The finest things in life are free and we could not agree more, especially when it comes to saving money while having a good time. Singapore is a melting pot of culture, impressive architecture, Michelin-starred restaurants, and friendly people, making it one of Southeast Asia’s top destinations.
Singapore’s glitz and glam may not be synonymous with budget vacations, but there is a vast list of free things to do to keep your wallet happy. Aside from hanging out at Jewel Changi Airport, here are the top 5 free city center activities to do in Lion City, Singapore.
Enjoy the Nighttime Lights of Marina Bay
The greatest time to see Singapore’s magnificent Marina Bay skyline is at night when the city lights are turned on. Take a walk around the harbour to see the spiky domes of the Esplanade, the statuesque Marina Bay Sands complex, and the lotus inspired ArtScience Museum, which are all examples of Singaporean architecture. Take a selfie at the Merlion Park with the famous icon of a half-lion, a half-fish creature that has become a tourism icon in Singapore or explore the historic Collyer Quay district’s colonial architecture.
Visit the Free Museums in Singapore
While most museums in Singapore are free to citizens and permanent residents, some offer free entrance to everyone. The NUS Museum houses the extensive Lee Kong Chian collection, which includes historical relics, Chinese ceramics, and paintings, as well as stunning sculptures from Singapore’s best modern artist, Ng Eng Teng. The Singapore City Gallery has a magnificent 11m-by-11m scale model of the core city area that follows Singapore’s incredible evolution from a tranquil fishing hamlet to the futuristic metropolis of today, if you want to learn more about Singapore’s history.
Go Green at Singapore Botanic Gardens and Fort Canning Park
Sir Stamford Raffles constructed the Botanic Gardens in Fort Canning Park, and they now occupy a swath of tranquil green space on the outskirts of the Orchard Road sector. It is free to stroll the beautiful gardens of Singapore’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site on your own. Fort Canning Park, which overlooks midtown Singapore, is still a great place to wander and do not miss the spice garden. Free tours are offered on a monthly basis; for further information, go to the National Parks website.
Explore Historic Districts to Look for Murals
If you prefer murals and street art, Singapore’s heritage ethnic neighbourhoods have enough to offer. Thanks to the annual ArtWalk Little India, Little India has a growing collection of murals representing Indian culture, and Chinatown has several nostalgic murals by Singaporean artist Yip Yew Chong that depict life in Singapore’s early days. Haji Lane in Kampong Gelam is famous for its colourful paintings, while Aliwal Art Centre and Sultan Art Village contain walls with constantly changing graffiti, which is remarkable in Singapore.
See Singapore’s Breathtaking Views
Many viewpoints charge an admission fee or require some type of payment, however, there are a few high sites where you may get a free glimpse of the city. Skyville@Dawson is a public housing complex in Queenstown with a 47-story public-access rooftop garden with a spectacular panoramic view of the island. Take a walk up to Mount Faber, Singapore’s second tallest hill, and enjoy the view over the southern ridge from Singapore cable car or other viewpoints in one of Singapore’s oldest parks if you are in the mood for a trek.
