While many cities that I visited in South Korea stole my heart, I think Seoul left the biggest impression on me, and I can’t wait to go back and explore it even further.
But there are so many things to see and do in the South Korean capital that planning your first trip to Seoul can be quite intimidating.
In this little guide of the best things to see and do in Seoul, I share what I did and what I would recommend to any friend visiting Seoul for the first time.
This is not really a list for an off-the-beaten-path experience, but a list of must-dos in Seoul: the main things to see and do to get the “full” Seoul experience if you are visiting South Korea for the first time.
The Best Things to See and Do in Seoul for a First-time Visit
Visit the Royal Palaces
Two of Seoul’s main landmarks are royal palaces: Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung. They are quite close to each other and I think they are both worth a visit.
There are also three other, less famous, palaces in Seoul that you might want to add to your list if you have more time or really want to avoid the most popular ones: Deoksugung, Changgyeongung and Gyeonghuigung.
For your first time in Seoul I would recommend starting with the 2 most famous ones.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
The largest of all palaces, considered by many to be the most beautiful. It was built in 1395 and was one of the first palaces of the Joseon dynasty. Its grounds are so large that you can pretty much spend an entire afternoon there.
Changdeokgung Palace
This palace is a bit different than the others as it was built to be in harmony with nature instead of following a strict plan. The main feature of Changdeokgung is its stunning Secret Garden (called Huwon), which I highly recommend visiting. This was my personal favourite!
Note: while for most palaces it is not necessary to book your ticket in advance, you should book your visit the Secret Garden as there aren’t a lot of spots!
| Which palace sould you visit for your first time in Seoul? My personal favourite was Changdeokgung because of its Secret Garden, but both are worth it. If you have time for only one palace, here’s what I would suggest: visit Changdeokgung if you manage to get tickets for the Secret Garden if you can’t get tickets for the Secret Garden, then visit Gyeongbokgung |
Go to Bukchon Hanok Village
One of the best things to do in Seoul is to go to Bukchon Hanok Village. It is an area in Seoul, located between the two main palaces, where you can walk around hundreds of traditional houses, called hanok, that have been very well-preserved. Some of them are now restaurants, shops or cafés, and others are guesthouses or tourist centers.
Tip to avoid crowds: the main street can be very crowded, but if you walk around a bit you’ll see wonderful streets with almost no one around!
Go shopping in Myeongdong
Myeongdong is one of the most famous shopping districts in Seoul. Its narrow streets are lined with all sorts of different shops, from large commercial brands to tourist shops, restaurants, skincare and clothing stores, you name it.
Myeongdong is very touristy and very busy, and a bit overrated in my opinion, but for a first-time visit in Seoul, you might want to check it out, especially if you like shopping!
Its main street also has a street food market where you can try many different Korean treats.
Walk around Ikseondong
Ikseondong is a small neighbourhood in Seoul that has kept its original layout with renovated hanoks. Now they house shops, restaurants and cafés, and it is a great contrast with the tall buildings and large streets of the rest of the city.
Located between the palaces and the Myeongdong area, getting lost in the small maze of streets in Ikseondong is one of the best things to do in Seoul if you want to fully witness Seoul’s café culture and walk in and out of small shops.
Discover Korean small artists at Ssamziegil mall
Very close to Ikseondong, the area of Insadong is an artistic and cultural district with many shops showcasing traditional Korean arts and craftsmanship.
In Insadong, I would specifically recommend checking out the Ssamziegil open air mall. There, you’ll find many small shops of Korean artists, ranging from more traditional crafts to contemporary artists selling their prints and merch.
This is the perfect place to get little gifts for everyone back home, as you’ll have plenty of choice, from beautiful fans to cute plushies.
Rent a hanbok
A hanbok is the Korean national outfit, that nowadays Koreans mainly wear for special occasions. However, as a tourist you can also rent a hanbok and wear it to visit the palaces – the entrance is free for anyone wearing one!
Climb up the N Seoul Tower
The N Seoul Tower is an iconic landmark located in the Namsan park, in the heart of Seoul. From there you can get unobstructed views over Seoul, and a walk around the park is perfect after walking in the busy streets of Seoul.
Walk along the Han River at night
If you’ve watched some k-dramas you’re probably quite familiar with the view of Seoul offered by the banks of the Han River. The best places to enjoy these views are the different Hangang Parks all along the Han River.
There are 12 different Hangang Parks in Seoul, so you’ll have plenty of choice. I went to the Yeouido Hangang Park for a stroll and some ramyeon (Korean noodles), and to the Banpo Hangang Park to watch a light show next to the bridge. I recommend both!
Watch street performers in Hongdae
Hongdae is a famous district in Seoul, named after the nearby Hongik University. It is known for its lively atmosphere, independent shops, cute cafés, street performers and nightlife.
Even if you are not there for the nightlife, this iconic district of Seoul is absolutely worth checking out for an afternoon or evening walk, stopping here and there for a coffee or some shopping, and maybe running into street performers!
Get a skin analysis or hair treatment
Korean amazing beauty products go hand in hand with the best treatments. If you are in for a day or morning of pampering, going for a skin analysis or a scalp treatment in Seoul is one of the best things to do!
Note: these are not cheap treatments, although they might be cheaper than what you find back home.
Check out the DDP
The Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) is a cultural center designed by the famous architect Zaha Hadid. It hosts pop-up stores, exhibitions and cultural and artistic events.
Its unique spaceship-like shape really makes it an iconic landmark of the city and it is absolutely a must-see if you are interested in architecture, fashion or design.
Tip: there are also many streetfood stalls in the area if you are a bit hungry!
Try traditional Korean food
This goes without saying that trying local food is a must-do in any country you visit. Seoul has plenty of restaurants, cafes, markets and street food areas for you to try Korean food, and here are some food-related experiences I would recommend:
- go to a food market like the Gwangjang market (if you are planning to visit other Korean cities, you might want to skip the ones in Seoul that can get very crowded)
- eat some street food: around the DDP or Myeongdong, for example, but also towards Insadong
- get some food at the convenience store (like kimbap or ramyeon) and eat it by the Han river
- sit down for a traditional Korean meal with lots of banchan (side dishes)
Explore Gangnam
Gangnam is probably the most famous district in Seoul thanks to Psy’s Gangnam Style song. It is a stylish and very modern district, with lots of high-end fashion, dermatology clinics, luxury shops and tall skyscrapers.
You can go shopping in the trendy Apgujeong Rodeo Street or the COEX Mall, which also hosts the famous Starfield library. The Starfield Library is beautiful and quite impressive, but in my opinion it is pretty overrated!
Experience South Korea’s café culture
If you are like me and always in for a warm (or iced) drink and a little treat, you’ll love Seoul and its countless cafés! Throughout the capital, you’ll see lots of themed or very aesthetic cafés, and while some will not be worth the hype, others will be!
Experiencing Korea’s café culture to me means taking the time to slow down for a bit during the day, taking a break from visiting all the landmarks and just stopping to appreciate what’s in front of you.
Whether you opt for a themed café, a “viral” one or a small coffeeshop you just stumbled across, take the time to slow down and feel gratitude for being where you are.
Walk along Cheonggyecheon Stream
Cheonggyecheon Stream is an almost 11 km long stream that goes through Seoul and passes by many popular landmarks. Its banks are entirely pedestrian and lined with trees, so perfect for a nice walk during the day or in the evening.
It is beautiful all year round and also hosts lantern festivals in April and November and festive decorations for Christmas.
Bonus: Go on a Day Trip
This is technically not in Seoul itself, but I highly recommend exploring a nearby area when you are in Seoul. Depending on your interests and the time of year, here are some popular day trip destinations you can easily go on from Seoul:
- Suwon (this is where I went and loved it!)
- DMZ
- Nami Island (especially in autumn)
Practical information – Best Things to do in Seoul
Where to stay in Seoul as a first-time visitor?
Seoul is really big and there are many hotel options, and the opinions on the areas to stay vary a lot online. Some of the most popular areas to stay are:
- Myeongdong: very central, but can be very busy with people and shops
- Hongdae: close to a great and trendy area and on the line to get to the airport (AREX), but not very central
- Bukchon Hanok Village: beautiful hanok stays and close to popular landmarks, but quite touristic and not as easily accessible (honestly wouldn’t recommend it)
In general, I simply recommend staying close to an area that you want to visit and picking an accommodation that is close to a metro station, as you will probably be using that a lot.
For all of my trips I now use almost exclusively Booking to find my accommodations, as they are easy to use and often have great deals.
During the first couple of days I stayed in Seoul at the beginning of my 1-month South Korea trip, I stayed in a small guesthouse near the DDP. It was cheap and small but had everything we needed, although I would have loved a place that had more cafés nearby.
In the last week of my stay, I came back to Seoul and decided to splurge: after one month of travelling around South Korea, we knew we would enjoy a bit of luxury. We stayed at the LOTTE City Hotel Mapo and loved it! It is closer to Hongdae and on the airport line, very central and has every facility you might think of!
If you are interested in staying in a hanok, instead of doing it in the very touristy Bukchon Hanok Village, I’d recommend going to Jeonju!
How to get around Seoul?
Seoul is a huge city that is best explored by public transport. The metro system is on time, reliable and reaches many areas. There are also many buses that can take you wherever you need to go.
To use the public transport system in Seoul, you need to get a T-Money card, a rechargeable pass that you top up regularly and you can use throughout South Korea, or a Climate Pass. The Climate Pass has very interesting offers for Seoul, but you can’t use it throughout South Korea.
Both the T-Money card and the Climate Pass are to be bought at small convenience stores (there are plenty all around) and topped up at metro stations.
To plan your route, I recommend using the Naver Map app, as Google Maps does not work for creating an itinerary in South Korea.
In Seoul, you can also easily take taxis or Ubers, which you’ll find are probably cheaper than what you are used to.
I would not recommend getting around Seoul with a rental car, as there seems to be a lot of traffic all the time.
How much time to spend in Seoul?
I think one week in Seoul is a minimum to properly explore the city, visit the important sights and museums, experience the local life and maybe go on a day trip or two (which I recommend).
Whenever you visit a place, it is also important to explore the surrounding areas and slow down, and I don’t recommend rushing from one sight to another.
During my South Korea trip, we stayed 2 days in Seoul at the beginning of our stay to visit the palaces and the historical sites, then we came back for a week at the end of our stay to explore other parts of the city and go on a day trip.
When is the best time to visit Seoul?
South Korea has generally very harsh and cold winters and the summers are hot and humid, so the best time to visit Seoul is usually late Spring or Autumn.
In Spring and Autumn you’ll have milder temperatures, a higher chance of sunshine and beautiful flowers (in Spring) or stunning foliage (in Autumn).
My experience: our first few days in Seoul were in mid September and it was still really hot and humid, but when we came back in mid October, we enjoyed beautiful weather and temperatures ranging from 20 to 26 °C (68 to 78 F).
