Seoul's Surprising Museum Scene
Say annyeong to Seoul's creativity that beats beyond the rhythms of K-pop and the neon-lit streets. In a city celebrated for its vibrant nightlife and iconic entertainment industry, there lies a lesser-known world of interesting and fun museums such as the furniture museum in Seoul waiting to be explored. Yes, we are talking about Seoul's offbeat art and cultural scene, where museums are more than just repositories of history in Korea — they are the best portals to the whimsical, the bizarre, and the futuristic. Join us on a journey as we take you to explore the kimchi galleries, sci-fi wonderlands, and the must-see museum landscape of Seoul offering a kaleidoscope of fascinating experiences. Without further ado, here are 10 cool Korean museums in Seoul you should put on your bucket-list for some Seoul-searching:
Museum Kimchikan
How about adding a tang to your museum adventure? Since Korea and Kimchi goes hand in hand, there's a whole Kimchi museum in Seoul dedicated to their beloved kimchi. Not only you can learn about different varieties of kimchi and its history but you can even taste them. If you are wondering what makes kimchi a healthy dish for your gut, grab the microscope and see the lactic acid bacteria for yourself. Or much better, take the kimchi classes and learn making it at this delicious museum.
Address: 35-4 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea (map)
Opening Hours: Tue to Sun: 10am to 6pm
Entrance Fee: From SGD 4.02
Figure Museum W
Get ready to rub elbows with the stars, Seoul style! At the Figure Museum W, you're not entering any boring museum — you're at one of the coolest museums in Seoul where superheroes and anime icons come to life. Strike a pose with Spider-Man, or challenge Darth Vader to a lightsaber duel (spoiler: he always wins). Don't forget to visit the shop and buy some action hero souvenirs to complete your figurine collection.
Address: 3 Seolleung-ro 158-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea (map)
Opening Hours: Tue to Fri: 1pm to 5pm
Sat & Sun: 11am to 6pm
Entrance Fee: From SGD 13.31
Football Faentasium
Where there's football, there's fun. Show off your best kicks at this interesting museum in Seoul, where the interactive displays and cool VR experiences. You will be amazed to know that the word Faentasium comes by combining the words - fun, fantasy, museum and stadium.This quirky museum is more like a theme park for football fanatics, and if you are one of them, you should not miss it at all.
Address: 240 World Cup-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea (map)
Opening Hours: Tue to Sun: 10am to 6pm
Entrance Fee: From SGD 12.10
Muze Art Museum
Seoul has more than around 100 modern art museums but the Muze Art has to be the most quirkiest of them all. After you are done with appreciating the mind-bending artworks of Van Gogh, Matisse and Renoir, head to experience an adventure-packed 'Running Man' program. Experience this popular reality show in real-life, solve race-missions and win the points.
Address: 307 Changhae-ro, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, South Korea (map)
Opening Hours: Open daily: 10am to 6pm
Entrance Fee: From SGD 8.25
Featured Museums of Seoul
Now, let's explore the prominent museums of the city which highlights Seoul's art, cultural, and historical landscape in the detail.
War Memorial of Korea in Seoul
Prepare to be exported back in time as you step into the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul. While the memorial remembers the martyrs, it is also a war museum that has 6 different halls displaying war weapons and machineries. Here, you can also participate in guard-honoring and military music events.
If you are willing to check out the real war zones, head to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) where the Korea was divided into two parts. While standing on the Imjingak Pavilion, you can see the important war structures such as Third Tunnel, Dora Observatory and Dorasan Station.
Address: 29 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea (map)
Opening Hours: Tue to Sun: 9:30am to 6pm
Entrance Fee: Free except for special exhibitions
National Museum of Korea in Seoul
Let's go back 5000 years and trace the history and cultural heritage of Korea. The National Museum of Korea in Seoul exhibits a huge collection of Korean and other Asian artifacts. You will be mesmerised looking at the 5th century gold crown from Silla Kingdom and the 7th century Pensive Bodhisattva. This museum also houses the history of other museums of Korea right from the Imperial Museum dated back in1909.
Address: 137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea (map)
Opening Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri & Sun: 10am to 6pm Wed & Sat: 10am to 9pm
Entrance Fee: Free except for special exhibitions
Seoul Museum of History
From prehistoric era to modern times, step into an interesting history class like no other. If you are looking to learn all about Seoul's history and culture and have time to visit only one museum, then it should be the Seoul Museum of History. Apart from displaying age-old objects, this museum is like a lively story-teller sharing Seoul's secrets in the most entertaining way possible.
Address: 55 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea (map)
Opening Hours: Tue to Sun: 9am to 6pm
Entrance Fee: Free
Must-see Museums in Seoul
No matter how many days you have in Seoul, you must check out these unique museums depicting the best of the artworks and historical wonders of Seoul.
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul
One of the best art museums in Seoul that will make you say, " I never knew art could do that" in none other than Modern and Contemporary Art Museum in Seoul, Korea. Right from the exterior of the building to its unique art galleries, get ready to immerse in a world full of boundless imagination. You will also find a socialising hall which is built in a traditional architectural style called "madang".
Address: 30 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea (map)
Opening Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri & Sun: 10am to 6pm Wed & Sat: 10am to 9pm
Entrance Fee: From SGD 2.01
Seodaemun Museum of Natural History
It is on the list of must-see museums in Seoul because of its location and family-friendly attractions. At the foothills of Ansan Mountain, this museum teaches how nature evolved in this region. Immerse in the world of dinosaurs, marine life and natural ecosystem of Korea while your kids can enjoy a 3D educational movie and a giant dinosaur slide.
Address: 51 Yeonhui-ro 32-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea (map)
Opening Hours: Tue to Fri: 9am to 5pm Sat & Sun: 9am to 6pm
Entrance Fee: From SGD 7.03
Seoul National University Museum of Art
One of the major reason the Seoul National University Museum of Art should be in your top must-do list is to admire its building from outside. It is built in such a way that it looks like the museum is levitating above the inclined hill. This is another cool museum in Seoul which exhibits modern art in various forms such as sculptures, paintings, crafts, calligraphy, photography and design. You can also attend one of the art lectures or enroll your kids into an artistic workshop.
Address: 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, South Korea (map)
Opening Hours: Tue to Sun: 10am to 6pm
Entrance Fee: Free
Hand-picked Artistic Experiences
Get Creative with the Artworks by the Seaside
Haslla Art World isn't your typical art museum in Seoul, Korea. Here, the creativity meets coastal vibes and the vibrant art installations pop against the backdrop of endless ocean blues. This whimsical art gallery will put you in awe and also give you ample opportunities to click some Instagram-worthy captures.
Address: 1441 Yulgok-ro, Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea (map)
Opening Hours: Mon: 9am to 6:30pm Tue to Sun: 9am to 6pm
Entrance Fee: From SGD 14.20
Discover the Dark History of Seoul
Do you love watching the spine-chilling thrillers and horror movies? Take a night tour of the famous landmarks down the dark alleyways of Seoul and get to know about Korea's most horrifying and tragic stories. The intriguing historical tales of bloody massacres and ghost sightings will give you an idea about Korea's not-so-flashy past.
Entrance Fee: From SGD 39.27
Spot Artwork Up in the Sky
All you have to do is take the elevator up to the 60th floor of the 63 City, one of the skyscrapers of Seoul, and you will reach the highest art gallery in South Korea.
Watch out for the beautiful landscape of the Han River from above along with the cultural shows and the stunning modern art installations.
Address: 50 63-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, South Korea (map)
Opening Hours: Open daily: 10am to 10pm
Entrance Fee: From SGD 11.60
Witness the Traditional Korean Music and Dance Show
Collect all your museum adventures and wrap them with a traditional Korean concert where you can watch a live cultural performance. Listen to the traditional Korean musical instruments playing and the talented artists perform on the tunes and take you back in time and show you the real heritage and rich culture of Korea.
Entrance Fee: From SGD 8.28
How to Get Around Seoul?
For your museum-hopping adventure in Seoul, grab your 1, 2 or 3 day pass which you can use to transport around the city using either buses or subways. Did you know that with your Discover Seoul Pass you can also get free entry to about 50 tourist attractions of Seoul and also get exclusive discounts?
Tips to Maximise Your Museum Experience
Research the best museums in Seoul you want to visit in advance and check their opening hours, ticket prices and any special exhibitions or events.
To avoid crowds and long lines, visit the museums during weekdays or off-peak hours like early in the morning.
Use the public transportation like buses and subways to reach museums as they are often located near major stations.
Download museum apps on your smartphones to enhance your museum fun as these apps generally contain audio guides, interactive maps and additional information.
Always check the museum's photography policy and respect the rules to avoid any inconveniences.
Stay hydrated by carrying a water bottle and take breaks when needed as museums can be extensive and involves a lot of walking. Many museums also have cafes and rest areas where you can recharge and refuel before continuing your exploration.
Embrace the Culture of Seoul's Finest Museums
As we conclude our museum-hopping adventure in Seoul, this becomes abundantly clear that the city is extremely rich in cultural wonders which are waiting to be discovered. So, whether you are a history buff, art enthusiast, or simply a curious traveler, make sure to add these cool, fun, and interesting museums to your Seoul itinerary. Also, if you are looking for other fascinating ideas to explore the heart of this city, then Pelago's blog section has a long list of ideas that will surely match your interests.
Commonly Asked Questions
What is the largest museum in South Korea?
The largest museum in South Korea is the National Museum of Korea, located in Seoul. This sprawling complex houses an extensive collection of artifacts and artworks that showcase the rich cultural heritage of Korea, spanning from ancient times to the modern era.
What museum did Namjoon visit in Seoul?
Namjoon, a member of the famous K-pop group BTS, visited various art galleries and museums in Seoul such as Seoul Museum of Craft Art and Horim Museum Sinsa.