Seoul is a charismatic city brimming with gleaming city life and dotted with towering skyscrapers. But Seoul is not just about these things. There is much more! From cheap Korean street food to ultimate shopping spots and amazing attractions, Seoul offers plenty of opportunities for tourists to experience and explore. Such is the compelling charm of Seoul that you can explore the grand palaces in the morning, indulge in a hiking experience in the afternoon, go for shopping in the evening, and enjoy the nightlife in the night. There are tons of things you Must do in Seoul and it has something for everyone. Therefore, here we have come up with some of the top things to do in Seoul that you must indulge in while vacationing in Seoul, South Korea.
Table of Contents
19 Top Things To Do In Seoul
Shopping
A shopping tour has to be a part of your Korea Seoul things to do. When it comes to shopping in Seoul, well, the city offers plenty of opportunities to travelers as well as locals. There are a number of underground shopping centers where you can head for an ultimate shopping experience in Seoul. Yeongdeungpo Underground Mall, Express Terminal Underground Centre, and Gangnam Underground Shopping Centre are some popular underground shopping paradise. From clothes to accessories, you can buy a wide range of things from these shopping centers. However, if you are looking to buy souvenirs, then Insadong is the best area to explore. There is a street in this neighborhood that is dotted with hundreds of booths, galleries, restaurants, shops, and teahouses.
Our Favorite Place
Our personal favorite is Shopping in Myeongdong. It is a shopping hub that is often touted as the unofficial shopping district in Seoul. The place has everything; from k-pop performances to people dressed in Cosplay to the delectable Korean street food, it has everything to entertain you. Besides, the shopping experience in Myeongdong is indelible. You can find anything here, from clothing to accessories to souvenirs to gifts.
Visit any of the Quirky Cafes
You would be amazed to know that Seoul is dotted with a number of oddly themed cafes. And the fact is, you would love all of them. Hongdae Meerkat Cafe, Poop Cafe, are some of the best oddly themed cafes in Seoul.
Godabang Cafe
There are a number of theme cafes in Seoul, South Korea. But the one that stands out is the Godabang Cafe. Located in the district of Myeongdong, it is a cat-themed cafe that attracts a lot of cat lovers every day. This place gives you the chance to play with fluffy and mischievous cats. But to ensure the safety of these creatures, there are some rules that every visitor needs to follow. You will be asked to wash your hands while entering the cafe. Make sure you do not touch any cat while they are sleeping. The cats at Godabang Cafe are so friendly that you don’t have to worry, they will eventually come to you.
Location
8 5 Myeongdong 8-gil, Myeongdong 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday from 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Sunday and Saturday from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Spend a Night at a Jimjibang
Jimdibang is a traditional Korean spa. It is one of the unique places to visit in the city of Seoul. It is basically gender-segregated bathhouses that consist of massage areas, communal sleeping rooms, cold-soaking pools, and entertainment lounges. In Seoul, there are a number of Jimjibang to choose from. The most famous of all are Spa Lei, Dragon Hill Spa, and Itaewon Land.
Visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)
Well yes, even if you are not a patriotic kind of person, a visit to Demilitarized Zone is a must while on your Seoul trip. For a fact check, this place is situated on the borders of both South and North Korea. Hence, the DMZ is one of the most loved and sought-after tourist attractions in the country. Though this place is located within the periphery of Seoul, yet, it certainly one of the day trip destinations from Seoul as it is situated at a distance of just 60 km. The place remains open every day, except for some days and that is because of security reasons. Hence, I would suggest you to first check out all the tours and available dates here.
Korean Karaoke
There is a fact that Koreans love Karaoke. You will see plenty of Karaoke rooms in the city that remain open from midnight to early in the morning, especially in areas like Insadong. Whether you have 3 days in Seoul or 7 days You don’t want to miss a Korean karaoke experience! Pacific Room Club, Rakhyu Coin Karaoke, and Su Noraebang are some of the highly-rated karaoke rooms in Seoul that you should look to visit to get an ultimate experience.
Relish Delectable Korean Food
Before saying anything, let me tell you this – the food in South Korea, especially in Seoul is ‘Incredible’. It is one of the most loved cities in the world when it comes to food.
Street Food Tour
Can you imagine any vacation without a street food tour? In Seoul, you get plenty of opportunities to taste the delectable Korean food and enjoy the Korean food culture. There are plenty of Seoul must visit places and tons of street foods in Seoul that I recommend you to eat, ranging from sweet kimbap to chicken skewers to hotteok to tteokbokki. The food culture in South Korea is quite diverse and when it comes to street food, there are places like Hongdae, Insadong, and Myeongdong that welcome food connoisseurs with open arms. For food lovers and shopaholics, Myeongdong is the best area to stay in Seoul. However, Hongdae is also a neighborhood where a lot of tourists book their stay.
Korean BBQ
It would be unfair if we considered Korean BBQ don’t get a separate mention. They’re everywhere especially in main areas like Hongdae. After all, such is the captivating hold of it! Daedo Sikdang and Mapo Sutbul Galbi are some of the highly-recommended BBQ houses in Seoul. Each of them is specialized in a specific type of cut of meat. A personal recommendation from my side is to try roasting some garlic and kimchi for an indelible BBQ experience. Once you try this you can see why it’s really apart of the Korean food culture.
Our Favorite Place
Maple Tree
Location
31-1 Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening Hours
Sunday to Saturday from 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM
Bukchon Hanok Village
It is one of the most-visited tourist attractions in Seoul. The traditional Hanok houses date back to the era of the Joseon Dynasty. These houses currently serve as the residential homes of numerous locals. This residential area offers an amazing opportunity to capture the astonishing sights in your camera lenses. It is a cultural experience for travelers who wish to learn about the culture of Seoul. This 600-year-old settlement also houses the Bukchon Traditional Culture Center.
Location
South Korea, Seoul, Jongno-gu, Gahoe-dong, Seol, South Korea
Gyeongbokgung Palace
During the reign of the Joseon Dynasty, Gyeongbokgung Palace was the main royal palace. Situated in northern Seoul, the palace is one of the grandest historical attractions in the city. It also serves as the perfect exemplar of Korean architecture. There is also a pavilion situated on an artificial island in the middle of a gorgeous lake. But the key highlight of Gyeongbokgung Palace is the guard changing ceremony. The ceremony is observed every house between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, every day except Tuesday.
Location
161 Sajik-ro, Sejongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Operating Hours
Wednesday to Monday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry Fee
3000 WON
Mount Namsan
Mount Namsan is the perfect escape for all the nature lovers and popular Seoul things to do amongst tourists. Though the mountain is just 237 meters at its peak, it is still quite challenging to hike all the way up for amateur hikers. If you’re one of them, fret not! There is also a cable car service to take you all the way up to the mountain. From the top, you can savor the breathtaking views of the city.
N Seoul Tower
If you are visiting Mount Namsan, then visiting N Seoul Tower is a must thing to do there. It is one of the most iconic attractions in Seoul. From the N Seoul Tower, you can capture the astonishing views of the city and nightlife. The tower also hosts light shows. If you are looking to spend a romantic time with your consort, then this is the place where you should head for a romantic night out. If you want to save some time then the best way to reach the tower is via cable car. Otherwise, you can also choose the roads that windes all the way up to the tower, this tends to take 20 minutes. Instead of waiting in line, you can book your tickets here in advance!
Location
105 Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan 2(i)ga-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Operating Hours
Monday to Friday and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Saturday from 10:00 AM to midnight.
Entry Fee
11000 WON
**Another great view of the city is Jongno Tower located in Jongno-gu!**
Lotte World
If you are to make an ultimate list of the best things to do at Seoul, then Lotte World has to be on the list. It is one of the largest indoor amusement parks in the world. However, it includes both an indoor theme park and an outdoor amusement park. In addition, there is also a shopping complex and a hotel around the Lotte World. It is one of those tourist attractions in Seoul, South Korea that is idle for a family outing. Do not make a mistake to think that it is an ordinary theme park. Well, it is way more than that – a huge entertainment hub that gives you a wholesome time full of fun and adventure.
Location
240 Olympic-ro, Jamsil-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Operating Hours
Monday to Saturday from 9:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Entry Fee
59000 WON for an adult, 52000 WON for youth, and 47000 WON for child
Trick Eye Museum
There are plenty of amazing museums and must visit places in Seoul, South Korea. But the Trick Eye Museum is one of its kind in the city. Visiting the Trick Eye Museum is one of the most unique and interesting things to do in Korea. It showcases the intriguing art technique which is known to create an eye illusion of a 3D object. But above all that, this is indeed a fun place. You can interact with the 3D paintings and can even capture them in your camera lenses. Talking about the technical aspect, the museum incorporates Augmented Reality (AR) technology.
Location
20 Hongik-ro 3-gil, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening Hours
Sunday to Saturday from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Everland
Everland is another popular tourist attraction idle for families vacationing in Seoul, South Korea. It is a theme park that provides tourists with bucket loads of fun, thrill, and excitement. Just to let you know, it is the largest outdoor theme park in South Korea. It includes five zones dotted with different attractions and rides. Of all the rides, the roller coaster is the key attraction. Everland is famous for having the steepest wooden roller coaster in the world that makes this place a famous one. There are plenty of rides in Everland, so it is advisable to visit the park early in the hours.
Location
199 Everland-ro, Pogog-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Opening Hours
Sunday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Entry Fee
56000 WON for an adult and 44000 for a child
Korean Furniture Museum
Another well-known museum which attracts a huge crowd of tourists from far and wide is Korean Furniture Museum. As the name itself suggests, the museum is known to house a rich collection of wooden furnishings. In total, there are over 2500 traditional Korean furniture that is put up on display as exhibits. The best thing about this museum is that, unlike modern museums, the collections at Korean Furniture Museum are displayed in 10 traditional Hanoks. It is to display how this age-old furniture was used in day to day life of locals in South Korea. If you have a thing for museums, then Korean Furniture Museum has to be on your list of top things to do in Seoul.
Location
121 Daesagwan-ro, Seongbuk-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening Hours
Sunday to Saturday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Entry Fee
20000 WON
Jogyesa Temple
When it comes to sightseeing in Seoul, well, your tour cannot be completed without Jogyesa Temple. This Buddhist pilgrimage site traces its history from the 14th century. It was constructed during the reign of the Joseon Dynasty. However, it was burned down to ashes after some years. The current architecture of Jogyesa Temple dates back to 1910. The beautiful construction of this highly sacred site truly depicts the astonishing local craftsmanship. People visit this temple not just to adore its marvelous architecture, but also to spend some peaceful time.
Location
55 Ujeongguk-ro, Gyeonji-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening Hours
Open all throughout the day
Entry Fee
No Entry Fee
Kyungin Museum of Fine Art
Kyungin Museum of Fine Art is a popular art museum in Seoul, South Korea. It is Located in Jongnogu district, the museum has five exhibition halls that depict a wide collection of artifacts. However, a thing to know about this museum is that the exhibitions change every week at Kyungin Museum of Fine Art. The entry of the museum is completely free in order to promote fine arts.
Address
57-1 Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening Hours
Sunday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry Fee
No Entry Fee
Dongdaemun Design Plaza
One of the newest attractions in Seoul and a Seoul must see is Dongdaemun Design Plaza. This is a popular venue for events, shows, and exhibitions related to the design industry. However, before visiting this attraction, make sure you cross-check if there is an event happening.
Location
281 Eulji-ro, Euljiro 7(chil)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Operating Hours
All throughout the day
Hiking in Bukhansan Mountain
If you are one of those people who love to have some thrill while on any vacation, then your Seoul trip itinerary must include hiking in Bukhansan Mountain. The entire hiking route is full of pulchritudinous views. The hike would at least 2 hours to complete. However, I would recommend you to go for Bukhansanseong Trail. This is a popular trail on the mountain where you can see a lot of hikers indulging in the experience.
Hongdae Nightlife
Hongdae is a region in the capital city of Seoul. Trust me, this is that one must-visit place for all the nightcrawlers. This area is the hub of college students and is dotted with numerous budget hotels and incredible food places that is what makes this place the best area to stay in Seoul. But what fascinates tourists are all the things to do in Hongdae like the cafes, bars, and clubs. Apart from visiting any of the cafes or restaurants, you can also go shopping in Hongdae. That’s why this is one of the best for Seoul at night.
Along with the many interesting facts about South Korea did you know Koreans drink twice as much as Russians. I think its basically apart of their culture.
South Korea is indeed is one of those destinations in the world where you get to savor some unforgettable experience at every step. I hope you are ready to welcome them all!
For more such amazing posts, you check out our South Korea blog section. Also, if you are looking for some recommendations of travel essentials for your trips, then worry not, here are those travel essentials that we recommend you to carry on your every vacation, just like us!
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