Unique for its striking contrasts, always up-to-date without losing an ounce of tradition. Friendly to foreigners. Vast—and vast, very vast. This is Seoul, the capital of South Korea, home to 10 million people and a patchwork of distinctive neighborhoods, both modern and traditional.
This incredible city, where you could roam the streets for weeks without getting bored, surprises travelers with its diversity—it’s a destination for everyone.
Palaces, temples, markets, parks, secret gardens, and long stretches of ancient city walls await discovery, often convincing even the most hesitant globetrotters that all those hours on a plane were more than worth it.
Its long distances are easily navigated by public transportation, especially the subway, and even the limited English spoken doesn’t pose much of a problem for tourists. What’s more, apps like Maps.me and KakaoMap handle everything you’ll need.
If you’re already convinced, jot down autumn and spring as the most pleasant seasons to visit. But if you really want to get it right—if you’re lucky—time your trip to coincide with cherry blossom season, when Seoul is painted in delicate shades of pink and white that will color all your memories of the city.
My recommendation for visiting such a large city with so much to see is always the same: grab a map of Seoul, read this article, mark what interests you, and divide the city into sections to explore each day. That way, you’ll have a rough idea of how many days you’ll need—though I can already tell you that you can easily spend 3 or 4 days here, if not more.
If you’d prefer a guided experience, consider this private Seoul tour with a guide. Or, if you’d rather get an overview from above, check out the Seoul sightseeing bus tour at the link above.
Now, let’s dive into the best things to see in Seoul.
If there’s one thing you can’t skip in Seoul, it’s the palaces of the Joseon Dynasty. You don’t need to see them all, but you do need to visit at least the most notable ones. Set aside several hours for this, as many of these palace complexes feature expansive gardens that are perfect for a long, peaceful stroll.
We know the names are a bit hard to pronounce, but here are the five main palaces:
Arguably the most important palace—despite having spent 300 years in ruins—as it was built under the orders of the dynasty’s founder, King Taejo. You can also enjoy the Changing of the Guard Ceremony, held up to three times a day.
You can also take a guided tour of Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Originally built as a secondary residence, it has nothing to envy of Gyeongbokgung. Its main attraction is a beautiful garden filled with centuries-old trees.
There’s also the Secret Garden, which requires a separate entrance and is visited only with guided tours (check out the Changdeokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine tour).
If you’re spending a bit more time in Seoul and enjoy palace hopping, consider visiting these three lesser-known but still impressive palaces:
Hanok villages in Korea preserve the architecture and lifestyle of past centuries, especially from the Joseon Dynasty. A hanok is a traditional Korean house built using natural materials like wood, paper, and stone, designed to harmonize with nature.
These villages are full of hanoks that have retained their original look, giving visitors a window into Korean history, daily life, and cultural heritage.
When you close your eyes and imagine South Korea, chances are you’re picturing a street in Bukchon. Home to more than 900 hanoks, it’s the area with the highest concentration in Seoul.
This residential neighborhood offers a glimpse into traditional Seoul—but it’s also home to locals, so please be respectful. You can also step inside some of the hanoks to see how they were traditionally built and lived in.
Ikseondong offers a very different vibe. Here, most hanoks have been transformed into stylish cafés, boutique shops, and restaurants.
Less well-known than the previous two, this recreated neighborhood includes five restored traditional homes and represents how families lived during the Joseon Dynasty.
In addition to immersive cultural activities like painting or paper-making workshops, you can also rent a hanbok (traditional Korean clothing), and take some unforgettable photos.
There’s no better place than a local market to get a feel for a country’s people, personality, and cuisine. It’s a free, immersive way to experience a culture.
Among those in Seoul, we highlight the old and traditional Namdaemun Market, and the enormous Dongdaemun Market, home to thousands of shops.
Gwangjang Market is especially authentic, though it might be unsettling for more sensitive vegetarians—its fish tanks are filled with small octopuses that, according to tradition, are eaten alive. Not exactly a pleasant sight.
Luckily, there are plenty of dishes for all tastes and sensibilities, like the delicious kimchi mandu—dumplings made with Korea’s famous spicy fermented cabbage, sure to delight your taste buds.
You’ll also find dozens of stalls selling every kind of nut, in all forms: raw, roasted, or turned into cookies.
There are several viewpoints throughout Seoul, in addition to those you’ll discover while walking along the city walls. Here are three to note:
From this communications tower, nearly 240 meters high and located in Namsan Park, you can enjoy panoramic views of Seoul in all directions. Inside, there are restaurants and exhibitions spread across multiple floors.
You can purchase your Seoul Tower ticket online here.
Located on the 13th floor of Seoul City Hall Seosomun, the Jeongdong Observatory offers a peaceful spot to sip a coffee while enjoying a view of Deoksugung Palace.
Standing 478 meters tall, Seoul Sky is the tallest glass-floored observatory in the world. It sits atop the Lotte World Tower.
For those moments when your body craves a break from the city buzz, Seoul offers several green spaces and parks that provide the perfect natural escape.
In recent decades, the city has made a visible effort to shift its industrial image into a more livable and nature-friendly one.
The story of this stream is as fascinating as it is beautiful. For decades, it was buried beneath a concrete highway in the name of modernization.
Since 2006, thanks to an ambitious—and somewhat controversial—revitalization project, this 8 km stream has been uncovered and transformed into a tranquil walking path that cuts through the city.
Nature triumphed again when an old overpass was transformed into a beautiful elevated garden, now filled with native plants and flowers. From this floating greenway, you can admire the cityscape from above.
Next, from abandoned roads to repurposed railway lines: Yeontral Park was built along the old Gyeongui Line tracks.
Named for its resemblance to a camel’s hump, this hillside park offers various attractions: you can walk along part of the Fortress Wall, visit the Ihwa Mural Village, or make your way to the N Seoul Tower at the summit.
The Han River offers another great escape, where you can stop and unwind. For something different, you can even take a nighttime boat ride along the river.
A great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city is to take a stroll through Ihwa Mural Village, a small neighborhood of steep, narrow streets with beautiful views of Seoul, where walls are adorned with vibrant murals.
The area was popularized by the Ministry of Culture through its “Art in the City” project, aimed at revitalizing what was once a low-income neighborhood facing demolition.
Needless to say, as this is a residential area, discretion and respect are essential—tourism has, at times, caused discomfort for the locals.
The walk can (or should) be extended with a visit to Naksan Park and/or a walk along the Seoul City Wall.
Food stalls, sweets, smoothies, ice cream, huge shops, pastel-toned window displays, fashion chains, Korean cosmetics, cafes… you’ll likely find whatever you’re looking for in Myeongdong, a bustling area of narrow streets and more lights than the eye can handle.
If you’re looking to sample local street food, this is the place. Head to Myeongdong and get lost in the chaos.
Originally built for defense, the Seoul City Wall—or what remains of it—is now a fantastic place to walk while taking in stunning views of the city. There are several accessible sections, each with varying levels of difficulty and length, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes.
The name of this district is familiar to almost everyone—though few remember the name of the guy behind that viral dance.
In the upscale Gangnam area, in addition to a quirky statue celebrating the famous dance, you’ll find the Starfield Library inside COEX Mall. This visually striking library, with its towering bookshelves, is famous for its photogenic charm.
Dating back to the Silla Dynasty, this serene temple offers a peaceful escape and even the option to participate in a temple stay experience.
You may not have time for a full day of meditation, but if you’re seeking a tranquil moment, you’ll surely find a couple of hours to unwind here.
Originally founded in 1910 as Gakhwangsa, the temple was renamed Jogyesa in 1936 to honor the Jogye tradition, the Korean school of Seon Buddhism (similar to Zen).
Though Buddhism in Korea has a history of over a thousand years, Jogyesa is relatively modern, built during the Japanese occupation.
Located in the heart of the city, it represents the coexistence of spiritual heritage and urban life.
One of the most sacred and revered sites in Korea, Jongmyo Shrine is dedicated to the kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty. Built in the 14th century, it’s the oldest and best-preserved Confucian shrine in the country and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.
Its austere architecture and peaceful surroundings reflect Confucian ideals of simplicity and respect for ancestors.
Also known as Myeongdong Cathedral, this is the most important Catholic church in South Korea and one of Seoul’s iconic landmarks.
Built between 1892 and 1898, it symbolizes the growth of Christianity in Korea and was the first Gothic-style Catholic church in the country.
Located in the Myeongdong district, in the heart of Seoul, it stands out for its striking red-brick façade and 45-meter-tall tower.
The excursion to the Korean Demilitarized Zone is the most famous and unusual day trip from Seoul. This 4 km buffer zone, located along the 38th Parallel, separates North and South Korea.
Tours include visits to the Peace Park, infiltration tunnels, and an observation deck where the curious can peer into North Korea through binoculars.
Just an hour from central Seoul by subway, Suwon is often visited as a day trip. It’s most famous for Hwaseong Fortress, with over 5 km of walls to explore alongside tourists, locals walking their pets, and cherry blossoms in full bloom come April.
We stayed a couple of nights in Suwon, but it’s definitely doable as a day trip from Seoul.
Traveling with little ones can be tiring—for both them and us—especially if we don’t make time just for them. Outdoor activities are perfect for letting kids run, play, and burn off energy.
However, kids’ cafes in Seoul (and across South Korea) are true paradises where children can lose themselves in play while parents enjoy a good coffee or tea.
Take note of Café de Enfant, the one we visit most often.
