Museums are the best place to start in a new city to learn the details of history and culture. In Seoul, South Korea, the capital has an impressive selection of high-quality, massive museums. Best of all, they have free admission – yes, free museums!
South Korea’s flagship museum for history and art, and the country’s largest museum. The National Museum opened in 1945, the year Korea gained independence from Japan.
Over the course of 6 floors with more than 220,000 national artifacts and relics, the museum covers the ancient history of Korea to the pre-Korean War modern era.
National Museum of Korea | TripAdvisor
137 Seobingg-ro
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 9am to 6pm
Wednesday and Saturday, 9am to 9pm
Sunday & national holidays, 9am to 7pm
Closed Mondays and January 1
Following the ancient history and pre-Korean War lessons at the National Museum, the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History is the perfect follow up.
Four halls detail the politics, economy, society and culture:
1. Prelude to the Republic of Korea from 1876 to 1945
2. Foundation of the Republic of Korea from 1945 to 1960
3. Development of the Republic of Korea from 1961 to 1987
4. Modernization and Korea’s vision of the future from 1988 onwards
National Museum of Korean Contemporary History | TripAdvisor
198 Sejong-daero
Jongno-gu, Seoul
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, 9am to 6pm
Wednesday and Saturday, 9am to 9pm
Closed Mondays
Behind the Gyeongbokgung Palace, the royal palace is the National Folk Museum. The palace grounds require the purchase of a ticket. If you want to just visit the National Folk Museum, there is a free entrance in the rear.
Three main halls illustrate the history of traditional life with over 98,000 artifacts
1. History of the Korean people through their materials of everyday life from prehistoric times to the end of the Joseon Dynasty in 1910
2. The Korean way of life through the villagers in ancient times
3. The life cycle of Koreans highlighting the influence of Confucianism
National Folk Museum of Korea | TripAdvisor
37 Samcheong-ro
Jongno-gu, Seoul
Open everyday
November to February, 9am to 5pm
March to May, 9am to 6pm
June to August, 9am to 6:30pm
September to October, 9am to 6pm
Weekends & national holidays during May to August, 9am to 7pm
Opened in 1987, the Agricultural Museum details through artifacts and dioramas paddy fields, traditional homes, and the marketplaces of agricultural societies.
Three exhibition halls cover the agricultural history of the past, present, and future plans
1. Agricultural History Hall – agricultural communities from prehistory times to the modern era
2. Life of Farmers Hall – models recreating the life of farm families from the olden days
3. Agricultural Cooperatives Promotion Hall – information on farming and agricultural cooperatives
Agricultural Museum | TripAdvisor
16 Saemunan-ro
Jung-gu, Seoul
Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30am to 5pm
Closed Mondays & national holidays
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