Published
July 30, 2022
“I love how easy it
is to explore Singapore in a day since a lot of the major
attractions are close to one another.”
This little red dot holds a bustling, urban hub littered with
skyscrapers all around. For such a small island, it is no wonder
that many tourists plan short stopovers on this sunny island to
make the most of their travels. While Singapore can be explored
leisurely over the course of a few days, the good news is that
it is entirely possible to cover major tourist destinations in
the span of 24 hours! If you only have a day in Singapore,
maximise your time and cover all the major attractions with our
1-day Singapore travel guide here. All you need are some good
walking shoes and a cup of coffee (or kopi) to energise yourself
for the busy day ahead.
Good morning from sunny Singapore! Fuel your day with a local breakfast at Lau Pa Sat, one of Singapore’s oldest markets that has been gazetted as a national monument in 1972. Grab a traditional kaya toast set which combines toast, soft-boiled eggs and sweet, milky coffee (or tea) for the perfect morning spread - just like how the locals do it. Opt for some roti prata or even a warm bowl of noodles to satiate your appetite. There is something for everyone in this heritage hawker centre.
After
breakfast, head over to the Singapore Promontory which beckons
an ethereal view promising great weather for a perfect day.
Start your day at the Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay. This
boldly designed performing arts centre has become a memorable
part of Singapore’s skyline. Made up of two rounded glass
domes fitted with over 7,000 triangular aluminium sunshades,
this architectural wonder complements the symmetry of the
Marina Bay Sands and Singapore Flyer that reside nearby.
Locals have dubbed the Esplanade "the Durian", as the venue’s
twin structures resemble the spiky tropical fruit that is
unique to this part of the world.
A short stroll down the Esplanade Drive will lead you to the
signature Merlion Park. The national icon of Singapore - the
Merlion, possesses the body of a fish and the head of a lion.
You can find this iconic statue found at Park—a scenic spot
that stands near the mouth of the Singapore River. From this
angle, you also get a panoramic view of the Marina Bay Sands
and ArtScience Museum.
Just
before lunchtime, make your way across the Marina Bay
Promontory over to Marina Bay Sands and the ArtScience Museum.
The museum holds a befitting tagline ‘Where Art meets
Science’, aiming to fuse art with science to tell captivating
stories. The architecture of the museum is iconic in itself,
symbolising the welcoming hand of Singapore with five fingers.
The tip of each “finger” filters in natural light to
illuminate the exhibits within the museum.
Right beside the ArtScience Museum lies a curved DNA-shaped
bridge called the ‘Helix Bridge’. This bridge is the longest
pedestrian bridge in Singapore and serves as a link way
between Marina Centre and the Bayfront area. Its unique form
is modelled after the double helix DNA, symbolising “life and
continuity, renewal and growth”. Look out for the pairs of
coloured letters ‘c’ and ‘g’, as well as ‘a’ and ‘t’ on the
bridge, which represent the four bases of DNA—a fun detail
that will please the science geeks among us.
An eventful morning of visiting Singapore’s iconic attractions is bound to leave your cameras full but stomachs empty. It is time for a quick lunch and shopping pitstop. Head over to the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, a unique blend of high-street fashion boutiques, globally-acclaimed restaurants and luxury brands. Looking to indulge in world-class fare? You can find stellar restaurants within the mall, including CUT by Wolfgang Puck, and Bread Street Kitchen, by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. If you are not planning to break the bank just yet, head over to Rasapura Masters, a food court located on the ground floor of Marina Bay Sands allowing you to experience rich gastronomic experiences at affordable prices.
After
lunch, we recommend visiting the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest.
Located just a stone’s throw from Marina Bay Sands, this
architectural wonder boasts stunning views for you to
reconnect with nature. To enter these attractions, you would
need to purchase a ticket. We love the SG City Pass
Adventure and SG City Pass
Explorer bundle deals which allow you to
save up to 33% off ticket prices. Marvel at exotic plants and
gigantic supertrees for a fraction of the original cost.
Upon entering the Cloud Forest, you will be greeted with a
full 35m-tall indoor waterfall, a beautiful sight to behold.
Get your cameras ready for pictures to remember for a
lifetime.
Indulge
your palate after an afternoon of nature with a dessert set at
House On The Moon, a modern European restaurant that combines
contemporary culinary savoir faire with
pastry-making techniques to create exceptional dishes and
memorable gastronomic experiences.
Purchase a dessert
set meal for the best deals here.
This will probably be the most colourful police station you will ever visit. Although it is no longer functioning in the present-day as a police station, the building is currently home to the Ministry of Communication and Information and the Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth. While not many Singapore travel guides choose to cover this location, this heritage building is a must-see. It is easy to spot, with its rainbow-coloured windows. Whether you visit during the daytime or at nightfall, you have ample opportunities to play with colours and perspectives here, providing you the chance to see how light alters the way one perceives architecture.
As sunset beckons, make your way to Singapore’s most iconic shopping belt, a must-visit for shopaholics . With many malls such as Ion Orchard, Ngee Ann City, 313 Somerset and Paragon, choose your poison here because you will find nearly everything you will want. What’s even better, if you visit the Orchard shopping stretch during the Christmas season, be greeted with an array of lights and glittering decorations.
As you approach your final hours in Singapore, choosing a place for one final meal is a serious decision to make. One thing is for sure, Singaporeans love a good deal, so in this Singapore travel guide, we share 3 of our favourite dinner deals that are guaranteed to leave you feeling beyond satisfied.
WLJK
Dinner Set Meal
Inspired to create a fun and relaxing space to take care of
customers in exceptional ways, the name of this bistro is
formed by the acronym of the words that literally means “Got
People Take Care” in colloquial Hokkien – “Wu Lang Jiao Kor”.
The #hashtag signifies camaraderie and brotherhood. Table
reservation is required, so book a
dinner set here.
Cable
Car Ride Round Trip Buffet Dinner
Soar high above Sentosa and Faber Peak through the
sky on the most scenic highway in Singapore for priceless
views. Get high on happiness as you are served with a buffet
dinner spread after landing at Beach Plaza, Sentosa. At the
Good Old Days restaurant, you will enjoy a Singapore Laksa, a
local favourite of thick rice noodles in a spicy flavourful
broth of coconut milk and dried shrimp. Opt for Chicken Rice,
a popular hawker dish featuring succulent chicken served with
fragrance rice, crunchy vegetables and soup. Get one final
taste of our old-time classics for a perfect end to your 1-day
in Singapore.
Book the cable
car round trip and dinner buffet here.
Singapore
Flyer Premium Sky Dining
A truly epic way to end your Singapore trip will be to soar
165m into the air, complete with the world’s first full butler
service dining experience atop the Singapore Flyer. This is
hands-down the ultimate 5-star dining experience, coupled with
awe-inspiring views of Singapore. This deal
offers a 4-course Fine Dining Menu with dessert, coffee
and tea served in-capsule, 2 rotations around the flyer,
an exclusive check-in experience and in-flight host.
24 hours in the city and individually covering all the attractions in this Singapore travel guide is definitely doable for the average person, but requires planning and research. The main forms of transport around Singapore are through the Mass Rapit Transit (MRT) system or bus. The easiest way to pay to travel on public transport is using the EZ-link card, which allows you to travel on the MRT and buses. All you need to do is purchase a card from the customer service counter at MRT stations, or at convenience stores for S$10.
While
Singapore does offer a comprehensive underground network
stretching across the entire island, it does become daunting
for some navigating the country for the first time. If the
planning process is stressing you out, opt for a hassle-free
option to discover Singapore with City Tours’ FunVee™ Open Top
Bus Tour, a hop-on tour bus service that offers the perfect
way to explore Singapore in a short time. Learn about the
city’s key landmarks with this Singapore travel guide option,
complete with audio guides onboard the FunVee™ bus. We love
the flexibility this tour offers. Hop off anytime if something
catches your eye, and hop back on again if your legs are
feeling tired!
Book the FunVee™ Open
Top Bus Tour here.