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
75 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
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!
Awesome Singapore tour!
Frank W,Mar 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Tour guide Ping was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about everything. She had lots of great insights and stories about Singapore to share. Highly recommended!
Excellent tour
Excursion669975,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ping is a wonderful guide. She is knowledgeable, personable and has an excellent sense of humor. She showed us a considerable amount and took us places we would not have gone otherwise, providing relevant, digestible information all along the way.
Excellent Tour!! Ping was a joy! She is professional, kind, helpful and extremely knowledgeable of the history. THX!
jdeloach330,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Wonderful tour and leader! If you are lucky, you will get Ping who is one of the best Tour leaders we have ever had. Thank you.
Brilliant tour
CathyC625,Feb 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely brilliant tour, Ping was friendly, knowledgeable, engaging and shared some very poignant family history which really brought the situations to life. History, geography, economy...got to go in some buildings you would never normally go in to. But most of all great fun! It's just her, not a big tour operator, it really does get that personal insight and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Fabulous walking tour, learned so much
Andy C,Feb 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Such an excellent tour! Ping was so informed, easy going and had great insight into the history, economy and present day Singapore. We learned so much and got inside buildings and discovered places we would never have thought of! She also told us some of her family history in the context of WW2 which really struck home. Thoroughly recommended. Pic is of our group in the holding cell of the Supreme Court (we're innocent m'lud!!)
From SGD 68.88
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