A modern museum serves the purpose of collecting, preserving, interpreting and displaying objects of artistic, cultural or scientific significance for the public to study and educate themselves. Spending the day visiting a small local museum or a large well-known museum can be the perfect way to entertain yourself and your loved ones while giving you some insights into the national history.
There are various kinds of museums including national history museums, art museums, science museums, war museums and many more in Malaysia. Here are the top 10 best museums in Kuala Lumpur.
What To Look For In Finding A Museum To Visit?
Kuala Lumpur is a big and well-developed city that has become travellers’ first choice to visit. Being the capital of Malaysia, it has a great number of museums that can be visited by Malaysians and people all around the world. The most important things to consider are the location, the type of museum and the entrance fee.
- Location
The location needs to be considered as different kinds of museums are located in different places so do your research before picking a museum to visit to avoid wasting your petrol and time.
- Type of museum
It is best to decide which museum you want to go to depending on your preference to enjoy your trip to the fullest.
- Entrance fee
A small entrance fee may be applied when you are visiting a museum. If you are on a tight budget, choosing a museum that is not charging a large amount of money is advisable.
10 Best Museums in Kuala Lumpur 2024
1. National Museum of Malaysia
The National Museum is a museum that opened on 31st August 1963 located on Jalan Damansara in Kuala Lumpur. It provides an overview of Malaysia’s rich culture and historical heritage. Its displays vary from free-standing tableaux showcasing cultural events like festivals, costumes, weddings and traditional weapons. This three-story museum is one of the most visited museums in Malaysia by tourists and the local community.
Unique Quality: Popular museum in Kuala Lumpur, An educational museum
Address: Jabatan Muzium Malaysia, Jln Damansara, Perdana Botanical Gardens, 50566 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Operations Hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm (Daily)
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
2. Petrosains Science Discovery Centre
The Petrosains Science Discovery Centre, also known as Petrosains is located within Suria KLCC, Petronas Twin Towers that was established on 25th March 1999. This Malaysian science and technology museum was the brainchild of then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Petrosains is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Petronas, Malaysia’s integrated oil and gas multinational corporation that is a well-known company that also owns the Petronas Twin Towers. Learn science while having fun at Petrosains with your loved ones!
Unique Quality: Many fun activities, Family-friendly
Address: Petronas Twin Tower, Level 4, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur
Operations Hours: 9:30am – 5:30pm (Tuesday – Friday)
9:30am – 6:30pm (Saturday – Sunday)
Closed on Monday
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
3. Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
The Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia is located in Kuala Lumpur that houses more than seven thousand artefacts of the Islamic world. Being the largest museum of Islamic arts in SouthEast Asia, it is no surprise that this museum can offer twelve gallery spaces that spread all over two levels of the museum. It was officially opened on 12th December 1998 and the museum is defined by clean lines accompanied by 21st Century construction techniques with traditional Islamic architectural details. It is a perfect choice if you want to educate yourself more about Islam.
Unique Quality: Educational trip, Has over 7,000 artefacts of the Islamic World
Address: Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, Jalan Lembah, Tasik Perdana, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operations Hours: 9:30am – 6:00pm (Daily)
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
4. Kuala Lumpur City Gallery
Kuala Lumpur City Gallery is a must-visit for everyone if you want to experience 360-degree Kuala Lumpur. This popular Kuala Lumpur historical site is often visited by tourists and locals and is located right in Dataran Merdeka. The Spectacular City Model Show is the largest and first of its kind in Malaysia that shows the city’s past, present and future with the help of a light and sound presentation. The distinguishable I LOVE KL structure was created to show passion for the city and has been a desired spot to take photos each time people give the place a visit.
Unique Quality: The iconic I LOVE KL structure, Able to experience Kuala Lumpur 360-degree
Address: Dataran Merdeka, 27, Jalan Raja, City Centre, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operations Hours: 9:00am – 6:00pm (Monday – Sunday)
Closed on Tuesday
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
5. Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery
Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery is a museum and an art gallery located on Jalan Dato Onn that offers a fair range of themes through its six galleries. All six themes which are the Children’s Gallery, the Bank Negara Malaysia Gallery, Economics Gallery, Islamic Finance Gallery, Numismatics Gallery and Art Gallery are open for the public to visit. These galleries let you indulge in the knowledge of the Malaysian economy and the important role of the Bank in the nation’s economic development and financial landscape.
Unique Quality: Able to get some insights about the Bank’s role in the economic development
Address: Sasana Kijang, 2, Jalan Dato Onn, Kuala Lumpur, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operations Hours: 10:00am – 5:00pm (Tuesday – Sunday)
Closed on Monday
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
6. Telekom Museum
The Telekom Museum was upgraded to a mechanical telephone exchange in 1938. Telekom Malaysia was looking for a space to be their office and to house their telecommunication equipment in Kuala Lumpur. They found an appropriate spot in 1984 but were not able to proceed with the plan when then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad proposed the building to be a national heritage in 1985. Finally, on 3rd June 1994, the museum was opened for the public to awe themselves with the telecommunications artefacts showcased.
Unique Quality: Educational museum with telecommunications artefacts
Address: Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operations Hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm (Monday – Friday)
Closed on Saturday and Sunday
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
7. Illusion 3D Art Museum
The Illusion 3D Art Museum is a modern art museum located on Jalan Hang Kasturi, Kuala Lumpur. It is the first 3D art museum in Kuala Lumpur that displays realistic paintings by a team of talented artists. This art museum features a handful of incredible hand-painted and mind-blowing interactive 3D artworks that can be enjoyed with your family and friends. If you are somewhere around the Central Market, give this art museum a visit as it will only take you around 2 minutes to get to the museum.
Unique Quality: A fun art museum, Able to take a lot of trippy photos
Address: Lot 4.01-4.03, Second Floor Central Market Annexe, Jalan Hang Kasturi, City Centre, 50050 Kuala Lumpur
Operations Hours: 10:00am – 6:00pm (Daily)
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
8. National Textiles Museum
The National Textile Museum is a 2.5-floor museum that was designed with a Moorish architectural style hence the Western-Islamic looking building. Located adjacent to the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, the building was completed in 1905 to house the headquarters for the Federated Malay States Railways, now known as KTM. After going through a lot of changes, it was finally converted into the National Textile Museum and was opened on 9th January 2010 to the public.
Unique Quality: Learn about textile, Beautiful architectural designs
Address: 26, Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operations Hours: 9:00am – 6:00pm (Daily)
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
9. Royal Malaysia Police Museum
The Royal Malaysia Police Museum is a museum located in Kuala Lumpur that exhibits the history of the Malaysian police force. It showcases the history of the Royal Malaysia Police from its origins under British colonial rule until the 1970s. The original museum was built with wood but as the number of artefacts moved, the museum moved to a new location. Its construction began on 18th February 1993 and was finally finished after four years of building the museum. It is divided into three-lettered galleries such as Gallery A, Gallery B and Gallery C that are open daily to the public.
Unique Quality: Able to educate you about the Royal Malaysian Police
Address: 5, Jalan Perdana, Tasik Perdana, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operations Hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm (Tuesday – Sunday)
9:00am – 2:30pm (Friday)
Closed on Monday
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
10. Planetarium Negara
The National Planetarium is the national planetarium of Malaysia that is known for its blue-coloured dome structure. It was opened by then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on 7th February 1994 for the public to experience the awesomeness of the planetarium. Connected by an overhead pedestrian bridge to the National Museum of Malaysia, the planetarium is extended into a space theme park where replicas of ancient observatories are located. One of the main attractions is a space theatre that screens space shows and large format films that is both enjoyable for adults and children.
Unique Quality: Family-friendly, A space theatre is available
Address: 53, Jalan Perdana, Tasik Perdana, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operations Hours: 9:00am – 4:30pm (Tuesday – Sunday)
Closed on Monday
Google Map: Navigate Now
Google Review: Here
Disclosure: This list was compiled by the team at My Weekend Plan after extensive research and shared opinions to suggest helpful recommendations for the public. The sequence of brands is in no particular order so if you have any other great suggestions too, please email us support@myweekendplan.com.my. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.
