10 Best Museums in Singapore

Singapore is an exciting city with diverse entertainment options, of course, it is convenient to take advantage of those with a cultural tinge. In this article you will find interesting museum options that reflect the best of Southeast Asian history. Among a myriad of possibilities, there is a building dedicated to the past of the Peranakan community, which was on the verge of disappearing and was immortalised through interactive exhibitions.

The museums show us another perspective of the city, without filters and with hundreds of interesting stories around various themes. For example, you can take advantage of unlimited ice cream tastings at the Singapore Ice Cream Museum, check out vintage toys at the Toy Museum and experience augmented reality at the TrickEye Museum. As you can see, there are plenty to choose from, but if you want to take advantage of the most entertaining, diverse and culturally rich, then you have to stay to the end.

The Madame Tussauds Museum is a cultural gem not to be missed, ideal for those who want to see wax figures of major historical figures and celebrities. Specifically, there are exhibits divided into themes dedicated to music, entertainment, sports, K-Pop and politics, with prominent faces such as Marilyn Monroe, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, David Beckham, among others.

Here is a summary of some of the exhibits not to be missed:

• Star Experience: where you will feel like a superstar on a red carpet, surrounded by the biggest names in entertainment. Get ready to pose with your favourite artist and share it with your friends, thanks to the photo souvenir that is usually handed out at the end.
• Marvel 4D: this is a satisfying experience that allows you to enter a 4D cinema, where unpublished works are projected around the beloved characters of this alternate world.
• Singapore: an interactive area dedicated to local culture and history, with fun waxworks.
• Spirit Boat Ride: to travel through Singapore's rainforest and watch local exotic plants come to life.
• VR Racing: is a simulation game through intense curves, where you can practice your cleverest tricks and compete against Lewis Hamilton himself. It can be enjoyed in a group for at least forty-five minutes, but is often age-restricted.

Details of interest

• Price: from 30 euros per person, but is included in Singapore's best tourist cards such as the All Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass.
• Location: on Imbiah Street, one of the stations you can reach with tickets to the Sentosa Cable Car
• Opening hours: Every day from 10:00 to 18:00.
• How to get there: The city is very well connected, so you can get there by car or public bus. You can also take the cable car from HarbourFront Tower II station to Sentosa station, or take advantage of the fact that it is a regular route for Singapore's best tour buses.

The National Museum of Singapore is the oldest museum in Singapore, documenting local history from the 14th century to the present day. You can visit on your own, as the extensive collection is divided into five sections, making it easy to explore. In addition, there are areas that have been added in recent years that revolve around traditional cuisine, fashion, cinema and photography.

Something that will particularly attract your attention is the diversity of ethnographic and archaeological objects. Among them is the famous 13th century Singaporean stone, whose antiquity has earned it the title of national treasure. Most of the exhibits are interactive and can be a good destination if you plan to spend at least 3 days in Singapore

Interesting details

• Price: from 10 euros per person, although it is also included in the Explorer Pass.
• Location: in Singapore's Civic District.
• Opening Hours: Open daily from 10:00 to 19:00.
• How to get there: it is best to take advantage of the public lines of SBS Transit and SMRT. If you want to visit Singapore at night, it is best to take the night bus of these companies.

Nothing prepares you for the gems you'll see at Singapore's Asian Civilisations Museum, which is largely based around 9th century shipwrecks. Its exhibits take you on a journey through **Singapore'**s ancient culture, with interactive activities. Glide through the island's past, whose legacy includes pan-Asian treasures. These are artefacts from different regions of Asia, which are preserved to rescue the culture from one generation to the next.

Specifically in this museum there are ancient musical instruments, textiles, works of art, religious books, Chinese ceramics and archaeological pieces. As such, it is the most complete of its kind in the region. It has three floors with art galleries and more than 1,300 artefacts from Asian communities. If you plan to buy the All-Inclusive Pass, don't miss the opportunity to visit it as it is among the highlights.

Details of interest

• Price: from 13 euros per person.
• Location: in the Empress Place Building, overlooking the Singapore River.
• Opening hours: Available daily from 10:00 to 19:00.
• How to get there: You can get there by public bus.

Singapore is a city drawn to art, where you can find many buildings with worthwhile collections. The Marina Bay Museum of Art is one of the highlights, adopting temporary exhibitions from other museums and featuring sections on art, science and technology. It's the first of its kind in the world, so it's considered a futuristic museum. You can find 4D exhibits and pools with LED lights.

Some of Singapore' s best activities hidden in this museum are:

• New Eden: Science Fiction Mythologies Transformed: an exhibition that invites you into fantastical worlds, through stories of science fiction and Asian mythology.
• Mars: The Red Mirror: synthesises thousands of years of artworks and antiquities around the planet Mars.

Details of interest

• Price: from 6 euros per person. Note that it is included in the Explorer Pass, so you can combine it with other attractions.
• Location: at 10 Bayfront Avenue.
• Opening hours: open daily from 10:00 to 19:00.
• How to get there: the best way to get to both is by metro or bus.

Another must-see museum is the Singapore Peranakan Museum, which revolves around Peranakan culture. It's a fusion of Chinese and Malay traditions that can be seen in the exhibits featuring colourful costumes, antique artefacts and photographs. Established in 2008 in the premises of an old building dating back to 1910, every corridor contains the legacy of this community, which also borrowed from English and Dutch traditions.

They were generally merchants, so their antiques revolve around this era. The reason why this space was created was because this curious culture was practically dying out without a trace.

Interesting details

• Price: from 8 euros per person.
• Location: on Armenian Street.
• Opening hours: every day from 10:00 to 19:00, on Fridays the opening hours are extended until 21:00.
• How to get there: It is best to take a bus.

Talking about good flavours and temptations in Singapore is definitely synonymous with a visit to the Ice Cream Museum. This is a magical experience where you can indulge in unlimited tastings of ice cream from around the world with a variety of textures, flavours and toppings. What are you going to do? You can probably learn about the history of ice cream through multi-sensory exhibits.

It's definitely a must-visit if you're looking for things to do in Singapore with kids There are areas for all ages, where you can bring out your inner child and share with the family. For example, don't miss out on the fun in the chip pools, the pink forest, the unicorn playground and the huge snow globe. Overall, it has around 14 themed rooms that you can explore during your trip, while continuing with ice cream tasting and joining interactive workshops.

Interesting details

• Price: from 31 euros per person.
• Location: in the trendy Dempsey Hill neighbourhood.
• Hours: Thursday to Sunday 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, Mondays open until 6:00 pm.
• How to get there: The cheapest and most functional option is to take the public bus route from wherever you are.

Trick Eye Museum is one of Singapore's most popular attractions, as its exhibits trick the eye and challenge your other senses. You can expect a fully interactive tour, where you will be confronted with 4D optical illusions, special effects and augmented reality.

Specifically, the Trick Eye art movement uses two-dimensional paintings to create three-dimensional experiences in artistic universes that push your imagination to the limit. Of course, their installations are completely futuristic and adapt to the viewer's perspective. I recommend you check it out for yourself, as you can't miss the ecological garden and rainbow garden, the aquatic areas, the fairytale world, the rainforest exhibits and the space adventures.

Interesting details

• Price: from 20 euros per person.
• Location: in Sentosa, specifically on Siloso Street.
• Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 19:00.
• How to get there: the best option is by car or the Tower Transit Singapore bus.

A marvel not to be missed is the Singapore Art Museum, whose contemporary representational works are fascinating. It promotes the development of local art and culture through Singaporean and other Southeast Asian artists. It generally includes sculptures, photographs and performances from China, India, Korea and Japan.

You'll find around 7,000 pieces of art, as well as events throughout the year. If you plan to be in Singapore for at least 3 days, you can take advantage of this stop to attend cultural events with free admission.

Interesting details

• Price: starts at 24 euros per person.
• Location: located on Keppel Rd near the Good Shepherd Cathedral.
• Hours: Available daily 10:00 to 19:00.
• How to get there: by metro or bus.

For a chilling experience, head to Singapore's Hell's Museum. If the name gives you chills, prepare yourself for what awaits you inside. It's a 10-room interactive tour through Chinese and Buddhist mythologies of death. You've probably wondered what happens when we leave this plane, although there is no definite truth, in this museum you can delve into how Asians perceive life and death.

You'll also have the opportunity to immerse yourself in their views on sin, redemption and punishment. In its corridors you will find audio-visual exhibits, ancient burial crypts, replicas of Chinese altars and a typical traditional Chinese tomb. In addition, themed rooms also explore the concept of hell, from an Asian perspective. Please note that children under the age of 9 are not allowed, and it is advisable to bring an umbrella for one of the experiences.

Details of interest

• Price: from 13 euros per person.
• Location: Pasir Panjang Road.
• Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10am-6pm, closed on Mondays and public holidays.
• How to get there: there are different options to get to this museum, the most recommendable is to use the metro or the different bus lines that interconnect the city.

If you're looking for things to do in Singapore with kids, then you have to make a stop at the MINT Museum of Toys. Founded in 2007, it is the largest of its kind in Asia, with more than 50,000 toys, including collectible formats. Most have been collected from 40 countries, so during your tour you may see something that catches your eye and evokes a sense of nostalgia.

Most of the toys date from the period between 1840 and 1980, so you can get up close and personal with old biscuit tins, novels and comics, newspaper archives, vinyl, movie posters, collectible board games, collectible cars and an endless list of toys. For ease of visit, they are arranged in four rooms: outdoor space, characters, childhood favourites and collectibles.

Among the most precious objects in this collection are the only Mekon mask of Dan Dare in existence, from a British comic book. You can also appreciate the doll of Alice Liddell, the girl who was the inspiration for the character of 'Alice' in Wonderland.

Details of interest

• Price: from 25 euros per person.
• Location: on Seah St.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9.30am-6.30pm, closed on Mondays.
• How to get there: You can walk, drive or take the public bus.