Singapore is known as the ‘Lion City’ and boasts numerous famous tourist destinations. Despite its small area of only about 719.1 square kilometers, Singapore possesses a multitude of captivating tourist spots, attracting millions of visitors annually.
Traveling to Singapore has become familiar and not entirely unfamiliar to Asian countries in particular and the world in general. Let’s explore Tripwordwide’s Top 10 Hottest Free Tourist Attractions in Singapore.
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Top 10 Hottest Free Tourist Attractions in Singapore
The Merlion Park
The first destination among the free tourist attractions in Singapore that Vntrip.vn introduces is the Merlion Park. The Merlion, a sea lion statue, is an iconic symbol that comes to mind when thinking of the island nation of Singapore. Initially designed as a symbol for the Singapore Tourism Promotion Board, the Merlion soon gained global recognition and became an emblem of the country.
The sea lion statue, located in Merlion Park, attracts numerous tourists who visit to explore and take photographs. This is one of the most popular free tourist attractions in Singapore that many travelers visit.
The Singapore Merlion statue takes the form of a creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish riding a cresting wave. The legend of the Merlion’s head is closely linked to the founding of the island nation of Singapore in the 11th century AD. The Merlion statue in Merlion Park stands at a height of 8.6 meters and weighs around 70 tons.
It is cast in fondue cement, with its outer scales made from porcelain plates. The eyes are formed from two small red tea cups. Additionally, within Merlion Park, there is a smaller Merlion statue made from the same materials, standing at 2 meters tall, weighing about 3 tons, and situated about 28 meters from the larger Merlion statue.
Address: Merlion Park is located at One Fullerton Road, Singapore 049213
It is open daily, and admission is free.
Marina Bay Sands
The Marina Bay Sands complex began its operations in 2010, with a construction cost reaching $5.7 billion USD. This is an incredibly ideal place for sightseeing and checking in during your trip to Singapore. It’s the location of the Marina Bay Sands building, which includes a luxurious hotel, a shopping center, a theater, a museum, and various entertainment centers. Particularly, there’s an artificial ice skating rink and one of the world’s largest infinity pools here.
Vibrant, modern, and lively are words that describe Singapore’s Marina Bay. Beyond being a pristine waterfront, this area also showcases Singapore’s urban, developed life. When visiting this free tourist attraction in Singapore, you can stroll around the bay, admire the modern skyline of towering skyscrapers, and capture memorable photos. Additionally, you can enjoy dazzling and captivating water music shows at Marina Bay.
Getting there: The most convenient way to reach Marina Bay is by taking the MRT (metro) to the Bayfront MRT station. This is also your starting point for the tour.
Gardens by the Bay
Among the top free tourist attractions in Singapore, Gardens by the Bay draws over 30,000 visitors daily. Located in the heart of the city, it comprises three main areas: Bay Central, Bay East, and Bay South. Gardens by the Bay is renowned for its colossal ‘Supertrees’ that stand brightly, ranging from 25 meters to 50 meters, forming a luminous forest with dazzling artistic light shows every night, creating a mystical ambiance.
Evenings are the ideal time to witness the fantastic light effects from the party of colors. Here, you can freely capture unique shots under these towering ‘Supertrees’ and get panoramic views. So, spend ample time exploring this site. Access to the park area is free, but there is a fee to enter the Flower Dome (which houses seven smaller gardens with diverse plant species) and the Cloud Forest (which replicates a 42-meter-high cloud mountain, featuring orchids, ferns, South American bromeliads, and pitcher plants).
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore
Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Getting there: You can take the MRT to the Bayfront station on the Downtown and Circle lines.
Helix Bridge
The next stop on the list of Singapore’s top 10 free tourist attractions is the Helix Bridge. It serves as the link between the Singapore Flyer and Marina Bay Sands. This pedestrian bridge is the first in the world to have a double-helix structure inspired by DNA.
If you visit during the evening, you’ll be impressed by the bright lights illuminating the bridge. A vibrant purple glow encompasses the entire structure, creating a perfect contrast against the surrounding lights. Walking on the bridge, the distinctive oval-shaped balconies offer unique photo spots for your check-ins without disturbing others.
Getting there: It’s convenient to reach the Helix Bridge from Supertree Grove and Cloud Forest to the Singapore Flyer.
Chinatown
Chinatown in Singapore is one of the most vibrant and bustling districts in the city. It’s a melting pot of cultural elements steeped in Chinese tradition. You’re immediately greeted by a sea of red, with eye-catching rows of lanterns and decorative motifs drawing your attention. Visitors can explore the culture and life of the Chinese community, indulging in delicious dishes at the food enclave along Smith Street or at the Maxwell Food Centre.
Particularly, don’t miss the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, a remarkable structure in the heart of Chinatown. Just observing its exterior, it’s hard to believe that this temple was constructed in 2007, which was exceptionally modern and timely. The area is always bustling and lively and is a free tourist attraction in Singapore. Spending time here, you’ll have numerous photo opportunities with colorful streets and houses designed in a similar fashion.
Getting there: walking from Clark Quay or taking the MRT to the station on the Downtown Line and North East Line. Be cautious as there are multiple exits at Chinatown station leading to different streets.
Little India
When it comes to vibrant and colorful streets in Singapore, one place that immediately stands out is Little India. It’s the hub of the Indian community in Singapore and a place where tourists can comfortably explore. In Little India, you can find budget accommodations and delightful culinary experiences. Moreover, you’ll be captivated by the lively scenes of brightly painted houses, colorful garlands adorning shopfronts, and sari shops displaying a myriad of colors.
Visiting Little India, a free tourist attraction in Singapore, tourists can explore Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, one of Singapore’s oldest Hindu temples, shop 24/7 at the bustling Mustafa Centre, or indulge in affordable and delectable cuisine at Tekka Center. Especially if you visit this Singapore tourist spot in November, you might have the opportunity to partake in Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, featuring colorful displays and experiential activities.
Getting there: Little India has its own MRT station on the Downtown Line and North East Line. Your task is simply to stroll the streets with your camera and capture the perfect shots.
Clark Quay
If you’re traveling to Singapore and haven’t experienced the vibrant atmosphere of lively restaurants and bars open until late at Clarke Quay, your trip would be incomplete. Clarke Quay hosts an array of riverside eateries, creating an ideal nocturnal lifestyle space. You can freely explore and take photos of the colorful houses here without any charge, as it’s a free tourist attraction in Singapore.
As dusk falls, Clarke Quay and Singapore’s riverside area transform into a completely new scene—lively, bustling, and full of life. If you’re a young traveler seeking more nightlife experiences, Clarke Quay is definitely a must-visit.
How to get there: You can walk from anywhere in the Downtown Core, but if you’re coming from farther places, taking the MRT to Clarke Quay station on the North East Line is a convenient option. Another popular way to reach this spot is by river taxi along the Singapore River.
Orchard Road
Orchard is the most famous shopping district in Asia and one of the free tourist attractions in Singapore. This area is in one of the most affluent and fashionable regions in Singapore. Orchard Road stands as the entertainment and shopping paradise in Singapore, popular among locals and foreign visitors alike. Particularly for shopping enthusiasts, Orchard Road, with its bustling array of stores, is a must-visit.
One of the notable spots along Orchard Road is ION Orchard, an 8-story building distinguished by its glass, steel, and marble façade along with an observation deck. Visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding area at ION Sky. Additionally, along Orchard Road, visitors can find numerous dining options offering delightful cuisines.
How to get there: You can easily reach Orchard Road by taking the MRT to Orchard, Somerset, or Dhoby Ghaut MRT stations.
Art Science Museum
The Art Science Museum is another remarkable artistic structure in Singapore, located at Marina Bay Sands and featuring 21 gallery spaces. It houses a diverse range of the latest collections from the worlds of science, art, architecture, media, and notably, the largest dinosaur exhibition in Southeast Asia.
Designed in the form of a ‘giant lotus,’ the exterior of the museum provides fantastic photo opportunities. While entrance to the museum requires a ticket, visitors can still capture great shots by checking in at the exterior of the ArtScience Museum without incurring any entry fees.
Address: 6 Bayfront Ave., Singapore 018974
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday (including public holidays): 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Ticket Price: Foreign tourists: S$17
How to get there: Take the MRT to City Hall station, on the East West Line, and walk toward Raffles Hotel or Bras Basah Complex. The museum is located adjacent to Raffles Hotel and opposite the Bras Basah Complex.
Singapore National Gallery
The final stop in the top 10 list of free attractions in Singapore is the Singapore National Gallery. As of now, it’s Singapore’s oldest and largest museum. The Singapore National Gallery introduces a new concept of a museum – it’s inviting, friendly, and different from the traditional perception of a dry museum with exhibits and dull descriptions. You’ll be pleasantly surprised here.
Even just standing outside, striking a relaxed pose, you’ll find a collection with a bit of mystery and a ‘deep’ vibe, accentuated with black and white tones. But stepping inside the museum, you’ll be astounded by its youthful, dynamic, and incomparably creative atmosphere. It breaks the mold of conventional, staid museums.
Address: 93 Stamford Road, Singapore 178897.
Opening Hours: Friday, Saturday, Public Holidays: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM (last admission at 9:30 PM).
Other days: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (last admission at 6:30 PM).
Ticket Price: For foreign tourists, it’s $20.
How to get there: It’s a 7-minute walk from City Hall MRT Station (Exit B), a 10-minute walk from Clark Quay MRT Station (Exit E), and a 10-minute walk from Raffles Place MRT Station (Exit B).
Above are the top 10 most famous and free attractions in Singapore. Tripwordwide.com wishes you a fun and memorable journey.
