
Nature & Wildlife Day Tour
Singapore Botanic Gardens – Mandai Wildlife Reserve
Spend your morning at Singapore’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Singapore Botanic Gardens is an oasis of green right in the midst of downtown Singapore. Check out the National Orchid Garden to learn more about Singapore’s national flower and see the hybrids named after famous people.
Mandai Wildlife Reserve may be a tad outside of the main tourist district, but with five different animal parks to choose from, you’d need at least two full days to explore them all properly. If you only have one day to spare, head to the Singapore Zoo, the original open-air concept zoo and home to tropical animals from around the region. When night falls, visit the Night Safari, the world’s first nocturnal wildlife park for creatures that emerge after dark.
Tips to Make the Most of Your Singapore Day Tour
Plan a realistic route
We love to maximise our travelling time, but realistically you can only see so much in a day before it all starts to blend together. We’ve seen a lot of overly-ambitious day tour itineraries – especially from AI planners – that don’t take into account distance between locations, travel time and the effort it takes.
A typical Singapore day tour lasts 8 hours, we recommend planning to see a maximum of 3 main locations, while giving yourself adequate breaks in between locations.
Take into account Singapore’s climate
Singapore is hot and humid all year round, and being outdoors in the afternoon heat can take a toll if you’re not used to the sultry weather. Give yourself more time if you plan to walk a lot, and try to schedule outdoor walks for mornings or evenings, while air-conditioned and indoor locations are perfect to hide out from the midday sun. Carry an umbrella with you in case of unexpected rain or sun – Singapore’s tropical weather is quite changeable!
Consider a private tour
Singapore’s public transport infrastructure is good for most travellers to navigate easily, but if you’re looking to maximise your exploration and cut down on transit and planning time, why not check out Wayward Tour’s guided Singapore day tours and private car tours. Our experienced guides will ensure you see the highlights without wasting time, while private car tours ensure you get between locations quickly and easily.
See Singapore’s Highlights: Singapore Day Tour Package
Whether you’re visiting Singapore on a long layover or have several days to explore, there’s a lot that you can see in Singapore in a single day. Drop us a note to book a guided tour with Wayward Tours or find out more about our Singapore day tour packages.
