Travel Guide: First Timers 2-Day Stopover Itinerary to Visiting Singapore.

For some reason I always thought I’d written loads of blog posts on Singapore, as I’ve visited so often. Then I discovered I’d only written ONE – about my five hour layover in Singapore in 2017.

One single blog post on a city I’ve visited a dozen or so times.

Madness.

Naturally this needs to change, so I present to you: my First Timers 2-Day Stopover Itinerary to Visiting Singapore!

So, ready to find out how to have the BEST stopover in Singapore? Let’s go!

I first visited Singapore when I was just 7 years old. It was my first time in Asia, and the longest flight I’d ever been on.

That trip has stuck in my mind for so many reasons, and I loved Singapore so much that I’ve been a dozen or so times since then.

It’s somewhere I always use as a stopover destination when I’m enroute to Australia or heading back to the UK.

As a boomerang expat, Singapore’s Changi airport has almost become like a third home – it’s always been the sign that I was almost home, whether that was Australia or the UK.

I don’t always leave the airport, but when I do, I soak up every minute. It’s such a special city, there’s so much to do and see, and I think it’s the best country to visit as an ‘introduction’ to South East Asia.

On my most recent trip to Singapore & Australia I decided to take one of my travel besties with me. Aftab had never been to Asia or Australia before, so it was all totally new to him, and it was honestly the best thing seeing it all new and fresh through someone else’s eyes.

Also, make sure you read my guide to travelling more with a full-time job!

Naturally, with him not having been to Singapore before, I used my expert pro travel blogger travel planning skills and put together an itinerary ideal for first timers.

One that hit all the tourist hotspots, combined with some of the lesser known places.

Fly Singapore Airlines!

Now, when you’re planning your trip, make sure you fly with Singapore Airlines, which is Singapore’s national airline!

Trust me on this one.

Whether you’re in economy, or Singapore Airlines business class, or Singapore airline’s famous first class suites, you’ll have the best flight you’ve ever been on.

Their service is like no other airline. And I’ve travelled on a lot of different airlines!

Stay at: The Fullerton Hotel

The Fullerton Hotel Singapore is one of city’s most luxurious and historic hotels.

It’s perfect for a stopover as it’s right in the middle of the city and easy walking distance to all the main sights, as well as being close to the best MRT stops.

We really loved our stay and didn’t want to leave after our two nights were over!

The room was luxurious and well appointed, the rooftop swimming pool was beautiful, and we loved our balcony with the view over the river and historic district!

When You Arrive in Singapore

I usually get the red-eye flight from London Heathrow to Singapore, which gets you into Singapore the following afternoon.

It’s the perfect time for helping beat jetlag – you just need to stay awake for a few hours before you can melt into your big marshmallow bed at The Fullerton and drift off.

After you’ve checked into the hotel, depending on how you feel you can either get a 10-min Uber or walk the 30mins to ATLAS, one of the world’s best bars.

Dinner & Drinks at ATLAS

Although known for their cocktails, ATLAS is not only great for drinks, but food too.

The luxurious 1920s style interior is glamorous and incredibly photogenic. Book a table a few weeks before you visit as it gets busy here.

We really loved the bar snacks and small plates, and combined with our numerous mocktails and cocktails, we really had such a great first night in Singapore.

Walk along Boat Quay

After dinner you can either get an Uber to Boat Quay or walk there.

Walk all the way along from Elgin Bridge to the hotel to stretch your legs, walk your food down, and take in the atmosphere.

There are lots of restaurants and bars along the quay – they’re all very touristy so I don’t recommend eating there, but they’re fun to walk past.

Get an early night!

Finally, it’s time to sleep and rest before a big day tomorrow.

Make sure you get a reasonably early night – you’ll be walking a lot of steps the next day!

Day 1 in Singapore

Singapore Merlion

The Merlion is the official mascot of Singapore, and you’ll see it’s image everywhere around the city and airport.

It’s right opposite the hotel, so a very quick and easy walk over the road to see it up-close.

It’s depicted as a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish, and was actually originally conceived by the tourism board in the 1960s as a marketing tactic, but today it’s become ubiquitous with the country and draws crowds of people.

Walk to Gardens by the Bay over Helix Bridge

It’s a gentle 30-minute walk from the Merlion to Gardens by the Bay via Helix Bridge.

I highly recommend taking this mini electric fan with you though because it is incredibly humid, and this little fan absolutely saved me!

The walk is really lovely and takes you around the river across from the city so you get a great view of the city skyline.

Aftab asked me if I wanted him to take my photo on Helix Bridge with Marina Bay Sands behind me, and I said no because I have one from 2017 when I was younger and skinnier, and just generally far healthier. See the photo from 2017 below!

I was living in Sydney at the time so I had a lovely golden tan compared to my ghostly paleness in the photo above.

Cloud Forest

When you get to Gardens by the Bay, head to the beautiful Cloud Forest greenhouse.

Make sure you book tickets online in advance as it’s much quicker and cheaper – you don’t need to book them far in advance, you can book them on the day you visit, just book them online.

The Cloud Forest is one of my favourite attractions in Singapore. It’s just sooo calming and magical!

Supertree Grove

As well as the Cloud Forest there’s also the Flower Dome, which isn’t my favourite but is nice to wander around for a little bit.

Once you’ve done the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome, walk over to the Supertree Grove.

You need an extra ticket to go up to the Supertree walkway, but you can view it from the ground for free.

Lunch at the Complex Chinatown Hawker Markets

Walk to the MRT station near Marina Bay Sands and take the blue line MRT from ‘Bayfront’ to ‘Chinatown’.

It’s a short 5-minute MRT ride and puts you right in the middle of Chinatown.

From the MRT station, walk to the Complex Chinatown Hawker Market. It’s a very traditional hawker market where the local Singaporeans go to eat, so don’t expect anything fancy. Also just a note, but you’ll need to pay either with cash (Singaporean dollars) or via Grab app.

There are a number of famous food stalls here, but most of them were sadly closed when we visited.

We did manage to eat at the Zhong Guo La Mian Xiao Long Bao stall, which is famous for dim sum. You can watch them hand-making your dim sum!

I got the steamed mini buns for a couple of pounds – they looked so basic but were absolutely delicious!! Aftab unfortunately couldn’t eat much at the Hawker markets as a lot of the food dishes had pork in them, so just something to be aware of if you don’t eat pork.

After my steamed buns we then both got Hainan Chicken Rice from a stall just across from Zhong Guo La Mian Xiao Long Bao.

Sri Mariamman Temple

Just a short walk from Complex Chinatown is the Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple.

Depending on whether there are any festivals or private events happening, you can sometimes go inside the temple.

The temple was closed to visitors when we visited, but I’ve been inside on previous visits.

Little India

Little India is a vibrant cultural area of Singapore with temples and mosques, interesting street art and brightly painted shophouses.

Serangoon Road is the main area, and features cafes and food nooks, as well as shops selling gold jewelry, colourful silks and fresh flower garlands.

Usually it’s a lovely place to walk around and take everything in, but it started pouring with rain while we were here, so we headed to Raffles Hotel to dry off and enjoy a Singapore Sling!

Singapore Sling at Raffles Hotel

You can’t go to Singapore without visiting the famous Raffles Hotel and enjoying a Singapore Sling in the iconic Long Bar!

It’s massively overpriced but 100% worth the experience.

(and don’t worry, if you don’t drink alcohol, they have a non-alcoholic version that’s just as delicious)

Raffles is such a beautiful hotel! You can’t go inside the main hotel building, but it’s well worth having a wander around the gardens and outside shops and buildings.

Relax by the Pool

After your Singapore Sling head back to the hotel and spend an hour or two relaxing by the pool before getting ready for the Marina Bay Sands and dinner.

We really loved the rooftop pool at The Fullerton! It was the perfect place to read a book in the sunshine.

Marina Bay Sands

After your swim and chill-out time, get ready to go out for a fancy dinner at the Marina Bay Sands!

We got an Uber over to Marina Bay Sands as the humidity was so bad, and had a wander around the shops before going for dinner.

It’s a great shopping centre and the air conditioning is bliss after being outside in the humidity!

Dinner at KOMA

KOMA is one of my favourite restaurants in Singapore!!

An upscale Japanese restaurant that’s part of the Tao Group, it sits within the shopping centre…but you’d never know it was inside a shopping centre once you’re sitting down at your table.

Aftab and I had the most delicious meal here, and obviously we had to finish with the yuzu lemon dessert.

Day 2 in Singapore

Henderson Waves

Start your second day in Singapore by getting an Uber over to Lepak Place (Mount Faber), then walk up to Faber Point.

Faber Point is a nice lookout spot where you can see Singapore city from up high.

From Faber Point you’ll then walk along a trail to Henderson Waves, a pedestrian bridge crossing Henderson Road in the Southern Ridges in Singapore. You can use Google Maps to take you there and it’ll take you along the walking trail!

The Henderson Waves bridge forms part of a walking trail connecting the Southern Ridges with Mount Faber.

Can you believe I hadn’t been to Mount Faber since 2007!?

The last time I went was with my family when we moved out to Australia the first time. We took the cable car from Sentosa up to Mount Faber, and went to a cafe at the top of the mountain. We then got stuck up there during a downpour of rain!

Back in 2007 Henderson Waves didn’t exist and wasn’t built yet, so it was nice to go back and try something new.

Aftab and I both really loved the walking trail, but it is a very hot and sweaty one, so make sure you take lots of water with you.

Orchard Road or Historic District

When you’ve finished the trail (you basically follow Henderson Waves until you get to a car park called ‘Telok Blangah Green Carpark 2’), order an Uber to take you to either H&M on Orchard Road, Singapore’s famous shopping district, or to the National Gallery of Singapore.

From H&M you can then walk up or down Orchard Road and have a look in the shops.

If shopping isn’t your thing, head to the historic district opposite The Fullerton.

Here you’ll find St Andrew’s Cathedral, the National Gallery of Singapore, Singapore Cricket Club, and a whole load of other really beautiful historic buildings.

If you have extra time, walk over to the Old Hill Street Police Station with its colourful shutters, and Fort Canning Park.

Lunch at Lau Pa Sat Hawker Market

After your busy morning, head to Lau Pa Sat hawker market near the hotel for lunch.

Lau Pa Sat is a much more touristy hawker market compared to Complex Chinatown – it’s cleaner, more modern, and more spacious.

Aftab loved the satay sticks here, and we both loved the mango sticky rice from the Thai stall.

Changi Airport & Jewel

Now, it’s time to head to the airport! Whenever I fly out of Singapore I always try and get to the airport 4-5 hours before my flight.

The reason is, Changi airport is epic!

There are movie theatres, a butterfly garden, a sunflower garden, and more.

There’s also the Jewel shopping centre attached onto the airport, which contains the world’s tallest waterfall.

To visit Jewel you need to check-in for your flight as normal, drop your bags, then instead of going to security, walk over to Jewel via the bridge. You can then explore Jewel before going back to the main airport and heading through security.

While you’re at Jewel, make sure you go to Shakeshack and get the Pandan milkshake – it’s my faaaaavourite and is only available in Singapore!

The waterfall itself is beautiful day and night, so don’t worry too much about what time of day you go and visit it.

And that’s it! You’ve successfully completed a two day stopover in Singapore 😀

Things to Know Before Visiting Singapore

• Visa: Most tourists can enter Singapore without a visa for up to 90 days. However, you must complete an electronic Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) before arrival.
• Transport: If you’ll be using the MRT a lot, you can get a Tourist Pass that gives you unlimited rides. However, if you’re only going to use it a couple of times, just get a standard ticket each time you use it. Make sure you have cash on you, as they only take cash!
• Currency: Singapore dollars are what you’ll need. I recommend getting about $200SGD in cash for two days, as a lot of places in Singapore are cash only.
• Paying for Things: Like I said, most places are cash only. However, if you’re at the Hawker Markets and you’ve run out of cash, you can download and use the Grab app to pay for things using the QR codes on the Hawker stalls.
• Local Customs: Important local customs include removing your shoes before entering any homes, temples, or mosques. You should also follow the local laws and ensure you don’t drop any litter, and don’t chew chewing gum. Smoking and vaping is also prohibited in public places, including outdoors.
• Tipping: Tipping is not the norm in Singapore.