Singapore in Two Days: What to Do on a Layover

[Saylor Gonzalez]

Honestly — I didn't expect to fall in love with Singapore so quickly. We only had a two-day layover and hadn't really planned anything special. But already in the taxi from the airport, I caught myself thinking: "Everything here is… different."


The first thing that strikes you is the incredible cleanliness. No litter on the pavements, no graffiti on the walls. And it's not by chance — in Singapore you can be fined for dropping chewing gum on the street. Smoking is only permitted in designated areas. Yet the city doesn't feel sterile or cold at all — it's vibrant, green, and full of flowers everywhere.

Day One: Exploring the City Centre​

Victoria Theatre and the Waterfront​

We started our walk around the Victoria Theatre — a building in English colonial style whose contrast with the skyscrapers of the business district behind it looks almost surreal. The waterfront is right nearby — a great place to simply stroll and get a feel for the scale of the city.

The Merlion​

A little further on is Singapore's iconic symbol, the Merlion statue: a lion's head on the body of a fish. It sounds strange; it looks impressive. The viewing area by the Merlion offers a panoramic view of the entire business district — a great spot for photos, especially at dusk.

Hawker Chan: A Michelin Star for €2​

In Chinatown we stopped into Hawker Chan at 78 Smith Street — the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant in the world. A dish costs around SGD 2.50 (roughly €2), eaten with plastic cutlery at a simple table. No luxury atmosphere whatsoever — just very good food.

Temple Street​

Just nearby is Temple Street, where traditional Chinese lanterns are strung between colourful shophouse facades. The skyscrapers of the business district loom in the background. It's one of those views that's hard to put into words but very easy to capture on camera.

1-Altitude: Sunset Over the City​

In the evening we headed up to 1-Altitude bar — one of the highest open-air bars in the world, at 282 metres above ground. Entry costs SGD 35 (around €22) and includes two drinks — I naturally went for a classic Singapore Sling.


It's best to arrive before sunset to watch the city gradually light up. The bar is open-air with a 360° view, so you can see all of Singapore spread out below. Pricey? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.

Day Two: Gardens by the Bay​

Gardens by the Bay is the reason to linger in Singapore for at least a full day. Entry to the park with the Supertrees is free; individual attractions are ticketed separately.


We weren't lucky with the Flower Dome — it was closed. But we did make it into the Cloud Forest: inside, a mountain forest ecosystem has been recreated, complete with a real multi-storey waterfall. You stand there and completely forget you're inside a building in the middle of a city.

Garden Rhapsody — The Light Show​

Every evening at 19:45 and 20:45, the Garden Rhapsody show takes place at the Supertrees — 15 minutes of synchronised light animation set to music. Most tourists stand directly beneath the trees, which isn't the best vantage point. It's better to find an elevated spot in advance so you can see both the trees and Marina Bay Sands in the background. Arrive at least 20 minutes early — the good spots go fast.

Marina Bay Sands​

After the show, we walked across the bridge directly to Marina Bay Sands. The famous rooftop infinity pool is reserved for hotel guests only, but if you want to take in the view, head into the lobby and ask for the lift up to the rooftop restaurant. One important note: there is a dress code. Flip-flops won't get you in, even to the viewing area. But the view from up there — especially during the light show — is worth changing shoes for in advance.

A Few Practical Notes​

• Humidity. Singapore is hot and very humid. Light clothing and water are a must.
• Transport. The MRT is convenient and easy to navigate; taxis are affordable. Uber and Grab both work.
• Money. The Singapore dollar is the local currency. Cards are accepted everywhere, but a small amount of cash is handy at markets.
• Gardens by the Bay. Arrive in the late afternoon — you'll have time to see everything and still stay for the light show.

Two days is very little time for Singapore. But even in that time, it managed to become one of my favourite cities in Asia. Clean, green, with excellent food and views you can't tear yourself away from. If you ever have a layover here — don't stay in the airport.