Best 10 Museums in Singapore

Singapore is Southeast Asia's busiest and largest port, just off the southern tip of Malaysia. There is no other place like this gorgeous city, boasting a beautiful fusion of Chinese, Indian, English, Arabian, and Malaysian cultures, all with its unique Singaporean twist! The city is famous as "Lion City", brimmed with state-of-the-art accommodation, delightful culinary experiences, exciting nightlife, and interesting historical heritage. It is one of the most visited and prominent cities in the world, offering a variety of experiences, you could expect from Asian cities. Besides having a rich cultural and historical heritage, the city has plenty of options to explore through top-notch museums. Here is a list of the best 10 museums in Singapore:

National Gallery Singapore, formerly known as the Supreme Court and City Hall, is a behemoth of an art museum and is one of the largest museums in Singapore. Here you can explore Southeast Asian art from the 19th century up till today. It offers different kid-friendly exhibits, interesting installations, and various things to do for little ones. After exploration, you can round off the day by enjoying delicious cocktails at the Smoke and Mirror Rooftop Bar of the museum with the beautiful Singapore skyline view.

National Museum of Singapore is one of the best places to go in Singapore which is counted as the largest local museum of the city. This museum has two main gallery sections one is the Singapore History Gallery where you can trace the remarkable history of the city from the 14th century to today, and another section is Singapore Living Galleries, based on four themes: film, fashion, photography, and food. Don't forget to check out the Story of the Forest - a permanent exhibition of the museum and experience the treasure of the National Museum that comes alive through digital representation.

ArtScience Museum of Singapore is a state-of-the-art museum that fuses art and science and presents uniquely. This iconic museum has 21 gallery areas that have hosted various famous exhibitions of the world. Here you can explore the sets, props, and costumes from blockbuster movies like Harry Potter and Titanic franchise. Check out the permanent exhibition of the museum, Future World - a mind-blowing exhibition, organized by Japanese art collective teamLab, showcasing an interactive journey of digital art, magic, and lights.

Asian Civilisations Museum is one of the best places to visit in Singapore. It is the first museum in the region that highlights the integrated perspective of Pan-Asian civilization and culture. Featuring 11 interesting gallery sections, this museum offers more than 1300 masterpieces from civilizations of Southeast Asia, West Asia, South Asia, and China. Make sure that you check out the #SGFASHIONNOW, the first display of a museum based on the contemporary Singaporean fashion scene in the context of the cultural heritage of Asia.

Art Museum Singapore first opened in 1996 and was considered the first museum in the city. It was housed in a former school of Catholic boys and exhibited Southeast Asian contemporary art in its small, hidden, and unusual gallery areas. But now this museum is reopened at a new location right in Tanjong Pagar Distripark and continues to be a not-to-miss destination for 20th-century Asian visual art.

STPI Creative Workshop and Gallery is one of the best Singapore tourist attractions established in 2002. This innovative space focuses on artistic experimentation with paper and print, showcasing contemporary artworks created in collaboration with various gallerists, collectors, and international curators. It's an excellent venue to delve into the city’s vibrant art scene. Be sure to check out the exhibition "On Time," which features new works by notable Singaporean artists Jason Lim, Adeline Kueh, Zul Mahmood, and Lan Woo.

Red Dot Design Museum Singapore is a local extension of Germany's renowned Red Dot Museum, the world's largest contemporary design exhibition. Situated along the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade, this museum showcases innovative products and designs from winners of the prestigious Red Dot Product Design Awards. Its striking architecture provides a perfect backdrop for Instagram-worthy photos, making it a must-visit for design enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.

NUS Museum is an Asian art museum, having more than 7,000 artifacts and artworks, which are divided into four spectacular collections. Start your exploration from the Lee Kong Chian Collection, based on a huge representation of ancient to contemporary art of Chinese materials. Then move to the South and Southeast Asian Collection, which consists of a variety of works from classical sculptures to modern masterpieces of India. Then head to Ng Eng Teng Collection, which holds a donation from the Singaporean sculpture to Cultural Medallion beneficiary of over 1,000 artworks. The fourth collection is located at NUS Baba House, which is a straight Chinese collection.

Civil Defence Heritage Gallery is housed in the oldest fire station in the country, which is a striking red-stripped and red-bricked colonial building, showcasing the civil defense development of Singapore from the 19th century to the present day. It is a great way to experience what firefighters experience during a war or an operation through the antique fire engines and interesting stations. You can also ascend the Hose Tower, which was the highest viewpoint of the city in the 1920s.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum features an impressive array of rare artifacts that illuminate the rich history of Buddhism and traditional practices across various Asian cultures. Within the Buddhist Cultural Museum, you'll find captivating displays that deepen your understanding of the faith. The Sacred Buddha Relic Chamber, located at the back of the hall, houses the revered relics attributed to the Buddha, including fragments of his brain, muscles, blood, and flesh. Don't miss the stunning 15-foot Maitreya Buddha statue, which graces the ground floor of the main hall, adding to the temple's serene ambiance.