Itineraries for Your Trip to Singapore
2 Days in Singapore for First Timers
I first visited Singapore as a child: My first visit was also my first time in Asia, and the whole thing felt so excitingly different—and hot. Over the years, I’ve passed through Singapore (a major airline hub) many more times while traveling between various parts of Asia and New Zealand or Australia. But when I was a solo young-adult backpacker, I fell victim to the idea that Singapore didn’t have much to do, and I never stayed to explore. Thankfully, I returned in recent years with my own child and had the chance to see that the city is anything but boring.
With delicious and diverse food, incredible architecture, innovative architecture, fascinating museums, thrilling amusement parks, efficient and comfortable public transit, immaculate cleanliness, and an overwhelming feeling of safety and welcome—all in one compact city—Singapore is seriously impressive. Here’s how to enjoy it on a 2-day visit.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a walk through the Supertree Grove at the Gardens by the Bay.
As a tropical country not far from the equator, Singapore is hot and humid year-round, but it’s particularly rainy between September and February.
Get your bearings in Singapore with a guided tour to some of the city’s top attractions and neighborhoods. These typically include famous spots like Merlion Park, Little India, Chinatown, the Raffles Hotel, and the Marina Bay Sands. If you want to stay active while you travel, take a biking tour; you’ll cover more ground than on a walking tour, and it will still be cool enough in the morning to be relatively comfortable for physical activity.
Head to one of Singapore’s ethnic enclaves—such as Chinatown or Little India—for lunch at a good-value hawker stall or save your appetite for an afternoon guided food tour. Singapore’s multi-ethnic makeup means you can find an exciting and diverse mix of cuisines here from South Indian to Hokkien to Malay. Foodies—and anyone who enjoys a good meal—will love eating out in Singapore.
Kick back and relax this evening with a cruise on the Singapore River. Singapore’s skyline looks even better at night than it does by day. Look out for landmarks along the waterfront like the Marina Bay Sands, the Singapore Flyer, the Esplanade, and the Helix Bridge lit up after dark. Make sure to wear something a little fancy so you can head to the Raffles Hotel after to sip its signature cocktail, the Singapore Sling.
Take it easy this morning in a comfortable air-conditioned museum that suits your group’s interests: To learn more about Singapore’s history and culture, check out the excellent Asian Civilisations Museum or the National Museum of Singapore, both located in grand colonial-era buildings. Families, meanwhile, might want to head to the ArtScience Museum for interactive, high-tech exhibits that will spark kids’ curiosity. The lotus-shaped building is also impressive.
Although Singapore is an ultra-modern developed city with high-rises and highways, you don’t have to look very far to find lush tropical foliage. Spend this afternoon in the unmissable Gardens by the Bay where there are various hothouses and elevated walkways to explore, as well as a free water playground for kids. Or, if you spent enough time here on your introductory tour yesterday, head to the Botanical Garden and National Orchid Garden instead.
Continue the theme of exploring Singapore’s natural side by going on Night Safari at the Singapore Zoo. Board an open-air tram and trundle through artificial habitats that have been designed to look and feel like the real thing. See nocturnal animals and other species that are less active during the hot daytime. You can also get dinner at the safari park. The experience is a great end to your two days in super Singapore.
