The National Museum of Korea makes a useful Seoul stop when you want time with Korean art and a manageable admission budget. The permanent collection is free. For a first visit, allow two to three hours and choose a few galleries before you arrive.
If you are visiting in autumn 2026, check the closure notes below first. Several rooms are being renovated, and the Central Asia Gallery has a separate October closure.
At a Glance
- Admission: Free for the permanent exhibition; some special exhibitions have separate charges.
- Getting there: Ichon Station, Line 4 or the Gyeongui-Jungang Line, Exit 2.
- Time to allow: Two to three hours for a focused first visit. This is our suggested duration.
Official visitor information · Official subway directions
On this page: Hours · Gallery closures · What to see · Tickets · Map and arrival
Opening Hours and Closed Days
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; last admission at 5 p.m.
- Wednesday and Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; last admission at 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday or Saturday gives you the option of an evening visit. Aim to arrive well before last admission so that you have time to look around.
The museum lists annual closures on January 1, Lunar New Year’s Day and Chuseok. Permanent and special galleries also close on the first Monday of March, June, September and December, with a March exception in 2026. The next scheduled gallery-maintenance closure after this article’s check date is December 7, 2026. Check the museum’s dated visitor notice for your visit.
Gallery Closures to Know About in 2026
Central Asia Gallery, Room 307: Closed October 12–22, 2026, with reopening scheduled for October 23. This notice applies to one gallery. Read the Central Asia notice.
Renovation through January 28, 2027: The affected spaces are Buddhist Painting (203), Wood and Lacquer Crafts (204), Buddhist Sculpture (301), Metal Crafts (302), Calligraphy and Painting rooms 202-3 and 202-4, and the Room of Sense. Reopening is scheduled for January 29, 2027.
The same notice identifies Calligraphy and Painting rooms 202-1 and 202-2, Celadon (303), and Buncheong Ware and White Porcelain (304) as remaining open. Use these room numbers when checking the floor plan. Read the renovation notice.
Things to Do on a First Visit
Pause in the Room of Quiet Contemplation
This room brings together two pensive bodhisattva statues, made in the late sixth and early seventh centuries. Both are designated National Treasures. Look at the figures’ seated poses and the hands resting near their cheeks, and give yourself a little time before moving on.
The museum asks visitors to remain silent here, including when visiting with a guided group. Explore the museum’s introduction to the room.
Compare the Ceramics in Rooms 303 and 304
Celadon in Room 303 offers a starting point for looking at Korean ceramics. The museum describes the development of jade-colored glazes and inlaid decoration during the Goryeo period. Room 304 continues with buncheong ware and white porcelain.
For a simple viewing exercise, choose a vessel in each room and compare its shape, surface and decoration. These two galleries are listed as open during the current renovation. Check the ceramics gallery information.
Leave Time for the Grounds
Mirror Pond sits in front of the museum, while the Pagoda Garden contains stone pagodas, lanterns and other outdoor objects. A short walk outside gives you a different setting for the final part of your visit. See the official outdoor-space guide.
Our suggested plan is to spend about 90 minutes on your chosen galleries, then leave another 30–60 minutes for a break and the grounds. Add time if you want a special exhibition or prefer a slower pace.
Prices and Booking
The permanent galleries cost KRW 0 per visitor. Paid special exhibitions are separate, so check the specific exhibition’s listing before adding it to your plans.
The Children’s Museum is also free, but it requires an online reservation. There is no on-site ticketing for that museum. Include every visitor in the booking, including children under 36 months, and read the cancellation and no-show conditions before reserving.
If you want a reservation-based activity, check the museum’s Reservations & Ticketing page. Free admission does not automatically include every activity.
How to Get There
National Museum of Korea
137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, 04383, Republic of Korea.
Take Seoul Subway Line 4 or the Gyeongui-Jungang Line to Ichon Station. Follow signs for Exit 2 and the museum. The museum’s directions describe the approach toward Yongsan Family Park and the Museum Nadeulgil underground connection.
An elevator is listed near the Exit 1 and Exit 2 area of Ichon Station. Allow extra time for the walk from the station to the exhibition entrance. Check the official arrival instructions.
These links open the museum’s place page. Choose directions in the map service, then enter your starting point or use your current location if your device settings allow it. If the embedded map does not load, use the address above or either place link.
Before You Go
- Check the latest gallery notices again, especially if a particular collection is the reason for your trip.
- Travel light. The museum asks visitors to store backpacks in the first-floor lockers before entering the galleries.
- Follow the photography rules. Flash, tripods, selfie sticks and gimbals are prohibited; commercial photography requires advance written permission.
- Keep the Children’s Museum booking separate from your general gallery plan.
Read the museum’s visitor rules.
Last checked: October 14, 2026. The linked official source listings were checked on this date. This guide is based on those listings; it does not describe a personal visit. Suggested timing is editorial advice.
