🇰🇷 Gyeongbokgung Palace Museums: Why the National Palace & Folk Museum Are Seoul’s Best Free Cultural Gems

📌 Quick Summary

• Discover the Gyeongbokgung Palace Museums, two of Seoul’s best free cultural attractions.
• Explore royal treasures at the National Palace Museum and everyday life at the National Folk Museum.
• Both museums are free to enter and are located within the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace.
• Easily accessible by subway, bus, or a short taxi ride from anywhere in Seoul.
• Ideal for travellers interested in Korean history, art, and daily culture.
• End your visit with dinner or shopping in Myeongdong, a café in Seongsu, or a walk along Cheonggyecheon Stream.

🌎 Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. National Palace Museum of Korea – The Royal Story Up Close
3. National Folk Museum of Korea – Everyday Life in Korea’s Past
4. Why You Shouldn’t Skip the Gyeongbokgung Palace Museums
5. Suggested Itinerary – A Day Around Gyeongbokgung
6. Opening Hours & Admission Information
7. Final Thoughts – Korea vs Australia: Two Ways of Remembering History

Introduction

This guide offers essential details on the National Palace Museum and the National Folk Museum, including what to see, how long you’ll need, and how to plan your visit efficiently.

The Gyeongbokgung Palace Museums were the first places I visited after returning to Korea, and they quickly became the most practical starting point for understanding royal and folk culture in one visit. Although I had visited Gyeongbokgung before, I realised I had overlooked the two museums that provide the most structured and informative look into Korean history. Inside the palace grounds are two free museums— the National Palace Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum of Korea—both offering clear, well-organised exhibits that help visitors understand Korea’s royal and everyday history at no cost.

While Gyeongbokgung is popular for its architecture and hanbok photography, many visitors overlook the two free museums inside the grounds. Both provide structured, easy-to-understand exhibits that explain Korea’s royal traditions and everyday culture — completely free of charge.

☝️ Bronze dragon roof ornament from the Joseon Dynasty, displayed inside the National Palace Museum of Korea at Gyeongbokgung Palace. (Image Source: Unniepicking.com)

After years of living in Sydney, I had grown used to museums where everything is interactive and digital — history told through touchscreens and projections. In Seoul, stepping into a palace museum feels different. The air is still. The past whispers rather than shouts. Here, you don’t “see” history — you feel it in the polished floors and faded silk robes.

In Australia, museums are usually modern, interactive, and designed to make you feel like part of the story. In Korea, museums inside palaces still carry a sense of tradition — you walk into spaces that once held real artifacts of kings and queens. Visiting these two museums gave me the feeling of reconnecting with my roots, while also realising how accessible Korean culture can be for travellers. If you’re planning free activities in Seoul, the Gyeongbokgung Palace Museums are a perfect choice.

National Palace Museum of Korea: The Royal Story Up Close

☝️ Illustrated royal procession record from the Joseon era, part of the archives displayed at the National Palace Museum of Korea. (Image Source: Unniepicking.com)

Near Gwanghwamun Gate, the National Palace Museum stands quietly beside the busy road. I entered after taking the subway, amazed at how seamlessly Seoul’s modern world connects to its royal past. Must-see exhibits include: the Royal Seal Collection, Joseon ritual artifacts, and the detailed Royal Procession Archives. It reminded me of how, in Australia, history often feels like something we look at from a distance. But in Korea, it feels close enough to touch. Unlike many museums that rely on replicas or digital displays, this museum presents original royal artifacts, allowing visitors to see authentic items used by the Joseon kings.

Each room felt alive — royal seals carved with authority, scrolls filled with Confucian philosophy, and even ritual objects used by the Joseon court. In Australia, museums show replicas. Here, you’re face-to-face with the real thing — the weight of time captured in gold and silk.

Another advantage is that no Gyeongbokgung ticket is required — the museum can be entered directly and is completely free. It’s also a great alternative if you visit on a Tuesday when the main palace is closed.

National Folk Museum of Korea: Everyday Life in Korea’s Past

Deeper inside the palace lies the National Folk Museum, where the royal story fades and the everyday story begins. Exhibits cover traditional farming tools, household items, wedding customs, children’s games, and seasonal folk traditions. As I walked through recreated hanok kitchens and market stalls, I remembered my grandmother’s stories from Korea’s countryside. To my Australian friends, it was fascinating — how a farming society could transform into the tech-driven Seoul we see today.

The museum is located on the northeastern side of Gyeongbokgung, approximately a three-minute walk from Hyangwonjeong Pavilion. This is where you’ll find over 4,000 artifacts depicting everything from farming tools to wedding customs.

For me, it wasn’t just nostalgia — it was a homecoming. The smell of wood, the sound of old market chatter playing softly through speakers — it made me realize how much of Korea I’d carried inside, even while living oceans away in Australia. The recreated hanok-style kitchens, seasonal markets, and festive displays reminded me of my grandmother’s stories from her youth in Korea. Meanwhile, my Australian friends who visited with me were fascinated by how Korea’s farming-based society evolved into today’s high-tech lifestyle in just a few generations.

Outdoor areas include stone pagoda displays, folk sculptures, and seasonal installations — all excellent spots for photography — perfect for photography. For families, the Children’s Museum offers hands-on exhibits where kids can try traditional games and crafts.

Recommended visit duration: 60–90 minutes, depending on interest. The exhibits spill outdoors into courtyards filled with stone pagodas and folk sculptures — perfect for slow walks or photos. Families can enjoy the Children’s Museum, where kids can play traditional Korean games.

The museum is bigger than it looks, and if you enjoy photography, you’ll easily spend more time exploring both the indoor and outdoor exhibits. Families visiting the Gyeongbokgung Palace Museums often enjoy the interactive folk exhibits.

Why You Shouldn’t Skip These Museums

Many travellers rush through Gyeongbokgung for photos, but these two museums transform it into a living story. They show how power and people, royalty and farmers, once coexisted. And since both are free, they might just be Seoul’s best-kept secret for travellers who love meaning as much as beauty. Both the National Palace Museum and the National Folk Museum together form the Gyeongbokgung Palace Museums, offering history and culture in one place. Instead of seeing the palace as just a backdrop, you’ll understand the cultural meaning behind its architecture, clothing, and daily practices. And since both museums are free, they are some of the best-value attractions in Seoul.

They’re also perfect for rainy days or when you need a break from outdoor sightseeing. Personally, I think these museums strike the perfect balance — detailed enough for history lovers, but visual and interactive enough for casual visitors.

After visiting the museums, walk toward Gwanghwamun Square — the statue of King Sejong rises proudly, reminding you that wisdom outlives time. From there, take the subway or a short taxi ride to Myeongdong, where the smell of street food fills the air. If you have more energy, ride the bus toward Hongdae for live music, or head south to Gangnam for city lights that never dim. (Explore our Taxi in Seoul Guide and Gangnam Travel Itinerary.)

From there, it’s only a couple of subway stops to Myeongdong, one of Seoul’s busiest shopping districts, where you can grab street food and shop for cosmetics before ending your cultural day.

Suggested Itinerary

1. 10:00 — Watch the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony at Gwanghwamun Gate.
2. 10:40 — Visit the National Palace Museum (40–60 minutes).
3. 11:40 — Walk through major palace sites such as Geunjeongjeon Hall and Hyangwonjeong Pavilion.
4. 13:00 — Visit the National Folk Museum (60–90 minutes).
5. 15:00 — Transfer to Myeongdong via subway or taxi for dinner and shopping.

This flow allows you to experience royal history, palace architecture, folk culture, and modern Seoul life in one seamless journey.

Opening Hours

• National Palace Museum of Korea: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm (closed on some holidays).
• National Folk Museum of Korea: Same as Gyeongbokgung Palace hours (closed Tuesdays).

For the latest updates, check the official Visit Korea site or the National Palace Museum website before your visit.

Final Thoughts: Korea vs Australia

Australian museums focus on natural landscapes and Indigenous heritage, while Korean palace museums emphasize cultural continuity and royal traditions — how family, ritual, and respect tie generations together. Both are beautiful, but in Seoul, I felt the weight of memory differently. It’s not about nostalgia; it’s about identity. In Australia, museums often highlight Indigenous heritage and natural history, encouraging visitors to reflect on the land and its people. Korea’s palace museums, on the other hand, emphasize continuity — how the rituals of royalty shaped the nation, and how ordinary people lived alongside those traditions.

As I left the palace, I walked along Cheonggyecheon Stream, where the water reflected the glow of city lights. Couples laughed, children played — Seoul was alive. I realised how the city carries its history like a heartbeat, pulsing quietly beneath the neon. For someone who spent years in Australia’s calm, Seoul’s mix of chaos and grace feels electric. These museums not only preserve history but also present it in a clear, structured format that is easy for any visitor to understand. If you’re in Seoul, don’t just snap a few palace photos and leave. Spend time inside these museums — they’re free, enriching, and will make your palace visit unforgettable.

So if you ever find yourself in Seoul, skip the rush. Take the subway, wander through Gyeongbokgung, linger inside the museums, and end your night near Cheonggyecheon or a cozy café in Seongsu-dong. You’ll see that Seoul isn’t just a place — it’s a feeling. (See our Seongsu Café & Design District Guide.)

In Australia, silence often defines the experience — the hum of air conditioning, the echo of steps in wide museum halls. But in Seoul, even history feels alive. The Gyeongbokgung Palace Museums show that tradition in Seoul isn’t confined to the past — it continues to shape daily life today.

Related Seoul Travel Guides

• Seoul Taxi Guide 2025 – How to get around the city easily, from late-night rides to airport transfers.
• Seoul Subway Guide 2025 – Navigate the city like a local with essential maps, apps, and travel tips.
• Myeongdong Travel Guide 2025 – Shopping, street food, and night lights just minutes from Gyeongbokgung.
• Gangnam Travel Guide 2025 – Discover Seoul’s modern side, where luxury, K-pop, and city life meet.
• Seongsu Café & Design District Guide 2025 – Explore Seoul’s creative hub filled with hidden cafés and art spaces.
• Cheonggyecheon Stream Night Walk 2025 – End your day with a peaceful riverside walk through downtown Seoul.