Malaysia's planned capital was built with public money, so most of its showpieces cost nothing to enter. Three days of free mosques, wetland boardwalks and subsidised government food courts, linked by Nadi Putra buses that rarely charge more than RM 1.
Malaysia's first fully iron-framed mosque (2009) used 6,000 tonnes of steel and German architectural mesh instead of air-conditioning. Entry is free, robes and headscarves are lent at no charge, and visitor hours run 10:00–12:30 and 15:00–16:00.
A 68 m granite obelisk in Precinct 2 carved with a timeline of Malaysian history from the Malacca Sultanate to independence, set on an open plaza above the lake. Never gated, never ticketed, and the surrounding lawn is a quiet picnic spot.
Malaysia's largest botanical garden spreads over 92 hectares with a palm collection, a sunken garden, a Moroccan pavilion and a lakeside promenade. Walking in is free from 07:00–19:00; only the tram (about RM 4) and bike rental (about RM 6/hour) cost.
The sail-shaped cable-stayed bridge linking Precinct 2 to Precinct 8 carries a separate pedestrian deck. Crossing costs nothing, the west side frames the pink Putra Mosque against sunset, and the cables switch to coloured lighting after dark.
A permanent waterfront market of open stalls selling kuih, keropok lekor, satay, fresh fruit and Malay handicraft. Snacks run RM 2–5, a loaded plate of nasi campur lands around RM 8, and traders start setting up from mid-morning daily.
The food court sunk beneath Putra Square feeds government office workers at subsidised rates: nasi lemak from about RM 3.50, mee goreng around RM 6, teh tarik near RM 2.20. Weekday queues peak sharply between 12:30 and 14:00.
Putrajaya's oldest mall keeps a conventional upper-floor food court where a rice or noodle set runs RM 9–14. Free air-conditioning, free toilets and mall wifi make it the standard afternoon shelter, and Nadi Putra buses stop at the door.
A neighbourhood night market filling the Precinct 9 car park from roughly 17:00 to 22:00: ayam percik, apam balik, roti john, murtabak and cut fruit almost all under RM 6, sold in cash to residents rather than to tourists.
The 197-hectare constructed wetland north of the lake is among the largest man-made freshwater wetlands in the tropics, with boardwalks, a lookout tower and an interpretive centre. Entry and parking are free, gates open 07:00–19:00.
A 47-hectare hill park planted with pine and bamboo, where a paved loop climbs to one of Putrajaya's highest public viewpoints over the lake and the mosque domes. Free entry, open 07:00–19:00, and largely empty outside dawn jogging hours.
A 40-hectare adventure park with a public concrete skate bowl, BMX pump track, mountain bike trails and an obstacle course. Walking in and using the skate and bike areas is free; supervised rope and climbing sessions start around RM 10.
The grounds, stable viewing galleries and lakeside promenade of the national equestrian centre are free to walk into until closing. A short pony ride around the arena runs about RM 10, and the west lawn faces open water for sunset.