The most beautiful public parks in Singapore

Continue along the Pasir Ris park connector towards Tampines and you’ll come across sprawling greenery formed by open grasslands, freshwater wetlands and a secondary rainforest. You’d never guess that this green space exists, wrapping around one of the most populous neighbourhoods in Singapore. Wade through the greens as you take on the walking trail within the sanctuary to uncover its rich biodiversity, featuring many species of birds, butterflies, dragonflies and spiders. Sit on one of the rustic wooden benches while you admire the marshes and listen to the unique sounds of wild birds – and the expressway. Only in Singapore, eh?

We're mighty proud of our very own UNESCO World Heritage site. Established in 1852, the Gardens are a tranquil respite from the city buzz, in the city. Highlights include the National Orchid Garden with the world’s largest collection of orchids including the national flower, Vanda Miss Joaquim, a beautiful swan lake where you can have a picnic, the classical-style Sundial Garden and more. 

One of the largest parks in Singapore, the idyllic Bishan-Ang Mo Kio park comprises two sections, separated by Marymount Road. Intersecting the length of the park is the starting portion of the Kallang River, which flows down from Lower Pierce Reservoir through some lush 62 hectares of parkland. The river is also frequented by native wildlife including a famous family of smooth-coated otters and also a nesting spot for purple herons. 

The gentle sloping grassy banks make the perfect spot for a picnic – and if you want to get closer to the water, there are designated "flooded streams" where you can dip your toes in by crossing on the stepping stones. Other garden attractions include the tranquil Pond Garden and River Plains. The park also has a spa – Aramsa Garden Spa. Other amenities include a dog run, a playground and water park. 

Locates in a residential estate, the serene Bukit Batok Nature Park was developed on an abandoned quarry in 1988. There are lookout points that afford stunning views of the quarry, along with footpaths to cycle and jog on and a moderately easy hiking trail through the foliage. For a bit of history, head to the WWII memorial, which commemorates the location of one of the fiercest battles that took place in Singapore.

Located in the Botanic Gardens, the Learning Forest was designed to integrate with the existing 6-hectare rainforest to form an enlarged forest habitat. Unlike the rest of the Botanic Gardens, the Learning Forest is a little more rustic and sprawling, segmented into different areas like the bamboo garden, an arboretum of wild fruit trees, and wetland ecosystems for curious sorts to explore, discover and like its namesake, to learn about Singapore’s rainforests.

Surprise, surprise. Well, of course, we had to add this spot to this list. It's no wonder Gardens by the Bay features in almost every promotional image of Singapore. There's so much to gawk about the lakes, the plants and flowers, the Supertrees, the glass domes with even more plants. Just to note, while most attractions in the park are free for all, a ticket is required to enter designated areas. Still, it's pretty worth it too, we say. Our favourite (free)spot in Gardens by the Bay? Head to the Kingfisher Wetlands where there are man-made waterfalls, hideouts to watch wildlife in the area and a leafy trail to follow. 

Singapore’s oldest and most popular nature park is a haven for joggers, families and weekend strollers; occasional free concerts are held on Sundays. To get into the rainforest proper, the MacRitchie Trails around the reservoir offer easy boardwalk treks and ambitious hikes, ranging from three to 11 kilometres in length. Long-tailed macaque monkeys are common, but be wary: some can be quite ferocious, as they’re used to being fed by irresponsible visitors. A highlight is the TreeTop Walk, a suspension bridge positioned 25 metres above the forest floor, which connects the two highest points in the reserve and offers splendid panoramic views. 

While the grown-ups will appreciate the history of this modest-sized mound in the heart of the business district, the kids… well, they don’t need any excuse to tumble around in a park as verdant as this, do they? Explore the many nooks and crannies of Fort Canning Park and its many colonial-era relics – learn more about the paramount roles it played in the defence of the island and even before the British arrived when it served as the residence of Malay royalty. Drop by our favourite spot in this park – the Sang Nila Utama Garden, named after the Palembang prince that discovered Singapore. 

Though open to the public, making your way to this end of Singapore is quite an adventure already. Good thing you don't even need a ferry to get to the island – just a pair of good walking shoes will do. This ecologically sustainable park also uses timber from fallen trees for all the signage in the park, benches and the boardwalk over the mangrove swamp. Everything on the island is kept rustic and as it is, so you can expect to discover hidden beaches around the coast and some wildlife out and about. 

Located next to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, everyone heads to Hindhede Nature Park for one thing: the majestic views of the quarry. While it may not be a conducive place for a picnic or frolicking in the grass, the path to the quarry is lush and an excellent spot for wildlife watching. There are also play areas where you can let the kids run around for a bit before heading to the observation deck that faces the picturesque quarry.

The riverine park is known for its constructed wetlands where you can walk to edges of pools and mangroves to observe the aquatic wildlife. The wetland also attracts a rich diversity of wildlife like mangrove birds and damselflies. When walking around the park, you will also discover plenty of fruit trees such as star fruit, chiku and dragon fruit.