National Museum of Korea
National Museum of Korea
4.5
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
This is the largest and most popular museum in Korea with over 420,000 objects in its collection. It has six permanent exhibition galleries such as Calligraphy and Painting and the Room of Quiet Contemplation. ▶ Admission is free to all permanent exhibitions - Online reservation required for Children's Museum - Separate charges for the special exhibitions ▶ Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun: 10am-6pm / Wed, Sat: 10am-9pm - Closed January 1st, Lunar New Year's, Chuseok and first Monday of April and November ▶ Drop-in tours available everyday at 10:30 and 13:00 ▶ Private tour for group in Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese upon reservation ※ Please check our website as details may be subject to change: www.museum.go.kr/site/eng/content/tours_and_services
Duration: 2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Yongsan / Samgakji / Ichon
How to get there
- Ichon • 9 min walk
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Attractions
841 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- RafikiLondonHong Kong, China520 contributionsCeladon and Gold.Fantastic display of Korean celadon and gold. But this modern, spacious and airy museum provides a very good introduction to the history of the Korean Peninsula (apart for the mid twentieth century) for those who don't know it so well. From ancient times to the end of the Second World War, the story is told in artefacts of stone, clay, bronze, iron, silver, gold and shell inlay. The stunning jade green of celadon takes top prize. Make sure to walk through the pretty gardens.Visited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 22, 2023
- macedonboyGlasgow, United Kingdom186,808 contributionsAmazing & Exceptional Standard MuseumMuch of the ground floor is dedicated to Korean history. One side is mainly exhibitions on the kingdoms of Korea all the way up to the Korean Empire, while the other side covers the stone age up to mediaeval Korea. If you want to know about the history of Korea condensed into about a dozen rooms via exhibits, then this would be the place to see it. The 2nd floor also has some amazing exhibitions especially on Buddhist art and culture, and the stunning “Room of Quiet Contemplating”Visited May 2024Traveled with friendsWritten May 30, 2024
- AllegraLCMalaysia450 contributionsVisit on a Rainy DayWe planned to come here on our first day in Seoul since it was a rainy day. We were able to kill about 3 hours here. It's definitely not enough if you want to explore it in detail. The entrance is free for the permanent exhibits. Doing some homework before visiting certainly helps with the understanding of the various collections. Postcard and stamp are sold here, and of course the mail box is available too. The view outside the museum is quite impressive, so do spend some time walking around the premises. Seoul Tower is visible from here.Visited December 2023Traveled with friendsWritten June 1, 2024
- TIersHasieSydney, Australia1,030 contributionsSkip the others this one's probably the bestBy international standards it's probably a bit underwhelming but compared to all the others I've seen in Korea this is by far the best. Very large and well spaced containing some treasures such as the Danwon painting, Pensive Bodhisattva and gold crown itself was worth a look for me as I was constantly dissapinted the rebuilt palaces had not much to see inside. The other meseums in seoul had no treasures or palace artifacts (as those exhibitions were closed at 3 of the others I went) so I only got to see this type of historical treasure at this museum. Recommend at least 1-2hours, free entry.Visited January 2024Traveled soloWritten July 7, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,431 reviews
Excellent
1,416
Very good
767
Average
209
Poor
32
Terrible
7
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Jake Aller
Alexandria, VA36 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
one of the best museums in Seoul. Very easy to find get off at Ichon Subway stop on the blue line three stops from Seoul Station. the exhibits are constantly changing and they occasionally have international exhibits - I saw the hermitage exhibit and the Muesum d'Olreans Paris museum. very resasonable fees
Written January 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lostinatlanta
Berkeley Heights, NJ148 contributions
Jun 2022
This place is massive, the first floor has items relevant to Korean history but upper floors are mostly pottery. If you go with young kids you'll finish up the first floor and don't bother with upper floors unless you are into art/pottery.
There is also a children's museum but it requires a reservations, so plan ahead..... we did not.
The museum is located near a subway stop but be prepared to walk about a quarter mile.
There is also a children's museum but it requires a reservations, so plan ahead..... we did not.
The museum is located near a subway stop but be prepared to walk about a quarter mile.
Written July 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lola
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia157 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
This museum is a must visit if you are a history nerd, or you're just interested in learning about our past and ancestors. It is not only about Korea as the 3rd floor is the 'world' history section where if includes historical facts and artifacts from India, rest of Asia, Egypt and Japan. Be prepared to walk a lot. There's water dispenser at every level so you can bring your bottle for refill.
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GintamaZ
California2,790 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
It’s close by all the palace and ancient village of Bukchon Hanok.
Best of all, it’s free for all!?
There is a comprehensive display and exhibits of korean history and culture and how people used to live.
There were vivid and creative displays in for of real water fall and walls of Korea painting projected on walls.
Best of all, it’s free for all!?
There is a comprehensive display and exhibits of korean history and culture and how people used to live.
There were vivid and creative displays in for of real water fall and walls of Korea painting projected on walls.
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen C
Birmingham, UK75 contributions
Nov 2019
It helps if you read up on the basics of Korean history before you visit the museum, because it's a complicated story of multiple competing kingdoms rising and falling while simultaneously trying to fend off the Japanese and invaders from China. Fortunately, the museum explains this history in a series of wall boards in Korean and English. the exhibits cover everything from royal jewels to everyday life; something for everybody.
Written February 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annette F
Miami759 contributions
Feb 2020
It's easy to understand why this museum is one of the top visited museums in the world. The exhibits immerse visitors into the arts of the entire history of this country. Additional exhibits show the arts of the rest of Asia. These exhibits are newly installed and are very engaging. The gift shop is one of the best places to buy good quality gifts for friends or yourself. A variety of restaurants and coffee shops are also found on site.
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suzana E
Bjelovar, Croatia29 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
Extensive collection of artifacts, very organized, museum is completely free. We spent about 3 hours there on a rainy Friday afternoon and it wasn't too crowded. Audioguide app is bad (short descriptions, robotic voice, you have to bring your own headphones). The architecture of the building is stunning, museum shop is nice
Written September 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ceci T
Washington DC, DC331 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
This museum is worth a visit both for the amazing building and the collections. The building is grandiose and the exhibition rooms are well designed. Everything is translated into English making it easy to navigate. The collections are remarkable, with the main focus being on Korean art from pre-historical times to early modern history. Easy access by metro. Allow enough time to visit the many interesting rooms.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave H
Singapore, Singapore125 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
It is Korea’s National museum and it’s a nice building with a few genuine national treasures, but it falls a bit flat. It seems too sparse and many of the English descriptions are poorly done or entirely absent. It also does not flow well and there were only a few really memorable exhibits. The Leeum Samsung museum is much better.
Written January 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alceu N
Sao Paulo, SP200 contributions
Jan 2024 • Friends
A museum with a great structure and a local collection about the country, very rich and interesting. The building is beautiful and the exhibition design is great. Entry is free to the permanent exhibition and paid to the temporary exhibitions.
Written January 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fumio
Minato, Japan
How many national museum exist in Korea now?
and how many of city museum of Seoul city exist ? let me know
FN
Written July 12, 2024
How do I reserve a ticket for special exhibitions? What is the online link, please?
Written September 30, 2020
Hi, can i ask directions on how to get there from Dongdaemun? I think the nearest station from my hotel is Dongmyo
Written August 30, 2019
The subway takes you very near. I can’t remember the name of the stop but the museum website should tell you.
Written August 31, 2019
They normally do. But, there are days they close.
Written May 14, 2019
We are staying at Ramada Hotel and Suites, Chilpae-ro, Namdaemun. Could i know, how to get to this museum? Which train to take?
Written May 22, 2018
You can take Line 4 (Jungang Line) to Ichon station. Get out at exit 2 and walk towards Yongsan family park. It is open daily from 10am to 6pm. It is open for longer on Wednesdays and Saturdays. On Sundays it is open up to 7pm. Your hotel is located between City Hall and Seoul Metro stations - and you can ask the concierge staff at your hotel which is the best station to use to get to Ichon station.
Written May 22, 2018
The museum fee is free for the permanent exhibition, and they only charge for special exhibits.
Written April 5, 2018
So if I plan on arriving at Inchon Station, which exit should I exit from?
Written March 28, 2018
You should take line 4 to get to Ichon station. Then take exit 2 and walk for about 200 metres heading towards the Yongsan Family Park.
Written March 28, 2018
Are there places in the museum to store your luggage? I plan to head directly to the airport after the visit.
Written December 19, 2017
Yes, there are boxes to keep your belongings, however the luggages can leave at the counters. There are museum staffs helping you for this.
Written December 21, 2017
Hello. I bought a tea set from the museum store and I just saw that you can't take cultural assets out of Korea. My question is: is the tea set I bought considered a cultural asset and do I need to be worried about it being confiscated/possible imprisonment?
Written July 18, 2017
Not a cultural asset, you can take it out.
Written July 18, 2017
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