Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, is one of Asia’s coolest cities to explore. It’s so much fun to visit, especially as it’s got a proper, amazing mix of old and new that is amazing to see. Not only that, Seoul is safe, easy to travel around, and so welcoming! Oh, and that’s without even remembering the delicious South Korean food and the best things to do in Seoul that are dotted all across the city’s amazing neighbourhoods.
Before visiting Seoul, I (like a lot of travellers out there) had this preconceived notion of Seoul being this shiny city, almost clinical, if you will. And, whilst that is true in some parts, Seoul is so much more than skyscrapers and chic spots. It has so much going on!
Seoul has a huge amount of history, temples and sites that you can’t miss. We loved visiting them all on our trip to Seoul, and this is the reason why I wanted to share some of the best things to do in Seoul on your next trip. It doesn’t matter if it’s a short hop, a long weekend or a few weeks; hopefully, I can share some of the best things to do in Seoul. Take a look, below, at the best things to do in Seoul.
1.) DMZ Tour
Yes, I know! This isn’t technically within Seoul, but these specific tours actually depart from Seoul and take you right to the DMZ, the demilitarised zone with North Korea. Now, it’s well worth booking this tour to the DMZ before you actually start your day. The reason is, these DMZ tours can sell out, and it’s worth planning before arriving, so you’re not disappointed.
On this incredible guided tour, you’ll get to see some of the Infiltration Tunnels and other tunnels that were built to get into South Korea. It’s a sombering place to visit, but also totally interesting to learn more about the political landscape of Korea and the separation between North and South. Tours take around 9 hours, so it’s a whole-day affair. That being said, you’re usually back in Seoul before 6 pm, which means you still have a totally free night in the city after your DMZ tour.
Like I said, it’s an incredible tour to experience, but make sure to book this ticket in advance. Tickets do sell out at peak times.
Read more: The best places to visit in South Korea
2.) Jingwansa Temple
On the outskirts of Seoul, the Jingwansa Temple (Google Maps pin) is one of the best things to do in Seoul if you want to explore some of the city’s bhuddist heritage. You see, the Jingwansa Temple is one of four bhuddist temples that’s totally incredible to visit. It feels like a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of Seoul and it’s nestled in the countrisde and valley that is just so beautiful.
Visits take around 90-minutes and is the perfect place to visit for an afternoon trip.
Looking for the best place to stay in Seoul? Make sure to book this room at Signiel Seoul. It’s a totally chic hotel that’s perched on the higher floors of the iconic Lotte Tower. The views from here are incredible and the hotel is such a stunning place to stay whilst in Seoul. We loved it.
Read more: Best places to visit in South Korea
3.) Ikseon-dong Hanok Village
Visiting Insadong is also another great way to get an insight into South Korean culture and explore one of the neighbourhoods of Seoul. Now, Insadong itself is home to shedloads of shops, pretty little teahouses and market stalls selling everything you could imagine. We totally loved the area around Ikseon-dong Hanok Village (Google Maps pin). This area of Seoul is much smaller-scale and totally chic and kitsch to visit, especially if you want to find souvenirs to take home.
Not only that, with over 100 art galleries, you are bound to find a unique souvenir or two to take back home with you. Whilst here, make sure to check out the traditional clothing (like a jeogori or baji), papers (it’s a thing here), and pottery for sale in the area. In fact, there are so many pottery houses that you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Also, a short distance away is the Jongmyo Shrine (Google Maps pin). There’s a very small entry fee to access the shrine (we’re talking a few US dollars), but it’s well worth it. Keep your eyes peeled for the spirit tablets of the kings and nobles inside the shrine itself.
By the way, if you’re struggling to get from the airport, book this private airport transfer for when you land in Seoul. This way, you can swiftly leave Incheon Airport and head right into the centre of Seoul.
Read more: Best places to visit in South Korea
4.) Bongeunsa Temple
The Temple of Bongeunsa (Google Maps pin) is a surprisingly tranquil place smack in the middle of Seoul. It’s the kinda place that you wouldn’t even think could be so quiet in the bustling heart of Seoul. Once you’re here, you’ll be able to wander around the 1,400-year-old buildings that were commissioned by Yeon-hoe (the most important monk in the region).
Located in the Gangnam district, pretty close to the Coex, it’s a pretty impressive place to see the contrasting views of Seoul’s old and new districts. Oh, and don’t forget to see the huge stone monument that is considered to be the biggest Maitreya in all of South Korea.
Finally, make sure to head over to the Starfield Library in the Starfield Coex Mall. No doubt you’ve seen this place before, but it’s possibly one of the world’s coolest libraries to visit. So stunning.
Read more: Best dishes to eat in South Korea
5.) Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbukgung Palace (Google Maps pin) is the largest of the grand palaces and one of the best things to do in Seoul, dating all the way back to 1395. The Palace spans quite a considerable amount of space, so it’s worth leaving a few hours to explore properly, especially if you love the history of Seoul.
The intricate design and picturesque gardens will leave you pretty impressed, I’m sure. Oh, and if you want free entry into the palace, you should arrive in traditional Korean dress (hanbok), which you can rent for some of the prettiest photos within the palace itself. Also, don’t forget to visit around 10 am or 2 pm. This is when the changing of the guards ceremony takes place, and it’s so worth seeing if you can. Finally, if you want to avoid the majority of the crowds, try visiting first thing in the morning or after 4 pm.
Whilst you’re here, make sure to also visit the National Folk Museum of Korea (Google Maps pin). It’s right next to the palace and feels like the same place and so easy to visit. It’s the perfect place to visit to learn more about Korean cutulre and history.
Afterwards, head for an evening in the Gangnam District (Google Maps pin) of Seoul. It’s one of the best things to do in Seoul in the evening as the whole area comes alive with bars, shops, food and so much more. It’s like a whole entertainment district of Seoul and so much fun.
Also, for a gem of a hotel to stay in Gangnam, make sure to book Josun Palace. It’s a Luxury Collection Hotel and is so chic and beautiful to stay in the city. Plus, it’s so centrally located that you can just stroll from the hotel and head out with ease for food and drinks.
Read more: Best places to visit in South Korea
6.) Myeong-Dong Night Market
Hands down, Korean food is delicious and even more so when you get to have it in one of South Korea’s most iconic night markets. You see, Myeong-Dong Night Market (Google Maps pin) is home to literally hundreds of foodie stalls, restaurants, cafes and bars, and it’s a place you can go every night for some of the freshest food that’s also inexpensive but totally authentic.
Now, Korean food has a reputation around the globe and is so amazing to try! It’s easily up there as one of the best things to do in Seoul, especially as you will need to eat on your trip to the city!
Also, if you’re a fan of night markets and foodie spots, make sure to also stop over at Namdaemun Market, specifically, Kalguksu Alley (Google Maps pin). It’s not quite as big as the Myeong-Dong Night Market, but still worthy of a visit if you’re in the area. Plus, they make some of the tastiest bibimbap in all of Seoul at the market.
For some yummy foods, make sure to try some classic Korean dishes. We loved the Korean BBQ and fried chicken (which is something of an institution in Korea). Trust me when I say, Koreans take their fried chicken seriously. It’s nothing fancy at all, but the chicken is delicious. Now, I could write a whole essay on all the amazing foods you need to try in Seoul, so to make it easier for you, I’ve written a blog post on some of the most iconic South Korean dishes you need to try.
To make things easier, book this Seoul food tour that’s perfect for walking around the city. It’s a great way to experience some local flavours in Seoul, especially the hidden gems that locals are familiar with.
Read more: Best dishes to eat in South Korea
7.) Hwaseong Fortress and City Walls
So, visiting the colossal Hwaseong Fortress is easily one of the best things to do in Seoul, whilst travelling outside of the city limits. After all, it’s around 20km from the centre of Seoul itself. Specifically, we totally loved visiting Paldalmun Gate (Google Maps pin). The fort wall is amazing to visit and snakes through Paldal Park, which is great for a totally chilled day in Seoul.
Also, if you’re interested in the city’s centuries of history, don’t forget to stop off at Seonamammun (Google Maps pin) and the stunning Sungnyemun (Google Maps pin) Gates in the centre of Seoul. They are in different areas of the city, but well worth seeing when you’re in each respective area.
Read more: Best places to visit in South Korea
8.) Jogyesa Temple
Nestled among the skyscrapers is the beautiful little Buddhist gem of the Jogyesa Temple (Google Maps pin). It’s easily up there as one of the best things to do in Seoul if you want to explore the city’s history and charm.
Often thought of as one of the pillars of Korean Buddhism, it’s an easy spot to find if you’re in downtown Seoul. The temple itself hosts loads of different festivals, with the Lantern Festival being a firm favourite. You should see.
Afterwards, you can easily take a few minutes ride in a taxi over to Gyeonghuigung Palace. This way, you can see both places at once.
Read more: The best places to visit in South Korea
9.) N Seoul Tower
An aerial view of Seoul is almost always an easy yes! This is especially when it comes to the N Seoul Tower. Watching the city transform from day to night is always an amazing perspective, especially over glittering cities like Seoul. It’s so beautiful in the twighlight hours.
For me, I’d always recommend visiting before sunset, though, it can get busy then. Just one thing to remember, if you do arrive at the tower by cable car, remember that the fee doesn’t include entry to the tower itself, and that will need to be paid for separately. Just make sure to book these tickets before arriving, this way you’ll skip lots of the queues at the entrance.
Afterwards, head on over to the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (Google Maps pin). It’s such a stunning area and the whole complex looks like it’s something straight out of the future! Once here, be sure to stop off at the Dongdaemun History & Culture Park and see some of the amazing art exhibits inside. It’s so incredible and one of Seoul’s chic new places to visit.
10.) Bukchon Hanok Village
Bukchon Hanok Village (Google Maps pin) is a traditional Korean village and a great way to take a step back in time and see what South Korea would have been like centuries ago. It’s easily one of the best things to do in Seoul and an area I love.
Also, you can pop into some of the houses here to see them a lot closer up (and for free too). Best yet, you can even pop into one of the local tea houses for a spot of rice tea that’s made traditionally. Honestly, the tea houses are beautiful experiences to have here.
If tea isn’t your thing, this area is also home to quite a lot of quirky shops and stalls that are all through the alleys and streets. Honestly, the beauty of strolling the winding streets, here, is that you always find little gems to stop for a tea or shop. It’s magical. Not only that, you’ve got the Samcheong Bingsu, a small dessert spot where you can try bingsu (a fruity shaved ice) that’s totally yummy.
Location-wise, this is between Gyeongbukgung Palace and the UNESCO World Heritage Changdeokgung Palace, so a trip here is an easy addition to your day trip to these.
11.) Changdeokgung Palace
Speaking of Changdeokgung Palace, this is one of the best things to do in Seoul, so much so that it’s been declared a UNESCO World Heritage.
Changdeokgung Palace still has elements from the Three Kingdoms of Korea and was the favourite of Korean princes, which is so interesting to see. Don’t forget to watch out for the changing of the guards, too.
When you arrive here, be sure to check out Huwon, The Secret Garden (Google Maps pin), which is idyllic. Also, it’s worth remembering that you have to book a tour to visit Huwon and can only visit with the tour, so be sure to factor that in during your trip.
Oh, and don’t forget, you can easily partner a trip to Changdeokgung Palace with a visit to nearby Jongmyo Shrine (Google Maps pin). It’s another historical gem to visit and today is the mausoleum of the Joseon Dynasty. It’s so worth a visit when explroing Seoul.
Read more: Best places to visit in South Korea
12.) Hangang Park
Located along the banks of the Hangang River (hence its name), Hangang Park is another slightly different part of the city to explore.
The park has an open pathway for visitors to head out biking or just go for a stroll in the park. A visit to the park makes for a change of pace from being in the busy city and is a great spot to chill and perhaps even indulge in a spot of people-watching. This is a great place to chill out after a day exploring Seoul.
Also, don’t forget, you can easily head onto the Hangang River by heading out on one of the swan boats (Google Maps pin) that are so kitsch and cute. Just remember it’s cash only on arrival, so make sure to have some money with you.
Read more: Best dishes to eat in South Korea
13.) Candlelight Concert
Seoul is an absolute melting pot of theatre, plays and performances that take place all across the city. You’ll find something for every taste when visiting Seoul. That being said, if you’re finding it hard to whittle down to one performance, then book a Candlelight Concert in Seoul.
You can book shows, such as the Best of Joe Hisaishi by candlelight at E-Land Cruise. Not only will you get to watch the most stunning performance, but you’ll also get to board and cruise the waterways in Seoul itself. It’s so incredible, with shows lasting around 90 minutes. It really is one of the best things to do in Seoul when you visit the city.
Now, tickets can sell out at peak times, so make sure to book before arriving in the city. You don’t want to miss it!
14.) Deoksugung Palace
Deoksugung Palace (Google Maps pin) is another one of the five grand palaces and was home to the Korean royal family until the colonisation of Korea by Japan all those years ago. Now, this is one of the smaller palaces to visit in Seoul, but don’t let that put you off. It’s gorgeous to see. Open until much later than the other palaces, it’s worth visiting in the evening when most of the other sights have closed.
Also, the changing of the guards happens here around 11 am and is well worth seeing if you’re in the area. It lasts around fifteen minutes and is so nice to see the traditional dress, too.
Read more: The best places to visit in South Korea
15.) Take a boat on the Hangang River
The Hangang River is lovely from its banks, but if you’ve got some weary feet (after a day of exploring), hop on board one of the cruise boats that’ll whisk you down the river itself. If you find yourself with some free time in the city, hop aboard a boat here and see the city from a different perspective. That being said, it’s a much slower pace of exploring a city (if you’re short on time).
Read more: Best places to visit in South Korea
16.) Everland
Okay, so theme parks are a big deal in South Korea, and Everland is one of the most popular in all of Asia. Everland is easily one of the best things to do in Seoul if you’re something of a thrill-seeker. Now, to get to Everland, it’ll take you about 30 minutes by train or 45 minutes by bus. Best of all, it’s easily reached from downtown Seoul and is so great for a day out.
Now, the rides are pretty intense in Everland, especially with the wooden roller-coaster, so consider that before your visit. I promise, you will scream! It’s so much fun, and the whole of Everland feels like a resort, too. Just make sure to book these Everland tickets before arriving – it helps limit the queues once you arrive.
Read more: Best places to visit in South Korea
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