She’s not just a little red dot – she’s Singapore. Yes, we’re only about 744.3 km², and rank number 20 on the list of smallest countries in the world, but there’s so much more to see and do than the official travel guides recommend, from unique things to do in Singapore to hidden hawker gems.
Whether you’re a tourist who’s here on a layover, or a bored Singaporean looking for new adventures locally, here are 3 variations of a 1-day Singapore itinerary that’s sure to keep you on your toes – for the foodie, the culture and history buff, and the adventurous friend.
Table of Contents
Image credit: Eatbook
Start your day in the Singapore heartlands at none other than Toa Payoh West Market & Food Centre, where you’ll have breakfast with the locals and have a pick of some really famous names in the hawker scene. Think Tian Tian Lai Hokkien Mee, AKA Come Daily Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee, and Chey Sua Carrot Cake, which dishes up absolutely crisp-edged white carrot cake.
There’s also Grandpa Homemade Cheung Fun, with their striking pink rolls of steamed rice noodles, made with stone-milled rice flour, which you can wash down with freshly made tau huey and soya milk at Pure Soya Bean.
Image credit: Eatbook
Take a walk around the historic Toa Payoh, which was established as the first town centre in Singapore. Look for the iconic Dragon Playground in front of Block 28, Lorong 6 Toa Payoh — built in 1979 and immortalised in many pieces of Singapore memorabilia. If you’re feeling peckish, Wang Lee Cafe serves up some TikTok-viral kaya toast and a mean bowl of chilli ban mian. If you find yourself in the city, they’ve even opened up a second outlet in Bencoolen too. Just take note that both outlets are closed on Thursdays if you’re planning to swing by for a bite.
We’re heading next to Bugis, where you can try your hand at making ang ku kueh at Ji Xiang Ang Ku Kueh on Bugis Street, and stroll down Haji Lane while you’re in the area; don’t miss Tarik, whose teh tarik might be one of Singapore’s best.
Image credit: Eatbook
For some respite from the city, step into Tea Chapter in Chinatown. It’s Singapore’s oldest teahouse, and you could attend a tea appreciation workshop here, or simply have a cuppa. Alternatively, you can check out Yuen Yeung Desserts at Tanjong Pagar for HK-style desserts, both classic and modern, and get Singapore’s first traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-inspired BBT at Amacha to go.
Then, head east to Joo Chiat, where – if your stomach has room – you should definitely pick up a Peanut Butter Coffee ($6.50) or Coconut Coffee ($6.50) at Bee Hoe Coffee, which is hidden down a back alley. With that, it’s off to The Intan House, an actual residence that’s been dedicated to Peranakan artifacts.
Join a private tour of the collection, led by the collector himself, and combine it with a traditional Nyonya tea session, lunch, or dinner.
Image credit: Seek Sophie via Google
Hop over to House of Melissa, a historical property dating back to the 1920s along Changi Village, to join their Kill Your Own Dinner experience, where you’ll learn how to harvest honey and respectfully kill aquatic livestock, then make your own pasta for dinner, paired with bespoke cocktails.
Image credit: The Morning Table – Pottery Workshop via Pelago
If you’ve been wanting to try your hand at pottery and indulge in traditional Nanyang breakfast, there’s The Morning Table over at Geylang, where Meso Ceramics offers a 3-hour workshop where you get to make a plate, kopi cup, and egg bowl for your favourite local breakfast dishes. It’s SG Culture Pass eligible and has a maximum of 8 people per booking, so bookmark this spot for your next friend group outing.
Image credit: Eatbook
For a truly memorable dining experience to cap off your 1-day Singapore itinerary, head to Smith Marine Floating Restaurant, which involves a short 10-minute ferry ride from Changi Point Ferry Terminal to a floating kelong. Here, you’ll get to feast on the freshest seafood, and even try your hand at catching your own dinner from the surrounding waters.
Of course, if this is a little too off-the-beaten-track for you, there are loads of other unique dining experiences in Singapore that you can consider.
Image credit: @tkpotteryjungle via Instagram
Start bright and early in western Singapore, at Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle – home to one of Singapore’s oldest surviving brick-built kilns, AKA a dragon kiln. Built in the 1940s, this wood-firing kiln bellows with fire, reaching temperatures of up to 1,300°C, resulting in pottery that has an entirely different look than those that are fired in gas or electric kilns.
Besides shopping for their unique pieces, you could even try your hand at creating your own clay bowl too.
The Potter’s Garden
Just next door, head on over to The Potter’s Garden, which was the former Jurong Eco-Garden and was renamed to pay homage to the rich pottery history in Jurong. With shaded pathways that are lined with ceramic pieces by local artists, it makes for a refreshing spot for a day out.
Head south to Haw Par Villa, Singapore’s oldest theme park, which also happens to be the backdrop for their Hell’s Museum. Journey through the 10 Courts of Hell exhibit and look out for Haw Ror Villa, just in time for Halloween – or if you’re just an avid horror fan.
*Haw Par Villa is partially closed for maintenance and repair works, but Hell’s Museum is still fully open.
Image credit: Beyond Expeditions
Instead of visiting Universal Studios Singapore, go on a time travel adventure tour in the form of Attack At Fort Serapong!, an interactive tour of an abandoned fortress from which the British Army defended Singapore during World War 2. You’ll need to put your thinking cap on, because there are missions to complete, and prizes to be won.
For something more tame, head to Chinatown for the Triad Trails Tour, with first-hand accounts from ex-gang members themselves, who have now turned over a new leaf. This walking tour takes you around Chinatown, uncovering the history behind Singapore’s triads and secret societies, and you can choose to have a meal with these former triad members themselves.
There’s also the option of a walking-tour-only if you prefer something a bit more relaxed. For $60, it runs from 3.30pm to 5.30pm primarily on Saturdays, and is SG Culture Pass eligible too.
Image credit: @866l1181 via Instagram
A long time ago, Singapore was a sleepy fishing village, and you can time travel back to the 1950s when you visit Kampong Lorong Buangkok, AKA Singapore’s last mainland kampong. Originally a patch of swampland, it was purchased by a traditional Chinese medicine seller who turned it into a little village – and it still stands today, with families still living here who pay incredibly low rents ranging from $4.50 to $30/month.
We’re starting the day strong with a trek through abandoned World War 2 tunnels in Marsiling. This adventurous trek takes you through bunkers that stood through British rule, the fall of Singapore, and underwent further expansion under the Japanese regime. Best to skip this tour if you’re afraid of the dark, creepy crawlies, and enclosed spaces.
For a trip above ground, go for a Vespa sidecar heritage tour and pick from one of 3 routes: around Joo Chiat and Katong, Kampong Glam and the CBD, or scoot around Singapore. Whichever you pick, you can be sure that you’re getting a view of the city that’s unlike any other – how many people do you know can claim to have sat in a Vespa sidecar?
Daredevils take note: Slingshot Singapore claims to be Asia’s tallest catapult ride that’ll launch you 70m into the sky at an eye-watering 160km/h. If you’d like things just a notch slower, there’s the GX-5 Extreme Swing that goes at a slightly tamer 120km/h. We’d advise against having a heavy meal before taking these rides.
If you’d like your freefall to be less impeded, we’ve also got your back: cue the AJ Hackett Bungy Jump at Skypark Sentosa, also home to the Sentosa Giant Swing that hits speeds of up to 120km/h. But we digress – the AJ Hackett bungee lets you take that leap of faith off a 47m-tall platform with panoramic views of the island and sea.
You could even opt to bottom out your plunge in a 3.5m-deep pool – if you so desired.
Adrenaline junkies, there’s more in store for you – head over to AltitudeX Singapore, AKA one of the world’s largest wind tunnels at 5 storeys tall. Experience all the thrill that skydiving has to offer, without having to get on a plane. Each session lasts about 1.5 hours, with each flight inside the tunnel lasting 45 seconds, so prepare yourself for a time of thrill when you’re here.
Image credit: Klook
If you’ve got some sturdy sea legs, head far east to Pasir Ris, where you can join a guided kayak fishing tour that’ll take you around the Singapore coast, winding around Pulau Ubin and passing by some of our last remaining kelongs. The fun doesn’t end there: you’ll get a crash course in fishing with live bait, and souvenirs in the form of your literal catch of the day.
Image Credit: Rooftop Farm Experience at The Sundowner via Klook
Nestled aroundat Bukit Timah Hill, this next activity might just motivate you to get in touch with nature more. Try out the farm experience at The Sundowner, located at the Old Bukit Timah Fire Station, features organic gardening and gives you a chance to observe rescued native honeybees and learn about their lives.
To top it all off, you’ll even get to try an authentic farm-to-table experience which includes crafting your own cocktail.
Even if nothing on this list sparks your fancy, you can easily dedicate an entire day to exploring Singapore on foot, thanks to an abundance of walking and hiking trails catering to all difficulty levels – there’s a 150km trek if you’re game. There’s nothing like getting around on your two feet to get to know a country better, even if you’re Singaporean born and bred.
Singapore isn’t boring, as this list of activities proves. Feel free to mix and match things to do across all the categories – we’re sure your weekends will be packed with things to do for a good long while. And if you’re a visitor to our little island, you’ll find yourself with a Singapore itinerary unlike most other tourists’, no matter how you spend your one day in Singapore.
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Cover image adapted from: Pelago, Seek Sophie, and @tkpotteryjungle via Instagram
Last published in May 2025. Last updated by Abigail Buligan on 15th October 2026.
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