How to Spend 48 Hours in Singapore

Influenced by a melting pot of cultures, Singapore offers a compact city experience with unique charm.

Singapore is one of the world’s favourite stopover destinations, meaning most people travelling to this amazing country will only have a few days to explore. When time is precious, it’s important to plan ahead.

That’s where our handy guide comes in. From top-tier bars to beautiful botanic gardens, our curated itinerary will help you get the most out of two days in Singapore, with time to spare on your way back through Singapore’s world-class airport.

Discover more about Singapore on the new season of Luxury Escapes: The World’s Best Holidays, airing Thursdays 8:30pm AEST* on Foxtel Lifestyle.

Day 1

2pm: Visit National Gallery Singapore

Where better to start than with a city icon? Whether you’re an art aficionado or a casual observer, the National Gallery Singapore is worth a visit for the breathtaking building alone. Housed in the former Supreme Court and City Hall buildings, this sprawling complex is home to the world’s largest public collection of Southeast Asian art. Satisfy your inner culture vulture with more than 9,000 artworks from across the region, spanning the 19th century to the present.

6pm: Dinner at National Kitchen by Violet Oon

As the evening settles over the city, indulge in the colourful flavours of Singapore with dinner at National Kitchen by Violet Oon, housed in the National Gallery itself. Standout dishes from the menu include red snapper fillets in spicy and sour gravy, with pineapple slices and pink ginger flower, or the slow-braised beef cheek in rich, spicy tamarind gula melaka gravy with coconut.

Local tip: Even if you’re not a dessert person, the pineapple upside-down cake with vanilla custard sauce is an absolute must-try.

9pm: Nightcap at 28 HongKong Street

Voted one of the World’s Best Bars, 28 HongKong Street is one of those dimly lit places where you can completely lose track of time. One minute you’re sipping an old fashioned and enjoying sultry sounds of smooth jazz, and the next you’re asking the bartender for a pour of their most expensive whisky and their life story. While away the hours in style, then retire to your choice of Singapore’s world-class hotels. From the shimmering beauty of the world-renowned Shangri-La to the five-star fantasy of Mandarin Oriental Singapore, the city’s luxury lodgings are an extension of its reputation for glitz and glamour.

Day 2

8am: Singapore Botanic Gardens

Rise early and beat the heat as you hit a city highlight: Singapore Botanic Gardens. Make your way through the four ‘cores’ of these UNESCO World Heritage-listed gardens, including the classic charms of the heritage Tanglin garden, the lush flora and fauna of the central tourist belt, the ethnobotany and eco-garden education and discovery zone of Bukit Timah and the spectacular Tyersall-Gallop rainforest area.

11.30am: Discover Chinatown

Head over to Chinatown to explore the iconic Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, an architectural icon built in the style of the Tang Dynasty. Afterwards, hit the streets to browse the Chinatown markets for trinkets, maybe stopping for a refreshing bubble tea along the way.

12.30pm: Grab lunch like a local

Keep it local with a trip to Maxwell Food Centre, a hot favourite among hungry tourists and the working crowd. Here, stalls dish up steaming bowls of Jin Hua fish soup, oyster cakes, barbecue meats and more.

Our must-tries:

• Hainanese Chicken: Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice
• Handmade dumplings: Tong Xin Ju Special Shanghai Tim Sum
• Fish soup: Jin Hua Fish Head Bee Hoon
• Dessert: Xing Xing Ondeh-Ondeh Tapioca Cake

Local tip: Too hot for the hawker centre? Nip over to Ann Siang Hill and indulge in all things coconut at The Coconut Club, serving up plates of delicious nasi lemak.

6pm: Dinner at Odette

Considered one of the world’s best restaurants, Odette is a playful Michelin-starred eatery where you’ll find Singapore’s most fashionable locals. Chef Julien Royer creates delicate, modern French cuisine inspired by his grandmother who showed him how to create the most remarkable dishes using the purest ingredients. The menu changes regularly, but past creations include scallop tartare with compressed nashi pear and kyoho grape, and wild Atlantic turbot with oyster, spinach and seaweed butter.

Local tip: Book in advance… well in advance.

8pm: Gardens by the Bay

We haven’t forgotten Singapore’s most magical spot: Gardens by the Bay. This inner-city Eden comes alive after dark, shimmering in a kaleidoscope of colours. Get lost among a floral fantasy, watching nature bloom under the Flower Dome and visiting one of the world’s largest indoor waterfalls in Cloud Forest.

10pm: Nightcap at CÉ LA VI Sky Lounge at Marina Bay Sands

You can’t leave Singapore without seeing Marina Bay Sands. A global icon, this high-end hotel is renowned for its legendary rooftop swimming pool and glitzy casino. For unforgettable views of the city, head up to the SkyPark Observation Deck, towering 57 stories above the Marina Bay area. Located on the 57th floor of the hotel, the alfresco CÉ LA VI Sky Lounge is the place to see and be seen. Enjoy panoramic views of Marina Bay, great music from resident and celebrity DJs and signature cocktails including the Berry Bellini, and of course, the Singapore Sling.

Local tip: Be sure to check the strict dress code before you go.

Day 3

9am: Hit the shops… or Sentosa

Singapore’s malls are air-conditioned luxury havens and a great place to hide from the heat. Paragon shopping centre on famed Orchard Road is bursting with high-end brands, beauty and wellness destinations, and dining pitstops. For a different shopping experience hit VivoCity for a wide range of retail, restaurants and entertainment. The centre is also the gateway to Sentosa island – take the tram or a cable car ride over to make some time for a lazy beach day or a thrilling family trip to one of the exciting theme parks.

2pm: Get to the airport early

It’s time to pack your bags and head for the airport – but the fun is arguably just beginning. If you have a bit of time to kill before your flight, Singapore Changi Airport is undeniably the very best place you could be. This is a destination in itself, home to a stunning butterfly garden, sky-high canopy bridge, interactive sculptures, a cinema, mirror maze and so, so much more. Visit Jewel at Changi Airport, home to the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, as well as a plethora of shops and fantastic dining. While you’re there, hit up boutique ice cream store Birds of Paradise for the best botanical gelato, flavoured with real fruits and flowers – you’ll smell it before you see it.

… and beyond

Of course, sometimes you’re lucky enough to have a touch more wiggle-room in your itinerary. With all of Asia at your feet, Singapore is the perfect place to set out and discover further.

With some extra nights in the bank, why not board Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas as it sets sail for dazzling Hong Kong, by way of Vietnam’s charming coastal cities.

Discover more about Singapore on the new season of Luxury Escapes: The World’s Best Holidays, airing Thursdays 8:30pm AEST* on Foxtel Lifestyle.

This season of Luxury Escapes: The World’s Best Holidays is brought to you by Citi Credit Cards. This product is provided by National Australia Bank Limited, using certain trademarks temporarily under licence from Citigroup Inc.

Looking for more ideas? Read up on the Best Things to Do in Singapore for All Ages. 

Feature image: Gardens by the Bay, Singapore. Source: Shutterstock.