We all know Singapore has a reputation for being a concrete jungle filled with HDB blocks and skyscrapers, so stumbling upon a place that looks straight out of Europe can feel a little sus. But they do exist, and no, you don’t need to hop on a plane to get there. We’ve curated a list of places in Singapore that look like overseas or fictional destinations – perfect if you’re looking for an IG-worthy spot, or just want to pretend you’re on a holiday without having to use up your annual leave.
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Sang Nila Utama is the OG founder of Singapore, long before Sir Stamford Raffles came into the picture. You’d know this if you actually paid attention during History class. But what most people don’t know is that there’s a whole garden dedicated to him in Fort Canning Park.
The Sang Nila Utama Garden is a throwback to what palace gardens in ancient Southeast Asia used to look like. Its main draw is the Javanese-style split gates that remind us of the Gates of Heaven outside Lempuyang Temple in Bali.
Image credit: S C via Google Maps
As you walk around the garden, you’ll spot statues of ducks and frogs, and symmetrical landscaping reminiscent of the palace grounds back then. Visit for a quiet stroll when you need to escape the city’s chaos for a bit.
If you’ve ever seen a wedding shoot that made you go “wah, so atas,” chances are it was taken with Arwaa Mansion in the background. This massive estate along Nassim Road is owned by Prince Jefri Bolkiah, the younger brother of the Sultan of Brunei, and sits right in the middle of one of Singapore’s swankiest neighbourhoods.
You won’t be able to step foot inside, of course, but just head over to Dalvey Hill for the next best thing. It has gentle rolling slopes and a clear view of the mansion from afar – a great photo spot for you to act like you’ve flown to Rome.
Dempsey Hill is already known for its luxurious vibes and colonial-era charm, but Claudine Restaurant stands out, mostly because it’s housed in what used to be a literal chapel. You can now tuck into steak frites and sip on wine where people once got married or said their prayers.
They’ve kept the original stained glass windows, so the place still has that old-school charm. Look closely and you’ll also spot glass panels made with pressed wild grasses.
Come here for a fancier-than-usual dinner date, or if you’re in the area pretending to be a Dempsey regular. There’s also an outdoor area that’ll bring you to the streets of France, minus the long-haul flight and jet lag.
There are several ways to get to Cameron Highlands, but the good news is that you won’t have to brave hours of travel because there’s Canterbury Road. It’s known as the Cameron Highlands of Singapore, thanks to the hill that overlooks the view. We recommend visiting during sunset to enjoy a romantic picnic with bae.
Along the way up, look out for colonial black and white bungalows that’ll make gorgeous photo ops as well. But take note that these are residential spaces, so keep your volume down and be respectful when trying to snap pics.
Lakeside Garden in Jurong Lake Gardens has the Grasslands, a gently sloping area covered in lalang and tall tufts of grass that looks like it came straight out of a K-drama scene. Head down and you’ll feel like you’ve almost been teleported to Jeju in autumn, when the island transforms into a sea of silver grass.
There’s also The Lone Tree, a sculpture made from recycled iron parts that stands out like an art piece in the wild. If you ask us, it’s pretty ideal for those moody, “lost in thought” shots that defo don’t look like you’re in SG.
Hidden away in the NTU campus is Yunnan Garden, which honestly looks like it belongs in a Chinese period drama, not a local uni. Originally built in the 1950s and refreshed in 2020, the place is now a peaceful retreat with elements of a traditional Chinese garden.
There’s a 5.6m-tall waterfall and a classic Chinese pavilion where you can take cover from the sun, or just sit there as if you’re some Tang dynasty royalty waiting for your tea to be served.
It’s totally possible to snap photos here and make your friends do a double-take, wondering if you’ve somehow jetted off to China.
Take the lift up to the 4th floor of Pan Pacific Singapore, and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Japan. Keyaki is surrounded by a 1,118sqm Japanese garden, complete with a koi pond and perfectly manicured greenery that’ll make you forget you’re in the middle of town.
Couples searching for unique wedding venues in Singapore will also love the Garden Pavilion at Keyaki. Complete with shoji screens in an intimate space, it’s one of the best places to feel like you’re holding a destination wedding in Japan, without even setting foot out of our Little Red Dot.
Pro tip: the Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden at Jurong Lake Gardens are also picture-perfect spots for pre-wedding pics that don’t look like they were taken in Singapore.
Image credit: @superflysingapore via Instagram
Amongst our city’s skyscrapers sits People’s Park Complex – a blast from the past in the heart of Chinatown. This landmark, built in 1973, has 25 storeys of residential apartments stacked above a 6-storey shopping centre, and boasts a long history as a buzzing market packed with makeshift stalls back in the day.
These days, it’s best known for street-style OOTDs, thanks to its brutalist design. You might even feel like you’ve been transported to a Hong Kong housing estate.
Image credit: @shernice28 via Instagram
Just note that if you’re planning to head down for a photoshoot, you’ll need to get permission from the building management first, since people still live there.
Europe probably first comes to mind when you think of lighthouses. But what many don’t realise is that a few places in Singapore have lighthouses too, like the Raffles Marina Lighthouse. What makes it unique is that it’s the only lighthouse not owned and operated by the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore.
Even better, access to the breakwater and lighthouse area is open to the public for free. Go in the evenings to catch the golden hour and for the best pics.
This is another popular venue for pre-wedding and nautical-themed shoots, but note that you’ll need to get permission from Raffles Marina beforehand. Professional shoots are chargeable on a case-by-case basis.
Image credit: Marcin S via Google Maps
It’s actually common to see random lamp posts plastered with stickers in Amsterdam, as a form of free advertising, for activists to spread their views, or for artists to showcase their work. And in Singapore, we have our very own version – the Tuas Lamp Post 1.
People aren’t exactly heading there to advertise, because who even travels all the way to Tuas? But this unassuming lamp post is special because it’s the only one in our fine country where you’re allowed to slap on your favourite stickers – legally.
It’s a well-known spot among cyclists in particular, so if you ever cycle past it, angle your camera properly, and you might just trick your followers into thinking you’re in Amsterdam.
The Sunflower Garden at Changi Airport is hidden away in Terminal 2’s transit area, and is a chill spot for travellers who love both plane watching and pretty blooms. It’s not huge, but it has rows of bright yellow sunflowers set against a backdrop of planes taking off and landing. This is the place to be if you need to stretch your legs before or after a flight.
Image credit: Mike M via Google Maps
And if you squint a little and ignore the glass panels and aircraft in the background, you might just fool yourself into thinking you’re in Tuscany during sunflower season.
You might have seen our roundup of places in Singapore that look like Studio Ghibli sets – now, we’ve got even more locations that look like fictional worlds.
Westies would have heard of Clementi Forest, but fun fact: some say it looks straight out of Jurassic World. This hiking spot is surrounded by tall trees, and with mist rolling through the greenery in the early mornings, it almost feels like a dinosaur might pop out from behind the bushes.
This all-black, gothic-looking building could easily be the villain’s lair in an anti-hero movie. But nope, The Mill is actually an office building in Bukit Merah, blending post-industrial American architecture with a fortified Gothic tower that gives it that brooding edge.
Though you won’t be able to just stroll into the offices, you can head to the terrace on the 6th floor to enjoy killer views.
There’s also Alchemist, a cafe located on the 2nd floor, that serves up great coffee and pastries.
You’ve probably walked past this iconic building in Bugis, looked up and wondered, “Wow, what do people do here?” Parkview Square has been dubbed the “Gotham City building” by many Singaporeans because of its dramatic exterior.
The building features a luxurious-looking brown lacquer finish for its facade and interior, complete with Art Deco motifs, regal statues, and a grand lobby that makes you feel like you’ve stepped onto the set of The Great Gatsby.
Inside, you’ll find offices and event spaces, but what it’s really famous for is the ATLAS bar, home to that 3-storey gin tower everyone talks about.
No more excuses about “nothing to do” or “nowhere to go” – these places in Singapore that don’t look like our Little Red Dot will keep you busy for sure.
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Photography by Matin Hakam.
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