The National Maritime Museum of Korea in Busan is one of the largest maritime museums in Asia, dedicated to showcasing Korea’s rich maritime heritage. With its diverse exhibitions and stunning waterfront location, the museum is an excellent destination for visitors of all ages.
Table of Contents
- General Information about The National Maritime Museum of Korea
- Things to do (with Directory)
- Where to Eat at The National Maritime Museum of Korea
- Tips & TMI for the museum
- Attractions Nearby
- Tours Visiting the National Maritime Museum of Korea
- Where to Stay in Yeongdo Area
Information about the National Maritime Museum of Korea
Address and Map
45, Haeyang-ro 301beon-gil, Yeongdo-gu, Busan
How to get to the National Maritime Museum of Korea
To get there, take subway Line 1 and get off at Nampo Station (남포/111), Exit 6. Walk about 150 m (500 feet) to the Yeongdodaegyo (영도대교) bus stop, then transfer to Bus No. 17 or Bus No. 186. Get off at the National Maritime Museum of Korea (국립해양박물관) bus stop.
Paid parking is available.
Ticket Prices
General admission is free. Tickets for 4D theater and special exhibitions need to be purchased.
Museum Hours
- Tuesday – Friday: 9:00 – 18:00
- Saturday: (May-August) 9:00 – 21:00 / (September-April) 9:00 – 19:00
- Sunday & Holidays: 9:00 – 19:00
- Closed: Mondays (if Monday is a holiday, the museum will be open on that Monday and closed the following day.)
- The last admission to the museum is 30 minutes before the closing time.
Contact
- Call: +82-51-309-1900
- Website: https://www.mmk.or.kr/
How long does it take to tour the National Maritime Museum of Korea?
You’ll need at least a couple of hours to see the entire museum, but I think that half a day would be enough to enjoy the museum unless you’re planning to participate in special activities.
What’s the Korean name of the National Maritime Museum of Korea?
The National Maritime Museum of Korea in Korean is 국립해양박물관 /gung-nip-hae-yang-bang-mul-gwan/.
Things to Do at The National Maritime Museum of Korea
Opened in 2012, the museum offers a comprehensive exploration of the country’s seafaring history, marine biology, and oceanic culture through a wide range of exhibits, interactive displays, and educational programs. The museum houses approximately 26,000 artifacts.
Directory of The National Maritime Museum of Korea
The museum is a four-story building with an additional basement level. It features several permanent exhibition halls, a special exhibition hall, a maritime library with over 50,000 maritime-related books and a multimedia room, a children’s museum for kids, an outdoor circular plaza, an aquarium, a 4D theater for immersive visual experiences, and an observatory where visitors can enjoy the beautiful view of the surrounding sea.
In addition, the museum’s stunning waterfront location and impressive architectural design make it a must-visit destination for visitors and locals alike.
Aquarium (3rd floor)
The National Maritime Museum of Korea offers many things to learn and enjoy, but the aquarium is definitely the highlight. It has an underwater tunnel that passes through an aquarium, allowing visitors to see inside, and houses over 70 species and more than 1,000 marine creatures.
While it may not be the largest aquarium compared to others, watching an aquarist feed marine animals up close is quite a unique experience. Be sure to arrive on time, as the aquarist feeding is a once-a-day event. Here’s the schedule:
- 10:20 – 10:30 Feeding from the top of the aquarium
- 11:30 – 11:45 An aquarist feeds inside the aquarium (This is the best one.)
- 15:40 – 15:50 Feeding from the top of the aquarium
Besides the aquarium, you can see colorful and beautiful corals, stories of marine life endangered by ocean pollution and global warming, and plankton drifting in a cylindrical tank.
Permanent Exhibition Hall 2 – Navigation Hall (4th floor)
The Navigation Hall highlights the history of ships, navigation tools, and the people who advanced navigation technology. It also explores the maritime activities of Korea’s naval ships and military.
You can see model ships of traditional vessels from various countries and cultures, as well as Korea’s traditional ships.
4D Theater (4th floor)
You can watch a movie at the 4D theater, though it’s not a full-length two-hour movie. You can check the title and schedule on the website. Please note that there is an additional charge for theater tickets.
Permanent Exhibition Hall 1 – Maritime Hall (3rd Floor)
Visitors to the Maritime Hall will discover items and materials related to maritime culture, including the records, art, and daily life culture that Korean ancestors built while living with the sea. It introduces various aspects of maritime culture, ranging from whale hunting in the East Sea thousands of years ago, to mother-of-pearl crafts (Najeonchilgi) made from shells, paintings featuring the sea, and modern fishing activities, all organized by theme.
Diplomatic Ship for the Joseon Envoy to Japan (조선통신사선, Joseon Tongsinsaseon)
This ship is a half-scale replica of the vessel used during the 1811 diplomatic mission to Japan. It is the largest restored Tongsinsa ship in Korea.
The Joseon Tongsinsa was dispatched to Japan 12 times over a period of about 200 years, from 1607 to 1811, to discuss matters of peace, cultural exchange, politics, and diplomacy between the two nations.
Media Art Gallery 1 and 2 (3rd Floor)
Both media galleries have large-scale screens for video content of industry, history, and art related to marine life (You can find the inside of Media Art Gallery in the video clip below.)
Special Exhibition Hall (2nd Floor)
In the special exhibition hall, you can view a variety of exhibitions related to the ocean.
When I visited, the exhibition “JOHAENGILROK: The Grain Odyssey to the West Sea” was taking place. In 1863, a Joseon-era official named Im Gyo-jin took charge of transporting grain and other goods collected as taxes by boat to Seoul (then Hanyang).
He recorded the entire process in a journal, now preserved as the “Johaeng Ilrok” (Record of Grain Transport), which stands as the oldest and most valuable account related to grain transport. The exhibition focused on Im Gyo-jin and his Johaeng Ilrok.
Children’s Museum (2nd Floor)
Unfortunately, the Children’s Museum was under construction for remodeling. According to its website, the Children’s Museum is designed to help children easily understand the ocean and the environment through hands-on experiences and real-life displays.
Gift Shop (2nd Floor)
Of course, your visit to any museum can’t be completed without stopping by a gift shop. Don’t expect much, though.
Maritime Library (1st Floor)
The maritime library on the first floor holds approximately 45,000 books related to the ocean.
Sky Park (rooftop)
The museum features a rooftop space where you can take in views of Oryukdo Island, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, and nearby ports. Personally, I preferred the view from the deck on the ground level. If you’re short on time, the rooftop isn’t a must-see.
Outdoor (Waterfront Deck, Haeoreum Garden, and the Yacht)
You can access the waterfront from the first floor, where you can stroll along the deck to Haeoreum Garden and enjoy the ocean scent carried by the sea breeze.
Also at the waterfront, you can see the yacht “Seonguja II.” Kang Dong-suk was the first Korean to sail around the world on a yacht, and this is the very vessel he used.
Where to Eat at The National Maritime Museum of Korea
Food Court
The museum features a food court offering a variety of dishes, primarily Korean cuisine, including Sogogibukbap (beef soup with rice), dolsot bibimbap (hot stone pot bibimbap), kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew), ramyeon, gimbap, and more.
While the prices are not inexpensive, IMHO the food could be better.
Cafe (4th Floor)
On the 4th floor is Café The Liter, where visitors can enjoy an ocean view from the window-side tables. While they don’t serve full meals, you can pick up pastries, snacks, and a variety of beverages.
Convenience Store (On the ground level)
If you just want to grab a small bite, the convenience store would be your choice.
Tips and TMI
The museum remains open during major holidays like Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) and Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day), unless there are any announced issues. With many other places closed during these holidays, visiting the museum is a great option.
The National Maritime Museum of Korea is the only national maritime museum in South Korea, but it will change soon. Later in 2024, another national maritime museum will open in Incheon.
Have you visited the National Maritime Museum of Korea? Share your experiences in the comments below! Also, if you found this guide helpful, please share it with your travel buddies!
Watch the Clip and Pin This
Exploring Beyond the Museum: Nearby Attractions in Yeongdo
Taejongdae Resort Park (태종대 유원지)
From its scenic rocky coastline to the pebble beaches and the relaxing trails surrounded by trees, Taejongdae Resort Park should be on the visitors’ list. Read the complete guide to Taejongdae Resort Park.
Huinnyeoul Culture Village (흰여울문화마을)
You don’t want to miss out on Huinnyeoul Culture Village, where you can see colorful murals and buildings while walking along the blue ocean of Busan. Read the full post about Huinnyeoul Culture Village.
Arte Museum is a digital art museum, and its largest facility worldwide stands in Yeongdo. Right next to it is P.ARK, a multipurpose cultural space featuring shops, cafés, stages, and more.
Formerly a hub for ship repairs, Kangkangee Arts Village has transformed into a popular tourist attraction. Visitors can also join guided tours to explore the village.
Tours Visiting The National Maritime Museum of Korea
Busan City Tour Bus Discount Ticket
The Busan City Tour Bus takes visitors to the most popular and must-see spots in Busan. It’s also one of the most budget-friendly ways to explore the city. The Green Line of the Busan City Tour Bus stops at the National Maritime Museum of Korea. Get discounted tickets here.
Busan Private One-Day Tour
This tour not only ensures engaging interactions with your guide but also embraces the essence of a truly private and exclusive experience. You can visit the pre-planned itinerary including the most popular destinations in Busan, or it can be your own itinerary by request.
A range of vehicle options is available to accommodate groups of all sizes (Car / SUV / Mini Van). Book your tour here.
Where To Stay in Yeongdo Area
Overlooking Yeongdo Bridge, Lavalse Hotel is perfectly situated to visit all the popular attractions in the Yeongdo area. Plus, it’s just a short distance from major spots on the other side of the bridge, like BIFF Square, Jagalchi Market, and Gukje Market.
And, did I mention it? The hotel boasts a rooftop terrace with stunning ocean and nighttime views.
Klook.comThis post includes affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you purchase through these links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support my work in providing quality content.
Leave a Reply