Introduction
If you are planning a trip to Seoul, there is one question you will inevitably ask: "Is the Discover Seoul Pass (DSP) really worth the money?" With so many options ranging from the 72-hour pass to the recently popular "Pick 3 Pass," choosing can be overwhelming. As a Seoul local, I’ve seen many travelers rushing from one place to another just to break even. However, the secret to mastering this pass isn't visiting every single location—it's about strategically selecting the key attractions within each group.
If you want to learn more about the Discover Seoul Pass in general, I recommend reading the following post first: [Introduction to Discover Seoul Pass]
In this post, I will provide brief introductions to 10 out of the 38 attractions in Group C, including the latest 2026 pricing and my personal recommendations to make your Seoul trip even more perfect.
[To see the introduction for Discover Seoul Pass Group A, read this post]
[To see the introduction for Discover Seoul Pass Group B, read this post]
1. Gahoe Museum
The Gahoe Museum is a specialized folk painting museum established to research, exhibit, and preserve the identity and uniqueness of traditional culture through folk paintings and amulets collected personally by the director. Starting with a special exhibition in 2002, it has showcased various Joseon-era folk paintings, amulets, and shamanic paintings. It also hosts special exhibitions for contemporary folk artists to promote the excellence and artistic value of our traditional and modern folk art. Some special invitational exhibitions are also held at the Insa Art Center in Insadong, Seoul.
The DSP includes one adult admission ticket and a lotus-patterned coaster craft experience program.
- Closed: Every Monday
- Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Last admission 5:20 PM / Experience program 5:00 PM)
- Standard Adult Admission: 5,000 KRW
- Program Participation Fee: 10,000 KRW
2. Gangneung Royal Tomb
Gangneung is the dual royal tomb of King Myeongjong (the 13th monarch of the Joseon Dynasty) and Queen Insun. To the west of Gangneung lies Taereung, the tomb of Queen Munjeong (King Myeongjong's mother). Together, the area is called Taegangneung and is designated as a historic site. In 1966, the Taereung Training Center (for national athletes) was built between the two tombs, occupying much of the area. However, since being designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2009, the training center was relocated, and the tomb area is being restored. Taereung and Gangneung are connected, so you can visit both with a single ticket.
The DSP includes one adult admission ticket.
- Closed: Every Monday
- Hours: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Last admission 5:00 PM)
- Standard Admission: 1,000 KRW
3. Gyeomjae Jeong Seon Art Museum
The Gyeomjae Jeong Seon Art Museum is a district-run museum established by Gangseo-gu, Seoul. It collects, preserves, exhibits, and researches the authentic original works of Gyeomjae Jeong Seon, a late Joseon Dynasty painter, for public viewing. Gyeomjae Jeong Seon is an extremely significant figure in Korean art history. Before him, landscape paintings followed idealized Chinese scenery, but Jeong Seon traveled directly to mountains and rivers to capture real Korean landscapes on canvas. In particular, his "True-view Landscape Painting" (Jingyeong Sansuhwa) is highly valued for realistically documenting the Korean Peninsula's terrain during the Joseon era. The museum is not large but offers a neat and quiet atmosphere.
The DSP includes one adult admission ticket.
- Closed: Every Monday
- Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Last admission 4:00 PM)
- Standard Admission: 1,000 KRW (Early Bird 1,000 KRW)
4. Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace was the main legal palace of the Joseon Dynasty and the center of Hanyang (the capital). It was arranged across a wide terrain with Mt. Bukak as its backdrop, featuring the grand Yukjo-geori (Street of Six Ministries) in front of Gwanghwamun, the main gate. Built in 1392, it was destroyed 200 years later during the Imjin War (Japanese invasion) in 1592 and rebuilt in 1867. After the Japanese occupation in 1910, it was systematically damaged, and the Japanese General-Government Building was constructed inside to block the view. Following liberation in 1945, restoration work began in 1990 and continues today. Notably, a recent BTS comeback performance started at Geunjeongjeon Hall and moved toward Gwanghwamun, receiving praise for harmonizing tradition with the present. It has also long been a trend to rent a Hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) from nearby shops and take photos within the beautiful palace grounds.
The DSP includes one adult admission ticket.
- Closed: January 1st, Lunar New Year's Day, Chuseok Day
- Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Note: Night viewing is free on Wednesdays and Saturdays)
- Standard Admission: 3,000 KRW (Note: Visitors wearing Hanbok enter for free.)
5. National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) Seoul
The MMCA is Korea's representative national art museum under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. It collects, preserves, and researches modern art on a national level. Currently, the Seoul branch is hosting the controversial Damien Hirst exhibition (until June 28, 2026), the MMCA collection "Highlights of Korean Modern Art" (until May 31, 2026), and "Poetics of Erasure" (until May 3, 2026). Notably, it offers an English "Journey Tour" program—a 30-minute session where you view major works with a guide and engage in conversation. This takes place every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM.
The DSP includes one adult integrated viewing pass.
- Closed: Every Monday
- Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Open until 9:00 PM on Wednesdays and Saturdays for night viewing)
- Standard Admission: Prices vary by exhibition, but the integrated pass provided by DSP is valued at 10,000 KRW.
6. Deoksugung Palace
Deoksugung Palace served briefly as the imperial palace of the Korean Empire between the Joseon Dynasty and modern Korea. It was originally built much earlier as a private residence for Grand Prince Wolsan, the older brother of King Seongjong. After all palaces were destroyed during the 1592 Imjin War, it was used as a temporary palace. In 1611, it became an official palace named Gyeongungung, but it returned to being an auxiliary palace once Changdeokgung was built. In 1897, it became an imperial palace again when the Korean Empire was proclaimed. However, following the Japanese invasion, the Emperor was forced to abdicate, and the name was changed to Deoksugung. It is the only Joseon-era palace that harmonizes Western-style buildings with traditional architecture. Because of this, it feels familiar to Western visitors, and its well-maintained landscaping makes it a popular stroll for local office workers after lunch.
The DSP includes one adult admission ticket.
- Closed: Every Monday (If Monday is a holiday, it closes the following day)
- Hours: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Last admission 8:00 PM)
- Standard Admission: 1,000 KRW
7. Seoul Bike (Ttareungyi)
Ttareungyi is the name of the public bike-sharing system operated by the Seoul Government. With dense stations located throughout the city, it is a beloved "last-mile" transportation method for Seoulites, allowing users to rent and return bikes at any station. You can enjoy the night view of the Han River via well-built bike paths or use them to move between nearby attractions downtown. Interestingly, because foreign credit cards often encounter errors on the Ttareungyi app, some travelers suggest using the DSP to register for a pass. However, as a Seoulite, I absolutely do not recommend this. To find out why, I suggest reading my post about Ttareungyi.
[How Foreigners Can Use Seoul’s Public Bike Ttareungyi]
The DSP includes a 24-hour pass.
- Operating Hours: 24/7, year-round
- Standard 24-Hour Pass: 5,000 KRW
8. Mokdong Ice Rink
Mokdong Ice Rink is a hub for Seoul's physical education, filled with the sweat of numerous Korean skaters and precious memories of citizens. Opened in 1989, it serves as a training ground for promising young skaters. It is divided into an above-ground rink and an underground rink. The above-ground rink is an international ice hockey standard rink equipped with safety fences.
The DSP includes an admission ticket for the above-ground rink and the rental fee for skates and a helmet.
- Closed: Lunar New Year's Day and Chuseok Day
- Hours: Mon-Fri 2:10 PM – 6:00 PM / Sat, Sun, Holidays 12:10 PM – 6:00 PM
- Standard Admission: 4,000 KRW (Mon-Fri) / 5,200 KRW (Sat, Sun, Holidays)
- Skate Rental: 4,000 KRW (for 2 hours) / 1,000 KRW per additional hour
9. Museum Kimchikan
Museum Kimchikan is Korea's first kimchi museum. It gained international fame after Health magazine named kimchi one of the world's top five healthiest foods in 2006, and BBC/CNN introduced the museum. It became a popular destination after Kimjang (the culture of making kimchi) was designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and CNN named it one of the world's top 11 food museums. The museum is very accessible for foreigners, providing QR-based English audio guides (bring your own earphones). While they offer a free "Foreigner Kimchi School" program, it is unfortunately only for groups of 16 or more. Individuals can apply for paid programs, which take place Tue-Fri at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. The 1-hour course costs 40,000 KRW for adults.
The DSP includes one adult admission ticket.
- Closed: Every Monday, Jan 1st, Lunar New Year (3 days), Chuseok (3 days), Dec 25th
- Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Last admission 5:30 PM)
- Standard Admission: 5,000 KRW
10. Bukchon Museum
Bukchon Museum is a space that sheds light on "Korean traditional culture as a holistic aura of life" through exhibitions of antiques and modern art/crafts that re-interpret traditional values. Located in Bukchon, a popular tourist spot, it was built on the former site of Son Byeong-hui, a leader of Cheondoism and an independence activist. Though not large, you can see antiques and contemporary crafts. It also features paintings such as landscape art, the ten symbols of longevity, and Mureungdowon (peach blossom spring). Its small scale makes it perfect for a quick visit, and the display of traditional furniture creates a serene atmosphere.
The DSP includes one adult admission ticket.
- Closed: Every Sunday and Monday
- Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Standard Admission: 3,000 KRW
11. Personal Expert Recommendations
Honestly, I believe the controversy regarding the validity of the Discover Seoul Pass stems from this Group C.
- I strongly recommend visiting at least one of Seoul’s five major palaces. However, do I recommend using a DSP pass for them? Not really. As mentioned, Gyeongbokgung is free if you wear a Hanbok, and admission for other palaces is only between 1,000 and 3,000 KRW. It is better to pay the small fee or get free entry rather than "wasting" a pass slot.
- I also do not recommend using it for the Seoul Bike (Ttareungyi). In terms of weight and performance, you don't really need to use it all day. Furthermore, stations near major tourist spots are often completely empty because other users have already taken the bikes. Although the city employs staff to redistribute them, it's often not enough to keep up with demand.
- Mokdong Ice Rink is quite far from central Seoul, so I don't recommend it for typical tourists.
- If you are an art lover, MMCA is worth visiting, but if you are visiting Seoul for a limited time specifically to enjoy uniquely Korean things, it might not be the best use of your time.
- I do recommend Museum Kimchikan. Even though kimchi is famous, many foreigners have still never experienced it. I am confident that seeing or experiencing the manufacturing and fermentation process will give you a newfound appreciation for kimchi.
- As for the other museums and galleries, I don't particularly recommend them considering their scale and the size of their exhibitions.
Image Source: Respective institutional websites, Seoul Tourism Organization Archive