Experience a pop of cheery, natural yellow hues at Sunflower Surprise: Garden by the Ocean at the Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay, from 9 October to 9 November 2026.
Sunflower Surprise: Garden by the Ocean at Gardens by the Bay
Sunflower Surprise: Garden by the Ocean at Gardens by the Bay is the attraction’s first Portuguese-themed floral display.
The display at the Flower Dome showcases Portugal’s maritime history, everyday traditions and agricultural heritage. It also features more than 5,000 sunflowers across 20 varieties, evoking the sunflower fields of the Portuguese countryside.
Portugal Showcase
Stepping inside the Flower Dome, you will first be greeted by a water fountain, set amidst blue and white tiles, surrounded by cheerful sunflowers. Take a moment to appreciate the traditional Portuguese painted and glazed ceramic tiles that decorate the fountain – something that is distinctly Portugese.
Seats built into the display invite visitors to pause and pose for a picture as you ease yourself into what’s in store at Sunflower Surprise.
Alfama, Lisbon’s Historic Neighbourhood at the Flower Dome
Head down to the Flower Field where an entire neighbourhood awaits. Behind a field of bright yellow sunflowers, you can view a recreation of Alfama, one of the Portuguese capital’s oldest neighbourhoods.
Recreations of traditional houses sit spread out on a slope, as if beckoning you to explore and visit.
And in fact, if you take a walk into the display, you can find little sitting alcoves as if you have wandered into someone’s home. Peer out of the windows and enjoy the view of the beautiful sunflower field.
Adding the seafaring heritage theme of this year’s Sunflower Surprise is a recreation of the Farol de Belém lighthouse.
Take a picture with the bow of a traditional Portuguese carrack too.
Take a walk to the rear of the Flower Field and you will find displays that showcase Portugal’s agricultural traditions.
A fountain sprouts out wine, reflecting the vineyards found in Portugal, along with other displays of olive oil and other produce along with recreations of historic Porto shopfronts and Lisbon’s iconic street kiosks. Imagine that you are wandering through tiled fishing towns to inland vineyards, olive groves and cork forests.
Wondering how sunflower made their way to Portugal? Sunflowers, which are native to the Americas, were carried back across the Atlantic in the 16th century before finding a place in Portugal’s bright, dry summers. It is another example of Portugal’s connection with the sea.
As you wander around, be sure to take the time admire the various sunflowers, which include supersized varieties that can grow up to 1.8 m tall.
Sunflower Surprise: Garden by the Ocean commemorates 45 years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Portugal, and is presented in partnership with the Embassy of Portugal in Singapore, with support from Turismo de Portugal and AICEP (Portuguese Trade & Investment Agency).
Sunflower Surprise: Garden by the Ocean at Gardens by the Bay
When: Friday, 9 October to Monday, 9 November 2026, 9 am to 9 pm
Website: Sunflower Surprise: Garden by the Ocean
If you enjoyed this story, we think that you will also enjoy this other story about new things to do in October in Singapore.
