In Southeast Asia, a vibrant country is situated, attracting tourists from all over the world with its beautiful nature, magnificent resorts, distinctive culture, and exotic cuisine. This is Malaysia — a state occupying a part of the Kalimantan island and the Malacca Peninsula. Malaysia’s history and culture deserve the attention of every tourist. The best way to explore them is by visiting the most interesting museums in Malaysia.

• The National Museum of Malaysia is one of the largest and most significant museums in the country. It is located in the capital city, Kuala Lumpur. This is a whole museum complex dedicated to the culture and history of local peoples. The museum itself is a colourful architectural monument adorned with Italian mosaics, and it sits atop a picturesque hill. The National Museum’s three floors house a vast collection of intriguing exhibits: examples of flora and fauna, ancient artworks and artefacts, paintings, weaponry, national costumes, ceramics, and traditional musical instruments.
• The Surakarta Museum of Fine Arts, also known as the Shah Alam Gallery, is another worthwhile location to visit. The city of Shah Alam is situated not far from the capital. With a car rental in Malaysia, the trip will take no more than 50 minutes. The gallery is located right in the city centre, and the building itself is designed in traditional Malaysian architectural style. The museum features an immense collection of artworks by Malaysian and foreign artists. Another reason to visit this museum is the numerous parks and lakes nearby. Thus, a stroll through the scenic locations of the city would be an excellent conclusion to the excursion.
• The Borneo Cultural Museum is a vast museum in the city of Kuching, offering a stunning blend of antiquity and modernity. Here, you can learn more about the culture, daily life, and traditional crafts of the Sarawak peoples. Additionally, the museum hosts various events, including exhibitions, educational lectures, and documentary film screenings. Among the exhibits at the Borneo Cultural Museum are the children’s gallery, a naturalist exhibition, interactive installations, traditional crafts workshops, and archaeological finds. The museum is sure to appeal to both adults and children, making it an ideal family outing location.
• The Museum of Islamic Art is worth visiting for travellers who enjoy delving into the history, culture, and traditions of other countries. Located in Kuala Lumpur, the Museum of Islamic Art is one of the world’s finest museums dedicated to the culture of Islamic nations. Textiles, ceramics, ancient scriptures, miniatures, weaponry, jewellery, and footwear—the exhibits here are often captivating! You can also admire the calligraphy collection, visit a local bookstore, or find something interesting in the vast souvenir shop.
• The Sabah History Museum is one of the most intriguing museums in the city of Kota Kinabalu, situated in the eastern part of Malaysia. It is an extensive complex that houses not only the museum but also a zoo, a reconstruction of a historical village, and a botanical garden. One of the main highlights of the museum is an art gallery featuring numerous paintings from various epochs. Additionally, there are many exhibitions dedicated to ancient ceramics, Islamic art, archaeological findings, numismatics, flora, fauna, and the history of the Sabah region.
• The Asian Art Museum is located in the capital of Malaysia. It is a highly captivating museum that was opened about 50 years ago. Here, visitors can find a wealth of valuable exhibits and artefacts from the past, which aid in better understanding Malaysia’s history and culture. The Asian Art Museum occupies three floors, each showcasing exhibitions related to three civilizations: Islamic, Chinese, and Indian. One of its most prized exhibits is a bronze Buddha head dating back to the 15th century.
• The Ghost Museum is quite an unconventional museum, but it is certainly worth a visit for thrill-seekers. It is situated in Genting Highlands, nearly 400 kilometres away from Malaysia’s main airport, making it most convenient to travel there by private car. Cars in Malaysia can be rented on the websites of local car rental services, such as https://localcarrents.com/. At the Ghost Museum, visitors can immerse themselves in a mystical atmosphere, listen to chilling stories, and take photos with museum exhibits, including skeletons, witches, Chinese ghosts, vampires, and mummies. Guests can also experience an unforgettable dinner in spooky company and witness cult scenes recreated from horror films.
• The Malacca City Museum is a must-visit place for those who enjoy delving into the history, architecture, and traditions of different cultures. This museum is housed in a famous historic building right in the heart of Malacca. Among its exhibits are traditional Malaccan houses, fascinating folk costumes, and musical instruments. Moreover, there are numerous artefacts related to the city’s history during its periods under the rule of the Netherlands, Portugal, and Britain.

Through Malaysia’s museums, you can immerse yourself in the unique culture and history of this country. Each of these museums has its own distinctive atmosphere. Therefore, if you are planning a trip to Malaysia, it is worthwhile to visit as many locations from this list as possible.