Singapore is a great place to visit in Southeast Asia. It has a well-conserved historical side and a world-famous modern side that somehow mix very well. The dining options are limitless, there are plenty of activities to do, and the people are very friendly. In this blog post I will share the perfect 2 day Singapore itinerary for your first visit. This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Find out more here.
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Singapore pass
Before I go into the itinerary I wanted to let you know about the Klook Pass Singapore. You get access to up to 10 attractions, including Gardens by the Bay, a Singapore River Cruise, and Universal Studios Singapore on Sentosa Island.
And you save up to 44% compared to buying individual tickets. It’s a great option if you plan on sightseeing a lot of places in Singapore.
Day 1 Singapore itinerary: Chinatown, Kampong Glam and Little India
The first day in Singapore is dedicated to cultural exploration, while the second day is for discovering modern Singapore. This way you get the best of both worlds in this 2-day Singapore itinerary.
Fuk Tak Chi Museum
The first day itinerary starts in Chinatown and the first stop is at the Fuk Tak Chi Museum.
This used to be Singapore’s first Chinese temple. This area was the landing site of Chinese immigrants and so the forefathers of Singapore built this temple to give thanks for their safe journey there.
They conserved parts of the temple and they added a few exhibits such as the replica of the boats people used to come to Singapore.
This museum is also the entrance to the AMOY Hotel. I actually stayed here when I visited Singapore and I loved it. You can read my full review of this unique hotel here.
Thian Hock Keng Temple
Thian Hock Keng is a temple built in the 1800’s by the Hokkien people to give thanks to Mazu (a Chinese sea goddess) for their safe journey to Singapore.
It is one of the oldest temples in Singapore and it has a rich history and cultural significance.
Sri Mariamman Temple
I love how multicultural Singapore is. In Chinatown, down the road from Thian Hock Keng Temple, you can find a Hindu Temple. Sri Mariamman is the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore.
It is still an operating temple and a large number of people come here to pray. It is also a major tourist attraction. Tourists can also enter the temple, you just need to take off your shoes and cover your shoulders.
A Hindu temple has a very unique atmosphere compared to a Taoist or Buddhist temple. The music they play is loud and the building is very colorful. It’s interesting to experience this difference in cultures.
Smith Street and Chinatown Street Market
After the first part of the cultural immersion it’s time to head to the Chinatown Street Market, which is a short walk away.
Smith Street is a cute street that has colorful houses. Once you reach the end of it you’ll be in the Chinatown Street Market.
Here you can buy food, souvenirs, local art. It’s a fun vibe, but the area does get pretty packed.
Coffee break at Cafe Monochrome
You need a coffee break after battling the crowds in the market. And what better place than Cafe Monochrome? This is the first 2D cafe in Singapore (entrance is on Smith Street).
The entire decor of the cafe is black and white and it does look like it’s a 2D drawing. The cafe is very instagrammable and it’s a great place to take some unique pictures.
It doesn’t matter which table you sit at since all of them have unique drawings around them.
The drinks are actually really good. I had an iced mango matcha latte and it was delicious.
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
After you got your caffeine fix and cooled down a bit in the cafe it’s time to visit another temple: the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. This is a Buddhist temple.
Chinese Buddhism is practiced here and you can see the monks once you go in.
The temple is free to visit, but you need to cover your shoulders. If you are wearing a tank top, like I was, they have plenty of scarves that you can borrow while you visit.
Lunch at Maxwell’s Food Centre
Time for lunch! If you go to Singapore you must eat in at least one of the hawker centers there. A hawker center is basically a food court that has a bunch of stalls where you can buy food and drinks from.
The prices in hawker centers are much cheaper compared to restaurants. Singapore is a pretty expensive destination, so eating at hawker centers allows you to try incredible local food and not break the bank. It’s a win-win!
The cool thing about these hawker centers is that a lot of the stalls have a Michelin star, are on the Michelin guide, or have a Bib Gourmand award. I was surprised when I discovered this!
You’ll be able to easily spot which stalls have a Michelin recognition because they all include it next to the stall’s name.
What to eat at Maxwell’s
Picking food in these hawker centers is overwhelming because there are so many options and they all look good. You can go on a hawker center food tour so you can try a lot of different options.
If you don’t do the tour, I recommend you try the Hainanese chicken rice at the Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice stall. This is a famous stall since Anthony Bourdain ate here and recommended the place.
The line is pretty long, but it moves fast. And they accept cards.
I also liked the popiah at the Rojak, Popiah and Cockle stall (they are on the Michelin guide). Popiah is a fresh spring roll with finely grated jicama and other ingredients like peanuts. It is eaten with a sweet sauce.
The good thing at these stalls is that they ask you how spicy you want the food to be. So you don’t have to eat super spicy if you’re not used to it.
For drinks they have fresh juices. I went with the sugarcane juice. It was the first time I tried it and I loved it. I had a glass every day I was in Singapore.
Walk through Little India
After lunch it’s time to head to Little India. It’s a bit of a walk from Chinatown, so I suggest you get a Grab to go there since the weather is hot.
Once you get there just take some time to walk around and observe the people and the neighborhood. I felt like I landed in India when I got there. The women were wearing saris, people were eating their lunches with their hands, there were a lot of traditional Indian shops.
I thought it was really cool that you have an entirely different neighborhood and culture just a few minutes’ drive from Chinatown.
There is another famous Hindu temple here, Sri Veeramakaliaman Temple. I visited it, but I found it less impressive than Sri Mariamman in Chinatown. So feel free to skip it.
Tan Teng Niah House
A really cool tourist attraction in Little India is the Tan Teng Niah House. It is the last surviving Chinese villa in Little India. It’s a very colorful building which was restored.
It was built in the businessman Tan Teng Niah in the early 1900s.
Arab Street
After Little India it’s time to head to yet another neighborhood that has a very different culture: Kampong Glam. This is Singapore’s Muslim quarter.
I just love how all these cultures are represented in Singapore. The center of the neighborhood is Arab Street. Arab Street also represents the area around it that includes some other streets.
You can find a granite arch on Muscat Street that has Omani carvings on it. Then you’ll also find some incredible street art murals.
The golden dome Sultan Mosque is also here, as well as the Malay Heritage Center.
Haji Lane
Haji Lane is a very colorful street with boutiques, cafes, and street art. It’s part of the Kampong Glam neighborhood. Just spend some time strolling through here and take it all in.
Dinner in Kampong Glam
After a very busy day exploring the 3 different cultures in Singapore it’s time to relax and enjoy dinner.
There are plenty of restaurants in Kampong Glam to pick from. I recommend you go with Turkish food and try the hummus and the kunefe at Ayasofya Turkish Restaurant.
Day 2 Singapore itinerary: the modern Singapore
The second day is all about exploring modern Singapore.
SkyPark observation deck
SkyPark is the observation deck at the Marina Bay Sands. You’ll be able to go up on of the towers at Marina Bay Sands and see Singapore from above.
This is one of the most popular attractions in Singapore and tickets sell out. So I highly recommend you book your ticket for your desired time slot at least the day before you want to visit.
If you want to visit during sunset you must book in advance. These tickets sell fast.
The ticket is pretty pricy for an observation deck, but I think it’s an activity worth doing. I love panoramic views of a city and this observation deck offers a great one.
If you’re on a budget and you want to get a nice view of Singapore from above but don’t want to pay $30, then go to Funan shopping mall and take the elevator up to the rooftop garden. It’s completely free to visit. And you’ll still get an awesome view.
Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay are the iconic green spaces that feature the supertree grove. They are located very close to Marina Bay Sands.
I loved the gardens! They are well manicured and so aesthetic. It’s an urban oasis where you can escape the city vibe, but still see the Marina Bay Sands building in the background.
Here you can also visit the Supertree Observatory, which is the tallest tree’s canopy. So you can walk on this canopy and be up in the air very close to the supertrees. It’s not included in the entrance ticket, so you’ll have to buy a separate ticket to do this.
Cloud Forest and Flower Dome
Another thing to do while you visit the gardens is to explore the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome.
The Cloud Forest has one of the world’s tallest indoor waterfalls and has many species of plants on display. The Flower Dome is the largest glass greenhouse with many types of exotic plants.
The good news is that both of these attractions are air conditioned, so visiting them is a nice break from the heat and the humidity.
Entrance to the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome is not included in your entry ticket to Gardens by the Bay. The best option is to buy a ticket for both the Cloud Forest and the Flower Dome. But if you just want to see one of them there are individual tickets.
They close these two attractions one day per month for maintenance, so monitor the website ahead of your trip to make sure they are not closed when you plan on visiting.
Unfortunately I didn’t check and the Flower Dome was closed the day I was there.
Lunch at Lau Pa Sat
After an incredible morning in the Bay Sands area it’s time to refuel. Lau Pa Sat is another hawker center in Singapore. It’s located in Chinatown, but close to the business district.
There are also plenty of Michelin awarded stalls here. I recommend you try the char siew Chee Cheong Fun at Hong Kong Style Chee Cheong Fun, the executive meal at Indian Classic Cuisine, and the mee rebus at Warong Pak Sapari.
For dessert you can try Munchi pancakes. I recommend the charcoal kaya and the original biscoff ones.
If you go to Lau Pa Sat for dinner they have a Satay street. They literally close down a street next to the hawker center and they cook satay at multiple outdoor stalls. They have tables outside where you can eat. It’s a very unique dining experience.
One important tip for all hawker centers in Singapore is to take your try to the tray collecting spots after you’re done. Don’t leave the tray on the tables or you will get fined.
I was surprised to see that even though these hawker centers are packed, everyone respects this rule. Loved it!
Merlion Statue
After lunch it’s time to visit the famous Merlion Statue. This is the official mascot of Singapore. It is a mythical creature with the head of a lion that’s spouting water and the body of a fish.
The Merlion’s fish-like body is a symbol of Singapore’s origins as a fishing village. The lion represents the city’s original name of Singapura, which means lion city in Sanskrit.
This statue and the park / promenade around it were the busiest areas of Singapore I’ve seen. There were tons of tourists, all trying to take the perfect picture with the Merlion statue.
It’s still very much worth visiting though. You’ll also be able to get a really nice view of Marina Bay Sands, which is across the Singapore River.
Stroll through Clarke Quay
There are 3 quays along the Singapore River: Clarke Quay, Boat Quay and Robertson Quay. While these quays used to be used for shipping, they have been redeveloped. They are now used for dining by the river, shopping, and strolling by the water.
Clarke Quay has a lively atmosphere as it has lots of bars, restaurants and shops. It’s also a very colorful area that gives it even more charm.
I think it offers a nice blend of Singapore’s heritage and a modern side with all the restaurants and bars.
Strolling through here is a nice way to explore this side of Singapore.
Cruise on Singapore River
After the stroll it’s time for a boat ride on the Singapore River. This was one of my favorite activities!
The cruise lasts for about 40 minutes and it takes you along the Singapore River to see the major attractions from the water.
You’ll be able to see the Merlion Statue, the Quays, Marina Bay Sands, the financial district and everything else that’s by the water.
I suggest you take the cruise in the late afternoon so it’s not that hot outside.
You could also opt for a sunset cruise so you can see the views in both daylight and all lit up at night. The cruise leaves every 30 minutes, so just check the sunset time when you visit Singapore and time your boat ride accordingly.
Try to be among the first people to board the boat so you can catch the seats outside at the end of the boat. This way you’ll get the best view since there won’t be any windows around you.
Dinner on Boat Quay
After the cruise it’s time for dinner. Since you have already explored Clarke Quay I suggest you eat dinner on Boat Quay just so you experience this area too.
There are plenty of restaurants to pick from, so just go with whatever you’re in the mood for and try to snag a table by the river.
FAQs about Singapore
Where should I stay in Singapore?
Mid-budget hotels
I stayed at two hotels on my Singapore trip: AMOY Hotel and Heritage Collection on Boat Quay (Quayside Wing).
You can find a full review of AMOY Hotel here.
Heritage Collection is a digital hotel. I booked the Stamford Studio because it had the most amazing view of the Singapore River, Marina Bay Sands, and the Boat Quay area.
Even though it is a digital hotel, the customer service was so amazing and they provided all the information I needed to make sure the check in and check out processes went smoothly.
They also stored my bags until I had to go to the airport. And they provided all the amenities you would expect from a traditional hotel.
This was my first stay at a digital hotel and I enjoyed it a lot.
Luxury hotels
If you have a higher budget and want to experience true Singaporean luxury then stay at the iconic Marina Bay Sands hotel. You can enjoy a 5-star stay and take advantage of their incredible rooftop infinity pool.
Hostels
Unfortunately, I am not the right person to recommend any hostels to you. I am in my 30s and I value comfort, so I will always choose to stay at a hotel vs a hostel. I can see how a hostel is a great option for younger people, but I’m at a different stage in life, so I prefer hotels.
Airbnb
I also tend to pick hotels over Airbnbs because I feel like it’s less of a risk and it’s a more reliable option. One time when I visited Miami with my friends we booked an Airbnb that looked great in pictures but looked really bad in reality. We ended up going to a hotel instead. After that experience I tend to avoid Airbnbs altogether.
Can I visit the Jewel after passport control?
No, you cannot. I made this mistake the day I was flying out. I went to the airport, dropped my bag, and went through passport control. Then I wanted to go visit the Jewel, that area with the famous indoor waterfall.
Well, to my surprise I didn’t see any signs in the airport on how to get there. I thought that was weird, so I went to the info desk to ask how I can get there.
Only for them to tell me that I cannot visit since the Jewel is landside and I am airside.
I was so angry with myself that I didn’t do proper research on this. I guess it’s just an excuse to visit Singapore again soon.
But I wanted to share this information with you all so you don’t make the same mistake I did.
What is the best time to visit Singapore?
I visited in early April and the weather cooperated for the most part. No matter when you visit it will be hot and humid and temperatures will be around 25-32 degrees Celsius (77-90 F). However, because of the humidity, it feels like it’s even hotter.
There will most likely be thunderstorms. It happened almost every day when I was there. But the good news is that they mostly last for a few hours. And other than that it tends to be pretty sunny.
How can I get to the city center from Singapore Changi airport?
Public transport
You can take the bus. They have buses going to the city from all terminals of Changi.
Or you can take the train to Tanah Merah MRT Station, then transfer to the East West Line towards Tuas Link MRT Station.
You can pay for all public transportation with a contactless Mastercard or Visa card, your mobile wallet, EZ-link cards or the Singapore tourist pass.
Grab
Grab is the most popular e-ride app in Asia. It’s basically the Uber of Asia. So make sure to download the app before your trip.
The app is super easy to use. The service is very reliable and you can easily get a car.
This is the most convenient option to get to your hotel from the airport.
If you don’t want to download yet another app, then you can schedule a private transfer.
How can I get around Singapore?
Singapore is a walkable city. I usually like to walk a lot when exploring a city and I was able to do this in Singapore.
If you need to get to a place further away you can either use the Mass Rapid Transit (or MRT) subway system or get a Grab car.
How to get cell phone data when visiting from abroad?
The cheapest and most convenient way to get data while visiting from abroad is to buy an eSIM. An eSIM is a digital SIM that lets you activate a data plan from a provider without having to use a physical SIM card. They are super easy to use.
I use Airalo. You can go to their website, select the country you’re traveling to, select how many GB of data you want, and how many days you want the eSIM to be active for. After you pay you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to activate the eSIM.
You can activate it on your phone and the process takes under 1 minute. Once the eSIM is activated you don’t have to do anything else. When you’re at your destination you will automatically get data.
Is Singapore safe for a solo female traveler?
Yes! Singapore was probably one of the safest countries I’ve ever been to. It’s the 5th safest country in the world according to the Global Peace Index.
You can walk around by yourself anywhere in the city and nobody says anything to you. People mind their business.
I haven’t seen any scammers, beggars, or homeless people during my trip. I didn’t even have to be on high alert as I usually am when I travel in Western Europe, for example.
It felt as safe walking outside at night as it felt during the day. Singapore can be a great first solo destination in Asia since it’s a developed country and it’s very safe.
Do I need cash for my trip to Singapore?
Yes, you will need a bit of cash to get food at the hawker centers and at some bakeries in Chinatown. But even at hawker centers, most stalls accept card payment. Other than that I paid for everything with a credit card.
There are plenty of ATMs in the city, so if you forget to get some at the airport there won’t be any problem.
Pro tip: always get cash from an ATM in the country you’re visiting instead of going to an exchange place. Your bank will always have better exchange rates when taking out cash in a foreign currency from an ATM.
Do I have to tip in Singapore?
No, you do not have to tip in Singapore. No matter where I ate I never had to leave a tip.
Do I need to book tickets for attractions in advance?
I highly recommend you book all the tickets online in advance of your trip. Singapore’s main attractions are very popular and can get sold out if you don’t book in advance.
Do people speak English in Singapore?
Yes, they do. English is one of the official languages in Singapore. It’s also the language they use in schools and it’s the exclusive language in many public services.
The level of fluency varies from person to person depending on their educational background, but I had no problems communicating in English with everyone during my trip.
Do you recommend Singapore as a solo destination?
Yes, I highly recommend Singapore as a destination for solo female travelers. There are so many things to do, the food is delicious, the people are great, and I felt very safe.
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Ioana was born and raised in Romania, lived in NYC for 14 years, and is now back in Romania. She fell in love with traveling when she was little and used to visit her aunt in Vienna. Then in high school she was able to visit Siberia, Turkmenistan, Istanbul, and Tokyo through chemistry competitions. As an adult she started to travel solo once she turned 30 and visited 20+ countries so far. Ioana is a full time travel blogger and content creator with an audience of 75K+ people on Instagram. She loves to share travel recommendations and tips.