National Gallery Singapore

National Gallery Singapore opened in 2015 inside two of the city's grandest colonial buildings, the former Supreme Court and City Hall, which face the Padang in the Civic District. The two national monuments are joined by a canopy, bridges and a shared basement, and together they hold a collection of more than 9,000 works, the largest public collection of modern art from Singapore and Southeast Asia.

The building is part of the attraction. You can walk through the restored courtrooms and holding cells of the Supreme Court wing, see the former council chamber in City Hall, and finish on the roof, which looks over the Padang towards Marina Bay. The permanent galleries trace Singapore's art from the 19th century to the present, and the programme of special exhibitions changes through the year. Note that the UOB Southeast Asia Gallery is temporarily closed and is due to reopen in late 2027, so check what is on before choosing a ticket.

The gallery is open daily from 10am to 7pm, with last admission at 6.30pm. General admission for international visitors is S$20, a Special Exhibition ticket is S$25 and an All Access ticket, covering every exhibition, is S$30. Singapore citizens and permanent residents enter the general galleries free, children aged 6 and under go free, and there are concessions for children aged 7 to 12, seniors and overseas students. Free guided tours run with an admission ticket, subject to availability.

Allow at least half a day. Families will find a children's art centre and stroller parking, and the building is well equipped for visitors with access needs, with lifts to every floor, accessible washrooms, free wheelchair loans and a Calm Room for anyone who feels overwhelmed. Lockers can be rented in the basement. Several restaurants and bars inside the building, including Odette, stay open after the galleries close, and the Coleman Street entrance remains open late for them.

City Hall MRT station is about seven minutes away on foot through an underground art connector, and Clarke Quay and Raffles Place stations are each about ten minutes' walk. Car parking is in the basement, entered from Coleman Street. The Padang, St Andrew's Cathedral, the Asian Civilisations Museum and the Singapore River are all within a few minutes, so the gallery fits neatly into a day exploring the Civic District.