Seoul’s Best Free Museums: The Ultimate Guide

South Korea might not be among the most affordable destinations, but do they give you culture for free!

Some of the best museums in the city have evergreen free entrance, or can be free under certain conditions. Not only that, they are very much worth it to visit! Even if you are not the museum type. The exhibitions are so well organized, and the explanations so good, you are going to deepen your understanding of this country’s history and culture!

This guide will help you to explore the most interesting museums in Seoul, while only saving your wons for a bit more skyncare.

1. National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관)

• Address: 137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (용산구 서빙고로 137)
• Why It’s Worth Visiting: As the largest museum in Korea, its large, open architecture is a statement in itself. Walking through its halls is a chronological journey from prehistoric relics to Goryeo celadon and Joseon dynasty paintings. The collection includes National Treasures like the stunning Pensive Bodhisattva. On the weekends, concerts for the entire family are presented in the external area.
• Opening Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Wed & Sat: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM. (Last admission 1 hour before closing).
• Condition for Free Entry: Permanent exhibition galleries are completely free. Special exhibitions in the dedicated wing are ticketed.

 2.National Folk Museum of Korea (국립민속박물관)

• Address: 37 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (종로구 삼청로 37) Located within the Gyeongbokgung Palace grounds.
• Why It’s Worth Visiting: On the grounds of the Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Folk Museum is free (but you need to pay entrace to the Palace to access it). Through detailed recreations of village scenes, traditional hanok homes, and artifacts related to agriculture, food, clothing, and rituals, you gain a closer understanding of the customs and beliefs that shaped Korean culture. It provides essential context that makes the palaces and historical sites you visit gain a different meaning.
• Opening Hours: March – October: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM. November – February: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. (Open until 7:00 PM on Wed & Sat from May-August). Closed on Tuesdays if following a national holiday.
• Condition for Free Entry: Free admission to the permanent exhibition. It’s also included if you purchase a ticket to Gyeongbokgung Palace, but you can visit the museum directly for free without palace entry.

3. Seoul Museum of History (서울역사박물관)

• Address: 55 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (종로구 새문안로 55)
• Why It’s Worth Visiting: This museum is Seoul’s autobiography. It masterfully documents the city’s dramatic transformation from the Joseon capital to the 21st-century megacity. The star of the show is the massive scale model of 1990s Seoul, allowing you to visualize the city’s layout. Interactive displays, maps, and photographs chronicle the rapid modernization, the impact of war, and the daily life of Seoul citizens. It’s a must-visit to understand the incredible pace and scale of change that defines modern Seoul.
• Opening Hours: Weekdays: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Weekends & Holidays: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Mar-Oct); 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Nov-Feb). Closed Mondays.
• Condition for Free Entry: Permanent exhibitions are free. Special exhibitions may require a ticket.

4. War Memorial of Korea (전쟁기념관)

• Address: 29 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (용산구 이태원로 29)
• Why It’s Worth Visiting: This is a sobering experience. It’s a tribute to the cost of war and the desire for peace. The exhibits cover Korea’s military history but are most impactful when addressing the Korean War.
• Opening Hours: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM. Closed Mondays.
• Condition for Free Entry: Completely free, including both indoor and extensive outdoor exhibitions.

5. Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA) (서울공예박물관)

• Address: 4 Yulgok-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (종로구 율곡로3길 4)
• Why It’s Worth Visiting: Housed in a beautifully restored former dae-won-ji (medical agency) from the 1930s, SeMoCA is a heaven for craft lovers. It focuses on Korean and international crafts, displaying objects like hanji (traditional paper), metalwork, lacquerware, and textiles. I loved to discover some traditional practices, like the folding of silk scarfs and gifting a wooden duck for marriages.
• Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Closed Mondays and Jan 1.
• Condition for Free Entry: Permanent exhibitions are free. Temporary exhibitions may have an admission fee.

6. Bank of Korea Money Museum (한국은행 화폐금융박물관)

• Address: 39 Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (중구 남대문로 39)
• Why It’s Worth Visiting: Housed in the former headquarters of the Bank of Korea (a registered historic site), this museum makes economics and history fascinating. It traces the evolution of currency from yeopjeon (knife money) and commodity exchange to modern coins, bills, and digital finance. You can see rare historic currencies, learn about economic crises, and even try your hand at detecting counterfeit bills.
• Opening Hours: Tue-Sun: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Closed Mondays and national holidays.
• Condition for Free Entry: Completely free. Reservations can be made online for groups.

7. National Palace Museum of Korea (국립고궁박물관)

• Address: 12 Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (종로구 효자로 12) Located directly next to Gyeongbokgung Palace’s main entrance.
• Why It’s Worth Visiting: Before you even step foot inside Gyeongbokgung Palace, visit this museum to understand the world you’re about to enter. It houses over 40,000 artifacts exclusively from the Joseon Dynasty royal palaces. If you like historical Korean movies and shows (yes, k-drama counts towards cultural references), you will love to see where all the scenario pieces come from. I loved to learn more about the meaning behind some icons, like the Irworobongdo (일월오봉도) paitings in the royal palaces, or the pendants with chamrs even the K-Pop Demon Hunters wear.
• Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Last admission at 5:30 PM). Closed on Mondays.
• Condition for Free Entry: Completely free. This museum is a perfect (and free) primer to enhance your paid visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace.

8. National Museum of Korean Contemporary History (대한민국역사박물관)

• Address: 198 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul (종로구 세종대로 198)
• Why It’s Worth Visiting: Located opposite Gyeongbokgung Palace, this modern museum chronicles Korea’s journey from the late 19th century to the present day. It’s filled with interactive items, covering the struggle for independence, the establishment of the Republic, the rapid industrialization, the democratic movements, and the rise of the “Korean Wave” (Hallyu). It’s an incredibly well-organized museum that helps you understand the recent history, and how it led to their current culture. Plus: it has a great view from the Gyeongbokgung Palace.
• Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Wed & Sat open until 9:00 PM, March-October). Closed on Mondays.
• Condition for Free Entry: Permanent exhibitions are completely free. The late closing hours on Wednesdays and Saturdays make it a great evening cultural activity.

9. MMCA Seoul

• Address: 30 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (종로구 삼청로 30)
• Why It’s Worth Visiting: The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA), Seoul Branch, houses impressive Korean and international contemporary art. With cutting-edge exhibitions, which are thought-provoking, and beautifully presented.
• Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Wed & Sat open until 9:00 PM).
• Condition for Free Entry: General admission is free every last Wednesday of the month (“Culture Day”). More importantly, it is free to all visitors from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM on both Wednesdays and Saturdays. This is a perfect way to experience world-class art in a magical nighttime atmosphere.

10. Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art (리움 삼성미술관)

• Address: 60-16 Itaewon-ro 55-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (용산구 이태원로55길 60-16)
• Why It’s Worth Visiting: Leeum is a world-class art institution, often considered one of Seoul’s premier private museums. It’s a stunning architectural complex featuring buildings designed by architects Mario Botta, Jean Nouvel, and Rem Koolhaas. While the modern collection and temporary exhibitions are paid, the Museum 1 is free. It showcases Korean traditional arts, including National Treasures like celadons, buncheong ware, and paintings. The highest point are the the Minhwa paintings featuring Tigers and Magpies.
• Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Last admission 5:30 PM). Closed on Mondays.
• Condition for Free Entry: Admission to the Permanent Collection is free for all visitors. 

11. The Ultimate Free Cultural Bonus: Korean Culture Week (한국 문화주간)

• Why It’s Worth Visiting: If you can time your trip, this is the absolute peak season for free cultural immersion in Seoul. Every year, the Korean Culture Week is held around National Foundation Day (Gaecheonjeol) on October 3rd. This week-long celebration is designed to promote Korean heritage, and the government and major institutions open their doors for free. It’s not just a day, but often a full week of complimentary access to places that normally charge admission.
• Dates & Details: The exact dates can vary slightly each year, but the week always centers on October 3rd, a national holiday commemorating the founding of Gojoseon, the first Korean kingdom. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism officially designates the surrounding days as “Culture Week.”
• Condition for Free Entry: During this special week, the following major sites typically offer free admission to all visitors:
  • The Four Grand Joseon Palaces: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace (including the Secret Garden), Changgyeonggung Palace, and Deoksugung Palace.
  • The Jongmyo Shrine (a UNESCO World Heritage site for royal ancestral rites).
  • The Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty (scattered across Seoul and Gyeonggi-do, like the Seonjeongneung Tomb Cluster in Gangnam).
  • Many National and Public Museums that are already free (like the National Museum of Korea) often host special free events, extended hours, or cultural performances during this time.
• Pro-Tip: While this is an amazing opportunity, be prepared for larger crowds, especially at the palaces. Plan to arrive early in the day to enjoy a more peaceful experience.

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FAQ: Seoul’s Free Museums

Q: Are these museums really free?
A: Yes! The permanent exhibitions at most listed museums are completely free. Some may charge for special exhibitions. Notable exceptions with specific free hours are MMCA Seoul. Leeum offers its permanent collection for free, while charging for special exhibitions.

Q: Do I need to make a reservation?
A: Generally, no for most museums. For popular venues like Leeum on weekends, checking their website is wise. During Culture Week, for highly sought-after sites like Changdeokgung’s Secret Garden, it is highly recommended to check in advance if they require a (free) reservation due to visitor caps.

Q: When is the absolute best time to visit for free access?
A: Korean Culture Week in late September/early October, centered on National Foundation Day (October 3rd). During this period, all major palaces, Jongmyo Shrine, and royal tombs grant free admission.

Quick Reference Table:

Museum Name	Address	Opening Hours (General)	Free Admission Condition
National Museum of Korea	137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu	10:00-18:00 (Wed/Sat until 21:00)	Permanent Exhibitions Free
National Folk Museum	37 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu	9:00-18:00 (Seasonal variations)	Permanent Exhibitions Free
Seoul Museum of History	55 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu	9:00-20:00 (Weekdays), 9:00-19:00 (Weekends)	Permanent Exhibitions Free
War Memorial of Korea	29 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu	9:30-18:00	Completely Free
Seoul Museum of Craft Art	4 Yulgok-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu	10:00-18:00	Permanent Exhibitions Free
Bank of Korea Money Museum	39 Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu	10:00-17:00	Completely Free
National Palace Museum	12 Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu	10:00-18:00	Completely Free
Museum of Korean Contemporary History	198 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu	10:00-18:00 (Wed/Sat until 21:00, Mar-Oct)	Permanent Exhibitions Free
MMCA Seoul	30 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu	10:00-18:00 (Wed/Sat until 21:00)	Free: Last Wed of month & 18:00-21:00 every Wed/Sat
Leeum Museum of Art	60-16 Itaewon-ro 55-gil, Yongsan-gu	10:00-18:00	Permanent Collection Free (Special Exhibitions ticketed)

Check next:

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