Seoul is a super modern vibrant city and, despite being projected towards the future, the capital of South Korea still maintains its traditional features, both in its architecture and its customs.
A visit to Seoul generally takes more days, the Asian city is truly immense and presents several unique and fascinating attractions! Public transportation is excellent and will easily take you to every corner of the capital.
Seoul offers a lot to visitors: culture, entertainment, great food, opportunities to relax or run wild, traditional and modern architecture and natural attractions.
The best time to visit is spring and autumn, but also the rest of the year it is possible to enjoy a tour in the South Korean capital, just remember that you have to deal with the sultry heat of summer and the harsh temperatures of winter.
Below a list of 10 + 1 things to do in Seoul!
1 – Explore Bukchon and its traditional hanok village!
In the center of Seoul, near the Gyeongbokgung palace and the Changdeok palace, you can enjoy a visit in the Bukchon district (which means “village of the North”) with its picturesque hanok (한옥), the traditional Korean houses with gray roofs, white walls and wooden doors and windows. You can experience what was the urban landscape of South Korea 600 years ago, during the Joseon dynasty.
Many tourists come to visit the alleys of Bukchon wearing hanbok (한복), the elegant clothes typical of the country, to take some poetic photos, especially during the spring with the cherry trees in bloom, a funny experience and highlights of the things to do in Seoul. In the area there are numerous shops that rent these traditional clothes, both for women, men and there are also sizes for children.
Several artists and artisans have opened their studios in Bukchon hanoks, it’s an interesting way to take a look at their products and see inside their homes. Some of them also organize classes where you can learn various techniques!
In Bukchon there are lots of restaurants serving typical local food and if you are interested you can also stay overnight in a guesthouse in these fantastic Korean traditional architecture.
2 – Take a tour of Hongdae (and surroundings).
Hongdae is one of the most lively and youthful neighborhoods in the city! Famous for its nightlife, art and its underground culture.
An energetic area always full of people walking by the various streets and small squares full of small shops, restaurants open 24-hour a day that serve delicious food from everywhere and lots of coffee shops, especially in the neighboring of Yeonnam-dong.
Here in Hongdae street artists gather to show their talents, play, sing and dance. Some are really great, people are always ready to support them and maybe some of the performers will be the next stars of the k-pop! A good experience in terms of fun for the things to do in Seoul!
During the night Hongdae is famous for its nightlife: clubs, bars and live music venues where you can party until dawn.
3 – Visit one of the 5 imperial palaces.
In Seoul there are 5 royal palaces of the Joseon dynasty. The original architectures were built between 1300 and 1500 but most of what we can appreciate today are excellent modern reconstructions as Japanese invasions of previous centuries and some fires destroyed almost everything. The best preserved palaces are the Changdeokgung and the Changgyeonggung. Fascinating architecture set among the modern buildings, the shopping centers and the surrounding mountains, which present elegant and light shapes, vivid colors and unique decorations.
Visiting them all during a trip to Seoul takes time, but for sure one or two must be included in your itinerary.
Don’t miss the most important and visited, the Gyeongbokgung Palace, or the North Palace. The first of the five to have been built (finished in 1395), certainly the largest and considered the most beautiful on an architectural level. (Closed on Tuesday!)
The Changdeokgung palace, the East Palace, is next to the Gyeongbokgung and is equally fascinating, especially because it’s one of the buildings that maintain original and less reconstructed elements. The most beautiful feature is the garden with its centenary trees, the rich and harmonious vegetation and the relaxing ponds, try to book a visit to the “hidden garden”, a real treasure of Seoul!
If you still have time, pay a visit to Deoksugung Palace, near the Seoul City Hall, surrounded by western-style buildings, full of charm and elegance. Also noteworthy is the Gyeonghuigung Palace, the West Palace, used by the king in times of danger and the Changgyeonggung Palace with its beautiful park and ponds. One of the best things to do in Seoul if you want a cultural experience and understand more about the past of South Korea.
4 – Enjoy the view from Mount Namsan with its beautiful N Seoul Tower.
In the center of Seoul you can have an easy hike to Mount Namsan (262mt.). For the lazy there is a cable car that will take you to the summit effortlessly. From here you can have a great view of the South Korean capital.
At the top of Mount Namsan stands the N Seoul Tower, at the tip is the observatory with a 360 ° view of the city and a French restaurant, two excellent vantage points to see Seoul from above. The tower is very beautiful when it is lit up during the night. One of the best things to do in Seoul if you like a short hike and being in nature!
5 – Insa-dong, Ikseon-dong and the nearby Jogyesa temple.
Insa-dong is another fascinating area of the city where you can take a pleasant walk. Near Bukchon, a series of narrow alleys that run out of the main street with small shops, restaurants that prepare tasty traditional Korean specialties, tea houses, cafes, antique shops, art galleries, museums and stalls where you will find delicious Korean street food.
Next to Insa-dong, in the Seoul city center, is the beautiful Buddhist temple of Jogyesa . One of the most important in the whole country because the main center of the Jogye order, of the Seon Buddhism (or better known in the West as Zen Buddhism). A great temple with beautiful architecture and decorations, with harmonious shapes and bright colors similar to the royal palaces ones, with the giant statues of the golden Buddhas inside and an atmosphere of peace all around.
Ikseon-dong is attached to Insa-dong, the area is full of narrow alleys with cafes and restaurants that have been opened inside the hanok (typical Korean houses) where people meet to spend pleasant and relaxing hours both during the day and the evening.
6 – Don’t miss the traditional Gwangjang market and Namdaemun market.
For me the most fascinating part of a city is represented by the markets, an opportunity to enjoy an open air show observing how the locals live and interact. An explosion of colors, shapes in motion, sounds and smells that leave indelible memories.
Usually, you will find delicious traditional foods and various goods you can buy at relatively good prices. It is also an opportunity to have a little conversation or a laugh with the locals.
Gwangjang Market is the one that I like the most in Seoul, which is rather popular with tourists but keeps maintain its authentic and traditional charm. In the South Korean capital, you will also find several other interesting ones, such the Namdaemun market. If you have time, visit them both!
7 – Spend an evening in the clubs and bars of Itaewon.
Itaewon is one of Seoul’s most famous nightlife districts.
Many international restaurants where you can enjoy an excellent dinner before heading to one of the many clubs and bars in the area that stay open all night, every day.
Opportunities to have fun and party are at their maximum here!
8 – Taste the delicious and tasty Korean Food.
The food here in South Korea is one of the tastiest I have ever experienced in all of Asia and one of my favorites.
Korean cuisine is really various and delicious, many meat dishes : like the Samgyeopsal – 삼겹살 (barbecue pork belly), the Dak Galbi – 닭 갈비 (stir-fried marinated chicken) or Bulgogi – 불고기 (delicious grilled marinated meat).
The soups are also to try: like the Haejangguk – 해장국 (called the hangover soup) or the Kimchi Jjigae 김치찌개.
Naengmyeon – 냉면 another really interesting dish consisting of noodles in cold soup with ice.
The Korean street food like the Tteokbokki – 떡볶이 (rice cake in hot sauce), the Sundae – 순대 (a kind of blood sausage), the Jeon – 전 (Korean-style pancakes with vegetables, fish or meat inside), the Gimbap – 김밥 (rice wrapped in an sea weed leaf with various seasonings inside, one of the most famous Korean specialties) and the Mandu – 만두 (dumplings).
The rice is always served, as well as the Banchan – 반찬, the side dishes and the sauces like the Doenjang 된장 (with a fermented soybean paste) and the spicy Ssamjang – 쌈장.
The Kimchi – 김치, fermented cabbage dipped in hot sauce and spices, is served at every meal.
The fish is also really tasty: raw, grilled, fried or in soup.
These are just some of the specialties of this super rich cuisine suitable for all tastes!
If you like to drink I suggest you try some Korean alcoholic beverages, such as Makgeolli – 막걸리 (lightly sparkling rice wine) or an alcohol-based drink made from bamboo. Very popular is the Soju – 소주 (a typical Korean distillate), which is often mixed with beer.
9 – Climb a mountain a few kilometers from the city center.
Around Seoul there are some truly fascinating mountains that represent an opportunity to spend a day in nature and enjoy the beautiful views of the city from one of the peaks.
My favorite mountain to climb is the Gwanaksan (632mt.), but the most famous one is the Bukhansan (about 800mt, depending on the summit). Climbing is enjoyable and not too demanding, you still need to be a bit sporty! They are both easily reachable by public transports and are not too far from the city center.
It is advisable to climb them during flowering in spring and autumn when you can enjoy the fantastic colors of this season, and the temperatures are better in these months. A great hiking, for me one of the best things to do in Seoul.
10 – Take a pleasant walk along the Cheonggyecheon stream.
Cheonggyecheon, in the center of Seoul, is a beautiful urban area characterized by a stream of about 11km along which you can take a pleasant walk or just relax in the green, watching the fish swim in the water. Very popular among the locals and tourists.
Find out more about this attraction in Seoul by reading the article on CHEONGGYECHEON STREAM
11 – Relax in a Jjimjilbang, the Korean spa!
The Jjimjilbang – 찜질방 are the spas in South Korea. Equipped with hot and cold water tubs, sauna, massage areas and restaurants. It’s one of the most unique things to do in Seoul.
At the entrance you will find lockers where you can store your belongings, the Jjimjilbang is divided into two areas according to the genders, take a shower before entering the common bathroom area and begin the relaxing treatment.
The Jjimjilbang are open 24 hours a day, you can even sleep in the common areas.
You will come out of here like born again!
