Malaysia

15 Best Museums in Malaysia

The museums travelers rate highest across Malaysia, with what makes each worth the trip.

Ranked by traveler review volume across 459 tracked places in Malaysia. Updated monthly.

  1. Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia

    Museum · Kuala Lumpur

    The Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia is one of the finest museums of Islamic art in Asia, a beautifully designed, light-filled building in Kuala Lumpur's Lake Gardens area, near the National Mosque.

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  2. Khoo Kongsi

    Museum · George Town

    Khoo Kongsi is the most spectacular of the Chinese clan houses in George Town, Penang, a magnificent, ornately decorated temple-and-meeting hall built by the Khoo clan, one of the wealthy Hokkien…

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  3. Petrosains Science Discovery Centre

    Museum · Kuala Lumpur

    Petrosains Science Discovery Centre is a cutting-edge, hands-on museum located on Level 4 of Suria KLCC, within the iconic Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur.

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  4. Upside Down Museum

    Museum · George Town

    The Upside Down Museum in George Town is a whimsical attraction where visitors can explore rooms designed to defy gravity.

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  5. Muzium Tentera Darat

    Museum · Port DicksonFree entry

    Muzium Tentera Darat, or the Army Museum, is located along Jalan Pantai Si Rusa in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan.

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  6. Masjid Bahagian Kuching - Kuching Mosque

    Museum · KuchingFree entry

    Masjid Bahagian Kuching, commonly called Kuching Mosque, is a major landmark in the city of Kuching, Malaysia.

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  7. National Science Center

    Museum · Kuala Lumpur

    The National Science Center, also known as Pusat Sains Negara, is a sprawling science museum located on a hilltop in Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur.

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  8. The Royal Museum (Old Istana Negara)

    Museum · Kuala Lumpur

    The Royal Museum, also known as Old Istana Negara, is a former royal palace located on Jalan Istana in Kuala Lumpur.

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  9. Istana Jahar

    Museum · Kota Bharu

    Istana Jahar is a beautifully preserved wooden palace located on Jalan Sultan in the heart of Kota Bharu.

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  10. Ur-mu @ Bukit Bintang

    Museum · Kuala Lumpur

    Ur-mu @ Bukit Bintang is a unique museum located at 3 Jalan Bedara in the heart of Kuala Lumpur's bustling Bukit Bintang district.

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  11. Handicraft Village and Craft Museum, Kelantan

    Museum · Kota Bharu

    The Handicraft Village and Craft Museum in Kota Bharu offers a vibrant glimpse into Kelantan's rich artistic heritage.

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  12. Muzium Telekom

    Museum · Kuala Lumpur

    Muzium Telekom, housed in a striking Moorish-style building along Jalan Raja Chulan, offers a fascinating journey through Malaysia's communication evolution.

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  13. Ilham Gallery

    Museum · Kuala LumpurFree entry

    Ilham Gallery is a contemporary art space located on levels 3 and 5 of the striking Ilham Tower in Kuala Lumpur's Golden Triangle.

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  14. Borneo Cultures Museum

    Museum · Kuching

    The Borneo Cultures Museum is a striking contemporary building in the heart of Kuching, dedicated to preserving and presenting the rich cultural heritage of Sarawak and the wider Borneo region.

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  15. Tun Abdul Razak Memorial

    Museum · Kuala LumpurFree entry

    The Tun Abdul Razak Memorial is a museum housed in the former official residence of Malaysia's second Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak, who served from 1970 to 1976.

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Good to know

What is the best-known of the museums in Malaysia?

Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur is the most reviewed, with 3,550 traveler reviews and a 4.5 rating. That makes it the safe choice if you are only fitting in one.

Which of Malaysia's museums is worth going out of your way for?

Ur-mu @ Bukit Bintang in Kuala Lumpur rates highest at 5.0 out of 5 across 85 reviews. Smaller crowds than the headline entry usually explain the gap.

Which city in Malaysia has the most museums?

Kuala Lumpur, with 8 on this list, ahead of George Town on 2. The list spans 5 cities in total, capped at three per city so one big city cannot crowd out the rest of the country.

Are any of these museums free to visit?

Yes, 4: Muzium Tentera Darat, Masjid Bahagian Kuching - Kuching Mosque, Ilham Gallery and others. That is based on each place's own visiting information, not an assumption about the category.

How is this list of museums ranked?

By how many travelers reviewed each place, filtered to those rated well enough to be worth your time, drawn from 459 tracked places in Malaysia. No one pays to appear on it, and the order is refreshed monthly as new reviews land.

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