Free Things to Do in Singapore

Think Singapore is too expensive? Think again! While it often tops the lists of the world's priciest cities, a wealth of incredible experiences, from world-class architecture to heritage trails, costs absolutely nothing. We’ve compiled the free things to do in Singapore that prove you can experience the best of the Lion City even on a shoestring budget. Ditch the costly entry tickets and start exploring these must-see, zero-dollar attractions today!

Sky Garden at CapitaSpring

The Sky Garden at CapitaSpring is one of Singapore's best free viewing platforms, offering visitors a spectacular, panoramic 360-degree view of the Central Business District (CBD) and Marina Bay from the building's 51st floor rooftop. Beyond the breathtaking city vista, this urban oasis features Singapore's highest urban farm, showcasing over 150 species of edible plants, herbs, and vegetables used by the restaurants on the same level. Access is free during specific, limited public hours on weekdays (typically mornings and afternoons), often requiring a booking to secure a slot for this unique blend of architectural innovation, lush biophilic design, and zero-cost city escape.

Sky Garden at CapitaSpring

88 Market St, Singapore

Sultan Mosque

The Sultan Mosque (Masjid Sultan) is a breathtaking, free-to-visit landmark and the spiritual heart of the historic Kampong Glam district. Recognizable by its stunning gold onion domes and Indo-Saracenic architecture (a blend of Indian, Islamic, and European styles), the mosque offers a magnificent view from the bustling adjacent streets. While the main prayer hall is restricted during prayer times, visitors of all faiths are welcome to admire the exterior and designated visitor areas to appreciate its history, cultural significance as a National Monument, and the unique detail of the dome bases, which are decorated with glass bottle ends donated by the lower-income Muslim community during its 1932 reconstruction. Modest dress is strictly required for all visitors, with loaner robes typically available at the entrance.

Sultan Mosque

3 Muscat St, Singapore 198833

Old Hill Street Police Station

The Old Hill Street Police Station is a spectacular, free-to-view National Monument that serves as one of Singapore's most iconic and Instagrammable architectural sights. Completed in 1934, this imposing Neoclassical-style building, once the largest government building of its time, is instantly recognizable by its vibrant facade featuring over 900 louvered windows painted in a brilliant spectrum of rainbow colors. While the upper floors house government offices (the Ministry of Communications and Information), visitors can freely admire the exterior from the street, capturing its unique blend of colonial history and modern vibrancy. It stands as a perfect, zero-cost stop near the bustling Clarke Quay and Fort Canning Park areas.

Old Hill Street Police Station

140 Hill St, Singapore 179369

Light Show at Jewel Changi Airport

The Light Show at Jewel Changi Airport is an essential and free evening spectacle, transforming the iconic HSBC Rain Vortex—the world's tallest indoor waterfall—into a dazzling, multi-sensory experience. Daily after dark, the 40-meter cascade of water becomes a living screen, synchronizing projections, vibrant colored lights, and immersive music in a captivating performance. Visitors can enjoy this magnificent five-minute show from various vantage points across multiple levels of the Shiseido Forest Valley, with the base of the waterfall offering the best sound and the upper floors providing a sweeping, panoramic view. This easily accessible, zero-cost attraction is a perfect way to cap off a day in Singapore or spend time during a long layover at the world-renowned Changi Airport.

Light Show at Jewel Changi Airport

Singapore Changi Airport

Green Heart at Marina One

Green Heart at Marina One is a spectacular and completely free public space nestled between four high-rise towers in the Central Business District. Inspired by the terraced rice fields of Asia, this multi-level, three-dimensional green oasis features over 350 species of plants and 700 trees, creating a stunning urban rainforest. Visitors are welcome to wander the winding paths and bridges, enjoy the serene atmosphere created by the three-story cascading waterfall, and take incredible photos of the architecture and lush greenery. The Green Heart is open to the public 24/7, offering a unique and calming nature escape right in the middle of Singapore's financial hub, making it a perfect zero-cost highlight for any itinerary.

Green Heart at Marina One

Marina One, Singapore 018935

Jurong Lake Gardens

The Jurong Lake Gardens is Singapore’s third and largest national garden, offering a massive and entirely free green space in the western heartlands. Comprising three major sections—Lakeside Garden, the rejuvenated Chinese Garden, and Japanese Garden—it provides diverse, zero-cost experiences for all visitors. Key highlights include the stunning Lone Tree at The Grasslands, the vibrant, nature-inspired Forest Ramble playground for children, and the serene, free-to-enter areas of the classic Chinese and Japanese Gardens, featuring the iconic pagodas, bamboo groves, and tranquil waterscapes. This destination offers a perfect, large-scale escape from the city hustle, inviting everyone to enjoy nature walks, photo opportunities, and family fun without an entrance fee.

Jurong Lake Gardens

Yuan Ching Rd, Singapore

Peranakan Houses

The Peranakan Houses in the historic Katong-Joo Chiat district are a must-see, free-to-view architectural highlight that beautifully represents Singapore's unique Straits Chinese heritage. The most famous examples, particularly those along Koon Seng Road, are instantly recognizable by their vibrant, pastel-colored facades, intricate Majolica tiles, ornate plasterwork, and traditional pintu pagar (swinging half-doors). While the houses are private residences and not open for entry, taking a zero-cost stroll through the neighborhood allows you to admire the exquisite blend of Chinese, Malay, and European influences that define this Chinese Baroque style. This walking tour offers a deep, visual immersion into the rich culture and history of the Peranakan community, making it one of Singapore's most charming and Instagrammable cultural stops.

Peranakan Houses

287 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427540

Garden Rhapsody Light Show

The Garden Rhapsody Light Show at Gardens by the Bay is a magnificent, free nightly spectacle that brings the iconic Supertree Grove to life. Held twice nightly (typically at 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM), the show is a stunning 15-minute symphony of light and sound, where the towering Supertrees—futuristic vertical gardens—flash, glow, and change colors in mesmerizing choreography synchronized to a rotating musical soundtrack. Visitors can enjoy this dazzling, zero-cost performance by simply lying on the ground beneath the Supertrees for a truly immersive and magical experience that highlights Singapore's commitment to combining technology with nature.

Garden Rhapsody Light Show

Gardens by the Bay, 211 Marina Way, Singapore 018977

Singapore Botanic Gardens

The Singapore Botanic Gardens, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the island's most expansive and rewarding free attractions, open daily from 5:00 AM to 12:00 AM. While the famous National Orchid Garden is the only area requiring a ticket, the vast majority of this 160-year-old tropical garden is zero-cost and features countless highlights. Visitors can stroll through the six-hectare Rain Forest, trace plant evolution at the Evolution Garden, admire the peaceful Swan Lake, and enjoy the outdoor concerts frequently held at the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage near Palm Valley. For families, the specially designed Jacob Ballas Children's Garden (free for children up to age 14) offers interactive learning and play, making the Botanic Gardens a perfect blend of history, education, and nature escape without spending a dime.

Singapore Botanic Gardens

1 Cluny Rd, Singapore 259569

Fort Canning Park

Fort Canning Park is a towering, free-to-enter historic landmark that offers a unique combination of lush green space and over 700 years of Singaporean history right in the city center. Once known as the "Forbidden Hill" and later the seat of British military headquarters, the park is home to numerous zero-cost highlights that cater to history buffs and nature lovers alike. Visitors can explore nine historical gardens, including the restored Spice Garden and the tranquil Sang Nila Utama Garden; discover military relics like the Fort Gate and Gothic Gates; and capture the iconic photo op at the stunning Fort Canning Tree Tunnel spiral staircase. The park also hosts various free outdoor concerts and events, making it a dynamic and enriching urban escape that costs nothing to explore.

Fort Canning Park

Singapore

library@orchard

The library@orchard is an exceptional and completely free attraction in Singapore's main shopping district, standing out for its unique, award-winning "lifestyle" design that makes it one of the city's most aesthetic public spaces. Spanning two floors within the Orchard Gateway mall, the library is instantly recognizable by its striking, wavy white bookshelves and cozy "reading cocoons" that invite visitors to linger, read, or work in a contemplative environment. Focusing its curated collection primarily on design, lifestyle, and applied arts, it offers a zero-cost cultural stop that provides a tranquil, air-conditioned escape from the hustle of Orchard Road, making it a favorite for young adults, designers, and travelers seeking a quiet, Instagrammable retreat.

library@orchard

Orchard Gateway, 277 Orchard Rd, #03-12/#04-11, Singapore 238858

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum in the heart of Chinatown is a magnificent and free-to-enter spiritual and cultural landmark. Built in the striking, multi-story Tang Dynasty style, it is named for the sacred relic believed to be a tooth of the historical Buddha, which is enshrined on the fourth floor within a massive stupa made from 320 kg of gold. Visitors of all backgrounds can explore the main prayer hall, several museum floors displaying Buddhist artifacts from across Asia, and a tranquil rooftop garden featuring a pagoda and a large prayer wheel. As an active place of worship, it requires all visitors to adhere to a modest dress code, but it offers a profound, zero-cost opportunity to experience a unique blend of grand architecture, history, and spiritual serenity in Singapore.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum

88 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058840