14 Museum Visits in South Korea for a First Korean Itinerary

1.Gyeongju UNESCO Legacy Tour with National Museum

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 172 reviews · 12 hours · from $48Our pick

Review of Busan’s 12-hour Gyeongju tour, with Bulguksa Temple, Ahopsan Forest, Silla treasures, hanok streets, and practical value tips.

“I joined this tour as a solo traveler and it was one of the most welcoming experiences I have had. The guide was incredibly kind and made sure everyone felt connected. The forest was serene and felt like a perfect reset. The temple was peaceful, and the museum was both informative and fascinating. The bridge at the end was glowing with sunset light, and the guide even offered to take photos for everyone. It felt like traveling with friends, even though I had come alone. This tour made me fall in love with Gyeongju.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.From Busan to Gyeongju UNESCO Legacy Tour with National Museum

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 87 reviews · from $48

Review of a Busan to Gyeongju day tour covering bamboo forest, Bulguksa Temple, Silla sites, museums, villages, and Woljeonggyo Bridge.

“It was a fun full day trip with DK! It’s great if you are in Busan a short while. Could have spent a bit more time in each stop, overall would recommend 🤗”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.War Memorial of Korea Private Guided Museum Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 29 reviews · 2 hours · from $100

Explore Seoul’s War Memorial with an expert private guide, balanced Korean War history, hidden stories, and practical insight before a DMZ visit.

“Our guide, Kichan Lee, is very knowledgeable and gave a balanced presentation of the Korean War and the War Memorial. He did an excellent job of answering our questions. The tour was very informative and interesting. We left feeling that we had a much better understanding of the Korean War and its impact on the Korean people.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.DMZ Tour + The War Memorial of Korea Museum

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · from $65

Review of Seoul’s DMZ tour with the Third Tunnel, Dora Observatory, Imjingak Park, and War Memorial of Korea, including tips and value.

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Color Pool Museum

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 22 reviews · from $13

Review of Seoul’s Color Pool Museum, with nine photo rooms, a ball pool, practical tips, price advice, and who will enjoy it most.

“Cute idea for teens and youth. They put it together nicely. May need fresh coat of paint. Dress appropriately for the photoshoot. You won’t need more than 1.5h”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Gugak – Korean Traditional Music Museum&Concert Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 17 reviews · from $49

Explore Korean traditional music at the Gugak Museum, then enjoy an 80-minute live concert with an English-speaking guide.

“Elisa the guide is such a sweet person, she explained everything well and clearly. She was absolutely lovely! The Show was incredible I’m so happy I chose this experience, I can’t recommend it enough :)!’”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Gyeongju UNESCO Sites Tour by KTX train; The Museum Without walls

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · from $470

Explore Gyeongju’s Silla tombs, temples, museum, and royal sites on a private KTX day trip from Seoul with hotel pickup.

“Amazing trip to see something very rare and interesting. To me this was one of the most important sites in S Korea”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Layover tour to Gyeongbokgung-Folk Museum-Bukchon-Insadong

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 6 reviews · from $254

Turn a six-hour Incheon layover into a Seoul culture tour with Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon, Insadong, Jogyesa, and AREX guidance.

“Our tour guide Paul was so kind and extremely informative. He is local to Seoul and has studied the culture and history of the area for over 10 years. Each area that we visited was unique and beautiful, but Paul made the experience much more immersive with the knowledge that he shared about each location. Gyeongbokgung palace is an unforgettable place and I would recommend anyone that has the opportunity to visit Korea to go see it. In addition to sight seeing, Paul wanted us to experience the charm in Seoul through other things such as the efficient public transportation and authentic street food. Overall, this was an amazing experience…”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Time Travel in Seoul: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Folk Museum & Bukchon

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $57

Explore Gyeongbokgung, the Folk Museum, and Bukchon with a small group, local stories, hidden lanes, and a rooftop hanok café stop.

“The tour provide a comprehensive view of the palace, foclore museum and hanbok village. Mina is a very bright and helpful guide.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.National Art Gallery Tour and Taste of Korean Cuisine in Seoul

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 4 reviews · from $130

Explore Seoul’s MMCA with a private art guide, then sample Korean dishes in Bukchon. See the itinerary, value, food, timing, and booking concerns.

“There wasn’t any tour. Noone showed up with no notice in advance. Requested a refund. Probably it’s an old listing?”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Seogwipo(the southern city of Jeju) Art Museum Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $55

Explore Seogwipo’s waterfalls, calligraphy, modern art, and Lee Jung Seop Street on a compact three-hour walking tour.

“The Jeongbang waterfall is incredible! A must-see in Jeju. Our guide was personable and enthusiastic.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Jeju Art & Culture Tour: Bonte Museum- Tadao Ando, Arte Museum

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1 reviews · from $198

Review of Jeju’s private art tour, featuring Tadao Ando’s Bonte Museum, O’sulloc tea, coastal brunch, and Arte Museum.

“I recently joined the Jeju Art & Culture Day Tour, and it was an absolutely incredible experience! The tour is thoughtfully planned, offering a perfect balance between art, culture, and Jeju’s natural beauty.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.DMZ Tour and Leeum Museum

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1 reviews · from $288

Review of Seoul’s DMZ and Leeum Museum tour, with practical details on the Third Tunnel, Dora Observatory, price, fitness, and value.

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Skip the Line: Figure Museum W Ticket (내국인 불가)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1 reviews · from $11Best value

Review of Seoul’s Figure Museum W, with 1,000-plus figures, practical ticket details, visitor rules, value, and tips for fans.

“Un accueil très sympathique malgré du fait que je ne parle pas un mot anglais la personne à l’entre m’a guidé pour bien m’expliquer je recommande cette endroit plein de figurines”

Check availability →Read our full review