13 Free Things to do in Singapore

SINGAPORE ON A BUDGET

Holidays and travelling can be expensive, not only the flights and accommodation but eating out, activities and tourist attractions. So adding in free things to do during your visit can really help keep the cost down.

Singapore has the reputation for being pricey, but don’t let that put you off. From spectacular light shows to peaceful parks, Singapore has so many free places to take advantage of.

So here is a list of 12 free things to do in Singapore!

If you’re planning on visiting Singapore then head to our travel guide “Singapore on a Budget” for tips on what to do, shop, explore & eat.

TREE TOP WALKS

Southern Ridges

The Southern Ridges is a free 6.2-mile (10km) trail made up of tree top walks and parks that meander through Singapore. A scenic experience, with panoramic views of the city, harbour and the southern islands, surrounded by flora and fauna… and the occasionally monkey!

The trail connects Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, HortPark, Kent Ridge Park and Labrador Nature Reserve. Walking along this trail, offers so many opportunities to see wildlife. During a single visit, we saw parrots, monkeys and lizards!

Something we love about Singapore is the feeling it gives you of being a busy city, with skyscrapers and tourist attractions. But at the same time, it has so many green spaces to explore in between. Walking the Southern Ridges really allows you to see the contrast between the tropical trees and the concrete skyline around you.

Hours of operation: open 24 hours

2. TreeTop Walk at the Central Catchment Nature Reserve

The Singapore TreeTop Walk offers scenic aerial views of the rainforest canopy and the community of plants and animals who live below.

This free-standing, 250-metre suspension bridge connects the two highest points of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. At its highest, the bridge hangs 25 metres from the forest floor!

The Central Catchment Nature Reserve is the largest Nature Reserve in Singapore and covers over 2,000 hectares with stunning vistas of water, forests and wildlife.

Hours of operation: Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Weekends, 8.30am to 5pm. Closed on Mondays.

3. Fort Siloso Skywalk

Sentosa Island is known as Singapore’s island getaway and sits off the southern coast of Singapore. With one of the world’s largest aquariums, Universal Studios, waterparks and golf courses, there are lots of activities and places to visit. Along with these activities, there are a few quieter, more relaxing and free things to do there.

The Fort Siloso Skywalk on Sentosa Island is over 180 meters long and towers above the trees at 11 storeys high. The scenic treetop trek provides visitors with views of the island on the way to Fort Siloso (another free attraction). Here you can learn about the history of the area and the only coastal fort in Singapore.

Hours of operation: Daily from 9am - 10pm

Read our article “14 money saving tips for Singapore” for tips on budget travel!

PARKS & GARDENS

4. GARDENS BY THE BAY

You can’t come to Singapore and not visit Gardens by the Bay.

Gardens by the Bay is a 101-hectare park and botanical paradise. Take a stroll around the Supertree Grove, below the 50-metre-high vertical gardens, known as the Supertrees. There are a total of 18 Supertrees that are scattered around the park which have become a staple for Singapore’s famous landscape. Despite this part of the park being the most recognizable part of the Gardens by the Bay, the entrance is completely free!

Entry to the Gardens by the Bay complex and outside grounds and free for all to visit. But the 5 main attractions of the nature park have admission to enter. These include the Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, Floral Fantasy, Skywalk and Supertree Observatory.

Other free parts of the park include:

Dragonfly & Kingfisher Lakes
Bay East Garden
Far East Organization Children's Garden
Heritage Gardens
Kingfisher Wetlands
Serene Garden
Sun Pavilion
The Canyon Garden
World of Plants Garden

Hours of operation: 5am - 2am

5. FORT CANNING PARK

Fort Canning Park is an 18-hectare park in central Singapore and an iconic hilltop landmark, known as the location for many of Singapore’s historical milestones.

The park is split into nine themed gardens perfect for nature enthusiasts. We love the Javanese gates at the Sang Nila Utama Garden.

A visit to Fort Canning Park has to include the Fort Canning Tree Tunnel which is a photogenic spiral staircase that leads you to a majestic, well places tree.

Hours of operation: open 24 hours

6. SINGAPORE BOTANICAL GARDENS

Being Singapore's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, this 74-hectare botanical wonderland is a free green space to relax and enjoy nature. The gardens are the oldest in Singapore and are filled with rainforest walks, waterfalls, themed gardens and lakes.

Take a picnic and chill by the water with the locals. Keep an eye out for turtles swimming in the lakes and lizards roaming the grounds!

Hours of operation: 5am to 12am

LIGHT SHOWS

7. Garden Rhapsody

Gardens by the Bay should be visited twice, once during the day and once at night!

Twice every evening, the towering Supertree Grove lights up, with a dazzling display of colourful lights and dramatic music, which is called the “Garden Rhapsody”.

Throughout the year the theme of the show changes, from local Singaporean artists to famous movie soundtracks. Click here to see the changing themes.

Some bring blankets to lay on the floor beneath the futuristic-looking trees. Families bring picnics to relax on the grassy banks and couples walk hand-in-hand as they wander below the trees during the display. Wherever you sit, walk or lay, it’s truly an immersive experience.

When: 7.45pm and 8.45pm and lasts around 15 minutes

8. MAGICAL SHORES LIGHT SHOW

Magical Shores is a free light show on Sentosa Island. The multi-sensory experience transforms the sandy Siloso Beach into an interactive light and sound performance.

Tip: There are two light shows on Sentosa Island. The Magical Shores and Wings of Time. The latter isn’t free, at $16.20 per ticket. So don’t get confused between the two.

When: The show is on twice daily for 20 minutes a time. Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm and 9.30pm. Friday to Sunday at 7.30pm and 10.30pm

9. Spectra – A Light & Water Show

This outdoor extravaganza is displayed daily by the famous Marina Bay Sands Hotel. The epic light show narrates Singapore’s history with a 4-part story, immersing the viewers in a symphony of sparkling fountain jets, colourful lights, lasers and mist effects. All are performed with an orchestral soundtrack.

The Spectra Lightshow takes place along the promenade in front of The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands designer shopping mall but can be enjoyed from anywhere along Marina Bay.

When: Sunday to Thursday at 8pm and 9pm. Friday and Saturday 8pm, 9pm and 10pm. Each show lasts 15 minutes

NATURE TRAILS & WILDLIFE

10. Labrador Nature Reserve

With a mixture of sea and forest, Labrador Nature Reserve is an oasis for tranquillity, wildlife and nature. Based around a World War II fort, this reserve is the perfect location to see some of Singapore’s wildlife in its natural habitat. This included over 70 kinds of birds, 11 species of butterfly as well as numerous tree species.

Take a walk through the forest to the jetty where you can see the locals catch fish and watch the boats go by.

Labrador Nature Reserve is also home to the only coastal cliff in Singapore. Here you can get the chance to see the white-bellied sea eagles gliding above you!

Hours of operation: 7am - 7pm

11. Sentosa Nature Discovery

The Sentosa Nature Discovery Trail is an immersive, hands-on trail where you can explore a more tranquil side of Sentosa Island.

Experience the island’s 8 varying habitats including some of the rarest, like the coastal rainforests, wetlands, and rocky seashores. Here visitors can learn about the diverse flora and fauna and Sentosa’s native species through interactive exhibits. There is also a lookout point along the trail to get a great view of the island.

Hours of operation: Daily from 9am - 5pm

MISCELLANEOUS

12. Sentosa Island Beaches

If you want a break from the bustling streets of Singapore then head to the beaches on Sentosa Island.

Our favourite way of spending free time on Sentosa island is by visiting the sandy beaches. Tanjong Beach, Palawan Beach and Siloso Beach and beautiful beaches to visit. You can relax, sunbathe and enjoy the warm, crystal-clear water.

You can get to Sentosa Island by the free shuttle service which stops right by the coastline. This goes from 7am - 9.40pm at 15-20 minute intervals

13. Visit the colourful buildings

Singapore is filled with photogenic roads lined with multi-coloured buildings. Some are covered in street art while some show the traditional Peranakan houses Singapore has.

Some of our favourite colourful roads include Koon Seng Road, Emerald Hill Road and Hagi Lane.