Discover the best places to visit in Seoul, South Korea, a cosmopolitan city bubbling with history, culture, and design that runs as far as the eye can see.
This metropolis features pockets of historical hanok architecture set alongside glassy skyscrapers, thriving shopping streets, green spaces, and arty neighborhoods all coexisting together in a dynamic urban landscape.
If you love tasty street eats, K-pop music, and Korean culture in general, plus the energy of a vibrant Asian megalopolis, the South Korean capital, with all of its fizz and charm will keep you entertained morning, noon, and night, whatever you choose to do.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace
No trip to Seoul is complete without a visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the most impressive of the Five Royal Palaces built during Korea’s Joseon Dynasty, between 1392 and 1910. Evocative of China’s Forbidden City, it’s a wonderful place to drop by to acquaint yourself with Korea’s royal past.
This immense compound is a superb example of traditional Joseon architecture. Rebuilt after a fire destroyed the original structures in the late 1500s, today the palace will provide you with insight into life back when the royal class still dominated the Korean political scene.
The palace’s changing of the guard, with colorful flags and costumes, held at 11 am and 2 pm daily, save for days with inclement weather and Tuesdays, is a must-see during your visit.
Gyeonghoeru Pavilion
Another highlight is the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, with its graceful curved roof and scenic pond, making it the perfect spot for photos.
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Namsan Seoul Tower
Namsan Seoul Tower
If lofty vantage points excite you, then you don’t want to miss out on Namsan Seoul Tower, on on Namsan Mountain. This iconic tower, which can be reached by the Namsan cable car, will offer you one of the highest views in the entire city.
Come day or night, Namsan Seoul Tower, also known as N Seoul Tower, will provide you with breathtaking panoramas of Seoul. You’ll also find a French restaurant, plus a wishing pond at the tower, should you need more to do apart from taking in the spectacular views.
Itaewon Neighborhood
Itaewon
Itaewon, perhaps Seoul’s most international and eclectic neighborhood, is the place to go with its mélange of Asian, Western, and global influences.
There’s a cornucopia of restaurants here dishing out all kinds of international cuisine. With its bustling street vibe, Itaewon always has something to keep street-food enthusiasts happy.
Tteokbokki
When hunger strikes, try the spicy tteokbokki soft rice cakes, the kimbap rice and seaweed rolls, or the odeng fish cakes, just to mention a few nibbles that satisfy.
During daylight hours, you can shop in trendy boutiques or pick up fun souvenirs. The area, which used to host a US military base, is a multicultural entertainment hub, with thousands of foreigners and Koreans coming here every day to live, work, and play late into the night.
Seoullo 7017
Seoullo 7017
Seoullo 7017, or the Seoul Skygarden, is a raised, pedestrian-friendly park that has become a fun spot to take an elevated stroll through the city, making it one of the best places to visit in Seoul.
This narrow walkway, which used to be an old overpass, has now been redeveloped for leisure use. It features an urban garden filled with trees, art, and benches “organically” sprouting from the artificial surface. Thousands of plants have been added to create a green lung in the heart of the city.
At 3,225 feet long, the Skygarden is a pleasant place to stroll and look at city life teeming below.
Hongdae
Hongdae
Hongdae, close to Hongik University, is the place to go in Seoul for a generous dose of creativity and youthful energy, as this university district pulsates with street performances, live music, indie art, K-pop dance troupes, and more. It’s next to impossible to be bored here.
During the day, you can alternate between quirky shops and art galleries, then relax in a cozy café. On the weekends, the Hongdae Free Market showcases some of the best handmade art the youth of Korea are producing today.
If you want to shop for cool souvenirs, stop for a bite to eat, and experience Korea’s vibrant youth culture, plus some of the quirkiest boutiques in Seoul, Hongdae is the place to be.
Bukchon Hanok Village
Bukchon Hanok Village
Visiting Bukchon Hanok Village is one of the best things to do in Seoul, thanks to its exquisite traditional architecture, along with its soothing ambiance.
The old hanok houses here, with their tiled, sloped rooftops and overhanging eaves, sit snugly inside winding, narrow walkways or alleys filled with small trees.
You can enjoy a serene reprieve from chaotic urban life by simply ambling along Bukchon’s picturesque gils, as the alleys are called, which feature tea houses, quaint cafés, and culture centers sprinkled about.
The village also offers panoramas of the city to the south, plus silhouettes of the mountains on the horizon. It’s a tiny oasis in the midst of the busy urban area.
Seoul Forest Park
Seoul Forest Park
One of the best places to visit in Seoul for nature lovers is Seoul Forest Park. This green space, on the northern bank of the Han River, is a laid-back oasis with a deer park, a butterfly conservatory, and an insect garden. The footpaths are lined with cherry trees and the flower beds are full of tulips, should you arrive in the spring.
The walking and biking paths will let you better explore Seoul Forest Park, including the scenic ginkgo tree forest, which, come autumn, puts on a magnificent display of yellow leaves. You can rent bicycles at some of the park’s entrances.
You’ll come across a variety of cultural events, art installations, and concerts here too, making Seoul Forest Park a riverside destination rich in both culture and nature.
Myeongdong Shopping Street
Myeongdong Shopping Street
If you’re looking for a shopping experience par excellence, there’s no better place to head to than Myeongdong Shopping Street, located in the central Jung-gu district, making this stop an absolute bucket list addition for diehard shopaholics.
Once you arrive, you can browse, and of course purchase, the latest fashion collections ranging from high-end fashion labels and luxury brands to more inexpensive clothing and beauty products.
Myeongdong Shopping Street
You’ll also be treated to all kinds of nibbles on the streetside while you shop. You can indulge in mouth-watering Korean snacks like tteokbokki, sweet hotteok pancakes, yakisoba noodles, fried chicken, grilled cheese lobster, and more.
The War Memorial of Korea
The War Memorial of Korea
Learn about Korea’s many wars and conflicts over the centuries at the War Memorial of Korea, which highlights how difficult the foundation of this modern nation has been, along with all of the obstacles the South Koreans had to overcome.
The museum, with its vast array of archives, presents a comprehensive account of Korea’s martial history, from ancient warfare to modern military equipment.
You’ll find an assortment of weapons, war-inspired art, and military exhibits here, located inside and outdoors in different exposition halls and spaces. Some other things you will come across include airplanes, helicopters, tanks, and conflict-themed sculptures.
If you’re interested in military history and war across the ages on the Korean Peninsula, the War Memorial of Korea numbers among the best places in Seoul to spend an afternoon.
Dongdaemun Design Plaza
Dongdaemun Design Plaza
Dongdaemun Design Plaza, or DDP, is a futuristic landmark that rests at the center of Seoul’s booming design scene.
Built by the British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, the DDP features an organic-modernist aesthetic that showcases a fluid, curvilinear design approach. The interiors of the DDP offer expansive spaces that host stylish cultural events and fashion shows, which often turn this site into a sea of color, buzzing with activity.
If you’re a fan of cutting-edge architecture, you’ll want to check out the aluminum-panel-covered Dongdaemun Design Plaza to appreciate its creative, awe-inspiring silhouette.
The Han River
Han River
Book a Han River cruise to see some of this city’s most iconic landmarks from the water. One of the main terminals for daytime cruises is located on Yeouido Island, on the southern bank of the river.
Some of the sights you’ll see from the water include the N Seoul Tower, the 63 Building, the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain, Hangang Park, Jamsil Olympic Stadium, different skyscrapers on Yeouido Island, which is Seoul’s financial district, and Dongjak Bridge, to name a few.
You will also get live commentary on the city’s history and culture during your trip, making a Han River cruise a good way to see a large swathe of the city, especially if you’re short on time.
Changdeokgung Secret Garden
Changdeokgung Palace
Enjoy the quiet of Changdeokgung Secret Garden. The garden, part of Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a forested retreat that will place you in the middle of a Joseon Dynasty sanctuary once reserved for royal elites.
The garden’s ponds, pavilions, trees, flowing water, and manicured greenery create a serene space that’s both elegant and beautiful.
Each season paints a new note across Changdeokgung’s palette of colors, from spring’s colorful cherry blossoms to summer’s lush flora to autumn’s splendid canopy of orange, yellow, and green foliage.
Changdeokgung Secret Garden
If you look beyond the curated gardens, the Secret Garden will also offer you a chance to delve into the pages of Korean history. Guided tours will teach you more about this sublime garden and the royal palace, with its traditional Korean architecture melding into the surrounding nature.
Bongeunsa Temple
Bongeunsa Temple
As you walk through the prayer gardens of Bongeunsa Temple in the center of Gangnam, you will be transported away from the noise of the city to a place of contemplation.
Bongeunsa, established in 794, is one of Korea’s most famous Buddhist temples, and one of the best places to visit in Seoul. This site features an incredible series of Buddhist halls, along with a towering statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha, and a world-class Da-Seon tea ceremony, which also serves as a method of meditation.
The temple’s calming atmosphere, and focus on Zen, or “Seon” in Korean culture is ideal for anyone looking for spiritual enlightenment, or at the very least a free meditation class, creating a welcoming oasis for the mind and body in the heart of Seoul.
National Museum of Korea
National Museum of Korea
The National Museum of Korea is one of the city’s most important cultural landmarks. Visit this gorgeous building and explore Korean art, culture, and heritage as it has evolved through the ages.
Inside the museum, you’ll find exhibits of prehistoric pottery, intricate Buddhist artwork, scrolls of calligraphy, plus artifacts tracing the nation’s history across the millennia.
The pottery and history exhibits are stunning, as is the building itself. It was designed in an expansive, blockish style, with a large, illuminated open entrance space, giving this enormous edifice a bit of contemporary flair.
As the museum is set in a picturesque parkland with well-manicured gardens and a pretty pond, right next to the Han River, make sure you stroll around the grounds after your visit, giving you time to reflect on all of the art and history you witnessed inside.
Insa-dong
Shop in Insa-dong
Head to Insa-dong in central Seoul to discover one of the city’s most culturally diverse areas, which juxtaposes the old with the new in an exciting way.
Insa-dong is packed with specialty shops, galleries, and street food, blending traditional Korean crafts, antiques, flavorsome snacks, and teahouses into a distinctive whole.
You’ll find stores selling traditional Korean wares, along with pottery and tailored hanbok, or traditional costumes. Inside some of the local galleries, you can shop for creative art pieces and fun souvenirs, too.
If you’re looking for a hefty helping of Korean culture, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Insa-dong, a district full of cafés, tea houses, chic boutiques, plus street food cafés dishing out treats like banana pancakes and corn dogs on a stick.
Seoul
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