Visit Seoul, the capital of South Korea and explore its many neighborhoods. Find out about things to do and the must-see spots on your Seoul trip.
The things to do in Seoul are ordered based on location and follow the Seoul 7 days itinerary I did on my first visit to Seoul. This list is perfect for first-time visitors because it contains all the must-see places.Â
For second or third time visitors to Seoul: check out the four bonus days in my Seoul 7 days itinerary to read more about Gangdong, Hanam, Pyeongchang, Buam​, Eunpyeong, Goyang​, Seochon Hanok Village and Seosomun Shrine History Museum.
Practical information
When to visit Seoul
A visit to Seoul is possible year-round, though you might want to avoid the hot summer. Keep in mind that many places like museums are closed on Mondays and/or Tuesdays. Avoid public holidays unless you specifically want to join in the celebrations.Â
My first time in Seoul was over Christmas, visiting concerts, Sinchon Christmas Market and watching the big lit tree in front of City Hall.
Transport and navigation
Where to stay in Seoul
Seoul has many hotels. You can stay in any of the neighborhoods and explore the city from there. When depending on public transport I always look for hotels situated near important subway stations or bus hubs so I can explore the whole city with ease.
For first time visitors, I recommend staying near City Hall, as it has two important subway lines nearby and Seoul Train Station is within walking distance. At night you can explore the vibrant area of Myeongdong for entertainment.
My recommendation is Travelodge Myeongdong City Hall: a very good location near City Hall, not expensive and clean and big enough rooms. There is a spa in the hotel, but it is for men only. I stayed in this hotel for one week over Christmas and I would stay here again if I was looking for a hotel near City Hall.
For my second visit, I stayed in Gangnam to experience another neighborhood. I chose to stay in Gangnam this time because it is in the southeastern part of the city and I wanted to drive east after picking up my rental car. Plus I was looking for a hotel within walking distance from one of the car rental offices for easy pick-up.
If you want to stay in Gangnam I recommend Best Western Premier Hotel Gangnam. It is at a walking distance from two useful subway lines connecting you to the northern part of the city: Sinnonhyeon subway station (also a very useful bus hub) and Gangnam subway station, which makes it a very good starting location for exploring the city. The hotel service is good, the rooms are big enough and affordable.
What to read when visiting Seoul
Find out about the best Korean books to read before your visit to South Korea.
Things to do in Seoul
Below I’ve listed the must-see places in Seoul combined with some of my favorites during my visits to Seoul. Check out my Seoul 7 days itinerary for a good way to visit all the highlights in a week.
Please always check official sources for up-to-date opening hours.
In this map of Seoul you can find all the locations.
Shopping in Myeongdong
Myeongdong is a very popular shopping destination for cosmetics and clothes. This area is busy all day but really comes to life at night. Make sure to visit the street food stalls (at night) to try some South Korean snacks like tteokbokki (spicy rice cake) and Pancakes filled with sweet rice.
Lotte Department store
One of the most well-known department stores in Seoul with many luxury stores and a food market. It is one of those you-just-have-to-visit places in Seoul, but not necessarily the most interesting mall. At night the building is illuminated, so make sure to look at it while you enjoy Myeongdong’s streetfood at Myeongdong-gil (where it meets Namdaemun-ro).Â
Opening hours: weekdays 10:30-20:00; weekends & public holidays 10:30-20:30
Lotte Outlet and Lotte Mart
Near Seoul train station there is a big Lotte Outlet store offering huge discounts on clothes from many brands.Â
Also nearby is a big supermarket that sells all your favorite Korean food and snacks. The mart is a very good place to visit before going home if you’re interested in Korean food souvenirs.
Seoul Station pedestrian overpass
Seoul train station is a beautiful building on its own. Follow the pedestrian overpass, decorated with plants and seating areas for a good view of Seoul Station and a nice, relaxing walk.
Shinsegae Department store
This is another well-known department store with a beautiful light show at night (especially around Christmas). I spent more than ten minutes watching it from various sides.
Regular opening hours: 10:30-20:00; extended hours: 10:30-20:30.
Outside view of the Bank of Korea
The Bank of Korea (opposite of Shinsegae) is also an interesting building to see; its ‘western’ architecture not quite matching the modern buildings surrounding it.
Seoul Namsan Tower
When it gets dark, take the cable car up to Namsan Tower for a beautiful view of the city. If you are traveling with someone you love you can add your own love lock to the fence surrounding the tower area. This is also fun if it’s just you. Coming from Myeongdong, the start of the cable car is within walking distance.
Opening hours: 10:00 – 23:00.
King Sejong Statue
On the road between City Hall and Gyeongbokgung Palace you can see the statue of King Sejong, the inventor of South Korean’s Hangul script.
Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace
Admire the view of the old palace, one of the most important palaces of the Joseon dynasty, and take a walk on the palace grounds. Keep walking until you reach the far end of the palace grounds. You will find yourself alone with ample photo opportunities.
The hall in the picture above is used in many Korean TV dramas and movies.
Opening hours: 9:00 – 18:00; closed on Tuesdays.
Blue House
The Blue House, the official residence of the president of South Korea, is just north of Gyeongbokgung Palace. You can combine the two spots by taking the North exit of the palace grounds (and go back inside after).Â
Bukchon Hanok village
Wander around the small streets with traditional houses and visit a tea house for a traditional tea with snacks to show off your tea-making skills.Â
Walk east from Gyeongbokgung Palace to get to Bukchon Hanok Village.
Opening hours: the neighborhood is open all day, but try to plan your visit before 5 pm as to not disturb the locals.
Traditional tea house
Or drink one of the fruit and herbal based tea with rice cake snacks (no tea-making skills required).
Insadong
Visit the craft stores and Ssamziegil mall. If you’re up for some more tea you can go to O’sulloc: a modern tea house.
Temple food
Try a buddhist meal in one of the many restaurants in Insadong. I went to Balwoo Gongyang and enjoyed the multi-course meal very much. Sanchon is also a good option.
If you go to Balwoo Gongyang, then the temple across the street is also worth a visit.
Cheonggyecheon stream
Cheonggyecheon stream is a very popular place for a stroll among Koreans. Many TV drama scenes were filmed here as well. This picture was taken at Christmas.
Kyobo Gwanghwamun Bookstore
Huge book store with many books and a cafe inside. Highly recommended if you love reading. They also sell many English translations of Korean books.
Opening hours: 9:30 – 22:30.
Noryangjin fish market
Buy the fish you want to eat for breakfast and head to one of the restaurants with your bought fish to have it prepared for you. You can choose to visit the old or the new market (or both), easily distinguishable by the modernness of the building.
Opening hours: all day.
Samsung D’light
Do the interactive tour to admire Samsung’s innovations. If you’re a fan of Samsung, but also if you’re not, it is very interesting to see their take on smart homes and the future. I really enjoyed this one.
Opening hours: 10:00 – 19:00; closed on Sundays.
Apgujeong-ro and K-Star Road
Apgujeong-ro is well known for its many luxury stores. You can find the most famous luxury brands here. One part of this street is also known as K-Star Road: along the pavement, you can see GangnamDols of many popular K-Pop bands. Can you spot your favorite among them?
Where: Area between Apgujeong subway station and 139-10 Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul for K-Star Road.
Garosu-gil
Garosu-gil is a shopping street in Gangnam, known as the ‘tree-lined street’. I see it recommended everywhere, that’s why I included it here, but I didn’t find it all that interesting and it mainly seems popular among tourists. When I went there in winter, with the trees bearing no leaves, it looked like a very ordinary street and I didn’t find it much more interesting when I went back in spring. I did have tea with cake twice at Eight Seconds, so if you do visit Garosu-gil, do stop by that cafe.
Eat or have a drink in Yeoksam-dong
A much less touristy place than Garosu-gil and my favorite restaurant and cafe area in Gangnam. Head over to Bongeunsa-ro 2 gil (and other streets nearby) in Yeoksam-dong for a drink or a meal. If you visit during popular dinner times you can see people queuing outside in front of their favorite restaurants.
Cosmetics sampling
Try out the cosmetics using modern technology in the cosmetic stores in Gangnam-daero (parallel to Bongeunsa-ro 2 gil).
Shopping at COEX Mall
Go shopping at Gangnam’s COEX Mall. In the middle of the mall, you can find a beautiful bookstore.
Gwangjang market
Eat Korean breakfast at Gwangjang market. Try their mung bean pancakes, chicken legs and other food that catches your eye.
Dongdaemun Gate and Wall
Take pictures of the gate with modern buildings in its vicinity and walk along the eastern wall to enjoy a nice view of the city.
Doota shopping mall
Many boutiques with affordable clothes from starting fashion designers; definitely worth a visit.
Migliore
Another shopping mall offering a nice view of Dongdaemun Design Plaza. In the picture, you can see the illuminated flower field next to Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
Opening hours: 10:30 – 4:30; closed on Mondays.
Dongdaemun Design Plaza
The Doota and Migliore malls are right next to Dongdaemun Design Plaza. From the higher floors of Migliore mall, you have a nice view of the plaza. It is very interesting to watch this beautiful building both during the day and the night when the flower field and malls are illuminated. Also, make sure to explore the inside of the Design Plaza; depending on when you visit there might be an interesting exhibition inside.
Restaurant recommendation: Bukchon Sonmandoo: their (fried) dumplings are delicious.
Opening hours: 10:30 – 6:00.
Namdaemun Market and Namdaemun Gate
Large indoor and outdoor market with shops selling various goods near the old Southern Gate of the city. A good place to go for snacks and cheap souvenirs.
Walk by Namdaemun Gate at night when it’s illuminated to see the lights of cars rushing by play with the old structure.
Namdaemun market is closed on Sundays.
Ewha Womans University
Even though it’s named after women, nowadays men are welcome too. The campus grounds contain both older ‘western’-looking buildings and newer buildings. Especially the path towards the campus, going partly below ground, is beautiful to look at. In the area around Ewha University, you can find many shops and restaurants.
Yonsei University
Yonsei University is one of the SKY Universities which makes it one of the most prestigious in the country. Wander around the campus grounds to admire the buildings and if you’re lucky, visit a concert at their concert hall.
Shopping near Sinchon subway station
Modern shopping area attracting lots of young people. If you happen to be there around Christmas, this area will have turned into a Christmas market with live music.
Itaewon
Visit Itaewon in the evening to explore this expat neighborhood with many foreign restaurants (and foreigners).
Visit a concert
Every year there are many concerts in Seoul. Especially around Christmas and New Year, the offer is amazing. Christmas 2017 I went to the concerts of Jaurim and Roy Kim and if I wanted I could have visited a different concert every day of my stay.
You can look for concerts on Interpark. Buying tickets is very easy and only requires a credit card. You then bring the ticket to the venue right before the concert and go to the desk saying ‘Interpark’ (not necessarily the ticket office; the desk could be in front of the hall). If you can’t read Korean, just ask anyone for Interpark and they’ll point you to the right person.
Tickets for the Christmas period only came available early November, so you might not see all concerts up to two months before you’re going on holiday. For some concerts, tickets aren’t sold via Interpark.
Read more about buying concert tickets in Seoul.
Hike Bukhansan
Go hiking in Bukhansan National Park, the highest mountain within Seoul. It borders the northern part of the city and is visible from many of its neighborhoods.
Day trips from Seoul
When you’ve seen all the above or are looking to venture outside of Seoul, there are many places you can visit close to Seoul.
Garden of Morning Calm
A beautifully designed garden and a short day trip from Seoul. You can see blooming flowers in spring or summer, autumn leaves in fall or snow landscape in winter. If you’re visiting in winter it’s worth going there at night as the whole garden will be illuminated and look like a winter wonderland.
Tip: combine your visit to the Garden of Morning Calm with Nami Island and Petite France. You can book an arranged tour via Klook.com.
Nami Island and Petite France
Take a stroll along the tree-lined boulevard on Nami Island, famous from the Korean TV Drama Winter Sonata. Nearby you can also visit Petite France, which has been used as a film set for many tv shows as well (example: My Love from Another Star).
Tip: combine your visit to Nami Island and Petite France with the Garden of Morning Calm. You can book an arranged tour via Klook.com.
Visit Suwon
The city of Suwon is best known for Suwon Hwaseong Fortress. A good start would be to head to Janganmun Gate and follow the trail south along the wall admiring the reconstructed historical buildings until you get to Seojangdae Commanding Post.
Leave the fortress in the south and head east to Padalmun gate, one of the four big gates of Suwon Hwaseong. The area around the gate and Yeongdong Market is ideal to buy some snacks or lunch during a day full of history.
Follow Haenggung-ro to visit Hwaseong Haenggung, a temporary palace where the royal family retreated to during a war. In Haenggung-ro you can see many interesting shops and mural art. This is also the street the dressed-up royal guards with musical instruments take from the palace.
Your next stop is Haenggung-dong Mural Village. There are only a few streets, but the painting on the walls is really impressive. End your historical tour in Suwon with a look at Banghwasuryujeong Pavilion.
If you have time for diner, I recommend heading to Hyanggyo-ro near Suwon train and subway station. There are many fun places to eat here and this area really comes to life at night.
Trip to DMZ
Visit the demilitarized zone that separates South Korea from North Korea on a day trip from Seoul. It is a nice trip if you want to see the spot you see in news reports. If you have a car it might be more interesting to visit north Ganghwa-do or Eulji Observatory above Yanggu or go to the border from Sokcho (Goseong) to experience a less touristy version of the DMZ.
You can choose to join one of the tours offered by Klook.com to make sure you don’t miss out on the best sites.
Lotte World
If you’re looking for some entertainment, go to Lotte World theme park filled with rides, parades and many other things to do.
Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 9:30 – 22:00; Friday – Sunday: 9:30 – 23:00.
Everland
Everland is South Korea’s largest theme park and even has a zoo and water park. Enjoy the rides, the parks and other entertainment like a firework show.
Opening hours: 10:00 – 22:00
Namhansanseong Fortress
Visit this historic mountain fortress just south of Seoul. In the past, this fortress was often used as a command post or emergency capital because of its defendable location. Namhansanseong is on UNESCO’s World Heritage list.
Visit Chuncheon
If you want to eat some Dakgalbi, then go to Myeongdong street in Chuncheon. You can easily combine a visit to Chuncheon with the Garden of Morning Calm and Petite France or Nami Island. If you have a car, Gubongsan Mountain Observatory is also worth a visit to enjoy the view of Chuncheon.
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