National Museum of Korea
Itaewon and Hannam-dong, Seoul
- Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun
- 9:30 to 17:30
- Wed, Sat
- 9:30 to 21:00
Admission closes 30 minutes before closing. Free for the permanent galleries, special exhibitions are ticketed. Some galleries were temporarily closed in October 2026 per the museum's notices (the Central Asia Gallery from October 12 to 22, plus the Japan Gallery and the Calligraphy and Painting and Sculpture and Crafts sections, with no end dates given).
Source: museum.go.kr, checked 13 Oct 2026.
Korea's national museum, with permanent galleries covering archaeology, art and history, in a large complex beside Yongsan Family Park. Permanent exhibitions are free and special exhibitions charge a fee.
Insider tip
Ichon Station has an underground walkway to the museum that the museum lists as open 07:00 to 23:00. Some galleries are closed for works, so check the museum's notices before choosing your route.
What the guides say about National Museum of Korea
The permanent galleries at National Museum of Korea are free, and so are War Memorial of Korea, Gwanghwamun Square and Gyeonghuigung Palace.
What's on at National Museum of Korea
Upcoming events at National Museum of Korea and within a ten-minute walk, from the weekly Seoul events calendar.
Evergreen Bamboo Through the Four Seasons Embodied in Ceramics
Thematic exhibition at the National Museum of Korea. The permanent collection is free.
Jinah78, CC BY-SA 3.0 Kim Jeonghui and His Companions
Thematic exhibition at the National Museum of Korea. Some galleries are temporarily closed, so check the museum's notices.
Jinah78, CC BY-SA 3.0 The Birth of Modern Art: Kunsthaus Zurich Collection
Time 09:30 to 17:30 (Wed and Sat to 21:00)
Special exhibition of 85 paintings and sculptures from the Kunsthaus Zurich, running from the birth of European modern art through the 20th century, with works by Monet, Chagall, Matisse, Picasso, Kandinsky, Magritte and Dali. Entry is by timed 30-minute slots. An opening lecture is on 27 Nov, 14:00 to 16:00. Closed 7 Dec 2026, 1 Jan, 7 Feb and 1 Mar 2027.
Jinah78, CC BY-SA 3.0 Marie Antoinette Style
Listed as an upcoming special exhibition. The museum says special exhibitions are ticketed.
Jinah78, CC BY-SA 3.0 National Museum of Korea 2 Humanities Walk (국립중앙박물관2 인문학산책)
Smaller local events nearby
National Museum of Korea Highlights Tour for International Visitors Exhibition
Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays; the schedule changes every month. Next: Mon 2 Nov · National Museum of Korea, in front of the Korean Empire gallery, Permanent Exhibition Hall 1F, Yongsan
The National Museum of Korea runs highlights tours for international visitors in English, Japanese and Chinese from the Korean Empire gallery on the first floor.
10:30 and 13:00 (English and Japanese), 13:00 (Chinese) · Map · Source: National Museum of Korea · 국립중앙박물관 외국인 정기해설
National Museum of Korea Regular Highlights Tour (Korean) Exhibition
Every day, in Korean, no reservation (Oct and Nov 2026 timetable). Next: Mon 2 Nov · National Museum of Korea, in front of the Korean Empire gallery, Permanent Exhibition Hall 1F, Yongsan
The National Museum of Korea gives free hour-long regular tours of its highlight relics without reservation, aimed at Korean-speaking visitors, with a timetable that changes every month.
Free · Mon to Fri 10:30, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00; Sat and Sun 11:00, 13:00, 15:00; about 1 hour · Map · Source: National Museum of Korea · 국립중앙박물관 대표유물해설
Nearby
Around Itaewon and Hannam-dong
Two big museums, a war memorial and late-night bars on Itaewon-ro
Itaewon and Hannam-dong sit next to each other, and most of what you'd visit is on or just off Itaewon-ro. Hannam-dong has the museums and galleries, and Itaewon has the bars and the older shops.
Itaewon and Hannam-dong has 13 places on the Roam Seoul map: 4 museums, 3 cafes, 2 shops, 2 bars, 1 landmark and 1 restaurant. Read the Itaewon and Hannam-dong guide.
Good to know
- What is the address of National Museum of Korea?
- 137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
- What are the opening hours of National Museum of Korea?
- Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun 9:30 to 17:30; Wed, Sat 9:30 to 21:00. Admission closes 30 minutes before closing. Free for the permanent galleries, special exhibitions are ticketed. Some galleries were temporarily closed in October 2026 per the museum's notices (the Central Asia Gallery from October 12 to 22, plus the Japan Gallery and the Calligraphy and Painting and Sculpture and Crafts sections, with no end dates given).
- How do I get to National Museum of Korea?
- The nearest station is Ichon (Line 4, Gyeongui-Jungang Line), exit 2. National Museum of Korea is in Itaewon and Hannam-dong, Seoul.
- How much does National Museum of Korea cost?
- Nothing. National Museum of Korea is free to visit.
- How long do you need at National Museum of Korea?
- Plan for 3 to 4 hours.
- When is the best time to visit National Museum of Korea?
- Wednesday or Saturday evening.
Stay near National Museum of Korea
Browse live availability and compare prices around Itaewon and Hannam-dong.
See hotels near National Museum of Korea on Booking.comPrices are for the night of Saturday 7 November. You can change the dates on Booking.com. If you book, Roam Seoul earns a small commission from Stay22 at no extra cost to you.