Large Olympic rings sculpture with "Olympic Walk" sign in front of a waterfront and modern skyscrapers—a must-see spot on any 2 Day Singapore Itinerary.

2 Day Singapore Itinerary – Best Things to Do in 48 Hours

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If you’ve got just 48 hours to explore Singapore, this 2 day Singapore itinerary will help you make the most of your time.

I have visited Singapore several times now, and this is what I would tell my friends to do if they could only fit in a 2-day visit the first time.

You are not going to be able to do everything, so I’ve tried to give you a taste of the iconic Singapore sites, some of the local culture, and of course, the amazing food, all in a tight bundle.

In two days, you can see the iconic Marina Bay skyline, explore some vibrant cultural districts, and enjoy some of the best food in Asia – all without feeling too rushed.

This itinerary is perfect for a weekend trip, a Singapore stopover, a short city break, or as part of a longer Southeast Asia journey.

I’ve included tips for how to get around and where to book tickets in advance so you can spend more time enjoying Singapore and less time queueing.

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2 Day Singapore Itinerary at a Glance

To save you scrolling, here’s a quick look at how I’d spend 2 days in Singapore. There are more details below.

Day 1 – Marina Bay Icons and Evening Lights

Day 2 – Cultural Neighbourhoods and Night Adventure

You can download this outline as a PDF to keep here

Large Olympic rings sculpture with "Olympic Walk" sign in front of a waterfront and modern skyscrapers—a must-see spot on any 2 Day Singapore Itinerary.

Day 1 – Marina Bay Icons and Evening Lights

Morning:

  • Merlion Park – Start your day with photos of Singapore’s iconic Merlion statue. The best time to visit is early morning to avoid crowds and enjoy cooler weather. (Nearest MRT: Raffles Place)
  • Take a leisurely walk across the Jubilee Bridge to the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. Marvel at the durian-shaped architecture and soak in the artsy atmosphere.
  • Cross the Helix Bridge for some fantastic photo opportunities and great views of Marina Bay.
  • Immerse yourself in the greenery of Gardens by the Bay. Visit either the Flower Dome or Cloud Forest, or if you prefer, take a stroll along the Supertree Grove Skywalk for an overhead view.
    You can also just find a peaceful spot and relax. I once spent a couple of very jet-lagged hours laying here enjoying the view.

Lunch:

  • Have lunch at Satay by the Bay, where you can enjoy satay and other local hawker centre favourites.
    Or if you prefer, head towards Marina Bay Sands and look for the food court in the basement of The Shoppes, grabbing lunch there.

Afternoon:

  • Wander through The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. Even if luxury shopping isn’t on your list, it’s perfect for some air-conditioned respite.
    Watch the gondolas on the indoor canal or admire the Rain Oculus (especially during an afternoon downpour). Don’t miss the floating Apple and Louis Vuitton stores on the water.
  • Head outside to visit the ArtScience Museum, where you can enjoy the interactive exhibits. You have plenty of time since it stays open until 7 pm, so no need to rush!

Dinner:

  • For dinner, explore more of the dining options at Marina Bay Sands. You could even book a table at LAVO on the 57th floor, combining your meal with spectacular views of the skyline.

Evening:

  • Don’t miss the fabulous Garden Rhapsody light show over at Gardens by the Bay. You could also catch the Spectra Light & Water Show at Marina Bay, a dazzling display of lights, lasers, and water effects. (If you have to choose one, make it Garden Rhapsody)
  • End your evening by heading up to the SkyPark Observation Deck or relax at a rooftop bar to soak in the panoramic night views of the city.
A brightly coloured two-storey building in Singapore's Little India

Day 2 – Cultural Neighbourhoods and Night Adventure

Morning:

  • Start today with breakfast the Singaporean way – kaya toast. To enjoy it in a traditional shophouse, make your way to Tong Ah Eating House on the outskirts of Chinatown. If that’s too far out of your way, stop at a Ya Kun Kaya Toast (there’s one right next to Maxwell MRT station) or one of the other popular breakfast chains to get your kaya toast.
  • Spend the rest of the morning exploring Chinatown, known for it’s temples, markets and colourful atmosphere. Either go it alone or join in a walking tour like this one to learn more about what you are seeing.

Lunch:

  • Get lunch at Maxwell Food Centre, one of the best known hawker centres in Singapore. It’s well known as the home of Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, but the lines can be long, and the chicken rice at the other stalls is good too.
  • Want to follow in Lady Gaga’s footsteps at Maxwell? Find table 174 and look out for the seat with stickers on the leg. Order a Milo Dinosaur from the drink stand called SMH adjacent the table.

Afternoon:

  • After lunch head over to Little India (walk to Chinatown MRT, purple line to Little India station) and spend some time exploring another of the ethnic neighbourhoods. If you’re looking to pick up a bargain, head to the chaos of the Mustafa Centre where you can find everything. For a snack, wander through the Tekka Centre where the delicious Indian smells will tempt you.
  • Depending on how long you spend in Little India, you may also like to visit Kampong Glam, the Arab and Malay quarter of Singapore.

Dinner:

Both Little India and Kampong Glam have many delicious food options you can choose for dinner, depending on where you are.

Evening:

  • If you’re still full of energy and want more, the Night Safari is a unique way to spend the evening.
  • Alternatively, head on over to Clarke Quay to experience the Singapore night life.
Night view of a city riverside with illuminated buildings, colorful lights reflecting on the water, and a boat passing by in the foreground—a perfect scene to capture on your 2 Day Singapore Itinerary.

Practical Tips for Your 2 Day Singapore Trip

Where to Stay

For a short visit, it’s best to base yourself somewhere central so you don’t waste time getting around. Marina Bay puts you right in the middle of the action, Chinatown is great for food and culture, and Clarke Quay works well if you want nightlife on your doorstep.

Getting Around

The MRT is fast, clean, and easy to use – you’ll get just about everywhere you need. For late nights or spots a little further out, Grab (the local rideshare app) is cheap and reliable.

Book Ahead

With only two days, you don’t want to waste time in queues. Pre-book popular attractions like Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, Gardens by the Bay, and the Night Safari so you can just turn up and enjoy.

Packing Tip

Singapore is hot and humid year-round. Light, breathable clothes and comfy walking shoes will make your days much easier. Don’t forget a refillable water bottle – there are free refill stations around the city.

More Singapore Itineraries

If you’ve got more (or less) time in Singapore, check out my other detailed guides:

These posts consider the different timeframes so you can plan the perfect trip, no matter how long you’re in Singapore.

TRAVEL PLANNING ESSENTIALS

Find flights – I always use Skyscanner as my starting point when searching for flights. One search will give many options including airlines I may not have thought of. This means I can find the best possible flights to suit my needs

Book accommodation – my go to is always Booking.com for the best places to stay. It’s not just hotels anymore, but hostels, apartments, B&Bs and more. I love that the bookings are usually cancellable, and that I can book now and pay later.

Hire a rental car – RentalCars.com is my go to here. It allows me to do just one search and it finds cars from many of the different supplies, so no checking multiple websites to compare.

Get travel insurance – you would have heard by now that saying “if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel”. If we’ve learnt anything from the last couple of years it should be how essential travel insurance is. I use CoverMore for my insurance.

Pick up an eSIM – I tried an eSIM on my last trip and it was fantastic. I set it up before I went so it was ready as soon as I landed, and I still had access to my home number for emergencies. Get your own eSIM at Airalo.

Book activities, tours & attractions – I use a few different websites for this. Viator and Get Your Guide tend to be the first places I look. In Asia, Klook often has more options, and in Australia it’s Experience Oz.

Manage your money – the best way to manage your different currencies is with an account from Wise. You can hold money in many different currencies, and use them with the ATM card or from your phone.

Josie Kelsh

Josie will help you to plan your next trip filled with bucket list experiences balanced with budget travel. She discovered travel in her late thirties, but since then has travelled extensively, visiting more than 60 countries and taking an adult gap year. She is now based in Australia and loves sharing all she has learned about travelling on a budget but with the added comforts a Gen Xer requires.