Singapore has long been a favourite stopover destination for travellers, a compact city-state packed with iconic tourist attractions that are easy to visit, a perfect travel break even for those short on time. With just 24 hours in Singapore, you can experience the best of what this modern multi-cultural metropolis has to offer from the moment you land. Here’s our take on what to see in Singapore in 1 day.
Can You Explore Singapore in 1 Day?
Spanning roughly 50km from east to west, Singapore is small enough for you to traverse in less than an hour on a good day, thanks to solid transport infrastructure and a reliable public transport network. Most visitors like to spend a few days exploring the sights, but it is possible to see some of its main sights in a single day.
Most of Singapore’s main historic areas and ethnic heritage quarters are located around the downtown core in the south – about 10 minutes drive from the cruise ports in Marina Bay and Harbourfront and 20 minutes drive from Changi Airport – so those with stopovers can get to Singapore’s attractions without too much hassle. If you have just 24 hours to spend in Singapore, concentrate on the sights within this area to minimise transit time.
Many of Singapore’s tourist attractions offer online ticketing services. We suggest prebooking your tickets online to guarantee entry and save on queuing time when you visit.
What to Do in Singapore in 1 Day: The Ultimate 1-day Singapore Itinerary
Morning: Start with Singapore’s History
Civic District and Singapore River
Kick off your journey in Singapore where it all began along the historic Singapore River. This key waterway was the hub of entrepot trade in Singapore’s early days, and the surrounding Civic District area is where the British administration ruled from upon their arrival in 1819, and many of the old colonial-style buildings have been preserved.
Pop into the National Gallery Singapore, the former Supreme Court and City Hall now an art gallery home to the largest collection of modern South-east Asian art. The stately Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall nearby is also worth a visit even if you’re not watching any performances.
Along the Singapore River is the white marble statue of Sir Thomas Raffles, founder of Singapore, standing proudly in front of some of Singapore’s tallest skyscrapers in the Central Business District.
Trace the river to its mouth past a bevy of bridges to the Merlion Park. Snap a shot with Singapore’s lion-headed fish-railed mascot spouting water into Marina Bay and admire Singapore’s modern skyline including the Esplanade Theatres on the Bay with its spiky roof, Singapore Flyer observation wheel and the three towers of the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort complex.
Midday: Culture and Local Food
Hawker Centres and Chinatown
See the cultural side of Singapore in Chinatown, Singapore’s Chinese heritage district, where traditional shophouses stand alongside downtown office towers. Housed in some of these conserved structures is the Chinatown Heritage Centre, a small museum with dioramas and exhibits about the early Chinese in Singapore. Nearby, the colourful Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is a beautiful photo stop and where you can observe local worshippers at prayer.
Eat like the locals do at one of Chinatown’s hawker centres like Maxwell Food Centre or Chinatown Complex, home to a myriad of Singaporean street food. Try a savoury dish of Hainanese Chicken Rice, sumptuous Laksa noodles soaked in spicy broth, or slurp up the slippery green noodles from an icy bowl of Cendol for some Singaporean favourites.
Afternoon: Gardens and City Views
Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands
Head to Gardens by the Bay and hide from the afternoon humidity in the cooled domes. Start with the Flower Dome adorned with themed flower exhibits and plants from around the world, then admire the waterfall centrepiece with the Cloud Forest filled with lush jungle greenery.
Take a break at the neighbouring Marina Bay Sands with its three tall hotel towers. The Shoppes along the waterfront are perfect to indulge in some retail therapy with a wide range of global brands and luxury boutiques. The ArtScience Museum with its immersive and interactive installations is another option for those still keen to explore without suffering the tropical heat.
Evening: Skyline and Night Experience
As the sun goes down, head up to the Marina Bay Sands Sky Deck for spectacular views of the Singapore skyline from 56 stories up, or pop back to Gardens by the Bay for Garden Rhapsody, the daily light and music show at the Supertree Grove.
Dine at the alfresco restaurants and bars along the river at Boat Quay or Clarke Quay to soak in a different side of this historic Singapore River and the business district transforms into a buzzing nightlife hub.
Still up for adventure? Hop onto the Singapore River Cruise which takes you on little bumboats down the river and encircles Marina Bay for alternative views of the bay. You might even catch Spectra, Marina Bay Sand’s daily light and water show from the water.
Alternative 1-Day Singapore Itineraries
This is our ultimate 1 Day itinerary in Singapore for first-time visitors with just 24 hours to explore, but here are some alternative experiences you can consider based on your travel style or interests:
Nature lovers
Outdoors lovers who need more greenery than Gardens by the Bay can also visit the expansive UNESCO world heritage site Singapore Botanic Gardens. Make sure to check out the National Orchid Garden and the orchids named after famous people. Drop by East Coast Park en route back to Changi Airport for some coastal views.
Foodies
Follow a food trail around Singapore’s heritage districts to taste more of Singapore’s local hawker food favourites. Tekka Food Centre in Little India is home to Indian hawker favourites like roti prata and mutton briyani, while Kampong Gelam is where you can savour Malay food staples like Nasi Padang and Teh Tarik. Head to Joo Chiat if you’re hankering to try some Peranakan food, fusion cuisine unique to this region.
Families
Entertain both young and old with a visit to Sentosa, a resort island home to Universal Studios theme park and other themed attractions like the Singapore Oceanarium, Adventure Cove waterpark and several beaches. Alternatively, the Mandai Wildlife Reserve up north has five different themed wildlife parks for a full day of fun, including the Night Safari, the world’s first nocturnal zoo.
Getting Around Singapore in One Day
Singapore’s public transport network is efficient, cheap and easy to navigate. Google Maps and other route planners are useful in estimating travel times and routes. Use your contactless credit card to easily pay for public transport, just remember to tap in and tap out as costs are calculated based on distance covered.
The MRT or local metro system is the most straightforward way to get around Singapore with six different lines that connect major sights including the airport. The public bus network is also useful within the downtown area to minimise walking when it’s too hot or wet.
For those in groups or with a tighter schedule, taking taxis or rideshare cars like Grab or Gojek can be most cost-efficient and save waiting and transit time. While you can flag down taxis at designated taxi stands, using apps to book is easier and more convenient, though you may still need to spend time booking and waiting for your ride.
If you’re looking to maximise your 1 day in Singapore, your best option to save time and effort is to book a private car tour. A customised car tour means not having to work out how to get to all these places in the itinerary, but you also have the flexibility to pick locations or skip as needed. At Wayward Tours, our private car drivers are also licensed tour guides who understand Singapore thoroughly and can help you maximise your short time in Singapore by showing you more of what you want to see.
Make the Most of Your 24 Hours in Singapore
A single day in Singapore may not be enough to properly experience the multicultural diversity and rich heritage that this country has to offer, but it offers a taster of immersive experiences that we hope will encourage you to return with a bit more time to explore Singapore’s sights in future. Wayward Tours also offers Singapore city tours and other customised tour packages to help you explore Singapore – drop us a note to learn more.
