Experience Singapore Tours: Unique Ways to Explore the Lion City

Singapore is a tourist haven despite being a small island. Not only is there a lot to see and do, but the government and the Singapore Tourism Board have ensured that connectivity and accessibility are not an issue for tourists. This means visitors can spend less time traveling and more time enjoying the attractions.

There are many different ways to experience Singapore. In this article, we will share some traditional and unique methods to explore this vibrant city.

1. Singapore Sidecars Tours

Singapore Sidecars offers the world’s first vintage Vespa sidecar tour. This tour allows you to experience Singapore’s sights, sounds, and flavors in a unique fleet of hand-restored vintage Vespa sidecars. You will visit some offbeat locations!

This award-winning tour provides several options. Choose from Heritage Rides, Night Rides, and Bespoke Rides for groups of 10 or more. One of the best sellers is the Ride and Dine Tour. This tour explores Singapore’s Civic District, Kampong Glam, and Marina Bay. It ends with a dining option at one of Singapore’s established Italian restaurants, Prego, located in the historic City Hall area. Tours can last one, two, or three hours.

Another popular option is the Joo Chiat + Katong, Nonyas, Babas, and Peranakans tour. The Joo Chiat/Katong area is a treasure trove of delicious local food. It is also known for its decorative shops and residential terraces. Developed in the 1920s and 1930s, this area reflects a multi-cultural community with Peranakan, Eurasian, Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures. Joo Chiat/Katong has been dubbed “Little Singapore” and is Singapore’s largest architecture conservation district. This is Singapore’s first heritage town. The two-hour tour includes a visit to the local Hawker Centre.

The Kampong Glam and Civic District Tour is another best seller from Singapore Sidecars. Kampong Glam was once the seat of Malay royalty. It is best known for two landmarks: the Sultan Mosque (Singapore’s largest and oldest mosque) and the Istana Kampong Gelam, the former Sultan’s palace, now known as the Malay Heritage Centre. This area has a rich Malay/Muslim community characterized by traditional businesses like textiles, spices, perfumers, and handicrafts. Over the years, this trade has diversified, attracting a younger and more diverse group of visitors.

2. Singapore Duck Tours

Running successfully for the last 18 years, Singapore’s Original DUCKTours at Suntec City is an award-winning experience. This hour-long tour begins with a city tour of the historical Civic District before splashing into the river for a picturesque harbor tour.

The tour is conducted on a refurbished amphibious vehicle from the Vietnam War. It departs from Suntec City and heads towards Marina Bay. From there, visitors can admire Singapore’s bustling skyline and its most popular landmarks, including Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, the Esplanade Theatre, and the Merlion.

Once back on land, the tour continues with a drive past the Singapore Flyer and into the Civic District. Here, you will visit the Old Supreme Court, where the British surrendered to the Japanese Army during World War II, and the War Memorial Park, which pays tribute to soldiers who died during the Japanese occupation of Singapore.

The tour concludes with a loop around the world’s largest water fountain at Suntec City, known as the Fountain of Wealth!

3. Guided Walking Tour

A walking tour offers visitors the best opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture and history of Singapore. Walking tours can cover historical or cultural landmarks or provide insight into local food.

In Singapore, you can take a guided tour of two of the city’s heritage districts—Chinatown and Little India. This is a fantastic way to enhance your sightseeing experience! A visit to these ethnic precincts reveals the rich history of the area. Chinatown is one of Singapore’s most culturally nuanced neighborhoods. Here, you will discover elaborate architecture, food, and art—a hallmark of a unique melting pot of cultures.

The Chinatown Walk is conducted from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM four days a week, while the other three days are devoted to the Little India Walk.

The Chinatown walk starts at Pagoda Street and navigates through narrow streets lined with conserved pre-war shophouses. You will discover traditional trades such as Chinese Medical Halls, woodwork handicrafts, and tea houses that have stood the test of time. You can also explore the wet market and sample some local biscuits. Visit the Sri Mariamman and Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, which are testaments to Singapore’s multicultural and multi-religious society.

The Little India Walk starts at the Indian Heritage Centre and also navigates through narrow streets lined with conserved pre-war shophouses. You will discover vendors selling spices, gold, flower garlands, and sarees. Navigate through the wet market and visit booths selling fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, and meats. Sample some local Indian sweets and visit the popular Sri Veeramakalimamman Temple to experience the rich culture of the Indian community in Singapore.

4. Cycling Tour

If you enjoy cycling, consider taking the Cycling Tour of Singapore. The Historical Singapore Bicycle Tour is a four-hour adventure that covers iconic attractions. The tour runs daily from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM and starts from the Singapore River. Singapore’s growth story can be traced back to this river, which transformed from a sleepy village town in the 1800s into a financial capital.

The tour covers attractions like the 100-year-old Fire Station, museums, places of worship, and the statue of Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore. Your guide will inform you about World War II and its impact on Singapore as you cycle past monuments honoring those who suffered. As you enter the Business District, you will ride along the Formula One route. During the tour, there will be coffee breaks and opportunities to enjoy local snacks!

5. River Cruise

River cruises have become a popular way to experience a city. Many cities connected by waterways have introduced river cruises to showcase their beauty from a different perspective.

The Singapore River Cruise is a 40-minute journey covering Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, and Marina Bay. The cruise runs daily from 10 AM to 8 PM. Previously, traditional sail-powered bumboats were used, but today’s bumboats are silent, environmentally friendly electric versions.

The cruise highlights various bridges spanning the Singapore River, such as the Anderson Bridge, named after Sir John Anderson, the Governor of the Straits Settlements. Built in 1910, it is one of the oldest bridges in the area. The Coleman Bridge, constructed in 1840, is named after its architect, George Drumgold Coleman, an Irishman who moved to Singapore in 1826. The Helix Bridge is the newest bridge, lit up at night in red and green.

Cruise down the Singapore River on a traditional bumboat and embark on an exciting voyage through time. Witness Singapore’s transformation through its historical buildings and iconic landmarks, including the Raffles Landing Site, Parliament House, Asian Civilizations Museum, Merlion Park, Esplanade Theatres on the Bay, and Marina Bay Sands. You will enjoy the scenic view of the new city skyline at Marina Bay, with plenty of photo opportunities!

Singapore Tours Conclusion

Whether you are visiting Singapore for the first time or have been here before, these experiences will offer you a different perspective of the Lion City. The Singapore Sidecars Tour and the DuckTours are unique to Singapore and highly recommended. A walking tour is a great way to immerse yourself in the culture and heritage of the city. While many people focus on key attractions, a walking tour uncovers hidden gems and places you may not find on typical travel websites.

Corporate Concierge Solutions is a Travel Concierge with over 15 years of industry experience. As a Travel Concierge, we take pride in creating memorable experiences for our guests. From customized holiday packages to assistance with travel basics like booking flights, hotels, and transportation, we are here to help.