Singapore is Southeast Asia’s most pulsating city, a city of sharp contrasts that perfectly blends the old and new. It is home to many religions, cultures, and communities. The central location of Singapore is why it is a popular destination among many travelers for a layover. It is one of the places where many international flights pass through. Singapore airport is an attraction in itself, having the tallest indoor waterfall, free movie screenings, and a butterfly garden. But, there is so much more to this lion city beyond airport terminals, right from sky-high gardens to Michelin-star dining. From its enthralling culture and art to vibrant nightlife, from colonial buildings to theme parks, and from culinary delights to its shopping centers, Singapore is a city where you can have never-ending experiences. It may be daunting to know that you have only 48 hours in Singapore and so much to see and explore. With proper planning, you can fit in all there is to see in this short period.
2-Day Itinerary in Singapore: Things to Do
Day One
1. Marina Bay Sands (Morning)
Start your day by visiting the Marina Bay Area. Marina Bay is a treasure trove of activities for locals and tourists alike, an area you cannot leave out in your Singapore itinerary. Located in central Singapore, the area is home to iconic attractions like the Merlion, the Art and Science Museum, and the Marina Bay Sands. Towering over the bay is the iconic hotel, Marina Bay Sands. A luxury hotel consisting of three high-rise fifty-five-story buildings, connected to the top by a boat-shaped Sky Park, it has the largest rooftop infinity pool, twenty dining options, and a world-class casino. Take a stroll in the atrium to see the play of daylight on glass.
Enjoy the scenic views of the Singapore skyline from the Sky Park Observation deck on Level 57 at the Marina Bay Sands. The Shoppes Mall has the largest collection of jewelry and watches brands and international brands like Gucci, Prada, and Dior. An indoor canal meandering in the Shoppes gives you the feeling of being in Venice. The theater presents Acts that include famous musicals like Wicked and The Lion King.
2. Gardens by the Bay (Afternoon)
A unique nature park in Singapore, Gardens by the Bay is the largest architectural landscape project in the world. Visit the park in the evening and make sure you stay till dark to see the trees come alive in a special light and sound show every evening called the Garden Rhapsody. The park consists of three waterfront gardens – East Bay Garden, Bay Central Garden, and Bay South Garden. There are many places to explore in the Gardens by the Bay. One of them is The Flower Dome, a conservatory that houses flora and fauna from the Mediterranean regions.
Venture into a world of mist and lush greenery at the Cloud Forest, surrounded by over sixty thousand plants from Tropical Montane regions. Be amazed as you see the 25 to 50 meters tall vertical gardens at Supertree Grove. Stand in awe as you come face to face with the tallest indoor waterfall at 35 meters. Get a spectacular view of the Gardens as you stroll along the 128-meter-long walkway, the OCBC Skyway. There are many more places to explore in the Gardens like the Sun Pavilion, the Heritage Gardens, and fine dining restaurants.
3. Night Safari (Night)
Singapore’s Night Safari is a unique attraction. Here you can go on a tram ride to view animals in their nocturnal habitats venturing along the walking trails and going about their nighttime activities. You can choose your timings as per the four slots available. The many restaurants at the Night Safari Entrance Plaza include Casa Italia, Ulu Ulu Safari, Chang Chawang Bar, Safari Sizzlers, and Bongo Burgers. Reach early to have dinner and catch the Thumbuakar performance (fire eating and fire twirling stunts).
Another signature show in the Night Safari is the Creatures of the Night Show. The show lasts for twenty minutes, showcasing the nocturnal habits of animals like the binturong and otter. Catch the lions and tigers having a snack in the evenings during the Lion and Tiger Token Feeding Times. The Night Safari exhibits are Pangolin (found along the Fishing Cat Trail), Asiatic Lion (found along the Night Safari’s Leopard Trail), Giant Flying Squirrel, Slow Loris, Nile Hippo (found in the Equatorial Africa section), Malayan Tapir, Bennett’s Wallaby (along the Wallaby Trail), Sugar Gliders, Malayan Tiger (along the East Lodge Trail), and the Asian Elephant (along the Asian Riverine Forest section).
Day Two
1. Sentosa Island (Morning)
Start your day by visiting Sentosa, a resort island and a must-visit place for tourists. It is a tiny island off the coast of Singapore and is home to theme parks, golf courses, luxury resorts, beach clubs, and a casino. The main attractions include the Universal Studios, S. E. A. Aquarium, the Maritime Experiential Museum, and the Adventure Cove Waterpark. The 37-meter-tall Merlion statue on Sentosa Island attracts many visitors to this place.
Fort Siloso, Singapore’s only preserved fort built by the British in 1880 to guard the narrow western entrance to Keppel Harbor, is located in Sentosa. Siloso Beach is the location for attractions like Wavehouse, iFly Singapore, AJ Hackett Sentosa, and the Wings of Time night show. The seventh branch of Asia’s wax museum Madame Tussauds is in Sentosa. Singapore’s cable car between Faber Peak and Sentosa Island is the only cableway that links the mainland to the island. The thirty minutes ride ferries you across the island as you enjoy the 360-degree views of the skyscrapers, forests, and sandy beaches.
2. Orchard Street (Afternoon)
Singapore is a shopper’s paradise. There are many places for shopping in Singapore, including Chinatown, Little India, Vivo City, Suntec City, Raffles City, Clarke Quay, Bugis Street market, etc. But, shopping on the famous Orchard Street is an experience in itself. In the evening visit this vibrant street surrounded by local and international departmental stores, malls, and boutiques.
You can find everything under one roof, from budget stores selling apparel and electronics to high-end fashion labels and housewares. The performance artists on the sidewalks and alfresco spots on the road add up to the vibrancy of the place. The popular malls on Orchard Street are Paragon Shopping Center, Orchard Central, ION Orchard, Ngee Ann City, and the Far East Plaza. Many options of best fine dining restaurants and bars are available in Orchard Street, where you can grab a great value lunch or dinner. Some of the popular eating joints are Les Amis, The Line Restaurant, Din Tai Fung, Crystal Jade Golden Palace, and Iggy’s.
3. Jewel Changi Airport (Evening)
Plan to leave your hotel room early to enjoy the many attractions in Singapore’s Jewel Changi Airport. With a plethora of activities from level 1 to level 5, Jewel Changi is an exciting place to enjoy the layover time period in one of the best possible ways. Admire the beauty of the tallest indoor waterfall, the HSBC Rain Vortex, surrounded by a lush tropical forest, Shiseido Forest Valley. On the top floor is the canopy Park and a Canopy Bridge, from where you can get panoramic views of the forest and the Rain Vortex. In the evenings, visitors can enjoy the spectacular light and sound lasting for five minutes. Bounce on a giant net, Manulife Sky Nets, stretching atop Canopy Park, or find your way out of the Mirror Maze, located on level 5 of Canopy Park. Visitors can watch movies at the multi-screen IMAX theater, shop at more than 280 retail outlets, or dine at the many F&B outlets. Spending a few hours in the Jewel Changi Airport should definitely be on your bucket list when visiting Singapore.
Where to Eat in Singapore?
Chances are you have worked up an appetite with the long walks and sightseeing. There are numerous restaurants in Singapore that offer the most delicious local cuisine. Hog the favorite dishes of Singapore: Hainanese Chicken Rice, Char Kway Teow, Bak Chor Mee, Kaya Toast, and Wanton Mee. Some of the popular places to eat in Singapore are Stellar At 1-Altitude, Sonder, Anju, Level 33, Pollen, Salt Grill, and Odette.
Want to stay longer in Singapore?
Loved Singapore? You can plan a 3-day trip to Singapore or extend it to a week. Singapore is blessed with abundant nature and game-changing technology. Together it brings stunning attractions and hundreds of things to do for both locals and tourists.
Local Tips to Follow in Singapore
- Smoking is prohibited in public places.
- Book entry tickets to famous attractions beforehand to avoid long queues.
- Carry sunscreen and a bottle of water.
- Hop on Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) subway system for a fast mode of transportation.
- You can consult with the hotel if they provide a complimentary mobile with a local SIM
- Visit Singapore when there are fewer chances of rain so that you can explore outdoors hassle-free.
Conclusion
Most of the tourist attractions in Singapore are relatively close to each other. Buying a 48-hour Singapore Tourist Card will ease your travel around the city. You will have more time for sightseeing, eating, and enjoying the gorgeous weather of this metropolis. Explore and discover why this city has something for everyone.
