If you only have time for one art museum in Singapore, make it this one. The National Gallery Singapore isn’t just the country’s biggest art museum – it’s one of the most important museums in Southeast Asia given it hosts the world’s largest public collection of Southeast Asian art. Not to mention, the museum is housed in the stunningly restored Supreme Court and City Hall buildings, which are worth visiting for the architecture alone.

The Singapore Art Museum (SAM) is going through a bit of a glow-up these days. While its original Bras Basah building is under renovation, it’s set up shop in an industrial warehouse at Tanjong Pagar Distripark—and honestly, it suits the museum’s vibe! 

If you prefer your art experience without the crowds (or the pretentiousness), The Private Museum is the perfect spot. This independent, non-profit space is all about showcasing under-the-radar artists in an intimate setting. The exhibitions change frequently, but the curation is always on point – expect a mix of contemporary, experimental, and personal works that feel refreshingly different from the mainstream gallery circuit.

Located in the trendy, tree-lined enclave of Dempsey Hill, REDSEA Gallery is one of Singapore’s top contemporary art spaces. It’s the kind of place where you can wander in and casually admire the paintings and sculptures… or, if you have some deep pockets, actually buy one.

Printmaking and paper-based art don’t always get the hype they deserve, but STPI Creative Workshop and Gallery proves they absolutely should. This is one of Singapore’s most unique art spaces, doubling as both a gallery and a working studio where artists experiment with print and paper techniques.

This is not your typical art museum—it’s a shrine to good design in all its forms, from cutting-edge industrial products to sleek, award-winning everyday items. The Red Dot Design Museum celebrates the best of contemporary product and graphic design, featuring winners of the prestigious Red Dot Design Awards.

If you want to understand Singapore, start here. The National Museum of Singapore isn’t just the oldest museum in the country—it’s also one of the most impressive. Housed in a grand 19th-century colonial building with sleek modern additions, the museum takes you on a journey through Singapore’s transformation from a tiny trading outpost to one of the world’s most advanced cities.

Singapore didn’t become a major trading hub overnight—it was built on centuries of migration, cultural exchange, and global connections. The Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) tells that story, showing how influences from China, India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia all came together to shape the region.

If the previous museums give a good overview of the way Singapore came to be so uniquely multicultural, the Peranakan Museum lets you see up close and personal just how vibrant and intricate Singapore’s cultural history really is. Peranakans—descendants of early Chinese settlers who blended their traditions with Malay influences—have a culture that’s as bold and colorful as the artifacts on display here.

For a more personal take on Peranakan culture, The Intan is a must. Unlike the Peranakan Museum, which gives you the broad picture, The Intan is an intimate, private collection housed in a beautifully restored shophouse. Every single item has been personally curated by owner Alvin Yapp, who leads the tours himself.

Tucked away in the heart of Little India, the Indian Heritage Centre is one of Singapore’s most underrated museums. It tells the story of the Indian community’s contributions to Singapore, from the early traders who arrived centuries ago to the waves of migrants who helped shape the nation.

The ArtScience Museum is hands-down one of the coolest museum experiences in Singapore. Housed in the iconic lotus-shaped building at Marina Bay Sands, this place is all about blurring the line between technology, creativity, and human expression.

The Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum is home to a seriously impressive collection of fossils, rare specimens, and over a million biological artifacts that tell the story of our planet.

Designed to make science fun and interactive, the Science Centre Singapore is packed with live demos, hands-on exhibits, and quirky experiments that bring everything from physics to space exploration to life.

The Singapore Discovery Centre is part museum, part theme park, part immersive learning experience—basically, a crash course in what makes Singapore tick. If you’ve ever wondered how a tiny island with no natural resources managed to become a global powerhouse, this place does a surprisingly good job of breaking it all down.

Haw Par Villa is what happens when you mix Chinese mythology, Buddhist teachings, and a total lack of restraint. Built in 1937 by the creators of Tiger Balm, this massive outdoor sculpture park-slash-museum is unlike anything else in Singapore.

Hidden inside a sleek modern building near City Hall, the Mint Museum of Toys is four floors of pure nostalgia. This private collection houses over 50,000 vintage toys from the 1800s to the 1980s, featuring everything from old-school tin robots and antique teddy bears to original Star Wars and Mickey Mouse memorabilia.

Most people visit Singapore and never stop to think how the hell did this tiny island turn into a mega metropolis? If you’re even a little curious, Singapore City Gallery lays it all out in the most interesting, visually engaging way possible.