This article will tell you all you need to know about things to do in Seoul, South Korea’s magnificent capital city. I offer locations, how to get excursions and tickets, and additional recommendations for a 1-, 2-, 3 Day plan in Seoul, whether it’s your first or second visit.
See my recommendations for the finest of Seoul, including fun and romantic locations to visit in December or at other times of year. Discover more about things to do in Seoul.
What to visit in Seoul: 5 top tourist attractions
The country’s capital is the ideal site to visit for leisure in South Korea since it combines history, knowledge, culture, food, architecture, and pleasure. Some Seoul tourism attractions put it all together! You can learn a little about Seoul to appreciate the significance of South Korean history in the city. Simply walking through its streets will immerse you in culture. Of course, some trips make all the difference when it comes to immersing oneself in Korean history and culture.
It is critical to define your traveler profile before deciding which tours to take because getting to know the city will require a lot of walking, going up and down many slopes and stairs in small villages, learning about the history, and expanding its culture, not to mention discovering the local cuisine.
There are so many great things to do in Seoul that it would be almost impossible to see everything even if you visited the city many times. But don’t worry, since I’ve compiled a list of locations to see for the first time in Seoul to assist you in organizing things to do in Seoul:
N Seoul Tower
The Tower, which offers 360-degree views of the city, is a postcard of the Korean capital. The location is well-known for the hundreds of padlocks placed by couples and friends, and it provides a wonderful backdrop for fantastic images. It is a major stop on the Seoul tourist bus.
The N Seoul Tower is a must-see for travelers who wish to mark their journey through South Korea with padlocks, which can be bought on-site; of course, it will be more costly, so the best advice is to buy elsewhere and bring it with you. The Go City All-Inclusive Pass includes admission to the Tower.
Bukchon Hanok Village
Another tourist destination in Seoul that produces wonderful photographs during a professional photo session is this small enclave of the Korean metropolis that harkens back to its millennial past.
The town was home to government leaders during the Joseon Dynasty; now, it is noted for its art galleries, restaurants, and tea stores.
But make no mistake: despite appearances, many families reside in the ancient Bukchon Hanok Village area.
“Keep quiet” signs are frequent on doors. When visiting this location, wear comfortable shoes since the area has numerous steps and hills. Book your visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village.
Namsangol Hanok Village
What about experiencing a small piece of life thousands of years ago? The little Namsangol Hanok Village is made up of five traditional Korean dwellings and is located at the foot of Mount Namsan.
You won’t be able to enter one, but with the windows open, you can examine the information well. It really is an open-air museum.
Lotte World
Have you ever heard of Korean Disney? In Korea, this is what Lotte World is referred to as. There is also a castle near the exit of the park, which is a must-see for any photographer.
In the event of snow or rain, the park contains several toys both inside and underground.
Next door is the Lotte World Tower, the world’s fifth-tallest structure and a popular tourist destination in Seoul. Purchase a Seoul City Pass to visit more locations for less money.
Cheonggyecheon Creek
Cheonggyecheon Creek is likely to be encountered when walking about Myeongdong. These waterways were formerly buried by concrete as open sewers, but now they are a postcard of Seoul and one of the sites on an electric bike guided night tour.
A restoration initiative started in 2003 to conserve the stream, which had been serving the city by draining water from the mountains since before the 15th century under the Joseon Dynasty.
How many days to stay in Seoul
When deciding what to do in Seoul, many aspects must be considered. What is the best time to travel, where is the greatest location to stay, and so on are all factors to consider while organizing your schedule.
A journey to South Korea is nearly always complete, with a stop in Seoul. And knowing how many days to spend in Seoul is critical to creating the finest schedule possible.
Do not book less than three days; the ideal is to plan what to do in Seoul for at least five days in order to fall in love with the city.
There is plenty to learn, see, and experience, particularly in the temples, towns, and demilitarized zone. In conclusion, here is an example of fun things to do in Seoul:
- Day 1: Heunginjimun Gate, Seoul City Wall Museum, Mount Namsan, N Seoul Tower.
- Day 2: Palacios Gyeongbokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, Changdeokgung, santuário Jongmyo.
- Day 3: Mercado Gwangjang, Bukchon Hanok Village.
- Day 4: Demilitarized Zone with North Korea (DMZ).
- Day 5: K-Star Road in Gangnam.
What to do in Seoul in 1 day
See my must-see locations for a day trip, tour, or stopover in Seoul.
For those spending longer time in Seoul but still wanting to see everything on the 1st, the recommendations apply.
Buy a Seoul tourist bus ticket. You’ll visit Dongdaemun’s Heunginjimun Gate. Photogenic spot. Next, visit the Seoul City Wall Museum at Dongdaemun metro station. History abounds on the location.
The wall separated Seoul from the countryside. The Seoul City Wall’s three stories include interactive displays on the great wall’s construction. Climb Mount Namsan’s wall in stages.
Use the path to see N Seoul Tower, Seoul’s postcard. It offers the best city view. Besides leaving your mark with guests’ padlocks.
Visit Dongdaemun Design Plaza on the way back. The 2014-inauguration building distinguishes out among regional architecture. It’s 83,000 m2. The tour concludes at Cheong-gye-cheon stream. Seoul’s postcard lakes were previously open sewers concealed by concrete.
What to do in Seoul in 2 days
Visit Seoul’s Palace Complex on your last day! Gyeongbokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, Changdeokgung, and Jongmyo Shrine are accessible with the Seoul City Pass.
Taejo Yi Seong-gye’s Joseon Dynasty erected most of them between 1392 and 1897. Korean palaces were shaken by Japanese invasions.
They’ve all been renovated. They’re worth a day’s drive. Walking a lot requires comfy shoes.
Start with Seoul’s biggest tour, Gyeongbokgung Palace.
The palace lies in the center of Seoul, yet the mountains of Bukhansan National Park and the hanbok-wearing visitors will make you feel like a Joseon Dynasty Korean.
Every day except Tuesday, Gyeongbokgung Palace hosts the royal changing of the guard. The National Museum of Korea is free and worth seeing next door.
Book an afternoon royal palace tour, including Changdeokgung near Gyeongbokgung. Changgyeonggung, a summer palace, and Changdeokgung share a huge territory.
Royal funeral temple Jongmyo Shrine is also related. Deoksugung, another central palace, was exclusively the royal home during renovation.
What to do in Seoul in 3 days
Visit Gwangjang Market on day three. Famous dishes that move on your plate are here.
This is the spot for unusual South Korean photographs and tales. Book a palace, Gwangjang market, Naksan Park, and more night trips.
Bus to Bukchon Hanok Village thereafter. This hamlet, created for Joseon Dynasty palace guards, has numerous traditional Korean dwellings, most of which are residential. Many have become stores, restaurants, cafés, and galleries.
Seoullo 7017 Skypark, near Seoul Station, is open at night. The park was created atop a defunct roadway. Cafes and city views are 1 kilometer from the station.