The Best Things to Do with 2 Hours in Singapore

If you ask me, there’s no such thing as ‘enough time in Singapore’. I’ve been spending a few weeks there each year for over a decade, and I still have an endless to-do list that always seems to be getting longer. Singapore is my favourite place in the world, and even though it seems tiny, the number of attractions and activities here is endless.

However, for many travellers, Singapore is a destination for short business trips or a long layover, leaving limited time to explore. But that’s ok, because with so much to offer, an excellent public transportation system, the superb tourist friendly infrastructure and this list, I guarantee that you can make the most of your half day off between meetings or eight hours before your connection flight, only to fall in love with this beautiful island and instantly start planning your next trip back.  

First up, here are my top three general tips: 

1. TAKE THE BUS

Don’t be afraid of using the bus! True, in most countries it’s not the most popular form of public transport among tourists (especially those on a tight schedule), but this is Singapore! The buses here are clean, spacious, perfectly air-conditioned, and they run on time. The bus system in Singapore is simple to navigate, and it is perfectly synced with most map apps. Many of the buses are double-deckers, and since most commuting distances are short, it’s a great way to see the island and enjoy the surrounding beautiful architecture and lush green tropical forest from an air-conditioned bubble. 

2. MIX AND MATCH 

I designed this list to cluster places together based on proximity, so if you have more than a couple of hours, you can visit a few destinations in a given area. 

3. CHECK THE SINGAPOREAN CALENDAR

Check the calendar for holidays. Singapore is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, and Singaporeans of all ethnicities absolutely love celebrating. The different neighbourhoods, temples, markets and communities take on a festive atmosphere with breathtaking light displays and decorations, performances, street fairs, speciality food stalls and parades ahead and during each holiday. Divali would be a perfect time to visit Little India; Chinese New Year in Singapore’s China Town is unforgettable; Hari Raya Aidilfitri sees the area around Geylang Serai bustling with families shopping, dancing and dining together; and Christmas decorations along Orchard Road are an iconic attraction in East Asia with visitors from around the region flocking to take the open-top double-decker bus along the avenue to shoot the perfect Instagram reel. 

Now you’re ready to design your itinerary!

Marina Bay

The mouth of the Singapore River is where many of the iconic landmarks you often see in pictures are located and where many visitors choose to begin their tour. It is quite close to the Central Business District (CBD) and home to the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre. So, if you’re in town for business, you’ll probably be staying in this area. 

MARINA BAY SANDS

Though relatively new, the most iconic building on the waterfront is Marina Bay Sands (MBS), and there’s so much to do inside:

At the end of the B2 level of the shopping mall, you will find a bustling, beautiful food court offering all the Singapore classics from kaya toast to seafood noodles, satay skewers and Cha Xiu Pork. This is a great place to sample some traditional local cuisine in an indoor, air-conditioned environment.

Be sure to stop by the Rain Oculus, designed by architect Moshe Safdie. At 22 metres in diameter, this magnificent acrylic bowl collects rainwater, dropping it down two floors in a hypnotising circular motion. It usually activates every hour on the hour, but it’s best to check with the mall’s information desk, also asking for an update on other attractions’ schedules, such as the musical light show that takes place each evening in front of MBS.

Head to the deck facing the waterfront and check out the water lily pond under the ArtScience Museum. In the late afternoon, you can patiently watch as the water lilies slowly close and go to sleep. A visit to the museum is also highly recommended. A short stroll along this deck will also make it very clear what the most popular form of physical exercise is on the island, as everyone seems to be jogging. If you’re also a jogger, join the crowd and circle the bay, passing by the Esplanade Theatre (the two round and spiky buildings that look like giant Durians), the famous Merlion – the symbol of Singapore. Catch happy hour in one of the waterfront bars for an ice-cold beer and a view of the joggers and the sunset. 

The shining glass sphere resting on the water is the most beautiful Apple store in Asia. If you are an Apple user, check out the schedule and join one of their photography workshops where they take you on a tour of Marina Bay to stop in all the best photo spots and show you the best angles to get the perfect shot. After the tour, you’ll head back to the store to learn how to process your photos and get those perfect Instagram posts. The Apple store on Orchard Road also offers a great photo tour where you visit the neighbouring alleys with their traditional, colourful architecture and hidden bars and boutiques. It’s a great way to explore while learning some photography skills. 

 

Feeling inspired? Check the latest Singapore stay offers.

TAKE A DUCK TOUR

If you're having a hard time choosing between a bus tour and a boat tour, just take a DUCKtour and enjoy the best of both worlds. This 60-minute tour includes 30 minutes on land and 30 minutes in the water in a unique vehicle that can only be described as a bus-boat (or a boat-bus...). It gets you up close to all the iconic Singapore landmarks and offers some beautiful views of the bay, but the highlight is undoubtedly the moment this bus hits the water and sets sail. It’s a fun activity for all ages, and if you’re still in a playful mood when it finishes, make your inner child even happier with a ride on the Singapore Flyer, because who can say no to a Ferris wheel?

GARDENS BY THE BAY

Singapore loves its gardens, and there are some impressive ones to visit across the island, each with its own unique charm. Gardens by the Bay are the more modern, integrating the beauty of nature with futuristic architecture and spectacular light displays. The gardens are beautiful in the daytime, when you can enjoy the lush greenery, treetop canopy walk, and fantastic view of the bay, but are also worth a visit at night, when the Avatar-like Supertrees and the glass domes are lit, creating the dreamy phantasy-world spectacle seen in the film Crazy Rich Asians. 

For a special experience, visit the gardens in the afternoon and visit the Flower Dome last, where you will find the beautiful one-Michelin-starred Marguerite, perfectly blending into its surroundings and using many of the edible plants from the gardens in its menus. You’ll start your meal in daylight overlooking the bay, then the sun will set, and you’ll walk out into the famous nightscape after an incredible culinary journey. 

The Civic District

If you’re staying at The Capitol Kempinski Hotel, then lucky you, because this will be your neighbourhood. You’ll get a true sense of colonial-era splendour and elegance, and the hotel building itself is worth exploring, while architecture buffs will revel in simply strolling along the shaded streets.

Some of Singapore’s most important and interesting museums are also located in this area, including the National Gallery, the Asian Civilisations Museum, and the National Museum of Singapore, to name but a few. Since your time is limited, here are my top two picks:

1. PERANAKAN MUSEUM

If you really want to understand who the people of Singapore are, where they come from, and what it is about their culture that makes them so unique, the Peranakan Museum is the place to start. Understanding Peranakan culture will add so much depth to your visit, and everything you will see in Singapore will have a meaning, from the patterns on building tiles to the colours chosen for fabric, all the way to the food, and even the prints on the uniforms of Singapore Airlines flight attendants. 

2. SINGAPORE ART MUSEUM

Located in a former Catholic school, Singapore Art Museum (SAM) is not about the past – it’s all about the present. With frequently changing contemporary art exhibitions, SAM is one of the most important art hubs in Asia. Check out the events calendar, as you are very likely to catch an opening, a lecture, a symposium or a workshop open to the public. It’s a highly interactive experience, where visitors are encouraged to explore and sometimes even complete hands-on tasks to interact with the art. If a school is having a field trip to the museum on the day you visit, you’re in for an extra fun experience as you get to watch the pupils complete treasure hunt tasks and collect tokens while discovering and getting excited about art. The very young ones may even ask you for some help, so don’t hesitate to join in the fun.  

3. CHIJMES

This district is also home to Chijmes, a beautifully restored historic building originally built in the 19th century as a convent school. Since being converted into a stunning events space, its dramatic Gothic-style architecture makes it a popular wedding venue in Singapore. 

Though it may seem like you are stepping into church grounds, you will soon find that the buildings surrounding the lawn are home to a vibrant collection of bars, cafes and restaurants. It’s a fun place to catch happy hour, sitting outside on a recliner or a beanbag, enjoying the evening air and maybe some live music. 

Haji Lane and Arab Street

Step through this street art and graffiti-covered narrow alley to enter the colourful old Muslim quarter, with the impressive Sultan Mosque at its centre. Here you will find the best Middle Eastern restaurants in Singapore, including Turkish, Lebanese, Egyptian and Syrian cuisine. This is a great place to shop for souvenirs and handicrafts, select your own fragrance in one of the essential oils and perfume shops, then have an excellent biryani or roti prata in the renowned Zamzam restaurant.

Finish your walk with a cold beer or a frozen margarita in one of the bars on Haji Lane if you’re into a more casual vibe and some people watching, or cross Ophir Road and head to the super stylish, award-winning ATLAS for a well-crafted, sophisticated cocktail by a master mixologist, amidst its high ceilings and dramatic decor.

Katong and Joo Chiat

This is Singapore’s first Heritage Town, the heart of the island’s Peranakan culture, the essence of Malacca tastes, scents, colours and sounds, and home of the legendary Katong Laksa. Here you will find the most famous visual signature of Singapore – the colourful shophouses with their bright pinks, greens and blues, lacquer-painted windows and doors, and elaborate patterned floor tiles. A true Singapore postcard photo is taken in these alleys. 

GEYLAND SERAI

To give your senses a proper Southeast Asia blast, start in the Geylang Serai Wet Market. Try to visit in the morning when people are shopping for lunch ingredients, or in the late afternoon when they are shopping for dinner. Lunchtime will be quiet as many of the stall owners break for a meal and a nap. Here you’ll find everything from fresh fish and seafood to an abundance of fantastic fruit and vegetables, herbs, spices, sauces, rice, pastry and mouthwatering Southeast Asian desserts. If looking at all the food makes you hungry, head to the west end of the market, where you will find a large food court with delicious dishes made with all the fresh ingredients you just saw. It’s a great place to eat satay skewers, and don't miss one of the most iconic Malay desserts – Chendol – a sweet, icy cup of goodness made of coconut milk, pandan leaf and gula Melaka (palm sugar). My favourite one is on the second floor, at the top of the escalator.

JOO CHIAT ROAD

Cross the street and head south on Joo Chiat Road. Your Peranakan architecture adventure starts here. Each shophouse is unique, and many of them house traditional stores or modern boutiques, design studios and espresso bars. Joo Chiat Terrace, Joo Chiat Place, Everitt Road and Koon Seng Road are all beautiful streets off Joo Chiat Road that are worth exploring for some great street art, local designer shops and more fabulous architecture. 

Chinatown

Singapore’s Chinatown is not to be missed. You can visit a hundred times and see a different facet every time. It is also very close to the CBD, so if you’re in town for business and have a couple of hours to explore between meetings, you can see a bit of everything, right here – temples, markets, swanky bars, stunning architecture, hawker food or Michelin stars, it's all in Chinatown. 

BUDDHA TOOTH RELIC TEMPLE 

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is a Chinese Buddhist cultural complex where you can find a collection of small exhibitions introducing Buddhist culture, art, philosophy and craftsmanship. This modern temple is a towering red building that is beautifully designed and decorated. Head to the roof for a stroll in a small sky garden where you can relax and enjoy a peaceful moment in the middle of a bustling metropolis while taking in the views of Chinatown. There is also a small vegetarian food court in the temple where you can enjoy a light meal. 

TEMPLE STREET

Temple Street is a cook’s paradise and one of the most popular shopping streets in Singapore, with both tourists and locals coming to find a great bargain. While the elderly Chinese ladies will be frequenting the Traditional Chinese Medicine stores or comparing prices of dried noodles, home cooks and professional chefs get that child-in-Disneyland look in their eyes when they enter the many kitchenware stores. Whether it’s bamboo steamers, porcelain rice bowls, a good cleaver or a heavy-duty butcher block you are in the market for, this is the place to get it.

AMOY STREET

A walk down Amoy Street captures the essence of Chinese wealth in old Singapore. The architecture here is fantastic, and the street is now home to some of Singapore’s more refined and exclusive restaurants and bars. While in the evening it is a place to dress up, see and be seen, in the daytime it offers a quiet and peaceful moment surrounded by culture and history. You can be your own tour guide by reading the plaques and introduction signs that are everywhere. Take the stairway between numbers 67 and 66 and head up An Siang Hill to An Siang Park while learning about one of the most prominent Chinese families in Singapore's history.

MAXWELL FOOD CENTRE

One of Singapore’s oldest and most famous food courts is Maxwell Food Centre. Despite being a popular tourist destination, it’s still packed with locals queuing most of the day, which is always a good sign. In the 1950s, Maxwell Centre was a wet market that evolved into the fragrant, bustling hawker centre it is today. Here is the place to try Singapore cuisine classics like Hainanese chicken rice, Fuzhou Oyster Cakes, seafood or fish congee, Teochew Fishball Bak Chor Mee and Shanghainese dim sum. 

If you see a long line of teary-eyed youngsters queuing to have their picture taken on one particular stool next to one particular table (some even kneeling in prayer once they reach it), it’s not because they’re happy to have found a seat. This is the chair that Lady Gaga sat on when she visited Maxwell for a quick meal with her entourage after her epic Mayhem concert on 20 May 2025. 

There is so much more to do in Singapore, from island hopping on a private yacht to wandering through mangrove forests in Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, strolling the long boardwalk of West Coast Park, hiking in a tropical forest around the MacRitchie Reservoir Park, enjoying thousands of blooming orchids, sun-bathing turtles and a canopy walk in the Singapore Botanic Gardens or spending a whole day of aquatic, aerial, high-speed and sun-drenched adventures on Sentosa Island. But like we said at the start, this is a quick guide for travellers on a tight schedule. So, treat it like an appetiser, because once you've been captivated by the magic of this island, you’ll no doubt decide to come back for more. 

FAQ

Can you see Singapore in 2 hours?
Yes, you can get a great snapshot of Singapore in just 2 hours. Focus on one key area, like Marina Bay or Chinatown, and explore top sights, sample local cuisine, or take a quick walking tour. With efficient public transport, it’s easy to enjoy the highlights even on a tight schedule.

What can I do during a short layover in Singapore?
During a short layover, visit attractions near the city centre such as Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, or the Civic District’s museums. If you prefer local flavour, try a food court like Maxwell Food Centre or explore the colourful streets of Haji Lane. Singapore’s compact size and fast transport make quick adventures easy.

If you enjoyed this, get a taste for Singapore and other foodie destinations in this piece about immersive dining experiences.