6 Sep 2021
Embarking on a one-day tour in Singapore? This itinerary will help you capture every Instagram-worthy inch of Marina Bay.
From gardens of grandeur to magnificent museums, the Lion City is home to countless wonders that make Singapore a must-visit destination for many travellers. With so many things to see and do, this handy itinerary will help you decide which spots are worth visiting in Marina Bay. We’ve curated a list of the best places in Marina Bay to eat and visit that also provide opportunities to snap gorgeous pictures that will make your Instagram the envy of your friends.
If you're planning to explore Marina Bay in a day, it’s best to start things off right and make your first stop a breakfast spot.
Adorned with numerous accolades, not to mention Travellers' Choice 2021 on Tripadvisor, a meal at Bread Street Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay is an award-winning way to kick things off. Traditional British classics and other favourites from around the world come together with expertly prepared dishes that dazzle with their daring, and the Weekend Power Breakfast menu typifies this perfectly.
Big appetites can expect to be fulfilled with The English Breakfast ($25++), with eggs cooked just how you like them; in addition, bacon and sausages make for essential sides. You'll also find breakfast staples like Eggs Benedict ($20++), Avocado on Toast ($18++), and ridiculously fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes ($19++) topped with honeycrumb butter, banana slices and maple syrup. One standout that you might not expect is the Beef Brisket Sandwich ($24++); tender chunks of slow-cooked beef, topped with pickled jalapeños, a fried egg, cheddar all layered between two slices of ciabatta and served with a side of chips. Located on the leisurely waterfront, grab your smartphone for a snap of the food and the view, then tuck into a delicious, hearty meal to start your day.
Also located along the picturesque waterfront, Yardbird Southern Table & Bar by John Kunkel is home to a highly acclaimed Brunch menu full of comfort food delights influenced by traditional American cuisine. Customise your brunch with the Sunny Morning Set ($36++) with your choice of entree and freshly squeezed juice. Entrees include brunch classics like Biscuits & Gravy (crispy chicken thigh topped with scrumptious gravy, with a side of sunny-side up egg) and Bacon Hash Waffle & Eggs (smoky bacon drizzled with gravy and scrambled eggs). Mushroom lovers can rejoice with The Great Mushroom Burger, which features a portobello mushroom in lieu of a meat patty, or the Grilled Power Bowl, a mix of grilled portobello mushroom, chickpeas, avocado, cripsy quinoa and other veggies.
For lighter fare, the Protein Power Bowl and the Quinoa Egg White Omelette from the Early Bird Set ($25++) are ideal if you're looking for a healthier way to start the day. To elevate the occasion, you can also opt in for 2-hour free flow mimosa at $38++ per person.
Whichever restaurant you decide to book, you can earn up to 10% instant Reward Dollars with your Sands Rewards membership. Sign up for your FREE Sands Rewards membership to also enjoy all-day free parking, exclusive offers, and more. Find out more with our guide.
After a hearty breakfast or brunch, it’s time to make your way to one of Singapore’s most Instagram-worthy attractions, Gardens by the Bay.
Nestled within a space of expansive, beautiful scenery, Gardens by the Bay is one of the most beautiful places to take photos in Singapore. Comprising three distinctive areas covering a lush oasis of over 100 hectares, you can start your journey by grabbing a map from the visitors' centre and make your way to the bountiful Flower Dome. Winner of the Guinness World Record for the Largest Greenhouse in 2015, you'll find plants, flowers, and orchids from the Mediterranean and semi-arid subtropical regions spread across nine smaller gardens. A little further on, you’ll see the Flower Field; a fantastical floral paradise, the flowers in bloom will vary depending on the time and season of your visit.
From there, it shouldn’t be difficult to spot the majestic Cloud Forest enclosure. Shrouded in a dramatic, ethereal mist, it houses plants and vegetation from tropical highlands as high as 2,000 metres above sea level. The scale continues with the impressive Cloud Mountain. Towering at 35m tall, this stunning structure is set against a magical waterfall, surrounded by lush vegetation and dramatic views of stalactites and stalagmites that make it impossible to take a bad picture.
As you leave the Cloud Forest, look up for the aptly named Supertrees. These Avatar-like vertical gardens are teeming with over 200 species of plants. For an uninterrupted view of the city and a small fee, hop in the lift and ascend to the suspended OCBC Skyway. There’s no better place to take a picture or two. While you're up there, keep a lookout for a collection of various sculptures dotted throughout the gardens. Each of these incredible pieces is a complex and creative structure that extends the artistry of the surrounding scenery, giving the whole experience an air of pure enchantment.
If the weather is disagreeable with your outdoor plans, feed your imagination with a visit to the ArtScience Museum instead.
Featuring 21 immersive gallery spaces, this incredible museum is a celebration of unbridled discovery. Around every corner is an expression of art, science, technology, and knowledge at play. The collection of world-class exhibitions will challenge your senses beyond the boundaries of your expectations. None more so than Future World: Where Art Meets Science, a mesmerising digital installation that plunges you directly into a fantastical symphony of art, metaphor, and nature. Delve into fantastical digital renderings of waterfalls and flower fields in Transcending Boundaries, and watch as virtual sealife comes alive in the Sketch Aquarium.
This is truly a picture-perfect experience not to be missed, and ArtScience Museum’s exterior is equally amazing. Comprising 10 'fingers' in a lotus shape, its unique architecture is one worth sharing on your Instagram feed from a distance or up close.
A staple amongst New York’s trendiest dining crowd, Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer brings the vibe of the Big Apple in more ways than one. The menu features a selection of juicy, award-winning burgers stacked with freshness and flavour. Favourites include the All-American Burger ($23++) and award-winning The Greg Norman ($27++), wagyu beef topped with buttermilk-dill, blue cheese, and arugula served on a soft potato bun.
While the burgers fill up your stomach, fill up your Instagram feed with Black Tap’s towering, handcrafted CrazyShakes that taste as good as they look. Embrace your sweet tooth with the Cotton Candy CrazyShake ($24++), a concotion of strawberry milkshake topped with a lollipop, rock candy, whipped cream and (of course) Cotton Candy. For a guilty pleasure, try The CakeShake ($22++) for a cake batter shake topped with a funfetti cake slice, whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles. Make sure you snap a picture for Instagram before taking a sip of that decadent goodness because there won’t be any left once you start.
With lunch taken care of, it's time to get into Instagrammable things to do in Marina Bay for the afternoon, and they don't get more spectacular than our next stop.
First opened in 2010, the design inspiration for this architectural wonder was inspired by the shape of a double-helix model of DNA. At 280 metres long and three stories tall, its curvatures and lines swoop and spiral along canopies made from mesh and glass. There are four viewing platforms along the structure, giving you a variety of spots to capture epic pictures. To take your Instagram feed to the next level, consider coming later in the evening. The entire bridge becomes dazzlingly illuminated by a series, complete with the coloured letters 'C' and 'G,' 'A' and' T,' representing the four DNA bases.
Sci-fi style structures are not just limited to outdoor locations. Over at The Shoppes back at Marina Bay Sands, another mesmerising showpiece awaits.
As you stroll along the waterfront promenade, the 22-metre wide Rain Oculus is sure to stand out among the restaurants and cafes. This eco-friendly installation features an acrylic bowl that collects Singapore’s infamous rainfalls. Over 22,000 litres of water are released per minute from an alluring skylight hanging two storeys above, making an enthralling, must-share moment on Instagram. The water feature operates at fixed timings each day, so it’s best to plan ahead to catch the marvelous display.
One of the best ways to experience the Rain Oculus is with a Sampan Ride. These elegantly crafted boats were once the traditional way that people used to get around Singapore. Today, you can take one for a leisurely cruise in the Shoppes.
As the sun goes down and lights of the city come up, it’s time to end the day with drinks.
Blending the traditions and innovative milieu of Japanese gastronomy, KOMA takes an artisan's approach to its menu. From its contemporary take on sushi to its sophisticated techniques with meats and poultry, the chefs here create bold, original dishes that leave an indelible impression long after you've left the restaurant. At the entrance, expect to be greeted by a 20m passageway of orange Japanese-style arches, inspired by the torii gates at the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, to start your Instagram-worthy experience. KOMA’s stunning interiors feature a 2.5m tall ‘bell’ hanging over a traditional Japanese foot bridge, for a truly unique dining experience.
Begin your exquisite dining experience with Wagyu Beef Gyoza ($26++) or D.I.Y. Spicy Tuna ($18++); both delightful teasers that set the standard for what's to come. For the main course, treat yourself to the Scallion Fried Rice ($32++), a brothy combination of chicken, shrimp, scallops, and mushrooms served in a sizzling pot. You can also have your pick of grilled goods from their Robata Grill menu, or your favourite sushi from their comprehensive a la carte menu. Complete your meal with a drink of your choice from their impressive sake menu.
For many food enthusiasts, the name Spago conjures up glamorous gourmet feasts enjoyed while gazing at the signature palms of Beverly Hills. You may not be in California, but you can still enjoy that signature experience at Spago Dining Room in Marina Bay Sands. An original concept from chef extraordinaire Wolfgang Puck, the 57th-floor Italian-Asian fusion restaurant is a delicious way to end your day.
A popular favourite is the Big Eye Tuna Tartare Cones ($32++), combining chili aioli, wasabi, shaved bonito, and masago and served in a cone for the perfect bite. For a uniquely East-meets-West dining experience, try the Pan-Seared Red Snapper “Laksa” ($55++) for a taste of signature Singaporean flavours, or the “Kaya Toast” ($35++), comprising foie gras, pandan-coconut jam, and foie gras-espresso mousse on toasted brioche. Finally, head to the balcony with a house cocktail in hand to commemorate the evening with a selfie; the city skyline will serve as the perfect backdrop.
To elevate your day and make the most of it, be sure to join the Sands Rewards programme for FREE! Earn Reward Dollars when you dine at participating restaurants and redeem them during your next meal. You can also earn Reward Dollars when you shop, enjoy members-only deals, and all-day parking benefits.
Our lowest price staycation deal starts from S$399 per night. Enjoy free Reward Dollars and room upgrade during your well-deserved stay!
This nightly outdoor extravaganza features a dazzling display of lasers, fountain jets, and visual projections.
Read moreSet within Marina Bay is Gardens by the Bay, an attraction featuring domed conservatories and Supertrees.
Read moreTake your night (or day) to new heights at one of these shiny bars from on top of the world.
Read More