How to Spend a One-Night Stopover in Singapore

1. Gardens by the Bay 

2. Marina Bay Sands 

3. Kampong Glam 

4. Changi Airport 

Singapore's largest green lung, Gardens by the Bay, has something for everyone from architectural wonders, exotic plant arrangements and spectacular technology. It also offers a vast selection of food places and gift shops. There is even a Children's Garden with trampolines, balance beams and hanging bridges where kids can play and learn about nature. If you are wondering what to do to maximise your time there, here are the top spots to explore at this must-visit Singaporean highlight: 

Ranging between 25 and 50 metres tall, these futuristic trees look like they belong to the movie Avatar! There is a total of 18 Supertrees in Gardens by the Bay, and 12 of them have been combined to form a group of trees known as the Supertree Grove.  

The impressive installations are sustainable and benefit from incredible environmental technology that enables them to replicate how natural trees behave in the environment. For example, they mimic how trees photosynthesise by gathering solar energy to produce power that illuminates the trees – how cool is that! Similar to how real trees need to absorb rainwater to grow, the Supertrees also collect rainwater needed for irrigation.  

Plus, do not miss the daily Garden Rhapsody sound and light show! Every evening you can watch the Supertrees light up in an epic show which makes you feel like you're in the middle of a sci-fi movie – and the best part is that both the access to the Supertrees and the shows are free! 

Beautiful flowers and plants can be found in the enormous Gardens by the Bay’s Flower Dome, which is divided into seven distinct gardens, each with a different theme. The flower arrangements change periodically to coincide with the seasons. It's the largest glasshouse in the world with exotic plants from places like Australia, South America, and South Africa! 

While visiting the Flower Dome, you can stop for a bite at the Marguerite restaurant. Hidden in an olive grove, they offer modern European cuisine with some of the ingredients directly sourced from Gardens by the Bay – served with a breathtaking view over the city and Marina Bay. 

Entering this dome is like stepping into a dense and steamy tropical jungle. A mysterious and lost world with a lush mountain wrapped in mist and a 35-metre-tall waterfall is the best way to describe Gardens by the Bay's Cloud Forest Dome. 

The trail known as the Cloud Walk that goes around the dome's mountain gives you a great viewpoint of the Cloud Forest. Plus, the Treetop Walk takes you through a tunnel of lush jungle vegetation and into a canopy walk with more stunning views - make sure your camera is ready for some epic shots!  

You can also explore the Lost World at the mountain's summit with vegetation typically found 2000 metres above sea level. The Crystal Mountain Cave located inside the mountain is also worth checking out with a display of real stalactites, stalagmites and other geological wonders. 

Being one of the most iconic landmarks in Singapore, you probably already have seen the Marina Bay Sands hotel in pictures of the city's skyline. It can be found right next to Gardens by the Bay so you can walk over to the Supertrees, Flower Dome and Cloud Forest very easily from there! 

The Marina Bay Sands is pretty much a city in itself. It features 2,561 hotel rooms, a huge convention centre, close to 300 shops, a museum, two theatres, the largest atrium casino in the world, as well as the world's biggest infinity pool on the 55th floor. 

Note however that the pool is accessible exclusively to hotel guests. So, if you fancy spending a night at this fabulous 5-star hotel during your Singapore stopover, we highly recommend getting up there at either sunrise or sunset for a swim in the golden hour - it's stunning! 

If you’re not keen on booking a room, you can still enjoy a shopping spree there and a bite to eat at one of the 80 restaurants. From its hawker centre and coffee shops to gastronomy cuisine, Marina Bay Sands has quite the culinary line-up that would satisfy even the fussiest eater. 

The Kampong Glam District used to be known as the Muslim Quarter and is still home to a vibrant Malay and Muslim community. This colourful Singaporean suburb is not to be missed on your stopover! Here are some of our favourite spots in Kampong Glam that you must see for yourself: 

Haji Lane is one of Singapore's most well-known historical attractions, a popular retail district and a café hopper's paradise all in the same place! With vintage record shops, cosy cafés and vibrant atmosphere, Haji Lane is the perfect stop for a mid-day break and to shop for some unique souvenirs to bring home. However, if you’re looking for more luxurious gifts, we recommend checking out Orchard Road instead. The lane also features the best street art in Singapore – you’ve guessed it, this means some great snaps to show off on Instagram! 

If you're in the ancient Kampong Glam district, you must check out Masjid Sultan. As the national mosque of Singapore, it’s a great place to visit if you’re interested in learning about Malay culture. Also known as the Sultan Mosque, the monument was built in honor of Sultan Hussein Mohamed Shah, the first Sultan of Singapore.  

As you get closer to the main entrance and glance up, you will notice some glass bottle ends at the base of each golden dome. These were once given to the Sultan by local Muslim families who wanted to help with the mosque's restoration after it was destroyed in 1932.  

The massive prayer hall can host up to 5000 people. If you are not Muslim but are still curious to have a look inside, the mosque offers walk-in visits at specific times. However, note that dressing appropriately is required. You will need to wear long sleeves and pants or a long dress covering the knees as no revealing clothes are allowed. 

After leaving Masjid Sultan, stroll down Arab Street.  There you can find plenty of bars, restaurants and colourful fabric shops, from different cultural influences – Lebanese, Turkish and of course Malay! There are also many massage places where you can take a break and unwind for a bit. 

A stopover in Singapore won’t be complete without exploring Changi Airport itself! This airport has long been a popular transit for travellers, and with the addition of Jewel, it got even better. Packed with shops, airport hotels, activities and lush gardens, you’re in for a treat! Your adventure doesn’t start when you exit the airport but when you land in Singapore and here are some of the best attractions to check out while you wait for your next flight: 

Jewel at Changi Airport is a gem for both travellers and local Singaporeans. Created by the Safdie Architects group, who previously designed the iconic Marina Bay Sands hotel, it opened for the first time in April 2019. 

At its centre, you can find the heart of Jewel. Standing at 40 metres tall with water cascading from the dome-shaped ceiling, the HSBC Rain Vortex is the largest indoor waterfall in the world! 

Plus, if it wasn’t impressive enough, the clever installation uses collected rainwater and was awarded the Green Mark Gold Award, a sustainability certification given out by the Singaporean government. 

Changi's Butterfly Garden is renowned for being the first airport-based butterfly garden in the world. Located in Terminal 3, it was created as a habitat for tropical butterflies and features a 6-metre-tall waterfall as well as a vast variety of tropical plants. This butterfly sanctuary is open to visitors every day of the year and is home to over 1,000 butterflies from 40 different species. 

Canopy Park is located on Level 5 of Jewel Changi Airport in Terminal 1. There, you can enjoy a variety of beautiful nature experiences and take part in exciting activities like canopy walking, sky net walking, and net bouncing!  

There are many gardens and indoor trails to explore with plenty of photo opportunities along the way. Also, if you want to get close to the HSBC Rain Vortex, the Canopy Bridge is a great spot for it! This 50-metre glass floor bridge offers spectacular views of the waterfall and the park. 

One of Canopy Park's most thrilling attractions is the Mirror Maze. Although this maze appears small from the outside, the numerous mirrors inside will put your perception to the test!  
 
Just note that if you're going through the mirror maze with children, keep a close check on them - they might hurt themselves by bumping into the mirrors. 

A safer option might be the Hedge Maze which is as fun as the Mirror Maze. The difference is that you won’t be risking bumping your head trying to find the exit and you will get to enjoy the pretty flowers pathing the way. Plus, there is no time limit so take your time and enjoy the journey – just make sure you don’t miss your flight! 

From Gardens by the Bay to the colourful Kampong Glam district and the impressive Jewel at Changi Airport, Singapore should be at the top of your travel bucket list - and from our experience, a stopover there on your way to Europe is a great way to tick it off.