Singapore is an easy destination to holiday in. Well connected to most international countries, good infrastructure for tourism, incredible food options, and so many things to do and see within a compact area. Here is the perfect 2 day Singapore itinerary, be it for couples or for families.
Being a major hub for international travel, it is easy to put Singapore on your way to some other destination or make it as your final vacation spot. We had enjoyed our 2 days in Singapore en route to beach resort vacation in Bali. I would say this is one of the best countries to visit as a family. Also one of the safest countries to visit.
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How to get around Singapore
Public transport network is sorted throughout the city. The best way to get around Singapore is via its Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) subway system. This underground network has lines that stretch across the entire city. A useful tip for travelers is to avoid rush hour traffic between 8-9 AM and 5-7 PM. MRT also operates bus routes that can get you just about anywhere on the island. Once you’re in the desired neighborhood, walking may be your best option.
It is not cheap but taxis are the easiest way to get around the city. You can also download Grab App to book a taxi. River taxis are a delightful transportation mode, especially for people living near the Singapore River.
Best time to visit Singapore
Singapore is truly a year-round destination, and you can go anytime.
The best time to visit Singapore is from December to June weather-wise. The months of February to April is Singapore’s dry season. It is typically when the country has the least amount of rain, the lowest humidity, and is sunny. The southwest monsoon from June to September brings in much more rain to the island.
Peak season is generally considered to be around the winter holidays, so prices for hotels will vary as per demand.
The Perfect Singapore 2 day itinerary
Are you wondering if 2 days are enough in Singapore? It is great to spend more days on this island city, especially if you have day trips planned to nearby islands. There are many attractions in Singapore for kids as well. This 2 day Singapore itinerary is quite packed. It gives you a flavour of the city for your first-time visit, so you can return for more.
Day 1 of Singapore itinerary is all about glamour
If you’re short on time a great idea is to book a ticket on a hop on/hop off city bus tour on your first day. You will cruise by iconic landmarks like the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore Flyer, Gardens by the Bay, and the Merlion.
Day 1 morning and afternoon
Marina Bay is the trendiest and luxurious spot in Singapore city. You can stroll along the 3.5km waterfront promenade around Marina Bay. Wander the area to discover the Merlion, Gardens by the Bay, and many shopping centres.
Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay is a sanctuary for nature lovers and on everyone’s Singapore itinerary. It comprises 3 spaces over an area of 101 hectare. Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden and Bay Central Garden–all are worth exploring on your Day 1.
Flower Dome in Bay South Gardens is home to plants and flowers from 5 continents. This is the largest glass greenhouse in the world. Cloud Forest is a 35-metre tall structure veiled in mist and covered in lush vegetation. This is home to one of the world’s tallest indoor waterfalls and a lush mountain clad with plants from around the world.
As you exit the conservatory, you’re likely to notice a grove of soaring, surreal structures, known as the Supertrees. These vertical gardens span 25 to 50 metres in height, with two of the towering structures connected by the dramatic arch of the OCBC Skyway.
If you’d like to make the most out of your Gardens by the Bay tickets and plan on seeing all the main attractions, you need about 3-5 hours.
Opening times: 9 AM – 9 PM daily.
Merlion
Singapore is synonymous with its mythical national icon – the half lion, half fish, Merlion. Swing by to visit this emblem of Singapore and snap a few photos. Merlion Park is situated on a specially built pier which attracts over 1 million visitors yearly. It’s particularly atmospheric at night.
Grab lunch in the area before you move on to the next part of Day 1 itinerary.
Day 1 evening
There are many different ways to spend your first evening of your 2 days in Singapore depending on your interests.
Singapore Flyer
The Singapore Flyer is the tallest observational wheel in the world and the views from the top are pretty amazing. From inside one of the 28 fully air-conditioned capsules, view the landmarks of Singapore, the Singapore River. On a clear day, you can see as far as 45 km away.
Esplanade or the ArtScience Museum
Esplanade – Theaters on the Bay is a performing arts centre on the Marina Bay. You can check their program schedule ahead of your visit and see a world-class performance. Or visit the lotus flower-shaped art and science fusion museum, ArtScience Museum. It also hosts many touring exhibitions like the American Museum of Natural History, and the Smithsonian Institute.
The Shoppes at Marina Bay
For those interested in shopping, visit The Shoppes that houses hundreds of shops besides restaurants, cafes and bars. This mall is part of the Marina Bay Sands complex.
Singapore Light Show
You should catch Spectra – A Light & Water Show at Marina Bay. This is a free nightly outdoor 15-minute extravaganza displayed over the water at the Event Plaza. Just show up at the Marina Bay Sands building and sit outdoors in the area known as Event Plaza. It’s free and lasts around 15 minutes.
Alternatively, catch the Garden Rhapsody light show at 7.45pm or 8.45pm at the Gardens by the Bay. During the show, you can witness how the 50-meters tall 12 supertrees transform themselves with the sparkle of lights and groove with the beats of music. This spectacle is free of charge.
Day 1 night
Again, there are several options for dinner and drinks at Marina Bay area. You can go to the bar at the top of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, where you’ll either purchase a drink or buy a Sing$ 20 token at the entrance.
Alternative options are to take a Private Food Tour or a Hawker Food Tour. Eat your way through Singapore’s culinary scene on a private food tour. The Guided Hawker Culture & Street Food Tour is for 3.5 hours along the Singapore River. You will be covering the best of Singapore’s nighttime, and an authentic UNESCO hawker culture dining experience.
If you’re not too exhausted from sightseeing, you should go to the Singapore Night Safari. It is a unique experience for the whole family. You get to ride a safari tram and have a wildlife adventure.
Day 2 of Singapore itinerary is all about culture
After the glitz of the first day of your Singapore 2 day itinerary, how about neighbourhoods to expand your cultural perspective of the city? Singapore is a melting pot of cultures, races and ethnicities, and a city of delightful treasures.
It is easy to visit these neighbourhoods on your own, but if you want more cultural context, take this guided walking tour through walking tour through Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Gelam.
Day 2 morning: Little India
You can start your second day of Singapore 2 day itinerary with a visit to Little India. This is one of Singapore’s most vibrant districts, with a fascinating past that stretches back to the 19th century. Much bigger than the Little India neighbourhood in Bangkok.
Little India is home to several iconic religious landmarks like the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple and the Abdul Gafoor Mosque. Also visit Temple of 1,000 Lights, this Buddha Gaya Temple was built in the 1927 by a Thai monk.
The locality is full of colourful and ornate buildings, adorned with intricate designs. Little India’s bustling markets and shops are the best places to get your hands on all things Indian. There is also a a 24-hour shopping mall, Mustafa Centre here. There are plenty of restaurants and food stalls that serve a wide array of authentic Indian cuisine.
You can explore the food scene of Singapore’s Little India on a guided Hawker Street Food Tour.
Day 2 afternoon
Chinatown
Next on the itinerary is Chinnatown. Once an enclave for Singapore’s Chinese immigrant population, the Chinatown of today is a beloved blend of old and new. This is the only Chinatown in the world to boast a Buddhist temple, a mosque and a Hindu temple along a single street.
The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple houses a museum with rare artefacts, a library, a garden, and a 15-foot Maitreya Buddha. The oldest Hindu temple in Singapore is found in the middle of Chinatown – Sri Mariamman Temple! Located just a stone’s throw away on Mosque Street is Masjid Jamae.
Michelin-starred restaurants abound across the district’s 4 neighbourhoods . In the heart of Chinatown, hawkers are hustling every day at Hong Lim Food Centre. This 3.5-hour food tour takes you to the best of Michelin Guide Singapore food & other popular hawker food stalls in the heart of Chinatown. Chinatown is also a neighbourhood filled with buzzing bars where you can socialise over a drink.
Depending on your tastebuds, you can decide on lunch for today at Little India, Chinatown or the Arab Quarter.
Haji Lane and Arab Quarter
Despite being the smallest ethnic enclave in Singapore, there is still a lot to see in the Arab Quarter or Kampong Glam. The area’s main draw is the Sultan Mosque, Singapore’s biggest mosque. Bussorah Street is one of the most picturesque streets in the whole of Singapore.
The shops on Arab Street are very popular during the day. Textile stores and outlets selling Persian carpets are the most prominent, but you’ll also see leather, perfumes, jewellery and baskets for sale. This area is traditionally associated with Middle Eastern cuisine – and you will find an abundance of reasonably priced Lebanese, Turkish and Egyptian restaurants here.
Haji Lane lies directly parallel to Arab Street and offers a more contemporary option. This street stands in dramatic contrast to its neighbor and is a popular local hangout because of its hip nightlife, and stylish shops.
Day 2 evening
The river at Clarke Quay (and Boat/Robertson Quay) is lined with restaurants and bars. If you don’t mind an expensive meal, it’s a great place to eat and watch people.
Alternative Day 2 Singapore itinerary with kids: Sentosa
If you are travelling with kids, how about spending a whole day at Sentosa? You could do this on Day 2 instead of the cultural neighbourhoods. Or even on Day 3 if you are spending more time in Singapore.
Sentosa Island is built for tourists and you could easily spend a couple of days there. This island resort is best known for its tropical beaches, luxurious hotels and thrilling attractions. Sentosa island boasts 3.2 km of the white sandy beaches: Palawan, Siloso and Tanjong beach.
S.E.A Aquarium is one of the largest oceanariums on the planet. You can visit Madame Tussauds Singapore – the famous wax museum with its life-sized sculptures of notable individuals. Universal Studios is good, this is a massive complex of themed rides, live shows, and Hollywood movie-sets. Adventure Cove Waterpark Singapore has enough fun rides and slides to satisfy the thrill seekers.
Then there is Sentosa Skyride – an open-air cable-driven chairlift which stretches from mainland Singapore all the way to Sentosa island.
You can book all this online.
Where to stay in Singapore
Considering the efficient public transport system, you have many areas to stay in Singapore. Yet, for a short stay of 2/3 days, you want to be closer to the main attractions.
If you enjoy fine things in life, Marina Bay is the area to be in. The ideal location for anyone who enjoys shopping, fine dining spots, and cafes is Orchard Road.
Clarke Quay is Singapore’s hub of nightlife, and solo travellers or couples may prefer to stay here. The Central Business District (CBD) is packed with expats. For those looking for cheap areas to stay in Singapore, Chinatown or Little India is an option.
If you want to plan an Asian holiday from Singapore to some other country, here are the Best family holidays in Asia.
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Have you visited Singapore? What has been your favourite spot or experience there?
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Great itinerary for your first visit to Singapore or a stop-over. You’ve packed a lot in to 2 days.
Yes, this is quite a packed itinerary. Not for the faint-hearted 🙂
My favorite part of Singapore was the Botanic Gardens. I actually visited twice. I also recommend the afternoon tea at Raffles.
Raffles afternoon tea sounds great.
I loved Singapore! This is a great itinerary and brings back wonderful memories.
Very informative, thanks for the info. Singapore is a bucket list place for me.
as a local, this definitely hits! and if you have time to spare, the east coast/katong area’s pretty great to explore too! 🙂
Great itinerary for a first visit! Singapore is such an easy city to explore, and I like how you split it between modern highlights and cultural spots. The MRT tips are super helpful, especially for first-time visitors trying to save time. Two days feels short, but this plan really covers the essentials without feeling overwhelming. Definitely a great starting point for anyone planning their first trip to Singapore!
2 days is short, so much more to do in the city. But a lot of people use Singapore also as a transit point to go elsewhere in Asia.
Sounds like a great itinerary for 1st timers! I really enjoyed visiting Marina and Gardens by the Bay in the evening too!
Singapore is a wonderful destination for 2 days! Some great ideas in this post