Things to Do in Seoul: 9 FREE Museums You Should Add to Your Itinerary

Perfect for budget travelers.
by Ina Louise Manto | October 10, 2023

One great way of learning about a new travel destination is through museums. From art to historical artifacts, their exhibits will let you appreciate a country’s rich history and culture. Whether it’s your first time in Seoul or you’re looking for new places to visit, these free museums around South Korea’s capital are worth checking out:

National Palace Museum of Korea

Location: 12 Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Want to learn more about Korea’s longest imperial dynasty? The National Palace Museum of Korea houses over 40,000 artifacts that will let you understand the history and culture of the Korean Empire and Joseon Dynasty. That’s 500 years of history displayed in seven permanent exhibitions, which take up three floors of the museum.

Operating hours: Open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM.

Visit the official website for more information.

National Museum of Korea

Location: 137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Since the opening of its new location in 2005, the National Museum of Korea has become a must-visit destination for learning about the country’s rich history. It has six permanent exhibition halls featuring various eras and themes, giving home to over 420,000 artifacts. If you’re visiting with kids, there’s also a Children’s Museum that introduces Korea’s history through experiences and educational programs.

Operating hours: Open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM.

Visit the official website for more information.

Trickeye Museum Seoul

Location: 20 Hongik-ro 3-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

 

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Located in lively Hongdae, Trickeye Museum Seoul is perfect for tourists who love to pose and take photos with 3D illusion art. From dragons to mesmerizing underwater scenes, the museum’s walls and ceilings come alive with exciting optical illusions.

Visit the official website for more information.

War Memorial of Korea

Location: 29 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Did you know that Filipino troops were sent to Korea during the Korean War in the 1950s? Nestled in Itaewon, the War Memorial of Korea was established in 1994 by the War Memorial Service Korea Society to commemorate the service of citizens who fought in the war. There are indoor and outdoor exhibitions with 33,000 artifacts, showcased in six separate halls. Large weapons may be viewed in the outdoor exhibition areas.

Operating hours: Tuesdays to Sundays from 9:30 AM to 6 PM.

Visit the official website for more information.

Leeum Museum of Art

Location: 60-16 Itaewon-ro 55-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea

@jay.onthe.way The Leeum Museum of Art in Seoul, South Korea 🇰🇷 is a must-visit destination for art enthusiasts, offering a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity. ✨ Established in 2004 by Samsung’s founder Lee Kun-hee, the museum also known as Samsung Museum of Art boasts a collection of Korean art, ancient artifacts, and modern masterpieces. Divided into three distinct sections designed by world-renowned architects Mario Botta, Jean Nouvel, and Rem Koolhaas, the museum’s architecture itself is already work of art. Visitors can immerse themselves in the rich history of Korean ceramics, Buddhist artifacts, and calligraphy, while also exploring groundbreaking contemporary art exhibitions by both Korean and international artists. 💯 📍 Leeum Museum of Art, 60-16 Itaewon-ro 55-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea . . . . #samsungmuseumofart #leeum #leeummuseum #seoul #southkorea #travelseoul #travelsouthkorea #seoultravel #southkoreatrip ♬ What Was I Made For (Piano) – T I H H

Since its opening in 2004, the Leeum Museum of Art has become a leading museum in Korea. It’s known for high-quality collection exhibitions and special exhibitions that showcase the beauty of Korean traditional and contemporary art. This museum is also known as the Samsung Museum of Art and its three buildings alone are a sight to behold, as they were designed by renowned architects Reem Koolhaas, Mario Botta, and Jean Nouvel.

Operating hours: Tuesdays to Sundays from 10:30 AM to 6 PM.

Visit the official website for more information.

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

Location: 30 Samcheong-ro, Sogyeok-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

@mathildeee_hllt National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (I went in February 2023 but it’s still open!) 30, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Zip Code)03062 #seoulmuseum #liveinseoul #discoverkorea #seoul #seoultravel #seoulmuseums #travellife #traveladdict #visitkorea #studyinkorea #travelkorea #southkoreatrip #mustvisitplace #whattodoinkorea #studentinkorea #studentinseoul #studentlife ♬ Moonlight – Sped Up – Kali Uchis

Established in 1969, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is the first museum in the country to showcase Korean modern and contemporary art from different time periods. It has four branches in Gwacheon, Deoksung, Seoul, and Cheonju. The branch in Seoul is just next to Gyeongbokgung Palace, making it an accessible museum when touring the area.

Operating hours: Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 AM to 6 PM.

Visit the official website for more information.

Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA)

Location: 61 Deoksugung-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

@deslilies Free museums are my kind of museums lol #fyp #foryou #fypシ゚viraltiktok #korea #seoullife #seoul #sk #learningkorean #음성효과 #korealife #외국인 #museum #free #freemuseum #museuminseoul #museumofart ♬ we – idea

Home to six exhibition halls, the Seoul Museum of Art of SeMA is a leading art museum in Seoul. A TikTok user shares that photos and videos are not allowed on the second and third floors of the museum, so that’s something to keep in mind when visiting.

Visit the official website for more information.

Seoul Museum of History

Location: 55 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

 

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If you wish to learn more about the Joseon Dynasty, head to the Seoul Museum of History. It’s located right next to Gyeonghee Hill, near the Gyeonghuigung Palace. The museum showcases the entire history of Seoul, from prehistoric times  – witness and learn how the city progressed across centuries here.

Opening hours: Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Visit the official website for more information.

The National Folk Museum of Korea

Location: 37 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

At the National Folk Museum of Korea, tourists can learn about the way of life of Koreans in the past. From cultural beliefs to agricultural lifestyles, these are depicted through artifacts found in three permanent exhibitions. The museum is also just inside Gyeokbokgung Palace.

Operating hours: 9 AM to 6 PM.

Visit the official website for more information.

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