Date Night Activities in Singapore

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Young couple taking a selfie on a date in Singapore

The sheer variety of activities in Singapore makes it an ideal choice for romantics in search of the perfect date night. This diminutive diamond-shaped island is full of heart – and that’s not all. Stunning gardens, world-class spas, hipper-than-thou indie cinemas, swoonsome sunsets and stunning street food are just some of our ideas for date night activities in Singapore (though admittedly you may want to avoid leaning in for a cheeky smooch too soon after that plateful of chili crab). Swipe right for our pick of the most romantic nights out in town, including:

  • A Singapore sightseeing river cruise
  • Cocktails at the iconic Raffles Hotel
  • Couples’ massage at the Banyan Tree Spa
  • Traditional tea for two
  • The best steamboats and hotpots in town
  • Sunsets to make you swoon!

Go on a Singapore River Cruise

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Nothing says romance quite like bobbing gently along the river on a cute Singapore bumboat – stop sniggering at the back please! Take to the water with your boo on a sightseeing cruise that ticks off a number of the city’s bucket-list attractions, including Marina Bay Sands, the Old Parliament House and the legendary Raffles hotel. Cruises run well into the evening, so hopeless romantics can catch the golden hour as the sky turns flamingo pink and burnt orange at sunset and lights twinkle on across town.

Sip a Singapore Sling at Raffles

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A Singapore institution of some 135 years standing, the colonial-style Raffles Hotel has hosted a who’s who of glamorous household names down the years: Elizabeth Taylor, Charlie Chaplin, Christian Louboutin, Rudyard Kipling and even Queen Elizabeth II, to name-drop a few. In other words, you’re in pretty good company. The hotel’s signature Singapore Sling, that punchy tropical cocktail of cherry brandy, gin, grenadine, pineapple lime and bitters, was invented right here in 1915. Toast your date with one (or two) on a romantic date in the hotel’s legendary Long Bar.

Soothe your Soul at the Banyan Tree Spa

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Singapore date night activities don’t come much better than this: a pampering experience par excellence at the top of the Marina Bay Sands Resort. Here, 55 stories up in the Banyan Tree Spa, couples can surrender themselves to complete serenity thanks to an extensive menu of Balinese, Thai and Oriental massage complemented by fresh fruit, soothing pots of jasmine tea and sky-high views of the bay and Singapore skyline.

Get Hot and Steamy over Dinner

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If you’ve been to Singapore and haven’t tried hotpot, have you really been to Singapore? Also known as steamboat, these boiling broths are served with a variety of thinly sliced meats, fish and vegetables for dipping and sharing at your table. You’ll find all sorts of broths out there, from spicy Sichuan to – for the bold gourmand only – stinky tofu. Dip ingredients including marinated wagyu beef, freshly caught shrimp, pickled cabbage and smoky shiitake mushrooms for the win. A steamy evening is guaranteed.

Tea for Two

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That Queen Elizabeth sure got around, didn’t she? Not content with drinking the bar dry at Raffles, here she is again at Tea Chapter, a celebrated Singapore tea house she visited for a spot of Imperial Golden Cassia with hubby Phil back in 1989. Treat your queen (or king) to a date to remember in this lovingly converted three-storey pre-war shophouse, a zen haven of ornate Chinese architecture where you too can indulge in a tea appreciation ceremony. Rest assured that the blends you’ll sample will also be made using tea leaves that are – quite literally – fit for a queen.

Date Night at the Movies

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Singapore isn’t short of great movie theaters, with options for catching all the latest Hollywood blockbusters or – if Scarlet Johansson and The Rock don’t float your boat – cool arthouse cinemas for the in-the-know in-crowd. The huge GVMax screen (once the biggest in Asia, fact fans) at the Golden Village VivoCity multiplex is a good bet for the hottest new releases. Head to Projector X: Riverside for under-the-radar indie flicks paired with cool cocktails or to the futuristic ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands where a curated selection of arthouse films, documentaries and Hollywood classics is screened in its state-of-the-art cinema. Now, pass the popcorn.

Go Wild on a Night Safari

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You may find yourself playing third wheel when your boo falls for the Night Safari’s Sunda pangolin, a super-cute crepuscular critter that seems engineered to steal the heart of anyone who lays eyes on it. Operated by the same group that runs the wildly popular Singapore Zoo, this fun nighttime experience is the first of its kind to be 100% devoted to nocturnal animals. Step inside the 86-acre reserve and wander its zones (or hop on the complimentary tram) to spot Malaysian tapirs, Asian elephants, white African lions and more as they go about their nightly business.

Make a Dinner Date with a Difference

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If dinner with a view doesn’t quite set your date’s heart aflutter, these sky-high dining experiences just might. Soaring to a dizzying 541 feet, the Singapore Flyer is one of the planet’s tallest observation wheels with showstopping views of the bright lights of Singapore and Sentosa. Two rotations of the wheel is just enough time for a private dinner in your pod with a glass of champagne and, who knows, maybe even a proposal of marriage. Equally fun is dinner and drinks on board a private cable car across the bay as you and your partner fall in love all over again on the ride from Singapore to Sentosa. Again, two rotations ensure there’s no need to rush dessert.

Watch the Sunset Together

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Trying to identify the best sunset spot in Singapore is like attempting to find the best chili crab in town, i.e. near impossible – there are just so many great places to choose from! Our pick? Head for Marina Barrage next to the Gardens by the Bay. Here, not only can you watch the extraordinary free nightly light show in Supertree Grove thanks to those panoramic 360-degree views, you can also catch some of the most spectacular technicolor sunset views in town. Take a picnic blanket, a bottle of bubbly and some fresh passion fruit with you and that perfect Singapore date night is all but guaranteed.

Save on date night activities in Singapore

Save on admission to Singapore attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.

Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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Panorama of the Singapore skyline as sun rises with green space, the river and Marina Bay Sands
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Singapore in February

Sigh...The truth is that, in the Western hemisphere at least, February can seem a bit...bleak. The holiday season is a distant memory and spring has not yet sprung. But don’t despair! With kids the world over back in school, it’s a particularly good month to plan an adult break. And especially to escape to the equator and sun-soaked Singapore! Whatever part of the world you come from (and frankly whatever the time of year) you can look forward to a mesmerising mix of green environments, bustling cityscapes, futuristic architecture and exciting attractions. Wondering what to do in Singapore in February? Hold tight and we’ll share all the top tips, including: Weather in Singapore in February Chinese New Year Thaipusam Best things to do in Singapore- Gardens by the Bay- Singapore Cable Car- Universal Studios Singapore Exploring Singapore- Singapore Bicycle Tours- Singapore Big Bus Tour- Singapore River Cruise What's the weather like in Singapore in February? Is it warm all year round in Singapore? Yaaay! It’s a yes. Pack your sunhat. The average temperature in February in Singapore is a delicious 31oC (87oF) with evenings dropping to a pleasant 24oC (75oF). You’re unlikely to need your umbrella either as, with the end of the Northeast Monsoon season, February is Singapore’s driest month. The only place you might want to pop on your sweater is for the air-conditioning blasting out in malls and public places. Chinese New Year Depending on the timing of the first full moon of the year you might be lucky enough to be in Singapore for Chinese New Year (or Lunar New Year). The 15 day festival is celebrated all over the world and, in Singapore, whilst some local shops and markets will close for the celebrations, you’ll find major malls, tourist areas and entertainment attractions open and buzzing with noise, colour and beautifully blazing lanterns. Whatever you do, don’t miss the Chingay parade in Marina Bay, perhaps the year’s most dazzling display of Singapore’s multi-cultural heritage, celebrated with enthusiasm not only by Chinese but by Malay, Indians and Eurasians too. Pick your spot and thrill to spectacular floats, colourful costumes dancing dragons and staggering stilt walkers. Then dive into the whirlwind streets of Chinatown where temples open their doors, stalls sell everything from raw fish to unique home decor, and decorations glow under the lanterns of the night bazaar. Late afternoon and evening are the best times to soak up the atmosphere and bag a bargain in the markets around Smith Street. And since the best part of any festival is the food, don’t forget to cram in as many delectable sweet and savoury treats as you can! After all that excitement you might want to stop for a nice cup of tea. Kick off your shoes and ease into the tranquility of an authentic tea appreciation experience at Tea Chapter, the largest and oldest teahouse in Singapore. Find your zen amid ornate architecture, relax to traditional Chinese music and savour tea fit for a queen - Queen Elizabeth II and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh were also served a pot of Imperial Golden Cassia so you’re definitely in good company. Thaipusam The festivities continue, since the Hindu religious festival Thaipusam also falls in January or February, depending on the date of the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai. This time you’ll need to stake out your viewing spot in the historic streets of Little India to watch the colourful chariot procession wind its way through the streets to Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple at Keong Siak Road. Devotees carry milk pots and heavy wooden ‘kavadis’ decorated with flowers and peacock feathers in honour of Lord Murugan, Hindu god of war. Some pierce their tongues or other body parts with skewers and hooks, requiring elaborate prayer and preparation. Less painfully, let’s talk about some of the best sights in Singapore, like... Gardens by the Bay Have you even been to Singapore if you’ve not visited Gardens by the Bay, the stunning natural park that has become perhaps the country’s most recognisable symbol? Immerse yourself in the intriguing Cloud Forest and marvel at the eighteen 50m-high sustainable ‘Supertrees’. Not only does their vertical planting provide a wildlife habitat but they harvest solar energy, collect rainwater and serve as air exhausts. It’s tough to know when to visit. As one of the city’s most popular attractions, morning is the best time to beat the crowds and explore the 101 hectares of indoor and outdoor gardens, lakes, sculptures and artwork. But there again, it would be a crime to miss the Garden Rhapsody light show that wows the crowds at 7.45PM and 8.45PM every day. Singapore Cable Car Maybe you’ll follow the pattern of many visitors and split your time between the city and the delights of Sentosa Island. Soar over the city skyline aboard the Singapore Cable Car and take plenty of snaps of the unforgettable views as you travel from Mount Faber on the main island, to Sentosa, which means ‘island of tranquility’.If you time your trip to be back at the Mount Faber cable car station after dark you can also enjoy Miraculous 2, a kaleidoscopic, multi-media light show exclusive to cable car ticket holders. Universal Studios Singapore Aside from the sandy beaches, the main event on Sentosa island is surely Universal Studios, Singapore, guaranteed to thrill visitors of any age with its wild coasters, family rides and interactive shows, all themed to your favourite movies. Explore seven themed areas: Hollywood, New York, Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, The Lost World, Far Far Away and Madagascar. Get your white-knuckle kicks on Accelerator and Revenge of the Mummy, brave the world’s tallest duelling coasters themed on Battlestar Galactica and prepare to get wet as you escape the dinosaurs on the Jurassic Park Rapids. There are plenty of family favourites too with rides, shows and character meets from favourites like Shrek, Minions and Sesame Street. Virtual Reality Fighter Jet Experience Do you feel the need for speed? Whilst we’re talking thrills, Singapore offers the rare opportunity to enjoy a fast and furious experience learning to fly a (virtual) F-15 or F/A-18 military jet. Attend your pre-flight briefing, then don your headset, before blasting off on a memorable mission over some familiar American landmarks. Ways to explore Singapore In the heat and humidity of the summer months you might not have the energy to explore, but, as the beginning of the dry season and before temperatures rise too much, February is an ideal month for outdoor activities. Cycling around the sunny island is a great way to enjoy the sights and green spaces. Singapore is one of Asia’s most bike-friendly cities with a well-connected network of cycle paths, so get on your bike, not forgetting that helmets are mandatory.A four hour Historical cycle tour of Singapore ticks off loads of city highlights including Chinatown, the Singapore River, Boat and Clarke Quays and the Museum District... Best of all, being accompanied by an expert guide allows you to see the city from a local perspective, including visiting a residential area, checking out a lively market and sampling tasty local cuisine. Or perhaps you’ll prefer to pedal your way to some stunning evening panoramas on a two hour Marina Bay bicycle night tour. There are stunning photo opps all along the way, from the Supertrees, to the Singapore Flyer observation wheel, to the Formula One Pit Building.Wheel around the business district where charming historical buildings jostle with gleaming skyscrapers. Look out for the famous floating football pitch at Marina Bay. If you’re lucky you might even catch a live music performance in the Esplanade entertainment area. If you’re feeling less energetic maybe you’ll choose to cruise, drifting along on a Singapore River Cruise. Climb aboard a traditional bumboat (yes, you heard right) to glide past sights like Old Parliament House, the Merlion Park and Marina Bay Sands Resort. Or simply hop on (and off) a Big Bus tour and take in all the landmarks at your own pace with a day ticket and pre-recorded commentary in your choice of 12 languages. For a more original experience, an hour-long Singapore DUCKtour, in an amphibious vehicle, splashes into the bay for a sail around the beautiful harbour before exploring the Civic district on land. However you choose to get around, remember, not only in February but year round, Go City is the best choice for maximum savings and flexibility for all your Singapore sightseeing. What are you waiting for? Enjoy your adventures!
Jo Cooke
Riders on the Battlestar Galactica rollercoaster at Universal Studios Singapore.
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The Best Rides in Singapore

Adrenaline junkies rejoice! If there’s one thing Singapore isn’t short of, it’s a world-class thrill ride or six, from the frankly terrifying rollercoasters at Universal Studios to the towering Singapore Flyer observation wheel that overlooks Marina Bay. So saddle up and get ready for the time of your life as we reveal the best rides in Singapore, including:Battlestar Galactica at Universal Studios SingaporeThe Sentosa SkyHelixThe Singapore FlyerThe Sentosa cable carAJ Hackett’s giant swing and bungee ropeRiptide Rocket at Adventure Cove water park Universal Studios Singapore Let’s not beat about the bush: around 90% of the best rides in Singapore are to be found at Universal Studios (USS) on Sentosa Island. There are nearly 30, so to list all of them here would take waaay too long, but here are three of our faves to give you a little taster... Battlestar Galactica Hold on to your hats: this one’s a beast. Based on the much-loved sci-fi TV series, it sees an evil Cylon robot coaster do battle with its human nemesis as the dueling rides twist, turn, intertwine and come within inches of colliding several times over. Cylon is the faster and more frightening of the two, an inverted rollercoaster that includes a corkscrew, a cobra roll and a (literally) hair-raising zero-gravity drop. The Human ride is – and we use this term advisedly – slightly more sedate; a traditional rollercoaster with no inversions but reaching higher speeds of up to 56mph. At 139 feet, these are the highest dueling rollercoasters on the planet, so it's fair to say that neither is recommended for the faint of heart. Puss In Boots’ Giant Journey Emerge from the ivy-clad turret and go in search of Mother Goose’s golden eggs with our heroes Puss and Kitty on this exciting family-friendly rollercoaster that will leave the kids screaming for more. You’ll find it inside the Shrek-themed Far Far Away Land, where King Harold’s Castle and the Enchanted Airways coaster are also popular attractions. Be aware that this kid-friendly zone is among the busiest in the park, so be prepared to queue or, better still, get there early! Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure There are hungry dinos galore on the loose at this Jurassic World-inspired facility where a drenching is all but guaranteed. Board your circular raft and ride the rapids past cute animatronic mum-and-baby stegosauruses and into the restricted zone, where hissing velociraptors and radio reports of an escaped T-rex will have you quaking in your boats. Will you escape uneaten and unsoaked? Spoiler alert: yes, you will and no, you won’t. Sentosa’s Other Hot Tickets Sentosa Cable Car The very act of getting to Universal Studios requires you first to get to Sentosa. And what better way to do so than aboard the iconic Singapore cable car, one of the island’s more gentle rides, to be sure, but also one of its most essential. Awestruck passengers soar 200 feet above sea level on an epic 15-minute journey over the bay, taking in sweeping views of lush tropical foliage and Sentosa’s fine beaches along the way. You can even book a private sunset ride with dinner and drinks! Sentosa SkyHelix In case it isn’t already apparent, the majority of Singapore’s best rides are to be found on the island playground of Sentosa, and the SkyHelix is no exception, with its sky-high vantage point on Imbiah Lookout affording stunning views across the bay to the Southern Islands. This one’s a favorite with Instagrammers seeking the ultimate sunset snap as the rotating gondola spins skywards, reaching heights of around 260 feet above sea level. Riptide Rocket Also on Sentosa, the Adventure Cove water park comes with a fish-filled reef and stacks of rides, the most thrilling of which is the Riptide Rocket, a ride every bit as electrifying as its name suggests. This one is best done in pairs, with floats designed to maximize the speed with two people on board as you whip around gravity-defying loops and over stomach-churning drops before being ejected at very high speed (and no doubt still screaming) into a giant splash pool at the bottom. AJ Hackett Sentosa Ever fancied bungee jumping above the palm-fringed golden sands of a tropical beach paradise? Well, now’s your chance! AJ Hackett’s Sentosa attraction on sunny Siloso Beach is strictly for those with a head for heights. Get your bearings on the SkyBridge, a knee-trembling 150 feet above terra firma, before braving the bungee or having a go at the main event: a giant swing for up to three people that soars over the Siloso sands at potentially lunch-losing speeds of up to 120kph. Last But Not Least... Singapore Flyer One of the tallest observation wheels in the world, the Singapore Flyer is – gasp! – not on Sentosa but in Marina Bay. Its vantage point (and height) affords 360-degree views right across Singapore and (ahem) Sentosa, and even as far as Indonesia and Malaysia on clear days. The wheel soars to a nerve-jangling 541 feet;, which is not far off half the height of the Empire State Building or Eiffel Tower so, yeah, pretty high. Book a ticket that includes a glass of champagne or Singapore Sling if you think you might require a little something to steady your nerves. Save on attractions and activities in Singapore Save on admission to Singapore attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Family at Universal Studios Singapore
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Discover Sentosa: Unmissable Stops Near Universal Studios Singapore

Just left Universal Studios? Here’s what to do next on Sentosa!

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