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The ten-storey marble Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda of 1348 inside the National Museum of Korea

No. 3 Top 100 Most Visited Art Museums 2025 · 6,507,483 visitors in 2025

National Museum of Korea

Seoul, South Korea · City guide: Seoul

Korea's national treasures, from Silla gold to the pensive Bodhisattvas, with free admission.

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Photo: Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

The National Museum of Korea is No. 3 in The Art Newspaper's survey of the world's most visited art museums, with 6,507,483 visitors to its main site in Seoul in 2025. That is up 72% on 2024, one of the largest rises the survey has ever recorded.

The museum moved in 2005 to a vast building in Yongsan Family Park. Its permanent galleries cover Korean history from prehistoric times to the Korean Empire, as well as calligraphy, painting, Buddhist sculpture, crafts and world cultures. Admission to the permanent galleries is free.

The long main hall of the National Museum of Korea, with the pagoda at the far end
The long main hall of the National Museum of Korea, with the pagoda at the far end. Photo: by Ian Muttoo, CC BY-SA 2.0, source

Best time to visit

The museum has become extremely popular. Arrive at opening time on a weekday. Some special exhibitions need timed tickets. Check the official website for opening days and holiday closures.

Highlights & collections

  • 1

    Room of Quiet Contemplation

    Two gilt-bronze pensive Bodhisattva statues, both National Treasures, are displayed on their own in a softly lit, specially designed room.

  • 2

    Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda

    A ten-storey marble pagoda of 1348 from the Goryeo period rises through the museum's great central hall.

  • 3

    Silla gold

    Gold crowns and jewellery from the royal tombs of the Silla kingdom.

  • 4

    Goryeo celadon

    Jade-green ceramics, including inlaid celadon, one of Korea's great artistic achievements.

  • 5

    Mirror Pond and the grounds

    The landscaped park around the museum has a pond and traditional pavilion, and views of Namsan.

Getting there

Take the Seoul Subway to Ichon Station (Line 4 and the Gyeongui–Jungang Line), where exit 2 leads along an underground walkway towards the museum.

Visiting tips

Tickets & hours
Free admission to the permanent galleries. Special exhibitions may charge. Check the official website for hours.
Time needed
Half a day for the highlights.
Facilities
The museum has a Children's Museum, restaurants and cafés, and a popular museum shop.
Currency
South Korean won (KRW).
Visa & entry
Citizens of 22 countries and regions, including the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, Japan and several EU countries, are exempt from the K-ETA until 31 December 2026. Other visa-free visitors need a K-ETA before boarding. Apply only at k-eta.go.kr.

Official information: National Museum of Korea (official website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

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