The best tours in Singapore

For a truly local experience, this four-hour tour will take you to a side of Singapore that is not commonly found in travel guides – the neighbourhoods where locals reside and spend a large part of their time engaging in an array of activities. This down-to-earth expedition begins in the local hood of Ang Mo Kio where you will explore  bird singing, a little-known hobby that originated in the kampong (Malay for village) era. Thereafter, you will be led to a hawker centre where you will get to enjoy coffee and snacks like a local. The local exploration rounds up with a visit to the wet market where locals frequent for fresh produce.

For the second leg of this expedition, you will be taken to another neighbourhood – Toa Payoh, to see the famous “Tree Shrine” which the locals have been praying to for years. Finally, the tour concludes with a visit to a HDB show flat to learn more about the country’s HDB public housing programme. Prices start from $105 per person.

This tour offers a fascinating glimpse into Singapore’s public housing, known as HDB estates. With more than 1 million flats spread across 24 towns and three estates, HDB flats make up an integral part of the city-state’s urban landscape. In fact, over 80% of Singapore’s resident population calls HDB flats home. This two-hour tour, covers three different types of public housing estates where you will get to see the evolution of HDB estate architecture over the years and learn the role it plays in Singapore’s multiculturalism. 

At Everton – an estate with some of the earliest examples  of public housing – you will get to try local coffee or tea and explore traditional stores that have stood the test of time.. The tour continues at Cantonment Estate, where a local guide will explain how public housing evolved through the years. The last stop is at one of the latest public housing projects in Singapore, Pinnacle @ Duxton, featuring a distinct and modern architectural style. Comprising seven 50-storey buildings, this development has earned the status as the world’s tallest public residential building. Along the way, you will also get to visit local markets and admire vibrant street art that showcases the culture and history of Singapore. Prices start from $100 per person.

For those seeking a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city, this kelong tour offers the perfect opportunity to discover a different side of Singapore. Explore the city’s Northeastern waters on a catamaran and be greeted with an abundance of nature and mangrove swamps. During this three-hour idyllic boat tour, you will get fascinating insight into the sea channels and hear stories about Sembawang beach, the Orang Laut at Seletar Island and the neighbouring port of Pasir Gudang. Visitors will also get to explore Pulau Ubin,  the only inhabited island out of Singapore’s 63 islands, and the surrounding islands. A particularly enjoyable part of the tour is the segment on  sustainable fish farming, how it works and its challenges. The experience rounds up with a visit to a kelong restaurant, where visitors will get to experience life on a floating fish farm. Prices start from $135 per person.

Water sports enthusiasts and adventure seekers will want to bookmark this unique tour experience which combines kayaking and sailing in one. The first of its kind in Singapore, this kayak sailing tour will take participants from mainland Singapore to the island of Pulau Ubin. Experience the thrills of navigating your way through a lush mangrove forest, home to a variety of wildlife including otters, monitor lizards and wild boars. 

On this tour, you will be using kayaks that come with a sail and pedals, and depending on the wind conditions, you might get to use the sail a lot more if the wind picks up. If there is no wind, the kayak can still be powered by legs – you’ll just have to work a little harder. After a scenic and idyllic day out, your guide will take you to one of the traditional seaside houses in Ubin for a local seafood meal prepared with the freshest catch of the day like barramundi and mussels. Prices start from $189 per person.

There is plenty to see and do in Singapore even when night falls, like discovering nocturnal wildlife on Sentosa island. Learn all about the city’s terrestrial ecosystem during this one-and-a-half hour tour, offering an insightful introduction to a slew of creatures like fruit bats, owls, forest ants, roosting birds, bugs, different species of frogs, snakes, scorpions and plenty more. Perfect for all ages, this nature walk in the dark promises plenty of fascinating discoveries. Participants are advised to dress comfortably with covered shoes. Prices start from $87 per person.

When you think of Chinatown, what comes to mind? If it’s nothing much,  then you may want to consider going on this three-hour Chinatown walking tour. And what’s best is that it’s completely free. Chinatown is known for many things – the Sri Mariamman Temple, Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, its very own Street Market, Red Dot Design Museum, Thian Hock Keng Temple, and more. Its history also outlives most of us, dating all the way back to 1822 when Sir Stamford Raffles allocated the area as the Chinese Campong – Singapore’s first Chinese Settlement. Expect not just the tourist classics, but also an in-depth local food tour and a glimpse into how  locals live in the area as you explore the path less travelled. If you would like to customise your own tour, visit their alternative website here.

Exploring Singapore is like a never-ending treasure hunt – there's always something new to uncover, whether you're a local or a curious tourist. Discover our country’s history through its iconic landmarks, architecture, and fascinating collections of public art on this walking tour that happens every Thursday. The walk commences at Singapore’s oldest Hokkien Chinese temple, and pit stops at several recognisable sites such as the Civic District, Chinatown, Marina Bay, and National Gallery of Singapore. Also, not forgetting cultural sites from the Singapore River to the oldest Chinese temple.

Yes, we’re all familiar with our local mouthwatering traditional bing, such as pineapple tarts, sesame paste pastries, soft peanut candies, and more. This tour takes you beyond the surface of these traditional pastries facilitated by Gin Thye, one of Singapore’s pioneering bakers when it comes to these goodies. Witness how these bakes are handmade and find out more about the cultural significance of traditional pastries during Chinese festive seasons and weddings. On top of that, try your hands at the pastry making workshop and get a chance to devour it after at the tasting session accompanied with complimentary Chinese tea. And if that share isn’t enough for you, you get to take home some more indulgences at a discounted price.

The first stop for tourists in Singapore, Duck & Hippo offers a variety of tours to suit various kinds of travellers and budgets. It runs the popular hop-on-hop-off bus that operates in the day and night. There are even guided walking tours of key Singapore neighbourhoods like Chinatown, Marina Bay and Little India. The most fun, though, is had on the Duck Tour. The land and sea vehicle takes you on a city tour of the Civic District before the ‘duck’ splashes into the water for a harbour tour. All tours are equipped with knowledgeable tour guides and transfers from a number of city bus tops.

Run by passionate foodie and long-time expat, Karni Tomer, Wok ‘n’ Stroll runs immersive and interactive food tours to Singapore’s best food enclaves, hawker centres, wet markets and more. She calls herself a ‘food explorer’ and attendees get the chance to explore off the beaten track Singapore. Sample Peranakan and Vietnamese food from Joo Chiat or go on an art and food tour around Little India and Tekka Market. Prices average at $110 for a three-hour tour inclusive of food. Karni also willingly customises tours to accommodate vegetarians, vegans and other dietary needs.

Even for born and bred Singaporeans, attending one of heritage blogger, Jerome Lim’s guided tours for the Singapore Land Authority is an eye-opening journey. His tours take you to heritage state properties and lesser-known neighbourhoods you can't access otherwise. Learn about unseen places like Admiralty House, View Road Hospital and Old Changi Hospital – his tours are peppered with trivia, anecdotes and stories of an era gone by. Previous tours include those for the Singapore Heritage Festival, and for future tour dates, keep an eye on his and Singapore Land Authority's social media channels.

The best way to navigate the exhibits of The National Gallery and get the most out of the experience is to go on one of its daily guided tours. It runs 20 free tours a day – these are hour-long tours in both English and Mandarin. There are also separate daily ticketed tours, one which explores the history and architecture of the former Supreme Court and City Hall buildings.

One of Singapore's largest and most impressive museums, the Asian Civilisations Museum has seven galleries showcasing more than 2,000 artefacts from the civilisations of China, South-East Asia, South Asia and West Asia. The first floor of galleries charts the story of trade across the region, while the second floor presents systems of faith and belief and the third features materials and design used in Chinese ceramics from the Han to the Qing dynasty. There are free, volunteer-run daily guided tours of its permanent galleries in English, Mandarin, Japanese, French, Spanish and Korean.

Run by the Betel Box Hostel, these guys are tour veterans and their most informative tour is unsurprisingly the Joo Chiat and Katong Food Walk – the hostel is located on Joo Chiat Road. Most of their walking tours are centered around food and here is where you do adventurous stuff like try frog leg porridge, have a durian feast and try over 30 dishes within 4 hours. Prices are kept affordable at approximately $60 to $100 per tour, all food included.

The guys who run these know Singapore and its ins and outs. Guides include a military historian and those who have been in the heritage education business for years. It’s the easiest tour to join – look at the schedule on their website and simply turn up at the designated meeting point. There are tours every day of the week (except Sundays and Public Holidays) and prices are an affordable $40 onwards. Their most informative tour is the Changi WWII tour that takes you on an anecdotal journey around Changi Prison, the temporary exhibition of the Changi Chapel and Museum, and the Kranji War Cemetery. It’s not all walking, for attractions that are greater distances away you'll be driven there on a bus. 

This tour is as much about the sights as it is about the way you see them – on a super cool Segway. No prior riding experience is needed as your guide gives you a brief training session on how to ride the electric, self-balancing device. The Sentosa Segway Tour is a fun way to explore the picturesque island for two and a half hours or you could do shorter 30 and 60-minute rides around Siloso and Palawan beaches.

These are guided tours for culture heads, history buffs and those who like to dig a little deeper. Jane Iyer and her team are a wealth of information on Singapore’s multicultural landscape and her tours take you inside Singapore’s iconic heritage black and white homes, historically significant military bases, pre-war shophouses and eclectic neighbourhoods. Learn about communities like the Armenians, Eurasians and Jews and discover parts of Singapore even seasoned locals don't know about. She can also tailor makes bespoke tours based on your interests.

Aside from being a rental home booking platform, Airbnb also offers personal and quirky city tours. Boasting over 5000 Experiences across 60 destinations, its growing selection for Singapore include eating and living like a local, and exploring the last kampong or village on the island. Kimchi Workshop & Dine in Experience is hosted by Yoonsun, who will teach participants how to make kimchi. Attendees will also get to savour scrumptious Korean dishes after the workshop.

For those who like to cover more ground than your two feet can allow, choose to tour Singapore on a bicycle. You can choose to bike around Singapore by day or night – all you need to do is show up at the designated time and space. Cycling routes, bicycles, helmets, child seats and GoPros are all provided and prices begin at $95. We recommend the Pulau Ubin Cycling tour which is a great way to explore the idyllic island off Singapore.

Watch the city go by under a blanket of stars on board an open-top double-decker bus. Starting at Suntec City, the bus journeys down towards Marina Bay, Chinatown Food Street for local fare, Gardens by the Bay for the light show, Bugis Street for tropical fruits and souvenirs at a steal, Orchard Road for a scenic drive down the prime shopping belt, before wrapping up at Clarke Quay where the night is truly alive. The tours starts from $62 per person.

Put your helmets on – you’re about to see the city on two wheels. Whether you prefer the bicycle or e-scooter, this alternative night tour lets you meander through spaces tour busses can’t fit into. It’s a great opportunity to see modern skyscrapers and preserved old buildings, as well as life after dark in Singapore, up close and personal. You don’t have to worry about gear either – the guided tour comes with a bike, helmet, water and lights, all from $65.

View the city from the calming waters of the Singapore River. Bumboats have been shuttling down the river for decades. And you can have a taste of this historic experience onboard environmentally-friendly electric boats. The 40-minute experience sails through Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Marina Bay, and is priced from $29 per person.

Starting from $97 for dinner, cruise past the likes of the Singapore Flyer, Merlion Park and Chinatown at night with Michelin Bib Gourmand listed local dishes like claypot yong tau foo and fried rice on board an air-conditioned double-decker bus. Take a break and get some fresh air at Gardens by the Bay before returning to the bus for dessert.