Singapore may be one of the most expensive countries in the world, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t find fun and free things to do in Singapore. In fact the city-state is quite a haven if you are looking for cheap things to do. In addition, it isn’t called mini-Dubai for nothing. There are so many cool and interesting things to do in Singapore that you’ll probably be quite at a loss to figure out where to start.
Here’s a list of all the free, as well as all the fun, things that you can do in Singapore.
Part 1 – Free things to do in Singapore
1. Visit wild dolphins at the Sisters Islands Marine Park
The water here is perfectly blue, making it perfect for snorkeling. One of Singapore’s lushest coral reefs can also be found here, so it’s great if you want to check out the biodiversity. Sister Islands have also been designated as a marine park, so not only are there guided tours, there’s also a great chance you can spot some dolphins.
2. Visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
While this is primarily a place of worship, we’re adding it to our list of fun and free things to do in Singapore because here you can get a good cultural experience even if you don’t subscribe to the Buddhist philosophy. On the ground level, you’ll see devotees chanting, as if they’re completely oblivious to you. If you’re looking for a meal you can even get free vegetarian food too.
3. Go Hiking at Mount Faber
Start trekking from Mount Faber and take in the gorgeous views of the city as well as the greenery and wildlife. You need to be warned though: this is intense exercise and not meant for the faint of heart or those who aren’t in the best physical shape. Do make the effort – it is totally worth it!
4. Free Movies Under the Stars and Clouds
Movie Mob screenings take place all across Singapore, offering you a drive-in experience allowing you to make a picnic out of a simple movie night. They even allow you to vote for the movie to watch, making it one of the most interesting fun and free things to do in Singapore! Certainly beats having to shell out cash at the cinema each time, doesn’t it?
5. Go Biking at Bukit Timah Mountain Bike Trail
If you want to feel the rush of adrenaline in your system, take out your bike and head over to Bukit Timah. The trail has recently been revamped, which means it’s a whole lot safer for bikers of all experience levels, though with all the twists and turns we’d strongly advise that only the experienced bikers try it out.
6. Go Back in History with Kampong Lorong Buangkok
This is one of the more intriguing fun and free things to do in Singapore. If you really want to see how people survived before Wi-Fi, you might want to go here. This is the kind of place that will have you wondering how people survived without all the amenities of life and all the basic technology that we take for granted today.
7. Explore the first ever HDB town at Toa Payoh Heritage Trail
Toa Payohis one of the best fun and free things to do in Singapore that you absolutely need to visit if you’re interested in any form of sports-related activities. Full of lush playgrounds, here’s a throwback to the days when kids grew up playing in playgrounds and when iPads didn’t exist. Great to get some fresh air in your lungs.
8. Spend Some Time At An Animal Shelter
One of the cutest fun and free things to do in Singapore! Let the animals at S.P.C.A. or Animal Lovers League know they are loved. Take out some time to volunteer at an animal shelter. Be warned though: while it’s great to spend time with animals, they have feelings just like us so it does require a lot of commitment and love.
9. See Singapore from the 55th level of ION Orchard
Visit this location for a breathtaking view of Singapore from a height. If you haven’t done it before, you sure need to cross this off your to-do list absolutely right now!
10. Host A Couchsurfer
Want to experience different cultures? Why not list your home on Couch Surfing and host a couch surfer and rent out some sleeping space? However this is a risky proposition – you don’t know who you are inviting into your home – so you also have the option of hosting them for a drink or a meal if you don’t feel up to taking this kind of a risk.
11. Join an #instawalk!
#instawalksare a pretty regular affair, and there is absolutely no cost to join! Sign up for a tour, and all you need to do is to take a casual walks, and take pictures along the way to upload to your Instagram account. The #instawalksdon’t have a fixed schedule, so you need to follow them on Facebook to remain updated on their schedules.
12. Get Soaked at Sembawang Hot Spring
Sembawang Air Base is home to a natural home spring that boasts several tourists all through the year. It is believed that these waters have healing properties, so you can often see visitors taking away pails of hot water to soak in at home. This is nothing compared to the luxurious hot springs found abroad, but, it’s free, so why complain?
13. Stroll Down Changi Point Boardwalk
Visit Changi beach and take in the sunshine and the vast open sea. This is one of the most picturesque fun and free things to do in Singapore in our list as the gorgeous scenery makes for many beautiful photographs, so don’t forget to take your camera along. If you’re lucky you will even have the opportunity of watching planes overhead as they make their way to the airport.
14. Pick Up Something from the Really Really Free Market
This is a fantastic place to pick up anything – for paying absolutely nothing. Yes – everything here is absolutely free. One caveat though: this market isn’t for free-loaders, so you are strongly encouraged to set up your own stall and put up your own wares that you want to give up for free.
15. Visit Xiao Guilin
If you have watched any action flick set in China, you’ll be familiar with this place. Xiao Guilin is the local name for Bukit Batok Town Park, known for its similarity to the scenery of China. The main attraction is a huge rock in the middle of a lake, as well as two shelters that offer a breathtaking view of the surroundings.
16. Hike Down to The MacRitchie Treetop Walk
If you are hankering for lush greenery in Singapore you need to head over to MacRitchie, a suspension bridge that gives you the unique opportunity to experience the treetops right at the level of the canopies themselves. You will never say that Singapore is deprived of lush greenery after checking this out!
17. Watch Free Concerts at the Esplanade
If you want a free concert, the Esplanade is where you need to go. Here you can find a huge variety of vocals, recitals, dance and music performances in either the indoor or the outdoor theatres – and the best part is that most of them are absolutely free.
18. Experience the Animals at Farmart
Farmart gives you the opportunity to get up close and personal with a wide variety of farm animals including tortoises, rabbits and goats. Entrance is free so you can visit and pet the animals for no cost at all, but if you want to feed the animals, there is a minimal fee involved.
19. Visit Haw Par Villa
Haw Par Villa was designed to introduce the community of Chinese values. It may be well past its sell-by date by now, but it is still interesting to go there and check out the statues inspired by mythology and Chinese philosophy. The best part is that it is absolutely free.
20. Get Artsy!
It may be very surprising for you to know that you can find a spot of tranquility smack in the middle of a busy shopping mall. At the ION Art Gallery you will find a dedicated space for all visual arts that displays works from all designers, both local and international.
21. Explore a 24-Hour Walmart
This is for one of those days when you really don’t have anything else to do. Take a walk at Mustafa Centre, and check out the 24/7 Walmart. You don’t have to buy anything – even though the prices may be very tempting – this is just a way to get to meet all sorts of people.
22. Get a Load of The Meandering Southern Ridges
This 10 km trail offers panoramic views of the urban as well as the natural parts of Singapore. The trail may be long, but it is easy to navigate for both experienced as well as inexperienced walkers, as well as the elderly and young kids. Don’t forget to bring your camera, sunscreen and water bottle along.
23. Take a Walk with Singapore Footprints
Singapore Footprints organizes walking tours every weekend – and they are all completely free whether you’re a local or a tourist. These walks are excellent opportunities to uncover Singapore’s attractions and learn about their histories. Check on their Facebook page to learn about their timings and all you have to do is turn up – no reservation required!
24. Explore the Little India Heritage Trail
Experience a different culture with a walk around Little India. Load up your tummy with authentic Indian cuisine at all the various North Indina, South Indian, vegetarian, non-vegetarian, buffet and even the Pakistani restaurants, and revel in the strong aromas of spices and everything else that represents India – right down to the gold jewelry. You are however advised to download apps to help you find your way around more easily.
25. Go to Yishun Dam
You will definitely be impressed by how peaceful and tranquil this place is, making it the perfect location if you are in the mood to catch fish. And it’s quite a romantic spot too – and has been featured in several lists of some of the most romantic places in Singapore. If you want to spend some alone time with your significant other, this is the place to be!
26. Learn about NEWater
A great deal of Singapore’s drinking water is recycled, and the NEWater Visitor Centre is exactly where the magic happens. Here you will be taken over a guided tour of how all that gunk is made safe for drinking purposes. This is a great learning experience for all members of the family alike – and hopefully you will feel differently about your own drinking water supply after learning a few things.
27. Explore Chek Jawa
If you want to explore biodiversity, Chek Jawa is a great option to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. All you need to do is take along lots of sunscreen, some sandwiches, and something to drink. You will directly be exposed to sunlight, and the trek will be long, so don’t forget the munchies. Just remember the basic rule though: don’t throw anything around!
28. Comb through the Tiong Bahru Precinct
There is so much more on offer at Tiong Bahru than just cafes, and we are sure it’ll pique your interest about the heritage of the area. Here you will find quaint shops as well as architectural marvels. There is even an indie book store tucked away in a corner for those interested in rare and antique books.
29. Visit the Katong Antique House
Most Singaporeans are sure to know someone who is Peranakan and this is the best place to learn about these people. Katong Antique House is managed by Mr Peter Wee, a fourth-generation Peranakan, who is very keen on sharing the history of these interesting people with anyone who visits.
30. Spend a day at the Singapore Botanic Gardens
Free concerts surrounded by trees and flowers? What more could one want? The Botanical Gardens are one of Singapore’s top attractions and they are the venue for free concerts organized by The Singapore Symphony Orchestra. You can even find the Tembusu tree that is printed on your $5 note here!
31. Enjoy a picnic at the Esplanade Roof Garden
Singapore is definitely beautiful during the day, but nothing can compare to what it looks like at night – and the Esplanade is where you can get the best views. Take a stroll along the Singapore river then head over here to get a very clear view of Marina Bay Sands, the Singapore River and One Fullerton.
32. Kick back your heels at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
This place is often frequented by many bird-watchers as it is not uncommon to sight rare birds here. Here you can find a wide variety of birds as well as mangrove swamps and other creatures. If you are lucky, you might even get a glimpse of otters and crocodiles too!
33. Hunt out the 8 Merlions in Singapore
What is a list of the fun and free things to do in Singapore without mentioning these? The merlion statues of Singapore are world-famous, and it’s very interesting to go out on a treasure hunt and find them all. The most famous one, of course, is at the Merlion Park at One Fullerton. But there are seven more to be found – so why not set out on a hunt and explore Singapore while you’re at it?
34. Visit Labrador Nature And Coastal Walk
This is a combination of several parks and trails for a total length of 2.1 km, all of which are administered by NParks. You can come here with your friends to just chill out or look at the fishes or get a good view of the Giant Mudskippers at the various trails and creeks!
35. St. Andrew’s Cathedral
This white architectural wonder is a stark contrast to all the high-rise buildings in the adjoining City Hall area. Don’t be fooled by the name – it is not restricted to a place of worship. It is a popular wedding venue and also serves as a great backdrop for Insta-worthy photos.
Part 2 – Fun things to do in Singapore
1. Attend a music festival
There is always some music festival or the other around the corner, giving you a taste of music not just from Singapore, but rather from all over the continent. If that isn’t enough, hold out for the Ultra Music Festival scheduled for later this year, that will bring together some of the biggest names in the music scene.
2. Enjoy some karaoke
There are several karaoke joints for you to explore, the most famous of which is KTV, but there are several others that cater to a much younger age group. If you want a no-frills experience along with some light food and alcohol, you’ll be sure to find a karaoke bar that meets your approval.
3. Attend an outdoor concert
We’ve already mentioned the free concerts at the Botanical Gardens, but did you know that you can also head out to the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre on the weekends and get a load of some locally produced music?
4. Get a load of some stand up comedy
The stand-up comedy scene in Singapore is one of the more intriguing fun and free things to do in Singapore and that is putting it mildly. If you want a no-holds-barred stand-up experience, you should head off to Comedy at Canvas, and be sure to check out one of Kumar’s shows. There is no such thing as an off-limits topic as far as he is concerned, so you’re sure to have a great time!
5. Learn how to cook
There are so many cooking classes for anything and everything all over Singapore, so why not sign up? Learn how to make delicious macarons, or ice-cream. These classes cater to every level of interest and expertise, so you’re sure to find something that works for you.
6. Learn how to pole dance
The best thing about Singapore is that you can learn anything you want. If you want to learn something as interesting as pole dance, there are various gyms and Pilates studios that offer lessons – so go on and sign up!
7. Attend a poetry slam
Every month the folks at Word Forward organize poetry concerts and it’s quite a lot of fun to see aspiring poets try their luck. You may not be able to rhyme to save your life, but it sure is fun watching other people try!
8. Try an escape room challenge
The latest addition to the list of fun and free things to do in Singapore is locking yourself in a room with the only escape route being to solve a puzzle within a given time frame. There are so many options to choose from, including escaping from a Zombie outbreak or a situation from Prison Break that you’ll probably won’t know where to start.
9. Go on a ghost hunt
Visit Old Changi Hospital, Neo Tiew Estate, or even the Old Seletar Airbase and get your ghost hunting mode on. Grab a video camera, film yourself, boast to your friends and become the next YouTube star. Or maybe get yourself picked up by National Geographic for the next episode one of their shows.
10. Learn how to play the ukelele
Everyone learns how to play the piano or the guitar, but how many people know how to play the ukulele? This is one of the easiest instruments to master, and the music teachers at Maestro Guitars help you do just that.
11. Hit an adventure playground
Let your inner child loose and complete all the obstacles at the Forest Adventure Course. Located among the treetops of Bedok Reservoir Park, this is great fun for the entire family.
12. Go hiking or trekking
There is so much more to Singapore than shopping malls, and a visit to one of the country’s numerous nature trails can prove it. Our recommendations: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, and Treetop Walk.
13. Learn horse riding
Bukit Timah Saddle Club is an extremely popular spot to take riding lessons, for members as well as for non-members. Other stables you might want to check out include Gallop Stable as well as the Singapore Turf Club Riding Centre.
14. Check out the islands
Of course we had to mention island hopping on a list of fun and free things to do in Singapore! Hop on a ferry and explore some of the coastal islands. Take a picnic on Kusu Island or check out the tortoise sanctuary.
15. Go rock climbing
Give your arms a good workout at Dairy Farm, a former quarry that has now been turned into a rock-climbing reserve. Sign up on their Facebook page to get the latest updates on their workshops and training sessions.
16. Explore Coney Island
Get away from the usual nature reserves and head over to Coney Island for some quiet time with your family and loved ones. You can even rent out a bike to make the most of your adventure.
17. Explore the railway track
The High Line park in New York built on a set of defunct railway tracks has inspired a ten times longer railway track to be turned into a park in Singapore.
18. Visit Sentosa Island
There is so much to explore at Sentosa, that is difficult to figure out where to start. We’d recommend starting out at the Capella, then moving on the Adventure Cove Waterpark and ultimately going down to the Luge for some thrilling rides. You can then round up the day with a tour of Universal Studios.
19. Make some furry little friends
We have already talked about all the free ways to connect with some animals, but there are so many paid options that deserve a mention in our list of fun and free things to do in Singapore. Sign up for the Night Safari and experience wildlife up close. If you want to drool over kitties, Neko No Niwa may just be the thing, while dog lovers can go wild at We Are The Furballs (WTF) cafe.
20. Join a bird club
Here’s a very interesting way to spend a sunny morning in the sun. The Kebun Baru Bird Singing club is a haven for bird enthusiasts who meet regularly to share their stories and share their enthusiasm for all the various birds on the island. It would surely be worth your while when you consider how many different kinds of birds there are.
21. Explore the flea markets
We all love a good bargain, don’t we? And where else can you find a better bargain than a flea market? For updates on which flea market is happening when and where, visit the Fleawhere website. Our recommendation would be the Public Garden which houses some of the biggest flea markets in Singapore, offering you interesting mixes of both modern as well as vintage treasures.
22. Visit a museum
If you want to satisfy your quest for knowledge, examining some rare masterpieces, artifacts and relics, a visit to the several museums and art galleries absolutely needs to be mentioned in any list of fun and free things to do in Singapore. They are free for locals and permanent residents, and there is only a nominal fee for tourists, so all the more reason to check them out. The National Gallery Singapore and the Singapore Pinacothèque de Paris come highly recommended.
23. Enjoy the graffiti
While the city-state is quite strict on graffiti, there are actually some locations where it is allowed – with quite stunning results. If you are keen to explore the unique street art, head over to Clarke Quay or Haji Lane and spend endless hours admiring the artistic doodles on the walls.
24. Spend a few nights in one of the heritage hotels
It may not look like it to you, but Singapore is actually quite steeped in history. Go back to the colonial era with the Raffles Hotel, sipping on tea in vintage tea cups and nibbling on cakes. If that’s not your thing, you can also visit the Fullerton Hotel, and take in the former glory of what used to be a post office in days of yore.
25. Shop your heart out
When summer sets in, prepare to take advantage of The Great Singapore Sale. During two months in summer, all stores in Singapore start participating in this annual bonanza and begin to offer dizzying discounts and various promotions to the delight of every shopaholic.
26. Go out on a date
There are so many romantic spots in Singapore, with each view more gorgeous than the one before. Try the Singapore Flyer, with your own four course meal for two served in your own private capsule – allowing you to enjoy a luxury dining experience combined with breathtaking views of the entire city.
27. Go on a chow down!
The people of Singapore love their food, and the number of restaurants and cafes that continue to crop up in every district are ample testimony to this fact. Why not try some new restaurant or some new cuisine that you have never tried before? Go on, sample some kangaroo sliders or even some tandoori croc skewers!
28. Sample the beers at various hawkers
Tiger may be very easily available, but it is not the only kind of local beer available in Singapore. There are many local breweries popping up quite regularly, making a welcome addition on our list of fun and free things to do in Singapore, and some of them are quite delicious really. Head over to Chinatown Complex and visit The Good Beer Company where you can also sample some of the delicious grub out there.
29. Sample lots of different kinds of foods
Sign up with Food Prowlers for the food experience of your life! Food Prowlers help to arrange guided tours that cover all the food attractions in the city, from the most famous to the lesser-known ones, so you get to give your taste buds a very vigorous workout!
30. Experience a farmer’s market
If you are looking for a family’s day out, get a load of Pasarbella! There is something here for everyone, including fresh produce and even beer. A special farmer’s market every alternate Saturday can also be a haven for gourmet cheese, wine and bread if you are so inclined.
31. Go on a “blind” date with food
You may think that one of the most important senses when it comes to a dining experience is your sense of taste. But Dine in the Dark is going to turn it all around. Here you’ll be dining in the dark, without being able to see at all, for a very interesting experience altogether.
