Singapore is an island nation, a city and a city. It has more than 5,000,000 people. It combines a rich cultural heritage with a futuristic future. This is our ultimate guide to 2 days in Singapore.
Singapore combines a colonial history, rich culture and a unique heritage with an elegant, progressive future, which is always reinventing itself. This clean and safe cosmopolitan metropolis is bursting with opportunities. There are many attractions to see, including iconic architecture, interactive museums and charming neighborhoods with a variety of cultures.
Singapore is an island nation, a city and a gateway to Asia. More than 5,000,000 people live in Singapore, a mix of Malay, Chinese , Arabic, Indian, Indonesian, and English cultures . Located at the southernmost tip of the Malay Peninsula, 85 miles north of Equator. Singapore is the financial and business center of Southeast Asia and has the largest port, one of the busiest ports in the world. This Ultimate Guide To Singapore In 2 Days explores the possibilities of the Lion City.
The Civic District is the birthplace of modern-day Singapore
Begin your Singapore visit in the Civic District. This is where modern Singapore was born and thrives today. Sir Stamford Raffles, a British statesman, successfully negotiated the British takeover of Singapura in 1819. Singapore’s strategic position at the southern entry to the Malacca Straits, made it a vital port for the Spice Trade sea route between East and West.
Stamford Raffles, in 1822 to better organize the burgeoning port of Singapore, initiated a city plan that had at its core, the Civic District. A square of about one square mile that extends from Fort Canning Hill in the north to the mouth of the Singapore River and the waterfront. The National Gallery Singapore, and Victoria Theater and Concert Hall are two examples of Civic Districts that combine the past with the present.
Wander With Wonder receives complimentary services and products as is the norm in the travel industry. Wander With Wonder will always report on places that we think offer great opportunities to our readers with honesty and integrity. Wander receives revenue from our ads and affiliate links. Some of these links are to Amazon. Wander is an Amazon Associate and earns commissions on qualifying purchases. We do not let these practices affect our reporting. However, we are committed to full disclosure. Please visit our legal webpage for more information.
National Gallery Singapore
The former Supreme Court and the original City Hall have been combined and reborn into an award-winning, progressive art museum. The National Gallery Singapore houses the largest collection of Southeast Asian Art in the world, including Singaporean works.
Pro tip: There are eleven restaurants and cafes in these two buildings. The National Kitchen is my favorite, and it’s run by celebrity chef Violet Oon. The restaurant is a celebration of refined local flavors that reflect Singapore’s vibrant culinary heritage.
Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall
The Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall was originally the Town Hall. It opened in 1862. In 1901, the Queen Victoria Memorial Hall and clocktower were added to the building. A $180 million renovation in 2014 brought the performance facilities to international standards. Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall is now home to the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra and Symphony Choruses. Stop and admire the bronze sculpture of Sir Stamford Raffles located outside the Clocktower entry.
Victoria Theatre with Raffles Statue in front. Singapore Tourism Board Photo
Singapore’s Waterfront: A Must Stop in 2 Days In Singapore
Explore the waterfront during your two days in Singapore. Here are my top picks.
Merlion Park
The Fullerton Hotel is located across the river from the Raffles Statue via the Cavengeah Bridge. Merlion Park is located in front of Fullerton Hotel, along the riverside walkway. It houses the 61-foot tall statue of the mythical creature that has a fish’s body and a lion-like head. Merlion, the much-photographed city symbol of Singapore, is 61 feet tall.
Merlion Park offers a stunning view of Marina Bay Sands with its three hotel buildings topped off by the SkyPark Observatory, which is shaped like a boat. In the shape of a lotus, the ArtScience Museum is located in front of Marina Bay Sands. This museum combines art, science and culture.
Marina Bay Sands presents Spectra – A Light & Water Show every night at 8pm. This free outdoor show is best viewed by the Event Plaza on the waterfront. The 15-minute performance is a choreographed symphony with dancing fountains and colorful visual projections. It also features advanced lasers and lava mist effects, all set to an orchestral soundtrack.
Merlion Park, with views of Marina Bay Sands ArtScience Museum. Singapore Tourism Board. Photo by Singapore Tourism Board
Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay, located at the Marina Bay Waterfront is a showcase of horticulture. It presents the plant kingdom through a unique perspective. Garden by the Bay is a 101-hectare (about 250-acre) park that features three architecturally stunning, enormous glass conservatories as well as the Supertree Grove.
Flower Dome, the largest of three cooled conservatories, is home to plants and flower from five continents. It includes everything from magnolias to orchids to olive trees that are thousands of years old. Floral Fantasy is the second of three conservatories at the Gardens. It takes its inspiration from fairy tales and the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Cloud Forest, a misty conservatory, is built around a 115-foot tall ‘Cloud Mountain’. An elevated walkway lets you climb and enjoy the views while learning about rare tropical vegetation.
Cloud Forest Conservatory. Singapore Tourism Board Photo
Supertrees are a group of surreal, soaring structures that can be found outside the conservatory. These vertical gardens are 80-160 feet tall. Skyways connect two structures with a dramatic arch. Garden Rhapsody is a light and sound show that lights up the grove at dusk. Climb to the Supertree Observatory’s top for a panoramic view of Singapore, including the Marina Bay area.
Colourful Heritage Districts
Singapore has many heritage districts. You should spend at least two days exploring Singapore’s heritage districts.
Little India
Sri Veeramkaliamman Temple is a must see. The Indian Heritage Centre offers a comprehensive overview of Indian History. Spice stalls and markets are a great way to discover the exotic foods available. Find colorful saris and flower garlands. You can also find exotic fruits and vegetables and simple eateries that serve spicy curries. Sundays can be busy. Little India comes alive during Hindu festivals like Deepavali, the festival of lights.
Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple is located in Little India. Singapore Tourism Board Photo.
Chinatown
Chinatown Food Street is a maze of narrow streets that includes restaurants serving Hainanese Chicken Rice, Noodles, and Satay. There are many independent boutiques in the area that sell clothes, antiques, and crafts. The Ann Siang Hill area and Club Street is home to trendy wine bar. The ornate Buddha Tooth Relic Temple Museum is one of the cultural institutions in this area. Chinatown Heritage Centre tells the stories of residents from early times.
Chinatown Streets at night. Singapore Tourism Board Photo.
Sentosa, Singapore’s Island Escape, is a Must-Do During Two Days in Singapore
Singapore is an island state with 64 islands. Many of them are only a short ferry trip away. Sentosa is the closest and most popular island, connected to Singapore’s southern tip by monorail or cable cars from Mount Faber Park & Peak.
Mount Faber Cable Car View of Sentosa. Photo by Mount Faber Leisure Group
Sentosa has evolved from being a strategic military base under British rule, to now becoming the beloved island getaway of Singapore, with its tropical beaches, luxury hotels, and exciting attractions. Sentosa means peace and tranquility in Malay.
The Sentosa Line cable car provides a panoramic tour of the island stopping at important locations. The island is home to two first-class golf course, as well as walking, cycling and nature trails. Fort Siloso is located at the top of the island. It’s a restored World War II fort that houses a military exhibits with tours and interactive exhibits. Universal Studios is a popular attraction for both families and young people.
Book a seat for the Wings Of Time show before you leave after spending the day on one of the three main beaches in the island – Siloso, Palawan and Tanjong. This multi-sensory award-winning show combines visuals, sound, water and pyrotechnics to tell the story of Shahbaz and his friends, a prehistoric owl, as they journey through time.
Wings of Time is a nighttime show. Photo courtesy Mount Faber Leisure Group
Shopping in Singapore
Singapore is one of the best shopping destinations in the world. It has more malls than most other countries. Orchard Road with its modern, high-fashion malls such as ION Orchard, Paragon and Paragon is a must if you are short on time. Far East Asia, a place of cheap fashion and food (and fading glory), and Lucky Plaza remain popular with bargain-hunters. The Mustafa Centre, Little India’s 24/7 shopping centre, is open every day of the year. This mall is a favorite of locals and tourists alike. It’s big, noisy and crowded with a wide variety of products, from watches to textiles. The majority of items are sold at very low prices.
Singapore’s Food Story
Singapore is known for its spicy Laksa noodle, Char kway teow and Hainanese Chicken Rice. Chilli Crab has also been called Singapore’s national food. Enjoy authentic and delicious creations in the hawker centres and Michelin-starred restaurants.
My favorite is the Lively Lau Pa Sat Hawker Centre. Singapore Tourism Board Photo.
It is important to understand that the Michelin Guide for Singapore does not only include top-end restaurants. Of the 247 listings, over 100 are Hawker Style Food outlets. This means that eating your way around the Singapore food scene is both delicious and easy on the pocketbook.
Pro-tip: Lau Pa Sat is my favorite Hawker Centre. It’s located in the CBD and has hundreds of seats. You can visit Asia multiple times without sampling every stall.
What to do in Singapore for 2 Days?
Singapore and Sentosa Island offer a wide range of accommodations to suit all budgets. Raffles Hotel, Fullerton Hotel and Hotel Fort Canning are all heritage-rich hotels in Singapore. The Barracks in Sentosa, which has a British military history, is a luxurious hotel. If you’re looking for a hotel with a modern history, Capella Hotel is an excellent choice. It hosted the historic meeting in 2018 between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un, leader of North Korea.
Raffles is one of the most iconic hotels in Singapore. Raffles Singapore Photo
Getting Around Singapore
Singapore’s MRT and bus systems offer a comprehensive and efficient network that allows you to zip around the city. The most popular attractions are just a few minutes walk from the MRT stations. MRT, as well as other businesses, have gone cashless since the pandemic. This is made easy with stored value cards like and EZ-Link.
Singapore’s efficient transport system makes exploration simple. Photo courtesy Singapore Tourism Board
Singapore Arrival Tips: A Guide for 2 Days in Singapore
Singapore Changi Airport continues to be rated among the top three airports in the world. The airport is located on the eastern side of the island. It takes 25 minutes to get from the airport into the city by meter taxi, Grab or Uber. The MRT Airport Train takes between 30-45 minutes depending on where you are going in Singapore.
Singapore does not require visas for most visitors. International visitors are required to submit an electronic SG arrival card, which can be completed three days prior to arrival. This will reduce the time spent in immigration queues.
Ultimate Guide to Two Days in Singapore
Singapore, once a stopover for tourists on their way to other destinations in South East Asia, is now a top destination. This Ultimate Guide for Singapore in Two Days will introduce you to the Lion City and its potential. Your first visit to Singapore may inspire many more, given the ever-growing visitor offerings. Wander With Wonder is your guide for planning a trip to Asia, or wherever you wish to go on an ultimate two-day escape.