The Perfect Day in Singapore: A Complete 24-Hour Itinerary for First-Timers

When you’re out and about in Southeast Asia, I can’t think of a better use of time than spending at least one day in Singapore. I’ve had the fortunate “accident” of scoring two amazing flight deals to Asia via Singapore in less than a year, which has thrice thrown me deep into the “Lion City.”

For me, Singapore was love at first sight. (Okay, perhaps first bite.)

While it’s got a reputation for being staler and soberer than other high-flyin’, buzzin’ Asian cities, crafting a solid Singapore trip plan will be far from boring. I discovered a metric ton to see & do here on my three visits. Even if you can only carve out 24 hours, I know you’ll find plenty to love in the Lion City.

Ready to forge the perfect travel plan? Saddle up with this complete 1-day Singapore itinerary, including some of my favorite attractions, hawker centres, neighborhoods, restaurants, and more!

Our recommendations for where to go in Singapore in 24 hours

As I always caution before the one-day itineraries at Treksplorer, Singapore isn’t a destination I’d recommend rushing through. Like all cities of its size and diversity, there’s plenty to do & see here.

Although I’ll bet that it’ll be love at first sight (at least it was for me!), spending more than 24 hours in Singapore would allow you to savour the city at a more languid, enjoyable pace.

Even so, you can experience quite a lot of the city on a time crunch. I found learning how to get around Singapore to be an absolute cinch, thanks to the fast and efficient MRT.

You’ll still spend much of your first day in Singapore on foot, but quick metro rides on central routes will allow you to see more than would otherwise be possible.

Grab an early morning snack in Chinatown

Rise and shine, wayfarer!

One of the main reasons I wanted to visit Singapore was to eat. And when I say eat, I mean I wanted to seriously chow down. So, what better way to launch our first day there than with a hearty breakfast in Chinatown?

In my opinion, Chinatown is one of the most interesting corners of Singapore. Compared to the glitz of the central business district to its east, I love the low-rise Peranakan heritage buildings of Chinatown. They offer a big contrast to other areas I visited in the city. And mad Instagrammability.

Besides visiting all the handsome shophouses and temples (including the impressive Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and the colourful Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple), among my favorite things to do in Chinatown is, without question, to eat to your heart’s content.

I’d recommend slinking behind the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. Here, you’ll find one of my favorite places to eat in Singapore’s Chinatown, the Chinatown Food Centre Complex. This sprawling food court is one of my top hawker centres in Singapore—and I think it unleashes the perfect introduction to the city’s culinary scene!

Over multiple visits to the food court on my three stays in Singapore, I noticed the vendors at the Chinatown Food Centre Complex start opening up at around 7 am. Before you commit to anything, I’d suggest wandering around all the stalls to see what tickles your fancy.

My suggestion would be to ditch your usual idea of what constitutes breakfast and go with a heaping plate of wonton noodles topped with succulent BBQ pork slices. (From one foodie to another: You won’t regret it.)

Or, for a more traditional Singaporean breakfast, try out kaya toast. It wasn’t until my second trip to Singapore that I tried this one out. I loved the sweet and savory combo of this Hainanese dish, consisting of coconut jam slathered on toast with a serving of soft-boiled eggs.

If nothing at the Chinatown Food Centre strikes your taste buds, the nearby Maxwell Food Centre—sitting on the southern edge of Chinatown—is another one of my recommended options in the area to try out some of the tastiest Singaporean food.

Although I didn’t find the selection of vendors at the Maxwell Food Centre quite as extensive, the food is (as always in Singapore) epic.

Just keep in mind that, like other hawker centres around central Singapore, this food court gets jam-packed at lunch. Seating is limited. Don’t be surprised if you need to eat standing up or take your meal to-go.

Another classic Singapore morning food here is nasi lemak. This popular Malay dish features coconut rice topped with anchovies, sambal paste, and fried chicken. (Even though I usually can’t stand anchovies, I relished them in this tasty dish.)

If you’re a history buff like me, try to squeeze in a visit to the Chinatown Heritage Centre before leaving the neighborhood. Located on Pagoda Street, this museum occupies a series of restored shophouses. It walks through the daily lives and living conditions of Singapore’s early Chinese settlers.

Wander around Little India

Once you’ve filled up your belly and explored all the delights of Chinatown, hop onto the MRT for the short ride to Little India. Like Chinatown, Little India was one of the most colourful areas I visited in the city, and is, in my opinion, another must-see during your first 24 hours in Singapore.

Exiting the Little India MRT onto Serangoon Road, the area’s main avenue, we’re immediately transported into the neighbourhood’s bright and vibrant core. On my first walk along the road during my first trip to Singapore, I loved soaking up the atmosphere here, spotting everything from tandoori joints to shops selling saris & Bollywood DVDs.

While exploring, I’d suggest keeping on the lookout for some of these cool things to see & do on a Little India walking tour:

• Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple (141 Serangoon Road): A stunning temple that’s one of the oldest in Singapore. No matter how many times I walked by this temple, I had to snap a picture. The façade is eye-popping and is impossible to miss!
• Tan Teng Niah (37 Kerbau Road): A brightly-coloured landmark Chinese villa in the heart of Little India. I had to get off the main drag to find this, but it was well worth the detour.
• Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple (366 Race Course Road): A Buddhist monastery featuring a massive 15-foot-tall Buddha.
• Tekka Centre (665 Buffalo Road): One of my favorite hawker centres in Singapore and among the best places I’ve found on my three visits to the city to grab a tasty Indian snack.

Explore Singapore’s Malay culture at Kampong Glam

From Little India, it’s about 20 minutes on foot to Kampong Glam. Thanks to its strong Islamic influences & presence, Kampong Glam has long been an important area for Singapore’s Arab and Malay communities.

At the heart of Kampong Glam is Masjid Sultan, a 19th-century mosque that sits among the most stunning buildings I saw while in Singapore. The mosque’s massive golden dome is an unmissable landmark in the area. It’ll help you navigate through the lovely streets of Kampong Glam.

Besides the mosque, here are a few things I’d recommend checking out while walking around Kampong Glam:

• Haji Lane: A popular narrow pedestrian street where I spotted a ton of small boutiques, hip cafés, and some eye-popping street art.
• Arab Street: One of the main shopping streets of Kampong Glam, full of handsome shophouses. While exploring the buildings, I saw everything from boutiques to carpet shops to Halal restaurants.
• Malay Heritage Centre: A museum occupying a lovely colonial building. If you want to learn more about the history & culture of the Malay community in Singapore, I’d recommend checking out the ten galleries here.

Eat & splurge on Orchard Road

The sun will now be high in the sky, and the temperatures will be starting to crank up. Let’s drop back onto the MRT for a ride to Orchard Road, the shopping mecca of Singapore.

You might think I’m crazy to suggest spending time shopping when you’ve only got one day in Singapore. Yes, it might seem a little wasteful. But rest assured, there’s a method to my madness.

By now, you’ll be craving a little break from the oppressive mid-day heat and humidity of Singapore. (Plus, I have other surprises up my sleeve that’ll be worth your while.)

The stretch between the Orchard Road and Somerset MRT stations is a paradise for shopaholics. You could spend hours perusing the malls and boutiques—and, undoubtedly, go broke in the process (if you so wish).

Even if shopping doesn’t turn your crank, I think there’s one thing here that might: the food. Along with being the retail heaven of Singapore, Orchard Road doles out some superb eating options. (And I’m happy to report that they don’t involve rushing for tables as in the hawker centres.)

Here are a few of my favorites to check out on a mini-Orchard Road food tour:

• ION Orchard Food Opera (2 Orchard Turn,#B4 03/04): A large food court in the ION Orchard mall that serves up nearly any Asian favourite you could muster up. I enjoyed trying the famous Scotts Hwa Heng Beef Ball Noodles. If you’re more adventurous, I’d give a thumbs up to the Ikan Assam Pedas from Padang Padang, too.
• Tonkin Vietnamese Noodles Bar (501 Orchard Road #B2-02 Wheelock Place): A Vietnamese favourite delivering some of Singapore’s most authentic pho for under S$10. (NOTE: This restaurant has been replaced by NamNam Wheelock Place since my last visit. I’m seeing mixed reviews from locals online, but have also come to realize that Singaporeans are likely a little pickier with food than the average reader here.)
• Roost (176 Orchard Road 176 #B1-17/18/19 The Centrepoint): A Singaporean restaurant in The Centrepoint dishing out a chicken laksa that breaks barriers. (NOTE: Like many of my favorites around the city, this restaurant has permanently closed since my last visit.)

Enjoy a drink at Clarke Quay

After we’ve had our fill of highfalutin shopping at Orchard Road, let’s pop back onto the MRT towards Clarke Quay. Although it’s most famous for its nightlife, I also loved stopping by the historical Clarke Quay for an afternoon drink in the shade among lovely riverside views.

For a quiet afternoon drink or snack, I’d recommend a visit to the lovely riverside terrace at Little Saigon (3E River Valley Rd #01-02). This Vietnamese joint opens earlier in the afternoon than other bars in the area and serves up budget-friendly (at least for Singapore) happy hour beers and great Southeast Asia-inspired cocktails.

I thought the bar menu at Little Saigon, consisting of Vietnamese favourites like spring rolls, was quite tasty, too.

Soak in the views at Marina Bay

From Clarke Quay, let’s spring east along the Singapore River, past the historic Boat Quay, towards lovely Marina Bay. On the way, let’s not forget to pull out the camera and snap the necessary selfie at the iconic Merlion statue with the skyscrapers of the business district as the backdrop. It’s one of the classic views of Singapore that shouldn’t be missed!

Walk around the bay en route to the distinctive Marina Bay Sands, one of our favorite luxury hotels in Singapore. Built in 2010, this unique building always catches my eye, no matter how many times I visit. It’s become one of the most notable features of the Singapore skyline and is one of Singapore’s must-visit attractions on its own.

Every time I visit Singapore, I love spending the early part of the evening relaxing on the promenade in front of Marina Bay—among legions of Singaporeans and expats running and chilling out—as the sun begins to set on the city. The skyline views across the bay to the central business district are jaw-dropping and deserve a moment of quiet contemplation.

Transport yourself to another planet at the Gardens by the Bay

As the evening starts to close into the night, let’s now trot through The Shoppes at Marina Bay (stop in for a drink at one of the resto-bars along the way if you’d like!) towards the escalators. These will lead us through Marina Bay Sands to the Gardens by the Bay.

While most visitors simply walk through Marina Bay Sands on their way to the gardens, I have a quick tip. High-altitude seekers might wish to stop by the luxury hotel’s 57th-floor observation deck. The sweeping vistas of Singapore from here are among the most stunning I saw while in the city.

Okay, now to the real treat: Gardens by the Bay. No matter how many times I entered this stunning urban park, I could never get enough.

I visited at all times of the day, so I can say with confidence: the gardens are at their finest under the cloak of night. Even from afar, the park’s brightly lit supertrees look mystical and otherworldly, like something pulled from a high-budget sci-fi flick. (Avatar, anyone?)

Even better than just showing up after dark, I’d recommend timing your visit to Gardens by the Bay with the daily evening light show, the Garden Rhapsody. Every night at 7 pm and 8 pm, the Gardens by the Bay puts on a dazzling spectacle.

Whenever I visit Singapore, I make sure to carve out time to join hundreds of others in the Supertree Grove and watch as each is lit up with fanciful colours, changing their hues along with a medley of music.

Savour a meal at one of Singapore’s top dining hotspots

Just from walking around the city, I’m sure you’ve recognized that Singapore takes its eating quite seriously.

With the evening coming to a close, let’s take one last rush at digging into some of Singapore’s tastiest food, shall we? Here are a couple of last-minute ideas for where to eat in Singapore:

• Satay by the Bay: The perfect place to end your visit to the Gardens by the Bay. Follow the signs to the northeastern edge of the park to grab barbecued Malay favourites with a side of that oh-so-delicious rich peanut sauce.
• Lau Pa Sat Food Court: A busy hawker centre in the CBD with just about everything you’re craving, from Malay to Indian to Korean. This one was one of my favorites in the city.
• Market Street Hawker Centre: A newish hawker centre on Market Street that’s got a massive variety at budget-friendly prices. I only ate at the old Cross Street location, but it looks like some of my favorite dishes from there are still well-represented by stalls like Tiong Bahru Roasted Noodle House and Ah Liang Ipoh Hor Fun.
• Old Airport Road Food Centre: Another hawker centre that’s a little out of the downtown area. It’s got some of the finest selection and quality among all the food courts I visited in Singapore.
• Chinatown Food Street: A string of restaurants and food stalls in the heart of Chinatown that quickly became one of my top choices for Chinese food in the city.

Where to stay with 24 hours in Singapore

Like any city of its size, it’s not always easy to choose where to stay in Singapore. Not only is the selection of accommodations in Singapore massive, but I discovered after a few travel mishaps that the quality and prices also don’t always match up.

For travellers on a time crunch, I’d recommend settling into an area within downtown. It’s a little more expensive than outlying districts like Novena, Newton, or Geylang, but it’s far more convenient for sightseeing. Here are a few of my recommendations:

More 1-day Singapore itinerary ideas

• Got a few extra days? Leave yourself time to check out some of our favorite day trips from Singapore, including Sentosa Island and Melaka.
• Looking for a classic Singaporean indulgence? I’d recommend swinging by the historic Raffles Hotel for a taste of the original Singapore Sling, the city’s world-famous cocktail. Although I’ve sipped others that were just as good elsewhere, drinking one in its birthplace is an experience I will never forget.
• Visiting Singapore with the kids? Squeeze in a trip to the Singapore Zoo, the world’s top rainforest zoo. Other family-friendly options we’d recommend include the Singapore Night Safari, SEA Aquarium, and Universal Studios.
• Need more high-flyin’ hijinks for your Singapore travel plan? Take a spin on the Singapore Flyer. We love the spectacular views of Singapore from above on this 165-metre-high Ferris wheel!
• Looking to explore the city-state’s beautiful nature? Set aside time to go hiking in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, explore the tropical birdlife of Jurong Bird Park, or check out the native and exotic plant species of Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Getting there

By air

Singapore Changi International Airport (SIN) is one of the major airports in Southeast Asia. It has arrivals and departures from all over the region and the world. Major airlines flying into SIN include Singapore Airlines, AirAsia, Qantas, United, and Scoot.

When to visit

Singapore is a year-round destination. In typical Southeast Asian fashion, the weather is hot and humid all year round, lacking the seasonality I’ve found elsewhere in Asia.

Most would divide the year in Singapore into wet and dry seasons, although I think it’s a little less distinctive than one might think. Two monsoons—the Southwest and the Northeast—affect Singapore at different times of the year.

Overall, the best time to go to Singapore is between February and April. February and March are particularly good for travellers. In these months, the weather in Singapore is at its driest, with more days of sun and fewer days of rain than average.

Nonetheless, even during these times, I’d recommend making sure that your packing list for Singapore includes a lightweight rain jacket and a sturdy travel umbrella. As I learned the hard way, rain is never far around the corner here!