2025 Readers' Choice Awards: Best stopover city

Winner: Singapore

Why you love it…

As a historic trading hub between East and West, this Southeast Asian island country is a mélange of cultures and a patchwork of distinct neighbourhoods, from the fragrant spices of Little India to the hawker stalls slinging delicious street food in Chinatown and the candy-coloured shophouses of Kampong Gelam. The balance between the old and charming – sipping a Singapore Sling at legendary hotel Raffles – and the new and frenetic – adrenaline-packed fun at beach-lined Sentosa Island – makes this an all-rounder stopover city.

Hot tip…

Singapore is known as the Garden City, thanks to its commitment to environmental sustainability and swathe of nature-filled spaces and green buildings. Get among nature in the city at the biodiverse Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Botanic Gardens and Telok Blangah Hill Park.

Runners-up

Dubai

Stratospheric skyscrapers jutting out from the Arabian Desert, mind-boggling malls, an indoor ski resort, palm-shaped islands topped with ultra-luxury resorts – what’s not to love from this UAE city, perfectly positioned for a stopover on the way to Europe?

Hong Kong

East meets west at this high-rise metropolis, which has a vibrant nightlife, bustling food scene and excellent shopping.

Tokyo

A whirlwind stop in Tokyo can be just the ticket to embrace its neon lights, see its temples, fill up at its street food stalls and get a taste for its rich culture.

Bangkok

Golden temples, heady markets, a bustling river and sky-high bars – there’s plenty to do in Thailand’s capital en route to your destination.

For all the winners and runners-up, visit our 2025 Readers’ Choice hub.