Where to go on a stopover in Singapore
Passing through the Lion City on a quick stopover? Here's where to eat, shop and take in the sights to make the most of your time.
- December 2018
So you’re only in Singapore for a day or two? No problem. This is a curated list of the best places to go to eat well, see the most amazing city sights and simply recharge before your next flight.
Eat at Chomp Chomp Food Centre
Locals know that the Chomp Chomp Food Centre, located in a low-rise neighbourhood of private homes, is the best one-stop shop for hawker fare. After 4pm daily, have your fill of the famed fried hokkien noodles, satay, grilled chicken wings, fried carrot cake, rojak and barbecued sambal stingray, all washed down with an ice-cold beer or sugarcane juice. This could just be your most satisfying meal in Singapore.
Don’t miss Gardens by the Bay
Hands-down my absolute favourite spot, Gardens by the Bay is a must. The location is unbeatable, right across from Marina Bay Sands and it’s the perfect place to take snaps of the varied flora and the futuristic architecture of the Flower Dome, Cloud Forest and the Supertrees. Tackle the gardens in the early evening when it’s cooler and stay for the light and sound show at the Supertree Grove.
See Jurong Bird Park
It may be tucked away about a 30-minute drive from the city on the western side of the island but it’s worth the trip to visit Jurong Bird Park. There, you can marvel at the world’s tallest man-made waterfall and get up-close with 400 species of birds in the spectacular walk-in aviaries where the birds fly freely around. If you are constantly on the go, a visit to the bird park is a great way to get your therapeutic dose of wildlife.
Walk the Kampong Glam district
The historical Kampong Glam district has a diverse mix of traditional and hipster elements and it’s easy to spend half a day exploring it. Check out landmarks including Masjid Sultan Mosque and the Malay Heritage Centre, as well as family-run shops peddling wares such as lamps, carpets and fabrics, and eateries selling delicious Malay fare. On nearby Beach Road, Singapore’s only arthouse cinema, The Projector, screens specially curated films.
Visit a beach club
You’re on a tropical island so relax by the beach! Even when you’re time-pressed, spending an hour or two at Tanjong Beach Club at Sentosa to soak up the sun with a cocktail is a good way to recharge before your next flight out. Another plus: it’s a breezy 15-minute taxi ride from the CBD, yet it feels like a whole world away.