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~~

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.

When to Go?

Although Singapore is a year-round destination, the best time to visit Singapore is from December to February when temperatures are cooler.

Where to Stay?

Singapore is incredibly small and easy to navigate, and its public transport system is a dream compared to many Asian cities.

I recommend staying near Marina Bay. Most of the sites are very close to this area. We have always stayed at the Mandarin Oriental. The location is fantastic, the hotel restaurants are delicious, and the rooms are very nice.

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.

Photography Gear

You only need 1 Body in Singapore. I would bring something like a Canon R5/6 or Nikon Z7/8 and a 15-35 mm lens and a 70-200mm lens. You could easily use just 1 lens like a 24-105 or 24-240. I would bring a Tripod and some ND filters for taking long exposures of the Marina Sands Area.

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.

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.

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 NEIGHBOURHOOD

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.

If you have the chance to visit Singapore, do not hesitate. It is a wonderful city to explore for a few days.

If you have enjoyed this guide to Singapore, you can take a look at my other Photography & Travel Guides at this link.

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My Photography & Travel Guide to Singapore