Gardens by the Bay is undoubtedly one of the most famous attractions in Singapore. It’s super futuristic and beautiful and is definitely one of the highlights for a first time visitor to the country. Between my husband and I we’ve actually visited 5 times, so I thought it was time to write a guide on all the best tips and tricks to help you plan your visit.
Wanting more Singapore inspiration? Find a detailed itinerary HERE.
Contents
- Contents
- What is Gardens by the Bay?
- What to See & Do at Gardens by the Bay
- How much do Gardens by the Bay cost?
- How to get to Gardens by the Bay
- Other things to do nearby
What is Gardens by the Bay?
Gardens by the Bay is a futuristic nature park spanning 101 hectares of reclaimed land in the Central Region of Singapore. It’s right in the centre of the city, and isn’t to be confused with Singapore’s Botanic Garden which is outside of the main centre.
You can read more about the Singapore Botanic Garden HERE.
The Gardens sit opposite the Marina Reservoir and consist of 4 main areas (the first being outside, and the remaining three being indoor attractions):
- The Cloud Forest
- The Flower Dome
- Floral Fantasy
- Outdoor Gardens (including Supertree Grove)
Overall you will need around 3 hours to visit Gardens by the Bay and explore all the attractions.
What to See & Do at Gardens by the Bay
The Cloud Forest
The Cloud Forest is probably Gardens by the Bay’s most famous resident, known world wide as the home of the incredible indoor waterfall. The waterfall is effectively cascading down the side of a lush “mountain”, clad with plants from around the world. The Cloud Forest really is one of a kind in a city centre.
On a visit, you will first enter at ground level, to see the waterfall from the front, and then climb upwards inside the waterfall, before descending back down again. A stroll along the aerial walkways, enjoying lovely views of all the exotic plant species is one of the best ways to spend some time in Singapore.
The Flower Dome
Right next door to the Cloud Forest is another dome, which houses The Flower Dome. This is where all the themed floral displays are held, and I would say it’s more suited to children than the Cloud Forest. There are also lots more people as a result!
The displays are lots of fun – we’ve seen a poinsettia wonderland at Christmas time, a Dutch windmill themed tulip display in the spring, and a mythical beasts one back in 2021. Whilst this is probably more tourist/Instagram focused it’s still really nice to stroll around and the displays are impressive.
Floral Fantasy
Floral Fantasy offers a magical escape among suspended bouquets and creative floral arrangements. Again the displays are more child oriented, and the themes can definitely reflect that – for example on my latest trip to Singapore, the theme was Disney characters.
Outdoor Gardens
Supertree Grove
Supertree Grove is the name for the famous futuristic “trees”. Set outside in the park, you can walk around them any time for free. Every night at 7.45pm and 8.45pm there is also a light and music show, where the trees are lit up and there’s a fun atmosphere.
OCBC Skywalk
During opening hours, you can pay to walk in the ‘”treetops”‘ via a suspended platform called the OCBC Skyline. It gives some really nice views out over the skyline of Singapore, but if you’re scared of heights it’s not one for you!
Sky Garden
When I visited Singapore in the past, the central tree was home to a restaurant called Indochine (very tasty food!), but sadly this has now closed. Instead, it’s been converted in to a Sky Garden bar where you can pay an entrance fee to relax on the top of a “tree” with a drink in hand. I made sure to visit on my last trip and it was pretty cool!
Themed Outdoor Gardens
Surrounding the central Supertree Grove trees are a number of small themed outdoor gardens which are free to visit. These include:
- World of Plants
- Colonial Garden
- Malay Garden
- Chinese Garden
- Indian Garden
My favourite by far was the World of Plants area, full of diverse trees, flowers and palms. The Chinese garden is also very pretty, and I loved the A* topiary going on with all the tree animals dotted around the gardens too!
Lakeside Outdoor Walkways
The grounds of Gardens by the Bay house a number of lakes, and this means some really lovely walking trails in and around the lakes, which offer some totally beautiful views out to Marina Bay Sands, Supertree Grove and the Singapore Flyer. These include:
- Dragonfly Island
- Nibong Island
- Victoria Lily Pond
- Water Lily Pond
Insider Tip: Dragonfly Island boardwalk is one of my favourite spots in the whole garden. It gives absolutely brilliant views of Marina Bay Sands hotel.
How much do Gardens by the Bay cost?
Looking for more information on Singapore’s best gardens? Read more HERE (coming soon).
The ticket structure for Gardens by the Bay is a little confusing as it’s not just one ticket for everything. Tickets are available 30 days in advance online, and you can purchase on the door too. There is also a price for Singapore residents and a more expensive price for non residents. Prices listed below are for non residents.
- Outdoor Gardens, including Supertree Grove – free, or with audio guide S$10 (Adult)/ S$5 (Child)
- Cloud Forest & Flower Dome – S$32 / S$18
- Supertree Grove Sky Garden – S$14 / S$10
- OCBC Skywalk at Supertree Grove – S$14 / S$10
- Floral Fantasy – S$20 / S$12
- Shuttle Service from metro station to the domes – S$3
Insider Tip: I recommend visiting the outdoor gardens early in the morning first (before the ticketed attractions are open), to avoid the heat of the day. Then head to the Cloud Forest pre 10am, and then do the rest, to have a less crowded experience!
How to get to Gardens by the Bay
- If you’re staying centrally in Singapore, Gardens by the Bay is probably walkable from your hotel.
- If you’re staying in the famous Marina Bay Sands hotel, it’s just a 3 minute walk across to the Gardens!
- If not, the best way to get to Gardens by the Bay is via the metro (MRT). The nearest MRT station is Bayfront and then it’s a short walk over Dragonfly Bridge in to the Gardens.
- You can also book a shuttle service from the metro to the gardens if you don’t want to walk, for S$3
Other things to do nearby
As the Gardens are within the centre of Singapore, they are easy to combine with other attractions nearby. You could easily choose from the following:
- Enjoy Shoppes by Marina Bay Sands for lots of shopping and dining options
- Take a short walk to the Art Science Museum
- Cross the Bay to explore China Town, and grab some food from a Hawker Market
- Enjoy a Museum – perhaps the Asian Civilisations Museum, National Museum or National Gallery
- Take a ride in the sky on the Singapore Flyer, or a ride along the water in a traditional Singapore River Bumboat
For lots more information and ideas, you can read my detailed Singapore itinerary HERE.
So there you have it – a complete guide to Gardens by the Bay! I hope you enjoyed it and think the Gardens look interesting. If you’re visiting Singapore, would you like to visit the gardens? Let me know in the comments below – stay safe and happy travelling!
Saasdia Travel Gid
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