Singapore Itinerary For 2 Days: Best Things To Do On A First Visit
Singapore was our first stop on the round-the-world trip, and we were excited. A city steeped in culture, history and charm that, until now, we had only seen in photographs and TV documentaries, but now we were going there ourselves!
The flight from the UK to Singapore would take 13 hours, but starting our round-the-world journey by wandering beneath the SuperTree Grove and swimming in the iconic Marina Bay Sands rooftop pool was worth the long flight.
I had researched some of the best things to do in Singapore, and we were ready to experience a small selection of activities during our 2-day stopover. Then, it would be time to fly to Penang in Malaysia to continue our epic three-month world trip.
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A Two-Day Singapore Itinerary
Our First Night
On late evening arrival, we took a private transfer from Changi Airport to Bencoolen Ibis Hotel, where we would stay for the first two nights of our stopover.
The hotel had good reviews on TripAdvisor and was conveniently located in the business and shopping district. It's a short 10-minute walk to a choice of three metro stations. The room was basic but clean, and after our long flight, all we wanted to do was get dinner and go to bed.
Marina Bay Sands would then be our home for our third night, and we were looking forward to staying in this iconic hotel.
Note: I have visited Singapore twice since my first 2-night visit and have found the perfect place to stay at Citadines Raffles Place. It's an easy walk to all of Singapore's top attractions.
Day One - Explore the cultural and natural beauty of Singapore
The jet lag had caught up with us, and we woke up much later than we wanted to. After a mad dash to get ready, we headed to the Kampong Glam area to explore its street art and quirky collection of boutique shops and cute cafes.
When we travelled in late January, the weather was hot and humid, and just walking to the metro station left us hot and bothered. Be prepared by wearing lightweight, cotton clothing, and make sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
The Metro Station was easy to use, clean and punctual. As Londoners, it was unusual for us to watch people queue in designated lines to board the trains, rather than it being a free-for-all, as can be the case in London.
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We arrived at the Malay Heritage Centre, just a few minutes from the Bugis Metro station. Formerly the residence of Malay sultans and their families, we followed the Kampong Glam Heritage Trail that takes you through the bustling streets of Kampong Glam's conserved area, covering Arab Street, Beach Road, Jalan Sultan and Victoria Street.
There are many restaurants and the odd hip cafe to stop for a refreshing drink or a local dish, and the locals are friendly and welcoming. My favourite part was Haji Lane, located in the heart of the Kampong Glam area, one of the narrowest and prettiest roads in Singapore. The neighbourhood has some fresh street art pieces, independent boutiques, and gift shops.
Visit Masjid Sultan Mosque in Kampong Glam
The mosque is one of the country's most impressive religious buildings, constructed in 1824 for Sultan Hussein Shah, the first Sultan of Singapore and funded by Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore and the world-renowned Raffles Hotel.
The mosque was rebuilt in 1932 due to deterioration. While you are there, inspect the onion-shaped domes. Each dome base features glass bottle ends donated by lower-income Muslims during construction so that all Muslims, not just the rich, could contribute to its completion.
Stroll Around The Gardens Of The Bay
We walked from this area to the Gardens by the Bay, as we thought the 30-minute walk wasn't too far; however, remember that the hot and humid climate can make you feel very weary. Stay hydrated and always carry a water bottle with you.
Our first glimpse of the area was the Marina Bay Sands Resort, its imposing architecture filling the skyline. We knew we would be staying here soon, but decided to check out the Gardens of the Bay today to make the most of our time in the resort and enjoy the rooftop pool area.
The Gardens by the Bay comprises supertrees, biospheres, art installations and grassland. There are 18 Supertrees in Gardens by the Bay, with the tallest ones measuring up to 16 storeys in height.
If you want to experience the trees from above, you can pay to walk on the skyway that joins several of them together in the Supertree Grove.
Be Amazed Inside The Cloud Forest
The Cloud Forest biosphere immerses you in a tropical landscape with orchids, pitcher plants and ferns. Wander through the mist-filled Treetop Walk and then descend through the Cloud Walk. Be mesmerised by the world's tallest indoor waterfall, which is 30 metres tall and plummets down the side of the forest.
The Flower Dome
The Flower Dome biosphere is the largest glass greenhouse in the world and quite different from the Forest Dome. Housing exotic plants from five continents is displayed in nine varied gardens.
Sculptures depicting other countries and cultures include a driftwood dragon perched high above the gardens and a section which changes each year. On my first visit, characters from Alice in Wonderland were featured. Please give yourself plenty of time to fully immerse yourself in its beauty.
Both are fabulous places to visit and a welcoming escape from the scorching temperatures. Visitors can purchase combined tickets online to avoid queues. We finished our day by searching for art installations around the gardens.
Day Two - Visit the Supertree Grove
Marina Bay Sands
Each leg of this humongous hotel is a tower, and we headed for Tower 3, where we would find our deluxe twin room. Check-in was swift despite the hordes of people arriving and departing, and we were soon in our room.
We were eager to take full advantage of the resort and headed to the infinity pool on the rooftop. Unfortunately, we both had chest infections and were on medication, so after lying down on the sunbeds, we woke up five hours later. The sun was setting, and we realised we had lost a day. The plus side was that we were now wide awake and hungry, and went down for dinner.
We watched the laser and music show outside on the waterfront. The SuperTree Grove comes alive at 7:45 pm and 8:45 pm each evening with the Garden Rhapsody Light and Sound Show, which is phenomenal to watch and one of the best things to do in Singapore at night.
SuperTree Grove
It was after midnight, and we still weren't tired, so we decided to go and explore the SuperTree Grove. I wouldn't have done this in other countries I've visited, but Singapore feels safe.
Clever lighting illuminated the trees with a blue hue resembling the Avatar film. As we wandered around, we realised, apart from a few other restless sleepers, we were utterly alone. It was a very different experience from the crowds during the day, and one I would recommend. It was so peaceful and one of our favourite things to do in Singapore.
Conclusion
What month did I travel? February
How was the weather? It was a mixture of thunderstorms and humidity.
Would I recommend both hotels? Yes. Please refer to my review of Marina Bay Sands Resort.
Would I recommend two days in Singapore? Yes. It is safe and clean, and the local people are friendly. I will return one day to explore the wealth of other things to do in Singapore.
Have an extra day to spare? Read my 3-day Singapore itinerary.
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HEADING TO SINGAPORE? PLEASE CHECK OUT MY TRAVEL GUIDES ↓
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Angela Price: is an accomplished travel writer bringing extensive expertise and passion to the world of travel.
With over 40 years of globetrotting adventures under her belt and with a keen eye for unique experiences, she has established herself as an authoritative voice in travel, offering invaluable insights for fellow adventurers seeking to uncover the delights of worldwide destinations.
Her motto is “live life wandering not wondering”. Read more about Angie.
Singapore is such an odd (in a good way) destination. A combination of key local cultures and they seem to merge effortlessly together. I only spent a few days there, and walked the length and breath of the city. And it was the juxtaposition of the gleaming modernism and the grubby back lanes that intrigued me the most. I can still vividly remember the curry I ate in Little India .. served on a banana leaf - and that was way back in 1996!
We were quite poorly while we were there so didn’t do as much as we would have liked. It definitely needs to be revisited and next time I will spend longer there to really explore all its hidden gems.