5 Peaceful Picnic Spots In Singapore To Escape The Crowd
Not your usual Marina Barrage. For quiet picnics with splendid views and plenty of space to move around, add these places to your radar
By Nikki Low -
Finding spots in Singapore for a peaceful picnic can be tough. Popular spots with scenic views are perpetually crowded, plus the noise can be too much to bear.
What if we told you there are certain places in Singapore that offer unobstructed sea and sky views, with few people, minimal noise, and plenty of space so you can have intentional conversations with your partner – and even yell at your kids without being judged?
Here, we are revealing five underrated picnic spots that set the stage for a beautiful bonding time – minus the rain, of course.
1. Marina South Pier
Photo: Nikki Low
Best for: Families who really love the quiet
Located near the Marina Bay Cruise Centre and along Marina Coastal Drive is a stretch of breakwater structure with flat rocky surfaces for picnicking. There are few people even on the weekends, with the exception of some fishing enthusiasts. Overall, it’s a tranquil environment for families to take in the view without the awkwardness of potentially destroying some couple’s romantic date.
Nearest MRT station: Marina South Pier
Nearest carpark: Marina Bay Cruise Centre
Nearest toilet: 10-minute walk away, at Marina Bay Cruise Centre
2. Boardwalk @ Seletar Airport
Photos: Nikki Low
Best for: Families with pets
Have you tried picnicking while plane-watching? This spot at Seletar Airport has a whole stretch of spacious benches that you can sit on to enjoy the view of private jets taking off – if you’re lucky enough to catch one! However, as it is rare to see planes taking off, the area remains mostly peaceful and quiet. Add a picturesque sunset in the background and this will definitely be a picnic to remember.
If you’re looking to bring your furry friends along, you’ll be thrilled to know there is an outdoor dog park nearby. Just a 10-minute walk away, Paws & Play is located at The Oval in Seletar Aerospace Park. It boasts a massive 2,000 square metres of open space, making it the perfect place for your kids or pets to run about and explore freely.
Another must-visit spot is the Aeroplane playground, a 10-minute walk away. Located outside Wheeler’s Estate, this is the perfect place to keep your kiddos entertained if they find themselves getting bored of the picnic.
Seletar Aerospace also has a wide range of food options, so if you’re feeling unsatisfied after your picnic, take a leisurely 10-minute walk and hit up cafes and restaurants like The Summerhouse, Brewerkz and Wheeler's Estate for a cosy and rustic dining ambience.
Nearest MRT station: Sengkang
Nearest carpark: Zone B or 21 Hyde Park Gate on Google Maps
Nearest toilet: 15-minute walk from the boardwalk, located in Zone A
3. The Oval at Lakeside Garden, Jurong Lake Gardens
Photos: Nikki Low
Best for: Families who are interested in wild animals
If you’re a Westie looking for a convenient place to picnic, Lakeside Garden is the place to be at! With a massive area for your kids to run about and expend their energy, this spot is perfect for those looking to be amidst greenery. For a scenic walk, head to the Grasslands (7-minute walk away), where you’ll get to walk between the tall grass and explore the bird hide structures. Get a chance to view grassland birds like the brahminy kite up close.
Nearest MRT station: Chinese Garden
Nearest carpark: South Carpark
Nearest toilet: 5-minute walk away at ActiveSG Park @ Jurong Lake Gardens
4. Open Lawn Area outside Bonsai Garden, Chinese Garden
Photos: Nikki Low
Best for: Families looking for Chinese culture immersion
This next location is also located within Jurong Lake Gardens except it doesn’t really look like Singapore here. Step into a little China right here at Chinese Garden. Amidst this large and beautiful garden, we found that the best place to picnic was actually the open lawn area right outside Bonsai Garden and in front of the Bamboo Grove and Waterfall. While this spot doesn’t have a sprawling grassland area for kids to run around, it is definitely full of interesting and educational places to explore.
The Bonsai Garden is a great place to discover Suzhou-style architecture and landscaping with tons of beautiful bonsai lined up around the indoor and outdoor garden. With oriental-styled pavilions and graceful willow trees, there is something to teach your children about at every corner of the garden. After exploring the garden, unwind at your chosen picnic spot and admire the bamboo trees and waterfall.
Nearest MRT station: Chinese Garden
Nearest carpark: North Carpark
Nearest toilet: 1-minute walk away at the entrance of the Bonsai Garden
5. Fico at East Coast Park
Photos: Nikki Low
Best for: Families who want a picnic without packing for it
Packing for picnics can be quite troublesome, especially if you’re travelling via public transport. So if you’re looking for a to-go picnic set that has everything you need, head down to Fico, a casual Italian restaurant at East Coast Park for a fuss-free picnic session!
Though East Coast Park can get quite crowded on the weekends, we found the open grass patch beside Fico to be surprisingly quiet even on a Saturday evening, offering a peaceful spot for a family picnic. Its location in the East also means that you’ll be able to catch commercial airplanes making their way to Changi Airport – a major plus point for aviation enthusiasts!
Get comfortable on the breakwaters and enjoy the calming sea breeze while savouring your picnic bundles and taking in the serene sea view. Picnic mats and baskets are available for rent at $15 each; picnic bundles for two start from $78. Visit here for more information about their picnic bundle.
Nearest MRT stations: Kembangan, Bayshore
Nearest carpark: Carpark F2
Nearest toilet: 2-minute walk away, public restroom in front of Fico