While Singapore is bustling with things to do and see, it might be fun to head out for some short day trips from the city. Here are our favorite go-to places for some fun in the sun.

Batam Island

The eighth largest city of Indonesia, Batam Island is well-known for its three G’s – golfing, gambling and gorging. Just an hour away by ferry from Singapore, head to Batam Island if you want to go for a close trip from Singapore and spend some time in casinos or tuck into delectable seafood- which includes dishes cooked with gong-gong sea snails and crabs found in the nearby waters. If you are still pumped after such thrilling activities then, there’s Waterfront City where you can indulge in water sports and go-kart racing. For sightseeing, the Mesjid Raya Grand Mosque at the Batam Center as well as the Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya – the Buddhist Temple, are popular attractions.

Distance from Singapore: 151 km

Ideal time to visit: Between May and September 

Melaka

Also known as Malacca, this was once an important trading port in Southeast Asia. Just three-and-a-half hours by bus from Singapore it is one of the best trips from Singapore. When here, make sure you enjoy the colonial architecture, including the 18th century Dutch houses at 8 Heeren Street. The Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum is another place to visit, followed by a meal at a local restaurant featuring the popular dish – chicken rice balls with the size of ping-pong balls. 

Distance from Singapore: 239 km

Ideal time to visit: January, February, June and December 

Pulau Ubin

To go back in time, visit Pulau Ubin, a kampong, or one of the last few villages that’s just 10-minutes from Singapore by a bumboat. One of the short trips from Singapore, life here now is how it used to be in Singapore during the 1960s, without municipal water supply or any power. Villages here still draw water from wells and get their electricity from generators. And instead of walking into grocery stores for their food, they get their grub fresh through farming and fishing. A good way to enjoy the quaintness of this place is to stroll through the village; explore Chek Jawa, a wetland choc-a-bloc with marine life; or, hire and ride a mountain bike through some of the rugged trails on the island.

Distance from Singapore: 16 km

Ideal time to visit: Any season

Bintan Island