Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design

Amazing place to visit. The personal collection of Doris Duke is phenomenal to view. Fascinating to see the photos of what inspired her and how she conveyed that in her own home. Breathtaking views from the back lawn. Walking in the halls of how an entirely different realm of wealth lived and collected. So many interesting things to learn about and see. A very unrated place to visit. Highly recommend!

The Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design in Honolulu is a breathtaking blend of history, culture, and architectural beauty. Built in 1937 by Doris Duke, inspired by her extensive travels across the Islamic world, the house was transformed into a museum to showcase the artistic and cultural treasures she collected. Surrounded by stunning ocean views and lush gardens, Shangri La is a serene escape that immerses visitors in the richness of Islamic art and design. What truly brought the experience alive for me was Navid, one of the museum's exceptional guides. Seen in the courtyard photograph, Navid's passion and deep knowledge of the museum's collection make the tour unforgettable. His storytelling bridges the past and present, weaving fascinating details about the intricate tilework, art repatriation, hand-carved wood panels, and shimmering textiles that fill Shangri La. His enthusiasm is infectious, drawing you into the artistry, history, and craftsmanship behind each piece while connecting it to the broader cultural and historical narratives. The museum itself is a masterpiece, with its interiors and gardens carefully designed to reflect the diverse regions of the Islamic world. Walking through these spaces with Navid’s guidance felt like stepping into a living, breathing history. Whether you’re an art lover, a history enthusiast, or simply looking for a unique cultural experience in Honolulu, a visit to Shangri La is a must. The combination of its stunning setting, remarkable collection, and passionate guides like Navid makes it a truly magical place.

If you’re interested in beautiful artefacts of Islam, then this isn’t museum you should not miss. The collection here is truly amazing and dates back almost 400 years. Everything from furniture to tiles and other works of our are on display for you to enjoy. It is extremely difficult to get tickets to this museum since they are only sold four times a year. You’ll have to plan this at least six months ahead of time.

Plan ahead, tickets sell out. We bought tickets a month in advance. It is absolutely stunning and beautiful. It is a unique historic estate where there is history everywhere you look. It's definitely a huge highlight of our trip. It's at the top of our recommendations.

This is not a traditional museum but Doris Duke's Islamic Art collection as her home was turned into a museum with her home and Islamic art possessions as exhibits. The wood work and tile work is exquisite and her artifacts fascinating. The building is beautiful and her yard with the view is magnificent! The docents were friendly and knowledgeable. Well worth a visit. Two important points; you need to take a shuttle from the Honolulu Museum of Arts and you need to order tickets well in advance.

Incredibly quiet and beautiful place! It’s not easy to get here, we booked 1.5 months in advance, the ticket cost $ 20 for locals, I think a different price for tourists. You can’t come here by car, Shuttle buses depart from the Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA), they will pick you up and bring you back, when we arrived back we were given free tickets to the Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA). You can’t touch anything in shangri la museum, and if I’m not mistaken, children are not allowed here. You can take pictures, but without flashes. At the end, we were treated to delicious ice cream and water, as well as a fan as a gift.

This is an enriching and well-run tour that originates at the Honolulu Museum of Art (shuttle is included and required as the Shangri La museum is on private property). The exhibits are splendid, representing art from across the world of Islamic culture.The curators and guides offer clear and candid explanations of each part of the exhibit. There is time to walk around the grounds, which offer a panoramic view of the adjacent coast and shoreline.

Spectacular!!! I went with a group of friends and we had a great time. So much history behind the former residence of Doris Duke. Her love of art, starting with her visit to the Taj Mahal, shows throughout the museum. This is a must-see when visiting Hawaii.