Singapore is hot in May with showers. For visitors in May we suggest going to the National Orchid Garden, Orchard Road, Fort Canning Hill, and the National Museum. Read on to find out more about travel and weather, including temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and tips for May.
Singapore Weather in May: Overview
Averages:
- Temperature range: 26–32°C (79–90°F)
- Daily high feels like: 46°C (115°F)
- Rainfall: 16 cm (6 inches)
- Rainy days: 15
- Sunshine hours/day: 6
- Humidity: around 82% (very humid)
Singapore is hot throughout the year, with May's temperature being average for the country at around 26–32°C (79–90°F). Due to high humidity levels, however, the daytime high temperature feels like 46°C (115°F).
The month of May can see some showers in Singapore, with approximately 16 cm (or 6 inches of rainfall), and around 15 rainy days. Luckily the showers tend to be heavy and over quickly as a result, meaning it is only very rare that you lose an entire day to rainfall in May.
The Best Places to Visit in Singapore in May
May falls outside of Singapore's monsoon season, as well as outside of its peak travel season (which is November through to January as well as June and July) making it a great time of year to visit. Explore the Lion City, as it is also known, and all it has to offer, on a tropical getaway.
1. Be Astonished by Singapore's National Flower at the National Orchid Garden
Inside Singapore's Botanical Gardens you will find the National Orchid Garden, which is home to an incredible 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids of these beautiful flowers. Given that Singapore's national flower is the orchid, it's probably no surprise that there are around 60,000 orchids on display in total.
We suggest walking through both the Botanical Gardens and the National Orchid Garden, because you will be amazed how beautiful the tropical and subtropical plants and flowers are. The gardens have been there since 1859, and have always played a big role in plant studies, both when it comes to houseplants but also for commercial farming research.
There is a lot to see, and if you are into plants, we suggest setting aside a good amount of time for your visit. The gardens are open until midnight, so you could also visit in the evening.
For fans of horticulture and flora we also suggest visiting the Gardens by the Bay, which we've written more about in our article about. Asia Highlights can also help you with a personalized itinerary with a tour guide to answer your questions. Contact us to create your tour of Singapore.
2. Go Shopping on the Bustling Orchard Road
Orchard Road is one of Singapore's main shopping streets, and if you're looking for shopping, you will find it there. The main boulevard is filled with luxury fashion malls, well-known international brands, as well as smaller local stores.
We suggest starting off at ION Orchard, one of the newer malls, which also connects to Orchard MRT Station. You won't have to go outside to head through to Wisma Atria and also Ngee Ann City, which is home to Japanese department store Takashimaya, great for a rainy day, or if you'd prefer to stay inside the air-conditioning.
For souvenirs, antiques, or art, or if you're not necessarily shopping for luxury goods, there are some interesting stores in Tanglin Shopping Center, which is an older mall, and also home to some local food stalls. Far East Shopping Center is similar, with some fabric and clothing shops as well as jewelry stores.
3. Explore Fort Canning Hill and The Battle Box Bunker Museum
In southeastern Singapore, Fort Canning stands on Fort Canning Hill. Allegedly, the area was once the center of medieval Singapore back in the 14th century, and had buildings that were of political, religious, and commercial importance.
The park is great to walk around in to see the old defenses from the 19th century, namely the remaining old gate and the cannons. Interestingly, and regardless of the huge cannons, fortifications there were a failure, as ships could get close enough to the town to attack without being in range of the cannons.
In 1907, the old fort was demolished and British Army military headquarters were built, known as the Headquarters Malaya Command Operations Bunker. During World War II the bunker had 30 rooms and its own generator, and today is known as the Battle Box and is open for tourists to visit.
Fort Canning Hill is not far from the Peranakan Museum, which we also recommend visiting in our piece about visiting Singapore in January
4. Check out the Singapore National Museum
For those with an interest in learning more about Singapore's history, regardless of your age, we suggest checking out the Singapore National Museum. The building itself is a beautiful attraction, as it is housed in a 19th century colonial building.
The museum uses modern technology and displays to keep visitors' attention. You can read more about this in our article about visiting Singapore in February.
Low Season: Less Expensive and Fewer Crowds
May falls outside of the peak travel season, but we do still recommend booking ahead as Singapore is a popular destination all year.
On May 12 in 2025 and May 31 in 2026, Buddhist Singaporeans celebrate Vesak Day, which is a public holiday in the country. This day is the most important of Buddhist festivals, as it commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha.
Although it's a public holiday, most tourist attractions will remain open. If you'd like to witness cultural rituals, we suggest visiting Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown (read more about this in our article about visiting Singapore in April), or Lian Shan Shuang Lin Temple in Toa Payoh.
What to Wear in May
Singapore is hot in May, and we would suggest dressing for the heat in your summer attire. Wearing light-colored clothing, as well as natural fabrics, can ensure that you don't overheat. We also recommend a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen if you are going to be outside for a long time.
An umbrella would also be good to carry when outdoors for much of a day for protection from either sun or rain.
Recommended Tours for Singapore in May
Asia Highlights' experts have put together some Singapore itineraries if you are hoping to visit Singapore in May. Some of these also combine visiting Singapore with other neighboring countries. You can find those here:
- 4-Day Private Singapore Sightseeing Tour
- 18-Day Private Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand Tour
- 12-Day Thailand, Singapore and Bali Tour
Our team is ready to help you should you have other desires or want to see different countries or sights than the itineraries listed above. Let us personalize a memorable experience for you, and take the stress out of planning your trip. Contact us to arrange your trip to Singapore.
Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries
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