Planning a trip to Singapore? Emerging as one of Asia’s hottest destinations, a rising cost of living has made it harder to discover more of what makes the city so great.
Whether you’re travelling on a budget, or simply looking to get more bang for your buck, there are plenty of great free attractions to discover across Singapore. Check out our top picks and see more of the city for less!
Celebrate a Festival
Throughout the year, Singapore plays host to a calendar of great festivals offering plenty of free events and activities. Celebrating everything from music and Singaporean culture through to special religious observances, the city’s festivals are a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the city’s way of life. While there are a number of festivals to choose from, some local favourites include the Singapore Night Festival, Lunar New Year celebrations and Deepavali, the Hindu festival of lights.
Visit a Temple
Scattered across the city, Singapore’s ornate temples are a great addition to any must-see list. Decorated ornately and dating as far back as several hundreds of years, the city’s places of worship are beautiful, tranquil and filled with history. Stop by the Sri Mariamman Temple to see Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple, venture into Chinatown to visit Thian Hock Keng Temple, the neighbourhood’s oldest Hokkien temple, or take time out to admire the golden domes of the Sultan Mosque.
Unwind at East Coast Park
Lining a 15 kilometre stretch of Singapore’s southeastern edge, East Coast Park is the perfect spot to get active or simply slow down and watch the world roll by. Spend time swimming, sunbathing and soaking up uninterrupted sea views, or pitch a tent and enjoy an extended visit to the park. The area is favourite amongst locals, offering plenty of space to make the most of Singapore’s beautiful coastline.
Wander Through the Singapore Botanic Gardens
Established over 150 years ago and spanning across 74 hectares, the UNESCO World Heritage listed Singapore Botanic Gardens is home to a spectacular collection of themed gardens. Stroll through the grounds to discover areas such as the ginger garden, home to 250 different species of ginger, or the evolution garden, showcasing the evolution of plant life, to name a few. The garden is open from 5am until midnight, making it the world’s earliest opening and latest closing public garden.
Sit Back and Enjoy the Wonder Full Water and Light Show
Loved by locals and visitors alike, the Wonder Full water and light show is the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia. Held twice each evening, as well as a third time every Friday and Saturday night, the mesmerising display features nine high definition projectors, 250,000 LED lights, 15 high power lasers and a soundtrack created by some of the country’s best composers.
Discover the City’s Diverse Neighbourhoods
Boasting a diverse population originating from across the globe, Singapore is home to a collection of diverse neighbourhoods, including Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam, the Arab Quarter. Take time out to discover all that each precinct has to offer, from flavoursome fare through to great shopping and everything in between and revel in the diversity that exists across the city.
Climb Singapore’s Highest Peak
Set within the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Bukit Timah Hill takes the title of the country’s peak at just 164 metre tall. While the peak may not be quite as impressive as others scattered across the globe, the hike to the hill’s summit offers the opportunity to see one of the city’s last remaining areas of forest.
See the Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay
Reaching between 25 and 50 metres into the sky above, the Supertree Grove is an impressive sight to behold. Fitted with an array of environmentally friendly technology, including solar panels, the outer edge of the 12 structures is covered with over 162,900 plants, totalling more than 200 different species. The Supertree Grove comes alive with light and sound at night, making the attraction a worthy addition to any Singaporean itinerary.
Explore the Singapore Art Museum
Home to one of the world’s best collections of Southeast Asian contemporary art, the Singapore Art Museum offers free entry to visitors between 6pm and 9pm on Fridays. Feast your eyes on paintings, photographs, multimedia works and more, from a mix of well established artists and up and coming art practitioners. Presenting works from the museum’s permanent collection, as well as travelling exhibitions, the gallery offers the perfect opportunity to discover the city’s artistic side.
Get a Photo with the Merlion
Standing at 8.6 metres tall, the Merlion has become a true Singaporean icon. Comprised of a lion’s head and fish’s body, the impressive sculpture pays homage to Singapore’s heritage, with the body representing the fishing village that predates the city and the head referencing the city’s original name, meaning ‘lion city’ in Malay.
With so much to see and do across the city, why not book a flight to Singapore today?
