🇰🇷 Dynamic South Korea

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Seoul

Seoul is one of the world's great overlooked cities — a 600-year-old capital with palaces and ancient markets alongside the hyper-modern K-pop culture, cutting-edge tech and some of Asia's finest cuisine.

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5Royal Palaces

600+Years as Capital

24hrCity That Never Sleeps

10mPopulation

Seoul moves at extraordinary speed. Ancient Joseon dynasty palaces sit between gleaming glass towers, traditional pojangmacha street stalls compete with Michelin-starred restaurants, and the city's nightlife scene is genuinely unmatched in Asia.

Must-See

Top Attractions in Seoul

The landmarks, museums and experiences that define Seoul.

🏯Historic

Historic

Gyeongbokgung Palace

📍 Jongno🎟 KRW 3,000⏱ 2–3 hrs

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🌃Iconic

Iconic

N Seoul Tower

📍 Namsan🎟 KRW 16,000⏱ 1–2 hrs

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🛍️Culture

Culture

Bukchon Hanok Village

📍 Jongno🎟 Free⏱ 1–2 hrs

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🎨Museum

Museum

National Museum of Korea

📍 Yongsan🎟 Free⏱ 2–3 hrs

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🌿Nature

Nature

Bukhansan National Park

📍 Gangbuk🎟 Free⏱ 3–5 hrs

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🎭Culture

Culture

Myeongdong

📍 Jung-gu🎟 Free⏱ 2 hrs

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🌉Modern

Modern

Cheonggyecheon Stream

📍 Downtown🎟 Free⏱ 1–2 hrs

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Explore the City

Seoul's Best Neighbourhoods

Every district of Seoul has its own personality.

🏯

Jongno / Insadong

Traditional Korea — antique shops, tea houses, hanok alleys and the royal palaces.

🎵

Hongdae

University district — K-pop busking, independent bars and the best nightlife in Seoul.

💅

Gangnam

South of the Han River — luxury brands, K-beauty clinics and the Psy song was right.

🛍️

Myeongdong

Tourist and K-beauty capital — street food and shopping in one compact area.

🎨

Seongsu-dong

Seoul's Brooklyn — converted factories, concept cafés and independent fashion.

🌿

Itaewon

International and inclusive — the best foreign food and Seoul's most diverse neighbourhood.

Eat & Drink

Seoul's Food Scene

Where and what to eat in Seoul.

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Blue Bottle Coffee Seongsu

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Getting Around

Transport in Seoul

Everything you need to get around Seoul like a local.

🚇

Seoul Metro

9 lines, 300+ stations. T-money card from any station or convenience store. KRW 1,400 base.

💡 The T-money card works on buses, subway and some taxis — get one immediately

🚌

City Buses

Blue, red and green routes complement the metro. T-money accepted.

💡 The blue 273 bus covers the riverside parks and Han River area

🚕

Kakao Taxi

Korea's Uber — book via Kakao app. Reliable, metered and cheap.

💡 Always use Kakao Taxi — street taxis can take advantage of tourists

✈️

Incheon Airport

52km from Seoul. AREX train direct to Seoul Station — 43 mins, KRW 9,500.

💡 Book the AREX Express — the all-stop train is much slower for the same cost

Beyond the City

Day Trips from Seoul

Seoul is the perfect base for exploring further afield.

🏯1 hr

Suwon Hwaseong Fortress

UNESCO-listed Joseon fortress encircling the entire city of Suwon.

🌊1 hr by air

Jeju Island

Volcanic island with waterfalls, lava tubes and the most dramatic coastal scenery in Korea.

🚀1h 30m

DMZ / JSA

The North-South Korea border — the most dramatic geopolitical border in the world.

🌊2 hrs

Jeonju

The home of bibimbap — beautifully preserved hanok village and unbeatable food.

Insider Knowledge

Essential Seoul Tips

Get a T-money card

Works on all Seoul public transport and at convenience stores — buy at the airport.

Spa culture (Jjimjilbang)

24-hour Korean bathhouses are extraordinary — bring nothing except yourself.

Eat at the markets

Gwangjang and Tongin markets are the real Seoul food experience. Arrive hungry.

Download Papago

Naver's Papago translation app handles Korean far better than Google Translate.

No tipping

Tipping is not customary in South Korea — it can even cause confusion.

Plastic surgery district

Gangnam is the global capital of cosmetic surgery — everything from clinics to tours.

When to Visit

Seoul Weather Guide

What to expect season by season.

🌸

Spring (Mar–May)

8–18°C

Cherry blossom season rivals Japan. Beautiful and increasingly popular.

☀️

Summer (Jun–Aug)

24–33°C

Hot and humid. Monsoon season July–August. Han River parks packed.

🍂

Autumn (Sep–Nov)

10–20°C

Best season — clear blue skies and spectacular autumn foliage.

❄️

Winter (Dec–Feb)

−5–3°C

Cold and dry. Ski season at Yongpyong. Heated ondol floors in every building.

Book Experiences

Tours & Activities in Seoul

Skip-the-line access, expert guides and unique local experiences — click any card to book directly.

🎯

The Seoul Blog

Itineraries, insider tips, seasonal guides and neighbourhood deep-dives — everything you need to plan the perfect Seoul trip.

🗺️Itinerary

📅 2026⏱ 10 min read🔖 Itinerary

Seoul in 3 Days: The Perfect First-Timer's Itinerary

The essential 72-hour Seoul plan — which sights to see first, where locals actually eat, which neighbourhoods to explore and the insider tips that transform a good trip into an unforgettable one.

Read the full guide →