Singapore has carved its own place in the crowded tourism market with its all-round offerings. You can shop to your heart’s content, go sightseeing, have a mouthwatering meal, get your adrenaline pumping and more, all in a single day in Singapore. Every nook and cranny of the city has places that are worth writing home about and there’s no way to explore them than on foot. While it is impossible to cover all of Singapore in one whirlwind, read on to find out which walking tour is for you.
How to Pick the Best Singapore Walking Tour
Before reading about the best walking tours in Singapore, here are a few quick pointers that will help you pick a tour that suits your taste. Make up your mind about the parameters below and choosing a tour that suits you will be no hassle!
Which area do you wish to explore?
Singapore is divided into several districts, and each of them has a distinct flavor in terms of tourism experience. If you want to focus on Little India, you will have to pick the northern part of the country, while Chinatown is more centrally located. Merlion Park and Marina Bay, on the other hand, are towards the East of Singapore. Pick tours in the adjacent area for an easier commute.
What is your budget?
Singapore is mostly known for its lavish side, with the likes of Universal Studios and Sentosa on offer. However, if you wish to operate on a shoestring budget, Singapore will not turn its back to you. There are walking tours for all budgets. For instance, the Singapore Half Day City Tour can be accommodated on a restricted budget, while the Colonial Heritage tour with Afternoon Tea can be quite a lavish spend.
How much time do you have for a walking tour?
Walking tours are designed to give you an in-depth look at every aspect of a chosen destination or activity. As such, it generally takes you longer to explore a relatively small area on walking tours. Most of the walking tours span over 3 hours. However, if you wish to get closer to Singapore, pick a tour like Night Out in Chinatown with Trishaw Ride & Dinner, which takes longer and provides an authentic experience. However, know that longer the tour, more walking you will be doing.
Self-guided tours or guided tours?
Self-guided tours give you the freedom to choose when to begin and how long to continue. However, when it comes to exploring a place like Singapore, guided tours are simply the better choice. The island is a treasure trove of culture and history. A seasoned guide can help you get more out of your strolls. Local guides could also recommend great places to shop and eat from so that you do not end up having a unsavory experience.
Top 10 Singapore Walking Tours
1
Singapore Half Day City Tour with Guide
Mon - Sun
SGD 12
3 hours
Singapore has a number of places that make for a must visit on every trip. This 3-hour tour takes you through some of the most famous spots that Singapore has to offer. The tour covers some of the visual marvels, like the Fountain of Wealth and Orchard Road. The tour will take you to the Merlion Park, an iconic Singapore attraction that has come to represent the entire nation on the world map. Other important attractions in the tour include Chinatown, Marina Bay, and Little India. You will be accompanied by a local guide who will help enrich your experience during the tour. Hotel transfers are included in the tour price.
Walking Tour Inclusions
- Hotel transfers
- Sights and attractions covered in this tour include Suntec City, Orchard Road, Merlion Park, Fountain of Wealth, Chinatown and Little India
- Expert Local guide
2
Ni Hao Walking Tour
Tue, Wed, Fri
SGD 21
3 hours
Although Singapore may appear all glitzy and glamorous from the tourism adverts, there is still a side of the country that retains its humble skeleton. In this tour, you will explore the wet market of Singapore. As soon as you step in, you will be bombarded with a plethora of items being stored, and hawkers doing their best to grab your attention. If you want to gather some souvenirs for your loved ones, you could do your shopping from the heritage shops that are included in the tour. You will also be taken to the Chinatown Complex where you can grab your breakfast and feast on local desserts.
Walking Tour Inclusions
- Guided tour of the wet markets
- Breakfast
- Dessert Sampling
- Visit a traditional/heritage shop
- Hotel pick-up
3
Gems of Kampong Glam
Tuesdays Only
SGD 33
3 hours
If you want to explore the haut monde lanes of Singapore, this walking tour is for you. Kampong Glam used to be a humble fisherman’s village. Today, the village is known for its elegant architecture and decorated eateries. Kampong Glam is an eclectic blend of fashionable modernity ensconsed in an old world charm. The local guide will acquaint you with the locality’s fascinating past when the Sultans used to run their kingdom from the area. You will also get a tour of the Bussorah Street which has Arabian roots visbily present everywhere . Do not forget to capture the essence of Kampong Glam and Singapore by tasting some local food and getting your hands on some souvenirs.
Walking Tour Inclusions
- Small group guided walking tour of Singapore’s most exotic and trendy district.
- Professional English speaking guide
4
Singapore Up Close
Fridays Only
SGD 33
3 hours
A walking tour of Singapore is a must for everyone visiting this little country. There are a number of spots that are often missed by packages tours, and these little spots may hold the key for a proper Singapore experience. With this tour, you will discover Singapore from the inside, like a local. You will have a chance to explore the satellite town of Toa Payoh. You will be able to listen to the success story of the Singapore Housing Development Board. Last but not least, you will taste some snacks as you polish your Singlish, the local vernacular developed by mingling English with the native language.
Walking Tour Inclusions
- Explore the day-to-day life of a Singaporean local on this guided tour
- Professional English speaking guide
5
Gems of Chinatown
Wednesdays Only
SGD 33
3 hours
Singapore is currently viewed as one of the most sophisticated and glitzy tourist destinations in the world. This particular walking tour, however, aims to introduce you to the not so perfect beginnings of the nation. Chinatown area of Singapore holds the remnants of the very first Chinese settlers of the island. Long before Singapore became what it is today, Thian Hock Keng Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple, Buddha Tooth Relic Temple were among the first tourist attractions on the island. This tour will take you to these cultural spots in accompaniment of a local guide.If you wish to see the heart of Singapore, this is the tour for you.
Walking Tour Inclusions
- Guided walking tour of the Chinatown district
- Professional English speaking guide
Singapore Walking Tour Deals For You
6
The Charms of Tiong Bahru
Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
SGD 47
3.5 hours
Singapore could be a small island, but it packs an overwhelming number of places of interest in it. Not many packaged tours and online guides will tell you about the gem that is the Tiong Bahru district. The first modern market to be built in a housing estate will be covered on this tour. You will also visit the Qi Tian Gong Temple that is dedicated to the Monkey God represented in the local mythology. The tour will also let you explore the Galicier Pastry that has been operating for four generations. Finally, you will be taken to the summit of the 50-storey housing development called Pinnacle, from where you will be afforded a breathtaking view of the island.
Walking Tour Inclusions
- Guided tour of Tiong Bahru
- Visit the Galicier Bakery
- Explore the Qi Tian Gong Temple
- Climb to the top of The Pinnacles Skybridge
7
Gems of Little India Walking Tour
Thursdays Only
SGD 33
3 hours
By now you may have realised that Singapore is multidimensional. Little India adds a touch of color to these dimensions. This area is dedicated to Indian customs and traditions with quirky architecture and an abundance of spirit. You will visit the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple which has been standing its ground for well over a century. Your expert guide will also take you to the Campbell Lane and Little India Arcade. These places are an important part of Singapore’s history. You will end the tour at the Tekka Center which is the perfect place for you to pick up some fresh local produce.
Walking Tour Inclusions
- Guided Walking Tour of Singapore’s most colorful area - Little India
- Professional English speaking guide
8
The Peranakan Trail
Tue & Fri
SGD 44
3.5 hours
It is easy to ignore Singapore’s rich heritage and history, especially if you haven’t known someone who lives in the country for a while. The Peranakans were the descendants of the earliest Chinese settlers of Singapore and their history goes back to the 15th century. The Spice Garden is the place to discover the culinary habits of these early settlers. The architecture of the Katong and Joo Chiat also speak of the humble past of Singapore. The final stop of the tour would be at Nonya Delicacies, where you will be treated to some of the greatest local dishes in Singapore.
Walking Tour Inclusions
- Guided tour of the Peranakan Trail where you'll discover the culture of the Peranakans; descendants of the Chinese immigrants who came to the Malay archipelago
- Food sampling of Nonya delicacies
- Professional English speaking guide
9
Colonial Heritage tour with Afternoon Tea
Mon - Sat
SGD 66
3.5 hours
Despite its roots being in Chinese, Malay, and Indian cultures, much of modern Singapore has been shaped by the British colonizers. The tour highlights this facet of the island nation. Colonial Heritage tour with Afternoon Tea will take you on a mesmerizing cruise of the Singapore River, that once served as the gateway for the British. Before this, you will be taken to the Fullerton Hotel for a three-tier tea served at the courtyard. As you sip on your beverage and enjoy the snacks, you can admire the grand Victorian architecture that has well and truly left its mark on Singapore.
Walking Tour Inclusions
- Guided Tour of the Colonial Past of Singapore
- Three-tier tea buffet at the Fullerton Hotel
- Bumboat cruise on Singapore River
10
Night Out in Chinatown with Trishaw Ride & Dinner
Mon - Sun
SGD 61
3.5 hours
You have never truly seen Singapore unless you are out and about after the sun sets. The entire country takes on a festive and glamorous avatar. With this tour, you will be able to enjoy Singapore at night. The convenience of hotel transfers will come handy as you try to negotiate the relatively busier tourist time of the day. You will begin your journey at Chinatown, possibly the most bustling part of Singapore. Apart from exploring the shops, you will also be having your dinner at a local restaurant. The best part of this tour is the trishaw ride and the bumboat ride, both of which are essential for a proper Singapore-experience.
Walking Tour Inclusions
- Hotel Transfers
- Expert Guided Tour
- Dinner in Chinatown
- Traditional Trishaw Ride
- Bumboat ride on Singapore River
Singapore Walking Tour Deals For You
Tips & Hacks For A Great Singapore Walking Tour
- Make sure you're well acquainted with the quirky Singaporean laws. Something like connecting to another person’s WIFI may seem harmless to you, but it could land you in prison for 3 years.
- Pack comfortable walking shoes for your trip. Some of the walking tours can be slightly longer than anticipated.
- Carry a bottle of water at all times. The high humidity in Singapore means that you will dehydrate at a faster than normal rate.
- Check with the service provider thoroughly before planning a tour. Not all hotels are covered under the hotel transfers policy.
- Be prepared to leave or reach the meeting point 15 minutes in advance so that you do not miss the tour.
- Keep your identification proof handy at all times along with the tickets.
- Enquire about the specific dress code for all tours. For instance, the dress code for Colonial Heritage tour with Afternoon Tea is smart casual.
Ready For Your Singapore Walking Tour?
Great! While you're at it, why not check out a few more detailed Singapore guides that will come handy to help you plan your trip better!
