Singapore’s Best Photo Spots & Instagrammable Moments

In a world teeming with endless possibilities and boundless adventures just waiting to be grasped, now is the time to ignite your imagination and delve into spellbinding Singapore. Join me and digital creators @alifeofattraction as we guide you on a voyage of discovery around the city’s most alluring spots, from soaring skyscrapers to tempting gastronomy. Make sure your camera is poised to record the sights in all their glory.

Magnificent views

Singapore has an unmistakable aesthetic appeal, from the dazzling skyline to the many serene green retreats. With backdrops like these, it’s easy to take beautiful pictures.

#1 ASTOUNDING ARCHITECTURE

Singapore may be among the smallest countries in the world, but its architectural ambition and achievements are certainly mighty. Marina Bay Sands is one of the most recognisable feats of engineering on the planet – three shimmering towers with the SkyPark Observation Deck breathtakingly balanced atop. Time your visit for sunset, where you’ll be rewarded with views of a scarlet-streaked skyline.

For another stunning spot for an impromptu photo shoot, head to the leafy aerial walkway at OCBC Skyway. This is also a great vantage point to take in the Garden Rhapsody Light Show at Gardens by the Bay. A spectacular sight where the vertical gardens, known as supertrees, are illuminated, the action is synchronised to a musical soundtrack.

For more lofty views that will lift your spirits and your follower numbers, take a spin on the Singapore Flyer, one of the largest observation wheels in the world. You can also appreciate the vast scale and unwavering enterprise that epitomises the city from the rooftop garden at Funan Mall or the Sky Garden at CapitaSpring.

#2 LUSH LANDSCAPES

To balance the modernity of this metropolis, some time in nature is the order of the day. Fortunately, Singapore is considered the greenest city in Asia, with more than 300 parks and gardens.

Slip away to Singapore Botanic Gardens, the only tropical botanical garden on the UNESCO World Heritage list. An early morning visit to the swan lake and the orchid garden will give you the most ethereal light for your snaps. 

For another sanctuary in the city, head to Henderson Waves. As you meander along the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore, admire the birdlife in the canopy of trees and soak up city and harbour views. This calming spot is especially magical at night when it’s illuminated to create a wave of light.

A haven for those searching for quietude, take a trip to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve with its monitor lizards and kingfishers, or laidback Coney Island Park with hidden beaches and resident otters. Venture into Singapore’s coastal forests at Sentosa, or kayak through mangroves on the island of Pulau Ubin. 

In fact, your immersion in the flora and fauna of Singapore can start the moment you arrive. Jewel Changi Airport is home to Rain Vortex, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, as well as the Butterfly Garden, both of which will do wonders for your stress levels and your Insta stories. While on the subject of the airport, you simply have to descend the giant Discovery Slides that send passengers to their gates!

Gardens by the Bay is brimming with beautiful photo opportunities. 

Peirce Reservoir is a calm spot for nature lovers.

Central Fire Station has a distinctive facade. 

The Joo Chiat neighbourhood is renowned for its colourful shophouses. 

Nature is ever-present in Singapore. 

For a memorable way to see the city, choose a vintage sidecar tour. 

#3 CAPTIVATING CULTURE

In addition to dramatic skyscrapers and natural beauty, Singapore has many more fascinating sites.

While its cutting-edge modernity is undeniable, Singapore also has a rich history. It’s well worth a trip to the city’s oldest Hindu temple, Sri Mariamman, embellished with mythological figures, or Buddha Tooth Relic Temple with its intricate carvings.

Another cultural highlight is the National Museum of Singapore, which charts the journey from trading port to futuristic megacity. For something a little different, Esplanade is a performing arts venue with a mesmerising exterior inspired by the durian fruit. Meanwhile, ArtScience Museum in the shape of a lotus is also calling out to be immortalised in your photos. 

Exquisite cuisine

If you are enthralled and enthused by food, Singapore is an ideal destination for you – and for your grid.

#1 SENSATIONAL STREET FOOD

Prepare for an explosion of colour on your social media and flavour on your palette, thanks to Singapore’s hawker centres. Lau Pa Sat, Maxwell Food Centre, Newton Food Centre and Liao Fan Hawker Chan – the first hawker stall in the world to receive a Michelin star – are all unmissable.

Chilli crab and chicken rice come highly recommended, along with rich, aromatic laksa, topped with rice noodles and shrimp or cockles. Roti Prata, a flaky, crispy flatbread, is divine, especially when stuffed with cheese or other sweet and savoury toppings. 

“We currently live in the UK but we met in Singapore and love going back there as tourists – it’s constantly evolving so there’s always something new to discover! We miss the food the most, so we head straight to the hawker centres where the people running the stalls have been mastering their specialities for generations. It’s the best way to get an authentic local experience.” 
@alifeofattraction

#2 FINE DINING

You won’t be short of chic restaurants in Singapore to whet your appetite – many of which have Michelin stars to their name.

You’ll find Pangium at Singapore Botanic Gardens, offering sweeping views and gorgeous foodie shots. 

For a gastronomic tour around the globe without leaving the city, there’s also Born, which seamlessly fuses French and Chinese influences. Three-Michelin-starred Zén is where Swedish, Japanese and French flavours collide, while Nae:um is the place to be for exquisite Korean dining. With artfully prepared dishes in restaurants all around the city, a visual feast awaits.

#3 DELIGHTFUL DRINKS

Now, something for the cocktail connoisseurs! A Singapore Sling is obligatory when you’re in this part of the world. Featuring gin, curaçao and Bénédictine, topped with pineapple and lime juice, it was first concocted by a bartender at the Long Bar in 1915.

For something more restrained, sip a refreshing sugar cane juice, or a rose syrup bandung with its floral flavours. The kopi, or coffee, is also likely to be some of the best you’ve encountered, thanks to the caramelised coffee beans, roasted with sugar and margarine, to bring out a rich flavour.

“At the hotel, our favourite spot is The Bar at 15 Stamford where you can choose from the largest rum collection in Singapore or sip a delicious cocktail in filmlike Art Deco surroundings.”
@alifeofattraction 

The neoclassical-style Capitol Building dates back to 1933. 

The bright colours of the Joo Chiat neighbourhood are the perfect backdrop.

The outdoor saltwater pool is perfect for relaxation. 

The Bar at 15 Stamford has a striking design. 

Afternoon tea is always a deserving photo opportunity. 

Dining at The Capitol Kempinski Singapore is a delicious experience.

Extraordinary moments

Wherever in the world your wanderlust takes you, your experience is about more than just the sights you see and dishes you sample. It’s about how the place makes you feel. The precious moments of adventure, tranquillity, connection and reawakening are what will linger in your mind – and on your camera reel – and Singapore can offer these in spades.

#1 AWE-INSPIRING ACTIVITIES

Sometimes our Insta grid is calling out for something that little bit… different. So, why not take a sidecar tour of the city in a vintage Vespa for attention-grabbing photos? Participate in a dragon boat race, or try e-Foiling, an exhilarating water sport with battery-powered boards that allow you to fly over the water. For something else high-octane, spend the day at Universal Studios Singapore or Adventure Cove Waterpark.

#2 SUPERB SHOPPING

One of the simple yet satisfying pleasures of travelling is returning home with a little taste of your destination. And Singapore has shopping opportunities aplenty – many of them could not be more convenient. Raffles City Shopping Centre, City Link, Marina Square and Funan Mall are all connected to The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore via an underpass, so you can browse whenever you wish. 

Orchard Road is another of the famous shopping streets with malls and major international brands. For more unusual independent boutiques with a splash of vintage, try Joo Chiat Road or Keong Saik Road. Thanks to their quirky cafes and eclectic goods, these make a great photo stop.

#3 RELAXATION AND REJUVENATION

After sightseeing and shopping, your trip to Singapore simply must include some time to unwind. 

Plunge into the refreshing pool at Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore, soothe your muscles in the jacuzzi, or indulge in a signature Singapore massage at the luxurious spa.

"Singapore can get hot and humid, so the rooftop saltwater pool is the perfect spot for cooling off."
@alifeofattraction

If you can tear yourself away from the hotel, take a dip in the gentle waves on Sentosa Island, with Tanjong, Palawan and Siloso beaches. You could also investigate a yacht trip for a delightfully decadent way to while away an afternoon sailing between the picture-perfect tropical islands of this incredible corner of the globe.

Your magical moments

Share your Instagrammable moments by mentioning @kempinski on social media and tell us about the highlights of your trip, whether it’s a beach break in Bali or wildlife watching in Masai Mara.

If you enjoyed this, why not start planning your trip to Singapore with the help of Gail Silver’s guide?