Plan your own trip to Seoul: Seoul Itinerary and Attractions!
Over 40 fun Seoul attractions to choose from.
Seoul has so much to offer. You can never get tired of it. While you are staying in Seoul, you will be amazed by the numerous new things to see and experience. Here are the hottest places to go and do for your Seoul itinerary.
Before we go further, if you have to carry your luggage or bags during the sightseeing, take a look at our post, “Luggage Storage Services in Seoul” to travel light. And you can check all the detailed information about the subway storage near you HERE.
One Day in Seoul- Visit the Attractions
If you are allowed to stay for only one day in Seoul, Discover Seoul Pass will definitely be worth to buy. It will dramatically reduce your effort and costs while seeing only the highlights of Seoul. The best part is that the Discover Seoul Pass provides free admission to 35 Seoul attractions and offers discounts to 29 attractions in Seoul. You can also use this pass on the AREX (Airport railroad express) to the Incheon International Airport and the City Tour Bus.
Here are the top-rated tourist spots in Seoul. You can visit each place by using the hop-on-hop-off city tour bus. Let’s start the Seoul journey!
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace is the first recommendation on our list. This Palace is one of the most popular Seoul attractions. Built in 1395, it is the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty. In the palace, many visitors can experience wearing Korean traditional costumes called Hanbok. You can take beautiful pictures with your friends and family members while walking in Gyeonbokgung palace with your hanboks. For more information like open hours, admissions, and free tour guides, click here!
Gwanghwamun
Gwanghwamun square is the main southern gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace. You can see the Gwanghwamun square stretched out from the Gwanghwamun gate after viewing the Gyeongbokgung tour. This monumental national landmark is 555m square long and 34m wide. At the center of Sejong-daero stands the widest statue of The Great King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sunshin.
Near Gwanghwamun Station Exit 6, you can take the Seoul City Tour Bus (Downtown Palace Course). It’s a departure point.
Namdaemun Market
Namdaemun Market is the oldest and largest Korean traditional market in Seoul. Countless shops and street stalls, lined up in the alleys, selling clothes, household items, and food at a low price. In addition, you can try various Korean street foods along the streets of the Namdaemun market like Hotteock, Korean Hot-dog, Dumpling, Boongeobbang, etc.
Myeongdong
Myeongdong is Korea’s best-known shopping district. The streets are lined with many flagship department stores including Lotte and Shinsegae and shopping malls that sell brand-name cosmetics, accessories, clothes and shoes. Plus, you can visit Myeongdong Cathedral which is the most iconic cathedral in Korea. It has symbolized Korean Catholicism for 119 years and this majestic wonder is also the first Gothic cathedral in Korea. For details like Myeongdong shopping, street food, and Myeongdong Nightmarket, head here!
DDP
DDP, Dongdaemun Design Plaza, a new landmark in Dongdaemun has been recently constructed by the world-renowned architect, Zaha Hadid. Surely it’s the best place to go to if you’re interested in the arts! Every now and then, this place hosts wonderful exhibitions that are both, inspiring and stunning. The art exhibited here is more related to the designing industry, which is why the Plaza is so called. Even if you don’t have a specific interest in art, you should still visit this place because the exhibitions are truly mesmerizing! Moreover, you can enjoy Dongdaemun shopping malls. They offer a wide variety of fashion apparel and night market.
Daehangno
Daehangno is the center of performance culture where over 150 small theaters can be found. There are also various art galleries, movie theaters, and restaurants making this an excellent place to visit, both day and night. You can also go to Naksan Park because it offers a spectacular view of Daehangno from its peak. This park is a famous filming location for popular Korean TV dramas and is a great spot to enjoy a beautiful sunset or night view of the city.
Insadong
Insa-dong is where you can see Seoul’s history. The alleys and main street of Insa-dong are lined with craft workshops, galleries, and traditional tea houses. It’s a good place to get beautiful souvenirs for everyone back home. One of the hot spots in Insa-dong is Ssamzigil. This is a multi-cultural space for traditional arts, crafts, exhibitions, and performances. Discover the best places to visit in Insadong on this page.
Bukchon Hanok Village
There are over 900 Korean traditional houses, Hanoks, in Bukchon Hanok Village, located between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung.
Members of the royal family and aristocrats lived here during the Joseon dynasty. Still, it retains the city’s old appearance. Don’t miss out on Bukchon’s eight beautiful sights in which you will have an aerial view of Changdeokgung Palace. Also, “Seoul City Walking Tours” is a FREE program offered by the city of Seoul. It’s designed for tourists who wants to see Seoul’s top tourist attractions on foot under the expert guidance of multilingual tour guides. For reservations, please check the website (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese).
N Seoul Tower
Namsan Seoul Tower, standing at 236.7 meters tall, is the main tourist attraction where you can enjoy a complete view of Seoul. Enjoy the fantastic laser show and beautiful night scenery of Seoul from the observatory on the second and third floor or in the revolving restaurant. If you are planning to visit during day time, I recommend for you to come up to the tower via Namsan Park, where you can experience a beautiful walking path harmonized with nature.
Chunggyecheon Stream
Chunggyecheon stream has been restored from the Joseon dynasty. You will be able to see this stream along the busy downtown area of Seoul. Taking a short break with a cup of coffee or having a sandwich by the stream will bring excitement and relaxation as you gaze up at the tall buildings surrounding you. If you plan to visit Seoul during November, make sure you visit the Seoul Lantern Festival as you will be able to see beautiful large lanterns along the stream. Check out the festival page for more information.
Seoul Itinerary: 2 to 4 days in Seoul
If you are planning to visit Seoul for two to four days, we recommend adding these attractions to your list.
Gangnam Itinerary
Gangnam represents the latest trends in Seoul. This district is a favorite spot among tourists because of its trendy designer shops, cafes, and galleries stretching from the business and commercial zone around Samseong Station and Gangnam Station.
1. Shopping in Gangnam
Apgujeong Rodeo Street and Cheongdam-dong Fashion Area are packed with luxury brand stores from mega shopping malls that sell luxury goods and showrooms to studios and beauty shops.
If you want to go shopping in Gangnam on an affordable price, Gangnam Station Underground Shopping Center is just for you. It offers a convenient shopping experience with hundreds of trendy fashion and accessory stores all in one place.
2. Lotte World Amusement Park
Lotte World is a huge indoor amusement park. In fact, it’s one of the biggest indoor parks in the world! It consists of Adventure and Magic Island, a folk museum, an ice rink, a department store, etc. Let your kids have the time of their lives in this park while you shop in the nearby shopping complex! It’s a win-win situation for everyone, right? Please check the details and get a discount here.
3. Sky Tower
The Seoul-sky observatory provides thrilling and outstanding views of Seoul. The observatory deck has two-story-high glass windows for the 360-degree view. It’s on the 117 to 123rd floors of the Lotte World Tower, the tallest building in Korea, and the 5th in the world. Get a full panoramic view of Seoul here, the highest point in Seoul. It’s amazing at night!
4. Coex
Coex is a multi-purpose venue that includes shopping malls with more than 180 stores, an attractive aquarium and movie theater. As it’s located near CALT City Airport Terminal, this is the best place for last-minute shopping before your departure. Also, COEX Aquarium is highly recommended to see diverse aquatic creatures.
5. Bongeunsa Temple
Bongeunsa Temple is located very close to Coex. This temple was built in 794 in the Shilla dynasty and it was the largest temple in Seoul during the Joseon Dynasty. You can experience the Buddhist culture by trying a templestay right in the heart of downtown Seoul.
6. Nonhyeon Gourmet Alley
There are various kinds of restaurants and bars in Gangnam, especially Nonhyeon-dong Gourmet Alley. They serve Korean barbeque, seafood, fried chicken, pig’s trotters, different kinds of spicy soups and more. If you want to feel a lively Seoul’s night, visit here!
7. Seoul nightlife- Clubs around Gangnam Station
Seoul’s nightlife begins and ends with the clubs near Gangnam Station. Here you can listen to music all night long. They offer a diverse genre ranging from hip-hop to electronic music. Especially on the weekends, the clubs are very crowded with people enjoying the lively atmosphere.
8. Samsung d’light
You can test and use all the latest products made by Samsung Electronics within the Samsung Electronics headquarters building in Gangnam. Also, visitors can experience a wide variety of digital media and exhibitions.
9. Garosugil Shopping+Cafe+Restaurant
Garosu-gil is a charming street filled with various attractions. There are many cafés and restaurants that you can explore from romantic outdoor cafes to boutique shops run by designers. If you’re looking for coffee, dessert, or just a light snack, this is where you should head over to! You can have brunch at one of the exotic cafes or enjoy a relaxing afternoon at a delightful restaurant along these streets.
10. Hangang Park
Jam-won Hangang Park is located near Garogu-gil about 750meters away. It’s such a good way to enjoy the night view of Hangang and Seoul skyline. You can also see an amazing light and water show at night while you walk down to Banpodaegyo Bridge. The Banpodaegyo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain is listed as the world’s longest bridge fountain in the Guinness Book of World Records.
11. K-pop Dance Class
If you are a big fan of K-pop, we recommend taking a K-pop Dance Class in Gangnam. You’ll learn the hottest K-pop dance from a professional instructor. It’ll be fun, energetic, exciting and a once in a lifetime experience! Head here for more details.
Hongdae Itinerary
1. Hongdae Shopping Street
The area near Hongik University, often called Hongdae, is well known as the hub of indie art culture. I highly recommend you to put Hongdae on your Seoul itinerary. The streets around Hongdae evolved naturally with the tastes of the trendy youths. It is filled with clothing shops, accessory shops, cosmetic shops, theaters, clubs, so you can enjoy shopping, entertainment, and culture here! It would be good to check this blog about K-beauty before go shopping for your perfect chance to get the best products! Don’t miss the flea market hosted by young artists at Hongik Children’s Park every Saturday.
2. Local Food
You can easily find attractive restaurants and bars in Hongdae. There are lots of menus you can choose such as Korean bbq, traditional Korean dishes, fried chicken, seafood, Western-style food, and East-Asia menu and more. Tasting local foods while traveling abroad is always a wonderful experience. Korea is definitely foodie’s paradise. Don’t forget to try Korean Street Food as well!
3. Gyeongui Line Forest Park
You can go to Gyeongui Line Forest Park on foot. It’s only a 10 minute walking distance from Hongdae’s mainstream and Hongik University station exit 3. It’s a wonderful place for a family outing, to hang out with friends or go on a date. There are many restaurants, cafes, and shops lined along the park where you can grab some snacks and beer and have a picnic like the locals!
4. Cafe
Yeonnamdong is perfect for cafe-hopping in Seoul as the streets in this area are entirely filled with fascinating little cafes which are pleasing to the eye as well as your mouth. Furthermore, you can try to visit an Animal Cafe in which there are animals like raccoons, meerkats, and cats. For lots of instagrammable cafes are on this list!
Korean Restaurants and Bar in Dongjin Market, Yeonnamdong
5. Nightlife in Hongdae- Clubs
Hongdae is known as the main hub for nightlife. New York Times picked Hongdae as one of the top ten sites to visit in Seoul. It’s bursting with tourists and popularity. It offers music and dances of different genres such as electronic, hip-hop, K-pop, house, deep-house and jazz. We recommend live bars with indie bands for a different taste of nightlife in Seoul.
6. Karaoke
Noraebang(Karaoke) is popular as a night-time activity in Korea. Just walk into a Noraebang and pay for hours to sing and dance with friends. Be a pop star tonight!
7. Nanta Show
In Hongdae, we also recommend the award-winning Nanta Show. It is the most popular show for visitors from all around the world. Nanta combines the rhythms from Korean folk songs with modern music, creating a non-verbal performance that’s accessible to an international audience.
8. Trickeye AR Museum
Trickeye Museum is located in the center of the Hongdae main shopping street. Make outrageous memories through the use of optical illusions. Get swallowed up by a shark, or stand upside down from the ceiling or pretend your Mona Lisa at the Trickeye Museum.
Yeouido Itinerary
1. 63 Building
63 Building is one of the tallest buildings in Seoul. It has a variety of attractions such as an observatory, museum, and aquarium. The night view of Seoul from 63 Art, the highest gallery in the world, is outstanding.
2. Hangang Moonlight Cruise
Hangang cruise is an unique way to discover Seoul and enjoy the city’s beautiful scenery. You can see Seoul’s landmarks along the river like Bamseom Oslet, 63 Square, NamsanSeoul Tower, and others. Also, you can choose to do a variety of activities such as listen to a music performance, feed seagulls, view the Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain, and watch fireworks!
3. Noryangjin Fish Market
Just one stop away from Yeouido Station is Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market . It is the best place to go if you’re a seafood enthusiast! The market opens in the morning, so go early and get the best catch of the day! Then you can get the seafood cooked by any local restaurant that provides this service. Just take an escalator to the 2nd floor and choose one of the restaurants which will cook your purchased seafood to your preference.
4. Hangang Yeouido Park_ Riding Seoul Bike
Biking through the streets of Seoul is the best way to see the life of a local. We recommend going to Yeouido Hangang Park to experience various urban festivals and to also enjoy a simple picnic there. Give delivery foods like friend chicken and beer a try as Korea is famous for their fast motorcycle delivery services. Plus during the summer season, the outdoor swimming pool is opened so you can swim and enjoy the great Hangang view all in the center of Seoul
5. Hangang Kayaking and Paddle Boarding Experience
Hangang is the ideal place for water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding. You can easily find people enjoying the sweet breeze and beautiful view of Hangang river while sailing by Seoul’s landmarks and historical sites. Furthermore, don’t miss out on Korean foods by the food trucks at the park. The food tastes even better outside!
Jongno Itinerary
1. Ikseon-dong Cafe
Ikseon-dong is becoming immensely popular amongst young locals. It shows a mix of traditional and modern architecture. Almost all the places have Hanok-like dessert cafes, restaurants, and shops. Take subway line 1, 3, or 5 to Jongno 3-ga station and exit 4. Walk down any backstreet. It might be hard to find because of the very small narrow alleys but it’s worth seeing the preservation of Seoul’s old neighborhood with the new. Discover my favorite place in Ikseongdong here.
2. Korean Cooking Class
There are many culinary institutions available in Seoul that will teach you how to prepare authentic Korean food. In addition, they’ll also take you to the local markets near the cooking studio to get the fresh ingredients. It’s a fun way to explore the local market while learning how to make Korean dishes so that you can try making it back home as well. Best of all, nothing is better than your own cooking as you celebrate your self-made dishes after the class.
3. Dongmyo Flea Market
If you like vintage and old-school stuff, Dongmyo flea market is the place to go. Unlike any other shopping streets in Seoul, you could easily get a variety of exceptional items made several decades ago. Check out the largest flea market in Seoul. It is full of unusual antique pieces and affordable second-hand items.
4. Gwangjang Market
Gwangjang Market is a traditional Korean market in Jongno. You can enjoy a variety of Korean street foods here. Bindae-tteok(mung bean pancake), Tteokbokki(sweet-spicy rice cake), Mayak-gimbap(kind of sushi), Dongtae-tang(pollock fish stew), raw octopus and fish, etc. Having raw octopus will be an unforgettable experience. If you are not a seafood person, we highly recommend you to try Bbindae-tteok with Makgeolli(rice wine), it’s our favorite!
Itaewon Itinerary
1. Itaewon Street
This is a place of its own. In Itaewon, you can see everything from Islamic mosques to exotic foods that you’ve never even heard of. Take the opportunity to visit Itaewon to experience fashion, foods, music, and culture. You can also check out the side streets like Usadan-gil, Gyeongnidan-gil, and Itaewon Antique furniture street. Enjoy the brunch menus and enjoy the party culture that only Itaewon can bring! Check out this page for more things to do in this charming area, Itaewon.
2. The War Memorial of Korea
Korea’s only museum that exhibits the entire history of the Korean War, it houses 9,000 items related to the war across eight exhibition rooms. If you are interested in the Korean war, it would be good to put it on your Seoul itinerary. The admission is free and if you make a call ahead you can reserve free English, Japanese, and Chinese guides.
Tel. 02-709-3139
Web. www.warmemo.or.kr
3. Jjimjilbang
A Jjimjilbang is a traditional bathhouse and a vital part of Korean culture – these heated rooms are also known as Korean Spas. It is common for locals to hang out, soak and engage in various beauty-related rituals and services. A basic Jjimjilbang offers a traditional experience with various types of baths and saunas while the newer ones offer a variety of services including nail bars, restaurants, and swimming pools! See the 5 best Jjimjilbangs, Korean Spas in Seoul here.
Seoul Itinerary: 5 to 7 days in Seoul
If you plan a Seoul itinerary for five to seven days, make sure you experience the essence of Seoul by adding these Seoul attractions to your plan. These places are right at the outskirts of Seoul and favorites for locals and tourists of all ages.
Nami Island
Nami Island is one of the best romantic places near Seoul. It’s famous for its forest road, a pine tree path, a metasequoia path, and amusement facilities with various Korea restaurants. Plus, there are so many attractions near Nami Island, such as Chuncheon city, Soyang lake, Petit France, and Garden of Morning calm.
Gangchon Rail Bike
The Gangchon Rail Bike is a popular activity on Nami Island. You will pedal along the old Gangchon Rail Park track while taking in the scenery of the beautiful 318km Bukhangang River. Let’s see the beauty of Korea’s nature enjoying this fantastic activity with family and friends!
DMZ
If you are willing to learn more about the Korean War and the Cold war, DMZ tour would be very interesting. Only foreign tourists are allowed to visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), just a few miles from North Korea and see stunning panoramic views of North Korea from the top of the Dora Observatory. For more information, please check our post of One Day DMZ Tour.
Everland
This is the largest theme park in South Korea with fantastic rides and a zoo. So, if you are visiting Seoul with kids, we definitely recommend you add Everland theme park to the Seoul itinerary. Enjoy 5 zones of amazing attractions and thrills and have fun for all ages with different zones, including safari, petting zoos, and live performances!
Over 40 things to do in and near Seoul. Hope this will help you plan your Seoul itinerary 🙂
Written by DY & Jay
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