City Hall
3 St. Andrew’s Road, Singapore, Singapore, 178958
With its grand neoclassical pillars and enormous mint-green dome, Singapore’s City Hall (formerly the Municipal Building) is an architectural feast. But inside the national monument, things get even more aesthetically pleasing—the recently restored building houses the National Gallery Singapore, which boasts an 8,000-strong collection of Southeast Asian art that’s among the largest in the world.
The basics
National Gallery Singapore in City Hall has two permanent collections of artwork dating back to the 19th century: Between Declarations and Dreams and Siapa Namu Kamu, which both explore Singapore’s identity as a cultural crossroads. The museum offers a rotating selection of temporary exhibitions, which focus on photography, sculpture, and experimental art. Hop-on, hop-off bus tours tend to include this cultural and historical gem on their routes, while some private Singapore tours visit the space to recognize the role it plays in Singapore’s heritage.
Things to know before you go
You can download a free audio guide for the museum, or book one of the free guided tours (in English and Mandarin) that focus on architectural features and the highlights of each gallery.
There’s an admission fee for the museum, which includes the guided tours. Singaporean residents and kids under 6 go free.
The entire building is wheelchair and stroller accessible—you can read the full accessibility guide on the museum website.
There’s a gift shop and seven restaurants to choose from in City Hall.
You’re not allowed to take food or drinks (even bottled water) into the National Gallery.
How to get there
City Hall is a 7-minute walk from the City Hall MRT station via the Art Connector walkway. It’s also only 10 minutes away from the Clarke Quay and Raffles Place MRT stations. More than 15 buses stop near the building, including number 130 (which stops right outside the entrance), as well as 60, 51, 80, 32, and 851.
When to get there
National Gallery Singapore in City Hall is open daily from mid-morning to evening. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing time. Free tours run according to a schedule you can find on the museum website, but most take place in the morning.
Where to dine in Singapore’s City Hall
While most art galleries only offer a small café in terms of dining options, City Hall—like the rest of Singapore—takes things to the next level. You’ll find seven restaurants in the City Hall building alone, offering cuisines ranging from hearty Italian to modern Asian street food to seasonal French. Top picks include the Michelin-starred Art di Daniele Sperindio, a rooftop restaurant serving cutting-edge European fare, and Nation Kitchen, owned by celebrity chef Violet Oon.
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