National Museum of Singapore
Photo: Own work — Copyrighted free use, via Wikimedia Commons
Established in 1887, the National Museum of Singapore is the nation’s oldest museum, offering a comprehensive exploration of Singapore’s history and culture through innovative exhibitions and events.
Planning your visit
The National Museum of Singapore traces to 1849, making it the country's oldest, and it occupies a neoclassical building of 1887 with a glass and metal extension added behind.
The Singapore History Gallery runs chronologically from fourteenth-century Temasek through the Malay sultanate, Raffles and the British East India Company, the Japanese occupation from 1942 — a subject treated with considerable directness, including the Sook Ching massacres — the merger with and separation from Malaysia, and independence in 1965.
The trajectory from a colonial port to one of the wealthiest states in the world within a single lifetime is the underlying argument, and the museum makes it without excessive triumphalism.
The Glass Rotunda houses an immersive digital installation, and the life galleries cover food, fashion and film.
It sits near Fort Canning. Allow two hours. The main booking is an entry ticket. Current availability is listed below.
Before you book
Where is National Museum of Singapore?
National Museum of Singapore is in Singapore, Singapore. The map on this page marks its exact location.
How long should I allow for National Museum of Singapore?
Allow two hours. That is the time the collection itself takes at an unhurried pace, before any queue.
Do I need to book National Museum of Singapore in advance?
Tickets can be bought on the door at quiet times, but booking ahead fixes the date and avoids the queue at busy ones. Live availability is shown on this page.
