Nam-Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul Museum of Art

Sports facility · Nakseongdae Stn. (Line 2)

Public indoor pool in Gwanak-gu. Six-lane adult pool and a two-lane toddler pool. Open swim is 3,410 won per session. Open swim time slots change monthly, so check before you go.

Park · Nakseongdae Stn. (Line 2)

A park on the birthplace of General Gang Gam-chan. Pair the blue-tiled Anguksa shrine with the free exhibition hall.

Museum · Nakseongdae Stn. (Line 2)

A free science center next to Nakseongdae. With an astronomical observatory and an ecology greenhouse, it fills half a day with kids.

Library · Seoul Nat'l Univ. Stn. (Line 2)

Public library in Gwanak-gu. Free entry and reading, with heating and air conditioning.

Art gallery · Seoul Nat'l Univ. Stn. (Line 2) + bus

Contemporary art for free in a cantilevered building designed by Rem Koolhaas. Combine it with a campus stroll.

Museum · Gwanaksan Stn. (Sillim Line)

Excavated artefacts from major sites including Jeongok-ri in Yeoncheon, Osan-ri in Yangyang, Heunam-ri in Yeoju, the Goguryeo fortresses around Achasan, and the Seokchon-dong Tombs and Mongchontoseong Fortress in Seoul, along with the Geunyeokhwahwi albums compiled by Oh Se-chang.

Jongno-gu · Anguk Stn. (Line 3) Exit 1

Samcheong-dong's flagship contemporary art museum. Time your visit for Culture Day or Wednesday and Saturday evenings and it's free.

Jung-gu · City Hall Stn. (Lines 1, 2)

A municipal art museum preserving the facade of the old Supreme Court. On the Deoksugung stone wall walking route, with free permanent exhibitions.

Yongsan-gu · Hangangjin Stn. (Line 6) Exit 1

The Samsung Foundation of Culture's flagship museum. The best tip: see the traditional art permanent collection, full of national treasures, for free.

Gangdong-gu · Godeok Stn. (Line 5)

A multipurpose cultural venue inside Myeongil Neighbourhood Park. Combine free gallery shows with outdoor festivals.

Jongno-gu · Dongmyo Stn. (Lines 1, 6)

The site of the Changsin-dong house where Nam June Paik lived from 1937 to 1950. A hanok built in 1960 was renovated and opened in 2017, with the permanent exhibition Megatron Rhapsody free to view.