The year 2025 marks Singapore’s 60th anniversary of independence, and it’s a great time to explore the hidden charms of this island nation. From lush green forests to traditional village streets, Singapore offers unique experiences. Besides familiar destinations like Orchard Road, visitors can find small, idyllic yet charming corners. Here are the most worth-doing activities on your Singapore 2025 journey.
1. Explore Geylang
Geylang was once known as the most bustling and culturally rich area in Singapore. The center of this area is Geylang Serai, home to the largest food market of the Malay community. This is the ideal place to enjoy goreng pisang (fried banana) and other traditional dishes. The Soon Thian Keing Temple, dating from the late 18th century with its splendid golden roof tiles, is also an interesting destination for tourists who love culture. Geylang is also famous for its rows of colorful shophouses on Lorong 24A, one of the old streets with traditional architecture of Singapore. In the evening, this area becomes more vibrant than ever with street food stalls emitting seductive aromas.
2. Cycling on the Rail Corridor
The Rail Corridor is a 24km route that stretches from Spooner Road (south of Singapore) to Kranji MRT station near the Malaysian border. This is an ideal route for those who like to walk or cycle in the middle of nature. Along the way, visitors will encounter Bukit Timah station - an architectural work from 1932 that still retains its nostalgic features with train switches. In addition, this route also runs through many nature reserves, visitors will have the opportunity to admire the rich vegetation and encounter wild animals such as monitor lizards or kingfishers.
3. Visit Bukit Brown Cemetery
Established in 1922, Bukit Brown was the first cemetery for the Chinese community in Singapore. The cemetery covers more than 200 hectares and was the resting place of more than 100,000 people before being closed in 1973. Here, visitors can admire the majestic tombs of wealthy merchants of the past. In particular, Ong Sam Leong's tomb is one of the most impressive structures, guarded by Indian sentinel statues. Not only a place to preserve history, Bukit Brown is also an "open-air museum" of tomb sculpture art, with many carvings of dragons, phoenixes, stone lions and tombstones engraved with ancient calligraphy.
4. Stroll around Orchard Road
More than just a bustling shopping center, Orchard Road is also an outdoor art gallery with many giant sculptures. Notably, the giant nutmeg by artist Kumari Nahappan - a symbol reminiscent of the old nutmeg plantations. If you want to challenge yourself, visitors can go to Trifecta, a newly opened sports complex with an artificial wave pool, ski slope and skateboarding area.
5. Explore Pulau Ubin Island
Just a 15-minute ferry ride from the mainland, Pulau Ubin is a pristine island of lush rainforests and wetlands. It is also Singapore’s only remaining kampong (traditional village). Visitors can rent bicycles to explore the island, stroll through Pekan Quarry – a former quarry now a grey stork sanctuary, or visit Chek Jawa Wetlands, home to many rare animals.
6. Meet nature at Mandai Wildlife Sanctuary
The Mandai Wildlife Sanctuary is a great family destination, where you can discover more than 21,000 animals from nearly 1,000 different species. Here, visitors can participate in talks with caretakers, watch demonstrations and experience feeding animals, providing an opportunity to get up close and personal with the animals. Another highlight of the sanctuary is the Mandai Boardwalk, specially designed to be a haven for native wildlife. Here, you can see the white-bellied osprey, the oriental tree python, or the Malayan water monitor.
7. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Singapore Grand Prix
The Singapore Grand Prix is one of the world's most exciting F1 races, taking place on the streets of Singapore. Drivers can lose up to 4kg of body weight due to the harsh weather conditions. If you can't make it in September, you can still stroll or cycle along the legendary race routes, especially the section through City Hall and Marina Bay.
8. Enjoy street food at hawker centers
Singapore is famous for its hawker centers – food courts with many cheap food stalls, serving a variety of dishes from many different cuisines, especially Chinese, Malay, Indian and Peranakan. This is an important part of Singapore's culinary culture. Besides Newton Food Center, which appeared in the hit Asian culture-themed movie "Crazy Rich Asians", visitors can visit Seah Im Food Center to try nasi goreng tom yum, or Lau Pa Sat – a food court located in a heritage building near Marina Bay. A little tip: Leave a packet of tissues on the table to reserve a seat, following the Singaporean custom of chopping.
9. Enjoy Peranakan cuisine
Peranakan cuisine is a fusion of Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisines, particularly popular in Singapore and Malaysia. Peranakan cuisine is characterised by its bold, spicy flavours and elaborate cooking, with culturally significant dishes such as laksa (spicy coconut noodles), ayam buah keluak (chicken stew with buah keluak nuts), and kueh (traditional sweets). Candlenut Restaurant on Dempsey Road was the first Peranakan restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star, and is famous for its babi buah keluak – braised Iberico pork with the rich flavour of buah keluak nuts.
10. Explore history at the National Museum of Singapore
One of Singapore’s oldest museums, the National Museum of Singapore is housed in a Neo-Palladian building dating back to 1882. Visitors can learn about the history of the region, from prehistoric tools discovered on Pulau Ubin to colonial-era cultural heritage. In particular, the “Wings of a Rich Manoeuvre” artwork in the Glass Atrium, with Swarovski crystal chandeliers that move with the light, is a highlight not to be missed.
