My Photography & Travel Guide to Singapore
Singapore is a gem! It is one of my favorite cities in the world. I have visited Singapore many times and have loved each one of my visits. There is just so much to do and see. We usually spend about three days which is enough time to visit most of the sites.
It is also one of the safest destinations on the planet. It’s not uncommon to see people leave their phones on restaurant tables when they go to the bathroom.
While it’s known as Asia’s financial hub, Singapore has much more to offer than banking. This will be evident the moment you land at the most beautiful airport in the world. At Jewel Changi Airport, you’ll find the Rain Vortex, an indoor waterfall cascading down from a glass roof. It’s simply amazing~~
Singapore Airport
Then, you will be treated to miles of flower-lined streets as you drive into the city.
As one of the most multicultural places in Southeast Asia, from Little India to Chinatown, Singapore offers mind-blowing cuisine, plenty of cultural attractions, and fantastic photography opportunities.
As a photographer, you will undoubtedly come back with many amazing shots. There are so many great photography opportunities, whether you’re looking to capture street photography, churches and temples, botanical gardens, Chinatown, architecture, hawker markets, graffiti, or the endless beautiful destinations in this wonderful city.
Marina Bay
When to Go?
Singapore is a year-round destination with a tropical climate—hot, humid, and prone to short afternoon showers. For photographers, the dry season (February to April) offers clearer skies and great lighting. Visit in August for National Day celebrations or late January/early February to capture Chinese New Year festivities in full swing.
Where to Stay?
The best area to stay in Singapore for photographers is Marina Bay or Kampong Glam—close to iconic landmarks, efficient transport, and vibrant local culture.
Luxury Hotels in Singapore
The Fullerton Bay Hotel: Colonial elegance meets modern luxury on the waterfront.
Raffles Singapore: An icon, and a splurge-worthy retreat steeped in history.
Capella Singapore: A peaceful oasis on Sentosa Island—perfect for photographers who need a break from the city buzz.
Mid-Level Hotels in Singapore
Hotel G Singapore: Trendy, centrally located, and ideal for creatives.
Parkroyal on Pickering: Known for its garden-in-a-hotel concept—bring your wide-angle lens.
Hotel Indigo Katong: Located in one of the city’s most colorful neighborhoods.
Where to Eat
Singapore has so many wonderful restaurants, from Indian to Chinese to Malay. One thing you want to take advantage of is the Hawker Markets. If you saw the movie “Crazy Rich Asians,” there are several scenes in the Hawker Markets. The Hawker Markets are not only delicious and super clean but are also where most Singaporeans regularly eat. One of the most famous markets is the Maxwell Food Center.
Dumplings
From hawker stalls to Michelin stars, Singapore is a culinary paradise.
Top Restaurants in Singapore
Burnt Ends: Fire-kissed dishes in a modern Australian style.
Candlenut: The world’s first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant.
Labyrinth: A Michelin-starred take on Singaporean heritage cuisine.
Hawker Chan: Michelin-rated chicken rice at unbeatable prices.
Tiong Bahru Bakery: A must for flaky croissants and people-watching.
Cozy Coffee Shops
The Glasshouse: Bright, green, and great for editing on the go.
Chye Seng Huat Hardware: Industrial vibes, great coffee, and a photogenic setting.
Symmetry: Laid-back with good lighting and strong lattes.
Photography Gear
You’ll want to travel light, but prepared.
Camera: Canon EOS R5, Sony A7R V, or Nikon Z7 II.
Lenses:
Wide-angle (16–35mm): For architecture and cityscapes.
Standard zoom (24–70mm): All-purpose coverage.
Telephoto (70–200mm): Great for cityscape compression and wildlife at the Botanic Gardens or Sungei Buloh.
Accessories: Lightweight tripod, polarizing filters, ND filters for waterfall shots at Fort Canning, and a drone (check CAAS drone regulations).
Photography Locations
GARDENS BY THE BAY – SUPERTREE GROVE
This is one of those locations that you will never forget. It is not only a beautiful place to take a walk, but you will often find outdoor concerts you can attend for free. It is located right by the Marina Bay waterfront.
The green complex comprises three main gardens and many attractions. My favorite is the Supertree Grove, a set of vertical gardens resembling twelve impressive futuristic trees rising from the ground. These iconic structures, some as tall as fifty meters, look like something out of a movie.
Between the Groves is the OCBC Skyway, which offers stunning views of the gardens below. You can also head to the observatory at the top of the tallest tree to get incredible panoramic views. A nightly light show takes place every day at 7:45 and 8:45 pm. It is worth staying late to watch!
We were lucky to be able to watch a concert one night by the Supergroves.
Cloud Forest
Each time we visit Singapore, we go to the Cloud Forest. This indoor mist-filled tropical rainforest has aerial bridges from where you can get a birds-eye view of the lush vegetation and the indoor waterfall.
Walking through the Cloud Forest is like walking in a modern version of the Garden of Eden. There are so many different types of flowers and plants.
Marina Bay Sands
Marina Bay Sands changed the Singapore skyline. The three 55-story towers at the Bayfront are home to a luxury hotel, a shopping mall, a theatre, and a massive casino. At the top, they’re connected by a 340-meter-long platform, the Sands Skypark.
It is worth visiting Marina Bay to see the incredible views from the Sands Skypark observation deck. You can take photos of the city or the Gardens by the Bay as a background. There is even an infinity pool at the top.
The Helix Bridge
Crossing the Helix Bridge is one of the best ways to admire Marina Bay. It is located just 5 minutes away from the Mandarin. The bridge looks like DNA strands. 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 colorful LED lights, making it an iconic place in Singapore to take photos.
JUBILEE BRIDGE
I love to take early morning walks along the bay. There are very few people so you can take beautiful photos of the city.
ArtScience Museum
Is an iconic cultural landmark right next to Marina Bay Sands. It looks like a Lotus Flower. 
ArtScience Museum
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
The Buddha Tooth Relic temple is located in Chinatown. It was completed in 2007. 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.
House of Tan Teng Niah
In Little India, you will find the colorful House of Tan Teng Niah. It was built in the 1900s by a local entrepreneur who gave it its name. The house is preserved as a national landmark and one of the best places to take photos in Singapore.
In Little India
The Singapore Flyer
The Singapore Flyer is one of the world’s largest observation wheels and offers some of the best views across Singapore.
Orchard Park Public Library
This is one of those spots that is Instagram famous. Yet, it is a beautiful library to photograph.
Chinatown
Every large city has a Chinese community, and Singapore is no exception. You’ll find some great photo spos Chinatown, especially if’, especially if you love architecture, street art, and general street photography.
Little India
Singapore is so great because of its multicultural lifestyle. Walking the streets, you smell the spice shops, Sari stores, Indian street food shops, and stalls selling flower garlands.
HAWKER MARKETS
Singaporeans regularly eat at a hawker market. The Hawker markets are super clean, and the food is simply delicious. Maxwell Food Center was my favorite of the ones we visited in terms of photography opportunities; of course, you have to capture the food.
PERANAKAN HOUSES on Joo Chiat Road
The Peranakan Houses are found on Joo Chiat Road and in the Katong neighborhood. Peranakan refers to Chinese people with Malay or Indonesian heritage, and they are here in Singapore. The shophouses are pastel-colored houses with colorful shutters and ornate designs.
HAJI LANE in the KAMPUNG GLAM
Haji Lane in the Kampong Glam neighborhood is full of fabulous boutiques and cafes housed in charming 19th-century shophouses, some of which gained a splash of color through stunning art murals. The Arab Quarter features two of Singapore’s most well-known photography locations; Sultan Mosque and Haji Lane. The mix of colonial architecture and street art makes Haji Lane one of the most interesting places to photograph.
If you love to photograph murals, then this is the place to come to.
Sultan Mosque is a well-preserved mosque from 1824 with its gleaming golden domes. The best angles for great shots of the mosque are straight down the palm-tree-lined avenue.
You’ll find plenty of quirky street art, boutique shops, and awesome cafes and bars.
CHIJMES
Chijmes Church became famous from the movie Crazy Rich Asians. This stunning building, dating back to 1852, was once a Catholic convent dates back to 1 and sprawls across an entire city block.
Festivals and Events in Singapore
Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb): Lion dances, lanterns, and fireworks.
Singapore National Day (Aug 9): Military parades, fireworks, and patriotic energy.
Deepavali (Oct/Nov): Little India transforms into a wonderland of lights.
Singapore Night Festival (Aug): Art installations, light shows, and after-dark photography.
Final Thoughts
Singapore is one of the most visually dynamic cities in the world—a place where nature, culture, and technology collide in beautiful ways. Whether you're exploring tropical gardens, eating your way through hawker stalls, or chasing reflections off skyscrapers, you'll leave with memory cards full of color, contrast, and surprises.
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