Best One Day Itinerary In Singapore [2024]

One Day In Singapore

Singapore is a cultural mash-up, with incredible food. It’s also among the busiest city-states on the planet, with an inimitable personality and a decidedly futuristic feel.

And if you only have a day to experience the pick of what it has to offer, you had better cram a lot in.

This is an itinerary that will take you to the best things to do in Singapore, ensuring that the strongest impressions are those you take back with you.

Best One Day In Singapore Ideas To Try

Morning Activities

1. Breakfast at a Local Eatery

Make sure you fill up on a pot of kopi (local coffee) and local Singaporean breakfast of kaya toast (crispy toast spread with kaya [coconut jam] and butter, and soft-boiled eggs) at Ya Kun Kaya Toast for a long day in Singapore – you can’t go wrong here by trying all the flavours at once to give yourself a boost.

2. Explore Chinatown

And an hour or two after the caffeine kicks in, hit Chinatown, an endlessly photogenic neighbourhood of ancient culture and colour. Start by exploring the Thian Hock Keng Temple – one of the oldest Chinese temples in Singapore – and then walk south along the narrow streets of Telok Ayer and Ann Siang Hill.

The main arterial streets are a curious mashup of old-school shophouses and hipster cafés and bars, while the ‘Super Tree’, one of the distinctive landmarks of the Gardens By The Bay, commands the skyline.

As you wend your way through the maze of side-streets, be sure to stop off at the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple or the Sri Mariamman Temple – sites which serve as a reminder of the nation’s myriad religious strands and colonial lineage.

Late Morning to Early Afternoon

3. Visit Kampong Glam

Finally, head to Kampong Glam. This Malay-Arab quarter is home to Haji Lane, known for its colourful street art and quirky shops, and the Sultan Mosque, one of the largest in Singapore and its architectural focus. You might wish to linger to sample some Middle Eastern food here, a cultural influence that puts Kampong Glam on the map.

4. Lunch in Little India

For lunch, go to Little India. A riot of sights, sounds, and smells, the thriving ethnic enclave is home to centuries-old Chinese dishes of assam laksa. Stop for some South Indian delights such as dosa and biryani at the vegetarian restaurant MTR 1924 and visit the historic Tan Teng Niah House and the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple.

Afternoon Activities

5. Stroll Along the Waterfront Promenade

Stroll along Waterfront Promenade in the afternoon. On the way, observe Merlion Park where you can have your photo taken with the well-known Merlion statue, Fullerton Hotel, a British colonial landmark, and the legendary Raffles Hotel. If you are also an art and science buff, do not forget ArtScience Museum on the way.

6. Marina Bay Sands Skypark

You cannot leave Singapore without visiting Marina Bay Sand Skypark. Take the lift to the highest observation deck and enjoy an amazing view on the city. Try to go at the sunset time. Sunset view as well as port city entering the night are beautiful.

Evening Activities

7. Visit Gardens by the Bay

Then go to Gardens by the Bay, the futuristic park with the Supertree Grove – and be sure to catch the Garden Rhapsody light-and-music show, done to music with the Supertrees every evening. Let yourself out onto the OCBC Skyway through the Supertree Grove, and take a leisurely walk.

8. Dinner and Nightlife

Dine at the various restaurants in Marina Bay Sands or at the comparatively cheaper and equally delicious hawker centres. Spend your evening at the world’s highest urban microbrewery Lvl 33 or at OverEasy by the bay to just have a drink. If you’re feeling touristy, you could head up to the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel for a Singapore Sling.

One Day In Singapore

A day in Singapore isn’t enough time to feel like you’ve experienced one of the most beautiful cities on earth, but this itinerary covers the essentials – and gets you out to a few more places – to help you decide if there’s more you want to see when you come back. Adapt it to your interests – and have fun.

Check out some of our other related articles and guides below:

• Best 3 Days Itinerary in Singapore (2024)
• Best Things to Do Alone in Singapore (2024)
• Best Things to Do in Singapore (2024)
• Best Indoor Activities in Singapore (2024)
• Best Outdoor Activities in Singapore (2024)
• Best Must-See Attractions in Singapore (2024)
• Best Beautiful Places in Singapore (2024)
• Best Places To Chill In Singapore (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you have any questions about activities for one day in Singapore, you can refer to the frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Best Activities To Do for One Day in Singapore below: