FREE THINGS TO DO IN Singapore

What you need to know:

Situated within the heart of Marina Bay, the Marina Bay Sands hotel is a pinnacle landmark and hotel within the city centre of Singapore.

Known as one of the most unique and luxury hotels in the world, Marina Bay Sands is home to a plethora of things to do.

If you can’t afford to fork out the hefty cost of staying at the hotel, you can still enjoy heading to the top of the Lavo restaurant inside the hotel for stunning views over Gardens by the Bay or pay a visit to the immense Casino and see thousands of dollars being spent every minute!

The hotel’s exterior is also an attraction in itself as it’s shaped somewhat like a surfboard on top of three separate towers.

Address: 10 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018956

What you need to know:

Gardens by the Bay is arguably one of the most famous free tourist attractions in Singapore.

Located within the Supertree Grove, you can wander around the 18 towering trees that are covered in beautiful flowers and light up spectacularly at night.

While you do have to pay for some things inside Gardens by the Bay such as the canopy walk, the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome attractions, you can simply enjoy seeing the Supertree Grove and numerous other things for free.

Enjoy watching the light show that happens every night and head to Marina Bay afterwards which is located just behind Gardens by the Bay!

It’s an experience that you’re sure to never forget; just make sure you bring your camera to document your experience!

Address: 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953

What you need to know:

Singapore’s Southern Ridges is a 10-kilometre long trail that snakes through various paths, tree walks and parks along the Southern Ridge of Singapore.

It’s an awesome free attraction in Singapore if you’re a big fan of nature, wildlife and hiking.

However, it might be a bit of a strenuous activity for children so it’s probably best to do this activity if you’re fit and able to hike well.

You don’t actually have to complete all 10-kilometres of the Southern Ridges; you can join up to the trail at various points.

Some of the top places to see along the Southern Ridges includes Kent Ridge Park, Henderson Waves Bridge, Telok Blangah Hill Park and Mount Faber.

Address: Telok Blangah Hill Park

What you need to know:

Merlion Park is a beautiful area of the city that resides right along the waterfront next to Marina Bay.

The park is famed for its 8.6-metre tall Merlion statue which is half-fish and half-lion.

The statue symbolises the beginnings of Singapore when it was a mere fishing village and the Merlion is now a recognised symbol of the city.

Merlion Park is a lovely place to hang around for a little while as you can enjoy the views over the Bay, or simply just admire the impressive Merlion statue sprouting water from its mouth.

It’s definitely a must-visit attraction in Singapore and it’s completely free to see so you don’t have to spend a penny!

Address: 1 Fullerton Rd, Singapore 049213

What you need to know:

The 160-year-old tropical garden is located nearby to Orchard Road which is a famous shopping district within Singapore.

The Botanic Gardens are actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the only few gardens in the world to be awarded this title.

Inside the gardens you’ll find a vast array of beautiful and exotic flowers and plants, as well as numerous paths lined with incredible shrubbery and bushes.

There’s lots of trails to follow around the gardens and kids are sure to enjoy spotting as much wildlife as possible hiding within the greenery.

Even if you’re not that into flowers and plants, you can’t deny that the Botanic Gardens are an absolutely lovely place to spend a few hours with the whole family while in Singapore.

Address: 1 Cluny Rd, Singapore 259569

What you need to know:

Arab Street is actually more of a neighbourhood than a street in the city of Singapore and is one of the liveliest and thriving areas of the city.

Home to incredible street art, a plethora of bars and quirky eateries, as well as numerous temples and mosques, Arab Street really is the place to be in Singapore.

You could easily spend a whole afternoon hanging out in Arab Street and if you don’t quite have the budget to splash out on food and cocktails, then simply just walking about and soaking up the atmosphere is still a great use of time.

There’s not an awful lot of things for kids to do in Arab Street, but they’re still likely to enjoy walking around and seeing all the cool sights.

Address: Arab Street, Singapore

What you need to know:

This exotic and lively neighbourhood in Singapore is an excellent place to visit while in the city if you want to experience some truly incredible cultures and cuisines.

Chinatown is home to many great restaurants and street food stalls, as well as numerous temples such as the Buddha Tooth Relic temple and the Sri Mariamman Temple.

You’ll also find several shopping centres that you can wander around and pick up some souvenirs to take back home with you.

You also actually don’t even need to spend a penny to have a good time in Chinatown as similarly to Arab Street, it’s just a pleasure soaking up every bit of culture you can!

Don’t forget to bring your camera along so that you can document the brightly coloured streets, buildings and ornaments that are found within Chinatown.

Address: Chinatown, Singapore

What you need to know:

While this free attraction is technically part of the Marina Bay Sands enterprise, we wanted to include it as its own point in this guide to the best free attractions in Singapore.

The Marina Bay Shoppes are situated just in front of Marina Bay Sands. The Shoppes are a huge shopping mall consisting of every kind of designer brand you can imagine.

There’s also a huge food court located on the ground floor where you can find every type of cuisine including Indian, Malaysian, Chinese, Italian and much more!

Whether you want to spend money inside the Shoppes or not, you can’t deny that it’s a great place to hang out in Singapore and people-watch for a little while.

Address: Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018956

What you need to know:

Clarke Quay is a beautiful riverside neighbourhood in Singapore and is best known for its bountiful offering of shops, bars, restaurants and clubs.

It’s the perfect place in Singapore to visit if you’re looking for a fun night out. The nightlife in Clarke Quay is second to none and you can find incredibly affordable food and drinks at many of the top bars and restaurants.

If you’re not really looking for the nightlife vibe, then Clarke Quay is also a lovely place in Singapore to hang out as a family.

You can take a boat trip along the river, or simply just bring a picnic along and sit on the edge of the river and take everything in from your relaxing vantage point.

Address: 3 River Valley Rd, Singapore 179024

What you need to know:

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is a Buddhist temple and museum located within the Chinatown district of Singapore.

It’s a beautiful red coloured building that’s just as impressive outside as it is inside.

You don’t have to be a religious believer to go inside the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, but you must remember to dress appropriately and cover your legs and shoulders.

You can tie a visit to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in with spending some time in Chinatown, and you may also want to visit the Sri Mariamman Temple while you’re there as well as that’s located just around the corner.

Children might not find this free attraction in Singapore too entertaining so perhaps give this a miss if you’re travelling with young kids.

Address: 288 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058840