aventuro Back to map A
Museums #16 in Kuala Lumpur

Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia

4.7 · 5,848 reviews
A quiet place for scholarly contemplation.
Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, Jalan Lembah, Perdana Botanical Gardens, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Interesting facts
1

The museum dome interior features a design inspired by the architecture of the Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina.

2

The collection includes the world’s largest scale model of the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca.

3

The museum maintains a dedicated restoration laboratory for the preservation of historical manuscripts and artifacts.

4

The interior ceilings feature intricate, handcrafted gold-leaf work produced by artisans from Uzbekistan.

5

The library holds over 20,000 volumes, including rare books on Islamic art and history not found elsewhere in the region.

Overview

The Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia houses the largest collection of Islamic decorative arts in Southeast Asia, with over 7,000 artifacts on display. The facility is housed in a modern architectural landmark featuring turquoise-tiled domes and intricate interior geometry. The collection is organized into twelve galleries categorized by artifact type, including ceramics, metalwork, textiles, and jewelry. A significant portion of the museum is dedicated to the architecture gallery, which contains large-scale models of prominent global mosques. The institution also preserves a collection of rare Qur’anic manuscripts dating from the 10th century. Located within the lush greenery of the Perdana Botanical Gardens, the building incorporates traditional Middle Eastern patterns into its contemporary glass and steel structure.

Photo spot

The main lobby with its ornate, blue-tiled domes and hanging decorative lamps.

Insider tips

Visit the museum restaurant, which serves authentic Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine.

Prioritize the Architecture Gallery to view the detailed scale models of world-renowned mosques.

Check the museum's rotating exhibition schedule online before visiting to catch temporary thematic displays.

What to avoid

Do not attempt to walk from the city center in the midday heat; use a taxi or ride-share service to reach the park entrance.

Etiquette

Modest dress is required; ensure shoulders and knees are covered. Remove shoes when entering specific carpeted gallery sections if requested by signage.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
2-3 hours
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings to avoid large crowds and weekend school field trips.
Address
Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, Jalan Lembah, Perdana Botanical Gardens, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
3.142, 101.690
Get directions
Details
Key exhibits10th-century Qur'anic manuscripts and large-scale mosque architecture models
Architectural featuresTurquoise glazed tile domes and interior gold-leaf ceiling work

Frequently asked

Plan for about 2-3 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Weekday mornings to avoid large crowds and weekend school field trips..

The main lobby with its ornate, blue-tiled domes and hanging decorative lamps.

Close by you'll find National Mosque of Malaysia, Perdana Botanical Garden, KL Bird Park.