One day in Singapore is enough to hit its most iconic sights if you move efficiently, but it means skipping quieter neighborhoods and museums in favor of the essentials. This route sticks to Marina Bay and the historic ethnic districts, the parts of the city no first-time visitor should miss.
Start early at Merlion Park for photos of the skyline before the heat and crowds build, then walk over to Marina Bay Sands and the nearby ArtScience Museum. Head into Gardens by the Bay to walk among the Supertree Grove in the late morning. For lunch, cross into Chinatown and pop into the ornate Buddha Tooth Relic Temple before browsing the surrounding stalls. In the afternoon, take a short taxi or MRT ride to Little India for its markets and the colorful Sri Mariamman Temple, then continue to Kampong Glam to see the golden-domed Sultan Mosque and wander Haji Lane. As evening falls, head back to Marina Bay Sands for the waterfront light and water show, capping the day with the skyline lit up over the bay.