Cover Planning a weekend trip to Singapore? Our 48 hours guide includes the best restaurants, shops and sites to visit in the lion city (Photo: Unsplash)

From shopping at Orchard Road, Instagrammable museums and scrumptious delights, there's a lot to do in Singapore––here, we break down the best places to go in just 48 hours

Following the announcement of a travel bubble forming between Hong Kong and Singapore, you might be gearing up for your next travel getaway. If you're looking to plan a quick weekend trip, we're here to help––especially if you're looking to experience Singapore like a crazy rich Asian.

Our 48 hours guide covers shopping, dining, drinking and sightseeing to make sure that you get the most out of the lion city.

See also: Bucket List Travel: The Trips Our Editors Can't Wait To Take Post Pandemic

Friday

2:00 pm—Check into Naumi Hotel Singapore

Naumi Hotel Singapore is a chic boutique located in the city centre, it's the perfect designer living space for adventurous travellers who are longing for an authentic Singaporean experience. This artsy lodging is an unexpected oasis that combines modern minimalism with natural colours with a contemporary twist.

Choose from their six luxe room types that are categorised in different ambient moods for the rest and relaxation that you seek. For instance, their Coco Chanel room takes inspiration from the fashion icon who is known for her timeless elegance.

3:00 pm—Eat at Odette

After checking in, get some food at Odette, a three Michelin-starred restaurant located inside the National Gallery Singapore. Founded by French chef Julien Royer in 2015, the restaurant serves French cuisine with Asian influences which is perfect to try in Singapore––a global melting pot.

More than its delicious food, the restaurant also boasts beautiful aesthetics that reflects Chef Julien's culinary approach, a soft colour palette and decor that are elegant. The highlight of the interior is the glass-enclosed kitchen where you can see the chefs at work.

And if that isn't enough to convince you, Odette has kept its reign as the number one restaurant in the annual Asia's 50 Best Restaurant Award rankings.

See also: 9 Chic Boutique Hotels In Singapore

3:30 pm—National Museum of Singapore

After your meal, it's time to explore the area. Nearby is the National Museum of Singapore, which is not only Instagrammable thanks to its 19th century colonial exterior but it also uses cutting-edge technology to present the nation's legacy and development. Browse through its galleries and gain fascinating insights into Singapore's story. The museum itself is a cultural and architectural landmark worth visiting.

5:00 pm—National Gallery Singapore

Continue your art adventure at the National Gallery Singapore which houses the world's largest public collection of Singapore and Southeast Asian modern art. Like the global melting pot that it is, the museum reflects Singapore's unique heritage and geographical location, aiming to create dialogues between its own art and those of its neighbours.

The building's architecture is stunning with Greek-inspired designs that elegantly integrates the historical former Supreme Court and City Hall buildings. Yet its interiors are a direct contrast which helps maintain a masterful balance between heritage and modernity.

See also: How Tycoon He Jianfeng Is Re-energising China's Art Scene With The New He Art Museum

7:00 pm—Dinner at Red House Seafood

Dine at one of Singapore's oldest seafood restaurants, Red House Seafood which has become synonymous with Singapore's cuisine identity through the years. Their food integrates the essence of Malay, Indian and Peranakan flavours which reflects the nation's own cultural diversity.

The restaurant pairs fresh seafood with Asian flavours offering a wealth of seafood options divided into categories. Dip your tastebuds into the Lobster Pao Fan, the white pepper crab or the crispy cereal prawns for some finger-licking goodness.

9:00 pm—Wander around Clarke Quay

End your first day at Clarke Quay, a historical riverside quay located on the banks of the Singapore River. This place is filled with beautiful colonial-era establishments that are bustling with life, especially during the night. The old warehouses and storage facilities have been transformed into clubs and restaurants. If you want one downtime, a stroll alongside the riverside is also perfect to unwind after a long day.

See also: Singapore's Jigger & Pony Is Asia's No. 1 Bar In 2020

 

Saturday

9:00 am—Breakfast at Wild Honey at Mandarin Gallery

Start with a breakfast at Wild Honey at Mandarin Gallery to fuel you for the day ahead. With its floor to ceiling windows, you can enjoy exciting views of Singapore. Its design is reminiscent of a Brooklyn loft complete with reclaimed wood bar counter seating. Filled with elegant sofas and chairs conjuring up the image and feeling of home.

Their expansive all-day breakfast menu includes the classic French toast, Tahitian pancakes and the plant-based Eden burger. Good news for vegans, vegetarians and even those with gluten diets—you have options here too.

11:00 am—Wander around Orchard Road

After a hearty breakfast, it's time for shopping and there's no better place than Orchard Road. This bustling boulevard is a shopping haven, home to numerous luxury brands including Alexander Wang, Balenciaga and Prada. This area also has a cinema, art galleries, hotels and plenty of dining options to feast on.

See also: A Fashion Editor's Shopping Guide: The Best Local Brands And Malls In Singapore
 

1:00 pm—Lunch at Punjab Grill

Time to replenish yourself after all that shopping. Head over to Punjab Grill for lunch which serves food from Lahore, Peshwar, Rawalpindi, Kabul, Amritsar, Multan and Patiala. Their menu ranges from rich curries, kebabs to vegetable dishes.

The restaurant is spearheaded by chef Javed Ahamad who has served 19 years in various Indian restaurants in Singapore. The interiors are inspired by the splendour of India's Maharajas and take a modern spin on Indian royalty.

3:00 pm—Gardens by the Bay

This award-winning nature park in Singapore is not only Instagrammable but will make you see another side of nature. Gardens by the Bay is a must for nature lovers where you can embrace the lush greenery and colourful flowers. From the Flower Dome, Floral Fantasy and Supertree Grove, there's a lot of different areas that you can explore and take photos of.

5:00 pm—Sunset at Marina Bay Sands

A visit to Singapore wouldn't be complete without going to Marina Bay Sands, home to the world's largest infinity pool. After a day of exploring, watch the sunset atop this iconic landmark. There's plenty to do here, such as shopping, dining and visiting teamLab's permanent exhibition to add some photos to your Instagram.

See also: 10 Hidden Instagram Hot Spots In Hong Kong

7:00 pm—Dinner at Spago Dining Room

Dine at Spago Dining Room, the first international offshoot of Wolfgang Puck's notable Beverly Hills restaurant and bite into their delicious Californian cuisine. Their menu is a combination of European, Asian and American influences with a few tweaks.

Complete with a sophisticated atmosphere at the Sands SkyPark at the top of Marina Bay Sands, you can enjoy a dazzling view of the Singapore skyline and even the famous infinity pool. Recommended dishes include the big eye tuna tartare cones and the red snapper laksa.

9:00 pm—Drinks at LeVel 33

Enjoy your last night in the lion city with some drinks at LeVel 33. This is the world's highest urban microbrewery that provides an unparalleled drinking (and dining) experience paired with the best views of the cityscape. Their copper brew house kettles take the spotlight here—serving freshly brewed beer. The interiors are filled with wood aesthetics and earth tones integrating the craft and tradition of brewing.

You're spoiled for choice with their fine selection of beverages, including the 33.1 oblong lager, 33.15 India pale ale and the 33.9 wheat beer.

See also: Where to Find CBD Beer in Hong Kong

9:00 am—Breakfast at My Awesome Cafe

Before heading back home, enjoy breakfast at My Awesome Cafe, an industrial vintage cafe that serves great coffee and healthy food. Adding to the list of Instagram-worthy sites, this retrospective-looking dining place has a knack for creativity.

The signature breakfast choice is My Awesome Salad—greens, smoked salmon, herbed chicken, duck rillettes and avocado. Or you can get its vegetarian sister, minus all the meat and instead has grilled eggplant, boiled tomato, avocado and cheese or brie.

11:00 am—Wander around Chinatown

For another blend of tradition and modernity, Chinatown is where you should be. From historical temples to trendy bars and lifestyle shops, there's plenty to do in this former immigrant enclave. Enjoy the fabric of cultural diversity you see here and gain insights into Singapore's multi-ethnic culture—home to a Buddhist temple, a mosque and a Hindu temple.

1:00 pm—Lunch at Restaurant Zen

What better way to end your time in Singapore than a lovely lunch at Restaurant Zen, the Singaporean branch of Michelin-starred Stockholm restaurant, Frantzén. Here, you can try Nordic kaiseki with a French take together with an extensive selection of wines and Japanese sake but don't forget to try their signature French toast grande tradition consommé a la truffle.

See also: The Hong Kong Tattle Guide To Crazy Rich Dining

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