Singapore’s Top Ten Free Activities

Singapore reached the top ten in the Cost of Living Survey from Mercer for the first time last year, meaning it’s certainly not a cheap city to hang out in. So if one too many Singapore Slings has left you counting your coins, here are ten activities to enjoy in Singapore that won’t cost you a cent. 

 1. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum

This enormous temple in the heart of Chinatown is an excellent way to pass some time in peaceful reflection. The excellent Buddhist culture museum on the 3^rd floor houses an impressive collection of Asian Buddhist artefacts, and introduces the life story and teachings of Lord Buddha.

 2. A Stroll in the Park

The Botanic Gardens provide a tranquil escape in the city centre, within a 15 minute walk of Orchard Road. Wander along its many winding paths, kick back on manicured lawns, or explore the 4 hectares of preserved rainforest.

 3. Window Shopping on Orchard Road

Shopping is a serious business in Singapore, so prepare to be blown away by the sheer scale and variety of its shopping malls. Orchard Road is the main retail zone, with towering shiny malls lining both sides of the street, filled with international high street brands, designer showrooms and local boutiques. Not for the faint hearted.

 4. Visit a Wet Market

A world away from the sanitised shopping malls, a visit to a wet market provides a more vibrant and colourful shopping experience. It’s a scrum of shoppers haggling over fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, meat, flowers, spices and clothing and provides a glimpse into the more traditional Singapore. Just don’t wear your best shoes.

 5. Take in the View

Whilst Singapore currently boasts the largest observation wheel in the world in the Singapore Flyer, similar views can be enjoyed for free from the 71^st floor of the Swissotel, the tallest hotel in town. It’s also home to the New Asia Bar, where you can sup on a cocktail as you drink in the view (cocktails not free).

 6. Soak up some Culture

The Singapore Art Museum houses the world’s largest public collection of modern and contemporary South-East Asian works of art, including paintings, sculptures, multimedia installations, drawings, prints, and photographs. Best of all, they offer free admission on Friday evenings, 6 – 9pm.

 7. Expand your Religious Horizons

The cultural melting pot of Singapore is reflected in its many and varied places of worship. With four official religions, it’s not uncommon to find a Buddhist Temple, Mosque, Christian Church and Hindu Temple all within spitting distance of each other. Exploring these places of worship makes for an interesting diversion.

 8. Unwind on the Beach

Not strictly free as there is a small admission charge to Sentosa Island. Once there however, all public transport is free, as is kicking back on one of the three beaches and gazing out to sea to marvel at the enormity and volume of ships waiting to enter the world’s busiest container port. 

 9. Discover Chinese Medicine

The shophouses of Chinatown are brimming with all manner of concoctions to cure your ailments.  To browse through pre-packaged herbal remedies in air conditioned comfort, head to Eu Yan Sang on South Bridge Road, where English labels will help make sense of the intricate practice.

 10. Jungle Trek

18 square kilometres are all that remain of the lush tropical rainforest that once covered the island of Singapore. The boardwalk treks and well signposted trails of MacRitchie Reservoir enable you to get into the thick of the jungle. The highlight is the 10.5km HSBC TreeTop Walk which takes you over a 25m high suspension bridge to admire the rainforest canopy.