16 Best Museums & Galleries In KL To Visit

Museums & galleries in Kuala Lumpur

It’s no secret that Malaysia can be unbearably hot and humid. A solution to the weather woes is a trip to a museum or gallery, where the crowds are less than at shopping malls. In Kuala Lumpur, you’ll find a range of them, whether you’re looking to soak up art, history, or culture.

We rounded up the best 16 museums and art galleries in KL to visit and earn your museum legs badge.

What museums are free in Kuala Lumpur?

If you’re counting pennies but still would like to visit museums, you’ll be glad to know that many museums and art galleries in Kuala Lumpur have free admission or reasonably priced entrance fees. The list of admission-free museums and galleries includes:

How much are museum tickets in Kuala Lumpur?

For museums that require an admission fee, we’ve compiled a table of all the ticket prices below. The price range is roughly between RM2 to over RM40.

Museum / Art Gallery	Admission (Malaysian)	Admission (Standard)	Admission (Concession)	Free Entry For
National Textile Museum	RM2	RM5	RM1 (Malaysian Seniors/Students) RM2 (Children)	Malaysian children (Under 12 years old) Children (Under 6 years old)
Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia	None	RM20	RM10 (Seniors/Children)	Children (Under 6 years old)
National Museum of Malaysia	RM2	RM5	RM1 (Malaysian Seniors/OKU) RM2 (Children)	Malaysian children (Under 12 years old) Children (Under 6 years old)
Orang Asli Crafts Museum	RM2	RM5	RM1 (Malaysian Seniors, OKU) RM2 (Children)	Malaysian children (Under 12 years old) Children (Under 6 years old)
REXPERIENCE	RM40	RM60	From RM20 (Malaysian Children/Seniors) From RM30 (Children/Seniors)	None
URMU	None	RM20	RM10 (Children/Seniors/OKU)	Children (Under 12 years old)
Petrosains, The Discover Centre	RM25	RM35	RM12 (Malaysian Children/Seniors) RM20 (Children/Seniors)	None
Telekom Museum	RM4	RM8	RM2 (Malaysian Seniors/Children) RM4 (Children/Seniors)	None
MinNature	None	RM30	RM25 (Children/Seniors)	Children (Under 5 years old)

– Cultural & Historical Heritage Museums –

1. National Textile Museum

A collection of local textiles and their histories

The museum opened in 2010, in the prominent Mughal-style heritage building across the city’s iconic landmark, Dataran Merdeka.
Image credit: World Trade Centre KL

The National Textile Museum (Museum Tekstil Negara) houses all sorts of local textiles, which are part of the rich tapestry that makes up the fabric of the nation. Four permanent galleries in the 2-storey museum have textile-related artefacts, ethnic adornments, and traditional costumes of diverse Malaysians on display.

Image credit: @kanda.leo via Instagram

Expect to spend about an hour exploring the institution’s well-organised exhibits. You’ll leave knowing more about local practices such as textile weaving methods and the craftsmanship behind different batiks, as well as local designs and motifs used in traditional attires.

Image adapted from: @im_youning via Instagram

Admission fee (Malaysians): RM2/adult | RM1/pax for senior citizens and persons with disabilities | Free for children under 12 years old
Admission fee (Standard): RM5/adult | RM2/pax for children aged 6-12 years old | Free for children under 6 years old

How to get here: Masjid Jamek LRT Station is a 9-minute walk away. Alternatively, Pasar Seni LRT/MRT Station is 11 minutes from here by foot.

Address: JKR 26, Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, 50050 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 9am-5pm, Daily
Contact: 03-2694 3457 | National Textile Museum website | Facebook | Instagram

2. Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia

The largest museum of Islamic art in Southeast Asia

The museum building itself is an architectural marvel, blending modern and Islamic designs.
Image credit: Albukhary Foundation

The Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM) has an impressive title to its name. The cultural institution is the largest museum of Islamic art in Southeast Asia, with over 10,000 artefacts spanning a millennium spread out across 12 permanent galleries.

Image credit: @abbyariffin via Instagram

The museum’s collection focuses on the Islamic world, with art objects from Persia and the Middle East. It also gives special attention to Asia, with the delicate ceramics of China and the opulent textiles of India as part of its exhibits to represent the colourful Malaysia.

Image credit: Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia

The excellence of the Islamic world is captured through the range of artefacts on view – from the world’s largest scale models of the architectural marvel Masjid al-Haram in Mecca to jewellery, arms and armours, and ceramics that showcase exquisite craftsmanship.

Image credit: Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia

On the ground floor, the museum’s MOZA restaurant has a Middle Eastern-focused menu with Shorba Adas (RM10.50) and Adana Kebab (RM40.50) signatures. Every Friday, from 12pm-2.30pm, the restaurant has a Mini Buffet (RM45/pax) with 15 dishes served. You can add on a main course like Lamb Mandi and Beef Mishakil for RM80/pax.

The restaurant opens daily, from 9.30am-5pm.

Admission fee: RM20/adult | RM10/student | RM10/pax for senior citizens | Free for children under 6 years old

How to get here: The nearest stations are the Kuala Lumpur KTM Komuter & ETS stations, just a 5-minute walk from here. Alternatively, Pasar Seni LRT/MRT Station is 10 minutes away.

Address: Jalan Lembah Perdana, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 9.30am-6pm, Daily
Contact: Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia website

3. National Museum of Malaysia

A repository of Malaysia’s culture and heritage

Image credit: @elekoshy via Instagram

When it comes to learning about Malaysia’s culture and heritage, there’s no better place to do this than at the National Museum of Malaysia (Muzium Negara).

Since its establishment in 1963, the 3-storey museum has been a custodian of the nation’s history, with four informative galleries mapping out Malaysia’s development from prehistoric times to the end of the colonial era and its early days of independence.

The Royal Throne used by Malaysia’s monarch.
Image credit: @harveycklee via Instagram

Your museum exploration will begin at the Prehistory gallery, which contains details on the formation of the Malay Archipelago and the findings of prehistoric archaeological sites in Malaysia. Cap off your visit at the Malaysia Today gallery, an immersive zone with sights and sounds that mark the nation’s road to independence.

Image adapted from: @adrianchandraf via Instagram

Informative and free guided tours are offered, which typically take around 2-3 hours. Museum visitors who are joining a tour can expect detailed explanations of the exhibits and collections.

Admission fee (Malaysians): RM2/adult | RM1/pax for for senior citizens and persons with disabilities | Free for children under 12 years old
Admission fee (Standard): RM5/adult | RM2/pax for children aged 6-12 years old | Free for children under 6 years old

How to get here: The museum is just a stone’s throw from the Muzium Negara MRT Station. Alternatively, the GoKL City Bus stops at the Muzium Negara station on the RED line. If you’re coming here via private vehicle, the museum has parking spots with fees of RM3 for the first hour and RM2 for each subsequent hour.

Address: Jalan Damansara, 50566 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 9am-5pm, Daily
Contact: 03-2267 1111 | National Museum of Malaysia website

4. Orang Asli Crafts Museum

Handicrafts of Malaysia’s Indigenous community

Image credit: Google Maps

Orang Asli Crafts Museum (Muzium Senikraf Orang Asli) is a lesser-known museum in the city that spotlights the handicrafts of Peninsular Malaysia’s indigenous community.

Image adapted from: Google Maps

It stands noticeably smaller in size next to the National Museum, but its collection of crafts from the country’s Orang Asli ethnic groups is just as rich and fascinating. Everything from musical instruments and baskets to hunting tools and woven mats are displayed in exhibits here, offering a glimpse into the daily life of these communities.

How to get here: KL Sentral station, on the Komuter, LRT, or Monorail, is a 20-minute walk away.

Address: Jalan Damansara, 50566 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 9am-5pm, Daily
Contact: 03-22671000 | Muzium Senikraf Orang Asli Facebook

– Art & Design Museums –

5. National Visual Arts Gallery

The official art institution of Malaysia

Image credit: @bambamwasinee via Instagram

As the official art institution of Malaysia, the National Visual Arts Gallery (Balai Seni Visual Negara) has over 4,500 contemporary artworks from Malaysian and regional artists under its care.

Image credit: Janet Cho

Their permanent collection exhibition NUSA, held from 2022 to 2025, traces the history of art in Malaysia through 400 artworks that embody the theme of nusa, or ‘motherland’ in English.

The artworks embrace a mix of tradition and modernity, with masterpieces ranging from Mah Meri masks to mixed media installations. They reflect on themes such as Solicitude Culture and Mobility, Diaspora, and Longing, which are spotlighted at different galleries in the museum building.

Image adapted from: Janet

This museum also hosts pop-up exhibitions that are held periodically throughout the year. To stay updated on the upcoming events, you can check out their website here.

Admission fee: Free

How to get here: The museum can be accessed from Hospital Kuala Lumpur MRT Station by exiting Pintu B.

Address: Lembaga Pembangunan Seni Visual Negara, No. 2, Jalan Temerloh, Off Jalan Tun Razak, 53200 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 9am-5pm, Daily
Contact: 03-4026 7000 | 03-4025 4987 | National Visual Arts Gallery website

6. REXPERIENCE

Immersive, permanent digital art space

Image credit: @darwisyahkhair via Instagram

REXPERIENCE (RXP.KL) is KL’s latest art gallery that stands apart from the rest. It’s a fully immersive, permanent digital art space that’s the venue for captivating limited-run exhibitions. Visitors are encouraged to sit on the floor or in bean bags to soak up the visually stunning displays.

The exhibitions are complemented by workshops and live performances at selected dates and times. The latter involves a dancer wearing a special suit fitted with motion detectors, whose movement will be projected in the art.

Admission fee (Malaysians): RM40/adult | RM20/child (aged 7-12 years) | RM28/pax for children (aged 13-18 years) & senior citizens
Admission fee (Standard): RM60/adult | RM30/child (aged 7-12 years) | RM42/pax for children (aged 13-18 years) & senior citizens

How to get here: Alight at Pasar Seni LRT or MRT station, a 6 minute walk away.

Address: 80, Jalan Sultan, 50000, Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 012-808 0638 | REXPERIENCE website

7. URMU

A private garden space with sculptures

Image credit: @jd_chang via Instagram

URMU, short for ‘urban museum’, is a privately owned art gallery tucked away on Jalan Bedara in KL’s bustling Bukit Bintang. The lesser-known space for contemporary art in the city is housed in a refurbished 2-bedroom flat built in the 1950s. On the rooftop is an unconventional private garden space where modern sculptures seamlessly blend with KL’s skyline.

Image credit: @jd_chang via Instagram

There are over 100 pieces in the gallery, which bodies Malaysian and regional artists. The pieces are a captivating mix of Southeast Asian art, curated by the gallery’s owner who is an architect. From subtle nuances to bold statements, each artwork displayed ignites the imagination and evokes thought-provoking discussions.

Image adapted from: @jasminelee.134 via Instagram

The museum has since expanded, with two more locations at Toffee on Raja Chulan and Tun HS Lee.

Admission fee: RM20/adult | RM10/pax for senior citizens, students, and persons with disabilities | Free for children under 12 years old

How to get here: The easiest way to get to URMU is by alighting at the Bukit Bintang Monorail or MRT Station, just a 5-minute walk away. Alternatively, you can park at nearby malls in Bukit Bintang like Lot 10 and Fahrenheit88 and walk over.

Bukit Bintang branch
Address: 3, Jalan Bedara, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10am-8.30pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 03-2110 3004 | URMU website

8. TAKSU

Southeast Asian art from the 1980s

Image credit: @ryiancolin via Instagram

TAKSU is a neighbourhood sanctuary with an art collection that reflects the rich tapestry of Southeast Asian art. Some of the pieces date back to 1989.

Here, visitors can explore the gallery’s permanent collection, which features evocative artworks by local artists that offer a unique perspective and creative expression, like Lim Xin Yi and Gan Tee Sheng who are renowned for their dark feminine portrayal.

Image credit: @julias.1 via Instagram

TAKSU also has rotating exhibitions, where the gallery comes alive with an array of mixed media and sculptural delights for art lovers to delve into the modern art scene of Malaysia.

Image credit: @pakha_sulaiman via Instagram

As TAKSU is a private art gallery located in a residential area, it’s best to make an appointment online with them before your visit and give them a ring upon arrival.

Image credit: @jd_chang via Instagram

Admission fee: Free

How to get here: The most convenient way to reach TAKSU is by an e-Hailing service. The gallery is located in a residential area where it may be difficult to find parking spots.

Address: 17 Jalan Pawang 54000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am-6pm (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: 03-3251 4396 | TAKSU website

9. ILHAM Gallery

Rotating focused exhibitions

Image credit: @bacstuffs via Instagram

ILHAM Gallery is a public art space that aims to spotlight Malaysia’s modern and contemporary art scene. It has become a favourite weekend haunt among locals looking to soak up arts and culture as well, as it popularly doesn’t charge visitors any admission fee.

Image credit: @uisa278 via Instagram

Instead of a permanent art collection, the gallery regularly holds focused exhibitions that draw attention to the modern and contemporary works of Malaysian and regional artists. This quick change of exhibition means that every visit here will always feel like a new one, no matter how many times you’ve dropped by the art gallery.

Image credit: @bacstuffs via Instagram

The exhibitions are held on the 3rd and 5th floors of the Ilham Tower. Als on the 3rd floor is a museum gift shop where you can shop for books, souvenirs, and crafts by local artisans.

Admission fee: Free

How to get here: Alight at Ampark Park LRT station, a 2-minute walk away, or Persiaran KLCC MRT station, which is 3 minutes away.

Address: Levels 3 & 5, Ilham Tower No 8, Jalan Binjai 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 11am-7pm | Sun 11am-5pm (Closed on Mondays & PHs)
Contact: ILHAM Gallery website

– Family-Friendly & Interactive Museums –

10. Petrosains, The Discover Centre

A science centre in the heart of KL

Image credit: William Chee via Google Maps

When it comes to interactive museums, Petrosains, The Discover Centre won’t disappoint. This science centre in KL has over 10 interactive exhibits, featuring racing car simulators, educational zones, and even a Geotime Diorama with huge installations of dinosaurs.

Image credit: Petrosains, The Discover Centre

Come prepared to spend at least 3 hours here, as you’ll want to explore all its corners and exhibits in detail.

Image adapted from: @intanzuraa via Instagram, @shupreme_ via Instagram

Exhibits aside, the interactive zones will make it an extra fun trip for the whole family. A highlight here is the Energy Capsule ride, which lets you sit back on a train and journey through a tunnel to learn more about energy, from past to future. To ride this, a small fee of RM9 is required.

Image credit: @instapetrosains via Instagram

Admission fee (Malaysians): RM25/adult | RM12/pax for senior citizens and kids aged 3-12 years old
Admission fee (Standard): RM35/adult | RM20/pax for senior citizens and kids aged 3-12 years old

How to get here: Alight at KLCC Station, which is directly connected to Suria KLCC.

Address: Level 4, Suria KLCC, Petronas Twin Towers 50088, Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9.30am-5.30pm | Sat-Sun, PHs & School Holidays 9.30am-6.30pm
Contact: 03-2331 8787 | Petrosains, The Discover Centre website

11. Royal Selangor Visitor Centre

Extensive collection of pewter crafts

A gallery that breaks down the science of pewter.
Image credit: Royal Selangor Visitor Centre via Facebook

The Royal Selangor Visitor Centre in Setapak celebrates the exquisite artistry of Malaysia’s pewter crafts. The longstanding pewter-maker has a gallery on its grounds, with exhibits to wander through to learn more about the history and uses of pewter.

Image credit: Royal Selangor Visitor Centre via Facebook

Visitors can also explore an extensive collection of jewellery and pewterware, including a storied The Melon Teapot that famously saved a man’s life during World War II. The world’s largest pewter tankard at the gallery entrance, and a replica of the Petronas Twin Towers made from 7,000 tankards, are also not-to-be-missed attractions here.

Image credit: Royal Selangor Visitor Centre via Facebook

The centre also hosts workshops (from RM75/pax) that let you craft your very own pewter dish or accessory – from designing the piece, to casting, polishing, and decorating it.

Image credit: Royal Selangor Visitor Centre via Facebook

Admission fee: Free

How to get here: Wangsa Maju LRT (Kelana Jaya line) is 5 minutes away. If you’re coming by private vehicle, parking is free.

Address: 4 Jalan Usahawan 6, Setapak Jaya, 53300 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 9am-5pm, Daily
Contact: 03-4145 6000 | Royal Selangor Visitor Centre website

– Specialised Museums –

12. Royal Malaysia Police Museum

A fleet of former military vehicles

Image credit: Xiang Yan Pok via Google Maps

Your museum exploration at Royal Malaysia Police Museum will likely begin outside. It has an outdoor exhibit where military vehicles formerly used by local authorities such as armoured cars and carriers, patrol boats, and scout cars are parked.

The gallery also holds capsules of items related to the authorities.
Image credit: Mokkit Hussein via Google Maps

Inside, visitors can explore more of the museum’s extensive collection of military artefacts. The first gallery boasts a replica of Melaka’s bustling streets when local officers safeguarded the area during the Japanese occupation.

Image adapted from: Enrico Lim via Google Maps, Bahkali via Google Maps

The third gallery showcases an array of weapons wielded by authorities to combat threats during the colonial era, showing the challenges faced by early defenders of law and order.

Admission fee: Free

How to get here: The Kuala Lumpur KTM Komuter is a 11-minute walk away.

Address: 5, Jalan Perdana, Tasik Perdana, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Sat-Thu 9am-5pm | Fri 10am-12.30pm & 3pm-6pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 03-2272 5689

13. Telekom Museum

A huge telephone replica

Image adapted from: @akmalnajmii via Instagram

The Telekom Museum (Muzium Telekom) operated as an office space to provide telegram, telephone, and postage services in 1928, and later a storage space for equipment. In 1985, the building began operations as a museum and opened to the public to visit and learn more about the foundation and world of telecommunications in Malaysia.

Image credit: Izwan Samsi via Google Maps

Today, the museum features captivating galleries holding artefacts and models that cover the evolution of communication technologies, including vintage telephones and the earliest forms of messaging.

Image credit: @meesyajohn via Instagram

Outside, the museum’s architecturally stunning, Greek-inspired building is not the only thing to marvel at – you’ll find large-scale displays of various telephones to take photos with.

Image credit: @faeizzerr via Instagram

The museum has a Digital Art Gallery (DAG) within its grounds as well, which hosts rotating exhibitions that feature visually stunning video mapping and digital lights.

Admission fee (Malaysians): RM4/adult | RM2/pax for senior citizens and kids aged 4-12 years old
Admission fee (Standard): RM8/adult | RM4/pax for senior citizens and kids aged 4-12 years old

How to get here: Masjid Jamek LRT/MRT is an 8-minute walk from the museum.

Address: Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur, 50200 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 9am-5pm, Daily
Contact: 011-1010 8888 | Muzium Telekom Facebook | Instagram

14. Bank Negara Museum

A money tunnel with a million ringgit notes

Image credit: Google Maps

Bank Negara Museum makes finance and economics interesting for even the non-finance bros. With six permanent galleries themed around topics such as Economics and Islamic Finance, visitors can delve into the history of Malaysia’s economy over the years – from the country’s pre-independence days to the dynamic financial landscape of today.

Image credit: Kuang Hong Chuang via Google Maps

To keep things extra interesting while learning about how economic forces shaped the nation, there are interactive displays and insightful narratives to guide museum visitors on a journey through time.

Image credit: Umar Azizan via Google Maps

There’s also a collection of artworks by local talents that showcase currency from bygone eras in an artistic light, a wall of World Currency, and the IG-popular Money Tunnel filled with RM1 million banknotes that’s become a hotspot for photos.

Image credit: @jon_hengyi via Instagram

Admission fee: Free

How to get here: Alight at Bank Negara KTM Station or Bandaraya LRT Station. Alternatively, those coming via private vehicle can park at designated parking bays for museum visitors at LG4 and LG5, which charges RM5 per entry.

Address: Sasana Kijang, 2 Jalan Dato’ Onn, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10am-5pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 03-9179 2784 | Bank Negara website

15. Biomedical Museum

A world of biomedicine

Image credit: Georges Younes via Google Maps

If embarking on a scientific discovery sounds like fun, then the Biomedical Museum is a must-visit. This lesser-known museum in KL has nine galleries holding a unique collection of artefacts that offer valuable insights into biomedicine.

Image credit: Redherring via Google Maps

The museum was established in 1900 to carry out research on local diseases such as beri-beri and malaria fever, and remains the only biomedical museum in the country.

There’s a zone dedicated to Dr Wu Lien-Teh, the Penang-born physician who is the inventor of the Wu mask, which led to the modern N95 respirator.
Image credit: Ho via Google Maps

Whether a self-professed science geek or not, visitors can learn more about traditional medicine through thought-provoking displays. Some of them are sombre and may be unsettling to visitors. But they serve as a sobering reminder of the importance of biomedical research and the ongoing quest to understand and address health challenges.

Admission fee: Free

How to get here: The nearest public transportation stop is Chow Kit Monorail Station, just 6 minutes away.

Address: Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 9am-1pm & 2pm-4pm | Fri 9am-12pm & 3pm-4pm (Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Contact: 03-2616 2666

16. MinNature

A miniature gallery of Malaysia’s landmarks and culture

Image credit: TripAdvisor

Stunning landmarks in Malaysia range from architectural marvels such as Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad to religiously significant sites like Batu Caves. At MinNature, you can admire these structures and other iconic landmarks of Malaysia, all in miniature form.

Image credit: MinNature Malaysia via Facebook

The miniature gallery captures the different parts of Malaysia in intricate detail, including scaled-down models of local landmarks and cultural artefacts that retain their richness despite their size.

Image credit: @thematrixneoh via Instagram

There are also over 30 gorgeous miniatures of local food in the Taste of Malaysia collection, with everything from Hokkien Mee to Satay displayed.

Admission fee: RM30/adult | RM25/pax for senior citizens and children aged 6-18 years old | Free for children under 5 years old

How to get here: Bukit Bintang LRT/MRT Station is a 5-minute walk away.

Address: MUF-1, Level 1, Green Zone, Sungei Wang Plaza, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250, Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 011-1009 9374 | MinNature website | Instagram

Museums and art galleries to visit in KL

KL offers a myriad of experiences – its museum and art galleries included. From historic treasures to contemporary artworks, there’ll be something for every kind of history buff, cultural vulture, and art lover to discover.

For more things to do in KL, check out 13 free things to do in KL.

Cover image adapted from: @jd_chang via Instagram, @faeizzerr via Instagram, @jon_hengyi via Instagram, TripAdvisor

Additional reporting by Janet.