The Best Things To Do In Singapore In One Day

This small country has surprisingly a lot to give and one day in Singapore just isn’t enough to see all it has to offer. There’s so many things to do and see, it’s lush, green and it’s super clean, what’s not to like?

Yet, so many people are just passing through with only one day in Singapore – like we did, or even less. It’s a time crunch but if that’s you too, I’ve narrowed down the best things to do in Singapore in one day.

You’re only on a short layover in Singapore? That’s okay, there are still ways to see some of the must see places in Singapore before you have to be back at the airport.

Originally, we had planned for us to have two days in Singapore. We were stopping in on our way back from the Maldives to Ho Chi Minh, to fly home from.

Although you can see a lot of the best things in Singapore in one day, we would rather have a bit of leeway to go slower if we want – or see more.

Unfortunately for us, our flight got changed by the airline, leaving us with barely one full day in Singapore. To make matters worse, I just had to be sick that day too OF COURSE. So, we didn’t get out as much as we wanted BUT we still found some of the best things to do in Singapore in one day. It’s possible! It helps that we stayed in an area with a high concentration of things to see in Singapore as well, so if you can too, then do it!

Get ready, because it’s going to go by in the blink of an eye so spend your 24 hours in Singapore wisely! Read on for our full itinerary of the best things to do in Singapore in one day. Some of them are even free!

Depending on your time of arrival, it might make better sense to do the evening things first 🤷‍♀️(we arrived early in the morning).

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These are the best things to do in Singapore in one day

The Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay

Grab some breakfast and head to the Gardens By The Bay at Marina Bay, specifically first to Supertree Grove.

As you find your way through the gardens, depending on the direction you came from, you will see some of these huge Supertrees scattered throughout.  Find yourself in the middle of the Supertree Grove and look up.

Not only are these trees super interesting to look at but most of them were built with environmentally sustainable functions as well.  

Constructed of concrete and steel, the Supertrees are covered in thousands of plants of over 200 species. They’re kind of like living walls. The Supertrees are fitted with solar panels on top to provide their own electricity to light up at night, off the grid.

If you fancy it, take a walk up on the OCBC skyway suspended above you in the trees. There’s also a restaurant that sits at the top of one of the trees high above.  These are both awesome vantage points to take in views of all around the park.

Wander around the grounds and go through one or all of the beautiful outdoor gardens. There are several of them, 7 in fact and each is different and admission is free.  There are two other specialty gardens too, both indoors and quite different from their outdoor counterparts.

You’ll find exotic plants from 5 of our 7 continents housed inside of the biggest glass greenhouse in the world, the Flower Dome.  

Next to it, the super unique Cloud Forest conservatory is a tropical environment where timed mist sprays every two hours.

The lush looking waterfall was the world’s tallest one indoors until recently, because now a new waterfall in the Jewel Changi Airport holds the title. (The new tallest indoor waterfall in Singapore is definitely worth seeing too and it’s free!)

Two suspended walkways weave through this tropical conservatory, taking you on a tour of 9 different zones of planted walls.

Trail maps to guide yourself through the outdoor gardens and conservatories are available for $1 SDG.  Give yourself 2-4 hours to explore the Gardens by the Bay but if anything, make sure you have time to see the Supertrees during daylight hours.

At nighttime when it’s dark, the trees come alive with light and look so different and magical. Supertree Grove is one of the best things to see in Singapore at both times of day, so be sure to go.

Check out their website before your trip, as Gardens by the Bay also holds different seasonal events throughout the year.

• Admission to most of the gardens is free including Supertree Grove
• Supertree Grove hours 5am – 2pm daily (same hours for most of the other outdoor gardens too)
• OCBC Skyway hours 9am – 9pm daily – Adult admission $8 SDG
• Cloud Forest and Flower Dome hours 9am – 9pm daily
• Adult admission is $28 SGD and includes both conservatories

If you decided not to take in any of the views up high in the garden, no worries. You obviously saw the architecturally stunning Marina Bay Sands hotel on your way in so you should head there next.  

The Skypark Observation Deck

Some of the best views in Singapore can be seen from the Marina Bay Skypark Observation Deck at the very top of the hotel.  

You can see views of all around the the city, the bay and the gardens below from way up on the 57th floor.

I’m not going to lie, it was a bit dizzying for me up there at the Skypark to look down. I guess I have a selective fear of heights? I’m not usually scared but then sometimes I am, so it’s kind of strange but I guess I’m kind of strange lol. So if you are afraid of heights, it might not be the best thing for you unfortunately.

The entrance to the Skypark Observation Deck is located outside of tower 3 of the Marina Bay Sands hotel.

• The adult entrance fee is $23 SGD or free if you’re staying at the hotel.  Cheesy tourist photos in front of the green screen are extra when you get to the top.

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The Infinity Pool at Marina Bay Sands

Having a swim in the rooftop pool on top of the Marina Bay Sands was just something we absolutely had to do.

Sooo, for the sake of being transparent, it’s mostly the main reason we planned a stop in Singapore…(well it’s what piqued my interest in Singapore in the first place, just being honest!)

The pool is only open to hotel guests so it’s probably unfair for me to include this. If you do have a chance to stay at the hotel though, in my opinion, it’s one of the best things to do in Singapore.  

We spent some of the morning and the evening at the pool and the experience is like no other.

If it’s just the views you’re after, the same views can be seen from the Marina Bay Sands Skypark. Both are located at the top of the hotel.

Want to see the iconic Marina Bay Sands infinity pool without having to be a guest of the hotel?  You can if you head to the Spago Bar & Lounge, also located on the roof with access from tower 2.  

The bar and lounge is open from morning until late night and offers you pool and downtown Singapore views. We haven’t been there personally, so I can’t say what the food or drinks are like, but it seems like a good option for views without having to stay at the hotel or pay for the Skypark.

Another option is the Cé La Vi Restaurant and Skybar at tower 3 where you might even get in for free. Before 10pm a $22 SGD entry fee goes towards your drinks and after 10pm Sunday-Tuesday and Thursday entry is complementary. Wednesday night is ladies night so it’s free for the girls and you get a glass of bubbles too. 🥂

The Art Science Museum

In front of the Marina Bay Sands hotel and along the bay is where you will see the distinctive looking Art Science Museum.  

Easy to find, the white museum building is said to resemble a lotus flower or Singapore’s welcoming hands. It’s one of the many amazing works of architecture in Singapore that you’ll see.

The Art Science Museum has several rotating exhibits to choose from. One of the most fun things to do in Singapore is the Future World exhibit if it’s still being shown. I highly recommend checking it out if it is.

There’s several themes within the show to experience and it’s interactive and entertaining for both kids and adults.

To get a taste of what you can see in the Future Worlds exhibit, take a walk towards the food court in the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. Here you’ll see a large interactive installment that’s on the floor and hanging from the ceiling.

• Admission to Future World is between 10am – 5:30pm, every hour and a half.  Check out the museum website to see what exhibits are currently showing and ticket prices.

Marina Bay And Merlion Park

Since you’re already on the waterfront, stroll along the Marina Bay waterfront promenade, crossing the Helix Bridge towards Merlion Park across the water.  

The Merlion statue stands 8.6 metres high and represents Singapore as the national symbol. It overlooks the bay with the Marina Bay Sands as the backdrop.

A Merlion, if you’re wondering is a mythical creature with a fish body and a lions head. Apparently the Merlion was chosen and created in 1964 as a symbol because of two things.

Singapore’s original name in Malay is Singapura which means “lion city” so that’s where the lion part comes from. The city’s origin as a fishing village called Temasek in Javanese means something similar to “sea town” and so the body of a fish was chosen.

Another fun thing you can do in this area is to take a sightseeing river cruise. You’ll be taken through Marina Bay and the Quays to see the sights from a different perspective.

Dine At A Hawker Centre

By now you’re probably starting to get hungry, so it’s a good time to stop and eat.

There are a few Hawker Centres in the area and they are the best places to go in Singapore when you’re hungry! You’ll find one of them next to the Marina Bay Grandstand near Merlion Park.

Hawker Centres in Singapore are big, open air spaces where you essentially buy street food from the many different stalls.  

Instead of being spread out in the streets though, the food vendors are all in one place with tables and chairs so you can sit down and enjoy your meal.

I hear from absolutely everyone that these are actually the best places to eat in Singapore. They have great food with tons of options and the prices are reasonable. Singapore isn’t exactly known for its affordability after all, let’s be real.

Now, because I was sick we didn’t get the chance to try the food at one of these. What I can tell you though from experience, is to choose eating at one of the Hawker Centres over the restaurants at the food court in The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. The food looks okay but in our opinion, it was mediocre at best and relatively overpriced.

Singapore Botanic Gardens

If you aren’t sick of gardens yet or you didn’t check out the gardens around Supertree Grove, a visit to Singapore Botanic Gardens should be on your list.

The gorgeous 82 hectare gardens are one of the most beautiful places in Singapore to see. With lush greenery at over 150 years old, the Singapore Botanic Gardens became a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2015. It’s at these exact gardens where plants like orchids and rubber were first launched.

Walk the trails around the gardens and lakes, and check out the National Orchid Garden too. The park is located in central Singapore and is easy to reach by public transit.

• Gardens are open from 5am – midnight daily, admission is free.
• The National Orchid Garden is open 8:30am-7pm, $5 SGD admission.

Shopping On Orchard Road And The Shoppes At Marina Bay

If you have time and you want to shop, Orchard Road is where you’ll find basically anything you are looking for.  With different malls and an endless supply of shops, there’s got to be something there for everyone.

If you’re looking to drop some serious cash, Singapore can help you out. There are luxury malls everywhere, not just on Orchard Road.  

For ease, the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is filled with luxury stores and is in close proximity to most of the top sights in Singapore.  

The flagship Louis Vuitton store in Singapore is a floating island on Marina Bay, next to the Art Science Museum.  Inside of the Shoppes at Marina Bay there is even an indoor canal where you can be paddled through the mall on a Chinese boat. It’s kind of similar to a gondola boat you would find in Venice.

The architecture in Singapore is seriously off the charts, really and it’s everywhere you look.  There’s mixed old with new modern and the implementation of sustainable features wherever they can. The Rain Oculus for example, that funnels rainwater from the roof down to the canal inside the Shoppes.

The Marina Bay Sands and Mall remind me of Vegas and if you’ve been there you’ll probably agree. It’s probably one of the things that I like about it.  With its attached casino and amazing rooftop pool and the man-made boat ride is not unlike the gondola ride at The Venetian in Las Vegas.

The Spectra Water Show

In the evening you can’t miss seeing the free Spectra Light and Water Show.

It’s on every single night on the Marina Bay waterfront at the event plaza.  You can watch the show from across the water, but to get the best view it’s better to watch from outside of the Shoppes at the event plaza.  

We watched the show from our hotel room but we couldn’t see everything from where we were. Definitely would have been much better in front.

The 15 minute show is a story filled with music, dancing fountains, lasers and visuals projected on the water sprays.

This is easily one of the top things to do in Singapore at night and you should absolutely see it. It’s best to time it to go to the other side of the Marina Bay Sands hotel after or before. That way you can see Garden Rhapsody at Supertree Grove as well.

• Spectra – A Light and Water Show plays every evening at 8pm and 9pm and Friday and Saturday add a 10pm show.

Looking for more free things to do in Singapore? Read this post!

Garden Rhapsody In The Gardens By The Bay

Make sure you get to Supertree Grove in the evening for Garden Rhapsody, either before or after watching the Spectra Water Show.

If you only have time to see Singapore in one day, this has to be on your list!

This is the time when the trees are all lit in different colours and the lights dance along with the music. It’s super magical looking and one of the must see places in Singapore – don’t miss it!

It almost feels as though you are stepping into a futuristic Avatar world when you first see it at night. It’s one of the most unique things to do in Singapore in my opinion.

I guess you could say it’s kind of an otherworldly experience and probably the closest thing to being in an alien world without being abducted first. For us, this was for sure one of the best things in Singapore that we saw during our short visit.

You should definitely be able to catch both Garden Rhapsody and Spectra if you time it right. If you do miss Garden Rhapsody though, you’ll still get a part of the experience if you go late.

The music stops but the lights stay on so you can still see the amazing trees all lit up in one of the most instagrammable places in Singapore.

• The Garden Rhapsody show is every night at 7:45pm and 8:45pm.

Getting Around

The MRT train system in Singapore is super easy to use and makes it fast to get around.  

You can take the MRT from Changi Airport to get to the city and use it to take you close to most of the main attractions.

The train runs from 5:30 am – midnight and frequents anywhere from every 2-7 minutes. Fares vary depending on distance but are pretty inexpensive.  You are also able to buy a tourist pass that gives you unlimited use of the MRT and bus system for one, two or three days. The price is from $10 – $20 SGD. That makes it super easy to get around whether you have three days or only have time to see Singapore in one day.

From what I remember we might have had some trouble buying the MRT tickets when we landed. I’m pretty sure we had to have Singapore dollars to purchase them as the machines wouldn’t accept our cards.  

If you can, it’s probably a good idea to have some local currency just in case, so you don’t get stuck. It looks like recently though that a new payment option has been added for MRT users. As far as I can tell, if you have a contactless Mastercard you can use it to buy fares.  See their website for more information.

A transit map is available here.

You can download the Grab app to hire a driver anywhere in Singapore (like Uber). There are taxis always around too and they’re metered. (for reference, a taxi from Marina Bay Sands to Changi Airport cost us $17 SGD)

Super Pressed For Time?

SCENARIO: You’ve landed at Changi Airport with not much more than 6 hours to kill before your next flight. What do you do?

Well, this airport happens to be awesome so even travellers with less than one day in Singapore can see it.

There are some great free things to do at Changi Airport already. If you have time though, the airport also offers FREE 2.5 hour guided Singapore tours!? How amazing is that?

There are even two different tours for you to choose from! Either way, they both showcase some of the best things to see in Singapore. The Heritage Tour takes you through several areas including Little India and Merlion Park. This tour runs 5 times a day.

If you want to see more of the cityscape than you should choose the City Sights Tour. This Singapore city tour takes you to the Marina Bay area, including Marina Bay Sands. It also stops at Gardens by the Bay so you can see this amazing place for yourself.

The Singapore tours are a fantastic way to get out of the airport and not have to plan getting around. It also narrows down your options which can be helpful sometimes, especially when you have limited time. See this link for all the details of how and where you can register for the free Singapore tours put on by Changi Airport.

Get Ready!

There are sooo many more things to see in Singapore and more that we want to go back and do.  

From Sentosa Island to scenic hiking trails, there’s not nearly enough time to see all of Singapore in one day. It is just enough time though, to see some of the best things that the country has to offer. Then maybe you’ll want to go back too.

What do you think the best things in Singapore are to do? Especially if you only have one day to explore. Comment below!

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