Splendour of Colonial Singapore Walking Tour with Lunch
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
On this walking tour, we cast our minds back more than 200 years to a time when Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffles of the British East India Company arrived in Singapore, started a British trading post in 1819, became part of the Straits Settlements in 1826, and eventually a separate colony of the British crown in 1867.
We’ll visit well-preserved structures from the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian eras, and stately neo-classical style buildings, which have all been restored to showcase the splendour of Colonial Singapore.
We pay tribute to our former colonial masters who left behind their legacy of careful town planning, sound legal system, good education system, solid infrastructure, impressive architecture, etc, which have certainly played a significant part in the development of modern Singapore.
At about midday, we’ll kick back and enjoy lunch by the Singapore River at Boat Quay, before we resume our tour of the Civic District and Old European Town.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
St Andrew's Cathedral
Our story begins with how the British started their trading post in Singapore in 1819, where the early European settlers built their homes, and how the first Anglican church came to be constructed in 1836.
National Gallery Singapore
We explore the 2 colonial buildings which now make up the National Gallery Singapore, namely the Former Municipal Building (later renamed City Hall Building) and the Former Supreme Court Building. Step into the chamber where Lord Louis Mountbatten accepted the surrender of the Japanese on 12 September 1945, the holding cells of the former Supreme Court, etc.
What‘s Included
Licensed tourist guide and disposable poncho in the event of rain.
3-course lunch by the river, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
Gratuities.
Options
Splendour of Colonial Singapore Walking Tour with Lunch
Reviews
80 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent and thorough and historical
Henry J,May 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent and fascinating tour around multiple sites, with historical relevance. Knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide who gave great insights to history and culture.
Colonial tour with Ping….amazing!!
Elizabeth H,May 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide Ping was extremely knowledgable and we had such a great tour with her. She answered lots of questions and made the tour so enjoyable
Ping is an amazing tour...
Christine G,May 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Ping is an amazing tour guide! She is so knowledgeable and enthusiastic and clearly is passionate about her job. I loved that she took photos throughout the tour and sent them to us at the end. I learned a lot and had a great time!
Highly recommend this behind the scenes look at Singapore's history and culture
lindamS8185HE,May 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time on this tour - Ping is an excellent guide and we learnt a lot about Singapore's history, and the life style of its people. She took us to lots of out of the way places you'd never know about without insider/local knowledge. Lunch was great, the tour was well planned out, and lots of interesting and relevant information. Enjoyed this tour so much we did another with Ping as our guide the next day.
Recommended and better than expected...
Seaside13793020718,May 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Above and beyond. Pings knowledge, passion and story telling make for a great way to experience the history of Singapore, not forgetting lunch and short breaks all well planned.
Fascinating historical walking tour
Jane M,Apr 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a fabulous tour that I would highly recommend! Ms Ping was an excellent, knowledgeable guide who brought the fascinating history of Singapore to life during our visits to the beautiful historic buildings visited during the tour.
An excellent tour by an excellent guide (Ping)
Ann M,Apr 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Ping was a very knowledgeable and professional guide. She had clearly planned the experience very carefully so there was a good balance of walking a sitting along the way. Some bits were outside and most parts inside had the benefit of some air conditioning, There were two toilet stops provided. This was a really interesting mix of history and interesting buildings. Even our teenage son said it was a good tour :) There was a nice lunch included including a soft drink and a small dessert. While watching the water by the restaurant we saw an otter. At the Armenian church we saw two blue kingfishers which was also a surprise.
A wonderful tour of Singapore's buildings relating to its colonial history.
PippaA34,Apr 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a fascinating tour of the buildings relevant to colonial history in Singapore and how the country has developed since independence. We really appreciated pings family stories...it really brought her narrative to life. Our favourite place was the Armenian church...a sideline to the main history of Singapore but such a beautiful simple and atmospheric place.
Informative & passionate.
DesH899,Apr 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I would highly recommend this tour. Guide, Ping, was very informative and passionate about the subject, keeping us all engaged. Relating the history of colonial Singapore about her own family, brought it to life. Group photo at each location a bonus. Lunch stop enjoyable.
History Knowledge Walking Tour
CATHY D,Apr 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour guide, Ms. Ping, was absolutely fabulous! She was a wealth of knowledge, and the tour was packed with fascinating insights about the history, buildings, and people. She also went the extra mile by taking photos and sharing them with the group, which was such a thoughtful touch. Lunch was great as well. Highly recommend!
From SGD 68.88
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