Whilst we’d all love to spend as much time as possible in the incredible destinations that spark our wanderlust. but if time is your enemy, never fear as you can make the most of 24 hours in Singapore. FOMO be gone as we round up the highlights to enjoy a day and night in the Lion city.
With its fascinating blend of cultures, Singapore is an ideal place for a city break offering something for pretty much any type of traveller. Singapore effortlessly blends creativity, innovation and heritage in one tiny city-state. It is so much more than just a place to idle away your stopover en route to far-flung destinations and is 100% worthy of a dedicated stay.
We’re here to make sure your 24 hours in Singapore is everything you want it to be and more. From the must-sees and places to eat, to nightlife essentials and architectural highlights – we have it covered.
Brunch at Canopy
Nature lovers will love the biophilic concept at Canopy. You can enjoy a hearty breakfast in the stunning surrounding gardens or sit inside as the sun rays radiate through the windows.
Brunch is available until 2pm, so if you have had a late night flight, you can rock up at midday and still enjoy a leisurely brunch. Get ready to be tantalised by the extensive menu which includes brunch, as well as pastas, burgers, pizzas and more.
Shop until you drop
You can’t go to Singapore and not shop! We are sure there’s an unwritten rule against it. The temperatures in Singapore can get pretty balmy, so there’s never been a better excuse than to escape the soaring sun and enjoy the air conditioned shops of Orchard Road and beyond.
In Singapore, when it comes to shopping – anything goes. You could be shopping in a quirky vintage store one minute and designer labels the next. One thing is for sure though – shopping in Singapore is an experience.
Orchard Road in particular is iconic in Singapore. This shopping mecca is one mile long and is home to a variety of shopping centres, flagship stores of some of the world’s best-known brands and more. Flat shoes and a reasonable budget is a must.
The intriguing library@orchard is a bookworm’s haven – why not while away an hour or two with your favourite book, but not too long – after all, you only have 24 hours! Vintage lovers and fans of quirky finds will adore the secondhand shop – Lucky Plaza. Providing an authentic Singapore experience, you will find all manner of treasures including some kitsch souvenir finds.
As well as the retail outlets, Orchard Road has a number of historic attractions like the Former House of Tan Yeok Nee and Emerald Hill. It is also a short distance from one of Singapore’s most-visited landmarks – the botanical gardens, so let’s mosey on over there now.
Singapore Botanical Gardens
A tranquil respite from the buzz of the city and a refreshing respite after your shopping extravaganza. Just a short meander from the shops, this UNESCO World Heritage site has a plethora of attractions like the National Orchid Garden where you can see the world’s largest collection of orchids – which includes 2000 hybrid orchids – we’d tell you it was ‘blooming marvellous’, but that’s probably a pun too far…
From feeding the swans at swan lake to taking a late afternoon stroll to Mingxin Foundation Rambler’s Ridge, a 350m long hiking trail that takes you to the highest point in the gardens which is 40 metres above sea level. It is home to trees that are endangered such as braided chestnut and the spike oak and makes for a lovely walk in nature.
If you have had enough of the great outdoors, then head inside to the Botanical Art Gallery which is housed in a refurbished building that was built in 1906. It is Singapore’s first permanent display of botanical art with more than 2,000 botanical paintings, sketches, photographs and more.
The exhibited work is a fantastic way to demonstrate how art can inspire a renewed appreciation of the natural world around us.
Dinner at Waku Ghin
Whether you are admiring the incredible decor which includes a two-tonne sculpture and some seriously impressive features like the sake bar/caviar lounge, Waku Ghin which is one of the top restaurants at the world-renowned Marina Bay Sands is a sight to behold.
If you are to have just one dinner during your 24 hours in Singapore, why not make it a two Michelin-starred feast for the senses? The decor is the epitome of a juxtaposition with hard metallic surfaces reflecting the chef’s love for Japanese knife-making fused with warm-coloured woods and illuminated flowing silk fabric – making this one of the most intriguing and on-trend restaurants to visit in Singapore.
Of course, the cuisine is as impressive as the elegant decor, expect dishes that have been crafted with fresh seasonal ingredients sourced from around the world that have been developed by world-renowned chef Tetsuya.
Afterwards head over to the nearby Gardens by the Bay for a nighttime stroll among the colourful greenery.
Gardens by the Bay
A visit to the world-renowned Gardens by the Bay is an absolute must when visiting Singapore for a day.
This one-of-a-kind landmark has been designed across over a hundred hectares of reclaimed land and is home to more than a million plants from around the world.
From the Flower Dome conservatory which includes the pièce de resistance, the Cloud Forest – a 35-metre tall mountain with a towering waterfall tumbling down. However, an Orbzii favourite which is even better at night are the stunning Supertrees which are absolutely breathtaking and are giving us Avatar-esque vibes and as darkness falls, visitors are treated to an impressive light and music display called Garden Rhapsody. Don’t miss it.
Ready to spend your 24 hours in Singapore well? The next step is to book your Singapore trip via the Orbzii app which will get you booked in to visit the Lion city in a matter of minutes.
