Being one of the greenest cities in the world, the city of Singapore is the perfect blend of ancient and modern architecture combined with lush nature. In this blog post, I share with you my travel guide with the top free attractions to do in Singapore. After reading this guide, you will have all the information you need to plan your trip to Singapore and enjoy it to the full.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
How to get to Singapore?
Situated on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore is surrounded by water (thanks to its diamond-shaped) and has only one land border, with Malaysia. Therefore, you can reach Singapore by bus, or plane (as well as boat).
BUS
In view of its geographical location, Singapore is easily accessible from Malaysia. In fact, the route from Kuala Lumpur (the capital of Malaysia) to Singapore is very popular. Many bus companies offer this route. The journey takes between 7 and 8 hours (time spend at the customs clearance can vary depending on the crowd).
“If you decide to get to Singapore by bus from Kuala Lumpur, avoid making the journey during weekends. The roads are busy at that time of the week, and waiting times at the border can be very long.”
PLANE
Singapore has an International airport (Singapore Changi Airport – SIN) that allows you to fly into the country from anywhere around the world. Thanks to the various metro lines, the connection between the Airport and the city center is very simple (and convenient!). All you need to do is buy a rechargeable metro card at the airport’s exit (located at the entrance to the metro line you’ll be taking). The price is 10 SGD (including a 5 SDG top-off). In other words, the metro card costs 5 SGD and is non-refundable. Bear in mind that you can only buy your metro card in cash. You will find ATMs in the airport.
“I advise you to withdraw cash from the UOB bank, which charges no additional fees.”
How long to stay in Singapore?
Singapore is one of the smallest countries in the world. So that should give you an idea of how long you should stay. Having said that, in my opinion, a 3-night stay would be ideal to soak up the atmosphere of the city and take full advantage of all that Singapore has to offer.
Where to stay in Singapore?
Singapore City is divided into distinct neighborhoods. From Chinatown and luxurious Marina Bay to Little India, you can easily find what you are looking for.
As per my own experience, I highly recommend staying at this hotel on your trip to Singapore. Singapore Mercure Hotel offers beautiful, large, and modern rooms. You can even book a room with a terrace to relax in after a day of sightseeing. What’s more? The hotel provides all the amenities you need for a pleasant stay: breakfast buffet, gym, rooftop swimming pool, and bar&restaurant.
“If you decide to stay in another hotel than the one I recommend above, it is always good to know that Geylang district is considered as the red light district of Singapore City. However, according to travelers’ experiences, it’s no less safe than any other district. But at least now you know everything!”
How to move around Singapore?
The best solution to move around Singapore is without a doubt taking public transports! Indeed, Singapore has a great network of metro and bus lines that will take you quickly and cheaply from one place to another.
SUBWAY
Subway fares vary according to distance, but generally range from 0.99 SGD to 3.00 SGD per trip. Super cheap for A/C and clean subway!
To use the Subway, simply buy a rechargeable card (EZ-LINK) at the metro station (if you haven’t already done so on while leaving the airport). You can then recharge the card as many times as you like (cash only!), at one of the recharging machines located at the subway gates.
Alternatively, you can pay for your metro ticket by tapping your credit card at the gates. Note that you will need one credit card per person, which makes this solution not convenient if you are traveling as a family or as a couple.
BUS
You can pay for your bus ticket contactlessly with your credit or debit card. You can also pay in cash. However, it is strongly recommended that you have the exact amount to pay for your bus fare.
CAR
Of course if you don’t want to visit Singapore City by public transports, you can rent a car here at the best prices! Most of the hotels offer parking during the stay. Additionally, the roads are in good condition to drive on. Plus, a lot of car parks are available across the city.
Top attractions to do in Singapore in 2023
During your stay in Singapore, you will be surrounded by lush green landscapes, combined with colorful ancient and modern architecture. How amazing is that!
Here are my top activities to do during your stay in Singapore! If you plan to do a lot of paid activities, I strongly recommend you buy the city pass here, which covers 35 attractions in order to save money.
GARDEN BY THE BAY
I had to start my top activities list with Singapore’s flagship activity: Garden by the Bay. Having visited them both during the day and at night, I totally understand the hype around this place. It’s simply magical! Great news, access to the Garden by the Bay is totally free and open 24 hours a day.
Don’t miss the free light show! Every evening at 7:45 pm and 8:45 pm. 15 minutes of magic!
FLORAL FANTASY
(Garden by the Bay)
Inside the Garden by the Bay, you will find a number of exhibitions for an additional fee. Floral fantasy takes you into a fairytale world filled with flowers et creations. A moment away from time! Allow 30 minutes to tour the exhibition. The price is 20 SGD per person.
CLOUD FOREST DOME
(Garden by the Bay)
Also located inside Garden by the Bay, the cloud forest dome immerses you in a suspended moment in the heart of a cloud forest. You will find many tropical plants and flowers.
As an added bonus, if you visit the cloud forest dome during the Avatar exhibition (not a permanent exhibition, unfortunately), you will also have the magical creatures of the Avatar movie incorporated into this verdant setting. An unforgettable experience for all Avatar and nature lovers! Allow 1h30 on-site. The price is 45 SGD per person.
FLORAL DOME
(Garden by the Bay)
The Floral Dome is a botanical garden exhibition filled with plants from all over the world. The expo is also located inside the Garden by the Bay. Allow 1h30 on site. The price is 20 SGD per person. Note that you can buy a combined ticket for the Floral Dome and Cloud Forest for just 53 SGD.
SKYGARDEN OBSERVATORY
The Skygarden Observatory is a free observation deck on the 51st floor offering superb panoramic views of the city and Marina Bay Sands. There is also a small bar at the top if you fancy a drink with a view!
Bear in mind that the place is only open from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m., and is closed at weekends.
SULTAN MOSQUE AREA
The Sultan Mosque area is ideal for admiring the colorful street art that Singapore has to offer. In addition, you can visit one of the city’s most beautiful mosques.
STREET ART AND COLORFUL STREETS
As stated before, Singapore is a city full of colorful streets and street art. Just take a stroll down these streets and you’ll be amazed at the colors and street creations.
FORT CANNING PARK
If you’re keen on walking in nature, Fort Canning Park is the place to do so.
You can also stop by the famous Instagram spot called tree tunnel to shoot some content on these stairs (if you have the patience to queue for the photo).
OLD POLICE STATION BUILDING
Located just down Fort Canning Park, the old Police station building is the perfect place to highlight the colorful architecture of Singapore.
CLARK QUAY
Clark Quay is home to the Financial district of Singapore. Packed with tall and modern buildings, this is a great place to stroll around all the workers and along the river. There are a lot of bars and restaurants where you can enjoy an after-work party!
MARINA BAY
Right next to Garden by the Bay is the Marina Bay district, with all its luxury stores and skyline. It’s a great place to walk along the river during the day, under the hundreds of palm trees. Then in the evening, there’s a free fountain show called Spectra that takes place every day at 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm. Highly recommended!
CHINATOWN
Chinatown is the perfect place to do temple hopping in Singapore. Here are my three favorite temples:
- Sri Mariamman temple
- Buddha Tooth relic temple
- Thian Hock Keng temple
In conclusion
Sending you lots of Love,