20 fantastic free things to do in Singapore

Modern, glass domes house magical mist-filled micro-worlds. Flora of every colour tumbles elegantly down the sides of metal structures. A thick carpet of green breaks cover to reveal neat bridges and waterfall-filled lakes. Gardens by the Bay is a futuristic utopian world come true.

The real draw, however, are the purple-headed supertrees poking out above the surrounding scenery. These magnificent vertical gardens reach up to 50 metres in height. Don’t forget to return in the evening, where the artificial trees are transformed into a glittering light show.

Not only were these gardens Singapore’s first UNESCO site, but this tropical botanical paradise is the only one of its kind on the list.

Amongst the flora is the iconic 1930s bandstand, which is well worth snapping a picture from under. Don’t forget to pause to appreciate the circle of trees surrounding the bandstand with their baffling bright yellow leaves.

Set around a vast reservoir in the centre of the city, MacRitchie Reservoir Park offers outdoor adventures in and around a tropical forest. This is true fresh air territory.

Embark on the 11km walking trail, through the rainforest fringing the edges of the reservoir. Look out for macaque monkeys, monitor lizards, owls and even colugos (flying lemurs).

Buhit Timah Nature Reserve encloses the tallest hill in Singapore. But probably more significantly, the 163m high hill is where one of the last remaining areas of primary rainforest in the country stands.

Hiking the hill isn’t all that difficult, with steps and guide ropes offering a helping hand. There’s a variety of paths on a scale of difficulty you can use to explore the 163-hectare reserve.

If you love birdwatching, then this 10km sky-high trail is the one for you.

Connecting the hilltops of otherwise separated parks, these bridges take you above the busy life below and level with the birds. Keep your eyes peeled for the red-whiskered bulbuls and banded bay cuckoos, in particular.

Don’t miss the country’s highest pedestrian bridge, Henderson Waves, snaking its way between two hills. 36 metres above the ground, not only is it good for wildlife, but also offers some of the best views over Singapore.

The oldest and arguably the most magnificent Hindu temple in Singapore is the incredibly detailed Sri Mariamman Temple.

The pastel-hued roof of this place of worship cones up to the clouds and standing, sitting and crouching up and down it are hundreds of adorned idols looking down at the street below.

Don’t be confused by the almost-new-with-shine detail of this ancient temple. It has been restored many times throughout history, most recently in 2010 when around twenty Indian artists were sent to revitalise the temple. They set about repainting the mythological sculptures.

Layered like a wedding cake, it’s very hard to miss the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple poking its head above Chinatown. Its eccentric exterior with its flag-frilled, fence-lined windows and golden bauble-lined roofs offers a clue to what awaits inside.

More information: buddhatoothrelictemple.org.sg

More understated than the previous temples but equally as important to visit is Thian Hock Keng Temple. Known as the temple of heavenly happiness, this is the oldest Chinese temple in Singapore.

Not only is this temple significant now, but played a very important part in the past. Built for Mazu, the Goddess of the Sea, the temple was widely used by immigrants who came to pay thanks to Mazu for keeping them safe on their journey across the water.

Feel at peace as you walk the beautiful courtyard. When you’re studying the architecture, take time to ponder how they made something so ornate without the use of a single nail.

You’ll know you’re in Chinatown when the buildings get lower and everywhere is lavishly decorated in red and gold. Alongside some truly magnificent temples is a whole world of Chinese traditions and culture.

Enjoy the sound of the bartering market vendors and their potential customers and salivate at the smell of fresh Chinese food wafting through the stalls.

If you need a break from the busy, bold and noisy world of everyday Singapore. Escape to Katong, where even the colour of the buildings is peaceful.

You can find street art in many places across the region, but perhaps the boldest and most eye-catching can be found around the district of Bugis and Bras Basah, often called BBB.

You’ll struggle to find a single inch of wall here that isn’t covered in colour. Every building on the street has been used as a giant canvas, where artists have come to show off their creations. These truly are eye-popping murals.

You don’t have to look hard to find art in Singapore, as it is worked into much of the city’s best architecture. The best way to see as much as possible is by taking the Art Trail, which winds you past many of the city’s best buildings, designed by big names such as Han Sai Por and Roy Lichtenstein.

Among the highlights is the Fountain of Wealth. Making it into the Guinness Book of Records in 1998 (as the world’s biggest fountain), this lit-up spectacle is mesmerising both day and night. Nearby is the iconic Merlion sculpture, which depicts the half-lion, half-fish mythological creature.

Weave through the six granite sculptures that make up Progressive Flow, an intriguing and interactive piece of art at the NTUC Centre. Another one not to miss is David Gerstein’s Momentum, a giant red cone of almost 19m in height, depicting silhouettes of the country’s many people, celebrating how they have helped build Singapore.

If you thought you had to pay money to see one of history’s most celebrated artist’s work, think again. A thrilling way to experience the art of Singapore is to go on a hunt for Salvador Dalí’s sculptures – many of which are sprinkled around the country.

His surrealist work can’t be mistaken for anyone else’s. Be mesmerized by his depictions of long-legged elephants, unicorns, horses, clocks, golden women and even a snail.

For an alternative view over the city and harbour of Singapore, walk up to the park at the top of Marina Barrage. Head up before dusk to watch the sky darken as the lights brighten in each of the windows of the skyscrapers.

A more popular but no less spectacular option for sunset junkies is to stand next to the statue of Merlion and look in the same direction as he is. You’ll soon be rewarded with a fiery sky, glowing from behind the luxurious Marina Bay Sands Hotel, and casting an orange cover across the top of the water.

Once the sun has gone down, walk from one side of the Marina to the other by crossing the Helix Bridge. The bridge itself is a visual delight, criss-crossing and circling above your head to create a purple light tunnel.

The views in front, below and all around you are also amazing. Skyscrapers glow a warm yellow and lights streak and dance across the dark water. This is a view you’ll never forget.

The 40m-high manmade waterfall is the tallest indoor fountain in the world, and is just one example of Singapore’s ever growing collection of ambitious, artistic architecture.

Stand directly below it and crane your neck back as far as it will go to get a true sense of the scale, and listen to the exhilarating rush of the waterfall.

Over 1,000 tropical butterflies from around 40 different species fly around this tree and flower-filled, nectar-scented indoor park. Despite the artificial heat, the park is worth a look around. You’ll be left enchanted.