Singapore: From Stopover to Standout City Break
This is a city many travellers know as a convenient stopover from Ireland on the way to destinations further afield. In recent years, Singapore has worked hard to show it is far more than a quick pit stop. While you can certainly see a lot in 24 hours, I chose to spend three nights here to discover what else this vibrant city has to offer.
Singapore is a small, cosmopolitan city‑state and feels quite Westernised. English is one of the official languages, so culture shock is minimal and getting around is very easy. There are several distinct areas to base yourself depending on your travel style and what you want from your city break.
Staying in Chinatown
I chose to stay in Chinatown: an area full of character and atmosphere. The central MRT station made it quick and easy to travel anywhere in the city via the fast and efficient underground network. We arrived quite late on our first night, so we stayed local and explored the surrounding streets before grabbing dinner at Chinatown Food Street. This is a lively spot with stalls selling freshly made street food and large communal seating areas down the middle of the street. You will also find plenty of shops selling trinkets, casual restaurants and a bit of nightlife nearby.
Clarke Quay: Lively Nights by the River
For something livelier, Clarke Quay is a well‑known riverside district about a 15‑minute walk from Chinatown and easily accessible from other areas. We visited twice during our stay and although it is very much geared towards tourists, I found it great fun!
There is a huge choice of restaurants offering cuisines from all around the world. Later in the evening the whole area comes alive: live music spills out from bars and clubs, and with plenty of happy hour promotions the atmosphere stays buzzing until the small hours.
Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands
On our first full day, we focused on the city’s most iconic sights: Gardens by the Bay and the Marina Bay Sands complex. Gardens by the Bay is one of Singapore’s headline attractions and it really is impressive. Think huge tree‑shaped installations, aerial walkways, landscaped green spaces, lakes, the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest. Even at night the gardens are a draw, with light and music shows and special events depending on the time of year.
Marina Bay Sands was always the image I associated with Singapore: the striking three‑tower hotel linked by a rooftop SkyPark. The hotel, entertainment and shopping complex are well worth a visit. The SkyPark observation deck offers spectacular views over the city skyline. If you feel like a treat and stay here, guests can use the famous rooftop infinity pool overlooking the bay. I have added a return stay here to my own bucket list!
Orchard Road: Shopping and City Hotels
We also spent some time along Orchard Road, Singapore’s main shopping district. Here you will find countless shopping malls, designer boutiques and some very nice hotels. For a shorter stopover, this is an area I would recommend as a base, especially for those who enjoy shopping and a more polished, city‑centre feel.
Sentosa: Beaches, Attractions and Nature Walks
On our second full day we headed to Sentosa, a small island just off the mainland that has been developed into a resort area. Sentosa has a bit of everything: beautiful beaches, historic forts, nature trails and major attractions including Universal Studios and a waterpark.
We spent almost a full day on the island and really enjoyed it, especially the nature walks. Before this trip I had not known much about Sentosa, so it felt like a very pleasant surprise and I would definitely recommend visiting if you have the time.
You can reach Sentosa by train or, if you are feeling brave, by cable car across the bay, which gives fantastic views. Various passes are available that bundle together admission to a selection of attractions, with transport around the island via shuttles and trams included. For families, a day at Universal Studios or the waterpark would be a real highlight.
What really struck me about Singapore was how clean and calm it felt. Everywhere we went was spotless, and despite the high population it never felt uncomfortably crowded. Even on the MRT, no matter what time of day we travelled, there always seemed to be plenty of space.
Overall, I would wholeheartedly recommend visiting this modern, welcoming city for more than one night if you can!
