The 17 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Singapore

Henderson Waves is part of the Southern Ridge, a walking trail that connects the various parks in the southern ridge of Singapore. The bridge is lauded as it’s striking both visually and aesthetically in terms of how well it blends with the surrounding flora and fauna. The highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore also offers stunningly beautiful panoramic views of lush forest and the skyline as far as the eye can see.

Perhaps Singapore’s most famous garden, Gardens by the Bay is a favourite among residents and a must-visit. The park is dominated by its Supertree Grove – 18 foliage-covered metal structures, the tallest of which reaches 16 storeys. A walk around the Supertree Grove is not complete without a trip up to the OCBC Skyway, a bridge that connects two of the tallest Supertrees and gives a bird’s-eye view of the entire park. Other attractions include the Heritage Gardens, which boast plants specific to the area’s different geographic regions, and the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest Conservatories. Gardens by the Bay is free to enter, although the exhibitions have admission fees. It’s a great option for a memorable yet budget-friendly date.

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East Coast Park takes the trophy for being Singapore’s largest park, covering nearly 185 hectares (457 acres) of reclaimed waterfront land. The best way to explore the 15-kilometre (9.3-mile) coastline of East Coast Park is on wheels, via the dedicated cycle and skating lane. On weekends, you’ll see people using all kinds of transportation to get around the park, from bicycles and scooters to rollerblades and even quadricycles carrying entire families. There are several bicycle rental shops throughout the park, usually located near car parks or eateries. East Coast Park also offers barbecue pit rentals, which you can book through the National Parks website.

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The go-to destination for those Instagram-worthy snaps, especially if you want a large background that is beautiful from so many angles. CHIJMES has always been popular for its evocative architecture and white-plastered walls, which makes this place extremely photogenic. There’s no dearth of options when it comes to visiting this place and restaurants and bars nearby offer a chance to dine while enjoying the sights.

The Singapore Botanic Gardens first opened in 1859, making them one of Singapore’s oldest parks. It’s home to over 10,000 species of plants and is considered one of the premier orchid research and breeding centres in the world. With relatively quiet grounds, the park also has a host of jungle creatures, including 0.9-metre-long (three-foot-long) monitor lizards – but don’t worry as they’re quite harmless. Admission to the park is free.

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Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park is well known among the residents of the Bishan and Ang Mo Kio neighbourhoods but is rarely on the radar of visitors. Located in the middle of housing developments in said neighbourhoods, the park covers 62 hectares (166 acres) and is full of amenities, including a cycling track, a promenade along a meandering river, bookable lawn spaces, several restaurants and even a spa.

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Fort Canning Park is much smaller than the other parks on this list – it’s a hill in the middle of the city. However, it’s the most historically significant park on the island thanks to its beautiful location and elevation. Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern-day Singapore, built his first home on Fort Canning. During World War II, the fort was the headquarters of the British Army until the Japanese defeated them. Today, Fort Canning is popular with runners, as well as being a frequent location for festivals and concerts.

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For anyone who intends to take a cable car, you will land or depart from the slope of Mount Faber. What’s amazing about this is you get to witness the most panoramic and scenic views of the Central Business District, and you can use the telescopes located all around to have a view of the southernmost islands and the very edges of Singapore, far out into the ocean.

Singapore’s oldest Hindu place of worship is also renowned as one of the finer displays of agamic architecture, which is prominent among South Indian Hindu places of worship. This amazingly intricate and complex monument is famous for the gopuram, which is the tower that is right above you as you enter the temple. It is packed with figurines in striking hues of various deities and figures from the Hindu pantheon.

One of the best things about Singapore is the view. It changes all the time when new buildings are constructed, so every view and visit is different and offers a unique experience. SkyPark is probably one of the best views you will have, and a chance to see a vista as wide and diverse as possible from the shipping lanes off the coast to the straddling skyscrapers all abound and the magnificent marvel that is Gardens by the Bay. A splendid opportunity to breathe in Singapore at its most diverse and epic proportions at what is arguably its historic core.

Located at the easternmost tip of Singapore, this locale offers some fascinating sights along the way. For one, there’s a whole host of giant and really old trees along its 2.2 km distance. Located right by the sea, you get some really splendid sunrise and sunsets that shine upon a vast open area. Next to the sea is greenery, which makes this a particularly tranquil and scenic part of Singapore.

For those born in Singapore, especially before the 2000s, this playground was a common sight all around the ubiquitous HDB estates. The decorative playgrounds with wild primary hues and iconic animals, both real and mythological, were a welcome pastime for young kids. This is one of the few that has survived the constant redevelopment that is pervasive across Singapore, and has become iconic with the large dragon head and its body, which is a type of trail for kids to crawl through.

MacRitchie Reservoir Park is perfect for nature lovers. Located around Singapore’s largest reservoir, the park offers extensive hiking trails, including the TreeTop Walk, a 250-metre-long (800-foot-long) suspension bridge that brings hikers over the forest canopy. Besides hiking, there is also a beautiful boardwalk and rental facilities for canoes and kayaks. It is far enough away from the city that visitors should be able to spot the exciting wildlife that inhabits the park, including monkeys, monitor lizards and even flying lemurs. When planning your MacRitchie adventures, keep in mind that the only concessions shop is at the entrance to the park, so be sure to carry sufficient water and snacks, as well as suntan lotion and insect repellent.

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This rather resplendent public housing estate has won numerous awards for its architecture and it’s not hard to see why. It is spectacularly tall, even compared to other housing estates and its scale is amplified by the vertical shape and slim appearance. There are two sky bridges used for jogging and other activities and it offers a beautiful view of the city centre. It’s also especially popular during the National Day Parades, when the top-floor viewing gallery is publicly balloted for those interested.

This place is infamous as a spot for the most grungy and hip fashion or style photoshoot, and music videos, due to its very surreal and gritty appearance. The housing estate was initially a Brutalist masterstroke that was influenced by a combination of Le Corbusier’s ideas and the theories of the Japanese Metabolist movement, which meant it was really cutting edge during the time it was built. That being said, its concrete exteriors are now coated with an intricate teal and saffron shade and its design is still a source of inspiration for many people.

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve benefits greatly from being the oldest and largest forest reserve in Singapore. It may seem like a trek to get to this far-flung park, but with 163 hectares (403 acres) of land and 40 percent of Singapore’s species of flora and fauna, it is well worth the journey. The reserve boasts many hiking trails for all skill levels, as well as rock climbing and mountain biking. The National Parks association organises monthly discovery walks for visitors who want to learn more about the wildlife that inhabits the park.

The transformation of new housing estates has brought out some creative endeavours and this riverside park is one such attempt. Here, a man-made waterway runs right through the center of the park while straddled on its sides with tracks, parks and boardwalks, which makes this one of the more ambitious parks by encompassing multiple purposes in a limited area. Though man-made, this has become very popular for its aesthetically calm appearance, the water adding serenity, a rarity in an otherwise crowded nation.