Discover the Biggest Museum in Singapore

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Singapore is a vibrant cultural hub that is home to numerous museums showcasing its rich history, art, and culture. Among these, five museums stand out as the largest and most comprehensive in the city-state. These museums offer a diverse range of exhibits and attractions that cater to the interests of visitors from all walks of life. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Singapore’s heritage and culture through these remarkable museums.

  • National Museum of Singapore:

The National Museum of Singapore is the oldest museum in Singapore and one of the largest museums in Southeast Asia. It houses a vast collection of over one million artifacts and specimens that tell the story of Singapore’s history and culture from its earliest origins to the present day. The museum’s permanent exhibits include displays on Singapore’s natural history, archaeology, and ethnography, as well as galleries dedicated to the country’s colonial past and its role in World War II.

  • Singapore Art Museum:

The Singapore Art Museum is the largest contemporary art museum in Singapore. It houses a collection of over 8,000 artworks by both local and international artists. The museum’s permanent exhibits include a survey of Singaporean art from the 19th century to the present day, as well as galleries dedicated to Southeast Asian art and international contemporary art. The museum also hosts a variety of temporary exhibitions throughout the year.

  • Asian Civilisations Museum:

The Asian Civilisations Museum is the only museum in Singapore dedicated to showcasing the diverse cultures and civilisations of Asia. It houses a collection of over 11,000 artifacts from all over Asia, including China, India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. The museum’s permanent exhibits include displays on Asian religions, trade, and ceramics, as well as galleries dedicated to the cultures of specific Asian countries.

  • Peranakan Museum:

The Peranakan Museum is the only museum in Singapore dedicated to preserving and promoting the unique culture of the Peranakan community. Peranakans are descendants of Chinese immigrants who settled in Southeast Asia and adopted local customs and traditions. The museum’s permanent exhibits include displays on Peranakan history, culture, and lifestyle, as well as galleries dedicated to Peranakan arts and crafts.

  • National Gallery Singapore:

The National Gallery Singapore is the largest visual arts museum in Singapore and Southeast Asia. It houses a collection of over 8,000 artworks from Singapore and Southeast Asia, as well as a significant collection of European art. The museum’s permanent exhibits include a survey of Singaporean and Southeast Asian art from the 19th century to the present day, as well as galleries dedicated to European art from the Renaissance to the 20th century.

Singapore Visitor Centre @Indian Heritage Centre in Singapore
Singapore Visitor Centre @Indian Heritage Centre in Singapore

The 7 Biggest Museum near Singapore

National Museum of Singapore

  • Address: 93 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178897
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.6 (13281)
  • Phone: +65 6332 3659
  • Website:
  • Opening hours:
    Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
    Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
    Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
    Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
    Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
    Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
    Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
  • Reviews:
    In Dri✭✭✭✭✭
    a week ago
    I spent 3 hours in Singapore History Gallery it shows how Singapore becomes the Singapore we know now, it’s such an amazing gallery!! Unfortunately by the time I went there it only had Singapore History Gallery and Glass Rotunda for General Admissions, I’m pretty sure I can spend all day in the museums if more gallery open.
    Payia Satusap✭✭✭✭✭
    a month ago
    Spare 2-3 hrs for the visit. The history of Singapore’s foundation and the development in each era is very interesting. I am impressed by the small interactive exhibition and manage to add a nice fresh grass smell to the exhibition about trees and gardens. Highly recommend to visit especially if you are into history.
    Sieon✭✭✭✭✭
    2 weeks ago
    Went to the National Museum of Singapore for the “Now Boarding: Experiencing Singapore through Travel” exhibition back in June 2023. It was really interesting getting to see how the seats of an airplane looked back in the 1800s-2000s as well as the uniforms worn by the air stewardess during that period of time. The place was also clean and well maintained.
    Sovan Pong✭✭✭✭✭
    a month ago
    All about Singapore, the timeline up and down of Singapore until today.Time is really well spent while in Singapore. The museum shows you the history of the place from 1400 to current days. Highlighting the major actors who contributed to what Singapore is today, to the main events that took place. After completing the visit, you can have a good understanding of the geographical importance and why so many kingdoms have tried to gain control over the area.

    Although a bit sceptical about the The museum is well documented and recreates some scenes of the past to make the experience pleasant for all.

    Sri Kumar P✭✭✭✭
    a week ago
    Went on a Saturday, was able to get a ticket on spot . It’s a good place to learn about Singapore history and growth . There was a special show kept at the basement, I wouldn’t recommend going for it ( additional charges for it which was not worth ) rest all where great show .

ArtScience Museum

  • Address: 6 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018974
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.5 (14080)
  • Phone: +65 6688 8888
  • Website:
  • Opening hours:
    Monday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    Thursday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Reviews:
    Dinesh Kumar Divyanathan✭✭✭✭
    a week ago
    A fun place for kids. There are several exhibitions inside like The Future World, Mars Mission, etc. Make sure you experience all. Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds. They have a cafe in the entrance and souvenirs in the exit. A good place to spend time with kids. It usually takes an hour to complete an exhibition, where you can draw and exhibit on the big screens. Of course It’s an arts and science museum lah!
    Diana F✭✭✭✭✭
    2 weeks ago
    We came on a Friday when the child enters with paying adults . It worked well for us . This is an amazing museum. I would recommend the exhibition when arts meets science since is the most interactive one . The adults had as much fun as the children . Buy the tickets online and go straight to the exhibition. Internet everywhere . The building has internet and nice restrooms . All very clean and organized . Loved it !!
    German Kolesnikov✭✭✭✭
    a month ago
    We visited the ArtScience museum for the Mars exhibition, and it was pretty interesting. The exhibit focused on humanity’s changing perception of Mars, from ancient times to science fiction days to today’s view of it as a possible habitat. The exhibit wasn’t bad—the artwork, exemplars of texts and video concepts were well done, however, it is an exhibit that would be boring for kids, and that is mostly applicable to history. The end of the exhibit is really nice though, with the current astronomical actions taken on mars.
    Mister Doctor
    a month ago
    We were excited to visit the museum after getting complementary tickets to the three exhibit due to MBS Elite perks, but I was very disappointed by the staff’s behaviour. As a local, I felt like they treated me and my partner differently from the foreign visitors. The receptionist was very friendly and helpful to the white couple who entered before us, greeted with gusto and full enthusiasm “hello sir how can I help you” and proactively attend to their needs. But when it was our turn, he barely looked at us and seemed bored. He didn’t even offer us anything and told us to go ahead. It was like he didn’t want us there. Another instance was when we were at the LED lights section, there was a white mother with her son who was taking a lot of pictures and blocking the view. A staff member came over and helped them take more pictures, even suggesting different poses and angles. He then told us to move along and make space for others, without offering us the same service. He didn’t even smile or apologize.I felt like the staff were biased and rude to us, even though we are of the same race as the staff. It was very upsetting and ruined our experience. I don’t think I will visit this museum again, or recommend it to anyone. It’s a shame, because the exhibits were actually quite unique and somewhat deep.
    Jeroen B✭✭✭✭
    in the last week
    We visited the Future World exhibition. This had a number of visually stunning installations, often with mesmerising interactive elements. Some parts were more focused on children, but even these were a joy to marvel at for the bigger ones. Only drawback was the price, which was quite high in comparison to other musea

National Gallery Singapore

  • Address: Singapore 178957
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.6 (13790)

Asian Civilisations Museum

  • Address: 1 Empress Pl, Singapore 179555
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.6 (5168)

Peranakan Museum

  • Address: 39 Armenian St, Singapore 179941
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.4 (1795)

MINT Museum of Toys

  • Address: 26 Seah St, Singapore 188382
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.5 (1343)

Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, Singapore

  • Address: 2 Conservatory Dr, Singapore 117377
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.6 (2257)
Singapore Visitor Centre @Indian Heritage Centre in Singapore
Singapore Visitor Centre @Indian Heritage Centre in Singapore

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Top Museum Alternatives in Singapore

The National Museum of Singapore is a public museum dedicated to Singaporean art, culture and history. Located within the country's Civic District at the Downtown Core area, it is the oldest museum in the country. It is one of the largest museums in Asia.
The National Museum of Singapore was designated as National monument of Singapore in 1992 by the National Heritage Board.  The National Museum of Singapore exhibits sculptures, objets d'art, paintings, drawings, and archaeological finds. Admission to the National Museum of Singapore is complimentary for Singaporean citizens and permanent residents.

The Biggest Museum in Singapore 178897

In addition to its world-class museums, Singapore offers a variety of alternative cultural and educational attractions. Here are three top museum alternatives that are very popular in Singapore:

  • Gardens by the Bay: Located next to Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay is not just a garden but also an immersive nature park. It features several themed gardens, futuristic Supertrees, and two conservatories – the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. The Flower Dome is the world’s largest glass greenhouse and showcases exotic plants from around the world, while the Cloud Forest replicates a tropical mountain and houses a unique collection of rare plants and the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. Visitors can explore the gardens, attend light and sound shows, and learn about sustainable practices in horticulture and conservation.
  • ArtScience Museum: Located at Marina Bay Sands, the ArtScience Museum is a unique institution that combines art, science, technology, and design. The museum hosts innovative and interactive exhibitions that explore various topics, blending art installations, educational displays, and cutting-edge technology. Past exhibitions have included topics such as the Titanic, Marvel superheroes, and the works of renowned artists like Salvador Dali and Vincent Van Gogh. The ArtScience Museum encourages visitors to think critically, engage with the exhibits, and contemplate the intersection of art and science.
  • Chinatown Heritage Centre: For a glimpse into Singapore’s rich history and heritage, the Chinatown Heritage Centre is a must-visit. Housed in shophouses that were once occupied by early Chinese immigrants, the museum showcases the living conditions and struggles of these pioneers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Through immersive displays, restored interiors, and personal stories, visitors can learn about the hardships, dreams, and contributions of the early Chinese community. The Chinatown Heritage Centre provides a fascinating insight into Singapore’s multicultural roots and the legacy of its immigrant communities.

Thank you for taking the time to read our article. For more in-depth reviews and comprehensive ratings on the Museum spots, please explore the recommended articles listed below.

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