When visiting a new country or making the big decision to live there, one of the best things to do, in my opinion, is to visit art and history museums. In this article, I will share some of my favorite museums from my two-year language stay in South Korea.
You will find exciting information about the best museums in Busan and Seoul, where to find them and when to visit them. These museums share South Korea’s history, development, and culture and will immerse you in its fascinating past.
1. War Memorial of Korea (전쟁기념관)
Let’s start with the most famous museum and, in my opinion, also the most important one, the War Memorial of Korea. This museum is about the history of the wars in which North and South Korea took part.
The War Memorial Museum opened in Itaewon, Yongsan-Gu District in 1994. The museum houses six indoor exhibition halls across three floors, plus an outdoor exhibition showcasing military equipment from many nations involved in the Korean War.
I highly recommend visiting this museum because. In addition to being very interesting, it is also educational. It helps to better understand South Korea’s military history, which is an important part of the country. I think it’s a museum that can appeal to people of all ages.
Visitor Information
- Entry Fee: Free
- Visiting Hours: 9.30-18.00 (last entry at 17:00)
- Closed: Every Monday
- Address: 29 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
2. Seoul Museum of History (서울역사박물관)
The Seoul Museum of History is located in the Jongno district (central location). It opened in May 2002. This museum shows the evolution of Seoul from prehistoric times to the present day and often hosts special exhibitions.
As it is not very large, you can visit everything in an hour and a half or even less, depending on your interests. It also offers a very interesting miniature of Seoul.
Visitor Information
- Entry Fee: Free
- Visiting Hours: 9.00-18.00 (last entry at 17.30)
- Extended Hours on Friday: 17.00-21.00
- Closed: Every Monday
- Address: 55 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03177, South Korea
3. Seoul National University Museum of Art (서울대학교미술관)
As a former university student, I couldn’t help but recommend this museum to you (I’m not biased, I swear). However, the Seoul National University Museum of Art is located on the Seoul National University campus, and, as the name suggests, it exhibits artwork.
There is no fixed exhibition; different artists regularly participate, including university students and international and Korean artists.
I recommend this museum not just because it holds a special place in my heart, but also because it’s a haven for art enthusiasts like me. If you’re passionate about discovering new art and artists, this museum offers a wonderful opportunity to expand your cultural horizons. So, if you have a moment, why not stop by?
Visitor Information
- Entry Fee: Free
- Visiting Hours: 10.00-18.00 (last entry at 17.30)
- Closed: Every Monday
- Address: 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-Gu, Seoul 08826, South Korea
Busan’s Best Museums
4. Busan Museum (부산광역시립박물관)
This time, we fly to Busan, the country’s most famous seaside city. The Busan Museum is the best place to learn a little about the city’s history.
Opened in 1978, it’s the oldest city museum in Busan, focused specifically on local rather than national history. The museum preserves a collection of relics and historical artworks, allowing visitors to reconstruct the city’s history from the early period to the present. It is a must for anyone who is passionate about history.
Visitor Information
- Entry Fee: Free
- Visiting Hours: 9.00-18.00 (last entry at 17.30)
- Closed: Every Monday
- Address: 948-1 Daeyeon-4dong Nam-gu, Busan 48529 South Korea
5. Korean National Maritime Museum MMK (국립해양박물관)
The Korea National Maritime Museum in Busan is a must-see. Its location directly faces the sea, offering an amazing view. Opened in 2012, the museum is one of the largest in Korea and holds over 14,000 exhibits spanning maritime culture, history, science and archaeology.
Inside, you’ll find everything from ancient sailing vessels and seafaring artifacts to a children’s museum with themed shows for little ones, a maritime library, a grand auditorium, and a 4D theatre. I recommend this museum because it fully embraces the city of Busan.
Visitor Information
- Entry Fee: The main exhibition is free; the 4D theater and special exhibitions are ticketed separately
- Visiting Hours:
- Tuesday–Friday: 9:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30)
- Saturdays (May–Aug): 9:00–21:00
- Saturdays (Sep–Apr): 9:00–19:00
- Sundays & public holidays: 9:00–19:00
- Closed: Mondays
- Address: 45 Haeyang-ro 301beon-gil, Yeongdo-gu, Busan, South Korea
6. Goeun Photography Museum(고은사진미술관)
The Goeun Photography Museum is located in Haeundae, Busan, and is the first photography museum established outside the capital, Seoul. This museum aims to offer visitors more cultural opportunities to see collections representing both Korean and international artists.
The Goeun Museum also supports new and emerging artists. The Goeun Photography Museum has an exhibition hall on the 2nd floor and a photography library on the 1st floor. I recommend this museum to all photography enthusiasts so they can discover new emerging artists.
Visitor Information
- Entry Fee: Free
- Visiting Hours: 10:00-19:00 (November-February 10:00-18:00)
- Closed: Every Monday
- Address: 16 Haeun-daero 452beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, South Korea
If You Go
Getting There: Both Seoul and Busan are well-connected internationally. Seoul is served by Incheon International Airport (ICN), while Busan’s Gimhae International Airport (PUS) handles direct flights from many Asian cities. Traveling between the two cities is easy — the KTX high-speed train connects them in under three hours.
Getting Around: Both cities have excellent subway systems. All six museums in this article are reachable by metro. A T-Money transit card works across buses and subways in both cities and can be topped up at convenience stores.
Rental Car (if exploring beyond the cities): Discover Cars
Stay Connected: An eSIM is the most convenient option for data in South Korea. Airalo offers affordable Korea-specific plans.
Need a hand planning your trip? Here are the sites and services we rely on most, from booking tools to travel products we love.
Inspire your next adventure with our articles below:
- Three Days in Busan, South Korea: The Perfect Travel Itinerary
- How to Do a Temple Stay in South Korea
Author Bio: My name is Vanessa and I studied 3D decoration in Switzerland for four years. I decided to move to South Korea to learn the language and lived there for two years. During my stay in Korea, I developed a passion for writing articles about my travel experiences and combined them with my passion for photography. My website: https://abroadnessa.com/
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