24 hour layover in Singapore? Where you should go
- Life in a suitcase
- Apr 29, 2022
- 7 min read
Updated: May 2, 2022
This post is to help and inspire those who have a short layover in Singapore and want to see some of the best parts of the city before departing for their onward journeys. These are my suggestions and are not an exhaustive list of things you can do, however I hope it gives you some insight to the things I recommend and helps to inspire your short time here.
So, you have a couple of hours in Singapore? I have made a small guide to help you make the most out of your time here. This blog post will outline some of the cities most popular attractions and places to eat, as well as some places off the beaten tourist track for those who want to experience something a little different, or for those who have seen the tourist spots before!
Marina Bay Sands
Experience one of the most famous places in Singapore
One of the most popular areas in Singapore has to be Marina Bay Sands. As well as featuring the magnificent Marina Bay Hotel, the Art Science Museum, the theatre, the shoppes and a wide range of restaurants and bars, the area sits on one of the most beautiful city bays to see. What to do:
Take a walk around Marina Bay
Hop of the MRT at Bayfront MRT station (exit C&D). This MRT station will take you to the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. Exit the Shoppes and walk out onto the Bayfront. Here, you can take a walk around the bay, passing the infamous Louis Vuitton and Apple store. Stroll round by Fullerton Bay Hotel, and across the street you will see the big Fullerton Hotel, once home to the general post office. Next, you can walk over Esplanade Bridge and come across the best photography and viewing spot of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel (and thee Merlion). After this, you can continue to walk passed the theatre. By this point you might be hungry, but you'll probably need to stop for a hydrating drink!
At 4pm, Gluttons by the Bay food court opens. This food court right on the bay offers some great food, local to Singapore, and a chance for a sit down and a refreshing drink. However, although not as expensive as some places, you will find this food court more expensive than others in Singapore due to its prime location.
Once you have had a break, carry on walking around the bay to the helix bridge, where you will see the Marina Bay float. The float is where many events are held, such as National Day Parades. The F1 street circuit also passes through here! Once you have made it over the helix bridge, you will find yourself back in front of the Marina Bay Sands Shoppes. Time to for some shopping and aircon!
Shopping at the Shoppes
This mall is one of the most beautiful shopping experiences in Singapore. However, don't go expecting your high street stores in this mall. The Shoppes are full of high end designer stores. However, even if you aren't interested in shopping, the mall is a must see, with its beautiful interior and even a mock Venice canal running through it, with boats to take a trip on. Oh, and don't forget to see the waterfall inside the mall!
Food and Drink in Marina Bay
For the views:
$$$ Lavo
This restaurant and bar offers a great dining experience, with the bar having a more lively atmosphere on Friday's and Saturdays. The restaurant also has a rooftop bar offering some of the best views over the CBD and the Bay.
$$$ Ce La Vie
This bar also offers some of the best views, situated on the other end of the hotel. However, this bar has a little more party atmosphere for those who want that.
$$$ Spago
Book a table in the outside bar that is located behind the famous Marina Bay Sands infinity pool. This bar has a lounge bar atmosphere, offering incredible views of the infinity pool and the bay.
$$$ Level 33
This restaurant has a great atmosphere and it great for dining.
For the food:
$$$ Koma
This restaurant is an Asian Fusion restaurant. It is located inside the the Shoppes. However, make sure you book this restaurant early because it books quickly!
$-$$$
There are also a range of great restaurants along the bay and outside the Shoppes.
Gardens by the Bay
A great option for those who love being outdoors, but also want to see the views.
If you are prepared to get hot, Gardens by the Bay is a beautiful place to walk around and immerse yourself in nature whilst being in the centre of the city. The bay offers some beautiful views and a different perspective of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel.
Here, you can see the famous Gardens by the Bay SuperTree's and do the treetop walk to see MBS from higher up!
You can also by tickets to see attractions such as the indoor cloud forest, Flower Dome, and the SuperTree observatory.
As well as this, there is also a bar and restaurant in the SuperTree's.
Orchard Road
If you want to see Singapore's busiest and main shopping streets and are ready for lots of shopping and food, go to Orchard Road.
Singapore is known for its shopping and huge malls. Head to Orchard MRT and experience some of the best malls in Singapore.
Ion Orchard
Ion shopping mall offers 9 floors of shopping and food, with both high end designer stores and high-street stores. Here you can find your favourite clothing and jewellery shops, as well as well known makeup stores such as Sephora. On road level outside the mall is a great view of some of the bigger designer stores.
Usual opening hours until 10pm.
Walk along Orchard Road
Walk along Orchard Road for great views of all the malls. You will also be able to find places to eat and drink such as Starbucks, Shake Shack, P.S Cafe, Hans Im Gluck, Wild Honey, Merci Marcel, and Din Tai Fung.
Joo Chiat
See Singapore's shop houses, eat some great food and shop in some unique independent stores.
A slightly less touristy attraction to visit is Joo Chiat on the East Coast of Singapore. Joo Chiat is beautiful and is a great idea to visit if you have limited time and are staying on the East Coast near the airport.
Shophouses
The shophouses date back to the 1920's. These beautiful Peranakan shophouses can be found in Joo Chiat, with beautiful pastel colours.
Street Art
There is street art all over Singapore, as well as in Joo Chiat. Take a stroll to some of the best street art in Joo Chiat.
Independent Shops
Joo Chiat is great for discovering some beautiful independent shops with unique things. The shops also offer some great memorabilia of Singapore. Walk down Joo Chiat Road and you will come across lots of shops. Some of the shops to visit: -
Cat Socrates - Gift shop
Singapore Trading Post - Furniture shop
A Vintage Tale - Vintage clothing shop
Tiger and Arcadia - Boutique
Food and Drink
Joo Chiat also offers some lovely independent restaurants and cafes.
Tiong Bahru
Experience this quirky, art deco place with lots of cafes, independent shops and photo opportunities.
Architecture and street art
Once a housing estate in Singapore, Tiong Bahru is now a quirky place to spend a few hours exploring the hidden gems. The pre-war designs of Tiong Bahru are a form of streamline Moderne which belongs to the later development of the art deco architecture. Therefore, Tiong Bahru has some fascinating architecture to check out. Make sure you wonder around the neighbourhood to see the back of the buildings and to find the hidden wall art gems.
Shops
Tiong Bahru is also home to some unique shops such as the "Cat Socrates" gift shop and the "Woods in the Books" book shop.
Food and Drink
Tiong Bahru food court $
This food court is one of the best food courts I have been to. It offers so many food options, at good, cheap prices.
Merci Marcel $$
This French restaurant has great food and has both indoor and outdoor seating.
P.S Cafe Petit $$
This small P.S cafe has great food and offers indoor seating as well as a small courtyard outdoor seating. If you like truffle fries, go here!
Tiong Bahru Bakery $$
Plain Vanilla $$
Maxwell Food Centre and ChinaTown
One of the popular food courts in Singapore, located closely to ChinaTown
Maxwell Food Centre
Food hawkers are very big in Singapore, and if you want to try out some of the local food for good, cheap prices, I highly recommend going to a food hawker.
Once a wet market in the 1920's, Maxwell Food Centre is a now popular hawker location closely to ChinaTown, and offers a wide range of food.
Some of the popular food stalls you can try:
Hainanese Curry Rice
Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice
Sisaket Thai Food
Tong Xin Ju Special Shanghai Tim Sum
Ramen Taisho
Once you have eaten at Maxwell Food Centre, you can walk over to ChinaTown. Here you can immerse yourself in Singapore's cultural diversity and visit places such as the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum. Walk around ChinaTown by foot and you will be able to experience the area to its fullest.
Lau Pa Sat
Another popular food court situated in the heart of the CBD and not far from Marina Bay.
Lau Pa Sat was built in 1824 as a fish market on what was once the coastal road of Singapore (Beach Road). The market is one of the oldest Victorian building structures in South East Asia and is the only market left in Singapore that served the residents in this district in early Singapore.
This hawker is one of the most stunning historical buildings in Singapore, both inside and outside. Head to Lau Pa Sat at night when the satay stalls are open on the road and the road is closed for the tables and chairs to be set up outside. This hawker has one of the best atmospheres at night. Again, it is slightly more pricey than other hawkers price wise, but for the experience it is definitely worth it.
Singapore Zoo
If you want to see some wildlife
Singapore Zoo is located in the north of Singapore and is a rainforest zoo argued to be one of the best in the world.
As well as seeing all the animals there, you can also see the feeding of the animals. One of the more unique experiences the zoo has to offer is the Night Safari and the River Safari which you can also book.
Raffles Hotel
Visit the Raffles Hotel to see the stunning architecture and visit some unique restaurants and cafes.
Raffles Hotel is a colonial building and is one of the last 19th century buildings of its kind. It was built in 1887 and was named after Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore who was believed to have stepped onto Singapore shores in 1819. After this, the property remained a popular landmark for over a century. Aside from it's incredible history and beautiful architecture, Raffles Hotel is home to some of the best restaurants and bars in the area.
Food and Drink
The Tiffin Room $$$ (North Indian Cuisine)
The Grand Lobby $$$ (Raffles Afternoon Tea)
Bars
The Long Bar $$$ (Home of the Singapore Sling)
Raffles Courtyard $$$
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