Top places to visit in Seoul

• Gyeongbokgung Palace

  Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  The grandest of Seoul's Five Grand Palaces, built in 1395. The 40-hectare complex features the Geunjeongjeon throne hall, Hyangwonjeong pavilion, and the daily Changing of the Royal Guard ceremony at the main gate.

• Namsan Seoul Tower (N Seoul Tower)

  Viewpoint · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Perched atop 262 m Namsan Mountain, N Seoul Tower soars 237 m higher offering 360° city panoramas. Famous for its "love locks" fence, rotating restaurant, and cable car. Spectacular day and night.

• Lotte World Tower — Seoul Sky Observatory

  Viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  At 555 m, Lotte World Tower is the 5th tallest building in the world. The Seoul Sky observatory (floors 117–123) features a glass-floor observation deck and the world's highest outdoor terrace.

• Bukchon Hanok Village

  Heritage · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The best-preserved cluster of traditional Korean hanok houses in Seoul, on a hillside between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces. Over 900 hanok homes line the narrow alleys; many are still privately occupied.

• Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)

  Cultural · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Zaha Hadid's futuristic aluminium-clad landmark — a 86,574 m² convention, shopping, and cultural hub. World-class design exhibitions and pop-up markets run year-round. The surrounding 24-hour fashion market district is the best place in…

• Hongdae Street Art & Club District

  Nightlife · 4.3 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  The beating heart of Seoul's youth culture, centred around Hongik University. Street artists perform by day; at night it transforms into Korea's most electric nightlife strip with live-music clubs, dance bars, and 24-hour fried chicken…

Things to do

• Gyeongbokgung Royal Guard Ceremony Cultural · 1 h
• Bukchon Hanok Village Walking Tour Cultural · 2 h · from KRW 15,500 per person
• Han River Sunset Cruise Leisure · 1.5 h · from KRW 35,900 per person
• K-Pop Dance Class in Hongdae Entertainment · 1.5 h · from KRW 41,100 per person
• Kimchi Making Class Food · 2 h · from KRW 61,600 per person

Where to stay in Seoul

• Myeongdong / Jongno about KRW 120,000 per night

  Most central area for first-time Seoul visitors. Closest to Gyeongbokgung Palace, Insadong, and N Seoul Tower. Excellent subway links on Lines 2 and 4. Street food, shopping, and nightlife all within walking distance.

• Hongdae / Mapo about KRW 60,000 per night

  Best area for younger travellers and K-Pop fans. Home to Hongik University, live music clubs, indie cafes, vintage fashion, and numerous budget hostels. Airport Rail Express (AREX) access 10 min away.

Hotels

• Lotte Hotel Seoul 5-star · KRW 350,000 to KRW 700,000 per night
• Myeongdong Guesthouse 2-star · KRW 35,000 to KRW 80,000 per night
• Ibis Ambassador Seoul Insadong 3-star · KRW 90,000 to KRW 160,000 per night

Where to eat

• Gwangjang Market Bindaetteok Korean Street Food · about KRW 8,000 per person
• Tosokchon Samgyetang Korean · about KRW 15,000 per person
• Noryangjin Fish Market Seafood · about KRW 35,000 per person
• Maple Tree House Itaewon Korean BBQ · about KRW 80,000 per person

Getting to Seoul

Airport: Seoul (GMP), Seoul (ICN)

How visitors arrive in Seoul

• Fly to Incheon International By air from Incheon · common

  Incheon serves most international flights; the A'REX airport train connects it to Seoul Station. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• KTX high-speed train By train from Busan · common

  Seoul is the northern terminus of most KTX high-speed services. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Intercity bus or expressway By road from Rest of Korea · common

  Intercity buses and the Gyeongbu Expressway connect Seoul with the rest of Korea. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Fly to Gimpo By air from Gimpo · possible

  Gimpo mainly handles domestic flights and a few routes to China, Japan and Taiwan. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Ferry from China via Incheon By ferry from China (via Incheon) · possible

  Ferries run from Chinese ports to nearby Incheon. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• AREX from Incheon

  The AREX airport railway runs to Seoul Station (KTX connections) and Gimpo. Express trains need a reservation; the all-stops train uses cash or T-money and a separate platform. Source: english.visitkorea.or.kr

• Airport limousine buses

  Limousine buses serve many districts including Gangnam and the Hongdae/Sinchon area; the guide recommends them with heavy luggage. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Subway from Gimpo Airport

  Gimpo is served by subway lines 5 and 9 and by AREX. Check directions from the nearest station to your hotel before picking a line. Source: english.visitkorea.or.kr

Getting around

• Bus useful for some trips

  City buses are colour-coded by route type, with red, blue, green and yellow services covering regional, mainline, branch and loop routes.

• Metro useful for some trips

  The subway network links every district of Seoul and the surrounding area, with signs and announcements in both Korean and English.

• Transit Pass useful for some trips

  A rechargeable transport card such as T-money can be used on the subway and buses, and in many taxis.

• Walking

Paying

• The all-stops AREX train takes cash or T-money only; the express takes cards. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Safety and scams to avoid

• Fake Monk Donation Request

  Myeongdong, Insadong, palace gates

  A person in Buddhist monk robes hands tourists a wooden bracelet as a "free gift" then demands cash. Becomes aggressive if refused.

  How to avoid it: Do not accept unsolicited gifts. Real monks do not solicit tourists for money. Politely decline and walk away.

• Overpriced Souvenir Pressure Selling

  Insadong and Namdaemun market stalls

  Vendors claim ordinary items are rare antiques and pressure tourists with guilt tactics to pay inflated prices.

  How to avoid it: Compare prices across multiple stalls. Use Naver Map reviews to find trusted shops. Fixed-price shops do not pressure you.

• Unofficial Taxi Overcharging

  Myeongdong, Itaewon, Hongdae late night

  Unlicensed taxis near nightlife districts overcharge foreigners or take long routes. Legal taxis are safe and metered.

  How to avoid it: Use Kakao T app — it shows fare estimates before booking. If hailing on street, confirm the meter is running.

Best time to visit Seoul

• Jan 1°C
• Feb 3°C
• Mar 9°C
• Apr 15°C
• May 21°C
• Jun 25°C
• Jul 27°C
• Aug 28°C
• Sep 24°C
• Oct 18°C
• Nov 11°C
• Dec 3°C

More in South Korea

• Jeju
• Busan
• Jeonju
• Gyeongju
• Suwon
• Incheon

Frequently asked questions about Seoul

How many days do you need in Seoul?

A typical trip to Seoul is 3-4 days.

What are the top-rated places to visit in Seoul?

The highest-rated places in our Seoul guide are Gyeongbokgung Palace, Lotte World Tower — Seoul Sky Observatory, Namsan Seoul Tower (N Seoul Tower), Bukchon Hanok Village, Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP).

Where should I stay in Seoul?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Seoul: Myeongdong / Jongno, Hongdae / Mapo.

How do I get around Seoul?

Ways to get around Seoul covered in our guide: City bus, Metro, Transit pass, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Seoul?

Scams reported to us for Seoul include Fake Monk Donation Request; Overpriced Souvenir Pressure Selling; Unofficial Taxi Overcharging. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Seoul?

Average daytime highs in Seoul run from 1°C in Jan to 28°C in Aug.

Which airport is nearest to Seoul?

The nearest airport to Seoul has the code SEL.