One Day in Singapore Itinerary – Top things to do in Singapore

Singapore is a destination unique for its small geographical size. Located in south-east Asia, this city-state is a mass of many different ethnic influences – Chinese, Malay, Indonesian and Indian. Once a part of the British Empire (and now the British Commonwealth), the small island nation is found at the very tip of the Malay Peninsula. Singapore is also often used as a ‘transit’ stop for travelers who often break their arduous journey from Europe to Australia and New Zealand (or vice versa) here. And since this is such a compact nation, it is one of the easiest destinations to visit “fully” on a short trip. During just one day in Singapore, you can quite literally see the whole world on the streets – and this itinerary will show you how!

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Plan your trip to Singapore

1. What’s the best time to visit Singapore?
2. A few facts about Singapore
3. One day in Singapore itinerary
3.1. Visit Merlion statue on Sentosa island
3.2. Explore the world of movies at Universal Studios
3.3. Go shopping and grab lunch at Suntec City
3.4. Explore colonial grandeur
3.5. Cocktails and afternoon tea
3.6. Marina bay area
3.7. Take a ride on Singapore Flyer
3.8. Finally Boat Quay and Clarke Quay
4. Where to stay in Singapore?
5. Day trips from Singapore
6. Extra tips for visiting Singapore

What’s the best time to visit Singapore?

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Singapore does not have seasons as such. Rather, you will find Singapore weather hot and humid no matter the time of year. Nevertheless, some months can be marginally cooler than others, but in general, they are all pretty humid – around 30 degrees C in daytime. The best time to visit Singapore, though, at least temperature-wise, could be during what is called the ‘Northeast monsoon’ that runs from November to early March when the things cool off a little in comparison to the rest of the year.

Festivals and events in Singapore, however, are a different story. Thanks to the numerous ethnicities that live here, there’s always a reason to celebrate. Whether that’s Pongal in mid-January, Vesak Day in early June, or the National Day of Singapore on August 9, you will find something interesting all year round. There are even month-long celebrations, such as Thaipusam!

A few facts about Singapore

Singapore is a city-state and one of the world’s most prosperous countries. It is a modern city of the 21st century that embraces economic progress against the old traditions. Although most of the old Singapore has been reconstructed, many significant landmarks within the Colonial District have been preserved and should really be on everyone’s “What to do in Singapore for one day?” list.

The city is also a place where you can thoroughly enjoy your food and shopping with lively hawker centres and 24-hour coffee shops offering cheap food from all over Asia. Additionally, Singapore offers shopping meccas like Orchard Road and Suntec City. There is continuous development around Sentosa and Marina Bay as part of the city’s new direction towards fun and entertainment.

One day in Singapore itinerary

Welcome to an absolutely amazing city! Singapore will leave you speechless with its modern architecture and the variety of sights and places to enjoy. However, below all that is a strong sense of identity that makes for a wonderful combination every true travel lover will know to appreciate and admire. The following are the top sights and things to do during your one day in Singapore.

Visit the Merlion statue on Sentosa Island

If you want to thoroughly visit Singapore in one day, start things off by catching a cable car to Sentosa Island. Sentosa is home plenty of amazing things (more on that in a bit), but what we’re looking for here is the famous ‘Merlion’ statue – the symbol of Singapore. If at all possible, aim to get to the Merlion early to avoid the crowds or, if you’re really organized, purchase tickets before you arrive. Take a ride to the Mouth of the Merlion for stunning views across the Strait of Singapore.

Explore the world of movies at Universal Studios

Once you’re done with the Merlion, the next stop in your Singapore itinerary should be Universal Studios Singapore. This colossal theme park has seven different zones and about thirty rides and is an amazing place to visit, no matter if you’re an adult or a kid. And more things are coming!

From Transformers to Battlestar Galactica, from Minions to Sesame Street, you will find all sorts of shows and movies represented here. See how special effects are made and pick up a souvenir or two – you’ll need something to remind you of the awesome time you had here!

Go shopping and grab lunch at Suntec City

Suntec City is the next thing on this itinerary, and it’s located near the Central Business District. This vast complex contains a shopping mall, an exhibition centre and office tower blocks. You’ll know when you’re at the right place as the venue boasts the ‘Worlds Largest Fountain of Wealth‘. There are plenty of shopping options here, and no matter if you’re after clothes, souvenirs, books or electrical goods, you’ll find everything you need within this mall. If you want to shop till you drop, this is most certainly the place.

The complex is divided into four zones to help shoppers navigate with ease, and the zones are based on the Feng Shui design. The Fountain Terrace is where the majority of restaurants are found, while the Entertainment Centre is located in the fourth zone, which is devoted to a whole host of pleasure and leisure pursuits.

Menya Kokoro makes a killer ramen, and Chura Sushi Bar is ideal for anyone who loves Japanese food. Kebabchi Charcoal BBQ, however, is a very interesting Pakistani take on BBQ, so meat lovers will definitely want to sit down here for a bite.

Explore colonial grandeur

The Colonial District forms the very heart of Singapore with elegant Georgian and Victorian buildings lining the banks of the Singapore River. This district is one of the best areas in Singapore if you want to do a bit of exploring on your own and therefore should be on every imaginable itinerary. The area is positively brimming with impressive buildings and famous landmarks such as the Old Parliament House, the Old Supreme Court and the City Hall.

Cocktails and afternoon tea

The crown jewel of the Colonial District is the famous Raffles Hotel, developed from a beachfront bungalow built in the 1880s into a model of heritage luxury, with the whole building being exceptionally elegant. Explore a warren of courtyards and verandas on your way to the ‘Long Bar’ to the birthplace of the Singapore Sling Cocktail.

Located on the other side of the Colonial District (if lunch at Suntec City wasn’t enough), allow room for some afternoon tea at ‘The Courtyard’ at The Fullerton Hotel. Found in the atrium lobby of the hotel, this is where guests can enjoy a leisurely late afternoon while sitting on plush sofas eating a delectable selection of scones, finger sandwiches, cheeses, bread, sliced meats etc. with tasty desserts to suit: Chocolate Eclair, Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart, Flavoured Macaroon, English Fruit Cake etc.

Marina bay area

Don’t worry, your one day in Singapore is not over yet! The Marina Bay area, home to several iconic landmarks, is something you have to see, too. Here you will discover something quite amazing – Marina Bay Sands Hotel, the one that looks like a ship placed on top of three towers. It is the ultimate luxury hotel boasting elegant rooms, an infinity pool and a bar/restaurant at the top, but more on that in the next section of this itinerary.

After wandering the hotels’ lobby, navigate the pathways to the ‘Gardens by the Bay’. You can’t miss the massive Supertrees here, tree-shaped gardens between nine and sixteen stories tall. Walk on the suspended walkway between two of them to capture a bird’s-eye view of the incredible scenery below.

In the evening, catch the Sky Show: a ballet of lights and sounds at the Garden Rhapsody amidst the Supertrees. This can be an incredibly romantic end to your 24 hours in Singapore.

Take a ride on Singapore Flyer

What else to do in Singapore for a day that’s even more romantic, I hear you ask. Well, you will surely notice the giant Ferris Wheel when visiting this area. With its height of 165 meters it provides an incredible view, and you can actually see three countries from up there: Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia. But the capsules on the wheel also have a few surprises for you – not only can you order some champagne for the ride, but you can book a fancy dinner, too. How awesome is that!?

Finally, sit down and enjoy Boat Quay and Clarke Quay

But if you’re still up for exploring, enrich your one day in Singapore up by checking out Boat Quay and Clarke Quay. This section along the Singapore River is busy with restaurants, coffee shops and eateries that start springing to life towards the late evening and night.

Boat Quay is easier on the wallet than Clarke Quay, however. It’s a place for soaking up the atmosphere by the river and also for photographs. Time permitting, take a boat trip that lasts approximately 45 minutes: this is best done at night when all the lights of the Quays, Downtown, the Colonial District and Marina Bay boastfully display their night grandeur.

Where to stay in Singapore?

Day trips from Singapore

Because of the city’s bustling nature that spills over into its surroundings, there are plenty of great options for day trips from Singapore. Nature, architecture and numerous other interesting sights are really close by, so you really have plenty of options. If you’re not in a hurry to see Singapore in one day, setting something up will pay off handsomely.

Sentosa Island

Sentosa Island is located just in front of the city and it is absolutely packed with things to see. Merlion, Singapore’s official mascot is a must, but there are many interesting shows you can see too, Madame Tussaud’s museum you can visit and even Universal Studios also has a branch there. No doubt, time simply flies by when you’re here.

Indonesia

Due to the fact that Singapore is a city-state, it’s quite easy to visit other countries from here. For example, you can hop over to a few islands that belong to Indonesia. Bintan and Batam are great examples of that, since you only need to get on a ferry to reach them. Beautiful sandy beaches on the former and great food and loads of entertainment on the latter make them an excellent choice for Singapore day trips.

Malaysia

Malaysia is also a great place to visit from Singapore. You can take a bus or a train to Johor Bahru, for example, and it will only take you an hour to get there. Malacca is another great place to visit because this Malaysian city boasts the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the various influences other countries have had on Malaysia, taste some excellent and unique food or simply enjoy a shopping spree, the choice is yours.

A tour around Singapore

Now, since the city is located on an island, it is not that hard to get around. To make the most of that, why not spend a day exploring as much of Singapore as you can? If you get on this tour, you will be able to dive deeper into the history and way of life of this place, as well as see some impressive architecture and cultural destinations. Learn about the city’s history, visit its temples and experience its allure at its fullest.

Pulau Hantu

For those who want to dive into the waters surrounding Singapore, Pulau Hantu is a paradise. Numerous colorful fish can be found in the island’s shallow waters, so you will see people snorkeling here all the time. Families with children also love to come here because the lagoons are very safe and perfect for letting your child enjoy themselves fully. If you want your day trip from Singapore to include some beach activities, this is where you want to go.

Extra tips for visiting Singapore

– Singapore is easy-going for dress standards in most cases. Nonetheless, if you’re going somewhere decent such as the Raffles Hotel or Afternoon Tea at the Fullerton Hotel, dress appropriately. Women should show some sort of modesty in public. Also, remember to take a thin sweater or cardigan while going to the restaurants and the malls as most of them are kept air-conditioned and can be quite cold.

– Pay attention to their rules. Singapore has some ‘odd’ rules but abide by them and you’ll be fine. No chewing gum, no jaywalking, no smoking in public, and no littering.

– If you want to see Singapore in one day, you will want to use the MRT underground as much as possible. It is clean, frequent, cheap and punctual.

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