Art Lover’s Guide to Seoul

From Seoul Arts Center to Dongdaemun Design Plaza, here's where to go.

2 min read•Jul. 27, 2019•By Lydia Schrandt

Hi, I'm Lydia!

Lydia Schrandt is a writer, editor, and award-winning photographer currently based in Houston. She’s a contributor for USA TODAY 10Best and serves as the first chair of the Editors Council of the Society of American Travel Writers. Her work has appeared in Draft, Time Out Beijing, Travel+, USA TODAY, San Francisco Chronicle, and others.

Seoul is a city where ancient artistic techniques and modern design collide—a heady mix of old and new to captivate any art lover. See below for our pick of the Korean capital’s best museums, galleries, and art-filled enclaves to visit.

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Seoul Museum of Art

Outside Seoul Museum of Art. | Photo Credit: ARTYOORAN / Shutterstock

The Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) features three floors of modern art spread throughout six exhibition halls. The museum is on the grounds of Deoksugung Palace, so you can see the collection on a guided tour.

Seoul Arts Center

Seoul Arts Center is popular. | Photo Credit: Stock for you / Shutterstock

Fans of the performing arts will want to catch a show at the Seoul Arts Center, home of the Korean National Ballet, National Opera, Symphony Orchestra, and National Contemporary Dance Company. The complex also has exhibits on art, architecture, and graphic design.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza

Futuristic Dongdaemun Design Plaza. | Photo Credit: Johnathan21 / Shutterstock

This futuristic complex, designed by architect Zaha Hadid, is a hub of fashion and design. Besides hosting the biannual Seoul Fashion Week, Dongdaemun Design Plaza holds rotating art exhibitions, so there’s always something new to see. Visit it on a hop-on-hop-off-bus tour of Seoul.

63 Sky Art Gallery

63 Sky Art Gallery is by the River Han. | Photo Credit: KoreaKHW / Shutterstock

Combine excellent art with stellar views during a visit to the 63 Sky Art Gallery on the 60th floor of the glass 63 City skyscraper. The rotating exhibitions feature a range of artists and mediums. Book your admission ahead of time to skip the queues at the ticket office.

Leeum Samsung Museum of Art

The sculptures outside Leeum Samsung Museum of Art are world-class. | Photo Credit: iewnn_k / Shutterstock

This museum on the hills of Namsan comprises three buildings—each an architectural masterpiece in its own right—filled with Korean and Western art. The collection often features on museum and contemporary-art tours of the city.