Seoul Art Galleries

(Seoul, South Korea)

There are a enormous selection of art galleries spread all around the city of Seoul and in particular within the Insadong district, concentrating on many different aspects and themes. The Museum of African Art has long been one of Seoul's most noteworthy galleries, along with the highly acclaimed Leeum Samsung Museum of Art.

Home to three floors of modern art works at their most impressive, the National Museum of Contemporary Art has a number of huge exhibits and is a gallery with an undeniable 'wow' factor. The same can be said of the Seoul Total Museum of Contemporary Art, which showcases modern Korean art at its very best.

Leeum Samsung Museum of Art

Address: 747-18 Hannam-dong, Seoul, South Korea, KR
Tel: +82 02 2014 6900
The Leeum Samsung Museum of Art is a very stylish and imposing building, built in the late 1990s in the Itaewon area, when it immediately became an integral part of the art scene in Seoul and South Korea. Housing both a permanent and temporary collection of art works, favourites will be sure to include the Buddhist paintings, the old bronze sculptures and also the historic jewellery, found within ancient tombs. The staircase is particularly imposing and topped with a large glass skylight.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 10:30 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Museum of African Art

Address: Dongsung-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea, KR
Tel: +82 02 741 0436
The beauty of visiting Seoul is that you never really know quite what to expect. The Museum of African Art is a perfect example and one that displays African art from countries all over the scorched continent from dozens of different tribes. If you fancy taking home an item, there is a natty souvenir shop onsite that sells African folk-art.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 11:00 to 19:30, Saturday and Sunday - 11:00 to 21:00
Admission: charge, discount for children and students

National Museum of Contemporary Art

Address: San 58-4, Gwacheon-si, Seoul, South Korea, KR
Tel: +82 02 2188 6000
Many of the pieces on display at the National Museum of Contemporary Art are actually very famous, being created by leading Korean artists such as Kim Tschang-yeol and Paik Nam-june. The adjacent zoo is often of interest to families, as is the onsite cafe, which comes complete with balcony views.
Open hours: daily, March to October - 10:00 to 18:00, November to February - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Total Museum of Contemporary Art

Address: 465-16 Byongchand-dong, Seoul, South Korea, KR
Tel: +82 02 379 3994
Operated on a non-profit basis, the Total Museum of Contemporary Art is the perfect gallery to visit if you have a little spare time. There are around 500 paintings, sculptures and prints in total, along with many further sculptures and books. Although this is classed as a gallery of modern art, a number of old masters also make a welcomed appearance on the walls.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge

Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art

Address: 30-1 Gwanghun-dong, Seoul, South Korea, KR
Tel: +82 02 733 4448
The Kyung-In Museum of Fine Art offers an appealing blend of both traditional and contemporary art, and lies within the Jongno-gu neighbourhood. Local artists are favoured by this gallery and regularly exhibit their works here, within the three designated exhibition areas. Various sculptures are also often displayed in the adjoining gardens.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 19:00
Admission: free

Seoul Metropolitan Museum of Art

Address: 2-1 Shinmunno 2-ga, Seoul, South Korea, KR
Tel: +82 02 736 2024
Founded in the late 1980s, the Seoul Metropolitan Museum of Art has grown in statue to become one of the city's leading galleries and is located on the actual site where the Kyonghee-gung Palace once stood. There are around 200 paintings and prints on exhibit here, painted by both Korean and Western artists. Outside, the sculpture gardens are well worth exploring on a sunny day and provide a very tranquil place for some serious art appreciation.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge

Walker Hill Art Museum

Address: Sheraton Walker Hill Hotel, 21 Kwangjang-dong, Seoul, South Korea, KR
Tel: +82 02 450 4666
The Walker Hill Art Museum is a non-profit gallery and resides within the Sheraton Walker Hill Hotel, where it boasts no less than three individual themed exhibition spaces. Art works at the Walker Hill Art Museum range from contemporary pieces, to more traditional tapestries and Western-style landscapes. Up-and-coming Korean artists can also be found displaying their latest works here, while others may be interested in the periodic workshops and lectures.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: free