Last updated on May 17th, 2026 at 05:59 am
The best ‘outdoor and nature-based’ things to do in Singapore are not necessarily obvious to a traveler! But the “Garden City” is more than just a city! There are all the city sights of course, but these 12 places are hand-picked for the nature and outdoor travelers that like to see the wilder side of a country!
I last visited with my daughter and we found with all the walking, kayaking and cycling availalbe, there is easily enough to keep you busy for a week or more in Singapore.
As you will see in the pics, we didn’t get a lot of sun – but it was so warm it didn’t matter – and no sunburn either which is great for these outdoor activities!
Enjoy!
First a few important links to use when you plan your trip. They are affiliate links, but I use them all for my travels, and if you do too it will help me keep producing this content – and at no extra cost to you. Cheers!
A Quick Guide to plan your trip to Singapore
Flights – use skyscanner or booking.com to find and book your flight – I often find the same flight for a lot cheaper than booking direct with the airline!
Insurance – Use EKTA or SafetyWing. TBH I usually use EKTA – they accept any nationality, any age and its ok if you are already traveling – which is perfect for me!
Accommodation – use booking.com or for a hostel – Hostelworld. I use both.
Internet – buy a yesim eSim or Airalo before you go. I use both depending on where I am going.
Buses, trains, ferries – 12Go is always my first option for buses, ferries and trains.
Car rental – use DiscoverCars – they are my ‘go-to’ car rental site.
Hiking – I use AllTrails for online and offline hiking trails – it means you know exactly where you are on the trail and makes getting lost a lot harder!!
Tours and Activities – book with Viator, GetYourGuide, or Eatwith. These are my top picks for my outdoor and hiking travel soulmates:
- Hiking Tour to Seah Im bunker, Mount Faber and Henderson (4 hours in the green spaces most tourists don’t get to)
- Gardens by the Bay Admission E-Ticket
- The Lion City Bike Tour (4 hours around Singapore’s highlights)
Thanks so much if you use one of these links – it costs you nothing but helps me keep writing!
1. Walk the Southern Ridges and Labrador Nature Reserve
The Southern Ridges is a 10.5km (6.2mi) trail that connects five parks along the southern ridge of Singapore near Sentosa Island. The parks are: Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill, HortPark, Kent Ridge Park, and Labrador Nature Reserve. Its worth going just for the architecture of the walkways! The curvy, or wavy, Henderson Waves is the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore and easy to get to in the middle of the walk.
But there is also plenty of green and plenty of birdlife! And the Labrador Nature Reserve has the only natural rocky shore line in Singapore, along with tunnels and a fort that remain from WWII.
Take the MRT to Harbour Front Station to start the walk. Check the AllTrails map here. Or go with a guide and get some insider insights on the way with a Hiking Tour to Seah Im bunker, Mount Faber and Henderson!
2. Wander the Gardens By the Bay and see the stunning SuperTree Lightshow
It’s a must in Singapore!
The gardens are home to some impressive buildings for starters – the Flower Dome and the Cloud forest – complete with the Floral Fantasy as well. Although very man made, we really enjoyed our time in these displays – it is, I think, definitely worth venturing inside to see it all.
I definitely suggest booking ahead for entry into all sections.
Of course you are just a few steps away from the Marina Bay Sands Hotel as well – incredible architecture to see up close whether you are staying or not. (Book to go to the Observation Deck – or walk into the lobby at least!)
Then of course there is the SuperTree Grove which is quite incredible – day and night. I love the way the plants have grown up around the structures – its not natural no, but its very cool – and the plants themselves are natural! Don’t forget the night time lightshow – it is gorgeous. And we loved going on the walkway – we timed it so we went up in daylight but could hang long enough for it to get dark – try it!
Even if you don’t want to do any of that, there is plenty of walking in the gardens themselves – and some interesting sculptures! The Dragonfly and Kingfisher Lakes buzz with dragonflies and, you can take the walk around the Kingfisher Wetlands Trail, visit the Heritage Gardens or chill in the Japanese Zen Garden! AllTrails has a number of walks to follow around Gardens by the Bay.
Plus you can make a hike of it by crossing the Marina Barrage Dam to the Bay East Gardens – where you can get some great shots back over the water to the Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay buildings.
Pro tip: Plan to get there in the afternoon and stay for the evening SuperTree lightshow.
3. Bliss out in the Singapore Botanic Gardens & National Orchid Garden
Leave plenty of time. This is pretty magnificent even if you are not a gardener or orchid lover and definitely one of the best things to do in Singapore whether you’re a wild side person or not! The gardens are the first UNESCO Heritage Site in Singapore and the only tropical botanic garden on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List – and its all free! Good enough reasons – right? AllTrails has one walk mapped out but wait and see when you get there what you want to do!
There are trails from 40-90 mins long so you will get a good walk in too. There are lots of areas – from the Ginger Gardens to the Fragrant Garden, the Healing Garden, the Adventure Grove and Ramblers Ridge – and so it goes on….
But for me the jewel is the Orchid Garden – over 1000 species and 2000 hybrids covered in flowers – it’s nothing short of heavenly!
4. Get walking in the MacRitchie and Central Catchment Nature Reserves
Pretty much in the middle of Singapore is a the Central Catchment Nature Reserve which has 20km of some of the best walks in Singapore and these are some of the best things to do here:
Get high on the MacRitchie Treetop Walk
This is probably one of the best-known walks on the island – for a reason. Walk through the trees, take the 11km nature trail – and watch out for monkeys!! It’s a favorite!! You can combine this with other walks – around the reservoir, or to the Jelutong tower.
You can also make a much longer walk, combining other adjoining parks. I walked to the Treetop walk, then to Jelutong tower along the Sime Track, then through Rifle Range Park until I got to Bukit Timah Reserve (where you can climb to the highest peak in Singapore).
Climb Bukit Timah Hill – the highest peak in Singapore
It’s a bit of a workout to the top of Singapore even if it is only 163m!! See No 12.
Explore the Rifle Range Nature Park
This opened in November 2022 and is Singapore’s first “net-positive energy nature park, as its solar panels can harvest more energy than the site’s expected operational energy consumption.” It was an old quarry but now is full of greenery, bridges, rocky trails and a lookout point on the cliff of a granite quarry. There are more than 7km of pathways, including the elevated Gliders Boardwalk. Somehow I found this area even more lush than normal here and really enjoyed it.
5. Soak your feet in the Sembawang Hot Spring
Just for fun – after a hard days walking, head north to the tree-lined Sembawang Hot Spring park and soak your feet in the Cascading foot bath pool! Shame you can’t soak the body – but its nice enough to relax those feet.
6. Cycle the Island – take the Coast to Coast Trail
36km of cycling and great cycle tour – the Lion City Bike Tour – and learn about the island as you go – history, food, things to see etc. while cycling with a local guide who will take you through back streets and untouristed areas as well as some of the top sights!
7. Try the beaches of Sentosa Island – or even the fishing!
Sentosa has all that stuff – Universal Studios, the SEA aquarium, Madame Tussauds, the Adventure Cove Waterpark, Skyline cable car etc etc. You can have a great time.
BUT it has more….
You can get away from the madding crowds by taking a walk and finding a palm to relax under before swimming at one of the beautiful beaches on this man-made island
Palawan is known for its suspension bridge linking to a small island which you can walk or even swim across to. Tanjong Beach is probably the quietest and more secluded, and Siloso Beach is lovely but busy with families and sports.
More of a chill than wild day – but you do get to swim!
And if you want a bit more than chilling at a beach, but away from the madding crowds, you can take a 5-star kayak fishing tour from Sentosa (Tanjong Beach Walk) to the outer islands – very cool!
8. Swim, cycle, and walk at Changi Beach & Changi Point Coastal Walk
Changi Beach is on Singapore’s eastern shoreline and is good for swimming and BBQs. Its also popular for walks at low tide. You can even visit at night and take a guided walk and learn about the local marine life – rare sea cucumbers, crabs & sea stars! There are different operators taking these walks – try a guided tour with Young Nautilus, or Untamed Paths for Changi Beach.
There are good cycling / walking paths (3.3km) and the beaches are lined with palm trees. Perfect to chill – mind you the planes buzz in and out – a great place for plane spotters too!
Take the 89 bus from Pasir Ris MRT or the number 9 bus from Tampines East MRT. The beaches and park are across from the Ferry Terminal (where you get the boat to Pulau Ubin – see 8). The AllTrails map is here.
9. Kayak, cycle or hike in Pulau Ubin
Less than 50 people live here and visiting this island is a far cry from the modern city of Singapore – yet its only 10 minutes from Changi Point Ferry Terminal on an old bumboat!
Apart from seeing the locals live a more traditional lifestyle, there is plenty to explore, starting with the Chek Jawa Wetland Reserve. Six major habitats meet here and there are rare plants, 2 mangrove Heritage Trees (huge Mangrove Apple trees), as well as many bird species. The island also has almost all mangrove plant species in Singapore, including one of the rarest mangrove species in the world, the “Eye of the Crocodile. Apparently there are also around 500 species under the water in this reserve too!
The Singapore National Parks has a visitor centre at Chek Jawa with a viewing jetty, over 1 km of boardwalk and a 21-metre tall viewing tower.
National Parks has a huge list of animals that live on or around the island – civets, otters, bats, dugong, shrews, flying foxes, a myriad of butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies, and over 200 species of birds. So you’re going to see some wildlife here too!
I love mudskippers and fiddlers crabs – and you will at least see those by the Jelutong Bridge. You should be able to find the monkeys, monitors, and hornbills on the island too.
Escape to the country! AllTrails map here.
10. Look for crocodiles in Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
In the northwest of Singapore is another wetland reserve – the 500 acre Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Again – mangroves, mudflats, ponds, and forests and all those animals that Pulau Ubin has – maybe more given there are crocodiles there too! For birders, this is an important site for migratory birds and is Singapore’s first ASEAN Heritage Park.
There are plenty of short and easy trails up to 3km – a migratory bird trail, coastal trail, forest trail, mid-canopy walk, and mangrove boardwalk. Plus you can climb up the 18m high Aerie Tower, and, stop at the Eagle Point viewpoint (as the name suggests, look for eagles there).
Take the 925 or 925M bus from Kranji MRT station – again, its a great way to get wild in Singapore. Find the AllTrails maps here.
11. Take a ferry to St John’s and Lazarus Islands, or even Kusu Island
Take a day out to relax in the outer islands of Singapore – no passport needed (although there are some Indonesian islands not far away either).
St John’s and Lazarus are connected by a foot bridge – so you get two lovely islands for the price of one! Laze and swim on lovely beaches under tall palms on Lazarus, then try out the local dishes on St John’s. Perfect!
Kusu means island of tortoise, and it does actually have more than 100 tortoises in the lagoon. There are Chinese temples to visit and then you can relax with the tortoises.
Take a ferry from Marina South Pier to Kusu Island , or to St. John’s Island (and walk to Lazarus).
Of course, you can take a tour or special speed boat or catamaran trip to the southern islands! There are a myriad of options so click here and here to see what is on offer on the water!
12. Climb to the highest point in Singapore – a must for peak-baggers!
You too can climb to the highest point of another country – and this one has to be about the easiest in the world! Bukit Timah Hill is the highest point of Singapore at 164 metres (538 feet) high!! It sounds easy and is in reality but there are quite a few steps depending which way you go up – you have a few choices! I walked up the Cave Path through the forest which had quite a few steps but was pretty nice, and down the Main Road – which was paved and ok!
The whole hill is a reserve and is also interesting because of history! It is the place the British took their final stand against the Japanese in WWII.
The closest MRT Stop is Beauty World on the Downtown Line. Take Exit A and its about a 10-minute walk to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Visitor Centre where you can start your walk to the top! Note – no real views!
Bonus: Hang out in Singapore’s fantastic Jewel Changi Airport
Yes that seems like a joke – not very wild. But these clever Singaporeans have brought nature right into what is arguably the worlds coolest airport.
The big highlight is the Rain Vortex – the seven-story-tall indoor waterfall – in the center of Shiseido Forest Valley. Suspended walkways give you great viewpoints of this pretty amazing scene! (Pre-book a ticket here.) There is also a digital waterfall (T2) and many other cool features but I will stick to the ‘wilder’ things.
The rain vortex is super cool but I loved the gardens too – especially the Sunflower Garden and Butterfly Garden. So as a finale to the ‘wilder side’ of Singapore, tick these off when you get to the airport – just make sure you have plenty of time!
- Rain Vortex and Forest Valley (outside T1)
- Bamboo grove (outside T2)
- Water Lily garden (T1)
- Cactus garden (T1)
- Discovery garden (T1)
- Sunflower garden (T2)
- Enchanted Garden and Koi pond (T2)
- Dreamscape (T2)
- The Rainforest Columns
- Butterfly Garden and Waterfall (T3)
- Crystal Garden (T3)
- Canopy Park, Hedge Maze and Petal Garden (Level 5 – entry tickets required)
Tip: Check what time you can check your luggage – a lot of airlines let you check in up to 24 hours ahead of time so you can spend time at the airport!
And if you like to swim and watch planes – there is an outdoor pool and jacuzzi in T1 – towels etc. included but it does have an entry fee of $25SGD at the time of writing.
Frequently Asked Questions for travel to Singapore
Q: Do I need a visa to visit Singapore?
A: Not for most countries, but you do need to complete an SG Arrival card online within 3 days before flying to Singapore. For some countries citizens also need a visa to travel to Singapore. The list is here.
Q: Is Singapore expensive for tourists?
A: Basically, yes and no! For accommodation its in line with European prices – quite expensive. But food, e.g. at hawker centers (see the tips below) can be relatively cheap and so is transport, and some attraction entry prices. It is more expensive than most of the South-East Asian countries however.
Q: How many days should I spend in Singapore?
A: It depends on whether you are just treating it as a stop over or visiting Singapore in its own right. For highlights 2-3 days is good, but if you want to see more and enjoy a lot more of what it has to offer then a week is good.
Q: What are the best areas to stay in Singapore?
A: Marina Bay, Chinatown, Bugis, Orchard Road, and Clarke Quay are all good options for being close to some action. Others like to stay on Sentosa Island which is closer to many of the theme parks and the beaches.
Travel Tips for Singapore
- Do not:
– chew gum or bring chewing gum into the country
– litter
– eat on trains
– vape
– jaywalk
All these things are banned in Singapore and penalties are heavy! - Singapore is incredibly safe for travelers – especially solo female travelers! Obviously take normal precautions but the laws are strict here so walking alone at night is nowhere near the danger of most cities! (Not that I am saying it is 100% safe of course.)
- Good foods to try in Singapore are: chili crab, Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, satay, hawker centres (e.g. the Chinatown Complex, Old Airport Road Food Centre, and Maxwell Food Centre), and the Michelin rated hawker food. Bring cash for the street food!
- The Hong Lim Market & Food Centre has the most Michelin rated hawker food in one place. these are your Michelin options:
– Tai Wah Pork Noodle –
– Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee
– Ji Ji Wanton Noodle Specialist
– Ah Heng Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee
– Ah Heng Duck Rice
– Hokkien Street Bak Kut Teh - The MRT (underground / subway) is really easy to use and convenient. Ubers are also a good options for getting around. You can take the MRT directly from the airport to the city center. The staff are also very helpful!
Where to Stay in Singapore
If you have the money, or it is a must do, stay at the fabulous Marina Bay Sands Hotel and swim in that pool – read about our stay and whether it is worth it!
Otherwise book a hotel with booking.com or a hostel with Hostelworld. there are lots of options but these are great starting points at different budget levels as they are all rated at least 9/10 in the reviews at the time of writing:
Luxury – Raffles Singapore, or, Marina Bay Sands (the one with the pool!)
High End – the Fullerton Hotel, or Mandarin Oriental or the Park Royal Marina Bay
Mid Range – YOTEL Singapore Orchard Road or Holiday Inn Express Singapore Katong by IHG or the Ibis Singapore on Bencoolen
Budget – Cube Social Boutique Capsule Hotel at Boat Quay or Jyu Capsule Hotel, and recently I stayed in the cheaper and very well set out Dream Lodge @ Farrer Park
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