The Singapore government has recently announced the Vaccinated Travel Lane(VTL) based on several travel bubbles with multiple countries, which makes travelling overseas for a holiday more feasible.
However, not all of us may have the financial means to do so. PCR tests are expensive and Vaccinated Travel Lane(VTL) flights are more costly than normal flights due to the high demand and limited supply. For both expatriates and local Singaporeans, the lack of travel and entertainment options is really frustrating.
Instead of becoming bored out of your mind, why not engage in some fun activities within Singapore, while abiding by the prevailing government regulations? Without further ado, we have curated a list of free things to do in Singapore.
Explore Singapore like a tourist with Rain Vortex at Jewel
Jewel, a shopping centre at Changi Airport, is home to the Rain Vortex, the tallest man-made waterfall in the world, spanning 40metres tall. Surrounded by lush greenery, this magnificent beauty is the perfect place for an Instagrammable picture. You can even meditate in this serene garden while listening to the sound of the waterfall cascading down the vortex.
Learn about Singapore’s cultural heritage with Haw Par Villa
Haw Par Villa is a newly revamped 8.5 hectares large park located in Pasir Panjang, based on ancient Chinese mythology and folklore, with over 1000 statues and 500 dioramas with Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian influences. From time to time, there will be exhibitions such as “Beyond the Veil” which facilitates discourse about taboo topics like death and dying.
Explore Singapore’s varied shopping districts
Window shopping is free and can be fun, especially if you’re mixing it up a bit. From the usual suspects like the malls around the island to the hustle and bustle of Little India or Haji Lane, Singapore has some of the most diverse shopping options for people looking to pass time. To give you a sense of what to expect, you can choose between exploring the usual popular fashion brands to luxury goods all within ten minutes walking distance from each other just in Orchard.
Get in touch with nature at the Southern Ridges
Feeling stressed out? Embarking on a hiking trip in Singapore with the 10km route at the Southern Ridges which stretches from Mount Faber all the way to Kent Ridge Park. Start your journey at Mount Faber Peak which provides unparalleled views of the city skyline and end your hike at Hort Park, a nice garden with a wide variety of flora and fauna.
Attend free concerts at the Esplanade
The Esplanade’s spiky exterior resembles a huge durian. This bizarre-looking building has many facilities, including a concert hall with a 1,600 pax capacity as well as a theatre with a 2,000 pax capacity. As the premier performing arts centre in Singapore, you can often find free concerts featuring well-acclaimed artists and musicians. The Esplanade library is also a treasure trove of information, with many books and materials related to art and music.
Chill out at Lazarus Island
Get away from the hustle and the bustle of daily life by taking a ferry ride to Lazarus Island. The island paradise features pristine white sandy beaches and clear, blue azure waters. There are many things to do here: you can have a mini picnic session complete with some light snacks or dip your toes into the water and go for a swim. Instead of spending money at a tanning salon, why not lounge on a beach mat and get a sun tan here?
Singapore may be a small island, but there is a huge variety of free activities to take part in. Do you have any activities or events to recommend? Let us know in the comments section below.