South Korea
12 Best Museums in South Korea
The museums travelers rate highest across South Korea, with what makes each worth the trip.
Order reflects review volume from real travelers in South Korea. Refreshed monthly.
War Memorial of Korea
Museum · SeoulThe War Memorial of Korea is a comprehensive museum that chronicles the nation's military history from ancient times to the present, with a strong focus on the Korean War (1950–1953).
Read our full guide →National Folk Museum of Korea
Museum · SeoulFree entryLocated within the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Jongno-gu, the National Folk Museum of Korea is a comprehensive exploration of Korean folk culture.
Read our full guide →Sea Life Busan Aquarium
Museum · BusanSea Life Busan Aquarium is a major attraction located adjacent to Haeundae Beach, housing over 250 species and 10,000 marine animals.
Read our full guide →Busan Museum of Art
Museum · BusanThe Busan Museum of Art is a premier institution dedicated to modern and contemporary art, featuring a permanent collection of Korean and international pieces.
Read our full guide →Daegu National Museum
Museum · DaeguDaegu National Museum offers a deep dive into Korea's ancient kingdoms, with a focus on the Silla and Goryeo periods.
Read our full guide →Seoul Museum of Art
Museum · SeoulFree entryThe Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) is a contemporary art museum located in the heart of Seoul's Jung-gu district, adjacent to Deoksugung Palace.
Read our full guide →Busan Modern History Museum
Museum · BusanThe Busan Modern History Museum offers a deep dive into the city's evolution from the late Joseon period through Japanese colonization, the Korean War, and its rise as a global port.
Read our full guide →Cheongwadae Sarangchae
Museum · SeoulFree entryCheongwadae Sarangchae is a cultural museum located in Jongno-gu, Seoul, adjacent to the former presidential residence, the Blue House (Cheongwadae).
Read our full guide →National Museum of World Writing Systems
Museum · IncheonThe National Museum of World Writing Systems in Incheon explores the evolution of writing across cultures and millennia.
Read our full guide →Jajangmyeon Museum
Museum · IncheonThe Jajangmyeon Museum traces the origins and evolution of Korea's iconic black bean noodle dish.
Read our full guide →Children's Folk Museum
Museum · SeoulFree entryNestled within the historic grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace in central Seoul, the Children's Folk Museum offers a delightful journey into the world of Korean childhood from the Joseon era to the mid-20th century.
Read our full guide →Kyungpook National University Museum
Museum · DaeguKyungpook National University Museum, located on the university campus in Daegu, offers a deep dive into Korean cultural heritage.
Read our full guide →
Good to know
What is the best-known of the museums in South Korea?
War Memorial of Korea in Seoul is the most reviewed, with 4,393 traveler reviews and a 4.6 rating. That makes it the safe choice if you are only fitting in one.
Which of South Korea's museums is worth going out of your way for?
National Folk Museum of Korea in Seoul rates highest at 4.5 out of 5 across 1,003 reviews. Smaller crowds than the headline entry usually explain the gap.
Which city in South Korea has the most museums?
Seoul, with 5 on this list, ahead of Busan on 3. The list spans 4 cities in total, capped at three per city so one big city cannot crowd out the rest of the country.
Are any of these museums free to visit?
Yes, 4: National Folk Museum of Korea, Seoul Museum of Art, Cheongwadae Sarangchae and others. That is based on each place's own visiting information, not an assumption about the category.
How is this list of museums ranked?
By how many travelers reviewed each place, filtered to those rated well enough to be worth your time, drawn from 357 tracked places in South Korea. No one pays to appear on it, and the order is refreshed monthly as new reviews land.
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