Long weekends are Singaporean’s next favourite thing after a discount. Already, the public holidays in 2025 are calling our names. With 5 long weekends to look forward to, we’ve stretched that number to 9 with this guide and a little help from our annual leaves. Here are some places worth visiting and spending those extra days of ALs.
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PH falls on: Wednesday & Thursday, 29th-30th Jan 2025
Number of AL needed: 1
To avoid all the “When are you getting married?” or “You know my daughter is blah blah blah,” pack your bags for a 5-day trip to Taiwan to escape SG’s sweltering heat and all the nosy questions from your aunties and uncles. Plus, Taiwan also celebrates CNY, and on a larger scale, so you won’t be missing out on the festivities.
Kickstart the year on a relaxing note by exploring the many cute, old-school cafes in Taipei. Animal lovers can visit the Capybara Cafe and feed the friendly residents there. Or, spend a day at Jiufen, the IRL version of the Japanese anime “Spirited Away.”
For repeated visitors of Taipei looking to switch things up, rent a car and head on a 5D4N Taiwan road trip across Taipei and Taichung. Hike up volcano mountains, travel through flower fields, and hit up some of the many night markets for some good ol’ stinky tofu.
PH falls on: Monday, 31st March 2025
Number of AL needed: 0
Just 3 hours away from SG via bus or car, and you’ll find yourself on the sandy shores of Rawa Island. Dubbed the “Maldives of Malaysia”, this private island can only be visited when you’ve booked a stay at either of the 2 resorts there – Alang’s Rawa and Rawa Island Resort.
The 3-day vacation is perfect for any outdoor lover. Soak up the sun with a relaxing afternoon by the beach or participate in the island’s many water sports, like snorkelling and scuba diving with marine life. Or, if you’re not one with the sea, there are also kayaking or island hopping options for you.
PH falls on: Friday, 18th April 2025
Number of AL needed: 0
For families with young children, hop on a 40-minute ferry heading to Batam. It’s a travel destination with many kid-friendly activities to entertain your young ones. Take them to a nature reserve to get in touch with the earth or a board game cafe where you can bond with them over lunch and a game of Monopoly.
The adults aren’t missing out on all the fun, either. Visit the pink sand beach club to enjoy the sunset with food and tipples, or shop at the Grand Batam Mall.
To add to the beach getaway vibes, book a stay in one of the relaxing Batam resorts. There are even rooms for less than S$50/night.
PH falls on: Thursday, 1st May 2025
Number of AL needed: 1
Image credit: Kelly Lai
A dreamy and slow-paced holiday is what you’ll get with a visit to Jeju. It is one way of resetting your mind so you can better tackle the rest of the work year. A 4-day long weekend is plenty for you to cover most of the attractions in Jeju.
SG has direct flights to the island too, so you’ll be feasting on Jeju black pork KBBQs in no time. Head to traditional markets to find authentic Korean street food. There are also plenty of photo ops around, like the Snoopy Garden and the Seopjikoji trail along Jeju’s coastline.
PH falls on: Monday, 12th May 2025
Number of AL needed: 0
Make use of this 3-day holiday and venture somewhere further from JB and KL with a trip to Penang, a melting pot of cultures just an hour away via flight. Spend an afternoon wandering the streets of George Town and pose for the ‘gram with the murals. Optionally, many malls cater to Singaporeans’ favourite hobby: shopping.
For food, you can’t miss out on the well-known Michelin-approved Siam Road Char Koay Teow and the sour, spicy Assam laksa from Penang Road Famous Laksa.
PH falls on: Friday, 6th June 2025
Number of AL needed: 2
Extend the Hari Raya Haji weekend to a 5-day vacation in Hanoi, a city in Vietnam with bursting colours and many historical landmarks. A stroll along the streets offers tons of history, with sights of stunning pagodas and temples like the Temple of Literature.
Thrill-seekers can skip the crowds at USS and woosh on roller coasters at the Sun World Halong Complex – the largest amusement park in SEA.
If you want to be entirely away from city life, book a night aboard a Halong Bay Overnight Cruise and enjoy fresh seafood while cruising on the river and overlooking the sunset.
PH falls on: Saturday, 9th August 2025
Number of AL needed: 2
Cities in China have been climbing the ladder as popular travel spots, with views of fantasy-like nature parks and cheap authentic Chinese cuisine. The National Day holiday calls for a 4-day trip spent exploring Hangzhou.
4 days might be too short for a trip to Europe, but with the correct camera angle, you might find yourself in the city of love at the Paris dupes in Tianducheng.
For the adrenaline junkies, Hangzhou has its very own version of Sentosa’s Luge at OMG Heartbeat Paradise, featuring a go-kart track, cliff swings, and transparent bridges.
PH falls on: Monday, 20th October 2025
Number of AL needed: 0
Bangkok may be the go-to hotspot for Singaporeans because of the mouth-watering street food and cheap goods we’d find, but many have yet to hear of Hat Yai. It’s near the Malaysia borders and closer to home, only a 1.5-hour direct flight away via Scoot.
The city has the same vibes as BKK, but things are sold at lower prices. There’s much to pack into your 3-day itinerary. Early birds can go for a 6am food hunt at Kim Yong Market and hike up the Ton Nga Chang Waterfall during the day.
When the sun starts to set, fill your tummies with a visit to the night market and shop while you’re at it. Think Bugis Street, but bigger and cheaper.
PH falls on: Thursday, 25th December 2025 & Wednesday, 1st January 2026
Number of AL needed: 5
We’ve finally reached the end of the year, and ’tis is the season for a well-deserved break. An 11-day holiday through Christmas and New Year’s leaves ample time to backpack or road trip across Australia without rushing across cities.
Don’t be fooled by the festive season. Australia experiences summer heat all through December, making for the perfect weather for outdoor adventures, from hiking to water activities and stargazing in the desert.
Life’s too short to be typing in front of a screen all day. The ALs are there for a reason, so take the mini holidays to reward yourself for working hard. We sure hope we’ve made planning a trip during the long weekends a little easier with this list.
For more travel reads:
Image cover adapted from: @jue_adt & @thegrampians via Instagram
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