10 Best Museums You Can Visit in Singapore for Free

Singapore may be known for its Crazy Rich Asian vibes, but you don't always have to break the bank to have fun in the Lion City.

One of the best things about Singapore is that most museums are free, with over 50 museums to check out. Nothing beats a free visit to a museum in Singapore, whether you are looking to save money after splurging on a staycation or looking to stretch your budget for a day of fun.

Free museums in Singapore

Which are the free museums in Singapore? Well, it depends.

If you are a Singaporean or PR, you can enter plenty of museums without forking a single cent. Admission is mostly free for children under six too. However, tourists typically have to pay an entrance fee. Not to worry though, because the entrance fees are usually reasonably priced.

Without further ado, let's jump straight into the best museums you can visit in Singapore for locals and travellers.

1. National Gallery Singapore

Art and culture enthusiasts must visit National Gallery Singapore.

Located in a beautiful colonial building, this iconic museum has a world-class modern Southeast Asian art collection.

It’s also home to some of Singapore’s best restaurants including 3 Michelin star Odette.

Free admission is offered to Singaporeans, PRs and children aged 6 and below but note that tourists will need to buy a National Gallery Singapore ticket to see the historic interiors and all the exhibits.

If you want to explore more of the area, consider a Singapore colonial district tour to discover more of the city’s history and architecture.

2. National Museum of Singapore

Is entry to the National Museum of Singapore free? Yes, for Singaporeans, PRs, and children under six years. Tourists need to pay a small price again. But visiting the nation's oldest museum is always worth whipping out your wallet for. If the charming colonial facade doesn't get you, then the cutting-edge technology that lies within is sure to impress.

3. Indian Heritage Centre

Little India is bursting at the seams with colour and heritage. To find it all under one roof, make a beeline for the Indian Heritage Centre. A sleek and modern facade houses fascinating permanent galleries that tell the stories and culture of the region's Indian community. Tourists need to pay a small fee.

4. Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

The Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall is a tiny building that's big in terms of historical impact. This two-storey colonial villa is now converted into a museum. Its past life was home to wealthy Chinese merchants and even a Kempeitai branch office for the Japanese military in World War Two. If you are a tourist, a small entry fee is required.

5. Reflections at Bukit Chandu

Reflections at Bukit Chandu is another beautifully restored bungalow that pays tribute to the battle of Pasir Panjang and the brave men of the Malay regiment who fought in it. Come here for interactive exhibitions and super unique artefacts. Admission is free for Singaporeans and PRs only.

6. Asian Civilisations Museum

Step back in time at the Asian Civilisations Museum. Learn the stories of traditional communities in Southeast Asia explored through sculptures, paintings, and sacred objects. And see the famous Tang Shipwreck collection from 9th century China. Tourists have to fork out a small fee for entry.

7. Malay Heritage Centre

Malay culture and history take centre stage at the Malay Heritage Centre. Formerly a sultan's palace, this grand old building is where you can learn about Singapore's Malay community. However, the museum is currently closed till further notice because of revamp works (updated 22nd November 2022).

8. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum

One of the best free museums in Singapore is the iconic Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, built for the public veneration of a left canine tooth believed to be Buddha's. It was discovered during the restoration of a collapsed stupa in Myanmar in 1980. Singaporeans, PRs, and children under six can enter for free.

9. NUS Museum

Another excellent free museum in Singapore to check out is the NUS Museum. Besides being the oldest university museum in town, it is home to over 8,000 artefacts and artworks, from ancient Chinese art to Indian classical sculptures. Admission is free for all. If you also have time, you can check out the nearby Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum.

10. Parkview Museum

You can find Parkview Museum in Parkview Square (which locals jokingly refer to as Gotham for its dark and brooding facade). The museum is anything but bleak, though. Visit here for the largest Salvador Dali collection outside of Spain and a collection of imperial Chinese stone Buddhist carvings. Admission is free for all.

Bonus: quirky and interesting museums for the culture vulture

There are plenty of options to get your cultural needs satiated in the city-state. Plus, there is no shortage of under-the-radar attractions to check out. From an eccentric camera-shaped museum full of vintage photo-taking equipment to a former underground WWII bomb-proof bunker, here are seven more alternative museums in Singapore for the culture vulture to visit:

1. Museum of Ice Cream

One of the more fun museums in town, the Museum of Ice Cream Singapore is a creamy tribute to everyone's favourite sweet treat: ice cream! Head down here to spruce up your IG or TikTok feed by going selfie crazy at themed exhibitions like a unicorn playground or a sprinkles pool. And once you're done, end your visit with a drink or two at the pretty-in-pink alfresco bar.

2. Vintage Camera Museum

As its name suggests, the Vintage Camera Museum is all about old cameras, with models dating as far back as the 1800s, ranging from spy cams to drones attached to pigeons during the war. Pro tip: be sure to snap a photo of the building’s camera-shaped exterior and try a few of the vintage cameras out – it’s allowed here unlike other museums

3. BattleBox

Venture nine metres underground into the BattleBox, a former WWII bomb-proof bunker and command centre. What awaits is a mazy labyrinth of rooms filled with wartime artefacts. If you’re a history buff, this is the perfect opportunity for you to relive the drama behind the decision to surrender Singapore to the Japanese on 15 February 1942.

4. Katong Antique House

Yet another bastion of Peranakan heritage in town is the Katong Antique House. Overflowing with all things Peranakan, from batik sarongs to beaded slippers and pineapple tarts to retro furniture, this two-storey pre-war shophouse is where you can explore meticulously restored rooms that reflect how a typical Peranakan family lived in the past.

5. Live Turtle Museum

Holding the Guinness World Record for the biggest collection of tortoise and turtle items, the Live Turtle Museum has many adorable shelled critters roaming its grounds, from the African-spurred tortoise to the pig-nosed turtle. The animals are the personal collection of owner Connie Tan, who has gathered them over the last 40 years.

6. Madame Tussauds Singapore

Be it celebs, sports stars, or politicians, Madame Tussauds is a great place to get your dose of pop culture and to strike a funny pose or two. But what’s really cool is you get to live the lives of these superstars, like trying out a full-sized F1 VR simulator or dancing like a Bollywood actor in front of the camera – the choice is yours!

7. Science Centre Singapore

Are you struggling to keep the kids entertained while you museum-hop? Well, a visit to the Science Centre Singapore might be just what you need. From holding a giant hissing cockroach to gazing at stars in the observatory, you can keep your little one fully engaged in an educational journey through the wonders of the world—far more fun and satisfying than any textbook.

8. Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum

History buff or not, the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum is always good fun, being the only natural history museum in Singapore. A big part of Lee Kong Chian's collection comes from the original Raffles Museum. Even more impressive is the over a million specimens from the region you can admire here, including three massive dinosaur skeletons.

Conquer Singapore's museums the right way!

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