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Seoul · 서울

Seoul,
unhurried.

Palaces, hanok lanes and sizzling barbecue — a handpicked guide to the places worth your time in Seoul.

37.5665° N · 126.9780° E
Explore attractionsFind good food
The Seoul skyline and N Seoul Tower at dusk© kallerna

N Seoul Tower

Seoul after dark

What's Good Now

Seoul, right now

Summer by the Han
Jun–AugIn season

Summer by the Han

Long warm river nights, rainbow fountain shows and chicken-and-beer on the grass.

© 서울특별시 소방재난본부(Seoul Metropolitan Fire &… / Public domain

Wander, precinct by precinct

Explore by Neighbourhood

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Gwanghwamun & Jongno

16 places

Gwanghwamun & Jongno

Grand palaces and the historic heart of the old capital.

Bukchon & Insadong

16 places

Bukchon & Insadong

Hanok rooftops, craft galleries and the antique quarter.

Myeongdong & Namsan

18 places

Myeongdong & Namsan

Street-food shopping below the city's landmark tower.

Dongdaemun

9 places

Dongdaemun

All-night markets and the spaceship-curved DDP.

Hongdae & Mapo

15 places

Hongdae & Mapo

Indie clubs, buskers and café-packed back lanes.

Itaewon & Yongsan

6 places

Itaewon & Yongsan

Global food, hillside bars and grand museums.

Follow a curated route

Themed Trails

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The First-Timer's Three Days

3 days · 15 stops

The First-Timer's Three Days

The essential Seoul in one well-paced long weekend.

Palaces & Hanok Lanes

Half to full day · 7 stops

Palaces & Hanok Lanes

Joseon palaces and tiled-roof alleys in the old city.

Best Bites of Seoul

One eating day · 6 stops

Best Bites of Seoul

One hungry day across the city's most-loved plates.

Where to wander first

Featured Attractions

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Gyeongbokgung PalaceLandmark01

Gyeongbokgung Palace

The grandest Joseon palace and its changing-of-the-guard.

Gyeongbokgung · 2–3 hours
Changdeokgung & HuwonCulture02

Changdeokgung & Huwon

A UNESCO palace with a hidden 'secret garden'.

Anguk · 2–3 hours
Bukchon Hanok VillageCulture03

Bukchon Hanok Village

Tiled-roof lanes of traditional homes between two palaces.

Bukchon · 1–2 hours
N Seoul TowerLandmark04

N Seoul Tower

The city's hilltop landmark and 360° skyline view.

Namsan · 2–3 hours
Dongdaemun Design PlazaLandmark05

Dongdaemun Design Plaza

Zaha Hadid's silver, spaceship-curved design hub.

Dongdaemun · 1–2 hours
National Museum of KoreaCulture06

National Museum of Korea

Korea's flagship museum — 5,000 years, free entry.

Yongsan · 2–3 hours
Lotte World Tower (Seoul Sky)Landmark07

Lotte World Tower (Seoul Sky)

Korea's tallest tower and a glass-floor sky deck.

Jamsil · 1.5–2 hours
Seoul ForestNature08

Seoul Forest

A riverside park of deer, wetlands and cafés.

Seoul Forest · 1–2 hours
Yeouido Hangang ParkNature09

Yeouido Hangang Park

Riverside lawns, ferries and spring cherry blossoms.

Yeouido · 1–2 hours

Escape the city for a day

Day Trips from Seoul

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DMZ & JSA – PanmunjomPaju, Gyeonggi-do

DMZ & JSA – Panmunjom

The tense Cold War frontier where the two Koreas still meet face to face.

About 1–1.5 hr drive from Seoul · Full day
Nami IslandGapyeong, Gangwon-do border

Nami Island

Tree-lined river island famous for its tunnel-like metasequoia lane.

About 1.5 hr from Seoul · Full day
EverlandYongin, Gyeonggi-do

Everland

Korea's biggest theme park, with thrill rides, a zoo and seasonal festivals.

About 1.5 hr from Seoul · Full day
Hwaseong FortressSuwon, Gyeonggi-do

Hwaseong Fortress

A UNESCO-listed Joseon fortress wall ringing the old centre of Suwon.

About 1 hr from Seoul · Half to full day

Local flavours worth seeking out

Where to Eat

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Korean BBQ© jinsoo jang / CC0
5 dishes

Korean BBQ

Grill-at-the-table pork belly, galbi and bulgogi.

Stews & Soups© 한국농수산식품유통공사 / KOGL Type 1
8 dishes

Stews & Soups

Bubbling kimchi jjigae, sundubu and samgyetang.

Rice & Set Meals© Sous Chef / CC BY 2.0
5 dishes

Rice & Set Meals

Bibimbap, gukbap and full hanjeongsik spreads.

Street Food© Popo le Chien / CC0
7 dishes

Street Food

Tteokbokki, gimbap and market-stall snacks.

Fried Chicken© KOREA.NET / CC BY-SA 2.0
2 dishes

Fried Chicken

Double-fried 'chimaek' — chicken and beer.

Transport, money and the local rules

Know Before You Go

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Entry & Arrival

Entry & Arrival

Visas, the K-ETA, passports and what you can bring.

Getting Around

Getting Around

The subway, T-money, buses, taxis and the airport run.

Money & Payments

Money & Payments

The won, cards, no tipping and the tax refund.

Weather & When to Go

Weather & When to Go

Four real seasons; aim for spring or autumn.