Indie Singapore

Indie Singapore Experience Singapore Differently!

Short for "Independent Singapore", we believe that Singapore is an awesome destination that can be explored by independent travellers and even locals who have been living here all their lives. We believe that beneath the gleaming layer that most visitors see, there is a richer and more colorful culture just waiting to be discovered.

Thrilled to return to Singapore Heritage Festival 2025! We're honoured to participate once again, this year diving deep ...
25/04/2025

Thrilled to return to Singapore Heritage Festival 2025! We're honoured to participate once again, this year diving deep into Singapore’s living heritage with 3 specially curated tours celebrating our precious Intangible Cultural Heritage.

**Conversations with the Kebaya Girl:**
Walk through Kampong Glam and connect with the artisans keeping the UNESCO-recognised Kebaya tradition vibrant. Hear personal stories and understand its enduring elegance. (Saturdays)

**Hawker Tales:**
Go beyond the usual haunts to savour the stories and flavours of our UNESCO Hawker Culture, from hidden gems to a Michelin-starred stop! (Sundays)

**Spice & Spirits:**
Partnering with The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, uncover the legacy of the spice trade and craft your own heritage-inspired cocktail in a hands-on workshop. (17 & 24 May)

Each tour offers intimate access and fresh perspectives on traditions that shape Singapore today. Perfect for heritage lovers and the culturally curious seeking authentic local experiences during SHF.

Ready to explore Singapore's living heritage with us? Spaces are limited for these unique festival experiences!

**Find full details and book your spot via the link in our bio.**

How about experiencing Singapore's history from a kayak this Saturday?See the city skyline unfold from the unique vantag...
22/04/2025

How about experiencing Singapore's history from a kayak this Saturday?

See the city skyline unfold from the unique vantage point of the Kallang Basin, paddling routes steeped in stories, right near the heart of Marina Bay.

Join us for a special, one-time-only History Wanderer kayaking tour this Saturday, April 26th.

We're bringing back this beloved experience for a single session as we prepare for its exciting next season. Having shared this journey over three seasons, including memorable dragon boat night editions, we wanted to offer this exclusive chance before Season 4 launches.

This adventure is brought to life through a wonderful collaboration with PAssion Wave at Marina Bay, blending their passion for water sports with our dedication to storytelling.

If you're looking for a different kind of weekend, a way to engage with Singapore's heritage actively, and meet like-minded individuals, this is it.

Imagine paddling gently, sharing stories, and seeing familiar landmarks from an entirely fresh perspective.

But a heads-up is essential: spots for this Saturday's unique voyage are extremely limited. We anticipate they’ll go fast.

PAssion Card holders enjoy a special price for this experience.

Don't miss this fleeting opportunity. Discover the details and grab your paddle here or in bio:

https://www.onepa.gov.sg/courses/my-bay-experience-history-wanderers-c027140801

Well, it seems we were a bit preoccupied during our recent social media break and missed a rather wonderful milestone!We...
15/04/2025

Well, it seems we were a bit preoccupied during our recent social media break and missed a rather wonderful milestone!

We've quietly crossed the 1500 REVIEW mark on TripAdvisor! 🎉 We're now at 1506, and honestly, the overwhelming positivity is incredibly heartening. Crafting unique walking tours through Singapore is what drives us, but seeing this response warms the cockles of our hearts...

Swipe 👉 to see some highlights...

Reading through your experiences is always a highlight for our team. The thoughtful insights into Singapore's heritage and culture shared in these reviews are fantastic. We've even had one guest memorably share that our guide, "purified (their) soul" during a tour – high praise indeed!

And amidst the sea of 5 stars, we found our single 4-star review. The feedback? The guide was "the best they have ever seen." While we're thrilled by the compliment, it does leave us charmingly wondering how to get that final star!

Swipe 👉 for some of the faces behind the stories!

Jokes aside, seeing these photos and reading every single review reminds us why we love exploring our little red dot, sharing stories about its unique culture, fascinating history, and vibrant food scene. It encourages us to keep digging deeper, keep learning, and keep sharing Singapore differently.

So, a truly sincere THANK YOU to every single person who has chosen to spend their time exploring with Indie Singapore. Thank you for your curiosity, your engagement, and for trusting us with your Singapore experience.

A special thank you goes to everyone who took the time to write about their tour – your words mean more than you know. 🙏

Ready to create your own Singapore story?

Have specific interests? Let's design a Custom Tour tailored precisely to your group's curiosity – be it art, architecture, food, or untold histories.

Keen to explore? Join one of our Free Walking Tours. They're a wonderful introduction to unique neighbourhoods and the Indie Singapore way of discovery.

You can find all the details via the link in our bio.

Five years ago today. April 7th, 2020. Feels like a different lifetime when Singapore took that collective breath and st...
08/04/2025

Five years ago today. April 7th, 2020. Feels like a different lifetime when Singapore took that collective breath and stepped into the Circuit Breaker.

We were just wrapping up tours, exploring hidden corners (like the gorgeous mural at ), blissfully unaware the world was about to hit a giant pause button.

We even optimistically posted back then thinking, "See you in a month!" Oh, the sweet, naive fools we were. 😂 (And yes, we know we've been on a media hiatus – big things brewing, more on that soon!)

The months that followed were... weird. One minute we're doing hyper-glam photoshoots for Singapore Food Festival (shoutout to the amazing & )

The next we're all becoming questionable experts in cookies, banana bread and Dalgona coffee like the rest of the nation (remember when we ran out of vanilla?). life chose us.

Remember that first tentative step back outside during Phase 2? Venturing into a strangely quiet city centre felt like exploring a rediscovered planet.

Then came the pivot – channeling all that pent-up energy into crafting new experiences for the SingapoRediscovers Vouchers. It was a scramble, a challenge, but rediscovering our own backyard alongside fellow Singaporeans felt unexpectedly special.

We even threw in those colourful Tingkats for our first tours back, a little piece of heritage to brighten strange times. 🙏

When borders remained tricky, we went virtual, beaming our walks directly to the most vulnerable amongst us via Zoom. Not quite the same sensory experience, but meaningful for us to give back

Of course, the pandemic reshaped the city, and we sadly waved goodbye to beloved icons like Nam Seng Noodles and Chinatown Food Street – poignant reminders of the living heritage we cherish and sometimes lose. 💔

Through ALL of it, we absolutely leaned on our incredible community and partners. You were lifelines, brainstorming buddies, door-openers, believers in crazy ideas. Thanks to every guest, partner and friend who walked, zoomed, or cheered alongside us.

Your support meant everything, and we owe you endless kopi

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Starting 2025 right! As part of  2025, we were thrilled to kick off the journey by joining the   Night Cycling Expeditio...
16/01/2025

Starting 2025 right!

As part of 2025, we were thrilled to kick off the journey by joining the Night Cycling Expedition with .passionwave and .

Despite the looming threat of torrential rain from the monsoon surge, over 100 participants (including MP ) braved the weather for this special cause. And thankfully, the skies cleared just in time for a breezy, beautiful ride through Marina Bay and Kallang!

As we pedaled past Singapore’s stunning skyline, we got the chance to share secret tales of Kallang’s transformation, hidden stories about Marina Bay, and moments that made us fall in love with this city all over again.

Oh, and as a bonus? We were treated to a free Mayday concert as we cycle around the Sports Hub—talk about good vibes all around! 🎶😉

A huge thank you to everyone who cycled with us, lit up the night, and gave back. Your support helps fuel the fight against cancer!

💖 Want to be part of the bigger picture? Join the Relay for Life 2025 happening from 8-9 March and continue this inspiring journey with us!



👉 Sign up and join us for Relay for Life:
https://www.scsrelayforlife.sg/

Food has always been at the heart of what we do—not just as something to savor, but as a way to tell stories, celebrate ...
19/11/2024

Food has always been at the heart of what we do—not just as something to savor, but as a way to tell stories, celebrate culture, and open doors to understanding Singapore on a deeper level.

When we first started our food tours, the goal was simple: share the places we loved and the dishes we felt connected to. What we didn’t expect was how those meals would spark bigger conversations—about heritage, identity, and even the policies that shape and protect our hawker culture.

It was still surreal to be sharing a panel with incredible voices at the Global Sustainable Tourism Council - GSTC Conference that was held at Sentosa last week.

We talked about sustainable food heritage in tourism. To be able to hear the perspective from the Chairman of the Chinatown hawker association, leaders in the field of sustainability and international policymakers is refreshing and really inspirational.

Honestly, preparing for the panel was a little daunting (we are not sure how we can contribute to the conversation), but it’s also a reminder of how far Indie Singapore has come from those early days of walking tours and food trails. We’re grateful for every guest who’s joined us on this adventure, for every review that shared our story with others, and for the partners and friends (like Singapore Tourism Board ) who’ve helped us grow along the way.

I had the incredible honor to be part of the “Food Heritage in Tourism” panel at . Representing our company and sharing our passion for…

Rain or shine, our tours continue!It had been raining a fair bit over the last few days. Despite the seasonal downpour, ...
17/10/2024

Rain or shine, our tours continue!

It had been raining a fair bit over the last few days. Despite the seasonal downpour, we're committed to giving our guests the best experience possible. This is especially so since we had some really meaningful and heartwarming requests over the last few days (stories to follow in a later post... Hopefully)

It’s been heartwarming to see everyone’s adventurous spirit as they explore Singapore’s rich history and culture with us—even under umbrellas.

While we push forward in all weather conditions, rest assured that your safety and comfort are always top priorities. We’ll do everything we can to ensure you're both safe and enjoying the moment.

Sometimes the best memories are made when we embrace the unexpected!

Our tour goes on rain or shine! Thanks so much to our gungho guests who braved the rain with  .That being said, even our...
05/09/2024

Our tour goes on rain or shine!

Thanks so much to our gungho guests who braved the rain with .

That being said, even our hardiest guides know when the weather is too much to bear.

When that happens, we keep calm and drink tea!

One of life's greatest pleasures is to be in the presence of good company, with a warm drink in hand, as the rain pours down outside.



"We, the citizens of Singapore, Pledge ourselves as one united peopleRegardless of race, language or religion"The powerf...
09/08/2024

"We, the citizens of Singapore,
Pledge ourselves as one united people
Regardless of race, language or religion"

The powerful opening words from our pledge take on extra weight every year during the period of Singapore's National Day. We feel an immense pride in showcasing Singapore’s unwavering commitment to these ideals.

It’s only with the privilege of curating and guiding our tours, that we get to uncover more stories of our young nation. Through that, we’ve come to truly appreciate how difficult it must have been to walk the talk. Building a united, multicultural nation wasn’t easy, but it’s the very foundation of why we love our home.

At Indie Singapore, we’re honored to tell the stories of this remarkable commitment, from the vibrant neighborhoods where different cultures converge, to the lesser-known histories that bind us together as one people. Each tour we offer is a celebration of our shared heritage and values, showcasing the beauty of our diversity and the strength of our unity.

Majulah Singapura!

Has it really been 10 years???We are incredibly honoured to announce that Indie Singapore has been awarded the  Traveler...
16/07/2024

Has it really been 10 years???

We are incredibly honoured to announce that Indie Singapore has been awarded the Traveler's Choice Award for 2024, marking a decade of recognition! This accolade places us among the top 10% of things to do worldwide—something we would not have imagined when we started our journey with small group Free Walking Tours. We wanted to provide an alternative for independent travelers who did not want to go for more commercial tours. We made use of this to unveil different facets of the Singapore Story.

Something must have clicked as we started growing organically. As we explored, we found even more parts of our vibrant city that we fell in love with. We take great joy in uncovering and sharing the stories behind our rich culture.

TripAdvisor has played a significant role in our story. In 2017, we achieved our first major milestone by becoming #1 on the list of "Things to do in Singapore". This recognition was a pivotal moment for us, giving us the confidence to expand our offerings.

Today, our tours span a wide range, from the historical and cultural to the culinary and artistic; we bring you on trains and onto dragonboats on the water. Through it all, our small group Free Walking Tours remain the backbone of Indie Singapore, staying true to our roots of more intimate experiences.

More than anything, we owe our success to our wonderful guests and supporters, especially those who have joined us on multiple tours and taken the time to write such beautiful, heartfelt reviews. Your words and enthusiasm fuel our passion every day.

A heartfelt thank you to our amazing guides who have stood by us through thick and thin (and through extinction level events like COVID), making each tour an unforgettable experience.

Thank you for being a part of our journey. Here’s to many more years of exploring and celebrating the hidden gems of Singapore together!

Last month, we had the immense privilege of being part of the  , a celebration we've proudly contributed to since 2020. ...
28/06/2024

Last month, we had the immense privilege of being part of the , a celebration we've proudly contributed to since 2020. This festival is a beautiful tribute to our short yet incredibly rich history, shining a spotlight on Singapore's lesser-known cultural heritage.

In line with this year's theme, "Built Heritage," we curated two unique tours:

1. **Inclusivity and Diversity Tour**: In collaboration with the , we explored the vibrant diversity along Middle Road, highlighting the cultural mosaic that makes Singapore so special.

2. **Old School Tour**: We took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, focusing on the former school buildings within the district. It was a heartwarming experience to revisit the roots of our education system.

We're overjoyed with the amazing feedback from our guests and are honored to be recognized by the with a certificate of appreciation. The cool tote bag filled with nostalgic childhood keepsakes was the cherry on top!

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us on these tours and to all our partners and supporters. Your enthusiasm and love for our heritage keep us inspired.



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This post highlights Indie Singapore's involvement in the festival, showcases the unique tours, and encourages engagement by inviting followers to join future tours.

Beautiful photos of our 4 weekends of   !I am sure our participants will agree, it was super cool to have this rare oppo...
27/06/2024

Beautiful photos of our 4 weekends of !

I am sure our participants will agree, it was super cool to have this rare opportunity to be paddling in the Marina Bay Singapore in the darkness of night. We are awed by our gorgeous skyline every single time.

More than that, we are very honoured to be part of the 50th anniversary celebration for PAssion Wave as well as the 10th edition of i Light Singapore

Thank you everyone for giving us one of the best jobs in the world!

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