The best free views in Singapore

Get a bird's eye view of the cityscape at Skyville@Dawson, where there's a rooftop garden perched atop the 47th floor. Unlike Pinnacle@Duxton, there's no entrance fee and you can enjoy the panoramic views to your heart's content. The tranquil rooftop garden has plenty of seating and sheltered spots for you to take a breather and contemplate, with the cool breeze in your hair. While you stroll around Skyville@Dawson, be sure to look out for the wall murals depicting Queenstown's heritage by comic artist Troy Chin too.

Covered by lush rainforest and with landscaped slopes, Mount Faber is a lovely spot especially at dawn and dusk. Of course, the most stunning views are at the top, where you can get a really good view of the city and harbour. Time your hike so that you reach the peak at sundown to catch one of the best sunset views in Singapore. You can also head to Dusk Restaurant & Bar, to watch the sun sink below the horizon with a tipple in hand. 

Built around a reservoir on top of Pearl’s Hill Terrace, this park is quite the hidden spot in the city. Take a short stroll from Outram Park MRT Station and with a little trek, you're on top of a hill where you can relax in the wooded ambience, feed the terrapins in the pond, spot the occasional squirrel, and admire views of the city skyline foregrounded by lush and green trees. 

Situated 36m above Henderson Road, this pedestrian bridge – incidentally the highest in Singapore – is the perfect spot to escape the city. The hidden recesses and shell-like ridges also make it a popular spot for groups to hang out or for canoodling couples to sneak in a few kisses.

For a slow, scenic stroll head to the Changi Boardwalk and traverse the 2.2km stretch that looks out to neighbouring Johor. Along the way, you’ll pass bits of Changi Beach, the bumboats taking day-trippers out to Pulau Ubin and if you make it to the end (and time it right), the Sunset Walk stretch where you’ll have an unobstructed view towards the west of the island.

Who knew that the rooftop of the Esplanade had such a romantic view of the Marina Bay area? Plus if you position yourself right, there’s the majestic Fullerton Hotel in the backdrop, and if all else fails, the manicured garden setting makes a good #ootd spot.

That this spot isn't more popular is hard to believe. With a breathtaking 360-degree view of the Marina Bay area and copious amounts of open space, not only is it the perfect picnic spot in Singapore but you get a view of all three of the Marina Bay Sands towers, the Gardens By The Bay Supertrees and the Domes, plus at sunset, there are kites of all shapes and sizes unfurled and flapping in the wind.

Even if it feels like you’ve braved this mature secondary forest (thanks Instagram), it’s well worth experiencing it in person. Rising as high as 27 metres, this 250-meter bridge has the best vantage point to spot the 80 bird species and 18 rare trees found in the National Park. For trivia lovers, this is also the connecting point between two of the highest points (Bukit Peirce and Bukit Kalang) in MacRitchie.

We won’t lie, you’ll need to work (just a little) for this view. First you’ll have to cross over to the Southernmost Point of Continental Asia (also Asia's closest point to the equator) via a suspension rope bridge, then exert the effort to climb up the tower. To be fair, the view ain't too shabby. 

So what if you’re not an art fiend, the National Gallery has one of the best views in Singapore. Navigate to the Padang Deck for an unobstructed view over the Padang and take in the Cenotaph and the Indian National Marker in the background at the same time.

This vantage point often gets passed over for the more impressive view from the SkyPark Observation Deck. And while some may prefer looking from top down, at dawn/sunset – and when the water lilies are in bloom – this quiet spot is better suited for a moment of introspection.

More than just another structure to pose for an #ootd, these observation hides are specially built to observe the 140 species of birds found at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Bring your own binoculars or hire one for a closer look at the resident herons and kingfishers. During the migratory season (September to March), you might even spy flocks of sandpipers and shorebirds in flight.

Don’t mock it but Singapore has the world’s largest water fountain, at least it was in 1989. More than just a symbol of life and wealth, the fountain is visually impressive with its towering 13.8 meter-tall silicon bronze structure. Aside from the occasional nighttime laser performance, if the water is turned off, head down walk around the mini fountain three times for good luck.

There's no need to hike the entire 163 hectares to get a good view. Just zero in on the more family-friendly Hindhede Nature Park bit and be rewarded with this visual f Hindhede Quarry. Along the way there’s a mini zipline and playgrounds to monkey around on and have a good laugh.

Yes, the views from the Flower and Rainforest domes are unbeatable but unless you buy a season pass, sometimes you just have to settle for a more grounded view. The 440-metre long boardwalk along the Dragonfly Lake is one of the garden’s best-hidden gems with an unobstructed view of the futuristic supertrees and because it’s open till 2 am every day, you can visit whenever you like.

When the kids need some space to run wild but you need a moment to zen, VivoCity’s third floor Sky Park is the answer. Take a moment to enjoy the view across to Sentosa while the kids enjoy the free-to-use water play area. If they behave there’s paddle boats for hire to enjoy some quality family time.

Nestled at the top of Orchard Central is a garden overlooking the city. The rooftop garden provides a panoramic view of Singapore, coupled with the soothing sound of waterfalls in the background. It is a great place to seek respite from a humdrum day of work and an optimal place for some alone time.