Futuristic botanical gardens. Lively food festivals. Culture around every corner. Singapore is a delight year-round.
A gastronomic and cultural powerhouse, Singapore might just be the perfect destination packed with inspiring museums, game-changing restaurants, and everything in between. Here, we reveal the best time to visit Singapore’s main attractions and events.
When to visit this superb city state
Plan the best time to visit Singapore
The brilliant thing about Singapore is that it’s a year-round destination. It doesn’t experience conventional seasons and thanks to sitting just above the equator, you can expect balmy tropical weather every month of the year.
The dry season lingers from February to April and it’s arguably one of the best times to visit Singapore without the risk of torrential downpours and a packed calendar of festivals. That said, go during the wet season from November to January when the city is bathed in lush greenery and lights up with all the glory of Chinese New Year.
What to do in Singapore
And when to do it
You have a few days in Singapore and a brazen hunger for exploring. Fret not. We’ve compiled the ultimate travel wish list for Singapore, from its whimsical Gardens by the Bay to the eccentric island of Pulau Ubin. This is what you should do in Singapore and when to do it.
Gardens by the Bay
18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore
November to March
Part botanical fantasy, part sculpture park, Gardens by the Bay is a blooming wonderland where visitors wander through space-age biodomes, gawp at its floral displays and pad about the hot and humid environs of its Cloud Forest. Stand in the shadow of its iconic Supertrees and you’ll realize they are vertical gardens that glow up with thousands of lights as darkness falls. And if you have a head for heights, beeline to the OCBC Skyway strung between two Supertrees for knockout city views.
Look out for:
- The creative displays in Floral Fantasy.
- The world’s tallest indoor waterfalls.
- The water park for the kids.
Sentosa Island
Island resort south of the mainland
June to November
Where do Singaporeans go when they’re seeking good old-fashioned fun? They escape the Lion City and hop over to Sentosa Island, ringed with fine white sand and packed with attractions. Sprawl yourself on one of its beaches, lingering over a seafood lunch in one of its laid-back beach bars, before washing the sand from your toes and exploring its thrilling theme parks and aquarium.
Look out for:
- Shows, restaurants and rides at Universal Studios.
- The breathtaking S.E.A. Aquarium.
- The calm waters and playground at Palawan Beach.
Cultural Facts
Spitting and littering is illegal in Singapore.
Always be on time: punctuality is a given.
Avoid public displays of affection.
Singapore Zoo
80 Mandai Lake Rd, Singapore
Any time of the year (in the morning or evening)
This sprawling star animal attraction draws thousands of travellers every year to gawp at its 4,200 residents living in its lush tropical rainforest. Meet the marsupials in Australasia. Look out for meerkats and baboons scurrying down the rock faces of the Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia. Stare into the eyes of a monkey in Primate Kingdom. And gaze at majestic lions in Wild Africa. All this plus keeper talks and workshops and the chance to turn zookeeper for a day.
Look out for:
- Book breakfast in the wild.
- Go behind the scenes and help feed the animals.
- Splash Safari with sea lions.
Southern Ridges
Telok Blangah Hill Park, Singapore
Best going during the Dry Season
Pull on your boots and escape the thrum of the city to this tranquil walking trail winding along the southern ridge of the city. Over six miles, you’ll wander through Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill, HortPark, Kent Ridge Park, and Labrador Nature Reserve, beneath the arch of giant rainforest canopies and tangles of unusual flora. Walk up to the timber-decked Henderson Waves, standing at 256 feet for breathless views across the city.
Look out for:
- The Henderson Waves pedestrian bridge.
- The themed gardens of HortPark.
- The steep climb to Mt Faber.
Pulau Ubin
Island resort northeast of the mainland
February
For a taste of old-world Singapore, catch a boat from Changi to offshore Pulau Ubin – a dot of an island where locals sit in the shade of crumbly teahouses, stray chickens pick their way along country lanes, and travellers explore on hired bikes. It’s the antithesis of the switched-on glamour of the city state and a serenely magical place to hike along forested paths, paddle in the ocean and order plates of fried squid caught that morning.
Look out for:
- Bring a tent and camp in its designated sites.
- The Ubin Fruit Orchard for freshly plucked rambutans.
- Crabs at the Chek Jawa Wetlands.
Singapore Food Festival
Across the island
July
It’s no secret Singapore’s foodie scene is incredible with a culinary culture as diverse as its population. From its iconic hawker centres to Michelin-starred menus, navigating its culinary scene can be a tough job. But time your trip with this gargantuan food festival and you can dig into everything from Chinese-inspired seafood suppers to artfully crafted fine-dining dishes. There are masterclasses and events to sign up for, as well as pioneering chef cook-offs.
Look out for:
- Book a cooking masterclass with a top chef.
- Explore Singapore’s microbreweries.
- The curated village of food stalls.
Mid-Autumn Festival
Across the island
September
Arrive in Singapore for this Chinese festival marking the end of the autumn harvest and the city will be strung with a thousand lanterns glowing in the moonlight. Celebrated since the early Tang dynasty, it traditionally falls on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. Lantern parades, dragon dances and Chinese performers take over pockets of the city after dark. As for what to eat, it’s got to be sweet and delicious mooncakes, crafted in every flavour imaginable (truffle, milk tea, plain lotus), all washed down with hot tea.
Look out for:
- Expertly crafted mooncakes at Raffles Hotel.
- The food stalls along Smith Street.
- The lantern displays in Chinatown.
National Gallery Singapore
1 St. Andrew’s Road, Singapore
Best going during the Wet Season
This cavernous $530 million gallery – spread across the reimagined historic City Hall and Old Supreme Court – is a spectacular setting for the world’s largest collection of Southeast Asian art, from the 19th century to the present day. There are temporary exhibitions to nosy around with a focus on everything from Impressionism to Chinese calligraphy. But the permanent exhibition covering the gallery’s transformation from municipal building into world-class art museum is always worth exploring.
Look out for:
- Book online in advance to skip queues.
- Daily English tours are free.
- The bars and restaurants scattered across its floors.
Little India or Chinatown
Singapore
November (Deepavali) / January (Chinese New Year)
So much of Singapore is breaking ground when it comes to pioneering architecture and switched-on living. But that still doesn’t detract from the historical corners on which the city state has grown. Head to Little India, filled with the heady scents of spices, where tailors, market stalls and curry houses jostle for space on its gritty streets. And over in Chinatown, lose yourself down its warren of alleys, gaze into teahouse windows and order plates of dumplings.
Look out for:
- The beautiful Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.
- The Tekka Food Centre, a hawker centre.
- Indian sweets at Moghul Sweet Shop.
ArtScience Museum
Incredible lights, fireworks and more
6 Bayfront Ave, Singapore
Any time of year
Designed to appear like a giant white lotus, this epic museum draws on art, science, design, media, and technology to conjure its pioneering installations. You could be staring at intimate portraits of Frida Kahlo one minute, stepping into the world of virtual reality the next, or exploring the lost sea creatures of the deep ocean.
Look out for:
- The digital wonderland of Future World: Where Art Meets Science.
- Immersive drawing session for kids.
- The transport-themed play area.
Thinking about the best time to visit Singapore? Well, the thing, is, whenever you arrive in this small but big-hitting city state, you’re going to discover endless appeal. Whether you want to navigate its incredible foodie scene, gaze at art, or explore its off-grid islands; there’s no ‘wrong’ time to visit!
Thinking of traveling to Singapore? Skyscanner can help you find the best flights, hotels and car rental deals for your next trip.
