The Best Photo Spots in Singapore You Can Visit For Free
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- By: Peter Orsel
Singapore is one of these countries that’s easy to fit in a big Asia trip. With the best and most efficient airport in the world and one of the best airlines in the world, it’s the perfect city for a stop-over. It’s also home to more free photo spots than you’d expect from a country this small.
I visited Singapore multiple times over the last years. I didn’t really search Google for the best photo spots, but I just took a walk and looked for the best locations I could find.
The best thing? All of the spots I visited and mention in this blog are completely free. Singapore is an expensive city, so it’s great to save some money on activities when you can find spots like these.
In This Post
Jewel Changi Airport
The waterfall at Singapore Changi Airport, officially known as the HSBC Rain Vortex, is probably the most famous landmark inside an airport in the world. Besides that, it’s the tallest indoor waterfall in the world, so you really don’t have a reason to skip it.
Jewel is before immigration, so you don’t need a boarding pass or a flight ticket to get in. The waterfall is on daily from around 10am to 10pm, and in the evening it turns into a light show. More on that below.
For the best angle, shoot from one of the upper levels near the Canopy Park rather than ground level. You’ll get the full height of the waterfall in frame, and you’ll avoid most of the mist that builds up near the base and fogs up a lens.
Lens recommendation: Sony 16-35 F/2.8 GM
Capturing the waterfall of Singapore on a layover
Even on a layover, it’s possible to visit Jewel. The official Changi website recommends a minimum of 5 hours between flights, but in my experience 3 to 4 hours is enough. Immigration in Singapore is fast, but depending on which terminals your flights use, you might need extra time to get from one to the other.
The Jewel Light Show at Night
The light show is not really a show in the way you might expect. It’s more that the lighting on the waterfall turns on and the colours slowly shift, cycling through blue, orange, and yellow. Don’t go in expecting something spectacular, it’s more subtle but can still make great photos. You only need slightly longer shutter speeds. The one above was taken handheld on 1.6 seconds.
China Town
Every big city has a Chinese community and Singapore is no exception. It’s one of the coolest China Towns I’ve ever visited, and I’ve been to places like Bangkok, London and New York. I love watching people play their street games and go about their day in the middle of it all. It’s the place for cheap street food as well.
China Town has a spot that’s all over Instagram: the yellow building reflecting in the rain puddles. It’s easy to find, once you found your way out of the Chinese mall. Go to the People’s Park Complex and try to find the rooftop parking lot. It takes an elevator and some stairs, but once you’re upstairs, you’ll find the yellow building.
Lens recommendation: Sony FE 16-35 F/2.8 GM
Finding Accommodation in China Town, Singapore
China Town is one of the most convenient areas to base yourself in Singapore, with all ranges available from hostels to boutique hotels. A budget option is ST Signature Tanjong Pagar, the place I stayed during my first trip to Singapore. Small but convenient pods, perfect for a solo traveler. If you can spend a bit more, The Clan Hotel Singapore is a great pick for its location, ratings, and rooftop pool.
Gardens by the bay
When someone says Singapore, you think about Gardens by the Bay, and especially the Supertree Grove. These structures rise up to 16 storeys and are covered in real plants, so it’s more than a park of oversized trees. It feels like an oasis in the middle of the city.
I visited during the day and didn’t catch the nightly light show at the Supertrees myself, so I can’t tell you firsthand how it looks. If your schedule allows for an evening visit, it’s worth timing it for that.
Restaurants and cafes line the walking paths, so budget more time than you’d expect. The area is bigger than it looks on a map. The best way to get there is navigating to Bayfront metro station and walking from there.
Lens recommendation: Sony 16-35 f/2.8 GM
Marina Bay
Out of all locations, this must be the best photo spot of Singapore: Marina Bay.
It hosts one of the most famous hotels in the world and some of the best panoramic views in the city.
For the very best views, you can go to the observation desk of the Marina Bay Sands hotel. It costs $32 SGD or $24 USD during golden hour or at night. The downside is: you won’t see the hotel itself.
The best free option is to walk the full loop around the lake. There are plenty of viewpoints and angles along the way. If you visit after sunset, make sure you bring a tripod.
There was one evening when I was just at the right place at the right time. I saw a full moon rise right behind Marina Bay Sands. I pulled my 85mm lens, and got back with some surreal shots.
Merlion Park
Half lion, half fish, the Merlion is Singapore’s most photographed statue. Even though the name says park, this is one of the places where there’s nothing green to be found. The statue is located on the waterfront, directly across the bay from Marina Bay Sands, so you can get both in one frame.
Most people get their proof they visited Singapore here: a photo with Marina Bay Sands, and one with the Merlion statue.
Lens recommendation: Sony 16-35 F/2.8 GM
Helix Bridge
The Helix Bridge is a 280 metre pedestrian bridge connecting Marina Centre to the Bayfront area, right next to Marina Bay Sands. Its double helix structure is modelled on DNA and lights up at night. It has multiple platforms for a downtown view. I didn’t get detailed shots, but it’s another great viewpoint of the whole MBS area.
Library@orchard
The next nice photo spot in Singapore is the public library. Well-known on Instagram, completely free to visit and great to capture. The problem is, it’s so popular that they literally created a spot on the ground saying: stand here to get your Instagram picture. So get creative, and take photos from some original angles too.
Lens recommendation: Sony FE 16-35 F/2.8 GM
Arab Street & Haji Lane
Kampong Glam is one of Singapore’s oldest neighbourhoods. Raffles set it aside in the 1820s as the seat of Malay royalty and the city’s Muslim community, and that history still shows in the shophouses and the golden dome of Sultan Mosque. Arab Street and Haji Lane are the two streets in this old quarter worth bringing your camera to, lined with colourful houses and street art.
During one of my Singapore visits I met up with fellow travel blogger Chihuei. You’ll see her in multiple photos in this post. She’s written some great guides on Singapore as well, so go check out her website for the best 2 day itinerary in Singapore. Perfect for a layover.
The Honeycomb Building
A highlight for abstract photographers here is the building with the honeycomb pattern. I saw it on Instagram before my visit, and randomly ran into it. The best way to find it is to navigate to this exact spot, where the pattern covers the full side of the building.
Lens recommendation: Sony FE 70-200 and Sony 24-70 F/2.8
Clarke Quay
Clarke Quay is known for its restaurants and bars, but it has good photo spots too. It’s about ten minutes from Merlion Park, and the place I usually stay around.
One of the most famous spots here is Old Hill Street Police Station. The colourful windows make it one of the most photographed buildings in the city.
Fort Canning Park
A 10-minute walk from Clarke Quay is Fort Canning Park. From this side, some steep stairs lead you up to a wonderful green park in the heart of the city. This is one thing about Singapore that I really like. You can always find something green, wherever you are. Stroll through the park hunting for some great photo spots. Or head straight to that one shot everyone is getting here.
That Viral Spiral Staircase in Singapore
I’m sure you have seen this famous staircase on Instagram. You’ll find it in Fort Canning Park. I walked past it multiple times, and always see 30 to 40 people lining up to get their shot here. I’ve never done this, but if it’s the shot you really want, go for it. Make sure you bring an ultra wide angle lens.
Lens recommendation: Sony FE 16-35 F/2.8 GM
Where to stay in Singapore?
After multiple trips to Singapore over the past years, I now have my favourite and go-to places to stay. I’ve mentioned before that China Town is a great area to stay for first-time visitors. However, there are other areas that deserve attention too.
I personally like to run in Singapore, so I’d usually prefer to stay not too far from the Marina Bay Sands area. If you come for shopping, Orchard Road might be a better pick for you.
Kinn Habitat
If I only stay one night, I pick Kinn Habitat. A great, clean hostel with a nice cafe downstairs. It’s located in Clarke Quay. They have bunks and private rooms. The bunks are pod-style, and offer a lot of privacy. It’s also within walking distance of Marina Bay Sands. A dorm will cost you around $42 USD, a private around $130 USD. Book it here.
Lyf Funan
When I travel solo for multiple nights, I book Lyf Funan. It gives me a private room and space to get some work done. It’s located above the Funan mall, so there’s easy access to a food court with many food options, plus coworking spots and self-service washing machines. It’s just a 10-minute walk from MBS, and a double room will cost you around $150 USD. Book it here.
Park Royal Pickering is a great place to stay, and it’s very aesthetic too. This is the hotel you see from the top, with the pool, the gardens, and the road running past it. It’s very close to Lau Pa Sat, a great night market with Singapore’s famous satay. Park Royal has multiple locations in Singapore, but the Park Royal Pickering would be my go-to. A double room costs around $439 USD. Book it here.
This one doesn’t need any introduction. Marina Bay Sands is a bucket list hotel and Singapore’s most recognisable building. You automatically get access to some of the best views of both Gardens by the Bay and downtown Singapore. A double room costs around $750 USD. Book it here.
Frequently Asked Questions about Singapore
When is the best time to visit Singapore?
Singapore is hot all year round, like most of Southeast Asia.
If you want to avoid the crowds, come between August and October. If you want to beat the rain, even though it can still rain any day, visit between March and May. December is traditionally the busiest month.
What's the currency of Singapore?
In Singapore, you pay with the Singaporean Dollar. It’s a stable currency, but the rate below could be a couple of cents off.
$1 SGD = $0,78 USD
$1 SGD = $1,12 AUD
$1 SGD = €0,68 EUR
What language do they speak in Singapore?
The main languages of Singapore are English and Mandarin. Most people speak both of them, and out of all Asian countries I’ve visited the proficiency of English was the best in Singapore.
Is Singapore expensive?
Singapore is an expensive destination, especially compared to neighbouring countries. While it’s still cheap to fly into Singapore, your stay itself will be more expensive.
How many days should I stay in Singapore?
It totally depends on your budget and your time, but I would say 5 days is enough for Singapore. It gives you enough time to visit all the popular spots mentioned in this blog, and besides that some time for shopping or theme parks as well.
What are nice activities to do in Singapore?
Besides taking photos, here are a few other things worth doing in Singapore:
What other cities in Asia have nice Photography Spots?
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About Me
Peter Orsel is a Dutch travel photographer based in Bali, specialized in drone and landscape photography. He has visited over 40 countries and writes detailed, no-nonsense guides based on firsthand experience.