Love taking photos when you travel? 

Whether it’s just a hobby or you’re a full-blown professional, Singapore is a destination that just about every photographer loves. From lush pockets of greenery hidden around the city, to towering skyscrapers, glittering lights and a colorful culture, here are the nine most photogenic spots in Singapore.  

Emerald Hill 

Let’s begin with a location that many would say is quite the hidden gem…

Located just off the city’s most famous shopping street, Orchard Road, this small community is packed with exquisite Chinese Baroque architecture. Many of the traditional shop-houses here, which date back to the early 1900’s, have been restored to their former glory, giving you a gorgeous glimpse into Singapore’s Peranakan past.  

To get the perfect shot: 

• Visit early in the morning, as Emerald Hill can become pretty crowded as the day goes on 
• The most colorful shop-houses can be found at the area’s entrance, where Emerald Hill meets Orchard Road
• Explore different angles when taking pictures of shop-houses, as they can look completely different from each side

While you’re there…

The restaurants and bars at Emerald Hill are always popular. They serve up some fantastic food and drink, while also providing such a unique ambience. Try Black Nut for some Asian fusion or No. 5 Emerald Hill for well-priced cocktails. 

Marina Bay Sands SkyPark 

Although Marina Bay Sands only opened its doors in 2010, it has quickly become an iconic part of Singapore’s skyline. This hotel, which is also a shopping mall, a museum, the world’s most expensive standalone casino property, a theatre and so much more, is famous for its SkyPark – a 340 meter long platform that hangs over the building’s north tower. 

As you probably already know from the countless photos out there, an infinity swimming pool can be found on this platform, along with restaurants and bars. While many would say that the infinity pool is the best spot for a stunning photograph, this backdrop has already been done so many times now, so take a look at what else the SkyPark has to offer…

To get the perfect shot: 

• Keep in mind that tripods are prohibited, but you can still bring along a portable pod that you can attach to the SkyPark’s railings 
• Plan your visit for a day that isn’t hazy, otherwise your view will be severely obstructed
• If you are visiting at night, experiment with different shutter speeds to capture the many lights in different ways

While you’re there…

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is a shopping mall well worth visiting. The mall is large, and there is even an indoor canal, complete with gondolas, running through the mall, giving a completely new meaning to the term “window shopping”. 

This is where you will find the largest selection of luxury brands in Southeast Asia, including two OROGOLD stores. This is the perfect place to treat your skin to some luxury, with product samples, demonstrations and expert skincare advice. 

Punggol Waterway Park

Want some time away from the hustle and bustle of the big city? 

The Punggol Waterway Park, which can be found in the suburb of Punggol, is home to the largest man-made waterway in the country. There are different themed areas to visit here, each one offering up its own array of stunning photography backdrops. 

To get the perfect shot: 

• Visit early in the morning or late in the evening, as this park can get busy with recreational users 
• The Nature Cove is ideal for tranquil, scenic shots
• The Heritage Zone and the Green Gallery is where to go if you are looking for mature trees and vegetation

While you’re there…

Punggol is quite an up-and-coming neighborhood, so there are several different things that you can do here. From a session at an outdoor gym to horseriding at the Gallop Stables to sampling the freshest seafood, or even trying your own hand at some fishing, Punggol is guaranteed to entertain. 

Haji Lane

If you have already spent some time looking at photography of Singapore, then Haji Lane is an area that you have likely stumbled upon a few times. 

This is quite a bohemian part of Singapore, meaning that the vibe here is so different from anywhere else in the city. From hip bars to striking street art to independent fashion boutiques, it is easy to see why so many tourists are determined to check out Haji Lane during their visit. 

To get the perfect shot: 

• The street art and colonial architecture are the stars of Haji Lane, so choose a wall that you genuinely like and then strike a pose 
• Try to shoot front on, so that the artwork in your shot doesn’t end up distorted
• Head to the corner of the block just at the start of Haji Lane for some beautiful art that is juxtaposed with lush green trees

While you’re there…

You won’t be able to resist browsing through the charming stores here. If you plan your visit around a mealtime, the many restaurants here will delight you. Evenings are also great, with many of the Haji Lane bars offering up happy hour deals. 

It is also worth exploring a little further afield, checking out the kampong heritage of Arab Street. The Masjid Sultan Mosque is also located here, promising some magnificent photo ops. 

The Cloud Forest 

Gardens by the Bay is one of Singapore’s most popular tourist attractions. Just last year alone, more than 50 million visitors spent some time at this landmark, with these numbers growing steadily each year. In addition to being home to expansive outdoor gardens, along with the Supertree Grove (massive tree-like structures that collect rainwater, solar energy, and more), Gardens by the Bay is also where you will find the Cloud Forest. 

Wondering what the Cloud Forest is? 

It is an environment designed to replicate a tropical mountain region. Visitors can climb (or take the elevator) to the top of the Cloud Mountain, and then work their way down a circular path until they reach the bottom, with a 35 meter waterfall cascading down along the way. 

To get the perfect shot: 

• Make sure you bring along a small cloth – all of that condensation and mist will quickly build up on your camera lens 
• If you are using automatic settings, click over to “cloudy”, as this will bring out the rich colors of the greenery around you
• The Cloud Forest is misted every two hours – if you can time your snaps for one of these sessions, your photos will have a beautiful ethereal quality to them

While you’re there…

It goes without saying that the rest of the Gardens by the Bay should definitely be explored. You may as well set aside an entire day for this visit, as there really is so much here to see and do. 

Little India 

If you love color, culture and heritage, then Little India is the place for you. The area gets its name from Singapore’s colonial past, since this is where Indian immigrants would settle. Although the Indians of Singapore now live all over the island, Little India is still home to many Indian-based businesses and restaurants, keeping the culture of the area thriving. 

Serangoon Road is the main road that runs through Little India, and while there are plenty of sights, sounds, smells and more to experience here, the smaller side streets that split off from the main road are worth exploring too. 

To get the perfect shot: 

• There are many colorful shops and houses here, but try seeking out the famous former house of Tan Teng Niah. Painted in all of the colors of the rainbow, this is the only original Chinese villa that still survives in the area, giving you a photo that is both vibrant and historic at the same time 
• The intricacy of the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple reflects well in photos, with this temple known for being one of the oldest in the country
• For an authentic snapshot of a busy local market, head over to the multicultural Tekka Market

While you’re there…

You can’t visit Little India without stopping off to sample some authentic Indian cuisine. Many of the restaurants here are South Indian, meaning that they are vegetarian, but you definitely won’t miss your meat when you try some of their specialties. 

Head to the Kamala Restaurant for a classic thosai, or to the Banana Leaf Apolo for their legendary fish head curry. If you’re feeling extra hungry, the buffet at the Madras New Woodlands will have you feeling satisfied in no time. 

The TreeTop Walk 

The first of its kind in Southeast Asia, the TreeTop Walk sits high above a mature secondary forest, giving you a literal birds-eye view of the forest’s canopy layer. This unique walkway stretches out for about 250 meters. Its highest point is 25 meters, and this varies depending on the height of the forest floor itself. 

To get the perfect shot: 

• Don’t visit during peak hours, unless you want other people in your shot 
• Keep turning back to photograph the views behind you, as you can only walk this walkway in one direction
• When you reach the split in the path at Sime Track, take the path that leads to the Jelutong Tower, which is a great place for photographing some of the rare birds that live in this area

While you’re there…

If you love outdoor adventure, then the TreeTop Walk joins on to several other hiking trails in this area. The Southern Ridges is one that you will particularly enjoy, with this 10 kilometer trail network offering up views of both the city skyline as well as the island’s green pockets. 

The Helix Bridge 

Want to photograph some cutting-edge architecture? 

The Helix Bridge, which can be found in the Marina Bay area of Singapore (mentioned earlier), is spiralled like a double helix, with DNA playing a huge role in the inspiration behind this design. In fact, this was the first double helix structure in the world. The bridge has won numerous awards, and, even if you don’t have time to walk it, it is still worth checking out from a distance. 

To get the perfect shot:

• The Helix Bridge is lit up in an array of colors at night, making this a great spot for some night photography 
• The bridge offers some great views of the skyline, and there are four viewing platforms to ensure that you get the perfect shot, even if it is raining 
• Head on over to other parts of Marina Bay to capture the bridge from a distance 

While you’re there…

Check out the rest of Marina Bay Sands. There are several public walkways taking you around the water, with each bend offering skyline photos that are a little different from the last.

Sentosa

Many people don’t realize that Singapore consists of more than one island. The country boasts several smaller islands too, one of which is the attraction-packed Sentosa. With everything from theme parks and waterparks to beaches, casinos and fine dining, Sentosa is a lot like the main island, except condensed into a much smaller area. 

To get the perfect shot: 

• To be photographed next to a sign that states that you are at the southernmost point of continental Asia, head to sandy Palawan Beach 
• For a backdrop of luxury super-yachts and upscale eateries, check out Quayside Isle 
• The acrylic walkway at Underwater World will see you surrounded by sharks, jellyfish and many other species of marine life

While you’re there…

As you can tell, there is so much to do on Sentosa. There are several hotels here too, making it easy to spend a few nights and really explore all that the island has to offer. Whether you want a relaxing, tropical poolside vacay or a stay filled adrenaline-pumping adventure, Sentosa really does have it all. 

Singapore as a whole is so photogenic. Just about everywhere you go, you will find special nooks and crannies that will have you whipping out your camera and framing up the perfect shot. However, for photos that are truly memorable, these nine spots will not do you wrong.