Museum Singapore
Ready to venture through the past and present of this glittering metropolis on a free budget? Lucky you!
Best free museums in Singapore for 2024 are National Museum Singapore, Asian Civilisations Museum, Peranakan Museum, Singapore Art Museum, and Singapore Philatelic Museum.
It’s a great day out learning about the arts, past and present of Singapore and some of the museums are completely free so read on if you’re an art master, a historian, or just someone looking for things to do in Singapore.
Quick Summary
- Best free museums in Singapore for 2024 are National Museum Singapore, Asian Civilisations Museum, Peranakan Museum, Singapore Art Museum, and Singapore Philatelic Museum.
- Look for museums that align with your interests, whether it’s art, history, or cultural heritage, to ensure a fulfilling experience.
- Singapore’s museums offer a diverse and immersive exploration of the island’s rich cultural tapestry and history, with many providing free access to world-class exhibits.
Key Considerations
- Interests and Preferences: Choose museums that match your personal interests, whether it’s art, history, culture, or specialty themes.
- Accessibility: Check the museum’s location and ease of access via public transport or parking facilities.
- Exhibits and Programs: Look for museums with exhibits and programs that intrigue you, such as interactive displays, guided tours, or special workshops.
- Opening Hours: Verify the museum’s opening hours and days to plan your visit accordingly.
- Family-Friendly Features: If visiting with children, ensure the museum offers family-friendly exhibits and activities.
- Special Events: Consider museums that host special events, exhibitions, or festivals that might enhance your visit.
- Amenities: Check for on-site amenities like cafes, restrooms, and accessibility features for a comfortable visit.
Best Free Museums in Singapore
1. National Museum of Singapore
| Key Services | National museum |
| Address | 93 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178897 |
| Website | nhb.gov.sg |
| Phone | +6563323659 |
| Operating Hours | Daily: 10:00 am to 6:30 pm |
The National Museum of Singapore is the grand, grand-daddy, and one of the biggest museums in Singapore. Not only is it the oldest museum in Singapore. It is also a repository of historical items of the Singaporean nation. A walk through its galleries will see you become part of the story of how the island transitioned from a humble fishing village to what it is today, a metropolis in its own right.
The building itself is a great feat of art. So is the way the museum fuses multimedia history with interactive displays. Want to learn more about the history of Singapore? Pay a visit to Growing Up, Modern Colony, and the Singapore History Gallery.
2. Asian Civilisations Museum
| Key Services | Heritage museum |
| Address | 1 Empress Pl, Singapore 179555 |
| Website | nhb.gov.sg |
| Phone | +6563327798 |
| Operating Hours | Daily: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm |
Next up, we have the Asian Civilisations Museum. This museum might as well be a love letter to Asia’s ancient cultures and civilizations. The Tang Shipwreck exhibit features a complete treasure trove of artifacts pulled from a 9th-century shipwreck, while another section is devoted to ancient, and often now-obscure, religions that once dominated Asian societies. They offer school programs, family gallery trails, and various other activities that make learning about ancient civilizations a fun and enjoyable experience for all
3. Peranakan Museum
| Key Services | Museum |
| Address | 39 Armenian St, Singapore 179941 |
| Website | peranakanmuseum.org.sg/ |
| Phone | +6563327591 |
| Operating Hours | Sunday to Thursday: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm Friday: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm |
Ever wondered what makes Peranakan culture so special? The Peranakan Museum is the place to find out. This museum will unveil the incredible exoticness of naninka lifestyle, both in the Peranakan art world and in everyday local culture, where you’ll encounter traditional costumes, gorgeous ornaments, artwork, and Epitome-of-perfection artifacts. Interactive galleries and education programs blend with the Peranakan heritage.
4. Singapore Art Museum
| Key Services | Art museum |
| Address | 39 Keppel Rd, #01-02, Singapore 089065 |
| Website | singaporeartmuseum.sg |
| Phone | +6566979730 |
| Operating Hours | Daily: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm |
If modern art is your scene, head for the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) with its contemporary art from Southeast Asia; the art is often startling, sometimes scandalous, and always fresh. A mix of established and emerging artists keeps the exhibitions guns blazing. Het Pakhuis, currently the home of SAM while the museum’s main building undergoes a period of renovation and restoration.
5. Singapore Philatelic Museum
| Key Services | Art museum |
| Address | 23-B Coleman St, Singapore 179807 |
| Website | nhb.gov.sg |
| Phone | +6563373888 |
| Operating Hours | Tuesday to Thursday: 9:00 am to 5:45 pm Friday: 9:00 am to 12:45 pm |
Stamps are tiny pieces of plastic, paper, and plastic, but at the Singapore Philatelic Museum, they tell large stories. The museum is home to a wide-ranging collection of stamps and philatelic materials from Singapore and the rest of the world; exhibits include the rare and the thematic. They also offer educational activities and events that make learning about philately fun.
6. Reflections at Bukit Chandu
| Key Services | War museum |
| Address | 31 – K Pepys Road, Singapore 118458 |
| Website | bukitchandu.gov.sg |
| Phone | +6562506675 |
| Operating Hours | Tuesday to Sunday: 9:30 am to 5:00 pm |
For an imaginative segment of history, visit Reflections at Bukit Chandu. Using poignant personal reminisces, hands-on wartime objects, photographs and a terrific multimedia display, the museum commemorates the brave Malay soldiers of the Malay Regiment who fought and fell in action during the Battle of Bukit Chandu in the Second World War. It is also a simple reminder of what it takes to serve our nation as humans. Bukit Chandu.
7. The Changi Museum
| Key Services | War museum |
| Address | 1000 Upper Changi Rd N, Singapore 507707 |
| Website | nhb.gov.sg |
| Phone | +6562426033 |
| Operating Hours | Tuesday to Sunday: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm |
For a more expansive idea of Singapore’s Second World War, and how the city-state came to be, one can visit the Changi Museum, an exhibition which recounts the experience of the POWs and the Asian front of the war through the murals housed in the Changi Gallery, wartime correspondence and diaries, and through first-person accounts of daily civilian life.
At the turn of each floor in the museum, there is another audio tour that magnifies the narratives and allows one to appreciate attempts at everyday survival by locals.
8. Indian Heritage Centre
| Key Services | Heritage museum |
| Address | 5 Campbell Ln, Singapore 209924 |
| Website | indianheritage.org.sg |
| Phone | +6562911601 |
| Operating Hours | Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm |
The Indian Heritage Centre is a museum dedicated to conveying the Indian heritage of the Indian community of Singapore. A walk inside exhibits includes the display of artifacts, culture, and multimedia of Indian background that contributed to the development of Singapore.
Apart from the main attractions, cultural performances, workshops, and other events are held at the museum to give awareness conclude the Indian heritage.
9. Malay Heritage Centre
| Key Services | Heritage museum |
| Address | 85 Sultan Gate, Singapore 198501 |
| Website | malayheritage.org.sg |
| Phone | +6563910450 |
Located in the buzzing Kampong Glam district, the Malay Heritage Centre is the cultural heart of Malay heritage; museum vignettes and exhibitory displays convey the wealth and depth of traditional artifacts of the culture, and multimedia presentations and interactive exhibits vividly communicate Malay heritage.
The centre also organizes educational programs and community events that engage visitors of all ages. It’s a wonderful place to learn about the Malay community’s history and contributions to Singapore.
10. National Gallery Singapore
| Key Services | Art museum |
| Address | Singapore 178957 |
| Website | nationalgallery.sg/ |
| Phone | +6562717000 |
| Operating Hours | Daily: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm |
Like that, you have 10 fantastic museums in Singapore that you can explore and enjoy for free. All of them stand as open doors to a cultural and historical archive of Singapore as an island. From stamps to contemporary artworks, via the heroic soldiers of WWII, many stories are being shown by exhibitions in the museums of Singapore.
So, make a point to visit a couple or more of them and discover some of them, if not all. Feel free to mention them on your social media channels and express the ones that impressed you the most. Let’s keep showing our cultural and heritage sides!
Museum Singapore
Enjoy these 10 great museums in Singapore! All are free admission, and offer a rich collection into cultural and historical knowledge of Singapore as an island – stamps, contemporary art, homage to WWII heroes – the list is long, and much of it is now displayed in the museums of Singapore.
Visit a couple, or more – discover some, or all of them, share them on your social media – highlight and describe the ones you liked the most. Let’s keep showing our human ‘soft’ sides!
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Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions about Museum in Singapore, you can refer to the frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Best Free Museums in Singapore below:
What are the best free museums in Singapore?
The best free museums in Singapore for 2024 are National Museum Singapore, Asian Civilisations Museum, Peranakan Museum, Singapore Art Museum, and Singapore Philatelic Museum.
Are all the museums listed free to enter all year round?
Yes, all the museums listed offer free entry throughout the year. However, some special exhibitions or events may have an entry fee.
Do these museums offer guided tours?
Many of these museums offer guided tours either for free or at a nominal cost. It’s best to check their official websites for specific details and schedules.
Are the museums accessible by public transport?
Yes, all the museums listed are easily accessible by public transport, including MRT and bus services.
Can I visit these museums with children?
Absolutely! These museums are family-friendly and offer the admission and various interactive science exhibits and activities suitable for children.
Are there any restrictions on photography inside the museums?
Photography policies vary by museum and exhibition itself. Generally, non-flash photography is allowed in most permanent exhibit areas. It’s recommended to check with each museum regarding their specific photography guidelines.
Do these museums have facilities for visitors with disabilities?
Yes, most of these museums are equipped with facilities to accommodate visitors with disabilities, including wheelchair access and accessible restrooms.
Are there any cafes or dining options available at these museums?
Several of these museums have on-site cafes or dining options where visitors can enjoy a meal or a light snack during their visit.
