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Green Getaways Must-Visit Parks in Singapore

Green Getaways: Must-Visit Parks in Singapore

Despite being highly urbanised, Singapore offers parks and outdoor spaces as a refreshing escape from the city bustle. 

While shopping, bar hopping, and dining capture the vibrant city life, exploring lush greenery and biodiversity adds a rejuvenating element to your overall travel experience.

If you’re looking to take a break from the Lion City’s hustle and bustle, take a look at the best parks in Singapore and consider adding them to your must-visit list. Many of them are close to each other, so you can visit two or more parks within a day! 

East Coast Park

Address: E Coast Park Service Rd, Singapore 

Operating Hours: Open 24/7

Website

Looking for a family-friendly and pet-friendly park to spend the morning and afternoon with your loved ones? Head on over to East Coast Park, the East’s most loved urban recreational space. 

There are a lot of activities you can pass the time with here, such as cycling, walking, skating, and cable skiing. If you’re looking to beat the heat, you can head over to the coast and engage in water sports like kayaking and wake surfing too!

Notable attractions within the park include the child-friendly and sandy Coastal Playgrove, serene Raintree Cove, therapeutic KPMG Wellness Garden, and multiple glamping spots to spend the night under the stars along East Coast Park’s coastline! 

Tip:
A popular way locals dine at East Coast Park is to rent out barbecue pits and grill their own meat for dinner. 

Barbecue pits are available for rental in the afternoons until evening, but you’ll need to book one in advance to ensure you get a slot before they run out. Book a barbecue pit here.

Fort Canning Park

Address: Fort Canning, Singapore 

Contact Details: +6518004717300

Operating Hours: Open 24/7

Website

History buffs with a penchant for nature might find Fort Canning Park to be the best park in Singapore. With historical structures surrounded by lush greenery, this landmark continues to attract locals and tourists for more than just a history lesson. 

Fort Canning Park was a significant landmark in Singapore’s colonial history. It once served as the island’s main defence centre and formerly housed Malay royalty during the British colonial era. 

Today, you’ll find pockets of historical artefacts like cannons, gateways, and cobblestone walkways that lead you through the whole park. A must-visit is the Tree Tunnel, where a spiral staircase opens up to a beautiful ceiling of tree canopies. 

Tip:
After spending a day strolling the outdoors, we highly recommend paying a visit to the Fort Canning Heritage Gallery located on the southern wing of Fort Canning Centre. 

You’ll find exhibitions displaying important historical notes and artefacts about Singapore’s British colonial history and the significance of the fort during that era. Admission is free, by the way! 

MacRitchie Reservoir Park

Address: Lornie Rd, Singapore 298735 

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Website

Rise early to explore MacRitchie Reservoir Park, the oldest reservoir in Singapore, where you can engage in turtle spotting and immerse yourself in the beauty of bamboo trees and other natural elements. 

MacRitchie Reservoir Park stands out as one of the finest hiking destinations in Singapore, nestled within the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, and presents a variety of colourful trails to explore.

For instance, the Orange trail spans 7 kilometres and leads to the breathtaking Treetop Walk, offering panoramic views of a jungle landscape. The suspended bridge, positioned 25 metres above the forest floor, provides stunning vistas in the distance. 

Tip:
The trails found around MacRitchie Reservoir Park take about two to four hours to complete, so bring along snacks and water with you. 

However, for a more filling and hearty finish to your exploration, head over to the food court located at the very end of the trail. 

HortPark

Address: 33 Hyderabad Rd, Singapore 119578

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 6:00 am to 11:00 pm

Website

For those with a passion for gardening, HortPark could easily be considered their preferred green oasis in Singapore. If you possess a green thumb, HortPark stands out as a haven for gardeners, boasting 13 themed garden attractions.

HortPark provides expansive lawns perfect for relaxation, picnics, and hosting events. Take a stroll through the essential Valley of Edibles in the Community Gardening Zone to gain insights into gardening and edible plant cultivation.

This area features a variety of vegetables, edible flowers, herbs, spices, and more. What’s even more exciting is that the HortPark Visitor Centre is equipped to guide you on starting your own edible garden right at home!

Tip: As part of the Gardeners’ Day Out event, HortPark organises free monthly tours. To access the schedule for these tours, you can check out this link.

Windsor Nature Park

Address: 30 Venus Dr, Singapore 573858

Contact Details: +6518004717300

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Website

After visiting the majestic MacRitchie Reservoir Park, make sure to leave some time in your day to visit Windsor Nature Park. The 75-hectare park sits adjacent to the reservoir and is a great spot to cool down after trekking for a whole day. 

However, if you’re still looking to burn calories and keep walking, Windsor Nature Park boasts popular walking trails such as the Drongo Trail and Hanguana Trail. Both trails boast rare plants and towering tree canopies that you get to walk under for shade.  

Additional attractions include freshwater streams, marshes, and picturesque boardwalks that guide you through the entire green expanse. Overall, Windsor Nature Park is a great spot to unwind after an exhilarating day, but still offers some thrill!

Tip:
Pets are not permitted on the walking trails of Windsor Nature Park, except for one designated area: Venus Walk. 

This brief boardwalk trail is located near the MacRitchie Treetop Walk Trailhead and can be reached via an off-road path from Venus Drive, making it a suitable spot to bring your furry companions.

Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park

Address: 1384 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1, Singapore

Operating Hours: Open 24/7

Website

Nestled right next to the Kallang River, Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park sprawls an impressive 65 hectares of lush greenery and lawns where locals and tourists can lounge and unwind. It’s also one of the largest urban parks in Singapore! 

The park is conveniently located between the districts of Marymount and Ang Mo Kio, with Marymount Road intersecting its centre. This gives you great access to the park if you’re staying in any staycation or hotels within these two areas. 

The park boasts a skating rink, playgrounds, ponds, walking trails, and dining establishments where you can eat your heart out amidst nature. Locals flock to Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park for various events like yoga retreats and spa treatments too!

Tip: Stay updated with the weather forecast on the day of your visit, as Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park has only two shelters to keep you dry from the rain. That’s, of course, aside from the dining establishments nearby. 

Rifle Range Nature Park

Address: Rifle Range Road, Singapore 589322

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Website 

Rifle Range Nature Park, a recent addition to Singapore’s park network, is powered by solar energy. Positioned as a green buffer between urban districts and the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, it combines modern ecology with sustainability.

The park features an elevated boardwalk spanning over 400 metres called the Gliders Boardwalk. The boardwalk takes you through the park, most especially the Visitor Pavilion, Quarry Wetland, numerous rope bridges, and colugo poles. 

Despite its modern features, Rifle Range Nature Park also boasts a ton of fauna, inhabiting the lush forest surrounding it. You can find the Long-Tailed macaque, the Sunda colugo, and Kingfisher birds. 

Tip:
Near Rifle Range Nature Park, there’s a parking area that accommodates cyclists. However, at the Senapang Entrance, there are only 10 bike slots available. 

To ensure availability and avoid crowds, it’s recommended to visit during weekday mornings or afternoons.

Kent Ridge Park

Address: Vigilante Dr, Singapore 118176

Contact Details: +6518004717300

Operating Hours: Open 24/7

Website

For fitness enthusiasts seeking an invigorating workout in a natural setting, Kent Ridge Park in Singapore is a must-visit destination. Nestled beside HortPark, this expansive park boasts 20 fitness stations, serene nature ponds, and an extensive boardwalk.

Elders frequent this park to get some of their daily exercise done using the park’s numerous public gym equipment and machines. They don’t look like the machines you see in a typical private gym, however, but they’re very useful to pump some muscle! 

Aside from fitness equipment, Kent Ridge Park is also home to a diverse range of flora and fauna inhabiting the greenery. As you work out, you might come across birds, squirrels, and fish swimming in the park’s ponds. 

Tip: The park once had three entrances, but now, with the closure of the Springwood Height entrance, you can access it through either Vigilante Drive or Pepys Road.

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Park

Address: 301 Neo Tiew Cres, Singapore 718925

Contact Details: +6567941401

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Website

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is Singapore’s first-ever ASEAN Heritage Park. It was gazetted as a Nature Reserve in 2002 and then inducted as a heritage park in 2003. 

The park has been known for its importance as a site for migratory birds since then. 

Most of the natural scenes you’ll find here are mangrove forests, ponds, mudflats, and sprawling forests where birds, snakes, lizards, spiders, and more inhabit. You might chance on beautiful herons, kingfishers, and sandpipers around the park too! 

Aside from the park’s impressive biodiversity, visitors can also engage in nature strolls around the park, birdwatching, and guided tours around the reserve. These tours are free, but bookings for groups of more than 30 people should be placed in advance. 

Tip:
Although Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Park is generally family-friendly, you might encounter animals like crocodiles, lizards, and monkeys that might scare off your children when provoked. 

It’s best to keep your distance from any animal you see walking by. Even better, book a guided tour with any of the park’s staff members to keep you on safe walking paths around the reserve! 

Pasir Ris Park

Address: Pasir Ris Green, Singapore

Contact Details: +6518004761600

Operating Hours: Open 24/7

Website 

Explore a day of fun at Pasir Ris Park’s expansive 70 hectares, offering a variety of activities for friends and family. Nestled by the sea, the park is adorned with trees, grassy lawns, and mangrove forests, providing a natural backdrop for your enjoyment.

Besides these features, the park is an ideal destination for activities such as inline skating, cycling, fishing, and bird-watching from the Bird-Watching Tower. There’s also a Maze Garden, an archery club, and access to Pasir Ris Beach for beachside lounging. 

If you want to skip the thrilling activities and simply want to enjoy the park’s natural scenery, take a trip to the mangrove forest and walk along the boardwalk. It’s a fairly quiet area with only the lull of waves and the chirping of birds to keep you company!

Tip:
Pasir Ris Park provides the opportunity for visitors to reserve beachside barbecue pits. 

You can secure pit reservations on the day of your choice here. Please be aware that the barbecue pits are only available for use between 7:00 pm and 10:30 pm.

Bukit Batok Nature Park

Address: Cnr Bukit Batok East Avenue 2, Bukit Batok East Ave 6, and, Singapore 659761

Contact Details: +6518004717300

Operating Hours: Open 24/7

Website 

Bukit Batok Nature Park is one of the smaller parks in Singapore, but it’s packed with serene walking paths, forest vistas, playgrounds, and vantage points that give you stunning views of the city and lush greenery. 

The park’s location used to be a quarry, like many other nature reserves around the island but was shut down in 1998. Today, you can traverse the park’s numerous walking paths and view the abandoned quarry from a lookout point at its centre. 

If you want to sit back and rest for a bit, there are numerous shelters to keep you safe from the sun as you lounge in the park. If you want a more challenging activity to pass the time, you can climb up to Bukit Batok Hill and enjoy the view from up there!

Tip: Now and then, a flute player lovingly nicknamed “Uncle Flutist” would visit Bukit Batok Nature Park and play the flute while birds chirp around him. He often plays his flute near the pond, so don’t forget to keep an eye out for him during your visit!

Admiralty Park

Address: 6A Admiralty Rd, Singapore 732006

Contact Details: +6518004717300

Operating Hours: Open 24/7

Website 

Known as the largest urban park in the North, Admiralty Park is a hotspot for weekend activities with your kids thanks to its large Nature Playgarden. The playground has a whopping 26 slides and three large play zones catering to both children and adults. 

Admiralty Park’s hilly terrain also makes it a great spot for jogging and trekking, especially if you want to make your workout a little more challenging. There are also fitness stations adjacent to the play zones where you can work out your muscles.

Aside from the playgrounds and jogging paths, there’s also a small mangrove forest you can visit via its elevated boardwalk. The forest itself is smaller compared to other parks in Singapore, but it’s still a great spot for peace and quiet away from children!

Tip: The playgrounds in Admiralty Park are specially designed to accommodate all children of different ages and abilities. This means that the play equipment is fully wheelchair accessible!

Telok Blangah Hill Park

From chervonkhoo

Address: Telok Blangah Green, Telok Blangah Hill Park, Singapore

Operating Hours: Open 24/7

Website

If you’re planning a garden wedding anytime soon, you should keep Telok Blangah Hill Park on your top wedding venues list. This beautiful park sits between the Southern Ridges and Mount Faber Park, but you can access it via Telok Blangah Green Road. 

The most popular spot in this lush 34-hectare park is the stone staircase that leads to the top of Telok Blangah Hill. The staircase features a verdant terrace garden which consists of flower beds shaped like semi-circles, circling the steps. 

The pink and purple blooms, plus the stunning 360-degree views from the hilltop, makes Telok Blangah Hill Park a popular wedding spot for both Singaporean and foreign couples. Occasionally, butterflies and birds flutter around the park, adding to its charm!

Tip: Regrettably, the gardens within Telok Blangah Hill Park are not designed to be accessible for wheelchairs, and there are no designated wheelchair access points available.

Mount Faber Park

Address: Mount Faber Rd, Singapore

Operating Hours: Open 24/7

Website

Mount Faber Park is one of the most popular parks in Singapore, particularly because this is where you can take a scenic ride on a cable car to and from Sentosa Island. Most people associate the park with cable cars, but locals visit it for more than just the ride. 

Situated right next to Mount Faber Station, Mount Faber Park has roughly 40 hectares of forested area, housing a diverse range of flora and fauna. The park’s hilly terrain and pathways make for great vantage points for panoramic views of the sea. 

One of the most popular activities to do here (aside from cable car rides) is bird watching. There are dozens of birds in the forest surrounding the park and they’re usually perched on trees next to walkways early in the morning or late in afternoon. 

Tip: Mount Faber Park is part of the Southern Ridges Heritage Trail, so if you plan on visiting lots of parks within the day, we suggest taking this particular trail and walk your way through three parks within a day! 

Ann Siang Hill Park

Address: 78 Club St, Singapore 069447

Contact Details: +6518004717300

Operating Hours: Open 24/7

Website

Nestled in Ann Siang Hill’s rolling hills, Ann Siang Hill Park is a serene green oasis contrasting with the lively historic neighbourhood. Conveniently located near Club Street, it offers picturesque views of the culturally rich enclave. 

It’s a little difficult to find this park due to its hidden location within the busy Chinatown district. Look for staircases behind PS.Cafe Ann Siang Hill and make your way up your steps until you reach a quiet but verdant garden!

Beyond its tranquillity, the park serves as a unique blend of nature and urban development. The pathways around the small park take you through the back entrances of multiple buildings via staircases, so warm up your knees before dropping by! 

Tip:
While navigating Ann Siang Hill Park, you’ll encounter informative plaques embellished with historical photographs, offering intriguing glimpses into the profound history of Ann Siang Hill. 

These visual indicators provide an interactive means to enhance your awareness of the area’s heritage as you take a leisurely stroll through the park.

Kallang Riverside Park

From exploresingapore.sg 

Address: Cnr Kallang Road and, Crawford St, Singapore 397732

Contact Details: +6518004717300

Operating Hours: Open 24/7

Website

If you’re a fan of water sports like rowing, kayaking, and Dragon boat racing, then Kallang Riverside Park may be your next weekend destination. The park sits right next to the Kallang River and spans 7 hectares.

Adrenaline junkies flock to this park, not just for the water sports, but also to jog, cycle, and fish! The park is clad with distance markers, making it a perfect spot to practise race or running times along with other fitness enthusiasts who frequent the area. 

Aside from water sports, Kallang Riverside Park is also popular as a site for bird watching during the migratory season from September to March. You can catch herons and egrets flying around the riverside as you kick back and relax on the grass!  

Tip:
Despite the park sitting along the Kallang River, you can fish at the designated fishing spots located across from the Kampong Bugis Car Park and near the KRP Public toilets. 

These two fishing zones are labelled as the Marina Reservoir Fishing Zones. 

Lower Seletar Reservoir Park

Address: Yishun Ave 1, Lower Seletar Reservoir Park, Singapore 769139

Contact Details: +6518004717300

Operating Hours: Open 24/7

Website

Another notable spot for water sports is Lower Seletar Reservoir Park. The park is not as popular as other parks near the Woodlands, but it’s still frequented by locals who make use of its outdoor fitness equipment and fishing zones. 

Located on the western coast of Lower Seletar Reservoir, the park offers Dragon boat rowing, kayaking, and fishing opportunities at the nearby jetty, where anglers can catch tilapias and snakeheads.

A main highlight of the park is the Heritage Bridge, which extends from the Lower Seletar Amphitheatre. The bridge offers great views of the reservoir’s calm waters and serves as a great hangout spot for groups of friends to relax and unwind. 

Tip:
People who want to fish at Lower Seletar Reservoir Park are only allowed to use artificial bait. 

This is due to the park’s conservation policies meant to preserve the reservoir’s water quality. Anglers are required to use carbon steel micro barb or barbless hooks as well as practise catch and release methods of fishing. 

Woodlands Waterfront Park

Address: Admiralty Rd W, Singapore 759956

Contact Details: +6518004717300

Operating Hours: Open 24 hours

Website 

After exploring Lower Seletar Reservoir Park, consider heading further north to Woodlands Waterfront Nature Park for stunning coastal views of Northern Singapore. It’s a popular spot for catching the sunset, so visit later in the day.

Woodlands Waterfront Park spans 27 acres, offering expansive pet-friendly and pedestrian-friendly areas with a scenic view of the Straits of Johor. There are even dedicated paths for runners to roam around with their furry friends while the sun sets! 

Enjoy a peaceful picnic within the park surrounded by tall trees, providing ample shade and a touch of privacy away from the city centre’s hustle and bustle (the park is an hour away from the CBD, by the way!).

Tip:
If you’re feeling parched or hungry after exploring Woodlands Waterfront Park, look for the vending machines near the entrance to the jetty. You can get a small selection of drinks and snacks. 

However, if you’re looking for something more filling, there’s a halal-friendly seafood restaurant called Rasa Istimewa Waterfront near the jetty as well!

Merlion Park

From singapore.explores 

Address: 1 Fullerton Rd, Singapore 049213

Contact Details: +6565145959

Operating Hours: Open 24/7 

Website

What’s a visit to Singapore without a trip to the world-famous Merlion Park? Although not as lush as our other top recommendations on this list, Merlion Park is still a bucket list item for every traveller visiting the Lion City for the first time! 

It’s hard not to miss Merlion Park when you’re venturing into Singapore’s CBD. The iconic 70-ton statue sits at the very end of Fullerton Road, facing Marina Bay, and is accessible via the One Fullerton shopping mall. 

While there’s no best time to visit Merlion Park, we highly recommend dropping by late in the afternoon to catch sunset views and sticking around until evening (around 7:00 pm). You can catch Spectra, a nightly light and sound show, from the park! 

Tip:
Another way you can reach Merlion Park is to take a 40-minute boat tour from the Singapore River Cruise at Clarke Quay or walk the whole stretch of Jubilee Bridge from the Esplanade or Waterfront Promenade. 

These routes take much longer but present a more scenic way to reach Merlion Park, especially since these areas are tourist spots. You’ll be checking off more items on your travel bucket list by going on foot or boat!
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