Museum-hopping is one of those things you always tell yourself that you’ll do, but you’ve never gotten around to actually doing. Guilty: my friends. I’ve dragged them along to some of these places recently for this article, and we had a great time immersing ourselves in the rich culture and history of Singapore. Hopefully when you read this list, you’ll discover something new here that sparks your interest, too!
01 • Asian Civilisations Museum
This one is an underrated classic. The Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) uses Singapore’s port city status as a lens through which history flows — flows of trade and commerce, as well as religions and faith. Spanning 3 thematic floors that cover Maritime Trade, Faith & Belief, and Materials & Design, ACM uncovers connections between Asian civilisations, and between Asia and the world.
If Asian history sounds a little dry to you, rest assured that there’s plenty to keep your interest! ACM is more of an art museum that displays historical objects of beauty, rather than just relics, so there are some genuinely gorgeous artefacts here to admire.
📍 Address: 1 Empress Place, Singapore 179555
⏰ Opening hours: Mon to Thu & Sat to Sun, 10am – 7pm (Last entry at 6.30pm) | Fri, 10am – 9pm (Last entry at 8.30pm)
📞 Contact: 6332 7798
🌐 Website: acm.nhb.gov.sg
02 • ArtScience Museum
Art and science — at first glance, they seem to have nothing in common, but the exhibitions at the ArtScience Museum definitely say otherwise. Using immersive and interactive design, they explore the fascinating intersections of art, science, technology and culture.
Their overarching theme for 2026 is Forms of Life: Beyond the Human. With exhibitions on artificial intelligence, marine life, insects, and more, they shift attention away from the human to the dense, imperceptible relations that shape the world around us.
📍 Address: 6 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 01897
⏰ Opening hours: Sun to Thu, 10am – 7pm (Last entry at 6pm) | Fri to Sat, 10am – 9pm (Last entry at 8.15pm)
📞 Contact: 6688 8888
🌐 Website: marinabaysands.com/museum.html
03 • Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum
Southeast Asia has undoubtedly one of the richest biodiversities in the world, and Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum puts all of that biodiversity on glorious display. With a whopping 15 zones and almost 4,000 natural history specimens, the museum travels back in time to explore the very beginning of life on earth.
The highlight of the museum is undoubtedly their life-sized specimen collection, especially their real dinosaur fossils that tower over you as you gaze up in awe (and terror). They also have some pretty rare displays as well, including the first and only sperm whale to wash ashore in Singapore.
📍 Address: 2 Conservatory Drive, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117377
⏰ Opening hours: Tue to Sun, 10am – 6pm (Last entry at 4.30pm) | Closed on Mon
📞 Contact: 6601 3333
🌐 Website: lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg
04 • Malay Heritage Centre
Newly reopened a few months ago, the Malay Heritage Centre (MHC) boasts 6 renovated permanent galleries revolving around the theme of Dari Rantau Ke Rumah (From Region to Home). With new artefacts and a greater focus on the contributions of women and sub-ethnic groups, MHC traces the diversity and evolution of the Malay world from the early 19th century to the present.
The specific location of MHC is really cool, too — they’re housed in Istana Kampong Gelam, which was once the real seat of Malay royalty in Singapore! Kampong Gelam also has been a key pit-stop for many Hajj pilgrims, and the museum highlights its importance as a centre for trade and faith.
📍 Address: 85 Sultan Gate, Singapore 198501
⏰ Opening hours: Tue to Sun, 10am – 6pm (Last entry at 5.30pm) | Closed on Mon
📞 Contact: 6391 0450
🌐 Website: malayheritage.gov.sg
05 • Singapore Art Museum
The very first art museum in Singapore (and in my opinion, still the most iconic), the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) houses incredibly cool and thought-provoking exhibitions on contemporary Asian art, with a focus on Southeast Asia.
For the time being, they’ve moved to a temporary location in Tanjong Pagar Distripark, alongside various other private galleries in this industrial arts cluster. In true SAM fashion, they’ve made full use of the place with The Everyday Museum initiative, bringing art out of the museum and the public spaces, with sculptures as well as large-scale prints and paintings scattered around Tanjong Pagar.
📍 Address: 39 Keppel Road, #01-02 Tanjong Pagar Distripark, Singapore 089065
⏰ Opening hours: Daily, 10am – 7pm (Last entry at 6.30pm)
🌐 Website: singaporeartmuseum.sg
06 • National Gallery
Art, architecture, and heritage, all in one place. Housed in the stunning neoclassical buildings of the former Supreme Court and City Hall, the National Gallery is Southeast Asia’s largest modern and contemporary art museum, with various exhibitions spanning across 6 floors.
One of their biggest exhibitions is Singapore Stories: Pathways and Detours in Art, where Singapore’s multilayered art history is brought to life through 400 artworks. Pieces by pioneering artists sit alongside contemporary works, redefining what Singaporean art really means today.
📍 Address: 1 Saint Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957
⏰ Opening hours: Daily, 10am – 7pm (Last entry at 6.30pm)
📞 Contact: 6271 7000
🌐 Website: nationalgallery.sg
07 • Singapore City Gallery
What does it take to keep a city moving? This gallery by the Urban Redevelopment Authority has the answer for you. The Singapore City Gallery showcases how innovative solutions have been deployed in the urban planning of Singapore, from past to present, as well as plans for the future.
One of the coolest parts of the gallery is the Central Area Model, a large model replica of Singapore’s town area. Fun fact: The model is actually used by URA architects for planning, so it’s always being updated!
📍 Address: 45 Maxwell Road, The URA Centre, Singapore 069118
⏰ Opening hours: Mon to Sat, 9am – 5pm | Closed on Sun
📞 Contact: 6221 6666
🌐 Website: ura.gov.sg/get-involved/singapore-city-gallery
08 • Changi Chapel & Museum
This is a small but deeply moving museum dedicated to the prisoners of war (POWs) and civilians interned in Changi Prison during the Japanese Occupation, from 1942 to 1945. The original entrance gate and wall still remain today, alongside a chapel replica of Saint George’s Church, one of the simple places of worship built by POWs that provided hope and comfort. The place features artefacts, stories, and personal mementoes that serve as an enduring reminder of the prisoners’ courage and quiet resilience.
📍 Address: 1000 Upper Changi Road North, Singapore 507707
⏰ Opening hours: Tue to Sun, 9.30am – 5.30pm (Last entry at 5pm) | Closed on Mon
📞 Contact: 9824 7240
🌐 Website: heritage.sg/changichapelmuseum
09 • Gillman Barracks
Gillman Barracks might be a little out of the way, but it’s well worth the visit. This place used to be actual colonial British military barracks, named after British general Sir Webb Gillman and built especially for the British First Battalion before WWI. Nowadays, the barracks are a vibrant space for contemporary art galleries, art institutions, and dining spots. Amidst lush greenery and formal-looking buildings, wander through unconventional and intriguing artworks that challenge the way you think.
📍 Address: 9 Lock Road, Singapore 108937
⏰ Opening hours: Multiple timings (depending on individual gallery)
🌐 Website: instagram.com/gillmanbarracksart
10 • Indian Heritage Centre
Amidst the shophouses at Jalan Basar, this modern-looking building definitely stands out. The Indian Heritage Centre (IHC) has a unique architectural design that draws inspiration from the baoli, a type of stepping well that served as communal gathering spots in India. With similar lattice-like steps, IHC invites visitors to “walk in the footsteps” of past Indians as they travel between 5 permanent galleries.
Of course, the galleries themselves are plenty impressive too! They span all the way from the 1st century CE to the present day, with intricate artwork, treasured heirlooms and jewels, and even personal diaries and family photographs.
📍 Address: 5 Campbell Lane, Singapore 209924
⏰ Opening hours: Tue to Sun, 10am – 6pm (Last entry at 5.30pm) | Closed on Mon
📞 Contact: 6291 1601
🌐 Website: indianheritage.gov.sg
(Feature photo from: Singapore City Gallery)
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