NATIONAL GALLERY

One of the city’s biggest cultural attractions, the National Gallery of Singapore is a must visit for every connoisseur of art. The Museum serves as the world’s biggest repository of Singapore and Southeastasian artworks. The Museum is housed in two of the city’s most iconic buildings: the former Supreme Court, and the City Hall. The Museum also houses the Keppel Art Centre, an interactive education centre that educate on art appreciation and creative learning.

The National Art Gallery Singapore houses the largest collection of visual art in Singapore and Southeast Asia. It is also one of the greatest art galleries of Asia which aims at upholding their cultural heritage to the world of art through various media. The galleries of the art museum provide in-depth information on visual art and its evolution from 19th-century art to date.

The two historical buildings namely the Supreme Court and City Hall (erstwhile Municipal Building) that house the National Art Gallery have witnessed several phases of Singapore’s political and cultural history and stands as a glaring emblem of its colonial past.

The National Gallery Singapore opened its doors for visitors on 24 Nov 2015 in the Civic District of Singapore as the largest museum of visual arts. It comprises of more than 1,000 artworks spreading across a whopping floor area of 64,000 sq. metres. Special exhibitions are hosted in different galleries introducing the spectators to the art, culture and architecture of Southeast Asia and Singapore city in particular.

The Permanent Galleries of the museum display versatile artworks that date as early as the 19th century till contemporary time. A trip around the magnificent museum is certainly a cultural treat to its lovers to see on your Singapore tour and witness its rich heritage down the years and provided room for common visitors and art lovers to explore, think, feel and imagine. For those looking to explore this cultural gem on a budget, there are various budget-friendly Singapore tour packages available, ensuring a memorable experience without breaking the bank.

If you are planning to visit this iconic art gallery and museums in Singapore, here’s a list of things for your trip itineraries:

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Highlights

• Pay a visit to the informative and impressive National Gallery Singapore, lying in the iconic remodelled Supreme Court and City Hall buildings.
• Take a stroll through the biggest art gallery in Singapore that is home to more than 1,000 brilliant artworks.
• Explore the stunning Southeast Asian and Singaporean artworks.
• Get a unique opportunity to learn about the architecture, culture, and art of the country.
• Get an insight into the huge range of research papers, children’s books, and catalogues.
• Discover the Gallery’s Library & Archive sheltered inside a rotunda dome.
• Learn about the political and socio-economic history of Singapore at DBS Singapore Gallery.
• Catch a glimpse of the rich history of Southeast Asian art at UOB Southeast Asia Gallery.
• Take a guided tour of the entire gallery or various sections of the gallery for a better learning experience.
• Participate in an educational programme at the Keppel Centre for Art Education.
• Check out the interactive and fun programmes at Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Gallery.

How To Reach

- By Bus: The Gallery has two main entrances, the Padang Atrium entrance and the Coleman Street Entrance. Bus 130 stops directly at the Coleman Street Entrance, while buses 63, 51, 80, 32, 851 stop close by. Buses servicing the other entrance include 61, 124, 145, 166, 174, 197, 195 and 961.

- By MRT: The nearest MRT Station is the City Hall station. However, one can also choose to get off at Clarke Quay or Raffles Place and enjoy a 10 minute stroll to the Museum instead.

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Best Time To Visit

Being an indoor attraction, the National Museum is good to visit throughout the year. Crowds generally remain lesser during the monsoon months, which are roughly between November and December.

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Other Essential Information



Here is the list of Tours at the National Gallery Singapore

Join a docent-led tour and explore the historical buildings and galleries at the National Gallery Singapore. There are various ticketed tours conducted by curators and specialists that help you get an insight into the history and culture of Singapore according to your area of interest. List of tours are listed below from which you can make your itineraries:

a. Daily Guided Tours: The daily guided tours are long hour trips operated at different slots in English and Mandarin timings. Visitors can also choose self-guided gallery trips according to their own convenience. There are 20 slots that are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Registration opens 20 minutes before the start of each tour.

b. Back of the House Tour: Former Supreme Court- Take a tour around the former Supreme Court and City Hall Buildings that represent the architectural heritage of the country.

The exclusive tour gives you an opportunity to visit the restricted areas of the former Supreme Court and go behind-the-scenes to know more about the courtroom trials and events. Timings are every Friday at 5:30 PM and Saturday at 3:30 PM.

c. UOB Southeast Asia Gallery Highlight Tour: Join one of the tours conducted by the docents and get to know more about the main highlights of the UOB Southeast Asia Gallery. Timings are daily at 3:30 PM (English) and Friday-Sunday at 3 PM (Mandarin).

d. Insight tour: Law of the Land: The insight tour conducted by the curators of the gallery will take you back to the time of Singapore’s emergence as a sovereign republic (1965) from a British settlement (1819). For admission ticket holders, the tour is free of cost. The tour opens for visitors on every 4th Friday of the month (excluding public holidays) between 6:30 PM -7:15 PM.

e. DBS Singapore Gallery Highlights Tour: The guided tour led by docents gives you access to the highlights of the DBS Singapore Gallery. The tour is open every day at 1 PM and on Saturdays and Sundays between 10:30 AM -1 PM (English timings) and Friday-Sunday at 12 PM (Mandarin timings).

f. Highlights of Gallery Tour: You can gain valuable information about the cultural history of Singapore and Southeast Asia from the artworks displayed in the DBS Singapore and UOB Southeast Asia galleries. The exhibitions are conducted in English and Japanese. Timings are Saturday & Sunday at 4 PM (English) and every last Saturday of the month at 1:30 PM (Japanese).

g. Highlights of Wu Guanzhong: Expressions of Pen and Pallet and Lim Cheng Hoe: Painting Singapore- In a guided tour organised by docents you can explore the highlighted works of Lim Cheng Hoe and Wu Guanzhong. The gallery remains open from Friday-Sunday at 11:30 AM and Saturday & Sunday at 2 PM.

h. Private and Group Tours: Along with the daily guided tours, there are several private guided tours for individual visitors or groups that can be customized according to your preference and budget.

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Places to Dine in at National Gallery Singapore

a. City Hall Wing, Level 1: If you have a nose for curated and designer items this has to be your preferred shopping destination. Their handpicked items comprise of children’s books, exhibition catalogs, research articles (titled on Visual Art in Singapore and Southeast Asia) published by the gallery, and their own branded food and other products.

The retail and cafeteria remain open from Saturday- Thursday (10 AM- 7 PM) and Friday (10 AM- 9 PM).

b. Aura Restaurant: Aura promises you the delight of world-class contemporary dining with a plethora of classic Italian cuisine prepared with the finest and freshest ingredients. The restaurant runs with the objective of showcasing the creativity of expert chefs in Italian cookery. Opening hours are daily between noon- 2:30 PM and 6:30 PM -10:30 PM.

c. Courtyard Lounge: What can be better than enjoying Asian fusion tapas accompanied by electrifying jazz music? The restaurant is sited in a cozy corner of the National Art Gallery and is a must-visit place for Asian food lovers. Remains open from Monday to Thursday (1-7) PM, Fri-Sat (1-8) PM, and Sundays are closed.

d. Odette: The restaurant owes its authentic French recipes to chef-owner Julien Royer whose culinary principle is using the finest seasonal ingredients and French techniques for creating magic in the platters.

For the connoisseurs of French cuisine, Odette is a must-visit place to taste their signature dishes. Opening timings are Monday (7 PM -9:30 PM) and Tuesday- Saturday (noon-2 PM, 7 PM -9:30 PM).

e. Hachi Restaurant: The 20-year old Japanese restaurant has opened its new flagship in the National Art Gallery. The objective of the restaurant is to make seasonal omakase dining exclusive by using authentic Japanese cooking ingredients from land and sea resources of Japan. Remains open Monday-Friday between noon-2:30 PM and 6 PM-11 PM and on Saturdays between 6 PM -11 PM.

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f. The Public Eight: For the drinkers, Pubic Eight is ready to welcome you with their Japanese whisky, High Cocktails, fresh beer on tap and a wide variety of alcoholic beverages according to your taste. You can also savor modern Japanese cuisines complemented with a cocktail. Remains open Monday-Saturday from 5:30 PM till midnight.

g. Yan: If you are looking for authentic Cantonese cuisines in Singapore, Yan is the right place for you to tantalise your taste buds with their innovative delicacies. Their signature dishes are prepared with assorted ingredients for the typical Cantonese flavour. The restaurant remains open every day between 11:30 AM- 2:30 PM and 6 PM- 10:30 PM.

h. Smoke and Mirrors: It is an epicurean haven for those who want to relish signature cocktails, wine and curated menu specially prepared by the trained chefs of Smoke and Mirrors. Your meal will be complemented with the panoramic view overlooking the Marina Bay and Padang Beach through the giant skylights of the restaurant.

Remains open from Monday-Thursday between 3 PM -1 AM, Fridays from 3 PM-2 AM, Saturdays (including Eve of Public Holidays) from noon-2AM and Sundays from noon-1AM.

i. National Kitchen by Violet Oon Singapore: Enjoy the sweeping view of Singapore skyline from the elegantly decked dining hall with a signature cocktail or some spicy bites. Popularised by the local celebrity chef Violet Oon, National Kitchen is the place where dining is a celebration of Singapore’s vibrant culinary heritage.

Remains open every day from 3 PM -5 PM (afternoon tea) and 6 PM -10:30 PM.

Places to visit near National Gallery Singapore



a. Gardens by the Bay: Spread across a huge area of whopping 250 acres, Gardens by the Bay is the land of futuristic supertrees groves. This place is also known for its awe-inspiring Garden Rhapsody, a hypnotic light and sound show. Book your Gardens by the Bay ticket and experience another attraction of the Gardens by the Bay which is Flower Dome, the world’s largest glass greenhouse.

b. Merlion: Situated near One Fullerton in the CBD, Merilon is a classic Singapore attraction, featuring two Merlion statues. Considered as the icon of Singapore, Merlion happens to be a mythical creature featuring the body of a fish and the head of a lion. The Merlion statues spout water from their mouths and make for an excellent photoshoot site.

c. Singapore Flyer: Perched at an elevation of around 165 meters, the Singapore Flyer offers enchanting views of the country. This gigantic ferris wheel lets you catch a glimpse of some of the iconic landmarks of Singapore including Merlion Park and Raffles Place. Book your Singapore flyer tickets and explore the top attractions of the Singapore Flyer including Fish Foot Spa & XD Theatre and Flight Simulator.

d. Siloso Beach: Beach lovers should not be disappointed by holidaying in the bustling downtown of Singapore as the most bewitching sea beaches are close to the city. Siloso and Lido beaches are most popular among tourists for the pleasant climate and serenity of the place.

Spend a night at Siloso when the place really comes to life and experience the magical charm of stargazing under the open sky. Lastly, soak in the positive vibe of the place and go back home with unforgettable memories.

e. National Museum of Singapore: The oldest museum of the country, the National Museum of Singapore houses a host of historical exhibits and artefacts. The museum features a total of 11 permanent galleries that showcase the history and culture of Singapore. Book your National Museum of Singapore tickets and experience the joys like story-telling sessions, film screenings, workshops, and many other exciting activities.

f. Sri Sivan Temple:

This is one of the most famous Hindu temples in Singapore which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and stands as an emblem of Indian architecture at the Geylang Avenue in Singapore. The temple owes its unique features with intricate carving on its outer surface to the Indian artisans who were hired for the construction.

g. Clarke Quay: Lying at the mouth of Singapore River, Clarke Quay is the nightlife hub of the country. Packed with upmarket boutiques, swanky restaurants, jazzy nightclubs, and buzzy pushcart vendors, this place offers the perfect amalgamation of European and Asian culture. Some of the top attractions in Clarke Quay include Singapore River, G Max reverse bungy jumping, and Asian Civilisations Museum.

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Things to Do near National Gallery Singapore

There are a number of places near National Art Gallery Singapore where you can spend joyful time strolling around the gallery, taking thrilling rides or enjoying fine dining at the cafes and restaurants. Know what else you can do in your Singapore trip and plan your itineraries accordingly:

a. Katong Food Walk: Whether you are a connoisseur of authentic Singaporean cuisines or an enthusiast of culture and history, a guided 4 hours’ tour conducted by the Betel Box hostel owners will sate your wishes and interests.

As you make your way through the colourful lounges of the Geylang area you can gorge on steaming dim sum or chilli crab and get fair knowhow from your guide about the local culture and lifestyle of the Singaporean people.

b. Camping: For nature lovers, this is a rare opportunity to spend a day in the lap of nature and enjoy an amazing barbeque session on the sea beach. East Coast Park Camping at Areas D and G can be your ultimate camping site for nature photography and making nice memories to cherish. For camping at any AXS Station, you need a prior permit.

c. City tour on the Bike: The best possible way to visit the nook and corner of the city is by riding a bike which introduces you to the lifestyle and culture of the local people. You can also go for a weekend trip or picnic to the nearby riverfront where you meet a good number of local people in the marketplace. Singapore City Tour Flat 22% Off, Book Now!

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Tips for Visiting National Gallery Singapore

Below are listed some of the tips for visitors before visiting the National Gallery. Take note of these tips for a happy and hazardless visit to one of the eminent heritage sites in Singapore:

- Do not take outside food inside the gallery premises. Foods and beverages can be taken only at the permitted restaurants inside the gallery precincts.

- Do not try to touch the artwork in the gallery while visiting. Touching with hands may cause damage to the paintings.

- It is recommended to the visitors to bring warm clothing for visiting the gallery which is air-conditioned and maybe a bit chilled for some visitors. Otherwise, there is no dress code inside the gallery.

- Keep your bags and other luggage in the locker room of the gallery.

- Do not take flash photos, selfies, or videos inside the gallery. It is strictly prohibited.

- Maintaining silence inside the gallery is appreciated. Avoid talking over mobile phones. If at all, talk softly without disturbing the silence of the place.

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