Overview
Whether you're in Singapore for the first time or are lucky enough to have visited before, there's always more to do, see and experience around the Lion City.
Rather than just stop in and marvel at iconic attractions, discover local stories and learn something new the next time you're in the city, with a guided tour by local experts. In partnership with Singapore Tourism, we've pulled together some fascinating tours — many of which are free — where you can get access to insider knowledge to uncover a new side to Singapore.
Singapore Walking Tours
Kick off your Singapore trip with a walking tour to get your lay of the land. There are several tour operators around the city, but Monster Day Tours is one of the few that offers free daily walking tours through different neighbourhoods.
Over two-and-a-half hours, you'll be guided through the historic areas of Chinatown, Kampong Gelam or Little India. If you're more interested in the contemporary side of Singapore, there's also tours of Marina Bay and the Singapore City. You can try your luck joining in on the day, but priority is given to those who have booked a spot in advance.
Marklin Ang
Gardens by the Bay
With 1.5 million plants from across the globe spread across over 100 hectares, you could visit the Gardens by the Bay many times over and still not have seen it all. That's why the Gardens offers a series of free sustainability and nature tours around the massive park.
Every Saturday and Sunday between 8.30–11.30am, you can learn about topics such as water conservation and sustainable design practices, biodiversity and ecosystems, the sensory features of plants, and the impact of carbon on our climate as a guide takes you through parts of the park. Although it's free to join, you'll have to reserve a spot ahead of time to ensure you don't miss out.
Mandai Wildlife Reserve
Make some new furry friends when you get a close-up look at local wildlife on a behind-the-scenes tour. Mandai Wildlife Reserve consists of Singapore Zoo, River Wonders, Bird Paradise and Night Safari, and each park offers a range of exciting experiences.
Explore Asia's first river-themed animal park with a personal guide or embark on a nighttime adventure through the world's first nocturnal wildlife park. At the Singapore Zoo, you can jump aboard a private buggy for a tour of the orangutans, tigers, KidsWorld and Wild Africa, before you get to meet a giant tortoise and participate in feeding the giraffes. Be sure to add on a backstage experience when you book your ticket.
Brass Lion Distillery
Brass Lion Distillery is a gin distillery known for its flagship Singapore Dry Gin, along with atypical gins that incorporate local flavours and aromatics, such as osmanthus oolong, butterfly pea and jasmine.
For an in-depth experience, book in for the 50-minute distillery tour. Not only will a guide take you through the history of the brand and its production process, but you'll also be treated to a welcome drink and tasting flight of three gins in the upstairs Tasting Room. For a bespoke souvenir, choose your own botanicals and make your own gin to take home at the Brass Lion Gin School.
National Gallery Singapore
Let's be honest — it can sometimes be a struggle to fully comprehend or appreciate complex works of art. Give the artists the admiration they deserve and delve into major works by Singapore, Southeast Asian and international artists with docent-led tours at the National Gallery of Singapore.
There are free tours ranging from deep dives into specific exhibitions and artists to a highlight tour of the whole gallery or building tours of City Hall and the former Supreme Court. Some of these tours require admission passes and you can register for a spot once you're at the National Gallery.
Peranakan Museum
Explore a significant part of Singapore's history and culture at the Peranakan Museum. 'Peranakan' is derived from the Malay word meaning 'local descendants', and the museum showcases the origins of Peranakan culture in Southeast Asia, as well as contemporary expressions of the culture.
Peruse historical artefacts alongside textiles, furnishings and ceramics. The museum also offers free guided tours every day, and you can register on the day once you've paid for admission to the museum.
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