Singapore 3 min read

The Essentials of Singapore - 1 Day Travel Guide

Author

Jerica

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.

8am: Breakfast at Lau Pa Sat

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.

10am: Esplanade and Merlion Park and Marina Bay

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.

11am: Marina Bay Sands, ArtScience Museum and Helix Bridge

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.

1pm: Lunch and shopping at Marina Bay Sands

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.

2pm: Gardens By The Bay

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.

4pm: Tea Break at House On The Moon

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.

5pm: Old Hill Street Police Station

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.

6pm: Shopping at Orchard Road

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.

8pm: Dinner

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.

Getting around Singapore

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.