Singapore City Museums

(Singapore City, Republic of Singapore)

Singapore has many high quality museums, all of which show and teach about Singaporean and Asian culture, and the island's rich heritage. Most notably, the bulk of the museums are located in restored, grand buildings that are historical in their own right and are far more than just a fill-in for rainy days.

Top museums to check out around Singapore City include the all-encompassing Asian Civilisations Museum and the National Museum, while close by, the Science Centre also deserves a strong mention, being well connected by public transport. Malay exploits can be checked out at the Malay Heritage Centre.

Asian Civilisations Museum

Address: 1 Empress Place, Singapore City, Republic of Singapore, SG
Tel: +65 6332 7798
One of Singapore's best museums resides in a stunning neoclassical building in the heart of the city. It is dedicated to Asian culture and heritage and displays a collection of eye-popping artefacts. Mostly concentrating on Chinese history, with influences from Malaysia and Europe, the Asian Civilisations Museum also has a section on Peranakan culture. Guided tours can be had daily.
Open hours: Monday - 13:00 to 19:00, Tuesday to Sunday - 09:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children and seniors; free Friday - 19:00 to 21:00

National Museum

Address: 93 Stamford Road, Singapore City, Republic of Singapore, SG
Tel: +65 6332 3659
The facade is the main feature at this restored attraction near Fort Canning. Formerly the Singapore History Museum, the National Museum today is most impressive, although the exhibits are not as interesting as its frontage would have you expect. Inside are many Asian cultural artefacts, along with a modernist new wing at the back. The Living Galleries have free entry daily between 18:00 and 20:00.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 09:00 to 17:30, Wednesday - 09:00 to 21:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children and seniors

Malay Heritage Centre

Address: 85 Sultan Gate, Singapore City, Republic of Singapore, SG
Tel: +65 6391 0450
The more recent Malay Heritage Centre opened in the 2000s to show off the culture, heritage and arts of the lesser-represented Malay group in Singapore. It sits on the Istana Kampong Glam compound (previously home to Malay royalty) and exhibits Malay arts, details of the Malay royal family and information relating to Malay life in the 20th century.
Open hours: Monday - 13:00 to 18:00, Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge, discount for children, Istana compound free

Singapore Philatelic Museum

Address: 23B Coleman Street, Singapore City, Republic of Singapore, SG
Tel: +65 6337 3888
A serious attraction for stamp enthusiasts everywhere, the Singapore Philatelic Museum is home to an extraordinary collection of stamps, including some of the world's oldest and most precious. The country's heritage can be explored through this vast and valuable hoard of philately, which spans almost 200 years and also includes some rare Indian stamps, a bisected stamp cover and the earliest B172 cancellation cover known. Themed galleries include the Heritage Room and its migrant stories, and the Room of Rarities, where Singapore's postal history is showcased.
Open hours: Monday - 13:00 to 19:00, Tuesday to Sunday - 09:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children, students and seniors, children aged under three years old are free

Peranakan Museum

Address: 39 Armenian Street, Singapore City, Republic of Singapore, SG
Tel: +65 6336 2983
Located on Armenian Street and close to the Asian Civilisations Museum, the Peranakan Museum celebrates the rich culture of the local Peranakan communities (Chinese descendants). Exhibits are spread over three floors and comprise one of the most extensive collections of Peranakan artefacts in existence. Hands-on displays are available for younger visitors, while temporary exhibition galleries and two gift shops provide further interest.
Open hours: Monday - 13:00 to 19:00, Tuesday to Thursday, Saturday and Sunday - 09:00 to 19:00, Friday - 09:00 to 21:00
Admission: charge, discounts for students and families

Science Centre Singapore

Address: 15 Science Centre Road, Republic of Singapore, SG
Tel: +65 6425 2500
The Science Centre lies to the west of the city, within the Jurong East area and close to the Jurong Golf Course, being just a short walk from an MRT Station. Home to almost 1,000 individual science-related exhibits spread around a series of gallery spaces, the Science Centre offers more than enough to fill an entire day and is highly suitable for families. Themed attractions cover topics such as bioethics, climate changes, fossils and prehistoric creatures, inventions, mathematics, nanotechnology, nature, optical illusions, viruses and the water cycle. There is also a fun 'Discovery Zone' for children, an Omniplanetarium concentrating on astronomy and the solar system, and a Kinetic Garden with a large amphitheatre.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children and seniors, children aged under three years old are free, combined tickets available for Science Centre, IMAX Theatre and Snow City