One Day in Sentosa: A Cultural Itinerary (Yes, It’s Possible!)

Did I land in Singapore with a resolve to never set foot on Sentosa Island? Yes.

Did I change my mind, and was I glad I did? Hell yeah! Yes, I’m still a cultural traveler, and no, I wasn’t knocked in the head.

For travelers who prefer immersing themselves in the local culture and learning about a country’s history, the all-inclusive Sentosa Island sounds like the shallowest attraction.

But after giving in to curiosity, and spending a day exploring the island my way, I was proven so wrong! I thoroughly enjoyed learning a bit about the island’s history at the untouched Fort Siloso. Walking the Imbiah trail also healed my soul.

There is so much history and nature to explore. People just don’t talk about it.

So, let all the other tourists go to Resorts World. Let’s spend one day in Sentosa our way, the cultural way!

Your Cultural Day in Sentosa at a Glance

While I call this the “cultural” itinerary, I’ve included an afternoon of mini-vacation for you to wind down, assuming you’ve been chasing history and culture on the mainland like a madwoman.

• Morning: Imbiah Nature Trail ➡️ Fort Siloso Skywalk ➡️ Fort Siloso
• Lunch: The Palawan Food Trucks
• Afternoon: Relax on Palawan Beach ➡️ Southernmost Point of Continental Asia
• Wrap Up: Optional swim, mini-golf, or journal by the beach

If, unlike me, you only have a few days in Singapore and would rather spend all your time doing cultural things, scrap the afternoon section and replace it with something else on the mainland.

Is Sentosa Only for Resorts and Theme Parks?

Let’s do some myth-busting. Sentosa is usually associated with all-inclusive resorts, Universal Studios, and all that vacation-y stuff.

But we cultural travelers aren’t looking for a vacation. We love deep-diving trips that leave us needing a vacation from the trip, right? 😂

Well, as I’ve found out, Sentosa does have more than the vacation-y stuff people have let on. Why does no one talk about this? I have no idea, but I’ll set the trend and talk about this, then.

Sentosa Island Does Have History!

Sentosa Island wasn’t always called Sentosa. In the 1800s, it was actually known in Malay as “Pulau Blakang Mati,” which means “the island of those who die behind.”

This name is believed to have referred to the one Malaria outbreak in the late 1840s. The epidemic wiped out most of the Bugis community living on the island, while survivors moved to mainland Singapore.

Fortification of Blakang Mati

In 1878, the British built five forts on the island as a defense for their shipping facilities at Keppel Harbour.

Ironically, the only time the forts came into use was during WWII, when the Japanese were invading from the mainland, not the sea. The fort guns, designed to fire at naval targets, had to be rotated to fire inland.

Becoming Sentosa: The Island of Peace

In the late 1960s, Singapore decided to develop Blakang Mati into a holiday resort. The tourism board held a naming contest to replace its ominous name.

As we all know, Sentosa was the winning entry. It’s a Malay word that means peace and tranquility, a complete contrast to its former name, and a suitable one for its vacation-y vibe today.

How to Get to Sentosa from Singapore by MRT

With the City Mapper app, you should be able to get yourself to Sentosa very easily. Just let the app know where in Sentosa you’re going, and it’ll give you specific instructions all the way through.

But let’s say you’re not using the app, then get yourself to the Harbourfront MRT station on the North East or Circle Line. Follow the signs for Exit E to VivoCity.

You’ll find the Sentosa Express monorail station on the 3rd floor of that mall.

It’s bright orange, so you can’t miss it. You only need to tap your card at this station when you leave and when you return, and it’s all free ride on the island.

The announcement on the Sentosa Express tickles me a lot. The dude sounds as hyped as a theme park guide, and this is where you might be questioning your cultural conscience for bringing you here. It’s okay.

Hold on tight to your spot and let the normal people get off at Resorts World Station, because we’re not normal, we’re extraordinary (😂). Be ready to get off at the next one, Imbiah Station.

READ MORE: How to Use Transportation in Singapore

Morning: Rainforest Trails, Skywalk & Fort Siloso

Once you get off at Imbiah Station, walk across Lookout Loop towards the escalator towards “Imbiah Lookout.” If you’re lucky, you might get to run through the mist like some 5-year-old child at the loop like I did.

It gets a bit overwhelming at the top of the escalators. Madame Tussauds is here, as well as a handful of other touristy attractions.

Follow the signs towards “Sentosa Nature Discovery” and “Mount Imbiah Nature Trail.”

Sentosa is greener than most people realize because all they pay attention to is Resorts World.

Sentosa Nature Discovery is a small exhibition that helps you get to know the island’s ecosystem within 10 minutes, and you can access the Nature Trail by following the wooden bridge from the exhibit.

The trail will descend towards the exit. Once you’re on the street, cross to the other side, turn left, and follow the sidewalk as it curves right.

Walk past the bus stop, too, and you’ll soon find the Skywalk tower with two elevators at the bottom.

Fort Siloso Skywalk

Guess what, this is another free attraction on the pricey island of Sentosa. Woohoo!

Go up to the second floor of the elevator, which is actually the height of floor 11, and enjoy what I think was the most epic view of Sentosa and mainland Singapore.

What is the skywalk for, really? Is it just for the views? No.

The 5-minute bridge actually leads right to the entrance to Fort Siloso. Those who don’t want to use the skywalk will have to hike all the way up from the streets.

Fort Siloso

Can you walk back the other way and take the skywalk elevator back down? Yes, you can, but you’d forego the coolest *free* war museum and the only preserved coastal fort in Singapore.

While the batteries were destroyed in 1942 to deny the Japanese their use, many of them have been restored as part of the Fort Siloso Museum.

The place is a whole experience, with four different trails and storylines you can follow: Red, Yellow, Blue, and Gray.

If you’re interested in WWII history, the red trail is your top choice.

With command posts, storytelling exhibits in tunnels, and waxworks reenactments, following this trail alone will take you roughly one hour.

A quick shoutout to Lee Kuan Yew, whose speech made me cry in the middle of the National Museum, and again here in a Fort Siloso exhibit.

He had a strong vision, and he sure succeeded.

Sentosa Beach Walk

Following the gray trail towards the fort exit, you’ll pass the skywalk tower again.

This time, walk right past it and onto the beach walk. We’re taking another 20-minute stroll to Palawan Beach. It’s nice and quiet all the way, with the ocean breeze to keep you cool.

Lunch at the Palawan Food Trucks

After about 20 minutes on the beach walk, you’ll find the entrance(s) to The Palawan, a public outdoor complex on Palawan Beach.

A cool part of this complex is its open-air dining space surrounded by several food trucks.

Although you’ll get food for much cheaper at hawker centers on the mainland, these food trucks are some of the most reasonable options on the island. You can get a Banh Mi for S$18, a burger for S$16, or a beef quesadilla for S$15.

These trucks are always open, even when it’s raining cats and dogs.

The space works like a restaurant with a shared menu, so grab a seat, and a staff member will bring you the menu and take your order.

Afternoon: Relaxation Time at Palawan Beach

Take this afternoon off and do some vacation-y stuff. Think of it as a way to refuel yourself for the next cultural adventure on the mainland.

Palawan Beach

Palawan Beach is the most interesting beach on Sentosa that’s partially accessible to the public.

As long as you stay on the west side of the beach (right-hand side if you’re facing the water), you’re free to relax and do whatever you want. Avoid the other side of the hanging bridge, as that’s a private beach for Capella Hotel guests.

If you’ve got S$22 to spare, you can also play an 18-hole mini-golf at The Palawan.

The Southernmost Point of Continental Asia

Another “must-do” thing for those visiting Palawan Beach is crossing the hanging bridge to Palawan Island, the Southernmost Point of Continental Asia.

It technically isn’t the furthest south on Sentosa, but I get the hype. There are also plenty of seats up on the two wooden towers. It’s not a bad idea to spend a while in the breeze and take in the views.

Wrap Up: Sensoryscape + Back to the Mainland

Whenever you’ve had enough of your mid-trip vacation, walk a few minutes back to Beach Station and take the Sentosa Express back to VivoCity.

Another interesting option is to walk the Sensoryscape from Beach Station up to Imbiah Station, then take the train from there instead.

Not only is the exhibit an interesting virtual experience, but you might also find interesting temporary exhibitions there!

And that wraps up your “cultural” one day in Sentosa. That honestly was as cultural as it could get!

Planning more cultural days in Singapore?

I have itineraries designed for 2 days in Singapore, which would combine perfectly with this day on Sentosa island if you want a good mix of culture and a relaxed afternoon.

Got even more days? Here’s a longer itinerary you can combine with this one. If you still have extra free time, fish for more ideas among my favorite things to do in Singapore!

Bookmark my Singapore Cultural Travel page for more information you can use to plan your trip.

Get Ready For Your Trip to Singapore

Below are some of the resources to help you get ready for your trip.

Don’t forget to check your visa requirements, and fill out the Digital Arrival Card no more than 3 days before you land.

Read up on the local laws and my top travel tips before you get there, and a bit about how to get around as well.

• Get your trip covered with Safety Wing Insurance
• Stay connected in Singapore with this eSIM
• Must-have Apps: Grab, City Mapper

Find a Place to Stay in Singapore

Still looking for somewhere to stay? Read my guide on the most convenient neighborhoods to stay in and use the map below to find the best hotel for you!

Grab My Singapore E-Checklist

To make sure you don’t leave anything important out of your preparations, I’ve made a digital checklist to help you get ready. I leave 2 pages blank for you to customize your own checklist, too!

Quick FAQs About Sentosa Island

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