Singapore is well known for its futuristic buildings and innovative greenery, and no place highlights this better than Gardens by the Bay. Covering over 250 acres of land, Gardens by the Bay is an incredible attraction to see that offers many opportunities to capture unique photos. Whether you’re an avid photographer or after some insta worthy photos for your socials, this guide covers the best photo spots (both free & paid) around Gardens by the Bay.
If you’d like to make the most of your visit and ensure you get the best photos possible, make sure to read through my photography tips specifically designed for visiting Gardens by the Bay.
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Map of Gardens by the Bay, Singapore (with the Best Spots for Photos!)
As Gardens by the Bay covers so much land, you’ll want to know where each of your favourite photo spots are located. This map will save you so much time and stop you from walking around looking for the photo location.
Free Photo Spots in Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
The best part about Gardens by the Bay is that it is completely free to enter, with only a few paid attractions. So, if you’re visiting Singapore on a budget you’ll still be able to experience this iconic attraction. Some of my favourite photo spots are free too! So be prepared to know the best free spots to take photos Gardens by the Bay!
Supertree Grove
The Supertree Grove is one of the main places to take photos, as the most prominent and iconic attractions at Gardens by the Bay. The grove covers a large area, offering lots of opportunities for photos. So make sure you wander around and take lots of photos along the way!
Photography tip: The towering “trees” range from 25-50m in height so you’ll need a wide angle lens to capture the whole structure!
For photos in the Supertree Grove you should arrive by at least 8am for the best lighting, and to beat the heat and the crowds. You can access the Supertree Grove from 5am so simply check the current sunrise time and head as early as possible for you!
Supertree Grove Balcony View
Finding this iconic photo spot might be a little challenging as it’s not marked on the official maps of Gardens by the Bay. If you’re coming from the Supertree Grove you’ll need to head up the stairs (as per the map image above) then find your way down a small path to the viewpoint.
If you have google maps you can simply follow this link to get here.
The Balcony Viewpoint is a great vantage point over the Supertree Grove and even allows you to capture the Marina Bay Sands in the background of your photo. From here you’ll also be able to add some beautiful bougainvillea to the foreground of your photos! Unfortunately they weren’t in bloom on our visit as you can see they were virtually all gone in the image above.
Best time to visit: You’ll want to be here early to mid morning if you’re visiting for photography!
Water Lily Pond (my favourite photo spot
This was my favourite spot to take photos at Gardens by the Bay! With its conveniently placed rock with views of the Marina Bay Sands beyond the pond it is both beautiful and tranquil! Not only can you visit here at any time of day (there is plenty of shade!) but it was completely free of crowds and other photographers, allowing us to take our time and have fun with our kids while we took some photos!
You can find this spot on the offical Gardens by the Bay map – or simply refer to my map above.
Sun Pavilion (Cacti Garden)
Another hidden gem for photos at Gardens by the Bay, the Sun Pavilion is home to one of the largest cacti and succulent collections in Southeast Asia. With some of the collection inside the Succulent Garden in the Flower Dome (a paid attraction) a large portion is in the Sun Pavilion and free to see!
Our kids thought the cacti were very cool to see, some were so huge! The pavilion was lovely to walk through, with great leading lines for a great photo to add to our Gardens by the Bay collection.
Waterfront Promenade
Another great photo opportunity from Gardens by the Bay is along the Waterfront Promenade. From here you get views out to the Singapore Flyer across Marina Bay.
Photography tip: You may want to use a portrait lens so that you can see the Singapore Flyer in the background.
Supertree Grove (at night)
One thing you need to do if you’re visiting Gardens by the Bay is to come during the day and at night! Especially to see the Supertree Grove with all the lights, another great photo opportunity!
You’ll also want to stick around to see the Gardens by the Bay Rhapsody Light Show which is usually on twice, at 7:45pm and 8:45pm, every night. Before you go, make sure to double check their website for the current schedule.
Tip: If you are photographing at night, remember the Supertree lights get turned off at 11 pm to conserve energy.
Paid Photo Spots in Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
While you can choose to visit and take photos of Gardens by the Bay completely for free, there are a few paid options you may want to consider. Especially if this is your first visit, these attracts offer a unique experience you won’t want to miss.
Cloud Forest
The Cloud Forest is one of my favourite attractions at Gardens by the Bay. Especially if you manage to visit without too many crowds and time it right for when the mist comes on! The domes open by 9am, I highly recommend heading to the Cloud Forest first if you’re visiting both!
Book your tickets in advance to save time!
There are so many places to take photos inside the Cloud Forest dome, but one iconic shots you don’t want to miss is right after you enter showing the main waterfalls and structure.
Photography Tip: Use a wide angle lens (16mm) to capture the entire structure!
Extra Tip: Play around with the mist in the cloud forest to create unique and moody shots!
Flower Dome
There are so many stunning flowers and unique vegetation inside the Flower Dome. It’s so cool to see flora from all around the world collected together in one “greenhouse”.
Photography Tip: Use a macro lens to capture some of the finer details!
OCBC Skywalk
The OCBC Skywalk will allow you to walk amongst the tree canopy of the Supertree Grove, giving you a unique perspective of the stunning structures! This is the one attraction I have yet to do at Gardens by the Bay, just a reason to come back!
Photography Tip: Use the handrail of the walkway to add leading lines to your photos!
Things to Know before Visiting Gardens by the Bay (for photos)
As Gardens by the Bay is the most iconic attraction in Singapore it can get very busy! Here are some tips to help you make the most of your visit:
- Arrive early: Like before 8am. There are a few reasons you’ll want to be here early. One: to beat the crowds. Two: to beat the heat. Three: for the best lighting for your photos!
- Purchase Tickets in Advance! This will save you both money and time during your visit. Read the section below for information on what tickets to purchase.
- Plan to Stay all Day: If it’s your first time visiting Gardens by the Bay, you’ll want to plan to stay all day! The grounds are huge, there is so much to see and do that a full day is essential to make the most of your visit.
- Take Water & Sun Protection: Singapore can get very hot and very humid.
- There are lots of Restaurants Around: Wether you’re happy eating at McDonalds or want to try out a Hawkers Market (Satay by the Bay) you’ll easily be able to find some great food in the area.
- For the Kids: If you’re visiting with kids then you’ll want to check out the Far East Organisation Children’s Playground! It’s free to enter, but you’ll want to check the current opening hours and days.
- For Parents: There is a lot of walking to do on your visit, if you have young kids make sure you have a pram – you’ll thank me later!
How to Get to Garden’s by the Bay, Singapore
The best MRT station to navigate to for Gardens by the Bay is the Bayfront MRT station. From there you can follow the underground link way to Gardens by the Bay (there will be plenty of signs).
How much does it cost to Visit Gardens by the Bay?
Gardens by the Bay is completely free to visit. However, if you’d like to visit the additional attractions around the grounds some of these will come at a cost.
I’d highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance to save you time and money on your visits (ticket lines can get long). Here are some of the best ticket option for Gardens by the Bay.
Where to Stay when Visiting Gardens By the Bay for Photos
Easy access to the MRT is essential when looking for accommodation that is in a good location for visiting Gardens by the Bay. If you’d like to stay within walking distance to the famous attraction then the Marina Bay Sands is your best choice. However, this will come with quite a high price tag!
Despite being a small island, there are a lot of areas you can stay in Singapore. Accommodation prices tend to be one of the biggest expenses when travelling to Singapore, so I’ve included some quick links to some hotels for different budgets.
- Budget – Ibis Budget Singapore Imperial: Only a 5-minute walk from Lavender MRT Station, the Ibis Budget Singapore Imperial has a rooftop swimming pool and free parking.
- Mid-Range – Mercure Singapore Tyrwhitt: With newly renovated rooms, the Mercure Singapore Tyrwhitt offers a timeless, comfortable and modern stay. Only 600m from Little India, there are also 2 MRT stations within walking distance.
- Luxury – Pan Pacific Singapore: A 5-star hotel, the Pan Pacific Singapore is located in Singapores Business District. Garden’s by the Bay is only 1.1km away and the MRT is easily accessible.
Browse all Singapore Accommodation here
Overall
Obviously, Gardens by the Bay is a must see attraction if you’re visiting Singapore, filled with incredible spots for photos! Make sure to take your camera and capture the amazing sights around GBTB!
If you’re wondering how to fit Garden’s by the Bay into your Singapore trip, read through my full itinerary for Singapore.
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