Last update: March 4, 2026

Accessible Singapore

National Gallery Singapore: A Complete Guide to Accessibility, Art, and Inclusive Experiences

Situated in the heart of the Civic District, the Gallery is housed in two national monuments, City Hall and the former Supreme Court. Both have been beautifully restored and transformed into a magnificent 64,000 square metre venue. Reflecting Singapore’s unique heritage and geographical location, the Gallery presents Southeast Asian art within the global context. It works with international museums such as Centre Pompidou, Musée d'Orsay, Tate Britain, National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo (MOMAT), and National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA), to position Singapore as a key node player in the global visual arts scene around the world.

General information

  • Availability: Daily, 10 am - 7 pm. Admission and ticket sales end 30 minutes before closing time. Visitors typically spend 3 hours here.
  • Admission: Varies. Please visit www.nationalgallery.sg/ for details.
  • Address: 1 St Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957

Getting there and getting in

See the Gallery Guide + Map for more information.

The National Gallery is located at 1 St. Andrew's Road, in the heart of the Civic District. It is served by multiple MRT stations and bus lines:

1. By train

  • Nearest MRT station: City Hall
  • From City Hall MRT station: Take Exit B. The Gallery is approximately a 7-minute walk from City Hall station via the Art Connector. 
  • From Clarke Quay MRT station: Take Exit E and enjoy a leisurely 10-minute stroll along the Singapore River to the Gallery.
  • From Raffles Place MRT station: Take Exit B. The Gallery is approximately a 10-minute walk through the business district.

2. By bus

  • Coleman Street Entrance: Buses 63, 51, 80, 32, and 851 will stop opposite Peninsula Plaza. The Coleman Street Entrance is a 5-minute walk away.
  • Padang Atrium Entrance:
  • This entrance faces the Padang.
  • Buses 195 and 961 stop along Parliament Place. Walk around the corner to the front of the building, and you will find the Padang Atrium Entrance.
  • Buses 61, 124, 145, 166, 174, and 197 will stop opposite the Treasury Building on North Bridge Road. The Padang Atrium entrance is approximately a 7-minute walk away.
  • Buses 75, 100, 107, 130, 131, and 167 stop in front of Victoria Concert Hall. The Gallery is approximately a 5-minute walk away.

3. By car or taxi

  • The entrance to the car park is located along Coleman Street. Use Parliament Place to St Andrew’s Road to access the carpark entrance at Coleman Street. Connaught Drive and Fullerton Road/Anderson Bridge are closed to traffic, so you cannot access the car park via this route.

Drop-off points and parking

  • Designated drop-off zones for taxis and private cars are located at the Coleman Street entrance.
  • A barrier-free entrance with automatic doors is adjacent. Accessible parking lots are available in the Gallery's basement car park near the lift lobbies.

Step-free and barrier-free navigation

National Gallery Singapore is committed to making our space and services accessible to all visitors. It offers resources, access provisions, and advisories to support all visitors in planning their visit, regardless of their access needs. Key features include:

  • All galleries are wheelchair-accessible.
  • Standard-size motorised wheelchairs are permitted in the galleries.
  • Wheelchairs are available for loan free of charge at the Visitor Services Counters, located at the Coleman Street Entrance, Padang Atrium Entrance, and B1 Concourse.

Go to the Accessibility page for more information.

Assistance dogs are welcome!

Accessibility at the Gallery goes beyond ramps and lifts; it extends to recognising the vital role that assistance dogs play in supporting persons with disabilities. The Gallery warmly welcomes all types of assistance dogs, including guide dogs, hearing dogs, mobility assistance dogs, and other task-trained support dogs, together with their handlers. These dogs are considered working partners, and visitors are welcome to move freely through public spaces with their assistance dogs by their side.

Image source: Tatler Asia

To ensure a smooth and comfortable visit, visitors accompanied by assistance dogs are encouraged to email the Gallery at least two days in advance at info@nationalgallery.sg. This allows the team to help with practical planning, such as identifying rest areas, accessible routes, or quieter galleries if needed. While advance notice is not mandatory, it enables the Gallery to provide more personalised support and address any specific requirements ahead of time.

Importantly, the Gallery is proud to be an Assistance-Dog-friendly organisation, having signed an official pledge with K9Assistance, a local charity dedicated to promoting the acceptance and use of assistance dogs for persons with disabilities in Singapore. This pledge reflects a clear commitment to inclusion, respect, and public awareness. For visitors who wish to learn more about assistance dog etiquette, legal access rights, or the work of assistance dogs in Singapore, additional information is available on K9Assistance’s website. Together, these efforts help ensure that every visitor, human or canine, feels welcomed, respected, and supported at the Gallery.

Sensory-friendly design

The Gallery incorporates thoughtful features for visitors who are neurodivergent or sensitive to sensory stimuli:

1. Quiet zones

Quiet zones are available in several lounges and resting areas.

2. Exhibitions

Some exhibitions feature low-light, calm environments.

Image source: National Gallery Singapore

3. The HOLD (Hands-On Learning and Development) Collection

The HOLD (Hands-On Learning and Development) Collection offers tactile, interactive adaptations of select artworks designed for visually impaired and neurodiverse visitors. Created to support visitors who are blind, have low vision, or are neurodiverse, this collection reinterprets selected artworks into tactile and multisensory formats, making it possible to experience art through touch, sound, and guided exploration.

Instead of relying solely on visual interpretation, HOLD adaptations include raised tactile panels, three-dimensional models, and textured surfaces that highlight key details such as shapes, depth, perspective, and composition. These are often paired with carefully developed audio descriptions to provide context and storytelling. The result is a richer, more inclusive art experience that encourages curiosity and independent discovery.

For visitors exploring on their own, selected HOLD resources can be borrowed during your visit. Simply approach the Tours and Programmes Counter to request available tactile guide booklets and companion guides. These materials provide structured prompts and guidance, allowing self-guided visitors and their companions to navigate the artworks at their own pace. Availability may vary, so you may wish to enquire in advance if you are planning a visit.

By offering tactile resources for independent use, the HOLD Collection moves beyond symbolic accessibility. It provides practical tools that empower visitors of different abilities to engage meaningfully with art in a way that feels personal, dignified, and self-directed. For more information, please visit The HOLD (Hands-On Learning and Development) Collection’s website.

Video source: National Gallery Singapore

4. The Calm Room

The Calm Room is a dedicated space where visitors can rest if they are feeling overstimulated or overwhelmed by their environment. In this soothing and sensory-friendly space, visitors can take the time to calm down, regulate their stress responses, and renew their focus. The Calm Room is open to all. However, visitors may be asked to leave if someone urgently needs to use the room in private. The gallery’s friendly staff are available for assistance if needed:

  • Opening hours: Daily, 10 am – 7 pm (last entry: 6.30 pm)
  • Where: Level B1, Spine Hall, City Hall Wing
  • Capacity: Max. 7 pax

Image source: National Gallery Singapore

5. Slow Art Programme

The Slow Art Programme at National Gallery Singapore offers a unique approach to experiencing art by combining the principles of slow looking with mindfulness and emotional well-being. Rather than hastily moving from artwork to artwork, this programme invites visitors to pause, engage deeply, and savour meaningful connections with art in a relaxed and reflective way, supporting both mental wellness and a richer appreciation of visual expression.

There are multiple ways to experience Slow Art, catering to different interests and levels of participation:

5.1. Slow Art Guide

This self-paced audio experience is designed for visitors who prefer to explore independently. Listeners use audio guides that take them through selected artworks one at a time, encouraging slow and intentional observation. Each guide focuses on an artwork from The Care Collection, a curated selection of works chosen for their themes of care and contemplation, and provides thoughtful prompts that help listeners reflect on form, emotion, and personal meaning as they move through the galleries.

5.2. Slow Art X (Guided Experience)

For a deeper and more interactive experience, Slow Art X is a facilitated session led by a certified mindfulness instructor. Participants spend up to 90 minutes with a single artwork, exploring it through mindfulness meditation, creative exercises, and group reflection. These sessions are ideal for small groups and encourage shared insights, emotional awareness, and a sense of calm by slowing down the pace of art engagement.

The design of the Slow Art Programme reflects a thoughtful blend of research, practice, and visitor feedback. The Gallery worked with experts in mindfulness, healthcare, and the social sciences to develop audio content and guided experiences that promote wellbeing, self-reflection, and meaningful engagement with art.

Whether experienced through solo listening or guided group participation, the Slow Art Programme helps visitors slow down in a fast-moving world. It offers an opportunity not just to see art, but to feel and reflect on it, making it a powerful way to connect with both artworks and one’s own inner world. For more information, please visit the Slow Art Programme’s website.

Image source: National Gallery Singapore

Social Stories

The Gallery Social Stories are guides with photos and text that show what a typical visit to the Gallery is like. These stories describe how visitors can enter the Gallery, what they can expect to see, and where to go if they are feeling overwhelmed.

You may either view them online in your browser or download them and print a physical copy.

Image source: National Gallery Singapore

Accessible restrooms and facilities

  • Wheelchair-accessible toilets are located on every public level.
  • Family-friendly toilets with adult changing tables are available at the Basement Concourse.
  • All washrooms are equipped with clear signage, emergency call buttons, and touch-free utilities.

Staff support and accessibility services

  • Gallery staff are trained in disability awareness and inclusive communication.
  • Visitor Services provides printed guides in large text and alternative languages.
  • Bookings are available for groups with access needs, including guided tours with sign language interpretation (subject to availability).

Current exhibitions and galleries highlights

1. Siapa Nama Kamu?

Explores how Singaporean artists have responded to their geographical and cultural contexts from the 19th century onwards. This period was heavily influenced by European colonial rule and the merging of varied cultural values with indigenous beliefs, sparking the advent of modern art in Southeast Asia. The phrase “Siapa Nama Kamu?” from a pivotal 1959 painting capturing Singapore's move towards self-governance, embodies these themes. Featuring approximately 300 pieces from the National Collection and other sources, the exhibition showcases the nuanced ways artists have interpreted their surroundings and the complexities involved in recounting the art history of Singapore. Siapa Nama Kamu? is then a question and an invitation to consider how art can operate as a mirror to but also complicate our reality. The DBS Singapore Gallery is made possible through a gift from DBS.

Video source: National Gallery Singapore

2. UOB Southeast Asia Gallery

Join a guided tour and explore over 300 artworks that highlight how sociopolitical changes were deeply connected to artistic influences across Southeast Asia. The UOB Southeast Asia Gallery showcases how artists in the region embraced new ideas, redefined local art, and navigated changing times. For more information, please visit the UOB Southeast Asia Gallery’s website.

Image source: National Gallery Singapore

3. Keppel Centre for Art Education

A 21st-century centre for education within an art gallery, the Keppel Centre for Art Education aims to foster a lifelong love for art in children. Reopened in December 2023, the newly renovated space is inspired by the theme, Art & Wonder. Designed for children aged 4 to 12, it offers an inspiring, fun, and nurturing environment with multiple educational zones where families and children can experience the world of art through play and creative activities:

  • Wheelchair accessibility: The Centre is wheelchair accessible, with step-free access to all the activity areas.
  • Accessible toilets: The accessible restroom in the Centre is located near the Book Nook, which is next to the Centre’s exit.
  • Stroller parking: There is a dedicated space to park strollers at the entrance, within the Centre, opposite the Expansion Room.
  • Lighting: The Gallery is generally well lit, except for A Brush with Forest Fire and Illuminate!, which have dimmer lighting.
  • Sensory stimuli: Illuminate! has ambient sounds and installations with audio feedback. If you are sensitive to light and sound, please be mindful.

Image source: National Gallery Singapore

Dining and retail

1. The Gallery Store by ABRY

  • Availability: Daily: 10 am – 7 pm
  • Address: Coleman Street Entrance, City Hall Wing, Level 1

Gallery Insiders receive 15% off for National Gallery Singapore publications and merchandise! Shop online!

Image source: National Gallery Singapore

2. Bakery Brera

  • Availability: Daily: 9 am – 7 pm
  • Address: Level 1, City Hall Wing

Bakery Brera is a homegrown artisan bakery & cafe, known for its French and European breads and pastries, baked fresh daily with premium French flour and butter. They serve gourmet coffee, healthy breakfast, wholesome lunch sets, kid-friendly meals, ice cream, and seasonal “Gallery Specials” inspired by the arts. At the heart of Brera is a simple purpose: to bake and serve with love. They are committed to uplifting the community, embracing inclusivity, and spreading joy, one slice at a time. For more information, please visit Bakery Brera's website.

Image source: Daniel Food Diary

3. Gilmore & Damian D’Silva

  • Availability: Daily: Lunch: 11.30 am – 3 pm; High Tea: 3–6 pm; Dinner: 6–10 pm
  • Address: Level 1, Supreme Court Wing

Gilmore & Damian D’Silva is a tribute to the legacy of Chef Damian’s grandfather, Gilmore D’Silva, and the impact it had on the chef’s life. Chef Damian presents the soulful heritage flavours he is renowned for, in a menu of predominantly heirloom Eurasian recipes, some dating back more than 200 years, while the rest are Chinese dishes inspired by his Grandad’s home cooking. For more information, please visit Gilmore and Damian D'Silva's website.

Image source: CNA Lifestyle

4. Kopi 1930 and Twenty Eight Cafe

  • Availability: Daily: 9 am – 7 pm
  • Address: Level 1, City Hall Wing

Kopi 1930 celebrates Singapore's beloved kopi culture and local tastes, featuring familiar favourites like laksa, mee siam, kaya butter toast, and their signature UFO buns. Twenty Eight Cafe offers a modern brunch experience, featuring dishes like their signature fluffy pancakes, shakshouka, and hearty sandwiches, designed to appeal to local café lovers and international visitors. For more information, please visit Kopi 1930 and Twenty Eight Cafe.

Image source: Mindtrip

5. National Kitchen by Violet Oon

  • Availability: Daily: Lunch and Dinner: 12–3 pm, 6–10.30 pm; High Tea: Fri- Sun, Public Holidays 3–5 pm
  • Address: City Hall Wing, Level 2

Celebrate Singapore’s fine flavours at the National Kitchen by Violet Oon Singapore in the iconic historical City Hall building, now home to the National Gallery. Treat yourself to a luxurious meal in the grand hall or a breezy bite on the scenic veranda. For more information, please visit National Kitchen by Violet Oon’s website.

Key features:

  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance via the City Hall Wing, Level 2.
  • Spacious seating, accessible toilets nearby.

Image source: Violet Oon Singapore

6. Odette

  • Availability: Tue-Sat: Tue–Sat, 12–1.15 pm (last seating); Mon–Sat, 6.30–8 pm (last seating); Closed on Sundays and public holidays
  • Address: Level 1, Supreme Court Wing

This modern French restaurant reflects chef-owner Julien Royer’s respect for seasonality, terroir, and the finest artisanal produce. Using classic French techniques, Royer presents the world’s finest seasonal ingredients in their purest form and flavour. For more information, please visit Odette’s website.

Image source: Time Out

7. Rempapa

  • Availability: Daily: 9 am – 7 pm
  • Address: Level 1, Supreme Court Wing

Rempapa serves up local comfort food with a modern touch. Designed as an inviting and accessible space for museum-goers and visitors alike, Rempapa offers affordably priced dishes, including signature rice bowls. For more information, please visit Rempapa’s website.

Image source: Tripadvisor

Additional tips

To ensure a smooth journey, you may take note of the following:

  • Visit on weekday mornings for a quieter experience.
  • Download the "Gallery Explorer" mobile app for access to features, maps, and self-guided tours.
  • Service animals are welcome throughout the premises.
  • Tactile maps are available at the Visitor Services counters upon request.

National Gallery Singapore is not just a cultural landmark but a leader in accessible museum experiences in Southeast Asia. From ramps to tactile exhibits, the Gallery demonstrates that great art should be for everyone. Whether you're planning a solo visit or exploring with family, the Gallery provides the support, space, and services to ensure a memorable, inclusive outing.