2 days in Singapore – The Perfect Itinerary
Singapore is by far the cleanest and nicest city I have visited. When I was there, I felt like I could live there (and I normally don’t like cities at all!). Here is the itinerary for the perfect 2 days in Singapore including Singapore must-see places and some hidden gems too. Happy exploring!
Where to stay in Singapore
Marina Bay Sands Hotel – The most epic place to stay in Singapore
Located in the Marina Bay waterfront in the three hotel towers, Marina Bay Sands Hotel is the most iconic place to stay in Singapore. The infinity pool on the 57th floor is definitely the highlight of this hotel and so are the views from the rooms.
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore – Luxurious & quaint
This historic hotel built in 1928 is a national monument. It’s fabulously located right by the Marina Bay and also offers great views. It’s equipped with a decent pool and offers a daily changing breakfast menu. It’s famous for a fabulous afternoon tea so even if you’re not staying here, it is worth considering booking one to experience this luxury hotel.
KeSa House – Great value for money & lively location
KeSa Housel is located in the heart of Chinatown, just 3 metro stops away from the Marina. I loved the neighbourhood, especially the vibe on a Saturday night when the area is so lively. The place strives to be entirely plastic free! It offers large organic toiletries in the bathroom and refillable glass water bottles. It’s got a kitchenette area where you can make your own meal, a terrace with lush greenery to relax and a laundry room. There is also a restaurant and a café/ bar where you can have breakfast or a drink in the evening overlooking the lively street.
CUBE – Boutique Capsule Hotel – Luxury Hostel
This hotel is located also in Chinatown. It offers modern design and comfortable capsules, lockers for storing luggage and shared bathroom. There is a complimentary breakfast, towels, toothbrushes and toiletries. It is a perfect choice if you’re looking for a budget friendly and fuss free accommodation.
Day 1
Whether it’s your only day or first day, below are all the Singapore attractions I recommend visiting.
Gardens by the Bay
Start your Singapore sightseeing from visiting probably the most spectacular garden in the world – Gardens by the Bay. The park covers 101 hectares of land in the central Singapore, right by the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. It is home to eighteen Supertrees that are metal structures used to grow the garden vertically. It is one of the most popular places to go in Singapore!
The admission to the park itself is free. When you exit the metro station, walk along the pond to get some amazing views of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel.
The main area of the park is called Supertree Grove where you will find the biggest tree structures and the Sky Way. Don’t forget to take some photos here with the Supertrees!
Other areas of the park include Chinese Garden, Indian Garden, Colonial Garden, Silver Garden and the Meadow. There is also a huge sculpture of a baby that looks like it’s hovering just above the ground. I probably spent 15 minutes trying to figure out how is it possible that the sculpture doesn’t touch the ground but couldn’t work it out!
You will need 1-2 hours to explore this place. Also there are many events that are held here so if you’re interested before your visit you can check out what’s on here.
Metro stop: BAYFRONT (lines Orange and Blue)
Tickets: admission to the garden only free
Flower Dome
Flower Dome is situated in the northern part of the Gardens by the Bay. In order to visit it, get your ticket from the ticketing counters that you will find by the entrance of the park as you approach it from the Bayfront station.
This conservatory is the largest greenhouse in the world and it replicates a dry Mediterranean climate. It showcases many interesting exotic species. My favourite were the old olive trees and baobabs! The place is divided into smaller gardens for example a rose garden.
There is a free toilet with drinking water fountains, a gift shop and a snack bar with ice creams by the exit of the conservatory.
Location: Northern part of Gardens by the Bay
Tickets: 28 SGD for 2 conservatories
Opening times: 9am – 9pm
Cloud Forest
The Cloud Forest conservatory is located right by the Flower Dome in the northern part of the Gardens by the Bay and is one of the coolest things to do in Singapore!
As you enter this greenhouse you will be stunned by the world’s largest 30m indoor waterfall! The climate is replicating a humid tropical Montane region.
Take a lift up to walk in the misty cloud forest. There is so many interesting plant species to explore. Even if you’re not so much into nature, you will find it interesting! There are carnivorous plants, be careful not to lose your finger while touching it. Just kidding! There is an orchid corner and large jars where you can stick your nose in and smell the sweet and spicy scents of different flowers.
As you descent, there is a bat corner and a cinema like projection where you can sit down and watch a film about our planet and issues it’s facing.
Location: Northern part of Gardens by the Bay
Tickets: 28 SGD for 2 conservatories
Opening times: 9am – 9pm
Lunch
For lunch you can stop at Supertree Food Hall where you will find seven mini restaurants. Choose from Vietnamese, Hong Kong, Japanese, Indian andWestern cuisines!
OCB Skyway
OCB Skyway is a walk between the tallest Supertrees in the centre of Supertree Grove. This is by far one of my favourite and most spectacular Singapore tourist attractions as the view is to die for!
The ticket office is located to the left of the lift that will take you to the walk. You go up at 25 meters height and walk from one Supertree to the next where you go down.
Take your time to admire the views of the Marina Bay Sands, the Singapore Flyer and the whole Marina Bay area.
Location: Supertree Grove, central part of the Gardens by the Bay
Tickets: 8 SGD
Opening times: 9am – 9pm
Art Science Museum
This museum is located in the Marina Bay Sands complex, a walking distance, across the bridge from the gardens. You will definitely recognise its iconic building that is white and looks like a flower.
The museum showcases different exhibitions so it will be best to check it before your visit here.
You will find the Instagram famous ‘crystal universe installation’ here but expect large queues to go through it as people take their time to take million photos!
Also, I recommend buying your ticket online in advance in order to avoid disappointment as this museum is one of the most popular places to visit in Singapore! They also hosts a free entry one evening a month so again check it out and who knows you may be lucky to see it for free!
Tickets: 19 SGD for a single exhibition
Location: Marina Bay Sands Complex
Opening times: 10am – 7pm
Marina Bay Sands
The view from the Marina Bay Sands is a definite Singapore must see! If your budget allows it, you can stay in the hotel to enjoy their infinity pool on the 57th floor which is exclusive to the hotel guests. However if you decide not to stay there, you can still enjoy the view in two different ways:
Sky Park Observation Deck
You can buy a ticket to get to the Sky Park Observation Park in the lobby of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. The lift will take you up to the 56th floor where you can spend as much time as you want taking in the incredible Singapore skyline.
Tickets: 23 SGD
Opening times: 9.30 am – 10 pm (11 pm on weekends)
Ce La Vi Sky Bar
This is a second and my preferred option! To get to this bar, you still need to pay around 22 SGD per person but you can redeem this amount against a drink or food ordered in the bar! To me, this was a much more enjoyable way to experience the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and one of the most fun things to do in Singapore!
The Sky Bar overlooks the infinity pool and the Marina, the atmosphere is pretty cool but it can get very busy especially on a Saturday evening. The place is open till late when it turns into a nightclub.
A word of warning, Ce La Vi is very pricy, cocktails cost around 23 SGD but they add tax on top of the price stated in the menu! Also, there is a smart casual dress code and men are expected to wear close toe shoes and long trousers. However, when we visited they were letting in men in shorts and flip flops and some people had sweat pants on too!
Tickets: 22 SGD (redeemable against your food and drink bill)
Opening times: 12 pm – late (weekends from 11 am)
Walk around Marina
This walk is particularly beautiful in the evening when you can enjoy all the Singapore lights!
Walk from the Art Science Museum north, through the Helix Bridge. Keep walking along the Bay. In the evening there are a lot of amateur photographers that are taking photos of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel from this shore. And you will see why as the view is magnificent! Go pass the Esplanades Theatres by the Bay on your right and walk on the Jubilee Bridge. On your left, you will see one the most iconic Singapore tourist spots – Marlion Park fountain and the Fullerton Hotel on your right.
Turn right and keep walking along the Singapore River where you will find many restaurants and lively bars. If you keep walking further, you’ll find yourself in the Downtown area where you can take a metro from Clarke Quay station back to your hotel.
Dinner
At the end of your Marina walk stop in one of the restaurants by the riverside on the southern shore that offers dining with an excellent view!
Day 2
Chinatown
This neighbourhood is so vibrant and multicultural. You will find here mosques, Hindu and Buddhist temples. And at night the place is buzzing with nightlife. Singapore’s Chinatown is probably the cleanest, safest and most up market Chinatown I’ve visited. It is also a great area to stay for the above reasons, right in the heart of the city. Check out the where to stay section at the end of this post for some cool hotel recommendations.
You will also find here many Chinese restaurants, massage places and souvenir shops. I recommend wearing something respectful as there are a lot of interesting temples to see here.
Metro stop: Chinatown (Lines Purple and Blue)
Chinatown Heritage Centre
This is your first point of interest in Chinatown. The museum is located in the three well preserved shophouses from the 1950s and showcases the lifestyle of the early residents of Chinatown.
Tickets: 18 SGD with an audio guide
Masjid Jamae Chulia
It’s one of the earliest mosques built in Singapore. You can find it on the South Bridge road. The mosque is open to non-Muslim visitors.
Opening times: 10 am – 6 pm Saturday to Friday
Sri Mariamman Temple
Also located on the South Bridge Road, Sri Mariamman Temple is the Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple.
Opening times: 7 am – 11.30 am and 6 pm – 8.45 pm
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum
Further down the South Bridge Road, you will find this majestic Buddhist temple that claims to hold Buddha’s tooth. Visiting this temple is a must do in Singapore’s Chinatown!
Opening times: 7 am – 7 pm (9 am – 6 pm for museum)
Tickets: free
Chinatown Complex
Head to Chinatown Complex where you can find over 200 different food stools which makes it largest food court in Singapore. You can stop here for an affordable lunch or just grab a light bite (there also will be another lunch spot in Little India if you prefer curry like me).
Location: Smith Street
Opening times: 8 am – 10 pm
Little India
Little India is definitely on my list of top things to do in Singapore, especially for its best Indian curries! Take a purple line to Farrer Park.
Metro stop: Farrer Park (Purple line)
Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
This is your first stop in the Little India. It is located on the Serangoon Road and you can enter it for free. Just remember to cover your knees and shoulders and take off your shoes. The temple is one of the oldest in Singapore.
Sri- Veerama Kaliamman Temple
Walk down the Serangoon Road to get to this temple. It’s a much smaller temple and was closed during my visit. Walk further down the street where you will find gold vendors, beauty salons and fabric shops making beautiful saris, man jeans wear and food stores.
House of Tan Teng Niah
This iconic two storey Chinese villa was built in 1990. You will recognise this colourful house straight away as it’s very popular with photographers and Instagram influencers! Don’t be shy and take a pic in front of the colourful, rainbow like facade too. The house is not open to visitors, which is a shame, but you can sit opposite in a cafe and have a drink while enjoying this iconic building!
Location: Kerbau Road
Madras New Woodlands Restaurant/ Lunch
If you love curry as much as I do or want to sample something new, then this is a must do in the Little India. The area is packed with authentic, Indian, mostly vegetarian eateries! It’s an Indian foodie heaven and it would be rude not to have some curry!
I picked Madras New Woodlands restaurant because they offer this VIP tasting platter where you get a dozen of little bowls with different curry saucess, a massive naan bread and some popadoms. It was a real culinary adventure! Just look at the pic if you still have doubts!
Location: 14 Upper Dickson Rd
Price: around 11 SGD per person for a main
Haji Lane
This colourful and trendy street is one of the best places to visit in Singapore for sure. It houses many young designer shops with vintage outfits for men and women. Shopping there was one of the coolest activities in Singapore I have experienced. The prices were very reasonable and I got myself a chick dress and my other half bought a stylish polo neck t-shirt. As you go along the lane, there are some bars and ice cream places where you can take a break.
You can walk here from Little India; it should only take about 15 minutes.
If you have time, don’t forget to check out the Sultan Mosque which is right behind the Haji Lane and Malay Heritage Centre.
Metro Stop: Bugis (Line Green and Blue)
Raffles Hotel
Visit the Raffles Hotel to experience a glimpse of the colonial splendour. Order the famous Singapore Sling here which comes with free peanuts. A cocktail with taxes will cost a whooping 32 SGD! If you decide to do it, remember to dress to impress to meet the dress code and also because the place can feel pretty intimidating!
You can walk here from Haji Lane or take the metro or order an Uber.
Metro stop: Esplanade (Orange line)
Garden by the Bay Light Show
Seeing the Light Show at the Gardens by the Bay is definitely one of the best things to do in Singapore even if you only have one day! There are two shows to choose from at 7.45 pm and 8.45 pm in the Supertree Grove area in the centre of the garden.
Arrive 15 minutes before the show starts as it gets pretty crowded, especially on the weekend!
Location: Supertee Grove
Tickets: free
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$32 for a cocktail!!!!!! Whew. I was tempted to go just for the fact it’s “the” Singapore Sling but I’m kinda glad I didn’t now! lol. I really enjoyed Singapore, such a clean city and beautiful in a very unique way.
Haha I know right! This was first and probably last time I spent that much 😂 Singapore is lovely tho!