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Meaning “saw mountain” in the regional Catalan dialect, Montserrat is pinch-yourself photogenic: knife-edged cliff peaks erupt like giant pink molars above a 11th-century Benedictine monastery. Home to over 70 monks, there’s a real spiritual energy here – touch the hand of the Virgin of Montserrat statue in the Basilica, which is said to have healing powers. Of the five hiking trails in the area, the route to Sant Jeroni, via bizarre rock formations, is worth the ascent, as you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of Mallorca on a clear day. To get here you can catch a one-hour train from Plaça d’España (which leaves Barcelona hourly or twice hourly). Arrive early, as Montserrat gets busy as the day goes on.
Watch L’Escolania, the famed choir boys, perform live at the Basilica of Montserrat
2. Sitges
Catch the train south from Passeig de Gràcia – Barcelona’s glossy shopping street – and 40 minutes later you’ll pull into picturesque Sitges. This seaside town is a patchwork of cobbled streets, pastel walls and balconies straining with blooms. It’s a treat for the stomach too. Paella at Vivero Beach Club is served mere centimetres above the sea (book the “terraza inferior”), while laid-back Nem offers a modern incarnation of tapas – its patatas bravas ditches predictable potato cubes for crispy-skinned slivers of salty goodness. Sensory overload peaks at Palau de Maricel, a palace whose exuberantly over-the-top décor is a sight to behold.
Sitges International Film Festival of Catalonia takes place annually every October
3. Penedés
The cava region, an hour west of Barcelona, is where 95% of the Spanish sparkling wine ferments – made by both big producers (Torres, Freixenet, Codorníu, Jean Leon) and smaller family operations serving organic wines and farm-to-table tapas. Take the train from Plaça de Catalunya to cava-land’s capital, Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, where many wineries are within 15 minutes’ walk – including Freixenet beside the station, Gramona, with its ancient underground cellar, and the brilliant Recaredo (reservations are essential everywhere). Castlexperience hosts daily tasting trips to country house wineries, while Blend and Bottled – Barcelona’s coolest wine-tasting studio – has launched boutique cellar and sampling tours for eight or more people.
A vineyard in Penedés, with Montserrat in the background
4. Girona
River Onyar, separating Girona’s medieval Barri Vell from its newer western side, provides the postcard image of this arty cathedral city – with reflections of sunset-hued houses that look more Copenhagen than Catalunya (though Game of Thrones fans will know Girona better as the setting for Braavos). Ancient streets wind like threads, knotted with coffee-sipping patios (La Fábrica serves the best), but little beats dining at the world’s second-best restaurant according to the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list for 2018, El Celler de Can Roca. Can’t crack the one-year waiting list? Eat lunch at Divinum, whose chef Jordi Rollan trained in the Roca kitchen, or try a panet – hot brioche stuffed with ice cream – from Rocambolesc, the Roca family’s ice cream boutique. Trains from Barcelona Sants take 38 minutes.
Girona is home to one of the world’s best preserved Jewish quarters
5. La Roca Village
La Roca Village, accessible via coach from Barcelona, falls firmly into the camp of an outlet shopping mall that serves up genuinely wardrobe-changing finds. Part of the consortium behind Shanghai Village and Bicester Village near London, it’s also a beautiful place to shop: all Modernist-style architecture and bright flower vines. But, above all, its brand selection delivers in the form of unique pieces from Spanish designers such as LOEWE and BIMBA Y LOLA alongside Bally, Burberry, Gucci and Prada. Discounts can reach up to 60%, though 30% is more typical.
La Roca Village comprises more than 140 fashion boutiques
6. Figueres
The birthplace of Surrealist artist Salvador Dalí was never going to be boring. Back in the 1960s, the town’s mayor asked if Dalí would consider donating an artwork to a local gallery. Dalí, with characteristic flamboyance, said no – he preferred to build himself a museum. And so, the Dalí Theatre-Museum was born – a storage spot for 1,500 pieces of art (including a mirrored flamingo, a taxi with rain falling inside and a few skeletons) which has pink exterior walls topped with eggs (best glimpsed from along Pujada del Castell). Trains go from Barcelona Sants to Figueres-Vilafant (a short bus or taxi ride from the city centre) in 55 minutes.
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7. Costa Brava
What do Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso and Truman Capote have in common? They all got inspiration from the Costa Brava – a coastline of white-walled villages and electric blue waves that spectacularly ripples from Blanes (70km northeast of Barcelona) all the way to France. Aside from Lloret de Mar, its towns have also managed to escape the skyscrapered gulp of mass tourism. Cove-hop by car or take a Moventis Sarfa bus from Barcelona’s Estació del Nord to Palamós, Begur, Cadaqués or Palafrugell. The latter is famous for its summer music festival, Cap Roig, where big-name artists perform on the grounds of a medieval-style castle.
The dramatic coastline of Costa Brava. Photo credit: Boris Stroujko/Shutterstock.com
8. Tarragona
Once one of the most important Roman cities, much of Tarragona’s epic 15,000-seater Mediterranean-hugging amphitheatre remains – today, honoured with Unesco World Heritage site status. There’s also the eye-catching cathedral, with a giant rose window in its façade; the buzzy central square, Plaça de la Font; Rambla Nova with its Modernist architecture and lunchtime pit-stops; or the nearest beach, Platja de l’Arrabassada. While the latter lacks the wildness of Cala Fonda (dubbed Tarragona’s Waikiki) further along the coast, it’s easily accessible and delightfully golden. It’s all just an hour’s train ride from Barcelona.
Pont del Diable, a Roman aqueduct, in Tarragona
Please check the establishments’ respective websites for opening hours as well as booking and seating requirements before visiting, and remember to adhere to safe-distancing measures while out and about.
To learn more about Singapore Airlines flights, visit singaporeair.com. For updates and travel advisories, please visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.
This article was originally published in the June 2019 issue of SilverKris magazine
With National Day rolling up on 9 August, Singapore is pulling out all the stops. Marking its 60th birthday this year, the country is rolling out a full lineup of SG60 festivities, promos and patriotic vibes. Whether you’re all about feasting as fireworks light up the night sky, digging into locally inspired bites or jamming out to a concert featuring homegrown talent, here’s to making the nation’s Diamond Jubilee one to remember.
Be sure to watch this space as we update this story with more deals and SG60 specials.
Be taken through 60 years of Singaporean pop culture at SingaPop! At ArtScience Museum from 2 August to 28 December 2025. Curated by well-loved local composer and cultural icon, Dick Lee, the exhibition celebrates the vibrant tapestry of Singapore’s cultural evolution.
Enjoy a colourful look at Singapore’s history and culture. Photo: ArtScience Museum
Spanning five eras – from the swinging 1960s to the digital dynamism of 2020s – expect an experience brimming with nostalgia, music and interactive zones. At the heart of it is RojakLand, a whimsical reimagining of Singapore’s cultural icons, from hawker culture and Singaporean fashion to beloved TV shows, National Day parades and Singlish charm. Then step into SingaStories, where immersive 360° videos chronicle Singapore’s pop culture evolution from the 1960s to present day. The experience concludes with SingaVoices, an homage to Dick Lee’s iconic song “Home” (1998), written during his time in Hong Kong as a reflection of homesickness.
Visit the ArtScience Museum website here for ticketing details.
2. Gardens by the Bay and MediaCorp National Day Concert
Gear up for a night of music and revelry, as Gardens by the Bay and MediaCorp present their National Day Concert at The Meadow on 3 August (7.30pm to 10.30pm). Free for all, this year’s theme, “Ties that Bloom” celebrates the bonds of nationhood, community, family and friendship.
Enjoy an evening of popular National Day songs amidst the supertrees. Credit: Gardens by the Bay and Mediacorp
The stage will come alive with a star-studded lineup of homegrown talent, including Kit Chan, Taufik Batisah, Hady Mirza and Charlie Lim. Hady will also debut this year’s National Day Concert (NDC) song, “Ties That Bloom”. As a nod to the theme of enduring familial bonds, there’ll be performances by local family duos: JJ Neo and her mother Lucy Neo; Rahimah Rahim, her sister Rozie Rahim and granddaughter Alyaa; siblings Tay Kewei and Tay Kexin; and husband-and-wife duo Mark Sara and Annetha Ayyavoo.
From 4.30pm, there’ll be fringe activities, hawker bites and snacks (including free ice cream), and a pre-show concert (from 5pm) led by Singapore’s largest inclusive orchestra, The Purple Symphony (TPS).
3. SG60 celebrations at Changi Airport and Jewel Changi
The SG60 festivities are in full bloom at Changi Airport and Jewel Changi, including spectacular horticultural displays across the airport’s terminals and the mall. These include: a 7m-tall Vanda Miss Joaquim – Singapore’s national flower – centrepiece and an orchid showcase at Terminal 3; a spectacular 6m-tall floral Merlion at Terminal 2 crafted from over 60 types of plants; and over 1,200 orchids transforming Jewel’s Forest Valley into a sea of red and white.
Celebrations are taking flight across Changi Airport and Jewel. Credit: Changi Airport Group
As night falls, Forest Valley comes alive with a special rendition of the signature light and music show, featuring Kit Chan’s beloved National Day song “Home”, alongside projections of iconic Singaporean symbols on the Jewel Rain Vortex. Running throughout August, shows are at 8pm and 9pm daily, with an extra 10pm performance from Friday to Sunday.
For a journey through time, visit the Evolution of Travel pop-up at Changi Experience Studio, opening 1 August. This immersive exhibition traces the transformation of air travel, from traditional travel agencies to today’s digital platforms. Plus, discover how Changi’s terminals and in-flight dining have evolved to match global trends and tastes.
4. Where to watch free National Day fireworks
The beauty of the National Day fireworks is that you don’t need a ticket to the parade to enjoy them. Launched from Marina Bay, there are many places to enjoy a view for free. Here is a list of places where you can watch the spectacle and even enjoy a picnic and some family time.
The Promontory & The Lawn @ Marina Bay
Located near the waterfront, these wide, open spaces offer stellar unobstructed views of the fireworks. But they’re also popular spots that fill up fast so arrive early to snag a spot.
Promenade in front of Bay East Gardens
The Bay East Gardens is still under development, but you can still head to the promenade to catch views of the waterfront, the Marina Bay skyline and the fireworks display.
The Esplanade area is a great place to watch the fireworks as well as the navy display on the water. Photo: Shutterstock.com
Merlion Park, Esplanade Bridge and Jubilee Bridge These iconic bayfront spots offer prime views of Marina Bay and the city skyline. For a more elevated perspective, head to Esplanade Bridge or Jubilee Bridge. Arrive early to grab a good spot, as these locations are perennial favourites.
Marina Barrage
A popular picnic spot thanks to its rooftop lawn, the open-air Marina Barrage offers an unobstructed view of the CBD area. This year, it’s also one of the five designated satellite Bay Celebration sites where the public can come together to catch a live telecast of the National Day Parade.
Esplanade Waterfront Promenade and Esplanade Roof Terrace
For an elevated vantage point, you can also head to the Esplanade Roof Terrace. With manicured lawns and shady trees, it’s the perfect chill spot to marvel at the pyrotechnic showcase.
Bayfront Event Space Another official NDP celebration site, this open space beside Marina Bay Sands is perfect for soaking in carnival festivities, catching the NDP livestream and catching spectacular fireworks.
5. Luce: Marrying international cuisine with local delights
Italian flavours meet local delights at InterContinental Singapore’s Italian restaurant, Luce. Across two Saturdays (2 and 9 August 2025), dive into a buffet lunch specially priced at S$60 nett per person (UP S$82.73 nett). Savour Italian comfort food like gnocchi ai formaggi (gnocchi in four cheeses), the hearty ragu alla Napoletana (slow-braised pork ribs and Italian sausage in a tangy tomato sauce) and spezzatino di maiale, a rustic Iberico pork stew.
A perfect blend of Italian and Singaporean culture on a plate. Credit: Intercontinental Singapore
As a tribute to Singapore’s heritage, there’ll be local fare like Singapore fruit rojak and kueh pie tee with tiger prawns as well as whole roasted Irish premium duck. Keep an eye out for the parmesan cheese wheel station serving up creamy spicy chilli crab risotto, tossed with jumbo crab lump and finished in a molten Parmigiano Reggiano wheel.
Those with a sweet tooth, head there on 9 August and dive into an astounding spread of 60 handcrafted cakes across its lunch and dinner buffets. Think reimagined nostalgic favourites, including orh nee custard cake, pandan chiffon cake, milo tiramisu cake and ondeh ondeh swiss roll.
Lunch is priced at S$60 nett per adult (2 and 9 August, 12.30pm to 2pm) and dinner is at S$98++ per adult (9 August, 6pm to 10pm). Reservations must be made in advance with the code “SG60”.
Perched on the 51st storey of CapitaSpring, Kaarla Wood-Fire Grill and Bar offers a great vantage point to catch the National Day fireworks. The restaurant is best known for its open-fire cooking and Australian-Japanese flavours, which you can sample across its 4-course National Day menu (S$138++ per person).
Get a window seat in Kaarla or park yourself at the 1-Arden rooftop bar for the best vantage point to catch all the action. Credit: 1-Group
On the menu: wood-fired grilled Hokkaido scallop served with fennel fresh from 1-Arden’s rooftop Food Forest, and Black Angus grainfed steak complemented by grilled artichoke, sweet potato veloute and tamari jus. The dinner experience is available on 5, 12 and 19 July, and 9 August from 6pm. For the best views, snag a window seat, available at an additional S$20++ per person.
You can also take it outdoors to the 1-Arden rooftop bar. On 9 August only (from 6pm), be treated to National Day fireworks with nibbles and a drink in hand. Priced at S$60++, the experience includes two beverages and maki.
7. Nova: Drinks and rooftop views of the fireworks
Take your National Day festivities to new heights at Singapore’s highest rooftop bar, Nova. Nestled on Level 63 of One Raffles Place, you’ll be soaking in spectacular panoramic views, stunning sunsets and multisensory vibes. Join the party on these Saturdays – 26 July, and 2 and 9 August – and you’ll also get front-row seats to thrilling flypasts, dazzling fireworks and the buzz of the city below. All with a drink in hand.
Soak in the celebrations with a drink in hand and the city at your feet. Credit: Nova
Entry starts at S$60 before 9pm (or S$35 after), which gets you two drinks and access to the lower deck/free-standing areas. Want to level up? Go for the Basic Package at S$120 per person, which includes table service at the upper deck and two drinks – perfect for small groups (minimum booking of two pax applies).
Café Quenino at Artyzen Singapore has embarked on a six-month culinary campaign (May to October 2025) that shines the spotlight on the flavours, people and stories that define the nation. Teaming up with iconic local chefs and heritage brands, they will be joining hands in July with Keng Eng Kee (KEK) Seafood to give the latter’s zi char classics a modern twist. Think a reimagined prawn toast, filled with KEK’s house-made hei zho (Teochew crispy prawn rolls) and set atop deep-fried mantou, as well as stir-fried prawns tossed in salted egg yolk sauce. Available as a set lunch, from S$38++ for a two-course set, as well as a communal menu (S$65++ per person, minimum two pax).
Sample heritage-inspired bites amidst the stylish setting at Café Quenino. Credit: Hotel Artyzen
August ushers in a playful yet heartfelt collaboration with Goobycakes helmed by self-taught baker Jie Hui. Her signature cheese pãos get a local upgrade with fillings like sambal, ginger chicken, and bakkwa. To celebrate National Day, all SG60 collaborators come together to curate a special lunch and dinner menu, available throughout August. Guests can also meet the chefs during their appearance on 1 and 2 August 2025.
Your celebration just got sweeter with LeVel33 X Janice Wong’s SG60 National Day Cacao Experience – a one-night-only immersive free-roaming dining affair featuring a nine-course menu (S$328++) that fuses local flavours with cacao and freshly brewed LeVeL33 craft beers. Think inventive dishes like chocolate-aged wagyu beef, chocolate & stout char siu served in steamed buns, spent grain pasta in a laksa emulsion with grilled tiger prawns and market oyster omelette chawanmushi. Encompassing interactive live stations, butler-passed canapés and playful plating inspired by hawker culture, it wraps up with Janice Wong’s signature edible art installation, to be unveiled just as the fireworks light up the night sky.
Savour chocolate-infused treats, craft brews and superb firework views at LeVel33. Credit: LeVel33
Thirsty? Sip on the Cacao Sling, a fresh take on the Singapore Sling featuring cacao nib-infused Brass Lion Singapore gin, Benedictine DOM, cherry brandy, pineapple, lemon, Aztec chocolate and Angostura bitters. Available all month long.
10. Estate: Heritage buffets with complimentary limited-edition beer
Estate at Hilton Singapore Orchard is reinterpreting local fare across its Taste of Heritage buffets, along with a limited-edition craft beer if you dine between 6 to 31 August. For non-drinkers, there is also the locally inspired tie guan yin roselle hibiscus and chin chow pandan kefir kombucha.
Dive into a lunch spread of local and Western delights at $60 nett. Credit: Hilton Singapore Orchard
For lunch, the new individually plated Chefs’ Signatures embrace local flavours with highlights like wok-fried Hokkien prawn noodles and Singapore laksa with prawns. Be sure to stop by Estate’s signature dessert room to sample the likes of bandung strawberry cake, lemongrass pandan chiffon cake and an ice cream cart. For dinner, there’s pan-seared foie gras with tahu goreng, kong bak pau with braised kurobuta pork belly and orh luak omelette with Japanese oysters. Seafood fans will want to head straight to the Seafood Bar for French oysters, Boston lobsters and Alaskan king crab legs, while hearty carvings of Robbins Island wagyu beef striploin, Lumina lamb shoulder and local roast meats will find favour with meat lovers.
The lunch buffet is available from 6 to 31 August 2025. From S$60 nett per adult. The dinner buffet is available from 6 August to 23 November 2025 (Sunday to Thursday). From S$108++ per adult (6 to 31 August 2025) and from S$98++ per adult (from 1 September 2025 onwards).
11. ANTI:DOTE: Flavours of Singapore through the art of Yip Yew Chong
The Fairmont Singapore’s ANTI:DOTE is currently hosting a special edition high tea in collaboration with local artist Yip Yew Chong that takes inspiration from his iconic murals and Singapore’s multicultural food heritage. Available until 30 September, the menu is a playful take on local favourites, reimagining favourites from chick satay to laksa, as well as sweet treats like orh nee and kueh salat.
These inspired sweet and savoury dishes featuring Singaporean flavours are accompanied by traditional scones. Photo: ANTI:DOTE
Inspired cocktails by new head mixologist Edu Zuma also take centrestage with Whispers of the Alley combining No.3 London Dry Gin with coconut water and pandan liqueur.. The drink is served in a double rocks glass and is crowned with a printed icing sugar sheet of Yip’s artwork. There is also a cendol-inspired mocktail using sparkling coconut water and topped with pandan air foam for a light but flavourful option.
The high tea is available until 30 September, 2025 and is priced at S$68++ for adults and S$34++ for children aged 6 to 12.
12. Oasia Spa: Enjoy S$60 off on all 90-minute massage or facials
Throughout the month of August, Oasia Spa at Oasia Resort Sentosa is giving visitors the opportunity to rest and rewind with S$60 off à la carte body massages or facial treatments. Indulge in their Oasia Signature Massage or try the soothing Hot Stone Massage at a price that allows you to celebrate SG60 in a truly indulgent way. There are also quality facials using Swissline by Dermalab, only availably at Oasia Spa. Mums and mums-to-be can also make use of this offer on pre and postnatal massages.
Photo: Oasia Spa
Oasia Spa is elegant spa destination in a heritage building that is easily accessible in Sentosa. Guests can explore the island and its many activities before heading to the spa for a rejuvenating treatment.
To book, call +65 6818 3388 or email oasiaspa.orsentosa@fareast.com, quoting “OSSG60” to redeem your offer.
For more information on Singapore Airlines flights to Singapore, visit singaporeair.com.
