With ultra-modern skyrises alongside small one-story hanoks (traditional Korean homes), Seoul is often described as a city of old and new. This characterization applies to the range of museums as much as the city’s architecture.
The South Korean capital isn’t particularly known for its museums, yet several have opened in the past two decades, featuring exhibits that span traditional to niche themes. Here are favorite museums for learning about South Korean history, contemplating modern artwork, and having a bit of fun.
National Museum of Korea
Best museum for all things Korean
The museum to visit if you have time for only one, the National Museum of Korea, showcases a wide range of artifacts, documents, and artworks detailing Korean history and art. Spanning the size of 56 football fields, this vast museum covers everything from ancient and pre-history to sculpture and fine arts.
Don’t miss the monumental jar coffins from the Baekje period (18 BCE–660 CE), the Tigers in Moonlight and Pine Grove painting from the Joseon dynasty, and the impressive 10-story stone pagoda from Gyeongcheonsa Temple, which is prominently located near the museum’s entrance.
The premises also include an immersive digital gallery, a children’s museum filled with interactive experiences, and expansive outdoor grounds featuring a botanical garden, small waterfall, and several ponds. The nearby National Hangeul Museum, dedicated to the education of hangeul (Korean alphabet), is worth visiting if a special exhibition is taking place.
War and Women’s Human Rights Museum
Best museum for a moving experience
A small but memorable museum, the War and Women’s Human Rights Museum utilizes art and audio to educate visitors on the history of comfort women (women used as sexual slaves during World War II). Each visitor receives an audio guide that offers additional context to the exhibited items.
Listening to the survivors’ voices and learning their names is a profound experience. Although the information can be overwhelming, the museum emphasizes themes of hope and life after trauma. Unlike other history museums in Korea, this museum provides a candid recount of wrongs done by the Korean government.
Seoul Museum of History
Best museum to get to know the city
Over the years, Seoul has been known by several names, undergoing radical changes even in the past century. The Seoul Museum of History explores these transformations through artifacts, art, maps, and photography.
The permanent exhibition starts with Seoul’s origin as the Joseon capital in 1392 and predicts its future, also hosting special exhibitions on topics like fashion, photography, and urban planning. Take time at the “Period of Rapid Growth Seoul” section to compare photographs of the city from now and 50 years ago for a clearer understanding of its rapid development.
Korea Furniture Museum
Best museum for unexpected luxury
The Korea Furniture Museum, which requires a guided tour, consists of director Chyung Mi-sook’s personal collection of approximately 2,500 traditional wooden pieces displayed over 10 hanoks. This unique experience provides insight into the upper-class lifestyle during the Joseon dynasty (1392–1897).
Visitors appreciate seeing delicate pieces up close without glass cases, and the guides share excellent stories. The museum offers limited tours to a set number of visitors daily; thus, guided tours must be reserved in advance on the museum’s website, and slots often fill months ahead.
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
Best museum for lovers of modern art
The MMCA has three branches, with the location near Gyeongbokgung Palace being the newest and considered the representative site. While the museum showcases internationally recognized artists, its primary focus is on contemporary Korean artists.
Exhibitions highlight retrospectives on notable artists such as Park Soo Keun, Park Seo-bo, and Lee Kyungsung, along with collections from emerging talents, including recipients of the Korea Artist Prize. Although the gallery numbers aren’t clearly marked, visitors will find curation that is unlike anything else in the country.
The gift shop, filled with books and art-inspired souvenirs, is also worth a visit, featuring unique items like a Nam June Paik collection of stickers.
Yun Dong-ju Literature House
Best small museum
The niche Yun Dong-ju Literature House highlights the life and works of one of Korea’s most famous poets and independence activists, Yun Dong-Ju (1917–45). Although the museum initially appears as an ordinary white building, it was formerly a trio of water pressure tanks, contributing to its unique ambiance.
The museum features Yun’s manuscripts and photographs, a walk-through of Open Well (a former water tank), and a short film about Yun in Closed Well (a dark tank with minimal light). It provides an intimate portrait of the poet, catering to those already familiar with his work and those who are not.
Seoul Children’s Museum
Best museum for families
The highly interactive Seoul Children’s Museum is a four-story facility featuring exhibitions, playrooms, and classes designed for children aged 3 to 12 years. Highlights include the Dance Energy Floor, an electronic floor that encourages kids to jump on tiles that light up, and the Water Pump at the “Science Play” exhibition, teaching children about water movement.
This museum integrates science and physical education into its activities, serving as a dynamic space for learning. It is advisable for parents to check the museum’s website for information on guiding their kids through exhibitions and class schedules.
Museum Kimchikan
Best museum for foodies
The small Museum Kimchikan in Insadong caters to those who can’t get enough of the fermented cabbage dish served with Korean meals. Visitors delve into one of South Korea’s most renowned dishes, learning the communal nature of kimchi preparation and its evolution over the centuries.
As the nation’s most established food museum, it highlights various kimchi types. Visitors get tips on fermenting at home and can sample different varieties. The museum also offers inexpensive kimchi-making classes, with one course requiring advance email reservations.
Is the Discover Seoul Pass worth it?
The Discover Seoul Pass is a discount card for tourists covering several of these museums. However, it is advisable to compare the museums included on the pass with your Seoul itinerary before planning your visit. Many museums are either low-cost or free, making the Discover Seoul Pass potentially less beneficial for your trip.
