We all love a good picnic. It’s affordable, convenient, and lets us enjoy a truly wholesome dining experience amid nature. If you don’t know where to go, check out these best picnic spots in Singapore. Some of these places are located along hiking trails, so you can burn a few calories after a good meal.
P.S. As many of these picnic spots are in parks, follow NParks’ guidelines on do’s and don’ts to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone.
Start by checking the weather, and if there are shelters nearby in case of wet weather. Or, bring an umbrella or poncho and consider getting waterproof picnic mats and containers.
Bring mosquito repellents – there are patches, wristbands, sprays, and creams you can get. Those planning to eat during the picnic can also pack dry and wet tissues, as well as hand sanitisers.
Food-wise, avoid items that are mayo-based, which may spoil easily in Singapore’s heat. Go for dry foods and snacks such as salads with oil-based dressings, sandwiches, dried fruits and nuts, and chips that are easy to pack and consume, plus require little to no utensils.
You are allowed to have picnics outdoors, as long as the area is not cordoned off. There may be “do not sit” or “do not step on grass” signs, so remember to look out for those when choosing your spot.
Most parks have sprawling greenery for you to chill on. There are benches and tables which you can use, or you can bring your own picnic mats or blankets to sit on. However, there are some places, such as Gardens by the Bay, that do not allow picnic furniture like foldable chairs and tables, so be sure to read up on the guidelines before heading down.
Singapore has firm rules on littering and smoking in public areas. To avoid getting fined, follow the laws and discard any trash properly after you’re done. Lastly, be mindful and respectful of other users so everyone can have an enjoyable time.
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Telok Blangah Hill Park should be on your radar if you’re looking for one of the most scenic, fairytale picnic spots in Singapore. Recreate your favourite K-drama moment at the old-stone staircases, or pretend you’re Rapunzel letting down your luscious locks to bae.
What’s unmissable would be the large field of pastel pink bougainvillaeas – tread carefully to the centre of the field and you’ve got a stunning photo spot. There’s also a gazebo here if you plan to have a picnic with your pals.
Getting to the starting point: Take Bus 120 to Opp Blk 70b bus stop. Walk 2 minutes to Telok Blangah Hill Park.
You can picnic at the Floating Boardwalk just minutes away from the start point of Sengkang Riverside Park.
Seasoned hikers may already know of the bounty of hiking trails in the northeast. A route we recommend starts your hike at Sengkang Riverside Park. You’ll then wander your way across multiple bridges, like the Sengkang Riverside, Jewel, Kelong, and Sunrise Bridge, before arriving at the Lorong Halus Wetland.
The last bridge you’ll cross – Lorong Halus Bridge – before reaching the Wetland.
If you’ve kept your eyes peeled while hiking, you’ll know there are plenty of spots that are ideal for picnic breaks in Singapore. The lalang fields at Sengkang Riverside Park, for instance, offer a picturesque backdrop for memorable photos, great for celebrating special occasions. Make sure to visit any time between June to August, as you’ll also get to see beautiful water hyacinths blooming and thriving under the heat.
Image credit: @pieintheskypicnics via Instagram
Getting to the starting point: Take the Sengkang LRT towards the LRT Sengkang West Loop. Alight at Kupang and walk 4 minutes to Sengkang Riverside Park.
Image credit: @juwana13 via Instagram
The Imbiah Trail at Sentosa is one of the most iconic kid-friendly hiking trails in Singapore. The scenic trail only takes approximately 30 minutes to walk down. Though short, the hike will bring you past multiple attractions, like man-made waterfalls, along the hike.
Image credit: Hiking the Green Isle
The end of the trail will lead you straight to a bird-watching tower, where you can admire birds fluttering between trees. It’s also a quiet place for a picnic before heading back.
Getting to the starting point: Board Bus A in Sentosa to Imbiah Lookout, or take the cable car from HarbourFront Tower 2 or Mount Faber Station to Imbiah Sentosa Cable Car Station.
Image credits: @mark9plus1 via Instagram
Take a serene walk down the Wallace Trail at Dairy Farm Nature Park to spot wildlife and plants, and even venture through an old kampung. You’ll come across fruit trees of all kinds, such as sea apple, cempedak, and even durian on this relatively easy 2.2km hike.
Image credit: Kim Buay P
Towards the end of your hike, make a short detour past the MOE Adventure Centre, and you’ll find yourself at the Dairy Farm Quarry. The open field is a quiet space perfect for a picnic, plus you get majestic views of the quarry right before you.
Getting to the starting point: Alight at Hillview MRT Station and take Exit A to the park. To get to Wallace Trail, follow the signboards from the nearest Carpark B.
Atbara House Forest Discovery Centre (House No.5) in the background.
Image credit: @nadnut via Instagram
The Botanic Gardens is another go-to picnic spot in Singapore, which means finding a quieter spot can be tough. But just a hike on the nearby Mingxin Foundation Rambler’s Ridge Trail will bring you to an open field that’s lesser known to the weekend crowds.
Image credit: NParks
Be prepared for an uphill walk, but you’ll know you’ve reached the picnic spot once you see the clearing at the Forest Discovery Centre. We recommend the lawn beside the colonial bungalow (Gallop House No.5) for a picturesque picnic that’s totally IG-worthy.
Getting to the start point: Head to The Gallop Extension from Botanic Gardens MRT station exit A, and follow the signs to the trail.
Snap a selfie at the Treetop Walk.
MacRitchie Reservoir is one of the most popular recreational spots in Singapore, and for good reason. From kayaking to hiking the popular Treetop Walk, the park has enough attractions to keep visitors entertained all day long.
Get to the top of the Jelutong Tower for views of the treetops.
Image credit: @yongsukhur via Instagram
Kick off your journey at the Treetop Walk, and enjoy the view of the reservoir from a bridge suspended 25m above ground. If you want a more vertical challenge, try conquering the Jelutong Tower in the middle of the forest. At 8 stories tall, the top level will place you just above eye level with the jungle’s canopy.
After which, you can continue en route south towards the Singapore Island Country Club to reach the golf link. This airy, open space is a great spot to lay out your picnic mat and have your lunch break.
Getting to the start point: Alight at Caldecott MRT station and walk 15 minutes to MacRitchie Reservoir Park.
The Round Island Route is an ambitious 75km hike, should you want to go the whole nine yards. But there are shorter trails along the route that will still bring you to picturesque picnic spots in Singapore.
With its beautiful river view and surrounding greenery, make Rower’s Bay Park your starting point. The banks are a great picnic location if you need a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Plus, other visitors have noted spotting Grey Herons and Copper-cheeked frogs, so be on the lookout for these rare wildlife sightings.
Heritage Bridge at Lower Seletar Reservoir.
From here, you can take the park connectors westward until you reach Lower Seletar Reservoir Park. The lesser-known park also has points to recharge, like the shaded areas of the Heritage Bridge. Families with kids can also check out the free water playground within the park to burn off extra energy.
Getting to the starting point: Take Bus 103 to Aft Shell Aviation stop from Yishun MRT.
Image credit: Mitz Amano via Google Maps
Kallang Riverside Park grants clear views of the Kallang River alongside attractions like the Kallang Gasworks and the Singapore National Stadium. For an even more photo-worthy picnic spot, make sure to plan your visit when the bougainvillaeas are in full bloom, as they make for a striking backdrop.
Image credit: @yeojingeok via Instagram
If you’re feeling active, there are plenty of water sports to try, including kayaking and paddleboarding. Meanwhile, those who prefer a more relaxed pace can enjoy a peaceful cycle along the riverbank, which also offers scenic routes that connect to nearby spots like Bugis and Marina Bay.
Getting there: Alight at Lavender MRT and take a 10-minute walk to reach the park.
As one of the most popular spots for pre-wedding shoots, Canterbury Road is also a beautiful picnic location in Singapore. To reach it, you can walk uphill along a 1.7km route from Gillman Barracks. If not, you can also take a shorter 10-minute hike starting from Hort Park that leads to the hilltop.
At the end of the road, you’ll find the Canterbury Open Field. With its lush greenery, it offers a comfortable setting to relax with a good book or have a cute picnic date with the bae.
Getting there: Walk 5 minutes from Labrador Park MRT to the bus stop at Alexandra Retail Centre. Take Bus 61, 93, 97, 100, or 166 to the bus stop Aft Hort Park. Then, walk 13 minutes to Canterbury Road.
Image credit: Alastair Pang
Marina Barrage is a recurring contender for one of the best picnic spots in Singapore, and it’s not surprising to see why. Perched on the rooftop of Marina Reservoir, it boasts stunning views of Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay. These attractions against the city skyline make for the perfect setting on a romantic date night.
Image credit: Shekhar Biswas via Google Maps
The rooftop garden also provides ample space for kite-flying and for kids to run around. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon, as it gets especially windy during these times of the day.
Getting there: The easiest way to get to Marina Barrage is by Grab or car. Those taking the MRT can hop on the Thomson-East Coast Line. Get off at Gardens by the Bay MRT station. From there, it’s just a 7-minute walk.
Image credit: @suncrate1967 via Instagram
If you’re looking for a place to picnic in Singapore near the beach, East Coast Park is a tried-and-true option. For a quieter spot, it’s better to set up your picnic blanket around Area F. This space is less crowded compared to other areas within the park. On top of that, you’ll also get a beautiful view of the sea.
There are also plenty of barbecue pits available for picnics, even if you’re not grilling. However, if you do plan to use the grill, make sure to book your barbecue pit at least 2 months in advance. You can make your booking through National Parks and fill up their BBQ Pit Permit Application to get permission.
Image credit: @dudeinglasses via Instagram
After your picnic, take a stroll or cycle along the pathway to Bedok Jetty, where you can watch the sunset. It’s also a great spot for a therapeutic fishing session with friends, as it’s one of Singapore’s few fishing locations.
Getting there: Take the MRT and alight at Marine Parade on the Thomson-East Coast Line. East Coast Park is a 7-minute walk from there, and you’ll reach it after crossing the underpass.
For a secret picnic spot with multiple photo-ops, consider journeying from Toa Payoh Town Park to Kallang Riverside Park.
The trail begins right at the park itself, where you’ll get to snap pictures of yourself and your beau at gorgeous gazebos and bridges. Plus, the charming hexagonal enclaves mean you two get to lay picnic mats down for a private meal together.
Once your bellies are satisfied, burn off the calories by heading towards the Whampoa Park Connector, which will lead you to the Kallang Park Connector. There, get ready to pose for pictures at the colourful Kolam Ayer Bridge.
With plenty of options available, it might be tougher trying to decide on a hiking trail than what to pack for your picnic.
Besides the trails we’ve listed, you can find many others contributed by fellow hikers on the NParks Explore A Route (NEAR) app (App Store | Google Play). And if you need a final push to put on your hiking boots, AIA and NParks have the Explore A Route Challenge held from 20th May to 20th July 2022, with enticing prizes up for grabs.
Image adapted from NEAR App
Participating is simple – you’ll just need to visit the 9 start points listed on the app’s Challenge Board and record your trail there. Like playing tic-tac-toe, complete 3 trails in a row to hit a strike, and stand a chance to win yourself $50 Decathlon e-vouchers monthly.
While you can follow the trails provided in the NEAR challenge app, you can also opt to curate your own trail if you’re feeling a little more adventurous. Whether you’re following an existing trail or exploring your own in true hiker style, ensure that your distance is being tracked in order to increase your chances of winning.
If completing 3 trails is too easy, aim to complete all 9. You’ll then be entered into a lucky draw to win prizes like MacBook Air laptops and Fitbit Sense smartwatches. Plus, AIA Vitality members can score up to 450 Vitality Points for completing all the trails too.
We all know that hiking is good for our physical and mental health – fresh air and nature help us to relax and get in a good workout. And if you’re looking for even more reason to venture out to a nearby park, the Explore A Route Challenge makes picking up hiking even more exciting. Who knows, you may just walk away with a brand-new MacBook Air.
More nature trails:
This post was brought to you by AIA.
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Cover image adapted from: @nadnut & @pangkim.adventure via Instagram
Article originally published by Gwyn Lim on 10th June 2022. Last updated by Mae-Z Fam on 30th October 2025.
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