Singapore, a world-class destination in Southeast Asia, is one of the top travel destinations in the world. It may be small but it is also one of the most progressive cities on the planet. Clean, safe, senior- and family-friendly, affordable, multicultural, and easy to get around in, it also has so much to offer its visitors. It is one of those cities where you can do so much, no matter what your interests are, even in a short amount of time. Read on to find out why you should consider a Singapore layover.
There are a host of reasons why the city-state of Singapore is often chosen by travellers as a layover destination. And if you’re planning a quick stop there on your way to Europe, Middle East, or the Americas, here’s how you can maximize your brief stop in Singapore.
Explore Changi Airport
Changi Airport is a great airport to get stuck in. It doesn’t rank high among the world’s best airports for nothing. You can shop, watch a movie or live music performances, dine at its many restaurants, sweat it out at the gym, play arcade games, relax at its green spaces, take a shower, or sleep and rest at the Transit Hotel and other designated areas. The airport also has a swimming pool, a four-storey slide, and provides a host of services including baggage, free and paid internet, and baby care services.
Take the free city tours
Changi offers free sightseeing tours to travellers who have at least 5.5 to 6 hours before their flights out of Singapore. Some of the attractions you’ll get to visit during your sighstseeing tour include the Colonial District, Chinatown, Little India, as well as the Singapore Flyer, Gardens by the Bay, and the Merlion Park, to name a few. Joining the free city tours is a great way to get a quick feel of Singapore as you will be able to visit Singapore’s top sights and learn about its history at the same time. Just remember to register for a tour early, and sign up about an hour or two before it starts.
Take a nighttime stroll at the Gardens by the Bay
One of Singapore’s most-visited sights, the Gardens by the Bay is an attraction that features the famous Supertrees and Flower Dome. The Supertrees are man-made structures, measuring 25 to 50 metres in height, that light up at night. Stay for the OCBC Garden Rhapsody, an impressive light and sound show, and watch the Supertrees come alive and light up to the sound of upbeat music.
The Gardens by the Bay also provides visitors with a splendid view of the Marina Bay Sands, an equally beautiful attraction that’s popular for its splendid architecture, so find time to explore this marvellous sight during your Singapore layover.
Experience the Marina Bay Sands light and water show
A can’t miss activity during your Singapore layover is experience the spectacular Marina Bay Sands light and music show. Locals and tourists flock to the Marina Bay waterfront promenade to watch this spectacular display of lights and water effects set to an enchanting soundtrack of different types of music.
Visit a zoo and national wildlife park
If you still have time to squeeze in one more activity during your short layover in Singapore, consider visiting the Singapore Zoo Night Safari, a zoo and wildlife park. The attraction features more than a hundred animal species – many of them rare and endangered – and provides for amazing animal encounters of more than a thousand animals during the tour. You can also pick a tour that comes with an optional buffet dinner.
Spend a relaxing time at the Botanical Gardens
Another attraction in Singapore that’s worthy of a visit during your Singapore layover, especially for nature lovers, is the Botanical Gardens. The sprawling green space features more than 600,000 plant specimens in their natural setting and provides for a relaxing activity for travellers flying to Singapore for a very brief stay.
Soak in the sights and aroma at Chinatown and Little India
If you want to experience another face of Singapore, drop by Little India and Chinatown where you be treated to different sights and aromas. Both are great places to shop for souvenir items, tea, and spices.
In Chinatown, you will also have the opportunity to visit cultural attractions like the Buddha Tooth Relic and the Sri Mariamman temple.
Shop ‘til you drop
Like any other tourism hub in Southeast Asia, Singapore provides its visitors with a delightful shopping experience. For those arriving at the city-state at night, head to Mustafa, a multi-storey shopping centre where you can buy everything, from souvenir items to jewellery and even luxury cars. But if what you have in mind are luxury and designer items, Orchard Road is the best place to be.
Indulge in Singaporean Cuisine
With its multicultural population, it is no wonder why Singapore has a vibrant food and restaurant scene. Whatever it is you are craving for, you’ll surely find a restaurant that offers it as part of their menu. But for a true foodie experience during your Singapore layover, visit the city’s hawker centres – particularly the Maxwell Food Center and the one at Lau Pa Sat – and be treated to a wide array of delectable Chinese, Malaysian, Thai, Indian, and Indonesian delicacies. Each bite is an adventure and promises a gamut of flavors and textures!
Ready to make the most of your Singapore layover? Try these Singapore tours and activities!
By: Brendelyn Balaga
