[2025 Singapore Attraction] Travel Guide for The Istana (Updated Oct)

#festivaljoy Getting There - Take the North-South Line (Red Line) and alight at Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station (NS24/NE6/CC1). From there, it's about a 5-10 minute walk to the Istana's main entrance, located along Orchard Road. Attractions - Istana Main Building, Orchard Road Entrance Gate, the gate itself is a historic landmark, providing a grand entry to the Istana grounds. Swan Pond, a peaceful spot to relax. Japanese Garden, a serene garden showcasing traditional Japanese landscaping with a pavilion, stone lanterns, and water features. Open Green Spaces, enjoy the sprawling lawns and landscaped gardens, perfect for a picnic or leisurely walk. The grounds are beautifully maintained, featuring flowering plants and shaded areas. #100waysoftravel #singapore

#naturewonders Standing just opposite to the Istana front gate and Plaza Singapura is the Istana park and everyone knows the Istana is the presidential office of our current sitting president. The park faces the front of the Istana gate and it offers the perfect view to get some photos of the monthly changing of guards ceremony directly from the opposite. There is also a centrepiece artwork that is 26m long Festival Arch in the middle of a rectangle pond when fishes swims free in the contained space. The design symbolises the gateposts and railings at the Istana Entrance, makes you feel very patriotic as a Singaporean

Getting There - It is walking distance from Dhoby Ghaut MRT. do come early as the crowd will be lesser. Attractions - The museum and palace ground. There is an entrance fee to the museum (inside the palace). To avoid long queue, as soon as you enter the ground, go to the palace and get your tickets. No cash payment, only PayLah. Also, you can get to take picture with the president in the morning. Food & Restaurants - They sell some snacks and cold drinks in marquee. Best if you can bring your own food in. Shopping - Some souvenir are available for purchase. The mugs are nicely designed. The bookmarks and postcard are less fancy.

#localhistory The Istana Address: Orchard Rd, Singapore 238823 News flash for you! Istana Open House on 7 May 2022, there is no need to apply for tickets. I only have chances to see Istana from the outside. It is enormous and full of beautiful landscaping. Can you also believe that The Istana is right beside Plaza Singapura Shopping Mall? This is the office of President of Singapore and has always been used to receive and entertain state guests. So it is a high security place and there is always security there. In The Istana, they have more beautiful gardens and ponds. It is so big and there are many segregated areas too. I read that there is also a small golf course inside. The trees outside The Istana are big and tall and you can see that they have been well taken care of by the gardeners. Opposite The Istana, is the Istana Heritage gallery whereby you can learn more about The Istana and history. There are also artefacts displayed over there, usually those gifts presented by the state guests.

#naturewonders 📍 Opposite Istana & Plaza Singapura near Dhoby Ghaut MRT station (along Orchard Rd/Penang Lane) Istana Park is a small urban green space in town at just 1.3 hectares. The highlight of this park is the 26m long Festival Arch, which sits in front of a shallow reflecting pool, & adds to the beauty of this small greenery space. Depending on the time of the year, there will be a periodic thematic floral display at this park as well. During the time I went, there isn't any special display but it still looks quite lovely & pretty. Adding to the beauty are also the all year round Floral Corridors, providing shade & also another instagramable place for photo taking at the park. An art studio/cafe (My Art Space) & Istana Heritage Gallery are also found in this park.

The Istana is home to the president located at Dhoby Ghaut mrt, between Concorde Hotel and Plaza Singapura Shopping Mall. They are sometimes open to the public for visits on public holidays. Due to safe management measures, slots have to be booked in advance when visit slots are released. You can only visit during the stipulated slots that you have booked too. Entering the grounds required security checks while fortunately was efficient, and demarcated routes are made available for visitors to follow. Explore and be awed by the various gardens comparable to our botanic gardens. There is even a lake with ducks and swans too. There is also an edible herb garden, flower garden, Japanese themed garden and tall orchids shrubs as well. These gardens are well maintained by the gardeners. The highlight will be the Istana itself. However, you can only see the grand facade from the outside. Due to covid measures, there are no live performances. #naturewonders

#flowerlover Istana Park Address: Bounded by Orchard Road Penang Road, Penang Lane and, Buyong Rd How to come here: It is right opposite Plaza Singapura and take the Dhoby Ghaut MRT exit towards Penang road. This is a free entry park. The flowers here are so pretty and there are two flower arch tunnels for photo taking too. There is a water feature too and it reflects the skies too. If you are here, you can see changing guards ceremony at the Istana too. There is an Istana Heritage Gallery over here too. Try to come during sunset when the sun is less glaring. You can take many nice photos here too. It is also within walking distance from Ji Hotel Orchard.

#singaporetrip The Istana Open House is a rare public event held on select public holidays, offering Singaporeans and tourists a chance to explore the President’s official residence. Guests can enjoy cultural performances, family-friendly activities, heritage tours, and shop for limited-edition souvenirs, all within the beautiful gardens of this historic estate. Admission is free for Singaporeans and PRs, and all proceeds from tours and souvenirs support President’s Challenge beneficiaries. The next Open House is scheduled for 2 February 2025 (Chinese New Year). Entry is via Orchard Road with security screening in place. Hashtags: #IstanaOpenHouse #SingaporeHeritage #PresidentsChallenge #ExploreSingapore #FamilyFunSG #CulturalExperience #SingaporeEvents #HistoricSingapore #OpenHouse2025

🎉 The Singapore Presidential Palace Open Day is here! On April 13, you are invited to this historic building to participate in a variety of activities and experience the fusion of traditional and modern culture! 🖌️ Experience Traditional Arts and Crafts: Multiple interactive sessions are prepared on-site, such as batik painting, portrait drawing, mobile photography, and ukulele workshops. Unleash your creativity and enjoy hands-on fun! There’s also a golf putting challenge and a treasure hunt waiting for you to take on! 🎶 Cultural Performances: From 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM, exciting performances from different schools and art groups will be held continuously! These include traditional Malay musical instrument performances, ukulele Malay song performances, as well as dances and choral singing representing the three major ethnic groups—Chinese, Malay, and Indian—giving you a true taste of Singapore’s multicultural charm. 🍴 Food and Souvenirs: Besides enjoying the rich activities, there will be food stalls and limited-edition souvenirs from the Presidential Palace and the President’s Challenge for sale. Please note, all payments are cashless only, including credit cards, debit cards, and QR code payments. 🗺️ How to Get There: The entrance for the Open Day is at the main gate of the Presidential Palace. The most convenient MRT station is Dhoby Ghaut. 🎟️ Ticket Information: Singapore citizens and permanent residents (including accompanying foreign domestic helpers) enter for free. Other visitors pay SGD 20 for adult tickets and SGD 10 for children’s tickets (ages 4-12). Guided tours of the Presidential Palace villa require an additional fee. 💖 Charity Donation: All proceeds from the activities will be donated to charities supported by the President’s Challenge. Bring your family and friends and join this culturally rich and fun-filled day!

#SingaporeItinerary Stepping into the Singapore Presidential Palace feels like traveling through a time where history and modernity intertwine. The palace solemnly sits amidst a vast expanse of greenery, its white exterior shining against the skyline, exuding an elegant yet dignified aura. This building is not only a symbol of Singapore’s power but also a witness to its historical and cultural heritage. Walking along the paths, dense tropical vegetation surrounds you, with birdsong and gentle breezes blending into a natural symphony. Entering the main hall, the decorations are elaborate without being ostentatious; the resplendent chandeliers and exquisite wood carvings highlight the charm of Singapore’s multiculturalism. Each exhibition room displays the historical trajectory of the Presidential Palace and the story of Singapore’s national development, evoking admiration for the struggles and achievements of this land. From the high vantage point, the palace courtyard is fully visible, and the open view symbolizes the country’s spirit of inclusiveness and progress. This visit allowed me not only to appreciate the beauty of the architecture but also to feel Singapore’s pride and hope as a nation.

🏝️ Why should you pay attention to the Istana Open Day when you come to Singapore? The Istana is the office of the President and the government of Singapore. It is usually not open to the public. It is only open on certain holidays such as the Spring Festival, Labor Day, and National Day. It is a rare free attraction suitable for tourists to check in Singapore's history and culture, with landscapes, exhibitions, and performances. 📝 In order to ensure that you get the latest and accurate information, it is recommended that you check the official website of the Singapore Istana or the official channels of the Singapore Tourism Board before planning a visit. 🗺️ Istana One-Day Tour Route (Super Detailed!) 08:30 AM - Arrive early to avoid the peak queue Location: Get off at MRT City Hall Station and walk for about 10 minutes Entrance process: You need to bring your passport and enter after security check (free admission) 09:00 AM - Tour the main building of the Istana (limited opening) You can only enter the main building at specific times (it is recommended to go as soon as possible) Visit the Presidential Reception Hall and State Banquet Hall to learn about the historical architectural style 10:30 AM - Explore the Istana Garden (super beautiful check-in point) Swan Lake: Black swans swim leisurely in the lake, the scenery is picturesque National Orchid Garden: There are specially cultivated presidential orchid varieties Centennial Rain Tree: Super large tree canopy, suitable for taking pictures 11:30 AM - National Gift Exhibition (super value experience) Displays the national gifts presented to Singapore by heads of state from various countries, with distinctive cultural characteristics 12:30 PM - Live band performance & Interactive experience The Istana Military Band will perform live at certain times (it is recommended to check the time in advance) Afternoon: You can consider having lunch nearby and come back to watch the performance in the afternoon. You can also buy limited-edition products that are only available on the open day. Remember that the Istana closes at 6 pm, so pay attention to the play time. 💡 Summary + Travel Tips Istana Open Day = Free + Limited Experience is definitely worth planning! Check the date in advance, plan the route, and avoid the peak traffic Bring a camera to record the unique scenery of the Istana! 👉 Have you been to the Istana Open Day in Singapore? Welcome to leave a message to share your experience!

#urbanwanderings The Istana, which mean The Palace in the Malay language. It was delightful to see the "Inclusive Garden" (previously known as Spice Garden) which consist of hard core path wide enough for wheelchairs, planters just the right height for wheelchair users with built in knee space. The low level water feature was mesmerising. It is worth the effort to decent the number of steps to get to the Lily Pond, the air is filled with scented honeysuckles. Apart from the graceful colonial style buildings complete with shutters, the matured garden set in undulating land which adds interest visually. The 42 hectares land during the colonial days was a nutmeg plantation, so look out for these trees.

#wheretogo The istana is the place where the president stays. The Istana is located in between the plaza Singapura and the orchard central shopping mall. On special occasions such as the labour day, the Istana is opened to everyone for a tour visit into the magnificent place. The huge istana is surrounded by thousands of plants around the area. In addition, when ministers guests from other countries visit into Singapore, they will also be welcomed into the Istana for a visit too. Be sure to bring your children along to get a glimpse of Singapore Istana house. Address - Orchard Rd, Singapore 238823

Nice place for the president. Cannot go inside unless you want to get deported #explorer. Though, it is open for public on special occasion. Close to dhoby ghaut MRT station or take somerset station. Certain hours will have change of guards show and people often stop by to watch the mini parade. No shelter, so when it rains, don’t go there and waste your time #citylife #singapore #governmentpark. Enjoy exploring Singapore.

If you happen to be in Singapore during a major holiday. you might want to check if Istana is open for the public. It’s only S$2 for admission and all proceeds goes to charity. Next to istana is the famous Plaza Singapura for a meal or shopping.

It's a old hotel but renovated and looks new from outside but when walking down the stretch of corridor brings back memories especially when you get a room right at the end of the corner and you'll have to walk past at least 20 over rooms.

The presidential palace is built on the high ground of the park, and the Singapore flag flutters on the roof; the plain white marble building is majestic in the sun. In front of the presidential palace, the music was fluttering. It turned out that there was an art troupe performing for the presidential family, surrounded by a large number of tourists. The performance is a pair of twin sisters, and the piano dance is quite skillful. When the violin is finished, she will start Jolin Tsais "The Dancer." But coming to Singapore to see the little sister dancing is not as good as seeing some rare collections in the presidential palace. Buy tickets to visit the presidential palace: the lobby of the presidential parliament, the art and souvenirs that the countries have given to Singapore, we can see that we are dazzled, but unfortunately we can't take pictures, otherwise we will show them here. Istana Park covers an area of about 30,000 square meters, and the entire house is on a large green area.