Botanic Gardens & Holland Village
Singapore Botanic Gardens (UNESCO)
The Singapore Botanic Gardens is one of the oldest and most beautiful tropical botanical gardens in the world — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015 and the first tropical garden to receive this accolade. Spanning 82 hectares, it is an oasis of tranquility in the heart of the metropolis, just 5 minutes from Orchard Road.
National Orchid Garden
The centerpiece of the garden: the National Orchid Garden houses over 60,000 orchids in more than 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids — the largest orchid collection in the world. The VIP Orchid Garden section showcases orchids named after state guests (including the "Margaret Thatcher" and the "Nelson Mandela"). The explosion of colors is overwhelming. Admission: 5 SGD (only the orchid garden charges admission, the rest of the park is free).
The Park
Admission is free, and the garden is open daily from 5:00 am to midnight. Highlights besides the orchid garden:
- Rainforest Walk: A 6-hectare piece of primary rainforest — older than the garden itself. Here stand trees that were centuries old even before Singapore was founded as a nation (1965). Monkeys, lizards, and tropical birds included.
- Swan Lake: Singapore's oldest artificial lake with swans, water lilies, and a photogenic bridge.
- Jacob Ballas Children's Garden: An interactive garden for children with a treehouse, waterfall, and learning stations — perfect for families.
- Symphony Stage: An open-air stage where free concerts regularly take place (Sunday mornings) — picnic on the lawn included.
Tipp
The best time to visit: early morning (6–8 am), when the air is still cool and Tai Chi groups, joggers, and birdwatchers enliven the park. Avoid the midday heat (12–3 pm) — the tropical sun is relentless. Sunscreen and water are a must.
MacRitchie Reservoir & TreeTop Walk
The MacRitchie Reservoir Park is Singapore's greenest secret — a 12 km hiking trail through primary rainforest that feels like you're hundreds of kilometers from the nearest metropolis. Yet, it's only 20 minutes by MRT from the city center.
TreeTop Walk
The highlight is the TreeTop Walk — a 250 m long, free-standing suspension bridge 25 m above the rainforest canopy. The view from above of the green foliage, the reservoir, and the skyline in the distance is breathtaking. The bridge sways slightly — not for those with a fear of heights, but an unforgettable experience for everyone else.
- Trail Length: Approximately 7 km (circular route via the TreeTop Walk), 2–3 hours.
- TreeTop Walk Opening Hours: Tue–Fri 9 am–5 pm, Sat/Sun 8:30 am–5 pm (last entry 4:45 pm). Closed on Mondays.
- Admission: Free!
- Getting There: MRT to Caldecott or Marymount, then a 15-minute walk to the trailhead.
Achtung
Wild long-tailed macaques (monkeys) live in the MacRitchie Reservoir. They are accustomed to humans and can become aggressive if they smell food. Never carry food openly, never feed them, and avoid eye contact. Wild monitor lizards (large lizards) and snakes may also cross the path — but they are harmless as long as you keep your distance.
Holland Village & Tiong Bahru
Holland Village
Holland Village (short: Holland V) is Singapore's expat district — an oasis of relaxation away from the sterile malls and office towers. Here, expats and locals sit together in cozy cafés, craft beer bars, and international restaurants. The atmosphere is reminiscent of a tropical European village. Highlights:
- Holland Village Market & Food Centre: A hawker center with an international touch — alongside the usual hawker stalls, there is also Western street food, smoothie bars, and vegetarian options.
- Lorong Mambong: The main alley with bars, restaurants, and shops. On Friday evenings, the street fills with after-work crowds.
- Chip Bee Gardens: A hidden gem — former military quarters, now full of boutiques, galleries, and the legendary Da Paolo (Italian, since 1989).
Tiong Bahru
Tiong Bahru is Singapore's hippest district — Art Deco apartment blocks from the 1930s (Singapore's oldest public housing estate), transformed into cafés, bookstores, and bakeries. The streets are quiet, the architecture is photogenic, and the food scene is top-notch:
- Tiong Bahru Bakery: French croissants and coffee in a bright, minimalist café — the place that helped shape Singapore's café culture.
- Plain Vanilla Bakery: Cupcakes and coffee in an Instagram-worthy setting.
- Tiong Bahru Market: Hawker center on the ground floor with Chwee Kueh (steamed rice cakes with pickled radish, 1.50 SGD) and the best Char Kway Teow in the area.
- Books Actually: Singapore's most famous independent bookstore — small, crammed, and full of local literature and zines.
Tiong Bahru is the counterpoint to the glittering Marina Bay — here you find an authentic, livable Singapore that is neither touristy nor sterile.
War dieses Kapitel hilfreich?
