Since 2010, Singapore has been the most expensive city in the world. And if you’re traveling by yourself, this is bad news. It means I can only stay a few days and have to move quickly to see everything.
But luckily, most of Singapore’s tourist spots are close to each other, so guests can see the best ones in just two days.
Most of these things to do are free of charge. All of these things can be done by yourself. Check out my list of the top 21 free things to do in Singapore by yourself.
Before you travel solo to Singapore
Before you look for places to go alone in Singapore, read my guide to traveling alone in Singapore to learn more about the city. I told you what must-see places to visit and where to stay and eat while you’re in Singapore.
Here are some more tips for traveling around Singapore by yourself:
- Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is the best way to get around the city. It is easy to use and the best way to get around Singapore for the least amount of money.
- Get an EZ-link card, which is a subway card that can be refilled, and use it to get to and from the nature paths. When you use an EZ-link card, you don’t have to pay the full fare. Instead, you pay the reduced rate. You could have bought one at any MRT stop or 7-Eleven.
21 free things to do in Singapore by yourself
Not sure what to do on your own in Singapore? The city is great for people who want to travel alone because it is safe and most of the sights can be reached on foot or by public transportation.
1. At the Jewel at Changi Airport, you can see the largest indoor waterfall in the world.
When you get to Changi Airport, which is known as the best airport in the world, check out the HSBC Rain Vortex, which is the world’s largest indoor waterfall. It is in the Forest Valley at the Jewel and is part of the Forest Valley. The 40-meter-high waterfall starts on the glass and steel roof and flows down to the B2 level.
If you are at the Jewel in the evening, make sure to see the light and music show at 7:30pm and 8:30pm (Monday through Thursday) and 7:30pm, 8:30pm, and 9:30pm (Friday through Sunday).
You can also go off on your own and find the walking paths in the Shiseido Forest Valley, which is a 4-story indoor park that goes all the way around the Jewel.
Address: 78 Airport Boulevard, Singapore | Hours: 9am-11:30pm | MRT
Station: Changi Airport (CG2)
2. Visit the Merlion, the most well-known landmark in Singapore.
The Merlion is Singapore’s state symbol. The name of the figure that is half lion and half fish comes from its history. “Mer” means “sea,” which shows that Singapore used to be a fishing village. And the lion is a symbol of Singapore’s old name, Singapura, which means “lion city.”
In Merlion Park, the statue pond looks out over Marina Bay. It’s impossible to miss! You can take pictures of the Merlion from many different angles from a bridge built into the bay.
Address: Merlion Park, south end of Esplanade Bridge, Singapore | Hours: 24 hours | MRT Station: Raffles Place (EW14/NS26)
3. Take a picture at the Old Hill Street Police Station for Instagram.
One of the best things to do by yourself in Singapore is to look for places that would look good on Instagram. Gardens by the Bay, the Jewel, the ArtScience Museum, and a lot more are just a few of the places you can visit.
But the Old Hill Street Police Station is the most well-known and interesting place. When it was built in 1934, it was home to more than a thousand police officers and their families. The building is now used by the government as office space.
Address: 140 Hill Street, Singapore | Hours: 24 hours | MRT Station: Clarke Quay Station (NE5)
4. Go to a city park, such as Fort Canning Park.
There are a few city parks in Singapore that are worth going to, and it doesn’t cost anything to do so. And Fort Canning Park is one of them.
Even though the park was an important part of Singapore’s history, it is now used as a green area for tourists. The park has a pond, nine historical gardens, and many walking paths that will take you to every part of the park.
The Tree Tunnel (shown below) is one of the most exciting places in Fort Canning Park. The tunnel in the ground ends at a spiral ladder with an opening above. People from all over the world wait in the long line to get the best Instagram picture.
Address: 51 Canning Rise, Singapore | Hours: 24 hours | MRT Station: Dhoby Ghaut (NS24/NE6/CC1)
5. Join free events at the Esplanade-Theatres on the Bay.
The Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay is a national performing arts center where dance, music, and theater, among other things, are performed. Also, they think that everyone should be able to enjoy different kinds of art. So, something interesting is always going on at the Esplanade.
Over 70% of Esplanade’s events are free, but not many people know that. And they include visual arts, theater, activities, and training.
Address: 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore | Hours: 8:30am-6pm | MRT Station: City Hall (EW13/NS25)
6. Shop for windows on Orchard Road
The best shops in Singapore are on Orchard Road. Orchard Road has everything you could want, from small shops to high-end stores from around the world. Check out the ION Orchard Mall, the Takashimaya Department Store, and the Paragon Shopping Centre.
I’m a simple traveler, so I don’t buy much when I’m away, and I tend to look at things rather than buy things. It’s a fun exercise that doesn’t cost anything.
Address: Orchard Road, Singapore (between Orange Grove Rd and Killiney Rd) | Hours: 10am-10pm | MRT Station: Orchard (NS22)
7. Look at the trendy and new buildings around Marina Bay.
Marina Bay is one of the best places in Singapore to go by yourself. There are many modern buildings and interesting modern buildings in the area. And it costs nothing to look at these modern houses.
The Helix Bridge is my favorite piece of modern design. It is a pedestrian bridge that looks like the double-helix strands of DNA. See what the bridge looks like during the day and at night.
Address: Marina Bay, Singapore | Hours: 24 hours | MRT Station: Bayfront (CE1/DT16)
8. Visit the Gardens by the Bay.
One of the best parks in Singapore is Gardens by the Bay. People know about the park because of the Cloud Forest Dome and the Flower Dome. Both of these things cost money, but they are well worth the money.
But did you know that there are many free things to do around the Gardens? Around the park, there are a number of nature walks that wind through the Heritage Gardens and lead to The Meadow and Serene Garden.
Read more: 19 Best Places in Singapore That Look Like Overseas!
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore | Hours: 5am-2am | MRT Station: Bayfront (CE1/DT16)
9. Supertree Grove has a light and music show you can see.
There are big trees that are 25 and 50 meters tall in the Supertree Grove at the Gardens by the Bay. And if you’re not afraid of heights, you can walk the OCBC Skyway (there’s a fee to get in) or go to the Supertree Observatory to see a wide view of the city.
In the evening, go to the Supertree Grove to see Garden Rhapsody, a show with music and lights. Every night, the shows are at 7:45 and 8:45. It’s one of the best things to do at night in Singapore, but you need to get there early to get a good spot for the free show.
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore | Hours: 5am-2am | MRT Station: Bayfront (CE1/DT16)
10. On the roof of the Marina Barrage, you can watch the sun go down.
The Marina Barrage is one of my favorite places to go in Singapore by itself. It is the 15th water reservoir in Singapore and the first one in the city. Not only does it give the city a new way to get water, but the pond is also a great place to do things like kayaking and dragon boating.
The rooftop of Marina Barrage is also open to the public, making it one of the best free things to do in Singapore. Bring some food up to the green roof and have a picnic. It is one of the best places to watch the sunset and see the skyline of Singapore.
Address: 8 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore | Hours: 24 hours | MRT Station: Gardens by the Bay Station (TE22)
11. You can go to many places of worship, such as Thian Hock Feng Temple.
Singapore is a mixed country made up mostly of Chinese, Malay, and Indian people. Because there are so many different kinds of people in the city, there are many churches, mosques, temples, and synagogues all over. Visit each of these quiet places in Singapore to see how the architecture and customs are different.
All of them are free to see. But if you go to any of these places of prayer, please remember to dress modestly and cover your shoulders and knees.
Address: 158 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore | Hours: 7:30am-5:30pm | MRT Station: Telok Ayer (DT18)
12. Singapore City Gallery is a place to learn about the city.
Singapore City Gallery has three floors that show how the city has changed over time. On the second floor, there is a 3D image of the whole country’s buildings. There are also free, hands-on exhibits that show how Singapore went from being a small fishing town to a big city.
Address: 45 Maxwell Road, Singapore. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
13. Chinatown is a good place to look for paintings.
Finding urban street art is one of the best free things to do in Singapore. They are not all in one part of town, and there is no one style. Each piece of graffiti has a different style and look.
Keep an eye out for these bright street paintings no matter where you go. Some might be on the main road or in a small alley. And many of them are good for Instagram!
Address: Chinatown, Singapore; Open 24/7; Chinatown Station (NE4/DT19) on the MRT.
14. Hike up to the top of Bukit Timah Summit, Singapore’s highest point.
Singapore is a city that is mostly flat, but there is a recognized peak that you can hike to if you are there by yourself.
A paved climbing trail will take you to the top of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, which is in the middle of the park. The tallest hill in Singapore is Bukit Timah Summit, which is 163m high.
At the top of Bukit Timah Hill, there isn’t much to see besides a place to rest and a rock that shows the peak coordinates. But I guess it’s more about feeling good about yourself and getting something off your list, right?
Address: Hindhere Drive, Singapore | Hours: 7am-7pm | MRT Station: Beauty World (DT5)
15. Koon Seng Road is where you can find the colorful Peranakan houses.
Singapore is a great place to learn about local culture, especially the Peranakan culture. People who were born in Singapore are called “Peranakan.” Most of the time, they are Chinese and Malay.
And you can see Peranakan culture in the food, the buildings, and the way people live every day. You should go see some of the colorful Peranakan shophouses on Koon Seng Road in the Katong neighborhood. The building from before World War II has a fancy front and intricate designs. Also, these well-kept two-story shophouses are bright and colorful.
Address: 19 Koon Seng Road, Singapore| Hours: 24 hours | MRT Station: Paya Lebar (CC9)
16. Check out the strange Haw Par Villa.
The park, which used to be called the Tiger Balm Garden, was made by Aw Boon Haw, one of the two brothers who made Tiger Balm.
Haw Par Villa is a strange outdoor park that has been open since 1934. It is filled with sculptures and figures that tell stories from Chinese folklore and mythology. The goal of this strange park is to teach young people important lessons about life and morals.
Address: 262 Pasir Panjang Road, Singapore | Hours: 9am-10pm | MRT Station: Haw Par Villa (CC25)
17. In the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, you can walk across the TreeTop Walk.
At the north end of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, a 250-meter-long bridge hangs between the park’s two highest points. The name of it is the TreeTop Walk.
It costs nothing to walk across the bridge. Just know that you can only walk the TreeTop Walk in one direction. Only the Peirce Track entrance and the Petaling Boardwalk exit are allowed.
This is one of the best things to do by yourself in Singapore if you like nature and want to see sweeping views of the country’s biggest nature reserve. And if you want to walk in Singapore, take the 20-kilometer MacRitchie Nature Trail around the park to see the green side of the city
Read more: 19 Best Places in Singapore to Chill!
Address: Lornie Road, Singapore | Hours: 9am-5pm Tuesday to Friday; 8:30am-5pm Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays | MRT Station: Marymount (CC16)
18. Visit Singapore’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Singapore’s first and only UNESCO World Heritage Site is the Singapore Botanic Gardens. And there is no charge to go to the Gardens.
The 82-acre garden is based on the English Landscape Garden Movement. It has lakes, big green lawns, bridges, and classic pavilions, all of which are architectural features. And there are more than 60,000 plants in the park, such as tropical trees, orchids, and groups of plants from all over the world.
Address: 1 Cluny Road, Singapore; Hours: 5am-12am; Botanic Gardens (CC19/DT9) MRT Station.
19. Go to East Coast Beach for a day at the beach
If you are traveling alone in Singapore, you might want to check out some of the sites near the city.
The East Coast Beach is a favorite among people who live in the area. It is a sandy beach that is 15 km long and runs along the walking and biking tracks of East Coast Park in the southeast of Singapore.
It’s not as well-known as Sentosa’s beaches, which I’ll talk about next, but it’s still worth checking out. Also, there are a lot of cargo container ships in the distance. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before!
And when you’re hungry, try Singaporean food from one of the hawkers at East Coast Lagoon Food Village. Can you picture yourself eating satays and drinking beer on a beach? Oh yes!
Address: East Coast Park Service Road, Singapore. Open 24 hours a day. MRT Station: Paya Lebar (CC9/EW8). Take bus 43, 134, or 135 and walk 8 minutes.
20. Sentosa Island is a great place to spend the day.
Sentosa is a small island in Singapore that has many things to do, such as theme parks, sandy beaches, and vacation hotels. Sentosa is a place where you can spend the whole day without having to pay anything.
Visit sites like Tanjong Beach and Palawan Beach in the south of the island. When the sun goes down, go to Siloso Beach to see the Magical Shores light and sound show.
Address: Sentosa, Singapore | Hours: 24 hours | MRT Station: HarbourFront (CC29/NE1)
21. Check out the southernmost point of Asia.
The southernmost point of mainland Asia is at Palawan Beach, which is at the southernmost point of Sentosa Island.
To get to the southernmost point, you have to walk over the bridge to the small island. There are two towers for looking out and a deck for looking out. And this is where you can see the South China Sea in all its size.
Try to go to the southernmost point around the time the sun goes down. The view is really beautiful!
Address: Sentosa, Singapore | Hours: 24 hours | MRT Station: HarbourFront (CC29/NE1)
Which of these places to visit by yourself in Singapore do you want to see the most?
I hope all of them, because they are fun things to do that don’t cost anything. And just in Singapore, there are many more free things to do. As I find them, I’ll add them to the list.
And don’t be afraid to travel alone in Singapore. The city is a lot of fun, and even though it’s expensive, you don’t have to spend a lot. And if you follow my 2-day Singapore schedule, you can see everything. I show you how to get around the city and eat cheap Singaporean food that would be worthy of a Michelin star.
I hope you like my post about my favorite things to do in Singapore that are free. All of the things I wrote about in this blog are free, unless I said otherwise. So get out and look at the city!
