Top 10 Places to Take Photos in Singapore

Singapore Photo Spots

Singapore is known as Asia’s prime and ever-evolving financial hub, but it’s not all about business. The state city also offers a wealth of beautiful places. Photo opportunities start as soon as you step off the plane. At Jewel Changi Airport, you’ll find the Rain Vortex, the Insta-hit indoor waterfall that cascades down from a glass roof. Downtown, modern skyscrapers contrast with century-old Peranakan-style houses, colonial buildings, and countless public spaces with lush greenery creating beautiful places to take photos in Singapore. As one of the most multicultural places in Southeast Asia, from Little India to Chinatown, Singapore offers mind-blowing cuisine, lively nightlife, and plenty of cultural attractions.

Here at ​​Flytographer, we easily connect people with trusted photographers for fun photo shoots and have captured over three million memories worldwide. Today, we asked our local photographers in Singapore to show us the best spots for pictures. Here’s what they mentioned as the top 10 places to take photos in Singapore. 🇸🇬

Photo: Gan in Singapore for Flytographer. Max and partner capture their engagement in Singapore with a proposal photoshoot.

TLDR

1. Haji Lane. Glam boutiques and bars in quaint shophouses, all surrounded by colourful art murals.
2. Gardens by the Bay. Singapore’s prime attraction is a marvellous park with otherworldly structures and light shows.
3. Marina Bay Sands. Singapore’s ultimate postcard, an iconic skyscraper with the world’s best-known infinite pool.
4. Singapore Botanic Gardens. A UNESCO-listed site and a historical landmark home to thousands of flower and plant species.
5. Raffles Hotel. This Singapore institution boasts a splendid colonial style and a lush tropical garden.
6. The Helix Bridge. A futuristic pedestrian crossing with stunning city views.
7. Clarke Quay. Jump on a boat ride and party with locals by the riverside.
8. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. A peaceful Buddhist temple with a museum and a rooftop garden.
9. The ArtScience Museum. An impressive Lotus-shaped structure with mind-blowing art and technology inside.
10. House of Tan Teng Niah. This piece of heritage in the middle of Little India is a veritable explosion of colours.

1. Haji Lane

Stylish Singapore is synonymous with Haji Lane, a must-visit spot for the fashionable crowd. This trendy lane in the Kampong Glam neighbourhood is a wonderland of fabulous boutiques and cafes housed in charming 19th-century shophouses, some of which gained a splash of colour through stunning art murals. The mix of colonial architecture and street art makes Haji Lane one of the most Instagrammable places in Singapore. 👍

On Muscat Street, a stone’s throw away from Haji Lane sits one of Singapore’s most popular tourist attractions, Masjid Sultan, also known as Sultan Mosque. Built in 1824 by Singapore’s first Sultan, the mosque has an impressive prayer hall and stunning golden onion-shaped domes that catch the eyes of every passerby. 🕌 Take some time to walk along Muscat Street, also known as Arab Street, for more photo ops and to admire the renovated old buildings, the Omani arches, and the murals celebrating the relationship between Singapore and Arab traders. During evenings, everything gets more lively when people get off the nearby Bugis MRT Station and flock to the area’s trendy bars for happy hour. Cheers!

Photo: Kelly in Singapore for Flytographer. Nicole captures a solo adventure in Singapore at Haji Lane with a solo photoshoot.

2. Gardens by the Bay

You can’t visit Singapore without checking the city’s most spectacular attraction, Gardens by the Bay. This magnificent park sprawls over a whopping 101-hectare area right beside Singapore CBD and the Marina Bay waterfront.

The green complex comprises three main gardens and many attractions. The most notable one is the Supertree Grove, a set of twelve impressive vertical gardens that look like futuristic trees rising from the ground. These iconic structures, some as tall as fifty meters, look like something out of an Avatar movie. 😮 Meandering between some of them, the dramatic OCBC Skyway offers stunning views of the gardens below. You can also head to the observatory at the top of the tallest tree to get dazzling panoramic views as far as the eye can see. Try sticking around until the golden hour, or stay for the light show that happens every day at 7:45 and 8:45 at night, making everything even more magical.

Another one of the best places to take photos in Singapore is the Cloud Forest. ☁️ This indoor mist-filled tropical rainforest has aerial bridges from where you can get a bird’s eye view of the lush vegetation and a fantastic 35-meter-tall indoor waterfall. Believe us, walking through the Cloud Forest is like walking through the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, but in a future world — and that was precisely the inspiration to build the entire bio-dome. 

Note: many attractions, such as the Supertree Grove and the Cloud Forest, require you to purchase tickets. However, walking around the park is free and no less remarkable. You’ll find scenic lakes, manicured gardens, and many more gorgeous places to take pictures. 📸

Photo: Gan in Singapore for Flytographer.  Naveen and family capture a day together in Singapore at the Gardens by the Bay with a family photoshoot.

3. Marina Bay Sands

Since its inauguration in 2010, Marina Bay Sands has changed the spectacular Singapore skyline and become the city’s ultimate postcard. The three 55-storey towers at the Bayfront are home to a luxury hotel, a shopping mall, a theatre, and a massive casino. They’re connected at the top by a 340-meter-long platform, the Sands Skypark. 

Walking around Marina Bay, admiring the breathtaking views, and snapping some wide-angle pics of this iconic building are must-do activities when visiting Singapore. You can also go up to the Sands Skypark observation deck and take pictures from the massive cantilever with the city or the Gardens by the Bay as a background. This is the perfect spot to watch Spectra, the nightly light and water show on the bay side. The Marina Bay deck is well known for its vast infinity pool, the biggest in the world, and a favourite of social media influencers. However, the pool is reserved for hotel guests only. 😢

At the base, the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is an entertainment mecca. Besides having all the high-end boutiques, the mall has light installations by the Japanese art collective, teamLab, a Venice-like canal, and the impressive Rain Oculus, a 22-meter-wide acrylic bowl from where an hourly cascade fills the mall canal with thousands of litres of water. Outside the mall, on the esplanade facing the bay, you can take more pics to make your Instagram feed pop with more Singapore magic. ✨

Photo: Brandon in Singapore for Flytographer. Nicole and family celebrate their family trip together in Singapore at the Marina Bay Sands with a family photoshoot.

4. Singapore Botanic Gardens

The Singapore Botanic Gardens is in no way ordinary. This 163-years old garden has been an important botanical institution since the colonial era, and today it’s a UNESCO Heritage Site.

As soon as you cross the main gate, you’ll see the romantic Swan Lake with majestic swans and a historical Victorian cast iron gazebo built in the 1850s. Walk around the gardens to spot thousands of plants and ancient trees. The best place to take photos in Singapore is the National Orchid Garden, a display with over 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids of orchids. Another highlight of the Botanic Gardens is the Learning Forest, a set of interconnected boardwalks that pass through various habitats and towering trees. 🌳

Check the Palm Valley with its countless species of palm trees for some tropical allure. Other superb experiences include the Bonsai Garden, Fragrant Garden, and Sun Garden, which has a desert-like landscape. You’ll also find excellent dining options within the Botanic Gardens, from a 1920s Art Deco building cafe to a Michelin-star restaurant offering gorgeous vistas of the greenery. 

Tip: Singapore Botanic Gardens sit a few steps from Orchard Road, one of the best shopping districts in Asia. The snazzy stretch of road is a must-visit if you want to witness a bit of Singaporean shopping glamour. 🛍️

Photo: Flytographer in Singapore. Megan and family capture their time together in Singapore at the Botanic Gardens with a family photoshoot.

5. Raffles Hotel

The iconic Raffles Hotel opened in 1887 and quickly became a Singaporean institution. It has hosted several prominent personalities like Charles Chaplin and Queen Elizabeth II. Its elegant ivory facade in colonial style fits perfectly with the tropical gardens making it a true Instagram-worthy place. Open to the public, with many shops and restaurants, the building’s arcade also offers lovely photo backgrounds. That’s where you’ll find many plaques with a bit of background on the hotel’s history and a souvenir shop with personalized merchandise. Fancy a drink? Visit the hotel’s Long Bar and order the legendary Singapore Sling, created at the hotel in 1915. Dress to impress. 👗

Another example of colonial architecture is the impressive National Gallery of Singapore, less than a 10-minute walk from the hotel. The institution is housed in two old official buildings connected by a modern glass hall forming a stunning contrast of old and new. Soon-to-be-married couples flock to the grassland across the gallery for their wedding photo session. Even if you’re not getting married, you should do the same. 😉

Photo: Flytographer in Singapore. Patricia and family celebrate a birthday in Singapore at the Raffles Hotel with a family photoshoot.

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6. The Helix Bridge

Crossing the Helix Bridge is one of the best ways to admire the splendour of Marina Bay. Inspired by the geometric form of DNA strands, the bridge itself is highly photogenic: a modern 280-metre-long structure of twisted stainless steel connecting the city’s business district to the bayfront. Along the way, stop by some viewing platforms and take pictures of the city’s iconic skyline. The bridge looks even more futuristic at night, illuminated by colourful LED lights making it an iconic place to take photos in Singapore.

Tip: you can combine your stroll through Helix Bridge with two other Singaporean landmarks: Merlion Park, near the Fullerton Bay Carpark, and Singapore Flyer. The first has one of Singapore’s most popular landmarks: a ‘merlion’ statue, a mythical creature with a lion’s head and a fish body spouting water from its mouth. The second, Singapore Flyer, is the second tallest Ferris Wheel in the world. Needless to say, the views from the top are absolutely breathtaking. 😍

Photo: Flytographer in Singapore. Jenny and partner start a new chapter together in Singapore at the Helix Bridge with a couple photoshoot.

7. Clarke Quay

Head to historic Clarke Quay and jump on a traditional Bumboat to see Singapore from a different perspective. The boat ride offers beautiful views of Merlion Park, Marina Bay, and the iconic Fullerton Hotel. In terra firma, don’t miss the Old Hill Street Police Station, built in 1934 as the first jail in Singapore. Today, it’s a total social media hit because of its white facade with multi-coloured windows. Nearby, another excellent spot for the best photos and some relaxation is Fort Canning Park. Look for the Tree Tunnel, an underground passage connecting the park to Penang Road. The highlight is the spiral staircase at the entrance, from where you can take a picture of the upward view with the greenery. 👌

Ready for a night out? Clarke Quay is also the epicentre of Singaporean nightlife. Located right by the scenic riverfront, this area is always filled with activity in its trendy bars, clubs, and restaurants. Join the locals for a good drink surrounded by gorgeous scenery. 🍸

Photo: Kelly in Singapore for Flytographer. Lauren and partner capture their honeymoon in Singapore at the Clarke Quay with a couple photoshoot.

8. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

In the bustling district of Chinatown, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is one of the most striking landmarks in Singapore. Relatively new, completed in 2007, and, mind you, built entirely without any use of nails, the design of this Tang-style Chinese temple was inspired by the Buddhist mandala. The exterior, with burgundy wood, green windows, and Tibetan prayer flags, is an iconic place to take photos in Singapore. The interiors are also richly designed, showcasing fine examples of Buddhist iconography. 🙏

The name comes from what the Buddhists believe to be the left canine tooth of Lord Buddha, found in Kushinagar, India, and taken to Singapore. Now the relic rests in a giant stupa, and viewers can observe it from a nearby viewing area. The Buddhist Cultural Museum on the third floor has many more relics and artifacts, as well as a delightful roof garden with a pagoda and prayer wheel — a heavenly spot, indeed. 

Hungry yet? Across the street from the temple is Maxwell Hawker, a hawker centre where you can try genuine (and cheap!) Singapore cuisine. Hawker centres are Singapore’s modern take on century-old mobile hawker carts. Don’t forget to explore a little of the surrounding streets in lively Chinatown.

Photo: Brandon in Singapore for Flytographer. Kamille and family capture a day together in Singapore with a family photoshoot.

9. The ArtScience Museum

Looking like a giant lotus flower with ten petals, the iconic ArtScience Museum is a tech-driven cultural centre that explores the synergy between art, science, and technology. Its permanent show, Future World, also designed in partnership with teamLab, is an immersive, ever-changing landscape powered by augmented reality where you can interact with a beautiful virtual universe — totally mind-blowing. 🤯 Temporary exhibitions will not disappoint either. The museum is famous for receiving large-scale shows with the works of artists like Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol, and Vincent Van Gogh.

From the other side of the bay, it might look like the building is a floating lotus on a huge lily pond, a perfect example of a modern architectural feat in Singapore. Explore the Marina Bay walking board with its beautiful palm trees and check the sleek design of the Apple Store nearby.

Photo: Brandon in Singapore for Flytographer. Fatima celebrates a solo adventure in Singapore at the Artscience Museum with a solo photoshoot.

10. House of Tan Teng Niah

In Little India, and possibly the most colourful villa in Singapore, the House of Tan Teng Niah was built in the 1900s by the local entrepreneur who gave it its name. It’s the only example of many other buildings of the sort in the area that survived Singapore’s real estate boom. Now the house is preserved as a national landmark and one of the best places to take photos in Singapore. The exterior is an eye-catching explosion of vivid colours, such as bright blues, greens, oranges, and pinks, to name a few, all combined to a seemingly psychedelic effect. 🌈 Further details like Chinese calligraphy and floral patterns in the columns make the building even more appealing. 

A visit to the house is often paired with other colourful artworks and installations around Little India. A hotspot of the local street art scene, the area is replete with dazzling murals by local artists commemorating its history and culture. For more colourful architecture, head to Joo Chiat Road, lined with unique two-storey shophouses in the Peranakan style that was common in the city in the pre-war days. A great Instagram spot!

Photo: Kelly in Singapore for Flytographer. Brad and partner capture their anniversary together in Singapore at the Thian Hock Keng Temple with a couple photoshoot.

Capturing Memories in Singapore

There’s a lot more to see and do in Singapore. For some theme park fun, head to Universal Studios Singapore on Sentosa island. If you want to see another unique feat of engineering, take a tour of the Marina Barrage, a dam in southern Singapore built at the confluence of not two but five rivers. The complex doubles as an entertainment spot with a waterfront and city view.

To make your trip even more memorable, book one of our local Flytographers and let them capture all your joy in fantastic Singapore.