There is tradition and history everywhere in South Korea, but it’s made all the more interesting because the city is constantly innovating. Make your trip a mix of two — visiting a few tourist attractions you’ve had on your radar and giving yourself space to explore the city’s more off-the-beaten-path destinations; the best experience you will have will happen while discovering Seoul’s neighbourhoods on your own. If you’ve only seen the South Korean capital through popular Korean media and music, it may be tricky to envision the small pleasures that make up the city: an amazing cup of coffee at a striking café, beautifully restored architecture and the green spaces loved by locals.
Our travel journalism is written and edited by independent experts to inform, inspire and advise our readers about the best choices for your holidays. We also feature properties and itineraries from a specially selected list of trusted operators. These buttons and adverts are clearly signposted, and provide direct links through to external sites. If you click and buy a product, we may earn revenue.
1. Journey Through Time in Bukchon Hanok Village
Imagine stepping back in time, walking amidst a labyrinth of hanoks, Seoul's iconic traditional houses that form the heart of the Bukchon Hanok Village. This unique locale, steeped in six centuries of history, gives off an old-world charm that is simply irresistible. Although the hand of time has wiped away some of the initial architecture, the village still showcases numerous hanoks that have received a heritage conservation touch over the last century.
The village's unique panorama of giwa-tiled roofs, best viewed from the district’s peak spots, forms a splendid spectacle that renders a picturesque old-world charm to the area. The area may be a bit tricky to navigate and often bustles with tourists. Yet, the adventure truly begins when you surrender to its winding alleyways. Allow yourself to wander around freely. You might stumble upon a tranquil café tucked away in a corner or discover a quaint art gallery sequestered in these time-kissed pathways.
For a more in-depth exploration of this fascinating village, you can dive deeper here*.
2. Discover the historical train trail connecting South and North Korea
Experience the unique beauty of Gyeongui Line Forest Park, an engaging path often likened to New York's Central Park, hence the local nickname Yeontral Park. This 6.3km expanse of beauty is located atop antiquated railway tracks, once a direct route from Seoul Station to Pyongyang extending over a hundred years back. Immerse in the space's unique aura and delve into its historical tapestry by visiting the monumental structures around the Waugyo Bridge Section. In the Yeonnam-dong region, you'll have a splendid time engaging in a leisurely day of pet-watching and sipping on your favorite beverages. Watch out for pieces of the original track skillfully nestled in the grass as you stroll through.
The Gyeongui Line Forest Park not only serves as a respite for locals and foreigners but also stands as a landmark symbolizing division and hope for reunification of the Korean Peninsula. Moreover, its steady transformation into an urban conservation park shows how history can be repurposed into something beautiful and recreational.
3. Indulge in the Culinary Delights at Gwangjang Market
A culinary journey to Seoul would be incomplete without paying a visit to the historic Gwangjang Market, renowned to be among Seoul's most prominent food hubs. The market has gained global recognition following its feature in various travel shows. Here, food lovers can relish the taste of incomparable street food that the city has to offer. Trio favourites include Hotteok, a sweet pancake filled with brown sugar, Bindaetteok, a crispy mung-bean omelette, and Gimbap, sushi-style rolls wrapped in seaweed.
Beyond the gastronomic delights, Gwangjang Market ensures a feast for the eyes too. The second floor of the market is a treasure trove of lavish silks and luxurious linens, dedicated to traditional Korean attire, the hanbok. The richness and craftsmanship shown through each hanbok is a true representation of Korean culture and tradition.
4. Indulge in afternoon tea at Suyeon Sanbang
Steeped in history and literary appeal, the Suyeon Sanbang is not just a hanok café. This was once the dwelling of esteemed Korean author, Lee Tae-jun, acting as the intellectual epicenter for writers and thinkers in the early 1900s. This place of rich discourse was transformed into a serene tea house in 2002, continuing to be respectfully preserved by the lineage of Mr Lee, with his granddaughter as its current caretaker. Aim to secure a seating place that overlooks the outdoor landscape. The garden is a wonderful sight to behold, especially during the autumn and spring when it is a riot of colours.
As an interesting tidbit, Suyeon Sanbang is frequently referred as a 'literary cafe' due its history and the many books you can find there, making it a haven for book lovers. The cafe also offers a diverse range of traditional Korean teas and other beverages, making it an enjoyable experience for tea enthusiasts.
5. Embark on a Biking Adventure at Han River Park
Hop onto a Seoul Bike – a splendid initiative by Seoul's government to experience Seoul in its true essence. You can create your own adventure while treading along the patches of grass that beautifully manicure the heart of Seoul - the Han River. Eleven parks gracefully lie along the river's coast, seamlessly connected by a specific cycling course allowing enthusiasts and casual riders alike to explore the city.
Embrace the whimsical start from Haneul Park in Mangwon, famous for its lush, undulating hills. Pedal a stretch of 14km till you reach the charming Banpo Bridge in Seocho-gu. As dusk descends, embrace the magic of the night when the Banpo Bridge transforms into an enchanting spectacle - the 'Moonlight Rainbow Fountain', glittering and spraying water choreographed to an array of music genres, painting the night sky in a riot of colors.
Discover more about this journey
6. Experience a Nighttime Exploration of Changdeokgung Palace
Undoubtedly, all of Seoul's treasured Royal Palaces hold their own captivating charm. However, if the choice narrows down to one singular experience to be lived, it should unequestionably be the enchanting moonlight tour of Changdeokgung Palace. This palace radiates a unique harmony of architectural brilliance intertwined with Mother Nature's beauty. It exudes an aura of tranquility in the evening light, vividly painting the image of life during the early chapters of the Joseon Dynasty. Bear in mind, these moonlight tours have a seasonal availability and may be reserved through the official website of Korea Tourism.
7. Brew your own traditional Korean alcohol with The Sool Company
Curious about those spirits you’re being served over Korean barbecue? Find out more about sool or traditional Korean alcohol through one of the tours at The Sool Company. Run by Julia Mellor, a specialist in the field for over ten years, The Sool Company has a wide range of options: tours that take you on day-trips to breweries outside the capital, one-day brewing classes, and bar crawls to several makgeolli (rice wine) bars where you’ll sample some of the best sool and food pairings the city has.
8. Strut your stuff at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza
Designed by Dame Zaha Hadid, this futuristic piece of architecture better known as the DDP is the home of Seoul Fashion Week. The structure’s odd metallic texture and smooth lines make it the perfect backdrop for Instagram-ready photoshoots and there are two museums, one dedicated to design and another to history. After a long day exploring the DDP and indulging in the bustling local fashion scene, you might want to consider a comfortable and luxurious place to relax. If you wish to stay in close proximity to this iconic place, you will find an array of 5 star hotels in Seoul on www.seoulhotelspage.com that will cater to all your needs. Take your time in each crevice of the DDP and pick up a small souvenir from The Design Lab, an exhibition and shop that showcases the latest mergers between art and tech.
9. Visit rotating farmer’s market Marche@
Marche@ is a rotating farmers market that brings regional farmers, farm-to-table chefs and artisans together in one place. The event happens once a week or once a month depending on the season and you can check where and when on their official Instagram page. Meeting the makers directly gives you the chance to ask questions about how their fruits and vegetables have been farmed and you can purchase high-quality kimchi and jangs (fermented Korean pastes).
10. Climb Seoul’s tallest mountain
Give your glutes a workout and hike to the 836.5m to Baegundae Peak. The mountain has plenty of waterfalls and temples to explore, but its main attraction is the Bukhansanseong Fortress Wall — a winding, granite divide that was originally built during the Baekje Dynasty (AD 132). The hike can be gruelling, but seeing Seoul from afar once you’ve reached the top is worth every step.
11. Feast on barbecue at Joseonok
The sweet smell of galbi or beef short ribs hits you as you enter Joseonok, a restaurant that dates back to 1937 — and one of the oldest of its kind still in operation. Unlike a conventional Korean barbecue with a grill at the centre of the table, Joseonok cooks its ribs in the kitchen and serves them bone-in. Pair your meal with a side of naengmyun (cold buckwheat noodles) and you can’t go wrong.
12. Hunt for treasures at the Dongmyo Flea Market
Looking for a winter coat on a budget? Dying to take home a piece of Korean artwork? Try the Dongmyo Flea Market, an outdoor market for clothes, accessories, bicycle parts, old cassettes, and every other miscellaneous trinket under the sun. The market is mostly indoors on weekdays, selling second-hand clothing, but on Saturdays and Sundays it comes alive with dozens of vendors parading literal piles of their product on the street. If you have a good eye, there are vintage luxury goods at killer prices.
13. Spend an afternoon at the Korea Furniture Museum
Often described as the most striking museum in Seoul, the Korea Furniture Museum is a collection of 2,500 pieces of antique furniture displayed across ten gorgeous hanoks. Owner Chung Mi-sook began collecting almost 60 years ago and she opened her home in 1993 to visitors. Its unique vision of Korean design has made it a popular stopover for celebrities and politicians: China’s Xi Jingping, Belgium’s King Philippe, Brad Pitt and Victoria Beckham are just a few. The museum is best visited on a guided tour and books up months in advance, so plan a trip as soon as you know your dates.
14. Café-hop in Seongsu-dong
Once famous for its custom shoe-making shops, this district surrounding Seoul Forest was developed in 2015, and today, it’s full of industrial warehouses that have been converted to coffee shops. Start your visit to this neighbourhood at one such café and art gallery, Daelim Changgo Gallery CO:LUMN. The artwork’s a mix of modern and contemporary and the café’s high ceilings give it a refreshing airiness. Have a sweet treat at Café Onion, a metal factory turned coffee shop and patisserie, and then head over to OR.ER, a four-storey café with a shop on the second and a ceramics store on the third. You’ll find dozens of similar cafés while exploring the area, but make time for Woody Jip, High and Dry and Erolpa.
15. Discover the darker side of Korean history at the Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Shrine
This shrine is one of the most underrated sites in Seoul and its name literally means “Beheading Hill”. It pays tribute to a lesser-known part of Korean history — the Byeonin Persecution of 1866 when 2000 Catholics were killed under the rule of King Gojong, the last king of the Joseon Dynasty. The Museum showcases equipment used to torture the religious and the outdoor space has a few dozen monuments of the martyrs, where some light candles and pray. There’s a phenomenal view of the Han River in the distance, so come in the late afternoon for food for thought before dinner.
16. Sing your heart out at Luxury Su Noraebang
There are many noraebangs (which literally means singing rooms) where you can belt out all your stress in the privacy of your room, but there are few like Luxury Su where tall, street-facing windows give you the feeling you’re singing in public. Each room has tambourines and shakers, plush seating and disco lights to liven up the experience. Choose from hundreds of songs in English, Korean, Chinese and Japanese and prepare to channel your inner Beyoncé.
17. Watch a ball game
Seoul is probably not the first city you think of for baseball, but it’s an experience unlike any other you’ll have here. There are two main stadiums, one in Mokdong and another in Jamsil, but the bigger KBO (Korea Baseball Organization) games normally happen at the latter. Prepare for a party: the stadium has dozens of vendors that sell roasted squid, fried chicken and beer, and there’s a different song to support every player. The crowd eats, drinks, dances, and goes wild whenever a run is scored.
18. Journey up Namsan Seoul Tower
If you’ve ever seen a Korean drama, you know that this observatory dating back to 1962 is where all the magical events happen — running into a former flame, meeting the love of your life or hanging a love lock. Standing 236.7m tall at the summit of Namsan Mountain, the tower provides an unobstructed view of the city. Walk approximately 40 minutes to the peak for an easy hike, take the 605m cable car to the top or take a free shuttle to the base from Dongguk University Station. The journey there is half the magic.
19. Explore Seoul’s hippest neighbourhood Euljiro
In downtown Seoul, this district at first appears like nothing more than printing presses and industrial shops that date back to the 1980s, but look beyond the obvious. Seendosi, on the fourth floor of an industrial warehouse, is a bar and café decked out in neon. Squeeze in between two nondescript buildings to find the entrance to Coffee Hanyakbang, a café stuffed with vintage furniture and push past the doors that have the words “soju” taped to them to find an elegant wine bar called Sipboon-il. Euljiro’s most attractive feature yet might be Nogari Alley, a street with dozens of beer bars that spill out into the street with red and blue plastic chairs. Nogari is dried pollack — but you can also order fried chicken.
20. Explore the National Museum of Korea
With more than 220,000 artefacts and artworks, this sprawling museum covers everything from history to art and culture. Highlights include Ten-Story Pagoda from Gyeongcheonsa Temple from 1348, Grass and Insects by Sin Saimdang and the Pensive Bodhisattva from the early 7th century. For a more hands-on experience for those under 12, The Children’s Museum is where kids can play games and learn about how some of the exhibits were made. The permanent collection is free and, while the museum is a perfect rainy-day activity, the garden outdoors is also worth seeing.
21. Dress in traditional garb and see Seoul’s Royal Palaces for free
Over the past few years, Seoul’s Royal Palaces have encouraged people to dress in hanbok by waiving the entrance fee for anyone donning the costume. Dozens of hanbok rental places have popped up in the surrounding areas, making it easy for visitors to borrow an outfit for a couple of hours. Not sure where to start? Head to One Day Hanbok near Anguk Station and the friendly staff there can help you pick out what to wear. Bring your camera, get to Gyeongbukgung Palace just around the corner and make the entire affair a photoshoot.
Best things to do in South Korea