The best 13 free things to do in Singapore

31.08.2023 - 13:27 / lonelyplanet.com / Marina Bay

Singapore may be one of the most expensive countries in the world to live in, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of free things to do that are fun and meaningful ways to experience the city.

We’ve rounded up our favorite cultural, historic and outdoor freebies – a little something for everyone.

Spending a day on the resort island of Sentosa with its theme parks and casino can be an expensive affair, but there are a surprising amount of free activities for a budget day out. Bask in the tropical weather on any of the island’s three lovely white sand beaches, stroll through historical bunkers and exhibits about WWII at Fort Siloso and enjoy an 11-story view of the southern coast from the Siloso Skywalk.

Local tip: The Sentosa Express monorail is a cheap and convenient way to enter the island at just $4, but if you walk across the Sentosa Boardwalk and catch the island’s internal shuttle buses, it’s completely free.

Recognizable thanks to its unusual spiky durian-like rooftops, the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay is Singapore’s national performing arts center and one of the busiest in the world, hosting frequent free dance, music and theater showcases evenings and weekends. Its outdoor waterfront theater is particularly scenic, set against the backdrop of Marina Bay.

Get that postcard-worthy shot of Singapore – for free – by strolling around the scenic Marina Bay, especially pretty at night when the city lights are out in full force. Marvel at some of Singapore’s most iconic architecture here: the three towers of Marina Bay Sands, the swirling spirals of the Helix Bridge and the spouting half-lion half-fish Merlion statue.

Planning tip: There is a 15-minute Spectra show with projections, lasers and dancing fountains every evening on the waterfront in front of Marina Bay Sands. There are two shows at 8pm and 9pm on weekdays and an additional 10pm show on Friday and Saturday.

While the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest observatories, the Floral Fantasy Supertree Observatory and OCBC Skyway walk require admission tickets, you can actually see a lot of Gardens by the Bay for free. There are several outdoor gardens with different landscapes and art sculptures to check out, as well as the famous alien-like Supertrees. 

Planning tip: Swing by the Supertree Grove in the evenings just before 7:45pm and 8:45pm every night to catch Garden Rhapsody, a spectacular 15-minute light and sound show amidst the Supertrees. If you catch the 8pm Spectra show, you can take a slow stroll over to Gardens by the Bay with time to spare for the 8:45pm Garden Rhapsody show.

The mouth of the Singapore River was once the heart of trade and the spot from which modern-day Singapore grew after the British set up port here in 1819. You could pay