9 exceptional national parks and gardens in Singapore

For decades, authorities in equator-adjacent Singapore have sought to turn their tiny country into a “city in a garden.” And indeed, even though the city-state packs over 6 million residents into just 745 sq km, their project has largely succeeded.

Beyond the futuristic, showpiece “Supertree“ towers of Gardens by the Bay, visitors can explore more than 350 parks, as well as four nature reserves managed by Singapore’s National Parks Board. Laced with walking and cycling trails and peppered with play spaces, bird hideaways, tree-top walks and other attractions, most of these verdant tropical spaces offer much more than a typical nature escape – allowing all those people numerous ways to get their needed fixes of green.

These are our picks of the best major green spaces worth a visit – the nine best national parks and gardens in Singapore.

1. Singapore Botanic Gardens

Best park for manicured beauty

Established in 1860 and now on UNESCO’s World Heritage list, Singapore Botanic Gardens is an 82-hectare oasis of lush rolling lawns, primeval rainforest, serene lakes and themed gardens. The world’s largest showcase of tropical orchids is on display at the National Orchid Garden, while little travelers will love exploring the interactive Jacob Ballas Children's Garden, complete with a water-play feature and forest adventure playground.

A relatively recent addition, the undulating landscapes of the 8-hectare Gallop Extension bring elements of 18th-century English landscape design to a tropical setting. Two beautifully refurbished historic buildings now house a botanical art gallery and a forest discovery center.

2. Southern Ridges

Best park for urban hikers

Made up of a series of parks connecting Kent Ridge Park to Mt Faber and the Labrador Nature Reserve, the Southern Ridges will have you hiking through the jungle without ever really leaving the city. The entire route covers 10km; if you only have time, tackle one section, make it the 4km stretch from Kent Ridge Park to Mt Faber. Not only is this section relatively easy, but it also offers forest-canopy walkways, lofty skyline vistas and the chance to cross the spectacular Henderson Waves, an undulating pedestrian bridge suspended 36m above the ground.

3. Fort Canning Park

Best park for history

This green area was a seat of power for centuries – the site of palaces of 14th-century kings and later the headquarters of the Far East Command Centre and British Army Barracks. Indeed, the iconic hilltop landmark rising up behind Clarke Quay has witnessed many of Singapore’s historical milestones. Today, 18-hectare Fort Canning Park contains nine historical gardens, including Singapore’s first botanical garden, within its manicured borders. Underground lies the command center where the decision to surrender Singapore to the Japanese in 1942 was made. Known as Battlebox, it’s now a great little museum.

4. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Best park for a jungle immersion

When only a sweaty jungle tramp will do, head for this 163-hectare tract of primary rainforest clinging to Singapore’s highest peak, Bukit Timah (163m). One of the first forest reserves established in the country, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve has a lush forest canopy that shelters a hefty portion of the nation’s remaining native wildlife, including long-tailed macaques, pythons and dozens of bird species. If you’re really lucky, you might even spot a critically endangered Malayan pangolin.

Planning tip: The reserve has four main hiking routes, a mountain bike trail, and the Kampong Trail, which links Bukit Timah with MacRitchie Reservoir.

5. Jurong Lake Gardens

Best park for families

Specifically designed as a place where families and community can come together, Jurong Lake Gardens offers the ultimate day out for travelers with kids of all ages. One of Singapore’s newest green spaces, this 90-hectare attraction encompasses three main gardens, including a Japanese Garden and a Chinese Garden. But kids will just adore the Lakeside Garden, which features some of the most innovative outdoor play spaces in Singapore, including the sprawling Forest Ramble (inspired by a freshwater swamp forest) and the Clusia Cove water playground, which mimics the tidal patterns of an ocean beach. Little ones can follow the path of the butterfly maze as flutterers flit about, while a youth zone has skating and other recreational facilities.

6. Chek Jawa Wetlands

Best park for leaving the city totally behind

It only takes 15 minutes to reach Pulau Ubin from Changi Village by bumboat (motorized sampan). But once you arrive on this small, wild island nestled between mainland Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a time warp – for the human presence here remains minimal. If there’s one part of the island you can’t miss, it’s Chek Jawa Wetlands, a 100-hectare reserve where six different ecological habitats converge. The 1km coastal boardwalk leads through a serene mangrove swamp to the 21m-high Jejawi Tower, which you can climb for sweeping coastal and jungle views.

Planning tip: Renting a bike is the best way to explore the rustic island. There are several options right by the ferry pier.

7. East Coast Park

Best park for cycling

With more than 300km of cycling and walking trails linking its green spaces (known as the Park Connector Network or PCN), Singapore is a fantastic destination for nature-based cycling. And East Coast Park, with its 12.5km stretch of the PCN, is a particularly appealing option for a leisurely pedal along the palm tree-fringed Singaporean seaside. Bicycles are available for rent in this narrow park hugging Singapore’s eastern shoreline; there’s even a bike park for practicing your technique.

Planning tip: With no fewer than 80 barbecue pits located across the park, it’s also a top spot for a picnic lunch.

8. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Best park for bird-watching

A site of international importance for migratory birds, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is a twitcher’s heaven. Get your binoculars ready to spot resident birds such as herons, kingfishers and sunbirds in this 202-hectare precinct of mangroves, mudflats, ponds and forests on Singapore’s remote north coast. Seasonal visitors from September to March include diverse flocks of shorebirds and waders. Walking trails lead to great viewing spots, including a clutch of bird hides, along the way.

Detour: Nearby Kranji Marshes is another great national park for bird-watching, with its own Raptor Tower for viewing visiting species such as the black baza and Japanese sparrowhawk.

9. Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Best park for a rainforest run

Occupying more than 2000 hectares of forest in the heart of Singapore, the biodiversity-rich Central Catchment Nature Reserve is home to rare flora and fauna species, including dipterocarp forests and the critically endangered Raffles banded langur. With a 20km network of trails and boardwalks winding through the forest around the MacRitchie Reservoir, Singapore’s largest green space is a particularly popular recreation area for walkers and runners. Route 3 and Route 5 include the TreeTop Walk, a 250m-long suspension bridge that connects the two highest points in MacRitchie, while Route 4 takes you to Jelutong Tower, a seven-deck observation tower with superb views over the canopy.