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Merlion statue and the marina bay sands
Written by Alex on May 4, 2020 Share on

Best free things to do in Singapore – Experiencing Singapore with a Small Budget

Singapore is indeed a city that offers a luxurious experience, but it also provides plenty of opportunities to enjoy the city without spending a dime. Despite its reputation as an expensive destination, there are numerous free things to do in Singapore that allow you to fully immerse yourself in its essence. From exploring stunning architectural wonders to witnessing technological advancements, Singapore offers a mix of both paid and free experiences. Engage in activities such as visiting the iconic Marina Bay Sands, strolling through the beautiful Gardens by the Bay, or exploring the vibrant neighborhoods like Chinatown and Little India. These are just a few examples of the many free attractions and experiences that Singapore has to offer. So, even if you’re on a budget, you can still enjoy the city to the fullest. When planning your trip to Singapore, consider exploring the available Singapore tour packages that cater to different budgets and interests. This way, you can make the most of your visit and create unforgettable memories.

1. Gardens By The Bay – Ramble through the magical garden 

The Gardens by the Bay is the best example of the fusion between human’s creativity and scientific knowledge. The entry to the place is completely free all day, every day, and getting a glimpse of the giant SuperTree Grove is simply one of the best free things to do in Singapore. The secret to enjoying the place to the fullest is to visit it at between 7.45 pm and 8.45 pm as the stupendous trees are lit up with all the amazing lights. You might want to know that even though the entry is free, the attraction inside costs a considerate amount. The park is open between 5 am to 2 am and it is located at 18 Marina Gardens Drive Singapore.

Gardens by the Bay at nighttime, one of the best free things to do in SIngapore
Photo by Hanisah Kamis on Unsplash

2. Fort Canning Park – Go up the hill

Fort Canning Park is a stunning and historically notable park. It is present right in the centre of Singapore. You can also do other things nearby like shopping at the Orchard Road or have a drink at Clarke Quay. This verdant green space above the hill is one of the amazing views you’ll ever see and voila, it is totally free. The place is a much-needed escape from downtown living. The park is a base of many types of plants, trees, flowers, and other attractions. A walk down the lovely setting lifts up your spirits during the day. The best time to visit the park is in the early morning. You can locate the park at 70 River Valley Road, Singapore 179037 and it is open at all times of the day. 

A man in the Fort Canning Park in Singapore
Photo by John Marvin De Jose on Unsplash

3. The Merlion – Click a snap with the iconic statue

Located in Marina Bay Signorina, the Merlion statue is one of the iconic structures in Singapore. The place has been overfilled with tourists that it turned out into a gimmick and even the locals having a bit of joke and trolls with it. Nevertheless, the world-famous half-mermaid half-lion is one of the completely free things to see in Singapore. The spot has some glorious views across the bay and a perfect spot to get yourself a perfect Instagram photo that you have always wanted. A small hack here is that you can be the talk of your followers by clicking a picture with an illusion that the fountain of water is being flooded into your mouth. The Merlion can be visited at 1 Fullerton, Singapore and is open 24 hours a day. 

The picturesque Merlion statue
Photo by Max Felner on Unsplash

4. MacRitchie Reservoir Tree Walk – A stroll into the woods

The Treetop Walk at MacRitchie Reservoir is an exciting experience where you can walk on a suspension bridge present over the dense forest and wildlife. Located at the northwest of the city centre, it is one of the best things to do in Singapore especially for nature lovers. The bridge spans 250 metres long and 50 metres above the jungle downstairs. Don’t be surprised if you see a wild cat or two waiting for you to fall down to be their daily meal. You can avoid going at afternoons as the heat above the bridge is so high that you can feel fatigued too soon. You can reach the spot by getting into the Venus Drive off Upper Thomson Road. 

The MacRitchie Reservoir , one of the best places to visit in Singapore for free
Image credits: Wikimedia commons

5. Chek Jawa – Pack your bags for a lovely picnic

Chek Jawa is a cape and it is a wetland with plentiful biodiversity and a peaceful ambience. It is one of the last few places left in Singapore with a natural rocky seashore. Packing a lot of food and beverages, you can have a peaceful picnic over there with your friends and family. It offers you the opportunity to create wonderful memories to take back making it one of the best free things to do in Singapore. It is located at the south-eastern tip of Pulau Ubi and it is best visited during the dusk and dawn.

Chek Jawa , a cape in Singapore
Image credits: Wikimedia commons

6. Marina Barrage – Rise the Kites!

The marina Barrage is well-known for being one of the wildest and windiest spots on the island, making it a right fit for kite flying. You can reach the elevated park by using the lift or the long ramp. Once you reach the top, an unbelievable view of Singapore can be seen along with the scene of numerous kites filling the sky making it picturesque. The huge park is so accepting that you can see people coming in all the time and still the place has space for everyone to chill, fly some kites and have fun. The best time to visit the place is at dusk as the climate is apt for the kite flying with a good atmosphere. The place is open from 9 am to 9 pm and it is undoubtedly one of the best spots to visit free of cost in Singapore. 

People flying kites at the Marina Barrage
Image credits: Flickr.com

7. East Coast Park – A day at the Beach 

The East Coast Park is a 15 km stretch of beach which is a great place to chill and unwind yourself. It is a top attraction and having a refreshing day here is one of the best free things to do in Singapore. You can swim in the waters, read a book on the shores or just enjoy your solitude. Marine Cove Playground, rock climbing, digital game stations are some of the many amusing activities present there for children. 

East coast park, best place to visit in Singapore
Photo by Rayson Tan on Unsplash

8. Singapore Botanic Gardens – Go Green!

Singapore Botanic Gardens is the home of the National Orchid Garden with around 1000 species and 2000 hybrids of orchids. This makes it the world’s largest display of tropical orchids. With a vast field of grassy green lawns, scenic ponds and delightfully cut garden trails, you can also see a lot of wildlife here too. You can spot the pied hornbills, spotted wood owls, crimson sunbirds, stork billed kingfishers and ducks spread across the gardens. The entrance to the place is absolutely free. It opens at 5 am in the morning and closes only at midnight. The Singapore Botanic Garden is located at 1 Cluny Road, Singapore.

Singapore Botanical garden after a rain
Photo by Samson Thomas on Unsplash

9. Esplanade Music – Time to Groove

This is one of the best-suited things amidst the free things to do for music lovers. While Esplanade is known for its expensive music nights, there are some free live shows happening at the place. You can have various experiences from the dance shows to acoustic sets, as well as theatre performances and live bands at the central gathering area every evening. You can refer to their website to know more about the events happening over there. The place has a free rooftop garden and live music with the best creative visuals and expansive views. The most suited time to visit the place is at night. The location is 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore. Be aware that the concerts may be paid if the performing artists are high profile.

Live music at the Esplanade which is one of the best things to do in SIngapore
Image credits: Wikimedia commons

10. Marina Bay – Lights ON!

Major Belief is that Marina Bay Sands is normally going to drain your wallet with the cost of the entrance to their SkyPark being over 30$ and a room here fetching 400$. Nonetheless, you can savour this iconic complex that towers over the bay by grasping their spectacular light show. The light show called the Spectra impresses all with multi-coloured lasers beamed from the top of the three towers. The water fountains are lit up and it is one of Asia’s biggest light and water shows. The best spot to enjoy the 15-minute show is at the Event Plaza in Promenade. The show runs on a day to day basis at 8 pm and 9 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, they conduct an extra show at 11 pm. 

People enjoying the light show at the Marina Bay Sands, which one of the best things to do in SIngapore
Image credits: Wikimedia commons

From strolling through the magical garden to having a chilling day at the beach, you can do many such activities for free in Singapore. Apart from these best things to do in Singapore, there are also many other activities for free such as Sisters Islands Marine Park,  Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Bukit Timah Mountain Bike Trail and much more. Now that you have known what you are going to do in Singapore, create yourself a wonderful itinerary with Pickyourtrail. Don’t procrastinate it and you can start customising your Singapore tour package. 

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