I typically inform those who Singapore has two seasons: sizzling and moist, and hotter and wetter. As a tropical nation on the equator, the Singapore’s climate may be very changeable – blazing sizzling one minute, after which raining buckets within the subsequent. For travellers, sightseeing in Singapore could be a little irritating if you’re not ready for sudden rain; at all times make some moist climate plans simply in case! I’ve put collectively my suggestions for vacationers on issues to do in Singapore when it rains that also allow you to get that quintessential Singaporean expertise.
These ideas are primarily based alone experiences from dwelling in Singapore all my life. I’ve additionally been giving digital experiences round Singapore’s vacationer areas and have needed to make plans on the fly when it instantly rains in the course of my excursions!
Most different articles about indoor actions in Singapore provide you with reasonably generic issues to go the time, however as a fellow traveller I do know that guests who’ve come all the best way right here from their house international locations nonetheless wish to see what makes Singapore particular. These are ideas on how I feel you possibly can sightsee in Singapore whereas mitigating the wet climate.
This submit will not be sponsored however was written as a visitor submit for Klook and contains affiliate hyperlinks by Klook – clicking on these is not going to value you something however could give me a small % of affiliate earnings. All the analysis, expertise and opinions are my very own. I personally use Klook after I journey and I do just like the comfort of reserving stuff by the app which is why I selected to work with them.
How to cope with Singapore climate
Small delays: The excellent news is that rainfall in Singapore tends to be heavy for only a quick interval, and we often don’t get that misty continuous rain all through the day (what I name London climate). It often pours instantly and closely, and is kind of humid proper earlier than and after the rainfall, so that you don’t often have to cancel any plans fully however simply wait out the worst bits.
Carry an umbrella: Carrying a small foldable umbrella with you is beneficial each for sudden rainfall or when the solar will get means too sizzling within the mid afternoon. Our tropical sunshine will burn you, so study from the native aunties and canopy as much as defend your pores and skin!
Check the climate: Your greatest wager to determining the climate is to take a look at the NEA web site (there’s an Android/iOS app referred to as myENV that you could obtain to your smartphone) and take a look at the cloud cowl/motion to estimate whether or not it can rain – verify within the hour or so earlier than your exercise, something earlier might not be significantly correct in my expertise.
Carry a light-weight jacket: I additionally recommend carrying a light-weight jacket or scarf round with you as effectively as a result of right here in Singapore, it’s colder indoors than open air. Our air-conditioning tends to overcompensate for the tropical climate and buying malls or theatres particularly are fairly chilly, particularly in case you’re dressed for the out of doors climate.
Marina Bay
Marina Bay is a well-liked vacationer attraction for its iconic skyline and there’s lots to do, rain or shine.
Getting there: take the MRT to Bayfront Station on the Circle Line (CE1) or Downtown Line (DT16) – you’ve a sheltered stroll to Gardens by the Bay or a direct hyperlink to Marina Bay Sands.
Gardens by the Bay
One of my favorite moist climate plans for travellers in Singapore is to go to Gardens by the Bay to take a look at the cooled conservatories. The local weather within the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest are what Singapore needs its climate was like – pleasantly cool and dry. This is a failsafe moist climate plan that allows you to dry and funky whereas exploring one in all Singapore’s high vacationer sights and revel in a little bit little bit of our backyard metropolis.
You can get your tickets straight from Gardens by the Bay, however they solely allow you to guide 10 days prematurely, whereas Klook’s Gardens by the Bay ticket [affiliate link] helps you to guide as much as two months forward. Usual value of entry to each domes is S$28 (for vacationers) and S$20 (for Singaporeans). The Supertree Observatory prices S$14/S$10 whereas the OCBC Skyway prices S$8 for all.
When it stops raining
- Head outdoors to take a look at the alien-esque Supertree Grove (in case you’ve watched Crazy Rich Asians, that’s the place the marriage passed off!) – there’s a 15-minute music and lightweight present within the evenings referred to as Garden Rhapsody at 745pm and 845pm that’s fairly in style with vacationers, many individuals pop by a little bit early to get seat beneath the bushes.
- Beyond the domes, there are many out of doors gardens at Gardens by the Bay to discover with some cool large artwork sculptures amidst the greenery
- The OCBC Skyway that takes you as much as the cover of the Supertrees is a pleasant option to look out over the park. I personally suppose that is extra fascinating (and cheaper!) in comparison with the Supertree Observatory, however I haven’t tried the latter for myself.
ArtScience Museum
When it rains in Singapore, museums are your best choice to remain dry and study in regards to the native tradition, and the ArtScience Museum is kind of a preferred one with each locals and vacationers. The everlasting exhibition Future World: Where Art Meets Science with its interactive digital artwork items by TeamLab is a favorite for the Instagram crowd and also you’ve most likely seen many of those footage on-line already. In common the exhibitions on the ArtScience Museum are typically extra in style and accessible to the general public, so it’s a good way to entertain households as effectively.
Standard grownup tickets for Future World value S$21 (for vacationers) and S$18 (for Singaporeans) on the ArtScience Museum web site with reductions in case you’re a sands Rewards Member, ArtScience member or they’re working any promotions. The ArtScience Museum ticket on Klook [affiliate link] doesn’t appear to distinguish between vacationer and native value (S$18 for normal grownup), so it may be a less expensive choice for vacationers!
When it stops raining
- Take a stroll alongside the promenade space outdoors, particularly within the night when the constructing lights are on. It makes for a stunning view, however do word that lots of the lights will change off round 9-10pm onwards, so don’t depart your evening photographs until too late.
- Most vacationers prefer to go as much as Marina Bay Sand’s Sky Park Observation Deck for a birds eye view – ensure you go up solely on a transparent day. Instead of shopping for a ticket, you could wish to contemplate
- Every evening there’s Spectra – a light-weight and water present which entails some fancy fountains and lasers within the bay proper in entrance of the resort at 8pm, 9pm with an extra 10pm present on Friday and Saturday. If you’re quick on time and wish to see the Garden Rhapsody present as effectively, I’d recommend heading to Garden Rhapsody first, after which leaving a little bit early so you possibly can catch Spectra proper after because the stroll in between isn’t too far.
Marina Bay Sands Shoppes
The Marina Bay Sands Shoppes is related to the MRT station and an expansive luxurious shopping center constructed by well-known architect Moshe Safdie. Most individuals know of the resort due to the Sky Park Observation Deck and infinity pool 50+ storeys up on the roof – I don’t advise going up there if the climate is poor as there received’t be a lot of a view. The mall itself is good sufficient for a wander round in whereas ready out the downpour however issues right here do are typically dearer.
- Check out the Apple Store impressed by Rome’s Pantheon, a sphere that appears prefer it’s sitting in the course of the water – you entry it by way of the basement stage of the Shoppes
- Admire the swirling whirlpool that’s formally referred to as the Rain Oculus by Ned Kahn in collaboration with Moshe Safdie and see for your self why some locals colloquially name it the ‘toilet bowl’
- There are 15-minute sampan rides inside the mall that you could take that may make for enjoyable photographs although personally I feel it’s a very quick journey, however it does deliver you below the Oculus
- If the rain hits within the night and also you’re within the temper for a present, you possibly can attempt see if there are any native reveals taking place on the Sands Theatre – the present choice tends to be extra worldwide and it’s seasonal so it’s a matter of luck
- Alternatively in case you’re hungry, there are numerous celeb eating places and fancy nightlife bars and golf equipment right here. CHINOISERIE Modern Asian and JustIN Flavours of Asia are helmed by Singaporean celeb chef Justin Quek, whereas Jumbo seafood is a failsafe choice for some chilli crab. Rasapura Masters is a meals court docket within the basement and doubtless your least expensive choice for native meals on this space
Sampan rides usually value S$13/individual and Sky Park Observation Deck entrance is S$26 (for vacationers) and S$18 (for locals) – you should buy your tickets direct or by way of Klook [affiliate link] which doesn’t appear to distinguish between native and vacationer value for the Sky Park, and in addition has a package deal supply of each these sights for VISA playing cards for some additional financial savings.
City Hall
City Hall is close to a variety of heritage websites just like the Singapore River, Fort Canning and the Civic District.
Getting there: Take the MRT to City Hall Station on the East-West Line (EW13) or North-South Line (NS25). From right here you might be related by a sprawling underground mall referred to as Citylink to locations like Funan Mall, Suntec City, Marina Bay Shopping Centre or the Esplanade with no lack of meals and buying choices within the occasion of unhealthy climate. Alternative MRT stops are Esplanade on the Circle Line (CC3) or Clarke Quay on the Northeast Line (NE5).
National Museum of Singapore
The National Museum of Singapore (NMS) is Singapore’s oldest museum relationship again to 1887, and in case you solely have time for one museum to study in regards to the historical past of Singapore, that is the place you need to go. Despite its age, it’s not a stuffy previous museum in any respect – the reveals are up to date, interactive and fairly partaking for all ages. The everlasting reveals hint Singapore’s key historical past from its island roots by the British colonial interval, Japanese occupation and at last independence and extra trendy occasions.
When it stops raining
- Fort Canning Park is correct on the doorstep of the museum and has a number of smaller parks and WWII historic websites value trying out
- Clarke Quay is on the opposite aspect of Fort Canning Hill. It’s a preferred vacationer spot and has a number of bars and eating places to sit back out in, and if the climate’s clear you possibly can take a Singapore River Cruise [affiliate link] to discover the sights alongside this historic river
- Orchard Road with its multitude of buying malls will not be too far-off – the closest mall is Plaza Singapura and you’ll take the MRT to Somerset or Orchard in case you’d reasonably not stroll an excessive amount of
National Museum of Singapore is free for Singaporeans and prices S$15 for vacationers with further prices for particular exhibitions. You can get your National Museum ticket from NMS straight or from Klook [affiliate link] the place you may get reductions – there’s presently a ten% low cost on tickets.
National Gallery Singapore
Spend your wet days perusing Singapore’s largest assortment of contemporary artwork works by premier Singaporean and Southeast Asian artists on the National Gallery Singapore like Chua Mia Tee, Wu Guanzhong, Liu Kang and Georgette Chen simply to call a number of. It’s a enjoyable visible option to study Singapore’s historical past and tradition by artwork. For these with households, the child’s part is kind of interactive and funky as effectively.
If you’re on a finances or simply not that into artwork, the National Gallery constructing itself is historic and exquisite to stroll by. Housed within the former Supreme Court and City Hall, you possibly can benefit from the restored structure and historic panels as you stroll across the hallways. I recommend taking a guided tour as a result of they may even present you a few of the extra hidden areas like the place the previous prisoner holding areas have been amongst different issues.
When it stops raining
- National Gallery is within the Civic District, former authorities district throughout our British colony days, so a number of preserved British colonial structure just like the Victoria Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall, Fullerton Hotel and the Arts House within the former Parliament Building
- If museums are your factor, the Asian Civilisations Museum has extra exhibitions about Southeast Asian cultures value trying out
- The historic Singapore River is the place commerce first flourished in Singapore, a number of fascinating issues to see alongside the river just like the nationwide monument bridges and Boat Quay throughout the river
General Admission grownup tickets to National Gallery’s everlasting exhibitions value S$20 (for vacationers) and free (for locals) – particular exhibitions value S$25/S$15. You can get your tickets straight from the National Gallery web site, although as of writing the usual value of the National Gallery ticket on Klook [affiliate link] is S$15 for vacationers which is cheaper! You can even guide the Back of House tour on Klook which prices S$15 on each websites, however the National Gallery web site has extra tour choices value contemplating.
Esplanade
From afar, the Esplanade’s spiky durian-shell aesthetic makes for enjoyable photographs, however on a wet day you may have the ability to catch some free performances on this performing arts centre. On some weekday nights and weekends, they typically have music and different performances within the indoor or within the out of doors theatre with Marina Bay as a backdrop. They typically run small festivals that showcase each native and worldwide artists, and generally there are workshops you possibly can take part in.
If you’re a fan of structure or what goes on behind the scenes, their guided excursions may be fascinating for you – I’ve by no means completed them for myself, however you possibly can study in regards to the historical past of the venue and see it with the lights up on the Esplanade Tour. If the climate will get higher, I’d contemplate the Night Tour because the Esplanade has an awesome location on Marina Bay so you need to have the ability to get some nice evening photographs.
When it stops raining
Marina Bay is correct in your doorstep – take a stroll clockwise in direction of the Helix Bridge and Marina Bay Sands, or head within the different route throughout the Jubilee Bridge in direction of One Fullerton the place the Merlion statue is positioned.
Check out the Esplanade web site for particulars on their line up and extra in regards to the Guided Tours.
Chinatown
One of Singapore’s oldest neighbourhoods and the Chinese heritage space
Getting there: Chinatown MRT Station on the Northeast Line (NE4) and Downtown Line (DT17) can take you proper as much as the pedestrianised Pagoda Street which is partly sheltered.
Chinatown Complex
If you occur to be in Chinatown when it begins raining, conceal out in Chinatown Complex and do some native meals tour of your personal to go the time. The meals centre on the 2nd flooring is the most important in Singapore with 226 stalls of fantastic meals to select from. Most famously, it’s house to the 1-Michelin Star Hawker Chan stall the place you possibly can get pleasure from a few of the least expensive Michelin meals on this planet! But for my part, there are numerous different incredible meals choices in Chinatown Complex that are much less overestimated – when doubtful, simply comply with the lengthy queues. ieatishootipost and Johor Kaki have some nice recs.
The first stage has dried items and sundries which is fascinating sufficient for a stroll about or some kitschy souvenirs, and in case you’re there within the morning you possibly can pop all the way down to the basement to take a look at the contemporary produce on the moist market. Keep a watch out for a number of wall murals that may be discovered throughout the bottom flooring stage of Chinatown Complex.
Guided strolling excursions round Chinatown gives you extra context to the historical past and tradition of one of many oldest neighbourhoods in Singapore – try this strolling tour with an area [affiliate link]. For foodies, contemplate the Chinatown meals tasting and strolling tour [affiliate link] or the hawker snacks tour [affiliate link] to get a style of the native meals scene.
Chinatown has a number of nice hawker centre choices apart from Chinatown Complex – Maxwell Food Centre is known for its hen rice stalls, Amoy Street Hawker Centre on the Telok Ayer aspect has two flooring of low-cost good meals whereas Hong Lim Food Centre is a neighbourhood favorite.
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
A brief distance from Chinatown Complex is a grand wanting Chinese temple often known as the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. This is a working Buddhist temple on the decrease ranges however its higher ranges are a free museum with 11,111 Buddha and Bodhisattva statues and the relic that gave this temple its title: what they declare is the Buddha’s left canine. Whether you imagine is as much as you, however I feel this temple remains to be value trying out regardless – entrance is free!
Singapore Musical Box Museum
One of Singapore’s extra uncommon small museums could be discovered alongside Telok Ayer Street, hidden within the Chong Wen pavilion and former house of the Hokkien Clan Association. This personal museum by a Japanese collector holds tons of of musical containers together with a uncommon one which was made in Singapore, doubtless influenced by the early Europeans who introduced their hobbies over with them. Not your most standard museum, however watching the curator wind up and showcase a few of the extra uncommon music containers is an fascinating option to spend a wet afternoon.
General tickets value $12 per individual and reservations should be made to go to the Singapore Musical Box Museum by way of e mail. If you guide by way of Klook [affiliate link], you possibly can embrace some native snacks or lunch from the bottom flooring cafe in your package deal for two pax. Only guided excursions can be found and so they typically final 40-45 minutes. The museum is closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
When it stops raining
- The Buddha Tooth Relic is only one of a number of necessary non secular buildings on this district. Head down South Bridge Road to take a look at Sri Mariamman Temple, one of many oldest Hindu temples relationship again to 1828, or the mosque referred to as Masjid Jamae a bit additional down the street.
- Cross South Bridge Road in direction of Club Street/Ann Siang Road which is a pleasant space for nightlife which is pedestrianised on the weekends
- Telok Ayer is the previous shoreline of Singapore and residential to a group of non secular buildings of assorted faiths aspect by aspect – apart from Thian Hock Keng which is correct subsequent door to the Musical Box Museum, you may as well see the Chulia mosque Al Abrar and the Nagore Dargah shrine.
Little India
The Indian heritage space is vibrant and vibrant even within the rain
Getting there: take the MRT to Little India Station (NE7/DT12) to get to Tekka Centre, or to Jalan Besar (DT22) which is barely nearer to the Indian Heritage Centre. Little India is greatest loved by strolling its streets, but when it does rain you continue to have some good choices on issues to see.
Indian Heritage Centre
The Indians are the third largest ethnic group in Singapore and tremendous numerous, so there’s loads to study in regards to the completely different subgroups and their practices. The Indian Heritage Centre is kind of an uncommon constructing within the Little India district largely due to how starkly trendy the constructing appears compared to every thing else round it. Inside this contemporary construction is a well-curated interactive museum documenting the historical past and tradition of Indians in Singapore by interactive reveals – it’s fairly kid-friendly for households, and in addition informal sufficient that the overall layman received’t really feel prefer it’s too stuffy both.
Indian Heritage Centre Tickets value S$8 for vacationers and is free for Singaporeans. You can get your tickets on the door or by way of Klook [affiliate link] on-line just about immediately. There is a household package deal on the door for five pax (3 adults max) costing $24 that may be value it if in case you have a household group. Consider taking one in all their free day by day guided excursions for some indepth insights.
Tekka Market & Food Centre
Tekka Market and Food Centre has fairly an fascinating historical past first as Kandang Kerbau Market, arrange within the 1900s for the cattle commerce that the Indian’s managed on this space. Today it’s one of many extra in style markets in Singapore and has a sprawling moist market on the primary flooring, a great way to see day by day Singaporean life and meals.
When it will get to moist for strolling, take that point to do some Singaporean meals exploration! Tekka Food Centre is an incredible hawker centre with a wide variety of low-cost and good Singaporean hawker favourites, and naturally Indian meals since we’re in Little India in spite of everything – Allauddin’s Briyani, Temasek Rojak and Sri Tiffin are good locations to take a look at native Indian favourites!
If you need one thing fancier, there are many Indian restaurant choices across the neighbourhood alongside Race Course Road and Serangoon Road to take a look at, although you might need to courageous the rain a little bit as there isn’t a lot shelter en route.
A guided tour round Little India gives you extra context to this vibrant neighbourhood. Check out this Little India Walking Tour [affiliate link]
When it stops raining
- Check out the numerous great road artwork and murals throughout Little India – most of those are a results of the annual ArtStroll Little India artwork pageant
- Peek into the numerous Indian temples across the space just like the Sri Veeramakaliaman Temple or the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple to get a glimpse of Hindu rituals – you may as well spot many flower garland stands close to the temples as you usually purchase these contemporary garlands as choices when praying
- The rainbow colored Tan Teng Niah House is an previous model Chinese villa that’s extremely popular with the Instagram crowd for its vibrant facade
Looking for extra issues to do in Singapore? Check out all my Singapore posts for extra.