Hotels near Singapore Botanic Gardens

Founded in 1859, Singapore Botanic Gardens is the only tropical garden inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2015) and the city's oldest cultural institution. The 82-hectare garden was instrumental in the development of rubber as a global commodity (the first commercial rubber trees came from here in 1877). Today the gardens hold over 10000 species across themed zones, the original 4-hectare Rain Forest (older than the city itself), and the National Orchid Garden with 1000+ species.

Free to enter the main gardens; National Orchid Garden S$15 (the only paid section). The Symphony Lake hosts free Sunday evening concerts at 18:00 in season. The Heritage Trees - 14 ancient specimens marked across the park - are walking-tour highlights. Open daily 05:00-midnight; National Orchid Garden 08:30-19:00. Allow 3 hours minimum. The Halia restaurant inside the gardens is a popular weekend brunch destination.

Pro Tip: Arrive at 06:00 to walk the 4-hectare Rain Forest with the morning chorus of cicadas and birds - the oldest part of the gardens predates the colonial-era plantings by centuries. The Tanglin Gate at the north has free parking; bus 7 runs from Marina Bay area.