Think Seoul is all about innovative dance moves and boy bands? Well, you’d be right. They do love K-Pop, but there’s much more to see and do in South Korea’s capital city. Keep reading because we’ve got the best things to do in Seoul right here.
Getting to Know Seoul, South Korea
Seoul is considered a leading and rising global city and is home to many Fortune Global 500 companies including Samsung, LG and Hyundai-Kia. This futuristic city has built itself from the ground up since the Korean War ended in 1953. It was host to the Summer Olympics in 1988 and also sprouted a global pop music hit based on one of the city’s upscale districts. Who doesn’t know how to dance to Gangnam Style?
The language
The Gyeonggi dialect or Seoul dialect of the Korean language is primarily spoken in the capital city. If you don’t speak Korean, don’t worry. Because of the American presence during the war, English is widely understood in the city and tourist areas. But, some locals may be hesitant to try their English for fear of embarrassment. Your best bet is to learn a few Korean basics.
Money matters
The official currency in Seoul is the South Korean Won. When paying for accommodation, food, drinks, and things to do in Seoul, you’ll have to pay with local currency if using cash. You can exchange money at banks or foreign exchange outlets around the city. Some larger hotels may also provide a currency exchange service.
What to expect
Over 15 million foreign visitors travel to Seoul every year, making it one of the world’s most popular destinations.
While Koreans love their traditions, travellers will find Seoul is an epicentre of innovation and style. There’s a great mix of things to do in Seoul. If you love shopping, history, temples, spicy food, BBQ, nature and pop music, you’re in for a treat. There are countless ways to fill your days and nights so start planning for a trip of a lifetime.
Seoul’s Top Attractions
North Seoul Tower
One of the top and tallest attractions in Seoul is the North Seoul Tower, a communication and observation tower which dominates the city skyline. It stands at 236m, making it the second-highest point in the city.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
The main historic site in Seoul is the Gyeongbokgung Palace, one of five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Built in 1395, this incredible palace housed royalty during the Joseon dynasty. Be sure to get there for the changing of the guards, and stay for the rest of the day to explore inside and out.
National Museum of Korea
The National Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum are located on the grounds of the Gyeongbokgung Palace too. With over 12,000 items (including 30 masterpieces) on display over 6 permanent exhibition areas in the National Museum alone, you’ll need plenty of time to see it all.
Changdeokgung Palace and Huwon Garden
Arguably, Changdeokgung Palace is the most stunning of the 5 main palaces in Seoul. As with Gyeongbokgung, this beautiful piece of ancient architect housed many members of royalty during the Joseon dynasty. If you want to have a look, tours are available every day except Monday. Entry to Huwon (the secret garden) is by guided tour only generally between 10am-430pm.
Bukhansan National Park
Nature lovers will rejoice upon entering The Bukhansan National Park. Established in 1983, this lush parkland covers an area of 79.92 km2 and is home to forests, temples, and granite peaks. The park is about 15km from the city and the best way there is by metro or taxi.
Myeong-dong
Myeong-dong is one of the primary shopping districts in Seoul. And it’s busy – about 2 million hungry shopaholics visit the area every day. Expect to find top name brands, premier labels, and designer trends. But don’t expect them to be cheap – Myeong-dong is one of the most expensive places to shop. If you’re after a bargain, eat your way happy. The streets are lined with food trucks and vendors tempting tastebuds with classic BBQ and other Korean favourites.
More Seoul attractions to visit and unique things to do
- Deoksugung Palace
- Hwaseong Fortress
- Jongmyo Shrine
- Namsangol Hanok Village
- Cheonggyecheon Stream
- Grevin Museum
- Visit a Korean bathhouse
- See the animals at the Raccoon Cafe
- Lotte World – the world’s biggest indoor theme park
Dining Out
Eating for sport is a top thing to do in Seoul. There are many local specialties you must try whilst visiting South Korea. Try ddeokbokki (Korean spicy rice cakes), samgyupsal (grilled pork belly), dakgalbi (pan-fried chicken ) and let’s not forget kimbap (Korean sushi).
When shopping at Myeong-dong, pop into Myeongdong Tonkatsu for their delicious Japanese-style breaded chicken. This iconic eatery has been serving since 1983. If they’ve survived this long, their food must be good.
While in the area, also try Myeong-dong Kyoja. This highly-regarded restaurant is famous for its mondo (dumplings) and kalguksu (wheat noodle soup). Expect to wait in a line, but regular patrons say it’s worth the wait.
For something on the upper end of the dining experience, Jungsik serves sensational Korean fare and also has a number of gluten-free options. This stylish boutique restaurant is known for its 5-course set menu featuring delectable seafood dishes.
However, if Korean food is not your thing, no problem. There’s plenty of international fare to suit most people’s palates and budgets. Momoyama is the place for Japanese cuisine in a fine-dining setting. Not only will you enjoy the finest food, but you’ll dine with amazing views of the city – this place is located on the 38th floor of the Lotte Hotel.
Nightlife and Entertainment in Seoul
Seoul at night offers some of the most vibrant, entertaining experiences in the world! The city is large with many different areas offering different options. Itaewon and Yongsan-gu are the most foreign-friendly districts with many international restaurants, cheap western pubs, classy tapas bars and high-energy dance clubs. For cocktails and whiskey, head to Blacklist. The atmosphere is casual and the drinks are impressive. If you want to dance the night away, try Club Soap.
When looking for cheap places to visit in Seoul, go to Hongdae, the college district located next to Itaewon. Drinks are cheap and so are the restaurants, bars, and clubs. For killer lasers, LED lighting, and dance ’til you die vibes, Club Vera is your go-to spot.
Need to Know: The legal drinking age is 19.
Getting Around
Bus
Seoul has a modern public transportation system with the majority of residents using it due to its efficiency and low-cost. There are four types of buses which run around the city and also connect to other cities in South Korea.
Train
Seoul has 14 subway lines that run and connect the districts of the city with one another and its surrounding areas. Seoul is also linked to most major Korean cities by the world-famous KTX bullet train, which operates at a speed of 300 km/h, making travelling between cities convenient.
Hire car
If you rent a car in Seoul, remember that, similar to many major cities, Seoul has its own share of traffic congestion. Expect delays if you’re travelling during peak morning or evening commute periods, especially downtown.
Taxi service
If you prefer to take taxis, there are four tiers of service to choose from: regular, deluxe, jumbo, and international. Regular is the cheapest and you can flag these orange cabs down when needed (they also come in white and grey, but mostly orange). Deluxe taxis are black with a gold stripe and are a bit lusher. These cabs are great for long-distance road travel. You’ll find them mostly at hotels and popular tourists areas. Jumbo taxis are also black and feature the word JUMBO on the side and are used for groups. They look like minivans but do not get them confused with Call Vans. Call vans may transport you but they do not use a metre. International taxis are designed for tourists. Drivers speak multiple languages and these cabs can be pre-ordered.
When to Visit South Korea
Seoul features a humid continental/subtropical climate with dry winters. There are four distinct seasons with temperatures as high as 35 °C in summer and lows of around -2.4 °C in winter. Pack your suitcases and plan your activities according to the season you’re visiting.
The best time to visit Seoul is autumn ( September to November). During these months the temperatures are mild and rainfall is generally low. Therefore, be sure to book your Seoul hotel in advance as the city fills with visitors from across the country and around the world. If you are looking for a bargain, visit during the winter months to save money. When travelling with family, be sure to consider hotels that offer family-friendly accommodations to suit both adults and children.
Flying to Seoul
The city’s main airport is Incheon International Airport, which is one of the largest, cleanest and busiest airports in the world. Cheap flights to Seoul from other cities in Asia, Canada, the U.S., and many other countries make Seoul and the rest of South Korea easily accessible.
Best Places to Stay in Seoul
You’ll need somewhere to sleep when you visit South Korea. This list of hotels in Seoul will give you a good start to finding the perfect vacation accommodation on your next trip.
- Sieoso Hotel Seoul
- K-POP Hotel Seoul Station
- Hotel Aventree Jongno (Myeongdong)
- Millennium Seoul Hilton
Ready to Book Your Trip?
Now that you know some of the best things to do in Seoul, you can start planning and booking. Remember to use Skyscanner’s search engines for all your flight, hotel, and car rental needs.
