Looking for free things to do in Singapore? Here’s your go-to list featuring adventure, culture and city lights.
There’s no shortage of free things to do in Singapore, from exploring lush nature trails and art exhibitions to catching city views and wandering vibrant neighbourhoods. Whether you’re a local or a traveller, here’s how to enjoy the Lion City without spending a dollar. P.S. if you need more ideas, we’ve also got an epic bucket list of things to do in Singapore!
Free things to do in Singapore: Explore the city
1. Visit clock towers
This one activity might surprise you! Have you ever noticed the number of clock towers we’ve dotted around the city? Now that we’ve brought this to your attention, consider going on an adventure to spot them all. While not all of them have detailed stories to tell, we like to take quiet moments to admire them in all their glory.
Opening hours: Daily, 24 hours
Address: Multiple locations, including Singapore Botanic Gardens, Tampines, and Bukit Batok
2. Take a day off at the beach
Singapore might be a bustling city but it’s essentially an island. And our favourite thing to do to take full advantage of a sunny day is to get our tan on! Beaches around Singapore are free spots for the island girl in us all. It’s the perfect opportunity to show off that new swimsuit you just got, and to gather for a screen-free day with your pals.
Opening hours: Varies with each location
Address: Multiple locations including Sentosa, East Coast Park, and Pasir Ris
3. Get to know Kampong Lorong Buangkok, Singapore’s last kampong
Singapore is a cosmopolitan city and sometimes you can get caught up in the hustle and bustle of it. So take a step back and visit the city’s last surviving village to experience quiet kampong life. We recommend that first-time visitors book a tour to really get to know the history of Kampong Lorong Buangkok. However, the village is open to visitors and is free to visit at any time. We say visit during the day and be considerate of the residents if you do drop by.
Opening hours: Daily, 24 hours
Address: 7 Lorong Buangkok, Singapore 547557
4. Dip your toes in the Sembawang Hot Spring
Treat yourself to some R&R – we’re talking about hot springs! You don’t have to book a ticket to Japan to experience it. Just head north and immerse yourself in Sembawang Hot Spring Park. The source of the spring water is still unknown but it’s believed to have healing properties. We had a ball of a time taking foot baths, learning about geology and boiling eggs in the water too!
Opening hours: Daily, 7am to 7pm
Address: Along Gambas Avenue, Singapore 756952
Visit Sembawang Hot Spring Park
5. Explore Fort Canning Park
Once a military base during the Second World War, Fort Canning Park is a treasure trove of greenery and history. Take a stroll through the green space and learn about the hill’s colonial history. Definitely a must-see for history buffs who prefer the great outdoors to museums. Tip: take a free guided tour, visit Fort Canning Heritage Gallery, and Singapore’s most diverse spice garden.
Opening hours: Daily, 24 hours; tour hours vary
Address: River Valley Road, Singapore 179037
6. Listen to morning songbirds at Kebun Baru Birdsinging Club
Perched on the foot of Ang Mo Kio Town Garden and Block 159, the most popular and largest songbird display area in Singapore is quite a delight to the ears and eyes. Witness a bevy of songbirds in uniquely crafted cages hoisted 20ft up on poles to showcase their tunes. You can even catch them during a bird singing competition!
Opening hours: Daily, 6am to 5pm
Address: 159 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5, Singapore 560159
Visit Kebun Baru Birdsinging Club
7. Bask in the serenity of Jurong Lake Gardens
What does Jurong have to offer? Apart from retail behemoths such as Jem and IMM, it also boasts picture-perfect gardens. Jurong Lake Gardens is made up of three gardens – Lakeside Garden, Chinese and Japanese Gardens, and Garden Promenade. We’re called the garden city for a reason, eh? Bring puppers to the dog run and let kids play at the Nature Playgarden and visit the Butterfly Maze and Bonsai Gallery.
Opening hours: Daily, 24 hours
Address: Yuan Ching Road, Singapore 618661
8. Spot quirky statues at Haw Par Villa
How about a one-way trip to hell? Bizarre theme park Haw Par Villa is known for its depiction of the Ten Courts of Hell – think grim statues and dioramas. We can’t get enough! The Hell’s Museum requires a fee to enter, but the rest of the park has free entry. Our recommendation? Visit Hell’s Museum or take a guided tour (both ticketed).
Opening hours: Daily, 9am to 8pm
Address: 262 Pasir Panjang Road, Singapore 118628
Free things to do in Singapore: Fun outdoor adventures
9. Do some urban sketching
Love to sketch? Join the good folks at Urban Sketchers Singapore as they host regular “Sketchwalk” meet-ups across the island to draw scenescapes that catch their eye. Places they’ve popped up at include Bishan Park, Esplanade, and Redhill.
Opening hours: Varies with each event
Address: Locations vary
Visit Urban Sketchers Singapore
10. Get to know Singapore with free heritage trails
Discover our sunny island through various free heritage trails across each neighbourhood. Explore nuggets of history, from Pasir Ris’s backstory to the origins of our first Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) in Toa Payoh.
11. Spend time at Singapore’s only goat farm
If you’re looking to kick back with a haystack, check out Hay Dairies Goat Farm. Just head to Lim Chu Kang to mingle with cute little goats! And we highly recommend you sign up for the tour (it’s not free but it’s worth it) to learn more about the milking process, feed the goats ($5 per packet) and go home with a bottle of goat milk.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 4pm; closed on Tuesdays
Address: 250 Neo Tiew Crescent, Singapore 719866
12. Get physically fit with free workout classes
Care for your physical and mental health with the Health Promotion Board’s programmes that shed light on self-care, healthy eating and exercise. You can also book free workout classes with the fam, near malls and your office, and even Sunday group workouts at various parks.
Opening hours: Varies with each activity
Address: Varies with each activity; get more details via the Health 365 app
Discover Health Hub’s free workouts
Free things to do in Singapore: Chill indoor activities
13. Thrifting, but make it free
We love a good flea market but did you know about the Singapore Really, Really Free Market? Yes, as the name suggests, everything is free. It’s a good way to clear the pre-loved things in your home; plus, you can look around to see if anything catches your eye.
Opening hours: Varies with each event
Address: Varies with each session, stay updated on their Facebook page
Visit Singapore Really, Really Free Market
14. Get a detailed look into Formula 1’s evolution in Singapore
This gallery is Singapore’s only dedicated motorsport gallery, and it may seem like it’s only for the Formula 1 fans. But rest assured, even the newbies among us had a ball of a time browsing the range of racing memorabilia available at this gallery. It’s free for everyone and is filled with nuggets of info about the history of Formula 1, how it started in Singapore, and some cool behind-the-scenes peeks at how everything operates.
Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm
Address: 26 Dempsey Road, Singapore 249686
15. Visit Singapore’s neighbourhood observatory
Stargazing may seem like a boring activity, but have you ever done it through the lens of a telescope? Head over to Woodlands Galaxy Community Centre and get a view of stars and galaxies through a high-tech telescope and computer at just $1 (it’s almost free!).
Opening hours: 10am to 6pm; stargazing happens from 7.30 to 9.30pm
Address: 31 Woodlands Avenue 6, Singapore 738991
Visit Woodlands Galaxy Community Centre
16. Time-travel through Singapore’s 700-year history
Culture vultures, we’ve got a slew of museums in Singapore to visit. Over the years, we’ve attracted lots of inspiring art pieces and big-name museum exhibitions. The best part? Most of these museums offer free admission to locals and permanent residents. We recommend dropping by the National Museum of Singapore to catch Singapore Odyssea. Launched during SG60, the Show Foundation Glass Rotunda has transformed into a multimedia showcase. It blends light, art, and interactive storytelling to rediscover Singapore’s history. We won’t spoil it all – go experience it for yourself!
Opening hours: Daily, 10am to 6.30pm
Address: 93 Stamford Road, Singapore 178897
Visit National Museum of Singapore
17. Tour the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
An iconic part of Chinatown’s landscape with its striking red pillars and elaborate designs, Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is more than just an architectural wonder. There’s a vibrant calendar of activities for the public, including meditation classes.
Things to do: Visit the sacred relics, Buddhas of the World, and Eminent Sangha museums; participate in meditation classes
Opening hours: Daily, 7am to 5pm
Address: 288 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058840
Visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
Free things to do in Singapore: Free date ideas
18. Monthly movie nights at Somerset
We love a good outdoor movie experience – even better when it’s free! If your beau is a movie buff, you can enjoy a budget date night at Somerset for its monthly Nightflix sessions. Simply register via the Cinewav app to book a seat. We ended up packing some snacks and a picnic mat before heading for this under-the-stars movie experience, and it’s pretty cosy.
Opening hours: Every first Saturday of the month, 7.30pm
Address: Somerset Youth Park, 121 Somerset Road, Singapore 238166
19. Take a trek to the Bells of Happiness
Mount Faber might not be the first place you think of for a romantic night out, but we’re here to change your minds. Did you know that at Mount Faber Peak, you can find a pair of bells? As part of a celebration of Polish-Singapore diplomatic relations, Poland’s Bells of Happiness were gifted to Singapore. It’s said to bring good fortune to newlyweds. Simply ring the bell and make a wish to welcome everlasting bliss. It’s a pretty proposal spot if you ask us, wink wink.
Opening hours: Daily, 9am to 9.30pm
Address: 105 Mount Faber Road, Singapore 099202
20. Catch a free local performance
A good concert in Singapore doesn’t have to cost an arm or a leg when you can catch free live performances from local and international acts at Esplanade. Whenever we take walks along Marina Bay, we end up at the outdoor theatre which is typically filled with people soaking in the ambience created by local music talents. Be sure to check on the Esplanade’s schedule to plan your visit!
Opening hours: Performances happen on weekends and public holidays, timings vary
Address: DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre, 8 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039802
21. Spend a windy afternoon at Marina Barrage
Marina Barrage is the perfect spot if you’re looking for picturesque views of the city’s skyline. Hot tip: head to this waterfront venue at the crack of dawn. The reflection of the sun’s morning hues on the reservoir is an awe-worthy moment. We love visiting for picnics because on a good day, it can get really windy so we stay cool through the sunny afternoons. Because it’s so windy, it’s also the perfect place for us to practice our kite-flying skills!
Opening hours: Daily, 24 hours
Address: 8 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018951
There you have it, all the fun and free things to do in Singapore! Not bad for an expensive city, right?
