Castles & palaces
The Istana
What it is
The Istana is the official residence and workplace of Singapore's President, and it also houses the Prime Minister's office. It's a working seat of government rather than a museum, so on most days visitors see the building only from outside the gates. The colonial-era compound itself, with its manicured grounds, is the main draw when access is possible; on days when the grounds are opened to the public, visitors can walk the gardens and view the exterior of the main building.
Getting there
The Istana sits along Orchard Road, close to Singapore's central shopping belt. From the city centre it's a short MRT ride or taxi trip, typically well under 20 minutes, with the Dhoby Ghaut or Orchard stations being the closest points to walk in from.
Time to allow
If the gates and grounds happen to be open, allow one to two hours to walk through the gardens and see the building exterior. If you're simply passing by to view the gates from outside, a stop of ten to fifteen minutes is enough.
When to go
Public access is limited to specific occasions, so check ahead before planning a visit around it — otherwise you'll only see the perimeter gates. On open days, expect large crowds and queues, since these events draw both locals and tourists. Outside of those days, the surrounding streets are generally calm.
Nearby
The Istana pairs well with a walk toward National Museum of Singapore (1.3km) and Singapore Art Museum (1.4km) for indoor stops, or toward Little India (1km) and Masjid Abdul Gaffoor (1.2km) for a change of pace with markets and street food. All are within an easy walking or short taxi distance, making it simple to combine two or three in a single half-day loop.
Updated September 20, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
GetYourGuide
Klook
Tiqets
KKday
WeGoTrip
Booking.com
Hotels.com
