48 Hours in Singapore: Where to Go and What Not to Miss
Spending just two days in the Lion City will have you wishing you extended your stay a little longer.
Singapore packs an extraordinary amount into a small space: world-class dining, futuristic green spaces, heritage neighbourhoods and a food culture that runs from Michelin-starred tasting menus to two-dollar hawker stalls. If you've only got 48 hours, here's how to see the best of it.
Day 1
Morning: Marina Bay
Start with a proper Singaporean breakfast, by which we mean a deliciously thick slice from Ya Kun Kaya Toast, which has been serving doorstop toast with coconut jam and soft-boiled eggs since 1944. It's nothing fancy, but the queue of locals speaks volumes and we guarantee it’ll fill you up for the day. There are branches everywhere, but the one in Marina Square is a great introduction.
From there, walk to Gardens by the Bay before the real humidity of the day sets in. The famous Supertree Grove is free to walk through, or you can opt to get a bird’s eye view of the city from the canopy.
The real highlight is the Cloud Forest, a climate-controlled conservatory built around a 35-metre indoor waterfall - but don’t miss the Flower Dome just next door, which is a kaleidoscopic journey blooms in all colours, shapes and sizes.
By now, the heat has picked up, so head to Satay by the Bay, a hawker-style food centre within the Gardens where locals come for laksa, char kway teow and, of course, satay.
Afternoon: the Civic District and Raffles
A short hop by taxi from Marina Bay brings you to the National Gallery Singapore, housed in the former Supreme Court and City Hall. Inside is the largest public collection of Southeast Asian art in the world, and the building's restoration is worth seeing in its own right.
For those planning ahead, Odette, one of Singapore's three-Michelin-starred restaurants, sits on the ground floor of the Gallery. It’s a mouthwatering, elevated introduction to the city’s underrated haute cuisine, so book early or forever hold your peace.
If the lunchtime hawker food tickled your tastebuds, the locally-loved Lau Pa Sat is a five-minute walk away. This Victorian cast-iron market building is striking and the satay stalls that line Boon Tat Street in the evening are a Singapore institution.
Afterwards, walk through Fort Canning Park, then make your way to Singapore’s most enduring heritage hotel: Raffles.
While a Singapore Sling at the Long Bar may be tourist spot number one, there's a reason this iconic experience has survived since 1915. Whether you’re staying here or not, it’s an experience not to be missed. Order one (or two), munch on some peanuts - discarding shells on the floor; and enjoy the buzz of people taking part in this fabulous ritual.
Evening: Ann Siang Hill
From Raffles, it's a short Grab ride to Ann Siang Hill and Club Street, a neighbourhood of steep lanes lined with restored shophouses that now hold some of the city's best independent bars and restaurants.
Skip Clarke Quay, which is no longer the lively, local area it was 20 years ago and instead, try Nouri on Amoy Street, which holds a Michelin star for its blend of Asian, European and Middle Eastern fusion food.
For drinks afterwards, Native, also on Amoy Street, builds its cocktails from foraged Southeast Asian ingredients, which tastes a lot better than it sounds.
Day 2
Morning: Tiong Bahru
Take the MRT to Tiong Bahru (about ten minutes from the city centre) for a change of pace. The streets here are low-rise and leafy, with 1930s art deco apartment blocks, potted plants spilling off balconies and pavement cafes perfect for a morning coffee.
Start with breakfast at Tiong Bahru Bakery (pictured) on Eng Hoon Street for croissants that rival anything in the city, or for something more local, head upstairs at Tiong Bahru Market for chwee kueh, a steamed rice cake topped with preserved radish, which is a staple breakfast food here.
The backstreets around Yong Siak and Seng Poh are filled with independent bookshops, plant stores, galleries and small design studios in old shophouses, and although it’s on the tourist trail, it’s unlikely you’ll be jostling for space when visiting.
Afternoon: the Botanic Gardens
A short Grab ride from Tiong Bahru takes you to the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of only three tropical gardens in the world with that status.
The National Orchid Garden, home to more than 1,000 species, is the main draw and one of the few parts that charges admission, but it’s an incredibly beautiful and peaceful experience.
The Rain Forest section in the centre of the gardens holds one of the oldest areas of primary forest remaining in Singapore. Entry is free, and the shady canopy is an ideal place to take refuge from the heat.
Evening: Dempsey Hill
Dempsey Hill is a five minute ride from the Botanic Gardens and reveals yet another side to the city. Former British military barracks, whitewashed and wrapped in tropical greenery, now house one of Singapore's most atmospheric dining areas.
Candlenut is the first Peranakan restaurant to hold a Michelin star, so if you’re keen to sample this unique cooking style, look no further. Meanwhile, nearby PS.Cafe has been a go-to spot for locals and visitors for a long time and does excellent brunches, dinners and desserts.
Although this may not have even scratched the surface of Singapore, we bet it will be enough to leave you wanting more. And when it's time to leave, Changi Airport is about 30 minutes away from most parts of the city, and that’s an entire guide in itself.
