Time to lock in those long weekend getaways. We’ve rounded up short trips from Singapore, including island resorts near Singapore that are just a ferry or quick flight away – think sandy beaches, bargain shopping, and great food.
Where to stay for some weekend getaways
For a short trip from Singapore with private pool villas and the longest wooden bridge in the Maldives – The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah
If you’re dreaming of a tropical escape with all the bells and whistles, The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah ticks a lot of boxes. Set on one of the world’s largest and deepest atolls – Gaafu Alifu – it’s a 2km-long island with soft white sand, more than 2,500 coconut palms, and calm, turquoise waters renowned for its diving.
What makes this resort different? It’s home to the longest wooden bridge in the Maldives – stretching over a kilometre to link Dhigurah with its sister island, Falhumaafushi. You can cycle, walk, or hop on a buggy to explore both islands. The resort is fully all-inclusive, so meals and drinks are covered across both islands. On Dhigurah alone, there are five restaurants and three bars to choose from – from Mediterranean-style plates at Café del Sol and classic Cantonese at Li Bai, to cocktails at the Beach Club.
The 173 villas (beach, lagoon or overwater) all come with private pools and either sunrise or sunset views, making it a great choice for a memorable short trip from Singapore without the long-haul slog.
Things to do at this resort near Singapore
- The Spa by Clarins is made up of overwater treatment pavilions, with options for solo or couple sessions.
- There’s also a gym, yoga pavilion, beauty salon, and nail spa if you’re after some self-care.
- If you like to stay active, try floating fitness classes in the Beach Club pool or explore the resort’s Earth Basket garden with a chef. You can pick your own produce and cook a meal from scratch.
- The kids are sorted too, thanks to one of the largest Kids Clubs in the southern atolls, with beach games, arts and crafts, and nature walks on the programme.
- End the day on a traditional Maldivian dhoni, cruising at sunset and spotting dolphins.
Special offer: Make the most of the school holidays with a family beach break. Save up to 40 percent when you book 31 days in advance, plus enjoy complimentary scenic domestic flight transfers for two in a one-bedroom villa or four in a two-bedroom villa. Meal plans are flexible, with Bed & Breakfast, Half Board, or All-Inclusive options, and you’ll have access to nine restaurants and bars across two connected island resorts. For last-minute bookings within 30 days, you’ll still get 30 percent off. A minimum four-night stay applies.
cenizaro.com/theresidence/maldives-dg
For an easy weekend getaway from Singapore – The Residence Bintan, Indonesia
Not sure where to stay in Bintan? The Residence Bintan sits on the quieter south-eastern side of the island, far from the tourist trail. Getting there is straightforward: a 55-minute ferry from Singapore followed by an 80-minute drive.
Part of the Cenizaro Hotels and Resorts group, the property is surrounded by tropical greenery and overlooks the South China Sea. There are 127 rooms, including one-bedroom garden and sea-view villas, and larger two-bedroom villas suited to families or groups. The beachfront villas put you steps from the sand, while the garden terraces offer more privacy.
Rica Rica, the signature restaurant, focuses on Indonesian flavours with a modern spin. You’ll also find two other casual spots for lighter meals or a drink by the pool.
It’s one of the easiest short trips from Singapore – close enough for a weekend getaway, but far enough to feel properly disconnected.
Things to do at this resort near Singapore
- Activities include nature walks, bike rides, and a batik painting workshop for creating your own piece to take home.
- The Spa at The Residence Bintan is a quiet spot to unwind, offering traditional treatments with a modern touch. It uses Ila products and has eight private rooms for couples – each with its own bathtub. There’s also a reflexology room and spaces for facials and other beauty treatments.
- Families will appreciate the Kakatu Kids Club, a free programme for children aged three to 12 that keeps little ones happily engaged. They’ll enjoy everything from yoga and beach explorations to cooking classes and local dance lessons.
Special offer! The Residence Bintan is offering a Renewal Retreats package for stays of three nights or more. Valid until 27 December 2025, the package includes 20 percent off any room category, daily breakfast for two, return shared land transfers between the ferry terminal and the resort, a 60-minute signature spa treatment for two, a set dinner by the beach for two, a two-hour private nature tour for two, and access to complimentary resort activities. (T&Cs apply.)
cenizaro.com/theresidence/bintan
For palm-fringed beaches and a thriving house reef – The Residence Maldives at Falhumaafushi
Looking for an island escape with serious castaway charm? Set in the remote Gaafu Alifu Atoll – one of the largest and deepest in the world – this resort near Singapore is made up of 94 beach and over-water villas, blending right into the lush surroundings. Think palm-fringed beaches, crystal-clear water, and a thriving house reef where you might spot turtles and reef sharks just off your deck.
Villas are made with natural materials and local touches, giving them a rustic-luxe vibe that fits right in with the scenery.
Dining-wise, there are three restaurants and two bars to choose from. They include The Falhumaa, perched at the end of a 230-metre jetty with Indian Ocean views – perfect for a romantic night out.
Things to do at this resort near Singapore
- You’ll also find the exclusive Spa by Clarins here sitting over the lagoon, as well as its sister spa on nearby Dhigurah island. (They’re connected by a kilometre-long bridge.)
- Enjoy diving? The on-site PADI 5-star Dive Centre has everything you need to explore the coral reefs and vibrant marine life.
- There’s also a kids club, fitness centre, and plenty of water activities to keep everyone happy.
Special offer! Save up to 40 percent on a minimum four-night stay in the Maldives. Book at least 31 days in advance to enjoy the biggest savings, plus complimentary scenic domestic flight transfers for two in a one-bedroom villa or four in a two-bedroom villa. Choose from flexible meal plans – Bed & Breakfast, Half Board, or All-Inclusive. Booking last-minute? You’ll still get 30 percent off the Best Available Rate when reserving within 30 days.
cenizaro.com/theresidence/maldives-fm
For a weekend getaway with front-row ocean views – The Legian Seminyak & The Club by The Legian Seminyak, Bali
Bali has long been a favourite destination when it comes to weekend getaways from Singapore, and if it’s a front-row ocean view you’re after, it doesn’t come much better than The Legian Seminyak. All 66 suites at the resort, along with the three-bedroom Beach House, come with ocean views and breezes – the perfect backdrop for drinking in the sunrise or sunset. It’s a classic for short trips from Singapore when you want style and sea views.
The main restaurant has an equally serene setting, overlooking a tiered infinity pool to the beach, with a menu full of enticing Southeast Asian and European flavours, employing local, organic Balinese ingredients. And another real gem of the resort’s wine-and-dine options are the cocktails at the beachside bar and ocean bar.
For more exclusivity, the adjacent property, The Club by The Legian Seminyak, Bali, is a private estate with a 30-metre pool and 13 private pool villas. The one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas (starting at 450 square metres) offer space, serenity and VIP perks, including a dedicated butler, chauffeured limousine service and a fully stocked complimentary in-room bar.
Both retreats are designed by the legendary Jaya Ibrahim – the Indonesian designer behind Capella Singapore – so you can expect that striking blend of tropical elegance with a touch of Bali magic via a relaxing infusion of local, natural-fibre furnishings, wooden floors and original art and artefacts.
Things to do at this resort near Singapore:
If you’re able to peel yourself away from all the delights on offer at the resort, the Concierge team can arrange a variety of bespoke half- and full-day tours to explore more of Bali, from shopping excursions and temple tours, to scuba diving or horse riding through paddy fields, surf lessons and white-water rafting on the sacred Ayung River.
IG @thelegianseminyak | @theclub.thelegianseminyak
lhm-hotels.com/en/the-legian-seminyak-bali
For a family escape in Jimbaran – InterContinental Bali Resort
Bali remains one of the most accessible destinations for families travelling from Singapore, and Jimbaran Bay offers a slower pace than the island’s busier enclaves to the north. At the heart of this stretch of coast is InterContinental Bali Resort, a property designed with families in mind – and just a short flight away.
Set across 14 hectares of tropical gardens, the resort is laid out on flat terrain – ideal for navigating with children or older relatives. Accommodation spans from stylish rooms to expansive suites and private villas, giving flexibility for couple and families. Six swimming pools are scattered across the grounds, while five restaurants – among them KO Restaurant for Japanese teppanyaki and Bella Cucina for Mediterranean flavours – offer plenty of choice, with children’s menus available throughout.
Things to do at this resort near Singapore
- For younger guests, Planet Trekkers, the resort’s dedicated kids’ club, is the highlight. Designed for ages 4 to 12, the programme blends fun with cultural discovery, from Balinese dance to eco-inspired activities. Outdoors, a children’s pool with new water-play features and a landscaped adventure zone complete with trampolines, climbing structures, swings and even giant chess ensure endless entertainment.
- Parents can slip away to the spa, join a yoga class, or relax with sunset cocktails by the ocean.
- The resort also features family-friendly activities in its programming, including Balinese cooking classes, temple and market visits with cultural ambassadors, and surf lessons with the Rip Curl School of Surf.
- Even infants and toddlers are catered for, with complimentary cribs, baby amenities and babysitting services giving parents peace of mind.
Special offer: The Jimbaran Family Fun Package is a ready-made getaway that combines a three-night stay with curated experiences for all ages. Inclusions range from daily breakfast for two adults and two children and a two-course lunch or dinner at Jimbaran Gardens, to IDR 1,000,000 net resort credit for dining, spa or activities. Families can also enjoy a purification ritual for two adults, a kite-making workshop and Planet Trekkers access for kids, plus a one-hour cycling tour for the whole family.
+62 361 701888 | bali.intercontinental.com
Weekend getaways to Laos and Cambodia
There are plenty of other great short trips from Singapore. World-renowned Angkor Wat in Cambodia is a must-see, Luang Prabang is a meditative river town in Laos, and there are other resorts near Singapore in both of these countries for culture, food, beaches and more.
More short trips from Singapore
Indonesian overview: Bali to Bintan
There are an estimated 17,508 islands in Indonesia, of which only about 6,000 are inhabited. The main islands are Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Irian Jaya and, last but not least, Java. The latter is home to 70 percent of the country’s population. Resorts with beaches less than an hour away by ferry include on the islands of Bintan and Batam, and some smaller nearby islands such as Telunas. Elsewhere in Indo, head to Bali for terraced rice paddies, temples, ruins and jungle walks. Luxury villas can be very reasonable if you’re sharing with a group of friends or family. Lombok is described by many as “the Bali of 20 years ago”, and the nearby Gili Islands are an idyllic hideaway. Wakatobi meanwhile, is perfect for scuba diving and snorkelling enthusiasts, with stunning scenery and volcanoes.
Malaysia overview: Easy short trips from Singapore
Right on our doorstep, Malaysia is an easy weekend getaway near Singapore. In fact, many Malaysian destinations are just a drive away. As an ideal destination for short trips from Singapore, it has some great beaches, historical towns and delicious food.
Just across the causeway, Johor Bahru (“JB”) can be good for the occasional shopping and eating experience. (You can get there by car, taxi or bus.) Kids will love Legoland there too; it’s barely an hour’s drive from home. Note that on Singapore public holidays, the roads can be busy, with long wait times at borders.
The Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur has areas of historical and cultural interest, fabulous views from the Petronas Towers, and buzzing nightlife in Bangsar. The nearby Batu Caves are worth visiting, and among the best places to visit near Singapore for stunning nature.
For white-sand beaches, Langkawi off the peninsular west coast and Perhentian and Redang islands off the east coast are highlights. Tioman, Sibu and Rawa are all great for weekend getaways. Kota Kinabalu in Borneo (East Malaysia) is a stepping-stone to Mabul and Sipadan, for diving resorts near Singapore.
Elsewhere, Penang and Malacca hit the spot for history; Taman Negara has the world’s oldest rainforest; the Cameron Highlands and tea plantations are located on the spine of the peninsula; and don’t forget the orangutans in Sabah!
A Thailand overview: A beach holiday less than two hours from Singapore
Colourful but busy Bangkok has amazing food, fabulous temples, numerous markets and malls, and interesting nightlife. Not far away are the stunning temples of Ayuthaya which are best seen by bicycle. For a beach holiday less than two hours away from Singapore by air, visit Phuket, Koh Samui or Krabi. Or take a boat trip around the breathtaking Ao Phang Nga National Park. Up north, a jungle adventure involving elephants, teak forests and numerous hill tribes awaits you in the Golden Triangle’s Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.
A Vietnam overview: For culture lovers
Cruise along the Mekong Delta and visit the astonishing Cu Chi tunnels just outside Ho Chi Minh City for a reminder of the war years. In the north, soak up the colonial French atmosphere of Hanoi, then leave the city for a boat trip around picturesque Halong Bay. The middle of the country boasts culturally significant Hue and the photogenic, sleepy Hoi An, a must-visit for a step back in time.
There aren’t too many places to visit near Singapore that are like the rural area around Sapa. This part of northwest Vietnam is something different. It offers everything from village retreats to rugged cycling trips, and cooking lessons so you can bring your holiday experience home.
Like these ideas for short trips from Singapore? Read about more places to visit near Singapore and other weekend getaways in our Travel section.
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