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Six Great Seoul Art Galleries and Museums

People walking around the Seoul Art Gallery, with pictures resting against walls, and an open space with a spotlight in the center.

Seoul is a great city for great art. In this post I take some snapshots of six of the best Seoul art galleries and museums.

The Cheonggyecheon Museum in Seoul

External view of a brick building, partially wrapped in builder's plastic, with small wooden houses on stilts in front of it, at Cheonggyecheon, Seoul.

The Cheonggyecheon Museum in Seoul chronicles the remarkable transformation of a waterway from a polluted cesspool, to a highway, to urban stream reborn.

Namdaemun Traditional Market in Seoul

Street view of brightly colored shop fronts, with flags and merchandise outside, and pedestrians.

Namdaemun Traditional Market in Seoul is one of Korea’s oldest public markets and a vibrant place to witness Korea’s boisterous “jangteo” market culture.

Three Great Day Trips from Seoul

Three images side by side: from the left, a multicolored ornate dragon face painting, a blue and green ornate door, and a sign saying Seoul.

Despite everything that Seoul has to offer, sometimes you want something new. For those times, I offer these three great day trips from Seoul.

Namsangol Hanok Village in Seoul

A Korean man, dressed in white, with a black hat, weaving reeds while sitting on the floor at Namsangol village, in the background are two tourists looking on.

At the base of Namsan Park is Namsangol Hanok Village, a beautiful setting that includes five traditional-style hanok homes, gardens and on-site artisans.

Unhyeongung Royal Villa in Seoul

Unhyeongung Royal Villa seen from the exterior with stone steps leading up to a white building with wooden posts and window frames. A dark roof, with a blue sky and clouds in sunshine.

The Unhyeongung Royal Villa in Seoul was built in 1864 for the 12-year-old King Gojong and is an excellent example of traditional Korean architecture.

A Walking Tour of Incheon Chinatown

Ornate multicolored buildings with Korean writing in Chinatown, Incheon.

A Walking Tour of Incheon Chinatown is one of the best ways to view the port city’s most interesting historical and cultural attractions.

Seoul Bongeunsa Buddhist Temple

Path leading between rows of flower containers, leading to the Bongeunsa Buddhist temple, a wooden building with dark roof, and turquoise shutters. To the right of the frame is a stone wall leading up to a park with trees and grass, with two skyscrapers in the background.

Seoul Bongeunsa Buddhist Temple is a beautiful temple that provides a serene and spiritual sanctuary amongst southern Seoul’s many skyscrapers.

Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market

Market stalls with rows and shelves full of fresh fish, at Noryangjin fisheries, a woman dressed in pink is drinking from a cup waiting at the stall.

There’s something fishy at Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market, Korea’s largest fisheries market, which serves 30,000 daily customers and 40% of greater Seoul’s seafood.

Gangnam Style! Seoul Luxe in Cheongdam-dong

Close up of a shop sign in Cheongdam Seoul.

The Seoul neighborhood of Cheongdam-dong is perhaps the best example of “Gangnam Style,” among the city’s most expensive to eat, shop and play.

Yeouido Saetgang Ecological Park and Saetgang Bridge

River running through Yeouido Saetgang Ecological Park, with city on the left of the frame, and a pathway and long grasses to the left of the frame.

The Yeouido Saetgang Ecological Park and Saetgang Bridge are two of Seoul’s best new attractions for nature and architecture lovers.

Myeongdong Shopping District in Seoul

A shopping arcade in Myeongdong district, with pink neon lights, and neon stars on the ceiling. Images of young people on brightly lit screens, and pedestrians.

The Myeongdong Shopping District in Seoul boasts some of the world’s most expensive real estate, thanks to its reputation as Korea’s shopping Mecca.