What’s Closed on Monday and Tuesday in Seoul?

Seoul attractions closed on Monday and Tuesday typically include palaces and museums. More specifically, Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed every Tuesday, while Deoksugung, Changdeokgung, and the remaining two of the five main palaces are closed on Mondays. Big marts like Lotte Mart, Emart, and Home Plus also have their own specific closing schedules. The opening hours of attractions also vary, particularly during public holidays like Chuseok and Seollal, when small businesses may suddenly stop operating on short notice. At such times, your best alternative will be to opt for other activities.

Seoul Attractions Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays: Quick Table

Closed On	Palaces in Seoul	Museums in Seoul	Art Galleries, Markets, Festivals, & More
Monday	Deoksugung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Gyeonghuigung Palace	War Memorial of Korea, Leeum Museum of Art, Seoul Museum of Art – Seosomun Main Branch, Cheonggyecheon Museum, Seoul Museum of History, Seoul Museum of Korean Folk Music, Seoul Museum of Craft	Namsangol Hanok Village, Seodaemun Prison History Hall, Arario Gallery, Chungwoon Literature Library, Inwangsan
Tuesday	Gyeongbokgung Palace, Gyeongbokgung Starlight Tour	Cheongwadae Sarangchae	Seoul Folk Flea Market
Sunday	All five main royal palaces are open on Sundays.	–	Dongdaemun Market, Arario Gallery, Namdaemun Market, Gwangjang Market
Holiday & Special Closure Dates	All five main royal palaces remain open during public holidays.	War Memorial of Korea, Leeum Museum of Art, Seoul Museum of History, Seoul Museum of Korean Folk Music, Seoul Museum of Craft, National Palace Museum of Korea, Cheonggyecheon Museum	Ttukseom Winter Festival, Seodaemun Prison

What’s Closed on Monday in Seoul?

Most of Seoul’s palaces, museums, and cultural sites close on Monday. This includes Deoksugung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Gyeonghuigung Palace, War Memorial of Korea, Seodaemun Prison, Leeum Museum, and more. One thing to note: four out of Seoul’s five royal palaces are closed on Monday, with Gyeongbokgung Palace being the only exception.

* Important info: SEOULDAL Hot Air Balloon is no longer closed on Mondays; it operates from Monday to Sunday from 12:00 to 22:00.

Deoksugung Palace

• Opening Hours: Tue-Sun: 09:00 – 21:00 (Last admission at 20:00)
• Closed On: Every Monday

Deoksugung Palace is the smallest of Seoul’s five main royal palaces, and you only need to spend around an hour to explore. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday and is closed every Monday. The highlight is the “Changing of the Guard Ceremony,” held thrice a day at 11:00, 14:00, and 15:30. The ceremony takes place every day except on Mondays. * Note: If a scheduled closing day falls on a public holiday, Deoksugung Palace will close the following day instead.

💡 Tip: First-time visitors typically opt for a half-day or full-day tour that combines a palace visit with other Seoul attractions. Here’s what the booking platforms charge:

War Memorial of Korea

• Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday: 09:30 – 17:40
• Closed On: Every Monday

The War Memorial of Korea is closed every Monday and open from 9:30 AM to 5:40 PM on the remaining days. This military museum commemorates the military forces and civilians affected by the Korean War. It houses approximately 33,000 artifacts, including 10,000 on display at indoor and outdoor exhibitions. * Note: The War Memorial of Korea is closed on New Year’s Day, Lunar New Year’s Day, and Chuseok.

Seodaemun Prison History Hall

• Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday: 09:30 – 18:00
• Closed On: Every Monday

Located in the Seodaemun district, Seodaemun Prison History Hall is closed every Monday and is open from 9:30 AM to 6 PM from Tuesday to Sunday. It was a prison during the Japanese colonial period in the early 1900s. People who opposed Japanese rule were imprisoned and brutally tortured here. It is now a museum where visitors can see prison cells and learn about the prison’s history. * Note: Seodaemun Prison is closed on January 1st, Seollal, and Chuseok.

Leeum Museum of Art

• Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday: 10:00 – 18:00
• Closed On: Every Monday

One of three private art museums in Korea, Leeum Museum of Art is among the Seoul attractions closed on Mondays. It is open from 10 AM to 6 PM from Tuesday to Sunday. The museum features two sections: Museum 1 (M1) housing a gigantic collection of traditional Korean art and Museum 2 (M2) housing modern and contemporary art. It also regularly hosts temporary exhibitions by Korean and international artists. * Note: Leeum Museum is closed on January 1st, Lunar New Year’s Day, and Chuseok.

What’s Closed on Tuesday in Seoul?

Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed every Tuesday. Since first-time visitors typically plan to visit Gyeongbokgung, they have to avoid visiting it on Tuesdays. This also makes Gyeongbokgung the best alternative destination on Monday when the rest of Seoul’s palaces are closed. Take a look at the official opening hours of the palace below:

Months	Wednesday-Monday Opening Hours
January-February	09:00 – 17:00
March-May	09:00 – 18:00
June-August	09:00 – 18:30
September-October	09:00 – 18:00
November-December	09:00 -17:00

* Note: Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed every Tuesday year-round. If the scheduled closing day falls on a public holiday, it will close the following day instead.

Unlike Gyeongbokgung Palace, the National Palace Museum of Korea is open 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM from Sunday to Friday and 9:30 AM to 9 PM on Saturdays. It is only closed on the last Monday of every month.

Seoul Folk Flea Market

• Opening Hours: 10:00 -19:00
• Closed On: Every Tuesday

Aside from Gyeongbokgung, Seoul Folk Flea Market is also closed every Tuesday. This is one of the best budget shopping spots in Seoul, where you can buy traditional arts and crafts, commonplace goods, souvenirs, vintage clothing, and rare collectibles. * Note: During Chuseok Day, some businesses may remain open.

Seoul Attractions Closed on Sunday

Arario Gallery

• Opening Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 11:00 -18:00
• Closed On: Every Sunday and Monday

Arario Gallery is closed twice a week on Sunday and Monday. Launched in 1989, the art gallery has promoted Asian art and artists through bold exhibitions. It runs three spaces across Seoul, Cheonan, and Shanghai. Check the official website to see which exhibition is happening before visiting.

Dongdaemun Market

• Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday: 9:00 – 19:00
• Closed On: Every Sunday

The iconic Dongdaemun Market is closed every Sunday and is open from 9 AM to 7 PM on the remaining days. The ultimate destination for both modern and traditional shopping, it features over 20 shopping malls and traditional markets selling wholesale clothing and affordable items. Just a heads up, the market is closed every Sunday, but many shops are also closed on Monday.

Namdaemun Market

• Opening Hours: 0:00 – 23:00 (Operating hours vary per store)
• Closed On: Every Sunday

Similar to Dongdaemun Market, Namdaemun Market is closed every Sunday. It is one of the oldest and largest traditional markets, where you can find almost everything, from clothes, accessories, and shoes to electronics and street food. The best part is that the prices here are reasonable and even 10-20% lower than other markets.

Gwangjang Market

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Korea Travel Guide 🇰🇷 (@ivisitkorea)

• Opening Hours: 09:00 -18:00
• Closed On: Every Sunday except for Food Alley

One of the oldest traditional markets in Korea, Gwangjang Market is closed every Sunday, similar to Dongdaemun and Namdaemun. It specializes in traditional Korean cuisine, such as tteokbokki, kalguksu, bindaetteok, kimbap, buchimgae, and eomuk. It also features vintage and hanbok clothing stores, ideal if you want to shop for clothes. While the market is closed every Sunday, the food alley is open every day from 09:00 to 23:00.

Holiday & Special Closure Dates

Many attractions in Seoul are closed during Chuseok, Seollal, and other public holidays. The five main royal palaces in Seoul are the exception, as they open even if the holiday falls on their designated closing day. Some markets and attractions also suspend their business on specific dates or days of the week. Attractions that close on public holidays are:

Holidays	Attractions
Chuseok	War Memorial of Korea, Leeum Museum of Korea, Seodaemun Prison History Hall, National Palace Museum of Korea, Seoul Museum of Korean Folk Music
Seollal	War Memorial of Korea, Leeum Museum of Korea, Seodaemun Prison History Hall, National Palace Museum of Korea, Seoul Museum of Korean Folk Music

* Note: Namdaemun Market, Gwangjang Market, Bukchon Hanok Village, Myeongdong, and Insadong will be open during Chuseok and Seollal, but many businesses may be closed.

Attractions closed on special dates or days:

• National Palace Museum of Korea: Closed on the last Monday of every month, Chuseok, Seollal, and New Year’s Day.
• Majang Meat Market: Closed on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month.
• Caribbean Bay: Closed every Tuesday and Wednesday during the low season.
• Ttukseom Winter Festival (Running from late December to mid-February): Has a short break from 12 PM to 12:40 PM every day for snow maintenance.
• Cheongwadae Sarangchae: Closed every Tuesday and on January 1st.
• Cheonggyecheon Museum: Closed every Monday and on January 1st.
• Seoul Museum of History: Closed every Monday and on January 1st.

What to Do Instead?

Instead of letting your day go to waste, swap your initial itinerary with alternative destinations, such as DMZ, N Seoul Tower, and Lotte World. Here are attractions you can visit in Seoul when the above-mentioned palaces, markets, and museums are closed:

DMZ Tour

• Opening Hours: DMZ Tours depart daily from Seoul
• Closed On: Specific sites are closed every Monday, New Year’s Day, & Chuseok Day

When Seoul’s palaces, museums, markets, and malls are closed, book a DMZ tour, which offers the chance to see North Korea up close. This 250 km-long, 4-km-wide buffer zone separates North and South Korea and can only be visited through an authorized guided tour. While DMZ tours depart daily from Seoul, sites like the Dora Observatory, Infiltration Tunnel, and Dorasan Station are closed every Monday, New Year’s Day, Chuseok, and weekdays that fall on a public holiday. Some tours may also be suspended on specific Tuesdays due to military training exercises. On those days, the operators sell DMZ Starbucks tours instead.

Myeongdong Night Market

• Opening Hours: 16:00 or 17:00 until 22:00 or 1:00 AM
• Closed On: No designated closing days

Unlike other markets, Myeongdong Night Market opens every day of the week, including Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and public holidays. That said, opening hours vary by store, with some operating from 4 PM until late at night. Plan your visit a little later than 5 PM, when all stalls have started their business.

Lotte World

• Opening Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 10:00 – 21:00, Friday-Saturday: 10:00 – 22:00
• Closed On: No holiday closings

Next, Lotte World is open year-round with no holiday closings or closed seasons. It is an ideal destination for visitors traveling during Seollal, Chuseok, or Hangeul Day. The no holiday closing rule applies to Lotte World Aquarium as well, which is open every day. It operates from 10 AM to 8 PM on weekdays and 10 AM to 10 PM on weekends.

Online tickets are cheaper than buying at the entrance. Current charges are:

Seoul Sky

• Opening Hours: Sunday-Wednesday: 10:30 – 22:00, Thursday-Saturday: 10:30 – 23:00
• Closed On: No regular closures

Next, Seoul Sky is open year-round, making it an ideal Seoul attraction to visit during weekdays, weekends, and public holidays. Located on the upper floors of the Lotte World Tower, this observation deck offers 360-degree views of the city. Since it is adjacent to Lotte World and Lotte Aquarium, you can plan a day trip combining all three attractions.

COEX Starfield Library

• Opening Hours: 10:30 -22:00
• Closed On: No holiday closings

Located in the center of COEX Mall, Starfield Library is open every day of the year from 10:30 AM to 10 PM. Its gigantic 13-meter-tall bookshelf holds approximately 70,000 books of various genres, including 600 types of magazines. Visitors are welcome to read, relax, or work on their laptops. They can also participate in any ongoing book-themed cultural events.

Are Malls Closed on Mondays in Seoul?

Yes, many shopping malls and department stores in Seoul are typically closed on Mondays. This includes the majority of modern malls, not traditional markets, the latter of which typically close on Sundays. Shopping districts like Myeongdong, Hongdae, and Insadong are open year-round, though individual shops may vary.

Shopping Malls & Department Stores	Closed On	Operating Hours
Lotte Department Store Main (Myeongdong Branch)	Monday	10:30 – 20:30
Lotte Mart Zettaplex	Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month.	10:00 – 24:00
Shinsegae Department Store Main	It is closed once a month on a rotating day.	10:30 – 20:30
The Hyundai Seoul	Third Monday of every month, Chuseok, Seollal, and New Year’s Day	Monday-Thursday: 10:30 – 20:00, Friday-Sunday: 10:30 – 20:30
Dongdaemun Design Plaza	Every Monday, New Year’s Day, Chuseok, and Seollal	10:00 – 20:00
Olive Young N Seongsu	Operates daily	10:00 – 22:00
Emart	Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month	10:00 – 23:00
Homeplus	Every 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month	10:00 – 22:00

* Note: The closing schedules of Lotte Mart locations in Seoul vary, so always check the operating hours on Naver before visiting. The same applies to Shinsegae, Hyundai, Emart, Olive Young, and Homeplus.

Plan Your Trip Around Opening Hours With KTP

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Korea Travel Guide 🇰🇷 (@ivisitkorea)

The easiest way to avoid a closed gate is to plan with the days of the week in mind. IVisitKorea’s free Korea Trip Planner (KTP) builds a day-by-day itinerary around your travel dates. You only need to input the city you want to explore, travel dates, travel style, the size of your group, your pace, and budget level. The KTP will then create a personalized plan based on the data you input.

KTP’s attraction database records each attraction’s regular opening hours, its last admission time where one applies, whether booking ahead is needed, and the season dates for seasonal sights. Your travel dates tell KTP which day of the week each day of your trip falls on, so KTP places an attraction only on days it is open. A museum that closes on Mondays will not appear on your Monday itinerary. Or, your Tuesday itinerary will not have Gyeongbokgung Palace, since it is closed on that specific day. For seasonal sights such as cherry blossoms or fall foliage, KTP suggests them only when your dates fall in season.

✨ Recommended Itineraries to explore on KTP:

Even if you don’t know which attraction is open on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, or public holidays, KTP will consider closure dates and create an itinerary recommending alternative activities. So, build your Korea Itinerary with Korea Trip Planner before planning your trip.

FAQ

Also Read:

• Korean DMZ (Demilitarized Zone): The Ultimate Guide
• Chuseok in Korea: Dates, What to Do, What’s Open & Travel Tips