Gather your pals and plan an incredible picnic in Singapore with our easy guide.
Singapore’s year-round summer weather, minus the occasional showers, is the perfect excuse to head out for a picnic with your friends and family. But before you soak in the sun and feel the wind in your hair, ask yourself if you have everything you need. The last thing you want is to realise you’ve forgotten an essential item when you’re all settled in. Scroll down this checklist of everything you need for that perfect picnic!
Your guide to having a picnic in Singapore
1. Pack your favourite foods
Food can either make or break your picnic experience, so put a little thought into what you’re going to bring. For starters, make sure you have all the staples: Fresh bread, gourmet cheese, amazing cold cuts from top butcheries and addictive snacks for in-between nibbling.
If you’re on a time crunch, just do all the grocery shopping behind the screen at online supermarkets. Or go all-out and let food deliveries sort out your culinary dilemma. Now, all you need to do is enjoy your fave saandwiches or a decadent cheese board that you can pair with a glass of vino. Speaking of wine…
2. Need a refreshing alcoholic drink?
We need a refreshing drink, so we’re picking up Topo Chico’s hard seltzers. Their light fruity tastes are ideal for pairing with picnic bites and quenching your thirst, being a refreshing alcoholic sparkling water.
Expect delicious flavours like pineapple twist, strawberry guava and tangy lemon lime. At only 102 or 103 calories, they’re an easy drink to down, too. Each can is free of preservatives, artificial flavours and gluten, with added minerals for taste. Grab a few cans from supermarkets and online stores like NTUC, RedMart and Cellarbration to beat the heat – they’re the perfect option for day drinking. Tip: head to RedMart for a special promo; you’ll get a four-can pack at $16!
3. Nail the ethereal summer look
Did you really have a fab picnic if you didn’t post pictures of the OTT picnic setup with you looking all chic for the ‘gram? Ladies, dress to impress with our edit of blogshop and local fashion looks. For the lads, put on a chic shirt (extra points for animal prints) and shorts to rock the perfect boy-next-door vibe. And for a functional accessory, don a pair of stylish sunglasses to protect your peepers from the sun.
4. Grab the essentials
To make it a classy affair, swap out the plastic cups for wine or highball glasses. No one wants to be seen drinking alcohol out of a flimsy cup. Plus, you gotta show some love to the environment! Don’t forget power banks (so you can snap away), portable speakers (to set the mood) and a pretty picnic mat (for that perfect flat lay picture).
5. Find your idyllic picnic place
There are so many options to choose from, thanks to an abundance of green parks and beaches in Singapore, but here are our go-to spots.
Punggol Waterway Park
This is one of the most underrated romantic hideouts in the city. With cool architecture to admire like the dome-shaped jewel bridge and the wavy red sunrise bridge, you’re guaranteed some IG-worthy pics. Lay down your mat in its therapeutic garden that houses aromatic plants like pandan and gaze at the water for a relaxing picnic.
Fort Canning Park
If you’re a curious cat, an ordinary day in the grass and sunshine won’t do it for you. For the history buffs out there, Fort Canning Park is a treasure trove. Snoop around to find ancient artefacts, explore the trails and traipse through the numerous gardens. There are plenty of shaded spots to lay down, too. If you want to check it all out, we recommend getting easily portable items for a picnic-to-go day where you make multiple stops!
Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park
Located between Bishan and Ang Mo Kio MRT stations, this is a totally convenient place for a picnic. Plus, if you’re lazy to prepare food at home, you can always order takeaway dishes from the park’s amazing eats. Check out Canopy Garden Dining for a neat selection of sharing plates.
Marina Barrage
It’s essentially a dam, but atop the waters lies a vast green field that boasts panoramic views of the Marina Bay area. Look out for pretty kites, too. This picnic place is a hotspot for kite enthusiasts. Come sunset, you’ll be blessed with iridescent orange skies. A perfect romantic spot, if you ask us.
East Coast Park
Hello, palm trees and azure waters! Besides the usual cycling and roller-skating activities, East Coast Park is also an idyllic hangout for weekend picnics. Pick a shady spot and soak in the breathtaking views of the sea. Stay for the sunset – it’ll be worth your while.
Palawan Beach
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city at this family-friendly beach in Sentosa. Don’t forget the shovels and buckets to build your architectural sandcastles! After your meal, walk it off across the iconic suspension bridge, which links Palawan Beach to the southernmost point of continental Asia. Ready your cameras for some sweet photos.
Singapore Botanic Gardens
Looking for a serene picnic spot? Make your way to Singapore Botanic Gardens, aka the only tropical garden to be honoured as a Unesco World Heritage Site. The park is massive for Singapore standards, but the best spot has to be the sprawling green field near the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage. If you visit at the right time, you might be treated to a concert by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra while you’re soaking in all that lush floral energy.
There you have it: a handy checklist for the perfect picnic in Singapore, including food, drinks and lovely picnic spots!
