It may only be 26 miles long, but that doesn’t stop Singapore from being one of the most vibrant and bustling metropolises in the world. It is a medley of history and modernity, color and concrete, and there really is a new photo opportunity to found around every corner.
A search for Singapore on Instagram will bring back 28 million results if this gives a gauge of just how photo-worthiness this city is! To help you on your quest for the perfect Insta-shots, I’ve compiled a list of my top 10 most Instagrammable places in Singapore.
Photo Tips for Singapore
If you’re heading out to get photos in Singapore, my advice is to do so early in the morning or late in the afternoon. If you go to many of these places during the middle of the day, you’ll most likely find them packed with tourists and, of course, harsh lighting.
The light will be far better for photos during the golden hours of the morning and afternoon and not during the harsh midday sun!
10 Instagrammable Places in Singapore
1. Tan Teng Niah’s house in Little India
1. Tan Teng Niah’s house in Little IndiaLittle India is one of Singapore’s most vibrant neighborhoods, with a highlight being Tan Teng Niah’s former house, which is the only surviving Chinese villa in the area. This vibrant villa has been painted all the color of the rainbow.
How to Get the Shot:
Try shooting from different sides of this colorful building as it looks different from every direction. You may also want to try photographing from a lower angle so you can get as much of the building in as possible.
Go in the morning and then join in on this walking tour to get to know the area more
For a unique & affordable place to stay Little India, Singapore, check out the Atlantis Pod Hostel
2. Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay
2. Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay Arguably one of Singapore’s most unique and Instagrammable locations is the futuristic Gardens by the Bay, and in particular, the Supertree Grove within the premises. Feeling like something out of the movie Avatar, once night falls these spectacular Supertrees come alive with lights and sounds.
The light shows happen twice each evening and are free to watch. I’d recommend visiting just before dusk so you can get photos of the trees in both daylight and when they are lit up.
How to Get the Shot:
My advice is to shoot the Supertree Grove from a low angle with Marina Bay Sands in the background. The low angle should isolate the structures against the sky and help you avoid getting too many people in your shot.
If you want a different perspective of the Supertrees, you can also pay to head up the OCBC skyway, which will also provide nice panoramic views over the city.
This place alone might make you want to move to here. If you have your own business, it is crucial to get tax assistance in Singapore.
Get discount tickets here & while you wait for nightfall, get some food at Satay by the Bay
3. Old Hill Street Police Station
When looking at this striking neo-classic building featuring 927 rainbow-coloured windows, you’d never guess this used to a police station and jail! The Old Hill Street Police Station is no longer is used for criminals, and is instead now one of Singapore’s most photogenic buildings.
How to Get the Shot:
To get the shot, get someone to take the photo on the opposite side of the road from the building then safely go stand on the traffic island in the middle of the road.
There is a lot of traffic on the road, so be patient and wait for it to clear so you can get a shot in front of the building without any cars in view!
4. Street Art at Haji Lane
Haji Lane is Singapore’s equivalent to Melbourne’s hipster alleyways. Filled with hip boutiques, buzzing bars, aesthetically-pleasing cafes and most importantly, a plethora of stunning murals and street art, it’s no wonder this is an Instagram hotspot.
How to Get the Shot:
Take your time meandering through the lane to find the right section of street art that catches you eye. With all the foot traffic passing through the narrow laneway, you may need a little patience to wait for people to clear to get the shot. When I’m photographing street art, I tend to shoot front on in order to remove distraction and have the focus on the artwork.
Fair warning – after visiting all these incredible places you might want to move to Singapore. And if you want to open a company here as a Pte Ltd I wish you best of luck!
5.
5. Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay
Inside Gardens by the Bay complex is also the Cloud Forest, which is a stunning giant indoor rainforest and ecosystem. Here, you’ll find the highest indoor waterfall in the world, which makes for a pretty spectacular photo backdrop.
How to Get the Shot:
The Cloud Forest is always very busy so you will need patience if you want to get a good shot in front of the waterfall. My advice is to use a wide-angle lens or a GoPro for the shot so you can make sure you get the whole waterfall in view.
Included in these discount tickets
6. Marina Bay Harbour
6. Marina Bay HarbourMarina Bay Sands is easily the most iconic and photographed building in Singapore, made famous by rooftop pool extending across three it’s towers. If you don’t manage to swing a stay at the hotel itself and get a shot inside the iconic rooftop infinity pool, a photo with the building in the background has to be the next best thing.
In my opinion, the best spot to get a photo with the Marina Bay Sands is from the opposite side of Marina Bay Harbour. The spot is on Esplanade Drive, right near Merlion Fountain.
How to Get the Shot:
This shot is particularly magical around dusk as the lights are turning on. If you are using a proper camera and a tripod, you could do a long exposure in order to capture the lights and the reflections on the water.
Otherwise, if you are shooting with a phone, try use night mode. If you stay for long enough, you can even catch the Marina Bay Sands light show which is a spectacle in itself!
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7. Katong’s Shophouses in Joo Chiat
The Joo Chiat and Katong Heritage neighbourhoods of Singapore have recently started trending on Instagram and it’s not hard to see why. Along Koon Seng Road you’ll find the extremely aesthetically-pleasing Katong Shophouses, which are all painted in different pastel colours and are adorned with Peranakan floral or geometric tiles.
How to Get the Shot:
Walk along the road till you find a set of colorful houses that catch your eye then shoot straight on to ensure the buildings remain flat. Just be respectful as these are actually houses of locals.
When you’re done, try some laksa
8. Future World at the ArtScience Museum
The ArtScience Museum may not sound like a particularly insta-worthy spot, but one glance at it’s futuristic architecture, and you can see there is more to this building than meets the eye. There are always super interesting exhibitions going on that appease all ages.
Most recently, this has included the very Instagrammable teamLab Borderless Future World. This interactive digital universe features 16 sound and light installations, each as memorizing as the next.
How to Get the Shot:
As there is very minimal light inside the Future World exhibition, you do need a camera that performs reasonable well in low-light and preferable a tripod. You can get photos on your phone but you may struggle with the quality. I would recommend avoiding peak time as the exhibition gets very busy, making it difficult for photo-taking.
9. Arab Street’s Masjid Mosque
9. Arab Street’s Masjid Mosque Arab Street is yet another hub of unique culture and energy within Singapore and is definitely worth the visit (especially if you want to sample some delicious Middle Eastern cuisine)! The most iconic spot along the street is the Masjid Mosque, which is display of architectural magnificence and is one of the most significant mosques in Singapore.
How to Get the Shot:
Once you’re done with taking photos of the colourful buildings and bustling street markets along Arab Street, find a quiet spot to get a photo in front of the Masjid Mosque. As always, your best bet is to get there early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid harsh shadows on the building.
When you’re done, try the food at Zam Zam
10. 1-Altitude Rooftop Bar
Holding the title as the highest rooftop bar in the world, it’s no wonder that 1-Altitude has some of the BEST views over Singapore. With 360 degree panoramic views, you can see all of Singapore’s most iconic structures from the venue. Not only are the views spectacular, the bar has great vibes, making it the perfect spot for a sundowner or to spend the night partying away!
How to Get the Shot:
The bar is open from 6pm onwards so you can time going there for sunset. You do have to pay a $35 cover charge to get in, but this is inclusive of 2 drinks (and all the Instagram shots you could dream of once your at the top!)
You can also book this 1-Altitude Sightseeing Experience for a discount
MY GENERAL TRAVEL TIPS
Travel Insurance
I highly recommend getting travel insurance before ANY international trip. World Nomad’s offer the most flexible worldwide cover that I have come across, and you can purchase a policy online, even if your trip has already commenced. If their prices are too high for you, you can also check out SafetyWings, though SW doesn’t cover tech.
Booking Flights
To book flights, I always use flight search engine, Skyscanner. I find it the easiest way to compare flight prices across airlines and get the best deals. Skyscanner also have a free App (available on iOS or Android) which is great for booking flights on the go.
Photography Gear
Here is a list of the photography gear that I always travel with:
- Canon 6D Mark II
- Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 ii
- GoPro Hero Black 7
- DJI Mavic Pro
- ONA Camps Bay Backpack
- ONA Bowery Bag
Photo Editing
I use Lightroom and Photoshop to edit all my photos. Both these programs are included in the Adobe Creative Cloud subscription (which you can get a free 30-day of here).
What are your favorite instagrammable places in Singapore? Let me know below!
For more on Singapore, read these next:
- Top Tips for Visiting Singapore
- The ULTIMATE 3-day Itinerary for Singapore
- A guide to visiting the Wildlife Reserves in Singapore (and why you shouldn’t miss them)!
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