Singapore is known for its cultural diversity, tourist-friendly atmosphere, and great culinary experience. It is one of the most travelled destinations in the Asia Pacific. This 19th smallest country in the world has so much to offer. Museums in Singapore are so diverse, that it serves every traveller’s interest. Mostly situated in well-preserved historical buildings or in modern buildings with state-of-the-art architecture, these galleries in Singapore are perfect to experience the rich culture and heritage of this country.

Here are the top 10 galleries and museums in Singapore:

1. National Museum of Singapore

The National Museum of Singapore is formerly known as the Singapore History Museum. It is the biggest museum in the area. The Singapore History Museum covers Singapore’s history from its beginnings in the 14th century to the present. The Singapore Living Galleries concentrate on the four topics of food, fashion, film, and photography. Apart from these two main galleries, you can visit the National Museum’s permanent display, Story of the Forest etc.

2. Singapore Art Museum

Singapore Art Museum is showcasing contemporary art from Singapore and Southeast Asia. This popular gallery in Singapore is located on Bras Basah Road. Its well-kept grounds and structures originally housed St. Joseph’s Institution, the first Catholic school in Singapore. It is now fully modernized and prepared for movie screenings in the adjacent expansion building, 8Q at SAM on Queen Street.

3. National Gallery of Singapore

With approximately 8,000 contemporary Southeast Asian works of art, The National Gallery of Singapore has one of the largest public collections in the entire world. This location specializes in showcasing the most significant works of early Singaporean artists like Georgette Chen, Cheong Soo Pieng, and Liu Kang. These artists are recognised for being the founders of the Nanyang art style, which is based on traditional Chinese components but inspired by Western styles of oil painting. The museum is housed in two significant historical structures: the former Supreme Court and City Hall, each of which is a huge conservation area and a work of art in its own right.

4. ArtScience Museum

The ArtScience Museum is shaped like a half-opened white lotus flower. It is prominently located adjacent to the Helix Bridge with a view of Marina Bay. The Squa.re has some of the best short-term rentals in Singapore close to this area. The ArtScience Museum collaborates with a wide range of partners, including Dreamworks Animation and the Smithsonian Institute, to stage internationally acclaimed exhibitions that examine the convergence of technology and culture. The Japanese collective teamlab created their permanent display, FutureWorld: The junction of Art and Science, which is an interactive multimedia spectacle that has proven to be especially popular among the Instagram generation.

5. Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum

The natural history museum in Singapore has a remarkable collection of plants and animals from Southeast Asia. Some of which date back to the late 1800s. The three diplodocid sauropod dinosaur skeletons in its main atrium, dubbed “Prince,” “Apollonia,” and “Twinky,” are now its most prominent features. Along with “Jubilee,” the sperm whale skeleton that made headlines in 2015 when it washed up on Singaporean shores. The building’s front, which resembles a rock, is covered in plants that are often found on the coastal cliffs of Singapore, creating the impression of a living museum.

6. Trick Eye Museum

This 800-square-meter museum is housed at Resorts World Sentosa. Trick Eye is decorated in six zones with various themes (such as Safari or Circus), each of which features three-dimensional paintings and masterworks of optical illusion that guests can pose in front of for mind-blowing photo opportunities. The interactive exhibits thoroughly immerse visitors in the cosmopolitan spirit of Singapore by fusing Eastern and Western elements.

7. Asian Civilisation Museum

The first museum in Singapore to give an integrated perspective of pan-Asian cultures and civilisations is the Asian Civilisations Museum. More than 1,300 artefacts from the civilisations of China, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and West Asia are on display in its 11 galleries. Don’t miss #SGFASHIONNOW, the museum’s inaugural presentation of modern Singaporean clothing in relation to the region’s cultural history.

8. Singapore Science Center

The Singapore Science Centre is of of the most popular galleries in Singapore for families and school groups. It features more than 1,000 engaging exhibits scattered across 14 galleries, providing kids with a fun and instructive way to pass the time for the entire day. The only dome-shaped IMAX theatre in Singapore, the Omni-Theatre is located at the Science Centre and offers a dreamlike environment for viewing nature documentaries. Visit Snow City, the only location in Singapore where you can play in the snow, especially if you aren’t able to take the heat of the tropics.

9. National Library of Singapore

With more than 600,000 articles in the main Lee Kong Chian Reference Library that are open to the public, the National Library is Singapore’s primary repository of information and the ideal location for history enthusiasts eager to delve deeply into Singapore’s past. The library is located in a sleek, contemporary building in the arts and culture neighbourhood. Its three glass lifts provide panoramic views of downtown Singapore, and its 10th-floor open-air garden, The Retreat, even includes a pebbled foot reflexology walk.

10. Peranakan Museum

The hybrid culture that is particular to Singapore and the Malayan region is highlighted in the Peranakan Museum. The indigenous Malay populations and the immigrant Chinese traders who intermarried hundreds of years ago gave rise to the Peranakan culture, which is also well known for its delectable cuisine. One of the finest examples of Peranakan artifacts in the entire world is housed in the museum. Through interactive multimedia exhibitions, visitors may learn about the culture’s distinctive practices and see the lives of notable Peranakans in Singapore’s history come to life.