As the most expensive city to live in, it is quite surprising that Singapore has plenty of free destinations to enjoy. Here are few places that we would like to recommend.
Merlion Park
Of course, we recommend Merlion! You don’t want to leave Singapore before posing with this famous landmark. Merlion, the sea lion, is a well known as Singapore mascot and has been used as tourism promotion ever since. Located in Marina Bay Area, Merlion is also a good spot for photography. Try to catch the sunrise or sunset here. It has a magnificent view during those times. Psst.. We’ll share our ‘secret’ route to Merlion Park! If you take MRT, alight at Raffles Place station, follow the direction of exit H and go to Fullerton Hotel. Enter Fullerton hotel main lobby and go by stair to level B1. There will be an underpass that leads to Merlion Park.
- Nearest MRT station: Raffles Place
- Nearest mosque: Masjid Moulana Mohd Ali M C UOB plaza, basement 1
Esplanade Rooftop Garden
Esplanade can be seen from Merlion Park. It’s the building that looks like Durian. It’s just about 10 mins walk from Merlion, connected by a bridge. Esplanade is a center for art performance, with several concert halls with about 1,800 seats and theatres for about 2,000 performing arts. Visit its rooftop garden! It offers beautiful marina bay view, especially in the evening. If you’re lucky, you can also enjoy free art/music performances in front of Esplanade.
Nearest MRT station: Esplanade
Marina Bay Sands
Like the Merlion, Marina Bay Sands is also being the icon of Singapore. Yup, the three-tower building that is connected by one giant platform on top. What’s inside Marina Bay Sands? Well, it’s a shopping paradise for branded goods lovers. But you can still enjoy its beautiful architecture and it’s free 😀
If you’re looking for a non-fancy and affordable food, there are two food courts inside Marina Bay Sands: 1983 – A Taste of Nanyang and Rasapura Masters. I will recommend my Muslim friends to eat at 1983 – A Taste of Nanyang as all the foods and drinks there are halal. You can find it at B1-01, Galleria Level, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. Rasapura Masters will be at the other wing of the building at B2-50 (besides skating rink), Canal Level. However, the food in Rasapura Masters is not halal.
Nearest MRT station: Bayfront
Gardens by the Bay
The main highlights of Garden by the Bay is its two domes and the Supertrees. Unfortunately, you need to pay around 28 bucks to visit the two domes. However, there are several areas of the gardens that can be enjoyed for free: Sun Pavilion (desert plants), Children’s garden (water play area for kids), Heritage gardens, Dragonfly and Kingfisher Lakes, Super grove trees (I call them Avatar trees).
Garden by the Bay is a good place to spend your time in Singapore. Because of the sun heat in the afternoon, I would suggest visiting this place later in the afternoon. You can watch the enchanting Garden Rhapsody, light show at Supertree Grove, at 7.45 p.m every day.
- Nearest MRT: Bayfront
- Entrance fee: FREE, except for the domes and skywalk
- Prayer room location: near Texas chicken
- Halal food: Texas Chicken, Mc Donald’s
Read our complete review of Gardens by the Bay Singapore here.
Clarke Quay
Clarke Quay is beautiful at night.There are a lot of cafe and pubs there. Walking along the riverside is romantic too. If you continue to walk from Clarke Quay along Singapore river, it will take you to Fullerton Hotel and Merlion. If you don’t want to walk, you can also take the Singapore River Cruise for S$25. The ticketing lockets can be found along the river.
Nearest MRT station: Clarke Quay
Orchard Central Rooftop Garden
The splendid rooftop garden is located on the topmost L11 and L12 floors of Orchard Central. The Roof Garden can be accessed using Express Elevators all the way up to Level 11. It’s a very relaxing place in the middle of hustle and bustle of Orchard road area. You can enjoy a good view of the city from there.
- Nearest MRT station: Somerset
- Nearest Mosque: Al-Falah Mosque (near Paragon shopping center)
@Orchard Library
Contrary to my husband, I don’t really like a library as I always feel depressed looking at people reading (I know it’s weird). But somehow I love this place. It’s the comfiest and the artsiest library in Singapore. The interior design is simple, modern and warm. I’m sure your Instagram photo of this place will be awesome! The location is at 313 Somerset Level 3&4.
- Nearest MRT station: Somerset
- Nearest Mosque: Al-Falah Mosque (near Paragon shopping center)
Sentosa
Most of Singapore attractions and theme parks are located on Sentosa island. It’s a small island at the south of Singapore. You can reach the by 20mins walk via Sentosa Broadwalk, Sentosa Express (monorail) or bus from Vivo City. It cost S$4 for two ways by bus or train, but free if you go there on foot. Most of the attractions in Sentosa are requires an entrance fee. However, there are several things that you can also enjoy for free.
First, taking pictures in front of Universal Studios Singapore globe. This globe is located outside Universal Studios theme park, so can access it for free.
Second, catch a free guided tour from Beach station every Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Public holiday at 12.30 and 3.30 p.m. The tour will take you to old tunnels, showing original guns, clips, and photographs from the 1940s. Tour capacity is capped at 20 people, so be sure to register early at the Fort Siloso Tram Station.
Third, enjoy the beach! The closest beach from Beach station is Siloso beach. There are free shuttle buses that will take you around Sentosa (detailed information on shuttle bus can be found here.
- Nearest MRT station: Harbourfront
- Nearest praying room: inside Universal Studio Singapore (under Battlestar Galactica/roller coaster), Beach station (Basement 1 Carpark Green Zone area, next to lot 198)
Singapore Parks
All Singapore parks are free to access. We write about our walks in some parks on different post.