National Palace Museum of Korea
- Mon to Fri, Sun
- 9:30 to 17:30
- Sat
- 9:30 to 21:00
Closed the last Monday of each month (the next day if that Monday is a holiday), 1 January, Lunar New Year and Chuseok.
Source: english.visitseoul.net, checked 13 Oct 2026.
A free museum next to Gyeongbokgung on royal court objects, with a Joseon-era collection.
Insider tip
It closes on the last Monday of each month, so plan around that.
What's on near National Palace Museum of Korea
Upcoming events within a ten-minute walk of National Palace Museum of Korea, from the weekly Seoul events calendar.
National Palace Museum of Korea Humanities Walk (국립고궁박물관 인문학 산책)
Free admission at the four palaces, Jongmyo and the Joseon royal tombs
During the Korea Grand Festival the four grand palaces, Jongmyo and the royal tombs are open free of charge. Jongmyo switches to general admission, and the Changdeokgung Huwon (Secret Garden) special tour is excluded. The notice says regular closing days remain excluded.
Seollal at the royal palaces
Seollal is on Feb 6, 2027. At Seollal 2026 the four palaces were free to enter for the holiday, with folk games such as yut at Unhyeongung, 11:00 to 16:00, Feb 16 to 18. The 2027 palace programme hasn't been announced.
K-Royal Culture Festival (spring 2027)
The 2026 spring festival ran Apr 25 to May 3 with an opening on Apr 24. Pre-booking opened Apr 8 at 12:00 on Ticketlink, and Creatrip for foreign visitors. The 2027 dates haven't been announced.
Gyeongbokgung Night Viewing (autumn 2027 run)
Time 19:00 to 21:30 Station Gyeongbokgung (Line 3), exit 5
The autumn 2026 run was Sept 2 to Oct 2, 19:00 to 21:30 with last entry 20:30, tickets ₩3,000 booked online, per the Korea Heritage Service palace office. Free for children 6 and under, adults 65 and over and anyone in hanbok. The 2027 dates haven't been announced.
Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 4.0 Smaller local events nearby
Gwanghwamun Gate Guard Ceremony Performance
Daily except Tuesdays, 11:00 and 13:00. Next: Mon 2 Nov · Gwanghwamun Gate, Gyeongbokgung, Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun
Short guard ceremony of about 10 minutes at Gwanghwamun, held at 11:00 and 13:00 every day except Tuesdays and palace closing days. The Korea Heritage Service page says no advance booking is needed and lists no fee. Weather or institutional reasons can change the schedule.
11:00 and 13:00 · Map · Source: Korea Heritage Service, Royal Palaces and Tombs Center · 광화문 파수의식
Gyeongbokgung Royal Guard Changing Ceremony Performance
Daily except Tuesdays, 10:00 and 14:00. Next: Mon 2 Nov · Gwanghwamun Gate, Gyeongbokgung, Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun
Held in front of Gwanghwamun, the main gate, at 10:00 and 14:00 every day except Tuesdays. Heavy rain or snow can cancel the ceremony, and on days at or below -10C or at or above 30C the full ceremony runs with fewer guards on watch duty. The Visit Seoul page lists no fee for watching.
10:00 and 14:00 · Map · Source: Visit Seoul (Seoul Tourism Organization) · 경복궁 왕궁수문장 교대의식
Nearby
Around Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun
Palace gates, museums and the Seochon lanes
This is the formal centre of Seoul. Gyeongbokgung sits at the top of Sejong-daero, with Gwanghwamun Square in front and a cluster of free museums around it. Seochon, the grid of small streets to the west, has Tongin Market and a few cafes.
Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun has 13 places on the Roam Seoul map: 5 museums, 3 palaces and temples, 2 restaurants, 1 landmark, 1 market and 1 cafe. Read the Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun guide.
Good to know
- What is the address of National Palace Museum of Korea?
- 12 Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul.
- What are the opening hours of National Palace Museum of Korea?
- Mon to Fri, Sun 9:30 to 17:30; Sat 9:30 to 21:00. Closed the last Monday of each month (the next day if that Monday is a holiday), 1 January, Lunar New Year and Chuseok.
- How do I get to National Palace Museum of Korea?
- The nearest station is Gyeongbokgung (Line 3), exit 5. National Palace Museum of Korea is in Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun, Seoul.
- How much does National Palace Museum of Korea cost?
- Nothing. National Palace Museum of Korea is free to visit.
- How long do you need at National Palace Museum of Korea?
- Plan for 1.5 hours.
- When is the best time to visit National Palace Museum of Korea?
- Weekday morning.
Stay near National Palace Museum of Korea
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