Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur: Address, Phone Number, Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia Reviews: 4.5/5
Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
4.5
About
Large open-plan museum on four levels with an impressive collection of Islamic artifacts. The wood carvings are a consistent favorite.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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The area
Address
How to get there
- Pasar Seni • 8 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
3,340 within 5 kms
Contango
357
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Contemporary • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Hornbill restaurant and cafe
254
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Asian • Malaysian • Vegetarian Friendly
Gastro Sentral
242
0.8 km$$ - $$$ • Bar • Contemporary • Gastropub
Chambers Grill
483
0.8 km$$$$ • Steakhouse • Grill • Gluten Free Options
Favola Italian Restaurant
580
0.8 km$$$$ • Italian • European • Romana
Latest Recipe
471
0.8 km$$ - $$$ • Chinese • Indian • Seafood
The Drawing Room
79
0.6 km$$$$ • Cafe
Colonial Cafe
173
0.4 km$$$$ • Cafe • International • Contemporary
Chynna
682
0.8 km$$$$ • Chinese • Asian • Cantonese
Iketeru Restaurant
1,224
0.8 km$$$$ • Japanese • Seafood • Sushi
Attractions
227 within 5 kms
Royal Malaysia Police Museum
229
0.1 kmSpeciality Museums
National Mosque (Masjid Negara)
2,216
0.2 kmReligious Sites
Bamboo Playhouse
8
73 mPlaygrounds
Orchid & Hibiscus Gardens
10
0.1 kmGardens
Makam Pahlawan
12
0.2 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Cemeteries
National Planetarium
193
0.3 kmObservatories & Planetariums
Malayan Railways Limited Building
277
0.4 kmArchitectural Buildings
Tun Abdul Razak Memorial
30
0.3 kmHistory Museums
Kuala Lumpur Orchid Garden
482
0.4 kmGardens
Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park
1,371
0.5 kmParks
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Popular mentions
4.5
3,498 reviews
Excellent
2,087
Very good
1,118
Average
239
Poor
45
Terrible
9
Ainil I
Shah Alam242 contributions
Learn about Islamic Mosque and Art
Jan 2021 • Family
Place look exclusive and reasonable entrance fee. Provide information on historic islamic mosques with beautiful replica models, hand written quran during early years, coins, ceramic, calligraphy etc.
Written 4 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
alie_iena
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia48 contributions
Great Museum! Highly recommended!
Sep 2020 • Friends
Well organised exhibition with nice display of items and information. I have few pictures here (not even 20% from what they have in there)just to share a glimpse of the place and hopefully will intrigue others to visit this museum. A lot of things to see and read! Best museum i have visited so far in KL!
except!!! - the restaurant staff that served us was rude. I mean really rude! lucky that we were not there for the restaurant experience.
Hate the waiter but definitely NOT the museum. We can avoid the restaurant next time. Not a problem for us.
except!!! - the restaurant staff that served us was rude. I mean really rude! lucky that we were not there for the restaurant experience.
Hate the waiter but definitely NOT the museum. We can avoid the restaurant next time. Not a problem for us.
Written 26 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
StrayCat5
Georgetown, Malaysia472 contributions
Probably the best museum we've ever visited
Sep 2020
Visited morning of Wednesday 9 September 2020 as a respite from lockdown restraints as this museum had been on our 'to visit' list for about 15 years.
Greeted warmly at reception after checking in & having temperatures taken/hands sanitised. Only -ve was that we were charged foreigners rates as opposed to local rates despite living here on a visa for 15+ years. Still RM14/£2.50 each was amazing value.
Simply, apart from the 2 reception staff, 1 security on each floor & a few curators cleaning out 1 display cabinet, we had the museum exhibits area to ourselves (but kept our masks on!). The exhibits were well set out, information provided in English & Malay. The text/fonts were very easy & clear to read, some angled towards the base of display cabinets, some on walls at (my) eye height. For the signage in the architecture gallery, some was black text on transparent labels on display cases - well placed, but took a bit of focusing.
The variety of exhibits was varied from throughout the Islamic world, we saw items seen in other countries & saw much new to us items. Perhaps it was what was on display at that time, but some countries seemed to be favoured in eg weapons, while another was favoured in jewelry.
We spent over 2 hours taking our time - that was just enough. Headed to the cafe for lunch: just a shared pizza. That was enough for our lunch & reasonable at RM24 nett.
For Malaysia, rest room facilities can be very varied (most at the lower end of any scale) but those here were clean, fresh, well supplied, dry & useable.
We would visit again - maybe in a few years, hopefully when we would be able to remove our masks.
Greeted warmly at reception after checking in & having temperatures taken/hands sanitised. Only -ve was that we were charged foreigners rates as opposed to local rates despite living here on a visa for 15+ years. Still RM14/£2.50 each was amazing value.
Simply, apart from the 2 reception staff, 1 security on each floor & a few curators cleaning out 1 display cabinet, we had the museum exhibits area to ourselves (but kept our masks on!). The exhibits were well set out, information provided in English & Malay. The text/fonts were very easy & clear to read, some angled towards the base of display cabinets, some on walls at (my) eye height. For the signage in the architecture gallery, some was black text on transparent labels on display cases - well placed, but took a bit of focusing.
The variety of exhibits was varied from throughout the Islamic world, we saw items seen in other countries & saw much new to us items. Perhaps it was what was on display at that time, but some countries seemed to be favoured in eg weapons, while another was favoured in jewelry.
We spent over 2 hours taking our time - that was just enough. Headed to the cafe for lunch: just a shared pizza. That was enough for our lunch & reasonable at RM24 nett.
For Malaysia, rest room facilities can be very varied (most at the lower end of any scale) but those here were clean, fresh, well supplied, dry & useable.
We would visit again - maybe in a few years, hopefully when we would be able to remove our masks.
Written 17 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nik N Hasan
Malaysia193 contributions
A must visit
Mar 2020 • Couples
Am a proud Malaysian but feel bad because I never knew about this museum - although it has been established for 22 years! - not until a friend from overseas highlighted it to me ^~^
This huge museum is really amazing. It houses heaps of Islamic artefects from all over the world. From the Ottoman civilization to Indian and Chinese era and the Malay world (Nusantara). All are put in a few different galleries. It also hosts the holy Quran and manuscripts, jewellery and Islamic glassware. The souvenirs shop at the ground floor offers a unique selection of Islamic crafts, artefects, books and a lot more interesting stuff for visitors to puchase. And its Moza cafe serves excellent Middle Eastern cuisine. Located just 5-min walk from the National Mosque.
This huge museum is really amazing. It houses heaps of Islamic artefects from all over the world. From the Ottoman civilization to Indian and Chinese era and the Malay world (Nusantara). All are put in a few different galleries. It also hosts the holy Quran and manuscripts, jewellery and Islamic glassware. The souvenirs shop at the ground floor offers a unique selection of Islamic crafts, artefects, books and a lot more interesting stuff for visitors to puchase. And its Moza cafe serves excellent Middle Eastern cuisine. Located just 5-min walk from the National Mosque.
Written 30 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Krithika
9 contributions
Great museum to understand Islamic history though the art lens.
Nov 2019
If you are a history buff, do not miss this museum.
Beautifully curated, well maintained, quiet, exhibits explained in detail and wonderful architecture surely make this place worth visiting.
Beautifully curated, well maintained, quiet, exhibits explained in detail and wonderful architecture surely make this place worth visiting.
Written 24 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SK2006
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia65 contributions
Hidden gem in the city
Aug 2020 • Family
We had planned to go to Central Market but it was closed for renovation so decided to walk to Merdeka Square and show the kids some history.
On the way there we passed signs for islamic art museum and my daughter says let's go. So we did.
It was fantastic! It cost rm 14 per adult and rm 7 for kids below 18 years old. Totally worth it.
Beautiful artifacts, jewellery, pottery, furniture and furnishings!
The cafe there was bright and airy, worth a go.
On the way there we passed signs for islamic art museum and my daughter says let's go. So we did.
It was fantastic! It cost rm 14 per adult and rm 7 for kids below 18 years old. Totally worth it.
Beautiful artifacts, jewellery, pottery, furniture and furnishings!
The cafe there was bright and airy, worth a go.
Written 24 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jkhidalgo
Colombiano47 contributions
Fantastic museum
Aug 2020
Beautiful museum. Well maintained. With very interesting exhibitions. The people was very friendly.
Just the building itself is fantastic and all the devices exposed are quite interesting. We were surprised by this museum.
The Moza restaurant is very beautiful too and the attention of Faizal was great.
Excellent experience. We want to return again
Opened again, after the COVID 19 quarentine (MCO), since 11th June 2020
Just the building itself is fantastic and all the devices exposed are quite interesting. We were surprised by this museum.
The Moza restaurant is very beautiful too and the attention of Faizal was great.
Excellent experience. We want to return again
Opened again, after the COVID 19 quarentine (MCO), since 11th June 2020
Written 9 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sérgio M
13 contributions
Great museum
Feb 2020
Amazing museum, with lots of artifacts that show the islamic history wordwide. It was not crowded when I visited.
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
IRHS
Rochester191 contributions
Interesting introduction to Islamic culture
Feb 2020
Was able to get a little understanding of Islamic culture - I really enjoyed the different artifacts - boxes, chests, and glassware.
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rick W
Sevenoaks, UK1,693 contributions
Quiet and beautiful!
Mar 2020
This modern museum is superbly arranged in a building as interesting as its exhibits with huge domed ceilings and spacious display areas - and an excellent cafe serving snacks, drinks and meals. Arranged on two floors are displays of calligraphy, costumes, ceramics, models of the world's main mosques, wood carvings and much else. Was it rivetingly interesting? No. Was it worth seeing (for free), yes.
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Heddyhee
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia117 contributions
Hi, is there any dress code? Such as must wear full covered shoes, or pants’s length must be below knee?
Trotter-Rich
Berlin, Germany113 contributions
Hi there.
No there is no dress code for this museum. Normal vacation attire as you’d wear on any street in Malaysia will do.
Hera Saif
Wenzhou, China47 contributions
What is opening timings of the museum?
Mazmannan
Basingstoke, UK8,938 contributions
I reviewed this museum about a couple of weeks ago. In it I mentioned the opening times. An extract of my review is shown below. Have a lovely time there. It is definitely worth a visit.
Opening hours are daily from 9.30am to 6pm. The museum restaurant is closed on Mondays - and on other days is open from 9.30 am to 5.30pm.
Admission price is Rm14. Children under 6 years of age go free. There is discounted prices for school children and elders at RM7.
Ali Hassan
Lahore, Pakistan
Do I need to buy a tour or can I go own my own? What's the ticket price and what's the best way to get their own my own?
yss97
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia1,396 contributions
There is no need to buy a tour, you can go in on your own. The ticket is RM14 per adult. The nearest public transport stop is the old KL railway station, or use Grab - the local Uber.
Hi I would like to ask, is it allowed to take pictures inside the museum? if it is, do you think it's allowed to use tripod?
mohdmuzamil
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia20 contributions
yes i was allowed to take pictures
fiamma11
Vienna, VA3,378 contributions
Do you recommend a guide for this museum? Are things well labeled in English?
rosiejessica
39 contributions
I don't think you need a guide, but if only you are looking for a very detail information for it. The exhibits are clearly explain in English.
KASHOO188
Manchester, UK16 contributions
How long is a reasonable amount of time to spend here? And how much are tickets?
westham66
Scotland, UK52 contributions
It was around 30 MR for two adults. We spent about 2 hours looking at the exhibits.
We did not try the restaurant so cannot comment on that.
We enjoyed the museum and it was lovely and cool inside.
KASHOO188
Manchester, UK16 contributions
Hi is this place suitable for kids? And how far is the bird park?
RK_Girish_Menon
Singapore, Singapore27 contributions
It's within 5 minutes of KL Bird Park. Young kids will not find much to keep them entertained, as the exhibits are primarily of historical and cultural interest, I feel. The scale models of the various mosques and Islamic architecture would probably be the most interesting to younger visitors.
Sammie M
Derby, UK2 contributions
Hi,
How much would an Uber cost from Impianna KLCC to the museum and would the mosque be open for entry and prayers? What else is there to see and do in this area?
Thanks.
luluraad
Revesby, Australia51 contributions
Hello,
It should be around 10-15 ringgit but depends on time of day, taxis charge more if there is traffic. I always take a taxi that charges by the meter cause they try to rip you off. The national mosque is down the road and also the bird park is very close by too.
Kate H
Madison, WI3 contributions
I will be staying in the Bukit Bintang area on my trip to KL and I am wondering what the best way to get to museum from there is? It doesn't look like public transit makes its way out there.
Sulaiman H
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia46 contributions
Hi sKATEr4193,
There've a Grab/Uber/Taxi services which you can choose. The museum is about 50 meters from National Mosque KL.
dohaelleithy
Qatar281 contributions
I just want to ask about the restaurant inside the museum is it good? and the prices?
MEAFaro
Algarve, Portugal561 contributions
When we had lunch, in February, there was only a set menu, self service with several meze, one main (with two to choose) brought to the table and dessert buffet (2 or 3 varieties). We paid 40 euros for two, but we drank 3 drinks and 2 coffees (which are expensive). The food is good, we enjoyed it.
Frequently Asked Questions about Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
- We recommend booking Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 21 Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia:
- Islamic Arts Museum Admission Ticket with Free One Way Transfer (From RM 101.03)
- Islamic Arts Museum Admission with Free Kuala Lumpur City Tour (From RM 143.59)
- Segway Tour: Guided Eco Ride at KL Lake Gardens including Islamic Arts Museum (From RM 244.71)
- Half-Day Private Kuala Lumpur City Tour (From RM 191.45)
- Kuala Lumpur City & Countryside Tour With Lunch (From RM 232.59)
- Hotels near Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia:
- (0.41 km) The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur
- (0.57 km) The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur
- (0.78 km) Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur
- (0.87 km) Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown
- (0.83 km) Hilton Kuala Lumpur
- Restaurants near Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia:
- (0.02 km) Museum Restaurant
- (0.08 km) Nurin's Delights
- (0.23 km) Hornbill restaurant and cafe
- (0.23 km) Kakiyuki
- (0.27 km) Nasi Lemak Tanglin
- Attractions near Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia:
- (0.15 km) Royal Malaysia Police Museum
- (0.21 km) National Mosque (Masjid Negara)
- (0.12 km) One Day Pilot
- (0.07 km) Bamboo Playhouse
- (0.10 km) Orchid & Hibiscus Gardens