Gather your pals and plan an incredible picnic in Singapore with our easy guide to the best locations and picnic essentials.
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 to find the best picnic locations in Singapore (including green parks and beaches), along with a checklist of everything you need for that perfect picnic!
Best picnic locations in Singapore
1. Kallang Riverside Park
A quiet park with views of the Kallang River and the National Stadium, this place is an idyllic location. Pick your grassy patch of choice for a picnic and people-watch as joggers, fishing enthusiasts, and kayakers do their thing. Want to take a stroll afterwards? Keep your eyes peeled for the Allotment Garden, murals under the Merdeka Bridge, and otter sightings.
2. Gardens by the Bay
Planning an afternoon at Gardens by the Bay? Pack your favourite sandwiches and drinks to make the most of it. This is one of Singapore’s coolest picnic locations – you’ll be surrounded by lovely gardens and lush greenery. There are plenty of quiet spots to lay down your picnic mat, so go ahead and explore to your heart’s content.
3. Changi Beach Park
One of the city’s oldest coastal parks, Changi Beach Park exudes a peaceful kampong vibe. It houses tranquil beaches, barbecue pits, and playgrounds for the little ones. Enjoy sea views at the promontory, look out for the WWII memorial plaque, and settle down at one of the pavilions or shelters for a shady afternoon. P.S. you might even spot planes flying overhead near the Changi Coast Track!
4. 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 and gaze at the water for a relaxing picnic.
5. 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!
6. Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park
Located between Bishan and Ang Mo Kio MRT stations, this is a convenient place for a picnic in Singapore. Plus, if you’re too 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.
7. 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.
8. East Coast Park
Hello, palm trees and azure waters! Besides the usual cycling and roller-skating activities, East Coast Park is 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.
9. 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.
10. Singapore Botanic Gardens
Looking for a serene picnic spot? Make your way to Singapore Botanic Gardens, aka the only tropical garden in the country to be honoured as a Unesco World Heritage Site. The park is massive by 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.
How to plan the perfect picnic
Pack your favourite food and drinks
Food can make or break your picnic experience, so think about what you’ll bring. For starters, make sure you have all the staples: Fresh bread, gourmet cheese, amazing cold cuts from top butcheries and addictive snacks like cookies, scones, donuts and croissants for nibbling.
If you’re on a time crunch, do all your 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 favourite sandwiches or a decadent cheese board that you can pair with a glass of wine. Don’t forget to stock up on drinks like coffee, tea, and craft beers.
Ace the tropical 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 on the ‘gram? Ladies, dress to impress with our edit of Earth-friendly sustainable fashion brands and local labels. Lads, put on a chic shirt (extra points for animal prints) and shorts to rock the perfect boy-next-door vibe. For a functional accessory, don a pair of stylish sunglasses or a floppy hat to protect yourself from the sun.
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, and 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 picnic mat (for that perfect flat-lay picture). Plus, grab a roomy picnic basket to store everything, flowers to prettify the scene, and a book to enjoy.
There you have it: a handy checklist for the perfect picnic in Singapore, including food, drinks and lovely picnic locations!
[This article was originally published in 2021 and updated in 2024 by Benita Lee.]
