Last updated: July 13, 2026. Disclosure: this guide contains affiliate links — if you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Hours, fees and exhibitions change, so confirm on the official site before you go.
The National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관) in Seoul’s Yongsan district is one of the largest and most visited museums on Earth — and admission to its vast permanent galleries is completely free. It holds roughly 1.5 million artifacts in its collection, with about 10,000 on permanent display across a building so long it takes a full day to walk. If you see one museum in Korea, make it this one.
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The museum is free to enter, but a guide brings its 5,000 years of history to life. Popular options — tap for live prices:
One of the world’s great museums — by scale and by crowds
The numbers are staggering. The museum’s collection of around 1.5 million objects makes it globally significant in scale; roughly 10,000 pieces are shown in the permanent galleries at any time. A 2020 report noted that of some 2,002,111 artifacts held across Korea’s 13 national museums (as of 2019), the National Museum of Korea alone kept about 412,216 — around 20% — though, as with the world’s biggest museums, only a small share of a collection this large can be on view at once.
Visitor numbers put it in elite company. It has ranked as high as #1 in Asia and inside the global top 10; after a dip in the late 2010s it rebounded strongly, drawing 4.18 million visitors in 2023 — 6th in the world that year, and the only Asian museum in the global top 10. In 2025 it welcomed a record 6,507,483 visitors — about 72% more than in 2024 (3,788,785) — passing 6 million for the first time in mid-December. In April 2026, The Art Newspaper’s global survey confirmed the museum 3rd in the world by 2025 attendance, cementing its place among the most-visited museums anywhere.
Hours & admission (2026)
Details below are from the official National Museum of Korea site (museum.go.kr), checked July 13, 2026. Confirm before visiting, especially for ticketed special exhibitions. The permanent exhibition is free for everyone; only special exhibitions are ticketed.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Permanent exhibition | Free (all visitors) |
| Special exhibitions | Ticketed — price varies by show (see official site) |
| Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun | 09:30 – 17:30 |
| Wed & Sat (late night) | 09:30 – 21:00 |
| Last admission | 30 minutes before closing |
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What to see inside
Three floors trace Korean history from the Paleolithic to the early 20th century. Don’t miss the serene Pensive Bodhisattva statues in their own dim “Room of Quiet Contemplation,” the ten-story Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda rising through the central hall, dazzling Silla gold crowns, Goryeo celadon, and the calm Buddhist sculpture and Reflecting Pool gardens outside. Plan at least half a day; a full day if you love history. Free lockers, a family-friendly Children’s Museum, cafés and a gift shop are on site.
Current special exhibitions
Rotating ticketed shows sit alongside the free galleries. On now (2026):
- The Korean Table: Food, Nature, and Life — Jul 1 – Oct 25, 2026
- Amazing Thailand: Masterpieces of Thai Art — Jun 23 – Sep 6, 2026
Special-exhibition tickets and timed entry are best reserved on the official site in advance.
Getting there
The museum is a short walk from Ichon Station on Subway Line 4 and the Gyeongui–Jungang Line. Take Exit 2 and walk about 150 m toward Yongsan Family Park; the covered underground path “Museum Nadeulgil” links the station directly (open 07:00–23:00), handy in rain or heat. Address: 137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul 04383 · Tel: +82-2-2077-9000. Free on-site parking is available but fills up on weekends, so the subway is easiest.
Tips for your visit
- It’s huge — prioritize. Pick a few galleries (Prehistory, Silla gold, Buddhist sculpture) rather than rushing everything.
- Go late on Wednesday or Saturday — open until 21:00, with quieter, beautifully lit halls in the evening.
- Free English guide app & docent tours are available; check times at the information desk.
- Combine with Yongsan Family Park next door for a relaxed half-day.
FAQ
Is the National Museum of Korea really free? Yes — the permanent galleries are free for everyone. Only special exhibitions are ticketed.
How long should I spend? Half a day minimum; a full day if you want to see the major galleries properly.
Which subway station? Ichon Station (Line 4 / Gyeongui–Jungang), Exit 2, ~150 m via the Museum Nadeulgil underground path.
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