Attraction
Gyeongbokgung Palace
The first and largest royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, founded in 1395 and home to the throne hall Geunjeongjeon and the Gyeonghoeru banquet pavilion.
National Museum of Korea
Korea's national museum in Yongsan, opened in its current building in 2005, with free galleries covering everything from Paleolithic tools to Silla gold and Goryeo celadon.
At a glance
- Type
- National history and art museum
- Area
- Yongsan, Seoul, South Korea
- Official site
- museum.go.kr
Good to know
- Free permanent galleries
- Late opening Wednesday and Saturday
- Free guided tours
- Lifts
- Wheelchair rental
Why we recommend it
The National Museum of Korea is the country's flagship museum and the best single place to get a grounding in Korean history and art. It moved into its current building, set in parkland in Yongsan, in October 2005. The collection runs to hundreds of thousands of objects, and the permanent galleries are free to enter, which makes it one of the best-value days out in Seoul.
The permanent exhibition is arranged by period and theme across three floors. On the ground floor you move from prehistoric stone tools through the Three Kingdoms period, where gold crowns and jewellery from Silla tombs are among the highlights, to the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties. Upper floors cover calligraphy and painting, Buddhist sculpture, and the celebrated Goryeo celadon, with its pale blue-green glaze and inlaid designs. Do not miss the gilt-bronze pensive bodhisattva statues, displayed in their own quiet room, or the Gyeongcheonsa ten-storey stone pagoda of 1348, which rises through the central hall known as the Path to History.
Families will find plenty of space, a children's museum and outdoor grounds with a pond and pavilions, while anyone with a particular interest can spend a whole day in the ceramics or Buddhist art galleries. Free guided tours run on weekdays at 10:30 and 13:00, with English and Japanese tours at the same times at weekends; they meet on the first floor of the permanent exhibition hall. Temporary exhibitions in the special galleries are usually ticketed.
The museum is open from 09:30 to 17:30 on most days and until 21:00 on Wednesdays and Saturdays, which makes it a good evening option. The main galleries close on the first Monday of March, June, September and December, and the museum is shut on 1 January, Lunar New Year and Chuseok. Allow at least three hours. There are cafés and a restaurant on site, and lifts and wheelchair loans make it fully accessible.
Ichon Station, on Line 4 and the Gyeongui-Jungang Line, connects to the museum by an underground walkway from Exit 2. The Yongsan Family Park lies next door, and Itaewon and the War Memorial of Korea are a short taxi or bus ride away.
National Museum of Korea FAQs
Is the National Museum of Korea free?
Yes. The permanent exhibition is free; special exhibitions usually charge for tickets.
What are the opening hours?
09:30 to 17:30 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, and 09:30 to 21:00 on Wednesday and Saturday.
When is it closed?
The main galleries close on the first Monday of March, June, September and December, and the museum closes on 1 January, Lunar New Year and Chuseok.
What are the highlights?
Silla gold crowns, Goryeo celadon, the gilt-bronze pensive bodhisattvas and the Gyeongcheonsa ten-storey pagoda.
Are there guided tours in English?
Yes. Free tours run at 10:30 and 13:00, with English tours at those times at weekends; they meet on the first floor of the permanent exhibition hall.
How long should you allow?
At least three hours, and a full day if you want to see every gallery.
How do you get there?
Take Line 4 or the Gyeongui-Jungang Line to Ichon Station and follow the walkway from Exit 2.
Is it good for children?
Yes. There is a children's museum, large grounds and plenty of space for pushchairs, which can be borrowed.