Ever since the Korean Wave (K-pop, K-drama, K-beauty, K-food) engulfed the planet, both South Korea and Seoul have been climbing the ranks as travel destinations. Many people in love with the culture, now want to experience the country in person. And where better to start than in the capital? Seoul is a bustling megacity, offering authentic charm, surprising depth and a ton of – here it comes – op, op, op, oppan Gangnam Style. Had to get it out of the way.
South Korea used to be a somewhat overlooked destination, mainly because many European tourists were more familiar with other Asian countries. Those days are over now. Driven by the global rise of K-pop and numerous hit TV series, Korea’s popularity is reaching unprecedented levels. This is great, because it’s a surprisingly varied place, and Seoul is the icing on its tasty cake. You’ll of course find your beautiful historic palaces and temples here, but it’s the vibe that’ll make you fall in love with the city. Seoul, my friends, is cool. It’s trendy, youthful and both hectic and cosy at the same time.
Despite the somewhat tragic South Korean birthrates, Seoul looks and feels like a city for young, well… souls. Smartly dressed couples parade the shopping boulevards; there’s a trendy coffeeshop on nearly every corner and the nightlife is abundant and wild. Seoul is an ever evolving metropolis exuding unabashed self-confidence, propelled upwards by a culture that realises its heyday has arrived. Life is lived today, not tomorrow.
“Seoul feels young, ambitious and alive: a city permanently plugged into its own momentum.”
And yet, this flashy megacity is still quite authentic in many ways. The food culture for example, is fantastic. You’ll find great BBQ joints all over town, where groups of friends or colleagues share the grill, and the countless covered food markets offer any dish you can imagine. Around these traditional markets is usually a network of narrow alleyways, where you’ll find old shops crammed to the ceiling with wares and tiny family restaurants where you can order bibimbap with a dozen side dishes for a couple of bucks.
Seoul is surprisingly green for its size as well. The centre is sheltered by four wooded hills, there are multiple gorgeous parks to visit and in recent years several dilapidated spots were turned into green oases. This guide will take you through all main neighbourhoods and sights. Perfect for when you’re still considering Seoul and want a quick overview of the city’s major assets. Let’s hop straight into it, shall we?
1. Gyeongbokgung Palace: wear a lavish outfit for a royal visit
Seoul is home to no fewer than five major royal palaces. If you only have time for one, make it Gyeongbokgung. Built in the late 14th century, it served as the primary seat of power of the Joseon dynasty. This royal line ruled over Korea for over 500 years, until Japan annexed the whole country in 1910. They had already invaded once before, four centuries earlier – a somewhat worrying historical pattern – and on both occasions the palace was left in ruins. It took until the nineties before it was restored to its full former glory, but today it looks as impressive as ever. Most people start their visit by passing the imposing Gwanghwamun Gate. This is where the changing of the guard takes place every day at 10am and 2pm (think colourful uniforms, ceremonial weapons and some really impressive hats).
“Seeing Seoul’s royal past looking out over its modern skyline feels surreal, and Gyeongbokgung is where this contrast is most striking.”
Admission to Gyeongbokgung is just a measly 3.000 won (less than €2), but there’s a popular workaround if you go and rent a hanbok first (hanbok rentals are everywhere in Seoul, but this place has good reviews). These are traditional Korean outfits, and anyone wearing a hanbok can enter any royal palace in Seoul for free. This causes the grounds to be full of people in the most radiant outfits, which is a lot of fun for photographers.
Gyeongbokgung itself has plenty of photogenic corridors, courtyards and buildings to explore – the National Folk Museum is in one of the most impressive ones and can be visited freely. Up for more history? Two nearby sites complement the visit perfectly, each offering a slightly different atmosphere. Changdeokgung is another royal palace (with more original buildings still standing) and its Secret Garden (book your tickets in advance: limited number of daily visitors) is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Jongmyo Shrine, located just south of it, was built to house the spirits of the former Joseon kings and queens, and is more than worth a visit as well.
Tip: I took plenty of free portraits of people wearing hanboks in Gyeongbokgung, but since I’m no longer in Seoul, this professional photo shoot is a solid alternative.
2. Bukchon Hanok Village: Seoul’s most popular photo spot
Nestled between the two major palaces lies Bukchon Hanok Village – one of Seoul’s most iconic postcard views. Bukchon is an old residential area where the royal servants and craftsmen used to stay. They lived in traditional hanoks – elegant wooden houses – of which a few hundred still survive here, forming the largest concentration in the city. This makes for fantastic pictures, and explains why the area is perpetually crowded with tourists.
The main street leading down to the city centre is especially busy, because this is where you can frame Bukchon’s traditional rooftops with Seoul’s modern skyline rising behind them in a single shot. Recently, overtourism became a serious issue – people do actually live here – which is why a tourist curfew was imposed in March 2025. Visitors are not allowed to enter the neighbourhood between 5pm and 10am (fines are quite hefty).
That said, a few steps away from the main drag, the side streets are noticeably quieter. This is where you’ll find gems like the Baek In-je House: a perfectly preserved hanok from the early 20th century, with a beautiful garden that is free to visit. Want to take it all in without the crowds? Pay a small entrance fee (drink included) and find yourself a spot on the Bukchon Observatory’s rooftop terrace.
Bukchon is undeniably beautiful, but if the selfie crowds become too much, Seoul offers several equally atmospheric alternatives – some of which we’ll get to later in this guide. By the way: right outside the area is one of the cutest bakeries in town. Dotori Garden is completely furnished in Studio Ghibli style and offers fantastic pastries and desserts. You can even get ice cream drizzled with honey straight from the comb. You’re on holiday: that diet can go right in the trash where it belongs.
Tip: this great guided tour covers Bukchon, Gyeongbokgung Palace and Gwangjang Market in one go.
3. Ikseon-dong: experience Korean coffee culture in hipster heaven
Just a few hundred meters south of Bukchon lies one of its more relaxed alternatives. Ikseon-dong also has plenty of hanoks, but is usually far less crowded. It’s a network of attractive alleyways near the city centre, where former homes have been transformed into shops, restaurants and microbreweries. This makes for a colourful and lively place, in a mostly non-residential neighbourhood – which means you don’t have to leave at five.
Ikseon-dong is one of the main places in Seoul where the local hipsters tend to gather. During the day, you can duck into some of the city’s best coffeeshops and nibble on some of its finest pastries (Soha Salt Pond Bakery and the very Instagram-worthy Cheong Su Dang Dessert Café are great, but just walk around and pick any one you like). In the evening you can have dinner in numerous (often international) restaurants. You’ll also find the ever-present photo booths (hugely popular in both Korea and Japan), as well as several arcades filled with crane machines and classic video games. Scattered around the area are shooting ranges where you can try some BB guns.
One important thing to note: Ikseon-dong is not a nightlife district. After dinner, many businesses gradually start closing up. Not ready to call it a night? There are two nearby areas worth knowing about. Insadong lies a little further down the road and leans more toward shopping and traditional culture. Around the Jongno 3 metro station, you’ll find a lively couple of streets where crowds eat outdoors every night – something still relatively rare in Korea.
Tip: I stayed in Jongno (Seoul’s historic core where everything I mentioned above can be found) for a whole week and did so in Jongno Stay Hostel. This is a reasonably cheap, very clean and perfectly located hostel with private rooms as well as dorms. For more accommodation suggestions, see the practical tips section at the end of this guide.
4. Seochon: a slice of everyday Seoul away from the crowds
West of Gyeongbokgung Palace is an area most visitors completely ignore. Seochon is a neighbourhood that shows what Seoul looks like when it isn’t trying to impress you. It’s a little dingy and rough around the edges, but so am I and I’m charming nonetheless. After all the major sights you’ve just visited, Seochon will feel refreshingly normal. Tongin Market is the busiest area here: a covered food market similar to the big ones we’ll see soon, but far less touristy. Seochon’s main artery is Ogin-gil, and it’s most lively in the evening. There are plenty of casual bars and restaurants to choose from, and it comes with a tiny retro arcade with some truly ancient games. Quickly hop into Daeo Bookstore (Seoul’s oldest) as well. Housed in a cute hanok, it’s crammed with memorabilia and run by a peculiar old lady who’ll only allow cell phone pictures (which is why I don’t have any good ones). Her tea is excellent though.
Seochon is the perfect introduction to another side of Seoul that doesn’t revolve around major sights. Iwha Mural Village, Seongsu-dong and Yeonnam-dong are similar areas elsewhere. Iwha (in Dongdaemun) is a neighbourhood that feels like a quiet hillside town, where plenty of walls were brightened up with colourful murals. In Seongsu (in eastern Seoul) several former factories were turned into cafés and workshops. Yeonnam is close to Hongdae (coming up soon) and mixes the youthful energy of its neighbour with quiet lanes, cosy bars and parks. None of these places are “essential”, especially for a first time visit, but they’re great options if you want to dig deeper.
5. Seoul Food: enjoy the chaos in the Gwangjang and Namdaemun Markets
If Bukchon and Ikseon-dong show Seoul at its prettiest, Gwangjang and Namdaemun show it at its loudest. Take the subway to Jongno 5 and you’ll be right in front of Gwangjang Market: one of the largest and busiest food markets in Seoul. Come by during peak hours and you’ll be overwhelmed by the teeming crowds and the rowdy vendors trying to get you on a stool in front of their stall. Rows of people sit shoulder to shoulder, enjoying a wide range of classic dishes like bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), mayak gimbap (tiny rice rolls) and raw beef yukhoe. Some of the food can look quite exotic, but there are hundreds of stalls to choose from. If you can’t find something to eat here, you’ve not been raised right.
A little further south, near Seoul Station and the historic Sungnyemun (Namdaemun) Gate, lies Namdaemun Market. This is the oldest and largest traditional market in the capital, and another superb place to explore. It’s been on this spot for over six hundred years and you can buy just about everything here: from clothes and cooking utensils to souvenirs and electronics (the latter being a more recent addition obviously).
Namdaemun Market is spread over several streets and blocks. Some alleys specialise in a single product, others offer only chaos. The large covered pedestrian street in the centre looks suprisingly modern, but the most interesting parts to visit are the “backstage” areas behind it: a maze of dark little corridors branching off from the main boulevard, where tiny restaurants are hidden and chefs cook their food right in the hallway. A figurative journey through time and a fantastic area to dive into headfirst.
Tip: if you want some local help navigating Gwangjang Market and finding the best stalls, book this highly regarded walking tour.
6. Dongdaemun: futuristic architecture & old-school hangouts
Dongdaemun is a part of Seoul that doesn’t seem to make much sense at first glance. It offers sprawling local markets and late-night food stalls as well as some huge malls, but in the middle of it all is one of the most futuristic buildings in Asia. This is the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP): the area’s undeniable showstopper. Designed by Zaha Hadid, this aluminium-clad structure looks like it landed straight out of a Sci-Fi movie. At night, LED lights pulse across its surface, and inside you’ll find a design museum, rotating exhibitions and several large event spaces.
Right next to the DDP is a small park where parts of Seoul’s old city wall are preserved. Follow it uphill and you’ll eventually reach the aforementioned Iwha Mural Village – a quirky and quiet alternative to the busy district below. Near Dongdaemun Station you’ll find Toy Street: a short stretch packed with around a hundred toy shops, crowned by a giant fake gorilla looming over the intersection. Quite chaotic and obviously not to be missed if you’re travelling with kids (get your wallets out: they’re going to want some presents).
East of the DDP lies Sindang: a more local area around Seoul Central Market (also known as Jungang Market). This is not the most polished neighbourhood, but it’s lively – especially at night – full of small eateries, hip coffee bars and more street food stalls. When you’re in the market and you see the granny from the picture above baking her pancakes: go and grab one. They cost next to nothing and they’re delicious.
7. Myeongdong Night Market: Seoul at its most overwhelming
Want to experience Seoul at its most bombastic? Visit the Myeongdong neighbourhood (south of Jongno) after sunset. Myeongdong Walking Street is one of the capital’s main shopping boulevards, full of Korean brands like MPlayground (for crazy and affordable clothing) and Olive Young (for all your face cream stuff). In the evening, the atmosphere changes completely when dozens of food stalls are dragged in, transforming the area into a wildly popular night market.
In terms of crowds and flashy signs, this is the part of Seoul most reminiscent of places like Hong Kong or Shinjuku. Locals love to dismiss Myeongdong as a tourist trap – and to be fair, the food stalls are somewhat overpriced and don’t always offer top quality – but wading through the full-blown chaos of the night market is exactly what you want to experience here. There are several quirky venues to pop into, like 3CE Pink Space Hotel, Hello Kitty Apple Café or the Starfox Artist Chocolate Shop, and the side alleys offer plenty of authentic family restaurants not aiming for tourists.
“Myeongdong is Seoul turned up to eleven: flashy neon lights, huge crowds and constant motion.”
Right next to this hedonist paradise you’ll find Myeongdong Cathedral: the oldest Roman Catholic church in the city. You might not have realised, but there are more Christians than Buddhists in South Korea. This is why you’ll see way more churches than Temples. Some take their faith a little too seriously. These are the people you’ll meet in the major tourist spots, carrying selfmade hell-and-damnation signs. Usually they’re members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus: a well-known religious sect. They might approach you for a chat. Don’t get into any discussions or you’ll lose half the day.
8. Euljiro: beer, neon and local nightlife
Right next to Myeongdong you’ll find Euljiro (pronounced: “Ooldjiro”). This is one of the most easygoing neighbourhoods in Seoul to enjoy some nightlife, offering a couple of incredibly atmospheric alleys full of neon signs – almost straight out of a cyberpunk movie. These alleyways are crammed with quirky little restaurants, cool bars and micro-breweries, and unlike places like Itaewon, you’ll mostly be drinking with actual young Koreans instead of with expats.
Because of its bohemian vibe, the area is sometimes nicknamed Hipjiro. This offends me a little, because “Cooljiro” works much better with the actual name (I’m still available for PR assignments). You can find the best cluster of alleys by looking for “Euljiro Brewing” in your Naver App (Korean answer to Google Maps and absolutely essential for navigation). This is a small brewery with a puking drunk on the logo, right in the middle of Euljiro’s most photogenic area. Nearby Nogari Alley used to be the go-to spot for fried chicken and beer, though the atmosphere recently took a hit due to ongoing construction. Luckily, there are plenty of great options nearby. Ohaiyo Euljiro Retro Bar (furnished like a campy Japanese supermarket) was my personal favourite chicken place. One-of-a-kind, laidback and cool: just like the neighbourhood as a whole.
9. Cheonggyecheon & Seoullo 7017: urban nature done right
One of the best things Seoul has done in recent decades is reclaim space from cars and give it back to the people. The Cheonggyecheon River Walk (running north of Myeongdong and Euljiro) is the most impressive example of this. Twenty years ago, this small stream lay suffocated under an ugly elevated highway. Not great for the local fauna, and not a place you’d want to hang out – but times have changed. The highway was removed, the river cleared and cleaned, a whole bunch of greenery was planted all around it and an almost 11km long walking path was laid out on both sides. Nowadays it serves as a green corridor below street level, where people come to jog, read a book, do some public dancing or watch artists perform. Nature has returned as well. You’ll see herons looking for a meal, and you might even spot some big fat carp gliding through the water. All in a creek running straight through the city’s busiest districts.
“Seoul doesn’t erase its mistakes – it turns them into nice little parks.”
A second green project takes a very different approach. Seoullo 7017 doesn’t run beneath the city but above it. This elevated highway next to Seoul Station, wasn’t taken down but turned into an aerial park full of trees, flowers and little ponds – there’s even a cute little coffee bar to enjoy. It runs right over some of the main thoroughfares for over a kilometre, making for a very pleasant shortcut if you want to skip the traffic lights. You’ll even be able to get on top of the actual train station. Places like Cheonggyecheon and Seoullo 7017 showcase that Seoul doesn’t just expand thoughtlessly, but occasionally checks itself to improve on what’s already there.
10. Climb Namsan and see the city in a new light
Of the four mountains (read hills: they’re not that high) guarding Seoul, Namsan is by far the most popular. This is probably because the iconic N Seoul Tower is on top of it, offering amazing views over the city. The Namsan Cable Car is within walking distance of Seoul Station, but unless you’re built like a southern elephant seal (look them up, they’re awesome) I recommend doing the climb on foot. The hike will take you through a hundred hectares of protected forest and along restored parts of the old city wall. The shortcut you can take via the wooden steps is a bit brutal on the calves, but nothing most people can’t handle. Once at the top, you’ll find a bunch of restaurants and souvenir shops under the tower, and tens of thousands of padlocks left behind by loving couples on the observation platform railing.
It’s only on top of Namsan that the real scale of Seoul becomes clear. Because the historic city centre is quite walkable, with plenty of cosy little alleys, you tend to lose sight of the bigger picture. Until you stand here on the balcony, and realize the vast majority of the city is on the other side of the hill, stretching far over the opposite bank of the Han River in the distance. Seoul is a monstrously large city. Officially, more than ten million people live here, but add the metropolitan area and this number rises to 25 million – which is half the country. Feeling a bit overwhelmed by this new perspective? Head back to ground level and go for a stroll on Comic Road near the foot of the hill. This is a pleasant street full of funny graffiti, with a great view of the N Seoul Tower you just visited. To find it search for “Myeongdong Fun” on Naver.
11. Hongdae: K-Pop, street performers & Seoul’s youth culture
Hongdae is one of Seoul’s most fun districts. It’s the city’s main student hub – laid out around Hongik University – and thus the ideal place to dive into the local youth culture. Hongdae offers a pleasant mix of wonderfully hectic party streets and laidback residential areas, and is a somewhat underrated hotspot for foodies. It’s a couple of kilometres southwest of the downtown, but a 15 minute subway ride takes you straight to Seoul Station.
The biggest draw here is Hongdae Street (also known as Festival Street). This is a colourful, pedestrianised boulevard full of trendy shops, vintage stores and arcades. Plan your visit on a weekend. This is when numerous aspiring K-pop band and other artists will take to the streets and perform. Often these performances are genuinely good and will get a crowd of a few hundred people going. Seen the bands? Continue the fun in one of countless karaoke bars and clubs, or meet some new friends by signing up for this popular pub crawl.
Hongdae is just as fun during the day. Go thrifting, have your fortune read or practise your Wingardium Leviosas in 943 King’s Cross Café – the biggest Harry Potter themed coffeeshop I’ve ever seen. Not in Hongdae, but very close by if you want some peace and quiet: the 2002 World Cup Stadium, the Han riverside with its wonderful promenade and beautiful Haneul Park.
Tip: I spent my second week in Hongdae in the fantastic Zzzip Guesthouse. This is a popular and very social hostel, run by the lovely Gina and Brian. They are very involved with their guests, which means you’ll get constant and interesting tips on what to do during your stay. Very recommended.
12. Itaewon: Seoul’s most international nightlife district
Itaewon – located on the southern side of Namsan – has long been the most international area of Seoul. This is mainly because a large American army base was located next to it for years. The neighbourhood is spread over three hills with some pretty raunchy nicknames. Halal Hill is where Seoul’s largest Muslim community lives (go here for halal food and Middle Eastern cuisine). Right next to it is Homo Hill (sorry guys, that’s what it’s called): the most important LGBTIQ+ stronghold in the city, home to several gay and trans bars. Hooker Hill officially no longer exists, but you can safely assume this is where most American GI’s used to spend their days off.
Because of this international mix, Itaewon quickly grew into one of the capital’s major nightlife districts. The epicentre of the party is World Food Street: a pedestrian street full of clubs, pubs and tiki bars, mostly catering to the expat crowd. Several narrow alleys also packed with bars split off from this promenade, descending quite steeply towards the metro station below. Sounds like a fun place to be and it certainly is, but it’s exactly this setup that caused things to go horribly wrong on Halloween 2022.
The crowds were enormous that night, and panic broke out in the main street. As a result, a mass of people was pushed down into the alleyways, causing 159 poor souls to get trampled and suffocated: the greatest national trauma since the Korean War. The years following the tragedy saw a much quieter Itaewon – locals especially (and understandably) kept their distance – but recently the area seems to be rebounding. I happened to pass through on Halloween Eve right after sunset this year. The atmosphere was cheerful and the street pleasantly busy, but the crowd was far from the pre-2022 numbers, and plenty of police officers were maintaining corridors to help guide people through in an orderly matter. Nobody is taking second chances here, and rightly so.
13. Gangnam: Seoul’s most famous (and most materialistic) neighbourhood
Gangnam – located across the Han River in the south of the city – is the only part of Seoul most foreigners know by name. This of course largely because of PSY’s monster hit Gangnam Style – the catalyst that truly pushed K-pop to the global stage. Turn the clock back half a century though, and the place barely exists. Before the Olympics were held here in 1988, not much of note could be found in this area, but things moved fast from then on. Nowadays, Gangnam is synonymous with luxury brands, status-driven consumerism, exploited idols and the ever-growing Korean beauty industry.
The Starfield COEX Mall is located here: the largest underground shopping mall in the world. Inside you’ll find the Starfield Library: a visually stunning modern library where ironically I think not a single person has ever read a book – everybody’s just taking selfies. Walk out of this mall and you’ll soon end up at the Gangnam Style Sculpture: two giant golden hands to do your little horse dance under – there’s even a video playing to show you how. Surprisingly earnest tribute to a song that relentlessly mocked the Gangnam lifestyle (I bet PSY loves it).
“Gangnam is the only part of Seoul most foreigners know by name – largely thanks to a song that was never meant as a compliment.”
Apart from the surprisingly beautiful Bongseun-sa temple, most of Gangnam’s other sights are a bit spread out: hop on a bus and save some time. K-Star Road is where you’ll see the iconic bear statues named after famous K-pop bands – but beyond that it’s mostly high-end stores and glossy malls. In the south, around Nonhyeon-ro, you’ll find the highest concentration of beauty clinics in the country: an area locals call Plastic Surgery Street. For context: more than 1 in 4 Korean women under the age of thirty (!!) has undergone some form of cosmetic surgery. Appearance carries a lot of social weight in South Korea, and Gangnam is where it becomes most visible.
East of Gangnam lies Lotte World: a popular amusement park with both indoor and outdoor sections. Next to it is the Lotte World Tower: 555m high and currently the sixth tallest building in the world (buy your tickets for the observatory here). Gangnam has a popular clubbing scene as well, but I honestly think you’d be better off in places like Itaewon or Hongdae: more fun, more diverse and easier on the wallet.
Tip: if you’re looking for an actually insightful guided tour through Gangnam, focused on the beauty/idol industry and the enormous pressure society puts on young Koreans (appearance, education, career), you have to book this one. It’s one of the few glimpses tourists can get into the darker side of Korean society and the psychological issues it comes with. Very recommended.
14. Museums in Seoul: history, war, art & kimchi
There is a huge number of museums in Seoul, and unless you plan on staying for months, you’ll never visit all of them in one trip. Rather than overwhelm you with an endless list, I’ll leave you with some of the most important (and most peculiar) ones. There’s always a rainy day to fill up somewhere.
–National Museum of Korea: the largest museum in South Korea and the best place to understand the country as a whole. The collection is vast and spans from prehistoric artefacts and Joseon treasures to modern history. If you only have time for one museum in Seoul, this should probably be it.
–War Memorial of Korea: enormous complex focused on Korea’s military history. Outside an impressive collection of tanks and planes is on display, including a giant American B52 bomber. Inside, the exhibition covers the war in depth and doesn’t shy away from sensitive topics. I also discovered that more than three thousand Belgian volunteers fought on the South Korean side during the war, over a hundred of whom lost their lives. They are honoured in several places throughout the museum.
–Leeum Museum of Art: run by the Samsung Foundation and wonderfully designed, the Leem Museum of Art houses a mix of both traditional Korean art and contemporary works. Close to Itaewon and great option for when you want to see something visually impressive without spending half a day on the visit.
–Seodaemun Museum of Natural History: bit out of the way, but superb museum for dino lovers, with a cast of the famous T-rex Stan on display, as well as some less common skeletons like a pair of pachycephalosaurs and a surprisingly large velociraptor.
–Museum Kimchikan: quirky but informative museum in Insadong, dedicated entirely to kimchi. Learn about its history, variations and cultural importance, or join a kimchi-making workshop and show them how it’s really done.
15. Day trips from Seoul: the DMZ and other escapes from the capital
You’re in Seoul anyway, so visiting the DMZ (the Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Korea) almost feels like a must. It’s by far the most popular day trip from the capital and only about an hour’s drive away. Access is strictly controlled, and a visit is only possible as part of an official tour. These are offered by almost every hotel, but choose a good one or you’ll eventually end up in some jewellery store where you’ll be guilt tripped into buying overpriced trinkets.
The tour itself is of course fascinating from a historical perspective, but left me feeling somewhat uneasy by the end. This mainly because a war that claimed four million lives, was partly turned into a theme park attraction. Touristic tours were always going to happen, but the way they are done matters. For example: right next to the main parking lot is a children’s amusement park, and at the statue honouring the thousands of Korean “comfort women” (abducted by the Japanese to serve as front line sex slaves) people were lining up to take selfies like they were next to Mickey Mouse.
You do get to see some genuinely interesting things though. You’ll descend into the Third Infiltration Tunnel (no photos allowed), secretly dug by North Korea for an invasion and later discovered thanks to a defected engineer. Highlight of the day is the observation platform, where you can take a look inside North Korea through pair of binoculars. Nothing was moving on the other side when it was my turn to have a look, but they did have a completely deserted “model” village right across the border, sporting the world’s tallest flagpole. First impressions matter.
Looking for some lighter and more scenic daytrips from Seoul? These are the main ones:
–Suwon & Hwaseong Fortress: an impressive and UNESCO-listed fortress south of Seoul. The entire wall can be walked and it’s a prime example of Joseon military architecture. Book your tour here.
–Nami Island: very famous and scenic island often used as a backdrop for Korean dramas. It’s covered in beautiful trees, so it’s obviously prettiest in autumn but still nice throughout the rest of the year. Book your visit from Seoul here (it comes with an alpaca hugging experience).
–Bukhansan National Park: technically still in Seoul but visually a world away. Granite mountains, lovely forest trails and great views. Here is a great small group guided hike.
Traveling to Seoul and South Korea: tips, hotels and activities
**There are a couple of affiliate links to interesting activities or hotels in Seoul in this article. These were all personally selected to make sure they actually add value. If you’re already planning to book a tour or hotel in Seoul, consider doing so via one of these links. Doesn’t cost you an extra cent and I’ll get a small compensation for my efforts. Thank you in advance.**
Where to stay in Seoul?
If you want your hotel to be in a pleasant and convenient area, there are three neighbourhoods that work well for first-time visitors.
Jongno: this is Seoul’s historic heart, home to the grand palaces and many of the city’s most atmospheric streets. If this is your first time in Seoul and you want to focus on the main sights, this is where you need to be. Much of what you’ll want to visit is within walking distance and the area is atmospheric but relatively calm. I mentioned Jongno Stay Hostel earlier: a pleasant place to stay, run by a guy named OG who is incredibly helpful (but slightly overworked). Want your stay to be completely unique? Bukchon Binkwan is a hotel in a wonderfully restored hanok in the middle of Bukchon, which means you can keep hanging around in the neighbourhood after the tourist curfew.
Myeongdong: the most central option in terms of metro connections. It’s a little less authentic than Jongno and you’ll want to avoid hotels in the middle of the night market, but if you like shopping you’ll feel right at home. Moxy Seoul Myeongdong is a stylish mid-range option within walking distance of all the sights. Hotel 28 is a more luxurious venue in the middle of Myeongdong.
Hongdae: a bit further from the historic centre, but full of energy. Perfect place for foodies, party people or anyone interested in youth culture and K-pop. I spent a week in Zzzip Guesthouse: an incredibly social hostel just two minutes from the metro, run by the fantastic Gina and Brian. They will act as your cool, hippie parents, and bombard you with useful local tips.
What about Gangnam? Because the name is so famous, many visitors are tempted to book a hotel here. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend this unless you have a specific reason. Gangnam is far from most of the city’s highlights and mainly revolves around luxury shopping. If you do want to stay here, you might as well go all in. Josun Palace is a fantastic high-end hotel with phenomenal rooms. Sometimes you just have to treat yourself.
Getting around Seoul
You’ll need two things to get from A to B smoothly in Seoul.
First, download the Naver Map App on your smartphone. Google Maps doesn’t work properly in South Korea (for “security” reasons) and Naver will tell you exactly which bus or metro to take, where to transfer and how long you’ll have to wait.
Second, get a T-money Travel Card. You can buy and recharge it in any convenience store (7-Eleven, CU or GS25). It works on buses and the metro and can also be used to pay in many shops, similar to Japan’s Suica card (though slightly less universal). Don’t be afraid to hop on a bus by the way. They’re as convenient and reliable as the metro and there’s plenty of them.
Tours & activities in Seoul
Seoul offers far more tours and activities than I could fit into this guide. Viator and Getyourguide have hundreds of options. Here are some more that stood out to me:
-a nightly walking tour to a couple of lesser known spots.
-a cooking workshop with a local granny
-an evening playing drinking games with Korean students (no kidding).
Looking for your next trip?
Would you rather visit Tokyo instead? I’ve published a complete travel guide on the Japanese capital, as well as in-depth posts on almost every interesting neighbourhood on offer: Akihabara, Odaiba, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza, Harajuku, Asakusa, Ueno or Marunouchi. Take your pick. Looking for a quieter alternative to Kyoto? Visit Kanazawa instead.
For different Asian trips, read my guides on Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore and Hanoi. Want something completely different? Go to Texas after reading my posts on Dallas, Austin and San Antonio.
2 Comments
cat
December 25, 2025 at 5:34 amNice post , thank you for sharing.
Jonathan Ramael
January 4, 2026 at 9:22 pmthank you!