The best cheap things to do in Singapore under $20

It costs nothing to access Sentosa’s beautifully manicured beaches. Pack a picnic, towels, and maybe a book or some games, and head to the beach for a fun – and free – beach day. Palawan Beach is a more family-friendly option, while Tanjong Beach, often less crowded, is tranquil and quiet. If you like watersports, you’ll like Siloso Beach, which boasts numerous watersports activities (which are not free, unfortunately).

If you can’t commit to the pricey fees of a fancy gym, ActiveSG only sets you back $2.50 per entry. There are over 20 gyms islandwide, each equipped with the usual suspects – treadmills, exercise bikes, weights, dumbbells, and more. 

Alternatively, you can workout for absolutely free. Singapore Sports Hub hosts free fitness programmes every day to take you from sluggish OL to full-on yogi – if you keep at it, of course. It offers cardio workouts, yoga, and even taiji. Make sure to register early, because spots fill up fast.

The 3.5-kilometre Changi Airport Connector allows you to cycle, skate, run, jog, and walk to Jewel Changi Airport and the terminals from East Coast Park or any park within the Park Connector Network (PCN), and vice versa. It’s also home to the city’s largest permanent outdoor display of life-sized dinosaurs, Changi Jurassic Mile, as well as pit stop facility Hub & Spoke where you can rent bicycles from GoCycling. Although you’ll need to put down a $50 cash deposit, you’ll get the money back when you return the bike.

Pasir Ris Park is known (and notorious) for many things, but it’s an undeniably peaceful stretch of coast in the east of Singapore with thriving flora and fauna. Bike along the designated pathways or rent kayaks from Ohana Beach House. Rates start from $12 per hour for a sit-on-top kayak and $15 per hour for a sea kayak. And if you prefer to stand and flex your balancing skills, stand-up paddleboards are available to rent from $15.

Hop on a boat to offshore islands such as Pulau Ubin, St John’s Island, and Kusu Island for a breath of fresh air – and a change of scenery. Boat rides cost from $4 to $18, depending on which island you’re heading to. Be one with nature with a hike or waterside trail, and relive those kampong days at these uninhabited islands that are ripe from exploration. Just don’t forget to slather on the mozzie repellent and sunscreen.

A perennial favourite among the Westies, Jurong East Swimming Complex was the first public pool in Singapore to offer a lazy river (complete with a float, no less), wave pool, and fun slides to the masses. For less than $2, there’s no denying you’ll get soaked at this water playground by the end of the day. But if you’re there to do some real swimming, there’s also a competition pool in the complex.

Whether you’re jumping on the Tik Tok trend-wagon, or revisiting a popular pastime, HiRoller Indoor Skating Rink in Pasir Ris offers state-of-the-art experiences on both inline and roller skates – think disco lighting and thumping music. It’s also a great spot to introduce kids to both inline and roller skates. You won’t even have to worry about your kids falling flat on their faces – there are inline skating athletes and certified instructors to guide them through the glide. A two-hour session starts from $12 on weekdays and $15 on weekends, not including equipment rental, which is $6.

Towering skyscrapers are aplenty in the city, but there’s none quite like The Pinnacle@Duxton. After all, it’s the first condominium-inspired public housing of its kind. Its main attractions are the two sky gardens that connect all seven towers on the 26th and 50th stories; the former has a jogging track and is exclusive to residents, while the latter is open to the public for a $6 entrance fee. As with Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Towers, only 150 outsiders a day are allowed to enter.

Stop and smell the roses as you manoeuvre around the massive Gardens by the Bay. The Supertrees may be the star of the show here (and you can catch the light show for free at 7.45pm and 8.45pm), but don’t leave without checking out the various (free) themed gardens including the Heritage Gardens where the country’s rich history is brought to life through plants. It’ll cost you less than $20 to check out the stunning Floral Fantasy display or the Flower Dome.

An alternative café that entails more than just obligatory café food, The Mind Café is home to over 700 variations of board games to keep you and your pals entertained throughout the day. Unlimited gaming hours start from $19.90, which comes with a set meal, and free-flow snacks and drinks. So ditch your handphones and forge real connections through a friendly game of Pictionary, Scrabble or Jenga. However, we can’t promise that you’ll still be best buds by the end of a game of Monopoly.

There’s no shortage of karaoke joints in the city, and some offer affordable rates. Teo Heng starts from $13 an hour, and even has large rooms that can fit up to 10 people (from $17). Split the cost of the room with your best friends and host your very own concert. Just remember to bring a bottle of water and some lozenges to avoid having a sore throat after your karaoke sesh.

Scooch on down to the back alleys of Muscat Street for a rad hidden gem: an outdoor art gallery. Two parallel walls burst with a kaleidoscope of colour thanks to over 30 Instagram-worthy works by artists from the region and beyond. Right around the corner (check out Aliwal Arts Centre and 51 Waterloo Street) are more street art for the ‘gram. While the amazing murals of Yip Yew Chong, Luis Lee Jin Min and MessyMsxi can be found in the CBD, there’s also a variety of sculptures – abstract and concrete – lurking at Tanjong Pagar and Raffles Place. Go on an urban art trail or a sculpture trail and see how many pieces you can spot.

Cinemas around the city cost less than $20 for you to catch the latest blockbuster, but if you’re in need of an indie or arthouse fix, cosy up at The Projector. Occupying the former site of the historic Golden Theatre, the refurbished cinema is home to an eclectic selection of films, as well as the Intermission Bar which dishes out tasty bites. Settle yourself into a seat – or bean bag – and immerse yourself in the movie. Tickets here are no more than $16.

When it comes to catching a live performance – whether it’s dance, music, or theatre – The Esplanade is a no-brainer. Make a beeline for its series of free events including music performances by local artists at its various venues. Soak up the stunning view of the bay at the spacious outdoor theatre or chill at the air-conditioned indoor concourse, either way, you’re in for a riveting evening.

The former City Hall and Supreme Court buildings have been refurbished to become the National Gallery Singapore, which is home to the largest collection of local and Southeast Asian art from the 19th century to today. For digital art, head over to the ArtScience Museum. Alternatively, you can unearth Singapore’s rich history at the National Museum of Singapore – all for less than $20.

This little theme park of horrors is both terrifying and impressive at the same time. Multi-coloured statues and tableaux depict scenes from Chinese history and mythology in bright, gaudy colours, making it look more menacing than they should. Still, it's fun to explore this sloping park in the West with the little rugrats. New to the park? Read our guide for the best bits to look out for. Admission is free, but you'll need to pay a fee of $20 per adult and $10 per child to enter the Circles of Hell.

Hay Dairies keeps about 800 goats of mixed breeds, and all of them get to live like bleating royalty. That’s because every goat here chews on hay shipped straight from the US, as well as special feed flown in from Australia. Perhaps that’s why Hay Dairies’ goat milk tastes so much better than off-the-shelf brands in your supermarket fridge – we kid you not. Drop by in the morning to catch the goats being milked (from 9am to 10.30am), then bring a few bottles home at the end of the day. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out other farms around the area including Bollywood Veggies.

Home to a plethora of food stalls that champion local fare – from flavourful Hainanese chicken rice and nasi lemak to wholesome porridge and mee pok – Maxwell Food Centre stands amongst the favourites for lunchtime nosh in the CBD. The chicken rice hype is real here: you can’t leave this hawker centre without ordering from Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice where Michelin-starred heavyweight Gordon Ramsay and celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain were impressed with its take on the national dish. Fill your stomach to the fullest – most dishes here cost less than $10 a pop.

Make like a Singapore uncle, but instead of knocking back a large bottle of Carlsberg in a hawker centre setting, have a fresh draught at Smith Street Taps. They’ve got a daily rotation of premium local and international beers starting from $13 a pint. And they’re not just random brews, cult brands offered include Brewlander (Singapore), Sailors Grave Brewing (Australia), Deeds Brewing (Australia), and Moon Dog Brewery (Australia).

Give some lovin’ to pre-loved items at Singapore’s thrift shops. Second-hand and pre-loved tops, bottoms, outerwear, and shoes (some with tags still attached) from high street stores and local labels such as Topshop, Zara, and Love, Bonito are sold at a fraction of their retail prices, starting from $5 at Refash. For luxury threads, look no further than Style Tribute.