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Traveling to Greece is an exciting and memorable experience that every traveler should have on their bucket list. From the stunning beaches, ancient ruins, and
Explore 7 free attractions and activities in Singapore
The gateway to southeast Asia and way more than just a stopover. Singapore is a one-of-a-kind destination that will leave you speechless for sure. It is known for its cuisines, shopping, heritage sites, and stunning architecture. You can easily take a day just exploring the world’s best airport but in this article, we want to show you why you should take some time to explore the best attractions and activities this little city-state has to offer.
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1. Basic information about Singapore
Singapore is a small island state in South East Asia. It has around 5.7 Mio inhabitants and the main language is English (followed by Malayan, Chinese, and Tamil). You will pay in SGD = Singapore dollars and at the moment we are writing this article 1€ is around 1.5 SGD. So you can transfer it very quickly by multiplying every price by 2/3.
Changi Airport, Singapore’s primary airport, has direct flights to nearly every major city on the planet. We had our stopover there when we flew from Manila to Bali.
Depending on the time of your layover you should always take the chance to visit this city even for some hours. But if you ask us for the minimum time to spend here we suggest 3 days. Even for backpackers with a small budget, there are so many free things to do, that you can easily fill up your days. The best time to visit Singapore is December to June, during the dry season. Be sure to bring a lot of sunscreen and water when you explore the city as it can get pretty hot outside.
Fun fact: Singapore’s nickname is „fine city“. It has a double meaning. On the one side, it means that is in such an accurate state, on the other hand, it is because of all the crazy fines the country imposes. For example, the penalty for chewing gum is between 500-1000 USD. So don’t bring chewing gum with you! They also have fines for connecting to someone else’s WIFI or annoying others with a musical instrument.
2. Getting around
You can just hop on and off a sightseeing bus. That is the easiest way to see the whole city and while getting from A to B you will also learn something about Singapore’s sights and history. Here’s one tour Kathi already did. She had a combi ticket with a river cruise, which is also a nice way to explore the city from a different angle.
Another cool experience is renting a bike. If you feel comfortable riding a bike in a big city like Singapore you can even drive to the beach area, called Sentosa. We really need to try that next time we visit, but this time we concentrated more on the city part.
But the most convenient way will be to get an Uber or Grab (the Asian version of Uber). Grab is cheaper most of the time. That’s how we came around when we didn’t walk. The cheapest way however is with the Metro and public transportation.
3. Where to stay and eat
Singapore is famous for having small hotel rooms without a window but for a high price. We had one bigger than expected at Ibis Budget Clark Quay. We loved the location and it also had a rooftop pool. When we stayed there in March 2022 we paid 70€ for a double room per night and stayed for four nights. Friends of ours stayed at the Heritage Collection on Chinatown which is also a reasonable option. Other decent, central and not too expensive options are The Scarlett Singapore (more upscale), ST Signature Bugis Middle (cool design), or D’Hotel Singapore (big rooms).
All around Clark Quay and Boat Quay, you can find tons of good restaurants for every budget and taste. If you are lucky you can find really good lunch deals for example at Viet’Spice. For a romantic dinner right next to the Singapore river, we can recommend Hans im Glück (a German burger chain) and Vespetta Italian Restaurant (a good Pizzeria).
Also, be sure to eat at a Hawkers Centre. That are semi-open areas with many adjacent stands, where you can get all tastes of food for a little amount of money. For example Albert Centre or Maxwell Road or Tiong Bahru Market. Extremely popular dishes in Singapore include Laksa (coconut soup with shrimp), Chili Crabs (crabs in chili-tomato sauce) and Char kway teow (fried noodles in a sweet sauce with chicken or shrimp or Chinese sausages) – and many more.
By the way, in Singapore, you can drink tap water and brush your teeth with it.
4. Attractions and activities in Singapore
Singapore has something to offer for every budget. There are many things that cost nothing and save your travel budget. But there are also other attractions that cost admission. We have visited some of them, check out here how we liked it.
4.1 Merlion
Have you ever seen a fish with a lion’s head spouting water? Then you must have already been to Singapore. The Merlion is the official mascot of Singapore and represents its history. The mer (from mermaid), meaning sea, stands for Singapore’s origin as a fishing village and the lion head is for Singapore’s original name, Singapura, meaning lion city.
You can find Merlion Park at One Fullerton near the Central Business District. Be sure to give him a visit day and night time. Because at night it will be the perfect spot to watch the Spectra Light and Water Show. It is totally free and lasts 15 min. Show times are: Sun – Thu: 8 pm & 9 pm, Fri & Sat: 8 pm, 9 pm & 10 pm.
4.2 Helix Bridge
Right next to it is the Helix Bridge. It is a pedestrian bridge, inspired by the structure of the human DNA, linking Marina Bay Area to the City Hall Area. The Helix Bridge is Singapore’s highest and longest bridge, with a maximum height of twenty-nine meters and a length of 1.8 kilometers. The bridge has four viewpoints, all giving you an awesome view over Marina Bay Area. It is open 24 hours, but you should also visit it at night because it will be illuminated by a series of lights.
You can also see the Singapore Flyer, the world’s third-largest ferries wheel. But for 33$ we think it’s way too expensive.
4.3 Different neighborhoods
Singapore is one of the most diverse states in the world. You can explore three cultures in a very small space: Little India, Arab street/Kompang Glam, and China Town. Be sure to take some time for every neighborhood and don’t miss out on specific sights.
In Little India, you should visit at least one temple: Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple. Also wander through markets burning incense, selling jewelry and cloths, and painting henna tattoos. The rainbow-colored House of Tan Teng Niah on Kerbau Road is another must-see, but when we were there in 2022 the colors faded a little.
The Kompang Glam neighborhood is centered on the busy Arab street and the stunning golden domed Masjid Sultan mosque. The main street is lined with 19th-century shophouses turned into restaurants and stores on both sides. You can visit the mosque for free if there aren’t any prayers going on. And don’t miss Haji Lane, listed as one of the top 10 coolest streets in the world (by Time Out, a US magazine), which is just a couple of blocks away. It’s a must-visit spot!
In China Town, you need to visit Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. A museum complex and Buddhist temple that you can visit for free.
4.4 Gardens by the bay
If you just have time to visit one thing in Singapore, you need to go to Gardens by the Bay. It is a 101 hectares big, natural park right behind the famous Marina Bay Sands hotel and of course, strolling around here is completely free. You can find some lakes, awesome playgrounds for kids, and enormous super trees. The Supertrees have a height between 25 and 50 meters. For us, it was one of the best activities in Singapore!
Among other things, they are used for the cultivation of rare plants. Furthermore, electricity for lighting and cooling systems is generated by means of photovoltaics, the rain is collected to water the plants and some of the trees serve as cooling towers for the cooling systems in the greenhouses.
If you want to spend some money you can also check out one of those three greenhouses: Cloud Forest, Flower Dome, or Floral Fantasy. We had a combo ticket for the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome for 18,75€. You can get the tickets right at the Domes online with the wifi. But after visiting both, we suggest visiting only the Cloud Forest. Maybe you have already seen pictures of the big waterfall right at the beginning. But be sure to bring a jacket because it is freezing inside.
Here you can also witness a free light show called Garden Rapsody. It takes time every day at 7.45 and 8.45 pm at Supertree Grove. Check out the official homepage to see the theme they are playing.
Pro Tip: Book a spot on the OCBC Skyway, an aerial walkway that connects the two tallest of the giant Supertrees right at the show’s time. It will cost you 8$, but you will be able to experience the show from the front row. It was magical!
4.5 Botanical Garden
If you can make the time to check out another green lung of the city then check out the Botanical Garden of Singapore. It’s for free and you will see that this is not the only reason it is the most visited botanical garden in the world. Also, it’s Singapore’s first sight that got into the UNESCO-world heritage list. It’s a 74 hectares big and beautiful oasis in the middle of a buzzing city.
4.6 Marina Bay Sands
Of course you could treat yourself with a night (or more) at the outstanding Marina Bay Sands Hotel. One of the most famous buildings in Singapore. It was completed in 2010 and includes a hotel, casino, conference and exhibition halls, shopping mall, 2 museums, 2 theaters, various restaurants/cafes, bars, and nightclubs. In total, the resort extends to 20 hectares!
We would have done it, but we were too spontaneous so the prices went up too high and because of Covid you were only allowed in the popular infinity pool for one hour. So we thought 450€ was too much for a single night. But we will sure come back to Singapore one day and check out that pool.
If you are on a tight budget, staying there will not be on your list, but already looking at this iconic landmark from different angles and capturing it in your photos is a lovely memory!
4.7 Visit a skybar
With all the high buildings and the famous skyline, you can not miss fancying a drink at one of Singapore sky bars. Suitable to the location, we had a Singapore Sling at Ce La Vi, the restaurant and bar up at the top deck from Marina Bay Sands. You need to make a reservation here, but you will have an awesome view and can save your money for the observation deck (26 SGD).
A Singapore Sling is made out of gin, Cointreau, Benedictine, pineapple, lime juice, and grenadine and was invented in the iconic Raffles Hotel in Singapore. Other cool sky bars are 1 Altitude and Level 33 lounge with an in-house brewery which is the highest brewery in the world.
5. Shopping
Stroll around the shops at Marina Bay Sands. They even have an indoor canal like in Venice and a Food Court to find affordable lunch deals. Bugis Street is a place where you can get anything for a cheap price and is close to the famous Orchard Street where there’s Louis or Dolce next to Armani.
If you go to Orchard Street anyways make sure to check out Emerald Hill. It’s close by and on one of Singapore’s most picturesque streets. It’s one of the best places to see the difference between the old and new architecture and how well they go together in this city!
6. Things we missed but you shouldn’t
Climb the hill at Fort Channing Park. Our hotel was not far away but unfortunately, we missed this iconic (and instagramable) sight. Maybe you know the pictures of this stairway, if not just google it. We didn’t know the name back in the day, but now you do.
The Art Science Museum is located in the lotus-shaped building next to Marina Bay Sands Hotel and opens at 10 am. Its mission is to explore where art, science, culture, and technology come together. The entry is 39$, but we heard that you can buy the tickets online to save some money.
Other green areas you can check out are the tree-top Walk at MacRitchie Reservoir or the Henderson Wave at the Southern Ridges.
7. Conclusion
This article should have shown you that you can easily do many activities in Singapore on a budget in 3 days and what an awesome city-state it is.
We spent 4 nights in Singapore and here’s our overview what we spent per person: 143€ for our hotel, 99€ for food, 30€ for transportation, 24€ for activities and 50€ for snacks, drinks and groceries. So in total around 350€ per person.
We would go back any second. We love Singapore because you can feel safe and maybe even eat on the floor because it’s so clean. We always had good weather when we were there and next time we definitely gonna check out the beach. But also the famous Jewel at Changi Airport – the biggest indoor waterfall in the world. So if you still aren’t convinced that Singapore is more than a stopover please at least explore the airport.
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