Gwanghwamun: 3 Free Seoul Must-Visits, City Hall Sky Deck

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Top Recommendations for Places to Visit in Seoul

Three Fantastic Spots, Including the Seoul City Hall Sky Observatory

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Hello, fellow adventurers! It's Yungmad here.

With the weather perfect for a stroll these days,

even just stepping outside feels incredibly exciting!

Today, I'm thrilled to share my top three recommendations

for places to explore when you're traveling in Seoul.

The best part? They all offer free admission

and are perfectly walkable, making them ideal indoor spots—

even for a cozy date! :)

Seoul's Must-Visit Gems

Seoul Museum of Craft Art

4, Yulgok-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

(Right in front of Anguk Station, Exit 1, Line 3)

Admission: Free

Operating Hours

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Fridays: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM

(Closed every Monday)

Our first stop is the Seoul Museum of Craft Art,

conveniently located right in front of Anguk Station's Exit 1.

This fascinating museum was created by remodeling the historic

Poongmoon Girls' High School building. It truly offers a treasure trove of sights,

with diverse exhibits spanning from traditional crafts

to stunning contemporary artworks.

The exhibition halls are thoughtfully divided into several buildings,

and you'll even find a library and a dedicated children's museum here!

It's truly one of the best places in Seoul to visit with kids.

Make sure to visit the exhibition hall on the first floor of Exhibition Building 1,

where you can currently explore 20 stunning finalist pieces

from the 'Seoul Yu-ri Craft Awards.' This is a must-see!

It was incredibly fascinating to witness such brilliant

and elaborate modern craftworks! Ha ha.

Free docent tours are offered daily at 12 PM and 3 PM,

so if you'd like a guided explanation, definitely keep that in mind!

*English Guided Tour: 3:30 PM*

National Museum of Korean Contemporary History

82-1, Sejong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

(Gwanghwamun Station, Exit 2, Line 5)

Admission: Free

Operating Hours

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Wednesdays & Saturdays: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM

(Closed on January 1st, Seollal, and Chuseok)

After leaving the Craft Museum, take a pleasant stroll

towards Gwanghwamun Square, and you'll discover

the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History,

nestled right beside Gyeonghuigung Palace.

This museum offers incredibly insightful exhibitions,

primarily focusing on Korea's fascinating modern and contemporary history.

The quality of the exhibits was truly impressive, far exceeding my expectations,

and I was so grateful to be able to experience such a place completely free of charge!

And here's a secret tip: head up to the 8th-floor rooftop garden!

The panoramic view of Gwanghwamun Square and Bugaksan Mountain from there

is absolutely stunning. It’s truly one of Seoul’s most iconic scenic spots,

so make sure not to miss it! :)

On the 3rd floor, you'll find exhibits covering the period from the Korean War (6.25 War) up to the armistice,

showing the various aspects of that time.

The 4th floor was an interactive experience hall,

where you could pick up a card at the entrance

and try out different activities

in each designated experience zone.

At each experience corner,

there were fun activities like quizzes, games,

and photo opportunities, making it a great spot to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty to enjoy! 😊

The 5th floor showcases the history of Korea from the period of its opening to the world (Gaehanggi)

all the way to modern times, beautifully capturing the evolution of the Republic of Korea.

What was particularly meaningful was being able to experience moments from the independence movement

and actually listen to the radio broadcast that announced Korea's liberation.

It truly was a profound experience!

Throughout the exhibits, there are also displays that will bring back fond memories for adults,

so make sure to explore the 5th floor as well! :)

Finally, the 8th floor is an absolute must-visit!

It's a hidden gem offering panoramic views from Gwanghwamun all the way to Bugaksan Mountain, so definitely come up to the 8th floor

and take in the magnificent scenery. :)

After you've explored everything, it's lovely to grab a coffee at the cafe on the 3rd floor

and enjoy the view of Gwanghwamun. :)

Seoul City Hall Sky Observatory

8th and 9th Floors, 110 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul

(City Hall Station, Line 1 & 2, Exit 5)

Admission: Free

Operating Hours

07:30 ~ 18:00

(Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays)

When you enter Seoul City Hall through the main entrance on the 1st floor,

you can easily reach the 9th floor

by taking the dedicated elevator that goes to the Sky Observatory.

However, since only one elevator operates,

be prepared for potential waits, especially on weekends.

When I was leaving and wanted to take the elevator down,

there was a queue, and I waited for about 15 minutes.

(Stairs are not an option here!)

After stepping off on the 9th floor and following the signs,

just head straight inside, and you'll find yourself at the Sky Observatory!

The observatory itself isn't a huge space,

so it can get quite lively and bustling with even a small crowd.

From the 9th-floor observatory, you can take in a panoramic view

stretching all the way from Sungnyemun Gate to Gwanghwamun!

And right in front of you, Deoksugung Palace and the Jeongdong Theater

are also beautifully laid out!

But here's a crucial tip for visiting this Sky Observatory:

I really recommend trying to come before lunch if you can!

I visited after 4 PM,

and the Gwanghwamun side was pretty obscured by glare from the late afternoon sun –

it was tough to see clearly.

Luckily, I'd already enjoyed a fantastic view

from the 8th-floor observatory at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History earlier, so I was fine.

But I overheard others expressing their disappointment because Gwanghwamun was completely obscured!

While waiting for the elevator to head back down

was a bit of a wait, the Seoul City Hall Sky Observatory left me feeling incredibly satisfied!

Wrapping Up Your Adventure

So, I've just shared my top three recommendations for fantastic places to visit around Gwanghwamun, Seoul,

including the Seoul City Hall Sky Observatory.

The best part? All three spots are completely free to enter,

making them perfect, budget-friendly Seoul adventures you can dive into without a second thought!

And because they're all wonderful indoor destinations,

they're absolutely brilliant for a rainy day adventure or a cozy indoor date!

You can easily walk between all of them,

and since they can all be explored in a single day,

Museum of Korean Crafts → National Museum of Korean Contemporary History

→ Seoul City Hall Sky Observatory

I highly recommend following this fantastic itinerary! :)