Singapore, known as the 'Lion City,' boasts numerous famous tourist spots. Despite its compact size of approximately 719.1 km², Singapore possesses a plethora of captivating attractions, drawing millions of tourists annually. Singapore tourism has become familiar and not overly unfamiliar to Asian countries in particular and the world at large. Let's explore the top 10 hottest and most renowned free tourist attractions in Singapore with Vntrip.vn.
Merlion Park
The first destination among the free tourist attractions in Singapore that Vntrip.vn wants to introduce to you is Merlion Park. The Merlion statue is an iconic symbol associated with the island nation of Singapore. Initially, the Merlion statue was designed as a symbol for the Singapore Tourism Promotion Board, but it soon became known worldwide and regarded as the country's symbol. The Merlion statue, located in Merlion Park, has attracted a large number of Singapore tourists who come here to visit and take photos. This is also one of the hottest free tourist attractions in Singapore that many visitors flock to.
The Merlion statue in Singapore takes the form of a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish, riding atop a wave. The legend of the Merlion's head is closely tied to the founding of the island nation of Singapore in the 11th century AD. The Merlion statue at Merlion Park stands at a height of 8.6 meters and weighs approximately 70 tons. It is cast in Fondue cement. The scales on the outside are formed from ceramic plates. The eyes are made from two small red teacups. Additionally, in the Merlion Park, there is a smaller Mermaid statue also made from these materials, standing at 2 meters tall, weighing about 3 tons, and placed about 28 meters away from the large Merlion statue.
Address: Merlion Park is located at One Fullerton Road, Singapore 049213.
Open daily and admission is free.
Marina Bay Sands
Marina Bay Sands opened its doors in 2010 with a construction cost of $5.7 billion. It is an ideal destination for you to indulge and check in during your trip to Singapore. Located at Marina Bay Sands, it features a luxurious hotel, shopping center, theater, museum, and other entertainment centers. Especially, there is an artificial ice skating rink and one of the world's largest infinity pools here.
Bustling, modern, and vibrant are words to describe Singapore's Marina Bay. It is not just a bay of clear, blue waters; it also showcases the urban life of Singapore's development. When visiting this free tourist spot in Singapore, you can stroll around the bay, admire the modern skyline of skyscrapers, and capture memorable photos. Additionally, you can enjoy dazzling and captivating water music performances at Marina Bay.
How to get there: The most convenient way to reach Marina Bay is by taking the MRT (metro) to Bayfront MRT station. This is also the starting point for your sightseeing journey.
Garden by the Bay
Among the most visited free tourist spots in Singapore, Garden by the Bay attracts over 30,000 visitors every day. The park, located in the city center, consists of 3 main areas: Bay Central, Bay East, and Bay South. Gardens by the Bay is famous for its giant 'Supertrees' ranging from 25m to 50m tall, forming a glittering forest with mysterious, surreal artistic light streams every night.
Evening is the ideal time to fully appreciate the fantastic light effects from the vibrant color feast. Here, you can take plenty of unique photos under these giant Supertrees and capture panoramic views. So, spend ample time exploring here. You can freely enter the park area, but there is a fee to enter the Flower Dome (with 7 small gardens featuring various plant species) and Cloud Forest (replicating a 42m-high cloud mountain, the habitat of orchids, ferns, South American bromeliads, and pitcher plants).
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore
Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Transportation: You can take the MRT to Bayfront station on the Downtown and Circle lines.
Helix Bridge
The next stop in the top 10 free tourist spots in Singapore is the Helix Bridge. This is also the bridge connecting the Singapore Flyer and Marina Bay Sands. It is the world's first pedestrian bridge with a helical structure based on the DNA image.
If you visit here in the evening, you will surely be impressed by the bright lights of the bridge. The vibrant purple illuminates the entire bridge, contrasting perfectly with the surrounding lights. Walking on the bridge, the unique oval-shaped balconies will be unique photo spots for you to check in without disturbing others.
Transportation: It's very convenient if you go from Supertree Grove and Cloud Forest across the Helix Bridge to reach the Singapore Flyer.
Chinatown
Chinatown in Singapore is one of the liveliest and most bustling areas in Singapore. It's a blend of cultural elements with strong Chinese traditions. You'll immediately see a vibrant red hue when you arrive here, then you'll be captivated by the rows of lanterns and eye-catching decorations. Here, tourists can learn about the culture and life of the Chinese community, enjoy delicious food at the food street on Smith Street or the Maxwell Food Center.
Especially, make sure to visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple – a remarkable structure in Chinatown. Just looking at the exterior structure, it's hard to believe that this temple was built in 2007, very modern and contemporary. The neighborhood is always bustling and is a free tourist spot in Singapore. If you spend time here, you'll have hundreds of vibrant Instagram-worthy photos with colorful streets and similarly designed houses.
Getting there: You can walk from Clarke Quay or take the subway to the MRT station on the Downtown and North East lines. Be careful because there are many exits from the Chinatown station leading you to different streets.
Little India
When it comes to vibrant streets in Singapore, surely it's Little India. It's the center of the Indian community in Singapore and a place where tourists can comfortably explore. In Little India, you can find affordable accommodations and delicious food. Additionally, you'll witness lively scenes from colorful painted houses, multicolored flower garlands hanging in front of shops, and saree stores offering a plethora of colors.
Visiting Little India – this free tourist spot in Singapore, tourists can visit the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, one of Singapore's oldest Hindu temples, shop 24/7 at the bustling Mustafa Centre, or explore affordable and enticing cuisine at the Tekka Centre. Especially, if you visit this Singapore tourist spot in November, you'll have the opportunity to participate in Deepavali – the Festival of Lights with colorful scenes and experiential activities.
Getting there: Little India has its own subway station on the Downtown and North East lines. Your task is simply to stroll around the streets with your camera and capture those perfect shots.
Clarke Quay
If you're traveling to Singapore independently and haven't experienced the vibrant atmosphere of late-night restaurants and bars at Clarke Quay, then your trip will be incomplete. Clarke Quay boasts numerous outdoor hotels, creating an ideal nightlife space. You can explore and take photos of the colorful houses here without missing out, as it's a free tourist spot in Singapore.
As dusk falls, Clarke Quay and the riverfront area of Singapore transform into a completely new vibe – lively, bustling, and full of life. If you're young and seeking more nightlife experiences, you must come here.
Directions: You can walk from anywhere in the Downtown Core, but if you're coming from farther away, take the subway to Clark Quay station on the North East line. Another popular way to get here is by taking a boat on the Singapore River.
Orchard Road
Orchard is Asia's most famous shopping district and also one of the free tourist spots in Singapore. This street is located in the most upscale and trendy area of Singapore. Orchard Road is the entertainment and shopping hub of Singapore, popular with both locals and foreign tourists alike. Especially for shopaholics, Orchard Road with its bustling array of shops is a must-visit destination.
The standout on Orchard Road is ION Orchard, a unique 8-story building with a facade of glass, steel, and granite, along with an observation deck. At ION Sky, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area. Additionally, along Orchard Road, tourists can find many restaurants serving delicious cuisine.
Getting here: You can easily reach here by taking the subway to Orchard MRT, Somerset MRT, or Dhoby Ghaut MRT station.
Art Science Museum (Science Art Museum)
The Science Art Museum is another remarkable art installation in Singapore, located at Marina Bay Sands with 21 exhibition galleries. It houses many of the world's latest collections ranging from science, art, architecture, to media, especially featuring the largest dinosaur exhibition space in Southeast Asia.
With its unique design resembling a 'giant lotus,' you'll have plenty of photo opportunities from outside the museum. If you want to go inside for a tour, there will be an admission fee. However, if you want to save money while still getting some great shots, just check in outside the Science Art Museum, and you'll be satisfied.
Address: 6 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018974
Opening Hours: Monday - Sunday (including holidays): 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Ticket Price: Foreign tourists: S$17
How to get there: Take the subway to City Hall station, on the East North line, and walk towards the Raffles Hotel or the Bras Basah Complex. The museum is located right next to the Raffles Hotel and opposite the Bras B. Complex area.
Singapore National Gallery (National Gallery Singapore)
The final destination in the list of free tourist attractions in Singapore is the National Gallery Singapore. As of now, it is the oldest and largest museum in Singapore. The National Gallery Singapore introduces a new concept of museums. It is very intimate, friendly to everyone. Compared to the traditional notion of a dry museum, only displaying artifacts with somewhat uninteresting descriptions, when you come here, you will be completely surprised.
Just standing outside, naturally posing comfortably, you will have a collection in a mysterious style, with a bit of 'deep' vibe with cool black and white tones. However, if you step inside the museum, you will be amazed by the youthful, dynamic energy that cannot be described. An unlimited creativity seems to have never been in the definition of prestigious museums.
Address: 93 Stamford Road, Singapore 178897.
Opening hours: Friday, Saturday, holidays: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM (last entry at 9:30 PM).
Other days: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (last entry at 6:30 PM).
Ticket price: For foreign tourists, it's $20.
Getting 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 free and most famous tourist attractions in Singapore, Vntrip.vn wishes you a joyful and memorable journey.