This picture was taken from the observation deck at the N Seoul Tower.
Updated June 2024.
The Soul of Asia
The capital of the Republic of Korea (ROK), although officially known as South Korea, it is the most populated urban area in South Korea and is the 4th largest metropolitan economy.
Baekje was the first kingdom to rule Seoul, before Seoul was officially the capital during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) with a fortress wall surrounding it.
Its name stems from a common noun in native Korean seoul (서울) which means “capital city”, even though during the Joseon dynasty, the official name was Hanseong (한성). French missionaries, hearing the common use of seoul, called it Séoul, which led to its current naming.
Its nicknames are wide and plenty. The most common one refers to the fact that it is the birthplace of K-pop, Korean cuisine, and traditional Korean arts and crafts while also influencing fashion and technology, while playing on its homophone of “soul”. Another favorite of mine is the Bandwidth Capital of the World, as it has some of the fastest internet speeds.
Baekje was the first kingdom to rule Seoul, before Seoul was officially the capital during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) with a fortress wall surrounding it.
Its name stems from a common noun in native Korean seoul (서울) which means “capital city”, even though during the Joseon dynasty, the official name was Hanseong (한성). French missionaries, hearing the common use of seoul, called it Séoul, which led to its current naming.
Its nicknames are wide and plenty. The most common one refers to the fact that it is the birthplace of K-pop, Korean cuisine, and traditional Korean arts and crafts while also influencing fashion and technology, while playing on its homophone of “soul”. Another favorite of mine is the Bandwidth Capital of the World, as it has some of the fastest internet speeds.
Overview
Seoul is a massive city with delicious food and sightseeing. As such, I’ve provided a rudimentary itinerary, but would recommend you spend at least 3 days to see it all and take time to wander the malls and neighborhoods.
- 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Royal Palaces - former palaces rebuilt post-Japanese invasion
- Visit 2 or 3 of the 5
- Changdeokgung: Known for its secret gardens
- Gyeongbokgung: Grandest palace
- Changyeonggung: Palace for dowager queens
- Gyeonghuigung: Smallest palace
- Deoksugung: Most modern palace
- Visit 2 or 3 of the 5
- 12:30 - 1:30 PM: Lunch
- 2:00 - 4:30 PM: Insadong - historic neighborhood
- 5:00 - 6:30 PM: Namsam and N Seoul Tower - hill and observation deck
- 7:00 - 9:00 PM: Banpo Hangang Park - culture complex and bridge fountain show
- 9:00 - 11:00 PM: Street Markets - filled with great food and stalls
Click the star to add the map to your Google Maps! To view it, simply open Google Maps, navigate to the Menu, choose “Your Places,” click "Maps", and voila, the map should be added.
Tips
Getting To/From the City
From Incheon International Airport (ICN), follow signs to the Airport Railroad and ignore signs that say Maglev Train (this has been discontinued as of January 2023). The AREX Airport Railroad has two trains:
|
Getting Around the City
Getting around Korea requires purchasing a T-Money card, a reloadable card used for the metro, buses, and taxis.
|
Seoul Metropolitan Subway (5:30 AM – 12:00 AM)
|
Beauty Products
|
Water
|
SIM Cards
There are 3 major companies that all offer great service. They all offer similar prices and it truly depends on the length of stay
There are many free Wifi spots throughout the city, which have surprisingly good Wifi. Spots include in the subway and in most of the parks! |
Passes
There are 3 passes one can consider; however, given how affordable most of the attractions are and that most museums are free, one should consider these passes if one is visiting specific attractions such as the Lotte World, Nanta Cooking Show, or a DMZ Tour or if one is considering a Hanbok Korean Costume or School Uniform Rental.
- GoCity Seoul Pass (Best for first-time visitors): All-inclusive Seoul Pass for 1-5 days or selection of 3-7 choices through the Seoul Explorer Pass.
- Discover Seoul Pass (Museums and major attractions): Access pass for 1-3 days.
- Klook Seoul Pass (Discounts for theme parks and great for families): Select 2,3, or 4 attractions out of 8 for a 30-day period.
1-Day Plan
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Royal Palaces (Closed on Mondays)
There are a total of 5 palaces you can visit. While they are all located around the same area, you probably will only have time for 1 or 2. I’ve listed them out based on my favorites:
Note: “Gung” in Korean means palace, so adding "palace" after each one is redundant.
If one is visiting all 5 palaces and the Jongmyo Shrine, check out the Integrated Ticket of Palaces (₩10,000): Provides access to all the palaces and the Secret Garden at Changdeokgung.
Note: “Gung” in Korean means palace, so adding "palace" after each one is redundant.
If one is visiting all 5 palaces and the Jongmyo Shrine, check out the Integrated Ticket of Palaces (₩10,000): Provides access to all the palaces and the Secret Garden at Changdeokgung.
|
1. Changdeokgung (₩3,000 + ₩5,000 for Secret Gardens): “Palace of Prospering Virtue"
|
2. Changyeonggung (₩1,000): “Palace of Flourishing Joy”
|
3. Gyeongbokgung (₩3,000): “Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven.”
|
4. Gyeonghuigung (FREE): “The Palace of Serene Harmony”
|
5. Deoksugung (₩1,000): “Palace of Virtuous Longevity”
|
12:30 - 1:30 PM: Lunch
2:00 - 4:30 PM: Insadong
- A popular neighborhood known for its art galleries, teahouses, and Korean ceramics. One can stop for a quick break to go shopping, try some tea, or wander the streets to explore the neighborhood and culture.
- During the Joseon Dynasty, the National Department of Painting was located here, as such, some of the best calligraphy materials and Hanji (traditional paper) can be found here.
|
- The Museum Kimchikan (₩5,000): A whole museum dedicated to kimchi, discussing regional differenceswith opportunities to make your own kimchi!
- The Alive Museum (₩12,000): Illusion museum with many Instagrammable-spots.
- Jogyesa Buddhist Temple: An easily accessible Buddhist temple that was the temple of the resistance against Japanese efforts to suppress Korean Buddhism.
5:00 - 6:30 PM: Namsam and N Seoul Tower
|
7:00 - 9:00 PM: Banpo Hangang Park
Right beside the Han River, this park is a popular destination on summer evenings and note that during the winter season, many of these activities might be closed.
|
9:00 - 11:00 PM: Street Markets
|
Districts North of Han River
Jongno (Gwanghwamun)
The neighborhood where former Joseon Dynasty structures were built and preserved.
Besides the palaces, this area has a few important places to visit:
Besides the palaces, this area has a few important places to visit:
|
|
|
|
- Ikseon-dong Hanok Village: Another historic village (similar to Bukchon Hanok Village) with traditional Hanok houses in a less touristy area.
- Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House): The presidential compound is north of the Gyeongbokgung Palace and offers a free 60-minute tour in Korean with audioguides providing translations.
- Seoul Museum of History: Provides information about the city, located beside the Gyeonghuigung Palace.
Jung
|
Dongdaemun
Although it's name means "Large East Gate", this district doesn't include the East Gate of Seoul and is located further east. Here one can find the following:
- Gyeongdong (Kyungdong) Market: A market established in 1960 that's known for medicinal herbs, produce, and spices. One can still find street food in a more traditional setting.
- King Sejong Memorial: In Gwanghwamun Plaza, a 31-foot tall statue of King Sejong sitting honors the former king who is known for helping to invent the Korean alhabet, Hangul, which is shown on the base.
Yongsan
Geographically the center of Seoul, it is where Mount Namsan is located.
- Itaewon: The neighborhood between Namsam and Yongsan Park, this is an American-influenced hub in Seoul due to the close proximity to the Yongsan Garrison U.S. Military base. It has quite an international vibe since it was the first special tourist zone in Seoul and where many foreign immigrants have moved to.
- Leeum Samsung Museum of Art: A museum with contemporary art and treasures from Korean history.
|
|
Mapo
Neighborhood around Hongik University and three other universities that is filled with some of the best bars, clubs, restaurants and shops as it is where the young adults frequent. At night, some of the best clubs are located here.
|
- Seoul World Cup Stadium:
- One of the venues for the 2002 World Cup that continues to be operational to watch FC Seoul Tickets which can be bought online at fcseoul.com or interpark.com.
- It's known for its roof that's shaped like a traditional Korean kite.
- One can also visit the stadium by visiting the museum (open 9-5) for ₩1,000.
Seodaemun
- Seodaemun Prison History Hall (₩3,000): A prison built during the Japanese colonial period in 1907 to suppress Korean independence movements. The site is where Koreans were tortured and executed, but has transformed into a symbol of Korea's resistance and struggle for independence. Supposedly, when one visits, they can still hear voices whenever they set foot.
- Bongwonsa Temple: At the base of Ansan Mountain, the temple was originally founded in 889 before being relocated in 1748. During the Korean War, part of the temple was destroyed and rebuilt later in 1966. It is known for the Hall of 3000 Buddhas and the 16 Arhat (Enlightened ones) in the garden.
Jungnang
- Yongma Land (₩10,000): An abandoned Scooby-Doo amusement park that now serves as a place for photographers and filmmakers to visit as it has an eerie and nostalgic atmosphere.
Districts South of Han River
Dongjak
Mostly a residential district, it is known for the commercial Noryangjin area and the Seodalsan mountain where the cemetery is located.
|
|
- Seoul National Cemetery: A cemetery reserved for Korean veterans and South Korean presidents, it was Korea's only national cemetery when it first opened in 1956 but Daejeon National Cemetery was established in 1976.
Gangnam (Yeoksam)
A neighborhood popularized by Psy’s 2012 hit of “Gangnam Style”, which supposedly refers to the hip and trendy people in the neighborhood.
|
- Gangnam Style Horse Dance Stage: Near the Gangnam Station, this stage honors the iconic "Gangnam Style" song and is an instagrammable spot that lights up at night.
- Gangnam Seoul Arts Center: A concert hall known for its acoustics, but it also has a beautiful exterior with a musical fountain and grassy lawn where one can spend time relaxing.
- Simone Handbag Museum: A museum boasting a collection of 300+ luxury handbags through the ages.
Songpa (Jamsil)
The most populated district in Seoul with numerous apartment complexes. It is the former silkworm breeding neighborhood
Olympic Park:
- This landscaped park was built to host the 1988 Summer Olympics. Today, many of the sports facilities remain used for different sporting events. As a visitor, one can appreciate:
|
|
|
Food to Try
This list is rated in the order of my favorite dishes I had in Seoul, but all of them taste delicious and well-worth!
|
Other Restaurants to Try:
- Isaac Toast: A stand with multiple locations throughout the city that sell affordable and delicious breakfast sandwiches.
- Duriban: Hongdae spot for kalguksu, maggoli, and mandu soup
- Gyeonglidan 578: Korean BBQ known for their galbi
- The Grazing Pig: Korean BBQ spot known for their pork belly
- Jaedong Sundubu: Known for their extra soft tofu stew (sundubu-jjigae)
Street Food
|
One treat I was sadly unable to find at the street markets was Beongdeg, stewed silkworm larvae.
Drinks
|
Other Resources
- Official Tourist Site
- The Soul of Seoul - a local living in Seoul since 2006 provides in-depth perspectives
- Dame Cacao - a former English teacher who lived in South Korea who also shares her passion for chocolate
- I Visit Korea - a couple provides their insight about visiting South Korea.