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0203 944 2201It’s a common changeover for travellers making their way to far-flung places like Australia, Bali and New Zealand. While Changi is consistently voted one of the best airports in the world, the city beyond has plenty more to offer.
With its rich culture, modern architecture and Michelin-starred street food, Singapore is not just a place to change planes. It’s a destination in itself – and one well worth exploring before you continue your onward journey. So, if you’re planning a fleeting visit to Singapore, read our handy 24-hour itinerary for things to do in this exciting city-state.
Start your day by fuelling up with a traditional breakfast. Heap Seng Leong is one of the oldest coffee shops, or kopitiams, left in Singapore. It’s the perfect place to try kaya toast – a crispy, toasted sandwich filled with butter and coconut jam – kopi gu you, bulletproof coffee made with condensed milk.
Next, take a jump on the City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour. It’s the best way to navigate the city, ticking off the main attractions as you go. After about an hour, you’ll reach the Botanic Gardens. Spread over 60 acres, these serene and spectacular gardens are one of only three in the world to be given UNESCO World Heritage status – the other two being London’s Kew Gardens and the Padua Gardens in Italy. Spend some time strolling along the boardwalks, marvelling at the tropical flora.
At lunchtime, hop back on the bus and hit up one of the city’s many hawker centres. At these al fresco markets, you can sample local delicacies like chilli crab, hokkien mee and laksa, all at pocket-friendly prices.
As you journey Downtown after lunch, why not indulge in a spot of retail therapy? The bustling boulevard of Orchard Road is Singapore’s premier shopping street, where multiple malls house designer brands and independent local labels. Alternatively, you could make your way over to the iconic Gardens by the Bay. This futuristic nature park showcases plant life from around the world, with highlights including the Cloud Forest, the Flower Dome, and the jaw-dropping Supertree Grove.
Just a short walk from Gardens by the Bay, you’ll find Marina Bay Sands – Singapore’s most iconic resort. The Sands Sky Park, perched atop this 57-storey complex, offers unparalleled city views, and is a lovely spot to watch the sunset.
Fancy a bite to eat? Singapore has an incredible 52 Michelin-starred restaurants. So, having lunched like a local, it seems only fair that you treat yourself to a more extravagant dinner. There’s something to suit every palate, but our favourites are Odette and Candlenut. And no trip to Singapore would be complete without a visit to the famous Raffles Hotel. Once you’ve admired the lavish architecture, make a beeline for the legendary Long Bar and finish your night sipping a Singapore Sling, in the very place where it was invented.
If you want to stay longer, read about how to spend 72 hours in Singapore. Or find out more about our Singapore multi-centre holidays.