Singapore City Tour: Highlights with Guide & Hotel Pickup

Summary

Experience Singapore’s icons, flavors, and skyline on a guided city adventure

You’ll wander Singapore’s iconic sights with a local guide — from Merlion Park’s waterfront buzz to incense-filled temples in Chinatown and panoramic views atop Mount Faber. With hotel pickup included and roundtrip transfers sorted, you’ll taste street food smells and hear city sounds you’ll remember long after the trip.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered if the Merlion looks as odd in real life as it does in photos? That was my first thought when our guide, Joseph, waved us out of the van at Merlion Park. The air was thick — not quite rain, but that sticky Singapore warmth that clings to your shirt. I could hear kids laughing by the water and someone nearby trying to get the perfect selfie with the city’s mascot. Joseph pointed out Marina Bay Sands across the bay — “It’s like a ship on top of three towers,” he said, grinning. He made us guess how many rooms it had (I was way off).

We’d started earlier at Suntec City, where the Fountain of Wealth was already humming quietly — you can actually smell the wet stone if you stand close enough. It’s bigger than I expected, honestly. After that we drove past all these places I’d only seen in guides: Fullerton Hotel looking stately, the Esplanade with its spiky roof (someone called it “the durian” and now I can’t unsee it), and then suddenly we were in Chinatown. The streets there are tight and busy; red lanterns everywhere, old men playing chess under fans that barely move the air. We ducked into Thian Hock Keng Temple — incense so strong it made my eyes sting for a second. Joseph told us about the Hokkien community here; I tried to repeat one of his phrases in Mandarin and he just laughed — probably deserved.

Lunch break? Not really included, but we grabbed satay from a street stall anyway because the smell wouldn’t let me walk past. After Chinatown, things got quieter as we climbed up to Faber Peak. The city looked almost unreal from up there — glassy buildings poking through haze, ships lined up like toys out on the water. There was this moment where nobody said anything for a bit; just wind and distant traffic below us. I still think about that view sometimes.

The last bit was a drive through Little India — colors everywhere, music leaking out of shops, women in bright saris waving at each other across traffic. By then my feet hurt but I didn’t really care; felt like I’d seen five different cities in one morning. And yeah, they dropped us right back at our hotel door (which felt luxurious after all that walking). If you’re thinking about a day trip around Singapore with a local guide and hotel pickup… well, this is what it actually feels like.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Singapore City Highlights

• Visit Fountain of Wealth
• Explore Merlion Park
• Drive through Chinatown
• Visit Thian Hock Keng Temple
• Shop for souvenirs
• View from Faber Peak

Top questions

What time does the Singapore city tour start?

The estimated pick-up time is 09:00 hrs from your hotel.

Is hotel pickup included for this Singapore highlights tour?

Yes, roundtrip transfers from your Singapore hotel are included.

Does this tour include lunch?

No lunch is included; however there are opportunities to buy food during stops.

How much walking is involved on this city tour?

The tour involves a lot of walking and is not suitable for those who have difficulty walking long distances.

What attractions are visited during this day trip?

You’ll visit Suntec City’s Fountain of Wealth, Merlion Park, Chinatown (including Thian Hock Keng Temple), Faber Peak at Mount Faber, Little India area, plus see landmarks like Marina Bay Sands and Esplanade.

Is an English-speaking guide provided?

Yes, an English-speaking guide leads the tour.

Are public transportation options available nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available near most stops.

What’s included

Your day includes roundtrip transfers with hotel pickup in Singapore and an English-speaking local guide leading you through iconic sights like Merlion Park, Chinatown’s Thian Hock Keng Temple, Mount Faber Peak for skyline views, plus drive-throughs of Little India before returning you comfortably to your hotel doorstep.