south korea famous tourist attractions

16 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Seoul

Written by Freddy Sherman Updated Dec 23, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Author Freddy Sherman has visited South Korea multiple times, most recently exploring Seoul and the DMZ in 2022.

Seoul, South Korea is a vibrant and exciting city, one that deftly combines ancient history with ultra-modern design and technology. This city is filled with a wide range of fun things to do and tourist attractions of all types, from outdoor adventures like exploring Mount Namsan and its surrounding park to indoor fun like visiting one of Seoul's many museums.

Seoul is also a city of palaces, with five huge palace complexes located throughout the city and now restored to their former glory. Of course, it's also known for its food, with a mouthwatering array of street food, Korean specialties like barbecue, and even fine-dining options.

Discover the best places to visit in this exciting city with our list of the top attractions and things to do in Seoul.

N Seoul Tower

Explore the bukchon hanok traditional village, national museum of korea, lotte world tower, visit the dmz, gyeongbokgung palace, seoul museum of art, bongeunsa temple, gwanghwamun gate, take a walk along cheonggyecheon, seoul's urban stream, jingwansa temple, bukhansan national park, people watch in itaewon, dongdaemun design plaza, gwangjang market, spend a sunday in insadong, map of attractions & things to do in seoul, seoul, south korea - climate chart.

Rising almost 500 meters above the city, this communications and observation tower provides dramatic views of the city from its perch on the side of Mount Namsan. A cable car whisks you up the side of the mountain to the base of the tower. From here, you can go up in the tower and visit any one of four observation decks, one of which is a rotating restaurant.

There are five different dining experiences at the N Seoul Tower and, of course, several gift shops. The n.GRILL, on the top level, is considered one of Seoul's best French fine-dining restaurants. Be sure to visit the new Inside Seoul immersive media art exhibition, where 40 laser projectors create a virtual display of the city via five-dimensional mapping, with the tower at the center.

The views from the tower are great, but so are the views of the tower from most parts of the city. Computer-controlled LED lighting on the exterior of the tower provides a digital, visual cultural experience of Seoul with changing themed lighting presentations.

Address: 105 Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan 2(i)ga-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

For a taste of Korean traditional culture and architecture, a visit to the Bukchon Hanok Village is a fun and educational way to spend an afternoon. This preserved district of several ancient neighborhoods gives you a feel for what it was like to live in Korea 600 years ago. It's right in central Seoul, in the area between the Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Changdeokgung Palace.

The neighborhoods of narrow streets feature hanoks or traditional Korean houses. It's a unique place, as it's a historic area, very popular with tourists, but it's also a real neighborhood because the houses are all occupied.

Some of the hanoks are now guesthouses and bed-and-breakfasts , and a few are museums and can be toured. Others are cultural centers showcasing traditional crafts and other historic aspects of Korean life, but most are private homes.

This must-see attraction in Seoul showcases the incredible history and artwork of Korea and the Korean people. The National Museum of Korea , one of the largest in Asia, is in the city's Yongsan District (close to Itaewon).

It focuses on archeology, history, and art and includes a vast collection of works and objects going back more than a million years. There are ancient and prehistoric artifacts, sculptures, paintings, and other artwork along with a large collection of objects and antiques.

Before or after your museum visit, head down the street to Yongsan Family Park , a nice outdoor space to relax. Another important museum worth a visit, The War Memorial of Korea is also close by.

Address: 137 Seobinggo-ro, Seobinggo-dong, Yongsan-gu

One of the newest attractions in Seoul is the Lotte World Tower skyscraper. The tallest building in South Korea, it's 500 meters above the ground and currently the fifth-tallest building in the world . The vase-like shape, with gentle curves, is designed to mimic traditional Korean ceramic pieces.

There are several indoor and outdoor observation areas (called Seoul Sky) at the top on the 117th-123 rd floors. Views are spectacular both during the day and at night, and you can see 360 degrees around the city.

On the 118 th floor, there's the Sky Deck with the world's highest glass floor. Like magic, the floor changes from opaque to clear, terrifying unsuspecting visitors. Even getting to the top is fun, and the journey is done via super fast, double-decker elevators, with windows on one side and LED screens on the other three and on the ceiling.

Inside the tower are offices, luxury residences, and the SIGNIEL SEOUL luxury hotel. There's also the Lotte World Aquarium, the Lotte Museum of Art, and an enormous shopping mall. The tower is home to the Lotte Concert Hall and the Lotte Cinema, a state-of-the-art, 21-screen MoviePlex with the world's largest movie screen. The tower is adjacent to the Lotte World amusement park, which is a great thing to do in Seoul for families.

Address: Songpa-gu, Jamsil 6(yuk)-dong, Olympic-ro, 300, Seoul

A remnant of the Korean War, the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) is the area located along the border between North and South Korea. This highly sensitive and highly fortified area can only be visited during an official tour. Aside from the visit to the DMZ, a tour gives you a chance to get out of urban Seoul and see a bit of the Korean countryside.

The Half-Day Korean DMZ Tour , which includes pickup and drop-off in central Seoul, takes you to the important sites in the DMZ area and gets you back to Seoul right after lunch (if you take the early morning tour). The guided tour includes visits to landmarks like the 3rd Tunnel, dug by the North in anticipation of an invasion, and the Dora Observatory, where you can look over into North Korea.

First built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace is the largest of Seoul's five grand palaces built during the powerful Joseon dynasty. Destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries, it was restored to its original glory after the Second World War and totally restored in the 1990s.

A visit to the Gyeongbokgung Palace is one of the best things to do in Seoul because within the palace grounds, you can also find the National Palace Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum of Korea , and both are worth a visit. The palace museum is especially fascinating as it presents items from the palaces of the Joseon Dynasty.

This includes priceless antiques and artwork, as well as everyday items for cooking, cleaning, and daily life. The National Folk Museum focuses on items from daily life, as well as clothing and dioramas, to tell the story of the Korean people since prehistoric times.

Address: 161 Sajik-ro, Sejongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Located behind the Deoksugung Palace, the Seoul Museum of Art , or SeMa as it's known to locals, has a large collection of artwork, mainly from the modern era. The art museum focuses on Korean art and Korean artists but has a decent selection of international works and creators. Changing temporary and visiting exhibitions also showcase unique collections and artwork.

The collection is displayed over three floors in a large building that was formerly the home of the Korean Supreme Court. The museum has six additional satellite locations in other parts of Seoul, and these feature rotating exhibits from the museum's main collection, as well as special exhibitions.

Don't miss the museum's Nam June Paik Memorial House, an exhibition and workshop space inside the house of legendary Korean contemporary artist Nam June Paik. The house is located in Seoul's Changsin-Dong neighborhood.

Address: 61, Deoksugung-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

The Blue House is Korea's version of the White House. It's the official residence of the Korean president , as well as the location of his and related executive offices of state. The Blue House isn't really a single building, it's an entire campus of buildings, all built in the traditional Korean style and all featuring the distinctive blue tile roofs where it gets its name.

One of the coolest things to do in Seoul is to take a tour of the Blue House. Hour-long tours are given, but participants must apply and schedule their tour in advance, online. The tour takes you to many parts of the palace complex including meeting rooms, reception rooms, and the Korean version of the Rose Garden, where the Korean president holds press conferences.

Ask your hotel concierge to help with reservations.

Address: 1 Sejongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Bongeunsa is one of many Buddhist temples in and around Seoul. It first opened in the year 794 and is a complex of multiple buildings and shrines. It's easy to visit, as it's centrally located in the exciting Gangnam area. If you're spending the day sightseeing and exploring the city, this is a wonderful place to take a break.

The temple is on the side of a low mountain, directly across the street from the massive COEX convention center and mall. It's a popular spot for convention-goers to take a break and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Visitors are welcome, and the temple even has a program that allows guests to experience the daily life of a monk for a few hours.

Address: 531 Bongeunsa-ro, Samseong 1(il)-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

The largest and main gate to Seoul's Gyeongbokgung Palace , Gwanghwamun Gate is home to the changing of the guards ceremony (performed since 1469), which happens daily (except Tuesdays) at 10am and 2pm.

The gate has undergone many renovations and rebuilding, most recently in 2010, when it was restored to its original location and reconstructed with native materials using traditional tools and building techniques.

There's a large plaza in front, and the gate sits in front of the vast Gwanghwamun Square , home to frequent political demonstrations, a large subway station, a giant fountain, and some huge statues of Joseon-era leaders.

This natural creek that flows through central Seoul was covered over by highways in the post-Korean War economic boom. Seven miles of the creek were uncovered as part of an urban revitalization project and turned into an outdoor recreation area, opening in 2005.

There are now seven miles of creek-side hiking, walking and biking trails. It really has changed the CBD of Seoul by bringing an artery of water and green into what was a very urbanized, crowded area.

The creek is also home to the spectacular Seoul Lantern Festival , held each November. Ornate, lighted paper lanterns are displayed in and along the creek, and each night, thousands of people line the creek to view and enjoy the floating artwork. It's a fun, nighttime activity for families, as a lot of the art installations are geared toward children.

Set within the strikingly beautiful landscape of the Bukhansan National Park , Jingwansa is an ancient temple complex offering many ways to experience and learn about Buddhism and temple life. The traditional buildings are surrounded by miles of hiking trails (you can come here just to hike) snaking through the mountains.

The temple, which grows most of its own food (and even ferments its own kimchee), has a range of public programs. There's a temple stay program, which includes an overnight visit, plus there are cultural and learning programs. They also offer foodie experiences like a traditional vegetarian temple meal, as eaten by the monks.

Jingwansa is on the far west side of the city, it's one of the four major temples of Seoul first built around 1,000 BC.

Address: 73 Jingwan-gil, Jingwan-dong, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul

Itaewon is a bustling neighborhood of Seoul focused on a few pedestrian streets filled with shops, cafés, and other consumer businesses. If you have limited time in the city, it's one of those places that can give you a real feel for Korean retail culture in a short time period. There are food carts and street performers, and some of the side streets are filled with restaurants. It's a great place for people-watching.

This is an excellent place to wander around and just lose yourself in the energy of the city. Be sure to wander down pedestrian-only Gyeongnidan Street, as it's lined with all kinds of restaurants and is a place to buy many international foods not easily available in Korea (like pizza and American-style barbecue). It's a fun thing to do in Seoul for families, and you'll see many parents and children here.

Another street, literally called Itaewon Antique Furniture Street, is filled with antique shops, and this is always an excellent place to buy unique gifts.

Known by its initials, the DDP is a very cool design center in Seoul's Dongdaemun area. Dongdaemun, Seoul's fashion district, is also known for its shopping; there are a lot of department stores and discount clothing and houseware stores in the area. The DDP has changing art and creative exhibitions open to the public, as well as a very cool store inside.

The silver, orb-like flowing Dongdaemun Design Plaza building looks like something from outer space. It was designed by the late Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid, considered one of the great female architects of the modern era. In perhaps Seoul's ultimate contrast, there are ruins of the ancient city fortress preserved just outside the front entrance of the design center.

The complex is filled with showrooms, workspaces, offices, and design studios. There is also what has to be Seoul's coolest shop, with small craft vendors selling all kinds of interesting items showcasing contemporary design and locally made, handcrafted items. It's an excellent place to buy unique gifts.

A visit to the DDP is one of the best things to do in Seoul at night — the design center comes alive when the sun goes down, the highlight being 25,550 white LED roses that light up. The silver-colored, modern, curving building and the rows of artificial flowers make the DDP one of Seoul's best Instagram spots.

After your visit, head across the street for a burger and crinkle-cut fries at one of Seoul's most popular new dining spots, Shake Shack. It's right across from the DDP in the Doota shopping mall.

Address: 281 Eulji-ro, Euljiro 7(chil)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul

Seoul's best street food market combines a taste-bud tempting array of street food vendors under one large roof. The market features rows of food stalls, offering every kind of Korean food you can imagine.

Most stalls have small chairs or stools in front of them, creating tiny restaurants, where you can sit and have a meal. It's all about tasting things here, and a smile and request will usually get you a sample of most of the things on offer.

The market is in central Seoul, and it's open from 9am to 10pm. The most popular things sold here are bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), bibimbap (rice mixed with sauteed beef, vegetables, and gochujang red chili paste), gimbap (Korean sushi), sundae (blood sausage), tteokbokki (stir-fried spicy rice cakes), and various types of noodles.

Other parts of the market have vendors selling meat and seafood, and other sections have clothes and household items.

Address: 88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno 4(sa)-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul

This unique neighborhood in central Seoul is filled with small stores that sell Korean traditional folk and handicrafts, along with art galleries. Stores sell things like hanji (traditional, hand-made paper), hanbok (traditional clothing), teas, pottery, and unique artwork.

The galleries in Insadong feature Korean fine art of all types. There are also a lot of tea houses and small cafes, perfect for a break during your shopping adventures.

The Insadong area really comes alive on Saturday afternoons and all day Sunday, when streets are closed to traffic and it becomes a giant craft and culture fair. Aside from food stalls and vendors, there are traditional music and dance performances and other cultural exhibits.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Beyond Seoul: While many of the country's highlights are in Seoul, have a look at our article on the top attractions in South Korea for ideas on places to visit throughout the country.

SEOUL - north  |  SEOUL - south

Day Trips from Seoul  | Busan  |  Best Collections

🍁  Festivals ( Seoul • Busan )

Top 100 Must-Visit Places in Korea & How to Go Guide 

Discover the  Top 100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots in Korea for 2023-2024  that include famous attractions and some of the newly added places to visit across all regions of Korea from Seoul , Incheon , Busan to Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do .

The 6th edition of  Top 100 Must-Visits Tourist Spots in Korea (2023-2024) list was announced by Ministry Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and Korea Tourism Organization (KTO)  on  13 December 2022 . The list is a compilation of recommended tourist attractions that are selected and promoted every 2 years  by MCST and KTO .

Top 100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots Summary​ (2023-2024)

39 natural attractions

61 cultural attractions

14  attractions have been selected for 6 consecutive times (e.g. 5 palaces in Seoul )

33 new additions include Seoul Forest , OSIRIA Tourist Complex , etc

Drop outs include  Seoraksan National Park , etc 

24 in Seoul Capital Area (incl. Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi-do)

10 in Gangwon-do Province

28 in Gyeongsang-do Province (incl. Busan, Daegu, Ulsan)

6 on Jeju Island

13 in Chungcheong-do Province

17 in Jeolla-do Province

Shortlisted Top 100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots (2023-2024) in/out Seoul or Busan

​ To assist travellers to explore these popular and recommended places of interests on your holiday in Korea , KoreaToDo has put together the shortlisted Top 100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots that are:

easily accessed in Seoul

within 3 hours from Seoul

in/from Busan

It includes  detailed guides on how to get there by public transport or join a local tour so as to get the most out of your travel time, when combined with other nearby attractions.

Gyeongbokgung Palace

The largest of all five grand palaces built in the Joseon Dynasty, remaining in Seoul.

Changgyeonggung Palace

A simple and compact palace, surrounded by a forest with about 50,000 trees.

Seoul Forest

Known for its cherry blossoms & tulips in Spring, Ginkgo Tree Forest in Autumn & deer.

Lotte World

Include the World's largest Indoor theme park & an outdoor Magic Island.

Ikseondong Hanok Village

A hot trending place with narrow streets of hip cafes, restaurants and pubs.

Suwon Hwaseong Fortress

UNESCO World Heritage with impressive structure from Joseon Dynasty.

Seoul Land Amusement Park

1st large-scale theme park in Korea with over 40 rides & games for all ages.

DMZ, the border that divides the Korean Peninsula. Visit the 3rd Tunnel & Dora Observatory.

Heyri Art Valley, Paju

A lovely village formed by artists with shops, cafes, galleries and quirky sculptures.

Chuncheon Samaksan Mountain Lake Cable Car

The longest cable car in Korea at 3.61km, connecting Samak Mountain to Lake Uiam.

Gangneung Coffee Street

Anything related to coffee at the 'city of coffee', located on the eastern coast of Korea.

Daegwallyeong: Yongpyong Ski Resort

The largest ski resort in Korea & host of 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games.

Haeundae Beach

The most beloved & famous beach of the country. It stretches 1.5km long & 30-50m wide.

Busan Green Railway

Alongside the 9.8km walking trail is the popular Haeundae Sky Capsule & Beach Train.

Songdo Beach

1st public beach in Korea. Walking distance to Busan Air Cruise & Songdo Cloud Trails.

Yongdusan & Jagalchi Special Tourist Zone: Yongdusan Park

The most significant structure at Yongdusan Park is the Busan Diamond Tower (120m).

OSIRIA Tourist Complex: Lotte World Adventure

1st theme park in Busan. The amusement park features 6 zones with 17 rides & attractions.

Daewangam Park

A seaside park, known for its beautiful coastlines and interestingly-shaped rocks.

Naejangsan National Park

A favourite autumn foliage destination with a beautiful temple in the park.

Changdeokgung Palace & Secret Garden

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage and one of the most well-preserved royal palaces.

Gyeonghuigung Palace

Once a massive complex with 1,500 buildings and residence for kings for over 200 years.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)

Iconic landmark of Korean design industry, designed by world-renowned architect.

N Seoul Tower

Iconic landmark of Seoul with fantastic views of Seoul city.

Starfield COEX Mall

A large primarily shopping mall known for its Starfield Library and COEX Aquarium.

Korean Folk Village

A village recreated from the Joseon era with backdrop of mountains and river.

Gwangmyeong Cave

An abandoned mine for 40 years to the best Cave Theme Park in Korea.

Anseong Farmland

The largest agro-livestock theme park in Korea with impressive seasonal flower fields.

Jarasum Island

Consists of 4 islands with the southern island transformed into a 'flower island'.

Ganhyeon Tourist Area (Sogeumsan Grand Valley)

Experience the longest suspension bridge (200m) in Korea & cliffside walk.

Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm

Korea’s first sheep farm, located at 850m above sea level in the Alps of Pyeongchang.

Wondae-ri Birch Forest

A nature sanctuary with over 700,000 birch trees, paths & lookouts.

Songjeong Beach

Well-known surf beach in Busan. Wet suits & surf boards for rent. Surfing lessons offered.

Gamcheon Culture Village

'The Santorini of Korea', known for its colourful mountainside houses.

Yongdusan & Jagalchi Special Tourist Zone: BIFF Square

Main venue of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) & a well-known food paradise.

Gwangalli Beach

Enjoy view of Gwangandaegyo Bridge & Gwangalli M Drone Light Show every Saturday.

OSIRIA Tourist Complex: Skyline Luge Busan

2nd Skyline Luge in Korea. Enjoy the scenic skyride up & ride downhill on luge carts.

Donggung Palace, Wolji Pond & Cheomseongdae

Top attractions of Gyeongju, the capital of ancient Silla Dynasty.

Jeonju Hanok Village

Referred as the 'Slow City' with over 800 traditional Korean hanok houses.

Deoksugung Palace

Smallest of the five palaces and the final residence of the last King of the Joseon Dynasty.

Hongdae (Hongik University Area)

A university suburb with youthful streets of shops, cafes & clubs.

Observatory located on 117F-123F of South Korea's tallest building, Lotte World Tower.

Seochon Village

The village resembles the old Seoul with hanoks (traditional Korean houses), shops & cafes.

Incheon Chinatown

Best Chinese food with nearby fairy tale inspired Songwoldong Fairy Tale Village & Jayu Park.

Everland Theme Park

Korea's largest amusement park with many fun rides, zoo & themed festivals.

Imjingak, Paju

A famous DMZ tourist spot, built with the hope of Korean unification someday.

Dumulmeori, Yangpyeong

A place of rustic nature beauty. Known for its over 400-years old Zelkova trees & filming site.

Nami Island

Well-known as the filming location of 'Winter Sonata' Korean drama.

Located on the mountain, a place where art & architecture are harmonized with nature.

Daegwallyeong: Daegwallyeong Sky Ranch

A huge ranch with over 540 cows, sheep, horses and goats in the vast grassland.

Taejongdae Park

Offer magnificent view of the sea at Yeongdo Lighthouse on the cliff.

BUSAN X the SKY

Observatory on 98-100F of Haeundae LCT The Sharp, the highest building in Busan.

Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge

Connect Amnam Park across the sea to Dongseom Island. 127.1m long and 2m wide.

Yongdusan & Jagalchi Special Tourist Zone: Jagalchi Market

Korea's largest seafood market with indoor & outdoor sections, including restaurants.

OSIRIA Tourist Complex: Ananti Cove

Large coastal town consists of Ananti Hilton Busan, hot spring, coastal walk, shops & cafes.

OSIRIA Tourist Complex: Lotte Premium Outlets

Designed with the concept of Santorini. Over 500 famous domestic & international brands.

Bulguksa Temple & Seokguram Grotto

The first historical sites in Korea registered as UNESCO World Heritage.

Cheongpung Lakeside Cable Car

Panoramic view of Cheongpung Lake on the 2.3km cable car ride, connected to Mt. Bibongsan.

Past Winners of Top 100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots

Seodaemun Prison History Hall

Once a prison, now a museum. A popular K-drama location on their out of prison scenes.

Well-known shopping, dining & street food paradise.

Jebudo Island

Jebu Island, a mysterious island where sea routes open twice a day due to tides.

Pocheon Art Valley

Experience the beauty of the quarry at this famous drama filming location.

High1 Ski Resort

One of the most popular ski resorts in Korea, known for its puffy snow.

Tongyeong Skyline Luge

Ride the Skyride to get on board the Luge cart for exhilarating ride downhill.

Seoullo7017

A highway, now a beautiful sky garden walkway for pedestrians.

Wolmido Island

Cafes, seafood restaurants & theme park along the coast.

The Garden of Morning Calm

A beautiful & artistic private garden to be enjoyed in all seasons.

Seoraksan National Park

Beautiful mountain landscape, hiking courses & cable car rides to the top of the mountain.

Huinnyeoul Culture Village

Known for its beautiful coastal cliff landscape and a popular film location.

Oedo-Botania

Famous for its European atmosphere & marine botanical garden.

The global village in Seoul, known for its restaurants & night life.

Hwadam Botanic Garden

An ecological park divided into 17 themes with forest walking path & monorail courses.

Namhansanseong Provincial Park

A UNESCO World Heritage with 12.4km fortress & different hiking trails.

Wonju Suspension Bridge

Korea's longest suspension bridge across Mt. Segeum's 2 peaks.

A hill overlooking the sea & the location of many famous Korean dramas.

KoreaToDo TOP PICKS - Tours, Activities & Discount Tickets to TOP 100 MUST-VISIT TOURIST SPOTS

➥ Handpicked experiences by KoreaToDo for their uniqueness, value, popularity, price competitiveness and at times, tedious to reach by public transport.

N Seoul Tower Observatory Ticket

enjoy breathtaking views

Lotte World 1 Day Pass & Lotte World Aquarium

located in the heart of Seoul

Hanbok Rental near Changdeokgung Palace by Dorothy Hanbok

Kid/Male hanbok available.

Coex Aquarium in Seoul Admission Ticket

largest aquarium in Seoul

Discover Seoul Pass (Lotte World, COEX Aquarium, Han River Cruises, etc)

free access to >60 attractions

Namsan Cable Car Round Trip Ticket (weekdays only & min. 2 pax)

beautiful scenery of Seoul

Hanbok Experience (Hanboknam Gyeongbokgung Store)

incl. basic hairstyling & inner skirt

Nail Art & Hairstyling Experience at OLRANG, Hongdae

onsite English translation

Seoul Moonlight Walking Tour with Local Historian

Seoul's hidden gems with stories

Seoul City Tour Bus: Myeongdong, Seoul Tower, Palaces, Insadong, Bukchon

15 stops to hop on & hop off

N Seoul Tower Package (Observatory & Cable Car Round Trip)

scenic ride up Mt. Namsan

Hanbok Rental (& Photoshoot) Experience by Hanbok That Day

3 mins walk fr. Gyeongbokgung

Seoul Personal Color & Make-up Analysis in Hongdae

with English speaking expert

Cheongwadae Blue House & Gyeongbokgung Palace Walking Tour

former presidential residence

Seoul City Tour Bus: Night View Course (Mt. Namsan, Han River Bridges...)

non-stop course with photo time

Lotte World Theme Park 1 Day Pass

easy access on Seoul Subway

Hanboknam Hanbok Rental Voucher at Changdeokgung Store

Alive Museum & Dynamic Maze in Insadong

interactive artworks!

Quaint Changgyeonggung Palace Night Tour

learn about Joseon history

⬇ Tours departing from Seoul

Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) Tour

bird’s eye view of North Korea

Paju/Gimpo/Cheorwon DMZ Day Tour

DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)

Yongin Dae Jang Geum Park (MBC Drama Studio) Tour

BTS Suga music video & ARMY

Everland 1 Day Pass (instant QR Code for entry incl. on voucher upon booking)

a large amusement park & zoo!

DMZ 3rd Invasion Tunnel & Gamaksan Suspension Bridge Day Tour

150m long bridge across valley

Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, Nammun Market & Korean Folk Village Day Tour

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Hwadam Botanic Garden & Gwangmyeong Cave Tour

Top 100 Must-Visit Spots

Everland Day Tour (Admission, Tour Guide & Round Trip Transfer)

Eng./Mandarin speaking guide

DMZ 3rd Invasion Tunnel & Majang Lake Suspension Bridge Day Tour

220m long bridge by the lake

Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, Starfield Library Suwon & Gwangmyeong Cave Tour

hottest library & UNESCO tour

Hwadam Botanic Garden & Korean Folk Village Day Tour

garden with 17 themes

PRIVATE DAY TOUR: Alpaca World, Nami Island & Garden of Morning Calm

hotel pickup & admissions

DMZ 3rd Invasion Tunnel & Korea Traditional Boat Voyage Day Tour

river flowing out of North Korea

Hwaseong Fortress, Starfield Library Suwon & Korean Folk Village Day Tour

modern & historical tour

Hwadam Forest, Ludencia Theme Park & Yeoju Outlet Day Tour

Pocheon Art Valley, Apple Farm Experience & Herb Island Day Tour

apple pie making + monorail

Mt. Seorak & Naksansa Temple Tour

explore Korea’s natural beauty

Nami Island, Petite France & Italian Village Day Tour

Nami Island, Garden of Morning Calm & Gangchon Rail Bike Day Tour

best of Gangwon province!

Alpaca World & Nami Island Private Day Tour (1-5 pax/car)

comfortable & safe travel

Nami Island, Alpaca World & Chuncheon King Canoeing Day Tour

PRIVATE DAY TOUR: Nami Island & Rail Bike (& more)

Seoraksan National Park, Nami Island & Garden of Morning Calm Day Tour

spectacular landscapes of Korea

Nami Island & Garden of Morning Calm Day Tour

Nami Island, Petite France, Italian Village & Gangchon Rail Bike Day Tour

Alpaca World, Nami Island, Gangchon Rail Bike Private Day Tour (1-5 pax/car)

travel in comfort

Legoland Korea & Nami Island Day Tour

World's 2nd largest Legoland!

IN THE SOOP BTS Ver. (PyeongChang) Filming Location Tour

incl. official merchandise gift!

Nami Island, Petite France, Italian Village & The Morning Calm Day Tour

Alpaca World, Nami Island & Gangchon Rail Bike Day Tour

enjoy the best of Gangwon!

Alpaca World, Nami Island & Petite France Private Day Tour (1-5 pax/car)

travel with friends & family

Legoland Korea & Samaksan Mountain Lake Cable Car Day Tour

longest 3.61km cable car ride!

PRIVATE DAY TOUR: Alpaca World, Nami Island & Rail Bike

Nami Island Admission Ticket (incl. return ferry)

Skip the ticketing queue!

Alpaca World, Nami Island & The Garden of Morning Calm Day Tour

walk with adorable alpacas

Nami, Petite France, Italian V., Morning Calm & Gangchon Rail Bike Tour

visit them all!

Nami Island, Alpaca World & Samaksan Mountain Lake Cable Car Day Tour

longest cable car in Korea!

PRIVATE DAY TOUR: Alpaca World & Nami Island

Incheon Day Tour (Ganghwa Luge, Rail Bike, Wolmido & Fairy Tale Village)

enjoy the best of Incheon!

over 800 traditional houses

Lotte World Adventure Busan 1 Day Pass

1st theme park in Busan!

CLUBD OASIS: Spa Ticket @LCT, Haeundae Beach

hot spring & Korean dry sauna with 5 themes (salt, cypress, red clay, elvan & ice)

Busan Day Tour: Haeundae Beach Train

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Top 7 places you can't afford to miss in South Korea

Feb 20, 2024 • 6 min read

It may be small, but South Korea packs a punch, from supersonic cities to hiking on Jeju Island © Joel Carillet / Getty Images

Though it may be fun-size compared to its neighbors China and Russia, South Korea more than holds its own when it comes to incredible landscapes, cultural attractions and a dazzling food and nightlife scene.

In fact, South Korea's size paired with its ultra-reliable public transit system is what makes it all so accessible. Travelers can go from mountaintop to beachside or from village to megacity – and back again – in a single day. Not that we recommend rushing your journey – with so many unique places to visit, you could dedicate an entire trip to one spot. Start your travel to-do list now with our seven favorite places to visit in South Korea.

Best place for nightlife

Home to half of South Korea's population, Seoul  is also the most popular city for tourists to visit. The capital has an electric vibe at any hour of the day or night. Between the city's low-key watering holes, high-end cocktail lounges and always-fun noraebang (karaoke bars), Seoul has something to offer every late-night reveler.

Some of the newest trendsetting bars are located in Euljiro, while many longstanding favorites are in the tried-and-true nightlife neighborhoods of Gangnam , Hongdae and Itaewon . Gangnam is where the most expensive clubs are concentrated, while Hongdae is a more affordable option for budget-conscious travelers and university students. Itaewon has a reputation for drawing an international crowd.

Best place for maritime culture

Situated on the southern coast, South Korea's second city, Busan , overflows with a maritime culture as lively as it is varied. Setting the tone is Busan Port, the oldest and largest in the country (and also the sixth-busiest in the world), handling some 80% of South Korea's container cargo. The nearby Busan Modern History Museum tells the story of the port's pivotal role in South Korea's history. From there, up and down the coastline are any number of beautiful beaches, parks, observatories, villages and even a temple, Haedong Yonggungsa , one of the country's only oceanside temples.

At Jagalchi , South Korea's largest fish market, the day's catch is arranged in stall after stall of fish, eel, crabs, sea squirts, abalone, and more. Shoppers can select their seafood on the ground level and then take it up to one of the restaurants on the floors above, where the staff will expertly de-scale, de-shell, gut or filet and then cook it for you. For other scrumptious seafood bites, look for restaurants along the beach specializing in jogae gui , grilled shellfish served with a variety of dipping sauces like chogochujang (vinegar red pepper sauce), soy sauce with wasabi, and melted butter with onions.

3. Gyeongju

Best place to discover ancient treasures

As the capital of the Silla Kingdom, when the city was called Donggyeong ("eastern capital"), Gyeongju is a treasure trove of ancient relics, religious to royal. Gyeongju National Museum houses a fair number of them – including ornate jewelry, earthenware jars, prayer bells and Buddha statues – but even more artifacts lie beyond. Gyeongju is known as South Korea's museum without walls.

See the royal tombs of Tumuli-gongwon ; the oldest astrological observatory in East Asia, Cheomseongdae ; the Buddhist grotto of Seokguram ; the picturesque palace of Donggung; and the temple halls, pagodas and bridges of Bulguk-sa . Woljeonggyo, a covered wooden bridge with striking red columns, green roof beams and two end towers, might be the prettiest bridge in all of South Korea – even more so at night when it's illuminated with lights.

Best place for contemporary history

Regarded as the birthplace of Korean democracy, Gwangju was the site of the May 18 Democratic Uprising of 1980, the 10-day-long armed resistance against Chun Doo-hwan's authoritarian military regime. After the brutal repression of some 600 university student protesters, the people of Gwangju stood up and joined in rebellion, resulting in state massacre and torture. Despite the movement's suppression, it's seen as a turning point in South Korea's struggle for democracy.

To better understand this pivotal event in the country's history, go to the May 18th Memorial Park and National Cemetery . You can also take a walk down Chungjang-ro, a now-converted shopping and entertainment street that was once ground zero of the uprising.

Best place for beaches and waterfalls

South of the Korean mainland in the Yellow Sea, Jeju-do  is blessed with a balmy subtropical climate, making it the country's most popular vacation destination. The island is in such high demand that the flight between Seoul and Jeju City is the busiest air route in the world. Just one glimpse of Jeju's glittering white-sand and black-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters and volcanic topography of calderas, cones and tuffs, and it's easy to see why so many mainlanders flock to the island for a bit of R&R.

While Jeju's beaches make the perfect natural setting for lounging oceanside with a book and a cocktail, the island has plenty more to do than just relax. Aside from climbing the country's tallest mountain, Hallasan, outdoors adventure seekers can go surfing at Woljeongri or Jungmun beaches, snorkeling and scuba diving at Munseom Island, spelunking in the Geomunoreum Lava Tube System, waterfall chasing at Jeongbang Pokpo or Cheonjiyeon Pokpo , or tewoo rafting aboard a traditional Jeju boat at the Soesokkak Estuary.

6. Gangwon-do 

Best place for winter sports

The site of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, Gangwon-do is home to the best ski resorts in South Korea. For skiing and snowboarding, head to top-rated Yongpyong , the country's oldest and largest ski resort, or High1 , featuring a casino and revolving restaurant. Other popular options are Phoenix Park, Vivaldi Park and Alpensia.

The frosty fun doesn't stop there – Gangwon also hosts several winter festivals, including the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival , where participants can try ice fishing, curling or sledding, and the Taebaeksan Snow Festival , which puts on enormous ice sculpture and ice fountain displays.

Best place for celebrating folk traditions

The capital of Gyeongsangbuk-do , Andong is also referred to as "the capital of Korean spirit." It is the country's Confucian culture capital, where you'll find traditional wooden masks and soju, the Korean national drink. At Andong's UNESCO-listed Hahoe Folk Village , the most famous folk village in South Korea, visitors can immerse themselves in the old Joseon-era way of life. Peek inside the village's workshops and its special choga homes, distinguished by their straw-thatched roofs, and even book an overnight stay in a guesthouse.

At the Hahoe Mask Museum , you can view the region's quintessential masks, carved into animated expressions to portray characters like aristocrats, servants and monks. Every fall at the Andong Maskdance Festival , you can see them in action in play performances. You can also tour notable Confucian academies, try traditional soju (local vodka) at the Soju Museum or a local restaurant, and sample Andong's signature soy-braised chicken dish, jjimdak .

This article was first published Aug 3, 2022 and updated Feb 20, 2024.

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100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots in Korea – Iconic Attractions You Must Visit

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The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) have announced the 100 Must-Visit Tourism Spots of Korea for 2021-2022. Out of these 100 must visit tourist spots in Korea, 51 of the travel destinations are natural attractions and 49 are cultural attractions.

The list of 100 must visit spots was first launched in 2013 and since then, 19 out of the total have been on the list for five consecutive times. All these destinations were selected from a pool of 198 destinations in South Korea.

According to Choi Bo-guen, head of the Culture Ministry’s Tourism Policy Bureau, “It is sad that we cannot enjoy traveling as we please as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. We hope Koreans and tourists can travel freely in the near future, visiting the 100 Must-Visit Tourism Spots of Korea”.

Table of Contents

100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots in Korea

You must visit South Korea to check out the magnificent beauty, rich history, epic landscapes, amazing constructions and architecture, and more! Let’s take a look at the 100 must visit tourist spots that’ll make your South Korea trip unforgettable!

Seoul Capital Area – Seoul

1. the five royal palaces of seoul, 2. seoul museum of art (sema), 3. hongik university (hongdae) street, 4. dongdaemun design plaza (ddp), 5. n seoul tower, 6. lotte world, 7. ikseon-dong, 8. seodaemun prison history hall, 9. coex (starfield).

Seoul Capital Area – Incheon

10. yeongjongdo island, 11. gangwha old town story walk, 12. open port cultural district & incheon chinatown (songwol-dong fairy tale village), 13. sorae port, 14. songdo central park.

Seoul Capital Area – Gyeonggi-do

15. everland, yongin, 16. hwaseong fortress, suwon, 17. seoul grand park (seoul land), 18. korean folk village, 19. gwangmyeong cave, 20. dumulmeori, 21. hwadam botanic garden, 22. jebudo island, 23. imjingak and paju dmz, 24. heyri art valley, paju, 25. the garden of morning calm, gapyeong, 26. nacf anseong farmland, gangwon-do area, 27. wondae-ri birch forest, 28. vivaldi park (ocean world), 29. daegwallyeong, 30. seoraksan national park, 31. hantangang river unesco geopark, 32. jumunjin, 33. museum san, 34. gangneung coffee street, 35. nami island, 36. ganhyeon tourist area (sogeumsan suspension bridge).

Chungcheong-do Area

37. jangtaesan recreational forest, daejeon, 38. gyejoksan red clay trail, daejeon, 39. cheongpung cable car, chungcheongbuk-do, 40. cheongnamdae (presidential villa), chungcheongbuk-do, 41. uirimji reservoir, chungcheongbuk-do, 42. mancheonha skywalk & danyanggang jando trail, chungcheongbuk-do, 43. daecheon beach, chungcheongnam-do, 44. yedangho suspension bridge & musical fountain, chungcheongnam-do, 45. anmyeondo kkotji beach, chungcheongnam-do, 46. gongsanseong fortress, ancient tombs in songsan-ri , baekje historic areas, gongju, chungcheongnam-do, 47. busosanseong fortress, gungnamji pond , baekje historic areas, buyeo, chungcheongnam-do, 48. yesan stork park, chungcheongnam-do, 49. sindu-ri coastal sand dune, chungcheongnam-do, 50. oeam folk village, asan, chungcheongnam-do, 51. sejong lake park, sejong-si.

Jeolla-do Area

52. purple island, jeollanam-do, 53. ssukseom island (aedo island), jeollanam-do, 54. boseong green tea plantation, (daehan dawon tea plantation ) jeollanam-do, 55. juknokwon, jeollanam-do, 56. odongdo island & yeosu expo, jeollanam-do, 57. suncheonman wetland ( suncheonman national garden ), jeollanam-do, 58. mokpo marine cable car, jeollanam-do, 59. mireuksa temple site, iksan, jeollabuk-do, 60. jeonju hanok village, jeollabuk-do, 61. okjeongho gujeolcho theme park, jeollabuk-do, 62. naejangsan national park, jeollabuk-do, 63. kim byung jong art museum, namwon, jeollabuk-do, 64. maisan provincial park, jeollabuk-do, 65. mudeungsan national park, gwangju, 66. asia culture center, gwangju.

Gyeongsang-do Area

67. taejongdae cliffed coast, busan, 68. yongdusan and jagalchi special tourist zone, 69. haeundae beach, 70. gamcheon culture village, 71. dadaepo beach & dadaepo sunset fountain of dream, 72. songjeong beach, 73. huinnyeoul culture village, 74. songdo beach & yonggung suspension bridge, 75. palgongsan mountain, daegu, 76. suseongmot lake, 77. seomun market, 78. petroglyphs of bangudae terrace, ulsan, 79. cape ganjeolgot, 80. yeongnam alps, 81. daewangam park, 82. taehwagang national garden, 83. haeinsa temple, hapcheon, gyeongsangnam-do, 84. windy hill, geoje, 85. namhae german village, 86. hwangmaesan county park, 87. changnyeong upo wetland, 88. buseoksa temple, gyeongsangbuk-do, 89. hahoe village, andong, 90. byeongsanseowon confucian academy, 91. ulleungdo and dokdo islands, 92. bulguksa temple & seokguram grotto, 93. daereungwon ancient tomb complex, gyeongju.

Jeju-do Area

94. seongsan ilchulbong tuff cone, 95. hallasan national park, 96. jeju olle trail, 97. cheonjiyeon falls, 98. camellia hill, 99. udo island, 100. bijarim forest.

Look forward to reading more about these 100 must-visit tourist spots in South Korea in our upcoming posts during the week!

Meanwhile, check out some interesting reads from KoreaTravelPost:

• Seollal – Lunar New Year’s Day in South Korea
• Purple Island (or the Banwol Island) – South Korea’s Latest Instagrammable Destination
• 8 ‘Crash Landing On You’ Locations in South Korea That Will Make You Fall In Love Again!
• South Korea Travel Guide – All You Need to Know About Korea’s Voltage, Plug & Adapters
• Jeju Island’s hidden gems that you shouldn’t miss out in your trip to South Korea

KoreaTravelPost Editor

Hello there! I'm the Features Editor for KoreaTravelPost.

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The Top 10 Destinations in South Korea

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Filled with historic palaces, lively markets, and buzzing nightlife, Seoul is certainly a dynamic destination. But there’s more to the captivating country of South Korea than its compelling capital. From ancient burial grounds and wild national parks, to colorful Buddhist temples, and white sand beaches reminiscent of Hawaii, South Korea has a multitude of enchanting locales to fill your itinerary to the brim.

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There’s no doubt that exploring Seoul is a must when traveling to South Korea. This modern metropolis home to 10 million people is a hodgepodge of culture, history, and culinary delights. No visit to this vibrant capital is complete without a stop at Gyeongbokgung Palace to see impressive examples of Joseon-era architecture and a recreation of the royal changing of the guard ceremony. Follow it up by checking out the city skyline views from the top of N Seoul Tower , then catch a glimpse of Seoul’s storied past amid the exhibits at the National Museum of Korea .

 Insung Jeon / Getty Images

This quiet southeastern city was the country’s former capital, and home of Korea’s illustrious monarchs during the Silla Kingdom, which lasted for nearly 1,000 years. Only two hours from Seoul by high-speed train, Gyeongju can easily be a day trip if you’re short on time. Highlights include Daereungwon Tomb Complex (popularly known as Tumuli Park), where otherworldly burial mounds enclose ancient treasures; elegant Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond , the pleasure palace of Silla kings; and the UNESCO sites and Korea National Treasures of Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto —a granite temple containing a seated Buddha statue.

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Home of the Busan International Film Festival which takes place every October, this southern port city is filled with a pulsating energy all its own. Only three hours from the capital via the KTX high-speed train, Busan is acclaimed for its Waikiki-esque Haeundae Beach . But there are plenty of other sights to see and things to do in South Korea’s second largest city . Start your tour with the multicolored 14th-century Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (one of the few in the country built next to the sea), then watch from Gwangalli Beach as twinkling lights spread across the iconic Diamond Bridge at night.

Jeju Island

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Jeju is commonly referred to as the “Hawaii of South Korea,” and for good reason—tranquil beaches, volcanic landscapes, and a plethora of palm trees give the island a decidedly tropical vibe. Watch the sunrise over Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak , a 5,000-year-old volcanic cone jutting into the sea, then head for the white sands and turquoise waters found at Hyeopjae Beach on the island’s west coast. Continue with a hike up Hallasan , South Korea’s highest peak, which also happens to be an active volcano. Jeju can easily be reached via domestic flights from Seoul or Busan.

Seoraksan National Park

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The easygoing city of Sokcho in South Korea’s northeast corner is home to a stretch of golden coastline, but it's perhaps mostly known as the location of Seoraksan National Park . Celebrated as the country’s most beautiful national park, Seoraksan is a hiking enthusiast’s dream come true. Miles of trails wind through jagged peaks and vast forests, past streams, waterfalls, and dignified Buddhist temples. For a visual treat, plan your visit during the months of October or November when the fiery fall leaves create a blanket of color.

Note: While autumn makes for the best leaf-peeping opportunity, it’s also one of the park’s busiest times of year.

Jirisan National Park

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Meaning “the mountain of the odd and wise people,” Jirisan is considered one of Korea’s three most legendary mountains and is a place where spiritual seekers have flocked for thousands of years. In 1967, the mountain and surrounding area became South Korea’s first national park (it’s also the largest terrestrial national park). Jirisan is known for its incredibly diverse flora and fauna, including the leopard cat and the Asiatic black bear, both considered endangered species and protected in Korea. Buses and trains reach Namwon Station from Seoul in approximately three hours, from which it’s another hour’s bus or taxi ride to Jirisan National Park.

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Only 30 minutes south of Seoul, Suwon is an often overlooked but culturally important site in the history of South Korea. Suwon is home to Hwaseong Fortress , an imposing 18th-century stone and brick structure built both as a tomb and a political stronghold, with walls stretching for nearly 4 miles. For those looking for more in-the-moment thrills, just outside Suwon lies Everland , Korea’s largest theme park and the 16th most visited amusement park in the world. Suwon is also home to Mr. Toilet House ; the commode-shaped home of the city’s former mayor, which is now a quirky museum dedicated to public sanitation.

Dadohaehaesang National Park

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As South Korea’s largest national park, Dadohaehaesang spans a collection of rocky islands along the country’s southern coast. Though a challenge to get to (a three-hour train ride from Seoul followed by numerous taxis and ferries), a visit to Dadohaehaesang National Park is well worth the effort for those who enjoy unspoiled natural beauty. A swath of evergreen forests plunge to craggy shorelines, and the park houses a broad assortment of endangered plant and animal species. The area is also notable for its maritime past as the site of multiple sea battles between Korea and invading Japanese armies.

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Set in the central Gyeongbuk province, the laid-back city of Andong framed by the Nakdong River is most famous for the UNESCO-listed Hahoe Folk Village . Dating to the 15th century, this quaint assemblage of thatched or tile-roofed houses evokes bygone images of the country’s Joseon Dynasty, and makes for one of South Korea’s most charming tourist attractions. Andong has long been considered the capital of Korean traditional culture, and other draws include renowned Andong soju (distilled rice whiskey), and the annual Andong Mask Dance Festival .

Tapsa Temple

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Although it’s not one of South Korea’s largest or most famous temples, Tapsa Temple may well be the most interesting both visually and historically. Set at the base of a towering cliff, the temple grounds house over 80 stone pagodas built by a retired scholar-turned-hermit in the 19th century. Although no adhesive materials were used to build the pagodas, some of which stand 18 feet high, they have mysteriously withstood typhoons and strong winds over the centuries. Visit during the Maisan Cherry Blossom Festival in the spring, when the trees surrounding the temple come alive with cherry blossoms. Buses from Seoul reach Jinan Intercity Bus Stop in just under four hours, and from there it’s easy to take a taxi or local bus to the temple.

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Home » Travel Guides » South Korea » 55 Best Things to Do in Seoul (South Korea)

55 Best Things to Do in Seoul (South Korea)

Close to half the population of South Korea lives in the Seoul Capital Area, the world’s fifth largest conurbation.

Its centre of gravity is a pulsating city cleaved by the Han River and with a skyline punctuated by mountains.

Seoul has burgeoned since the middle of the 20th century and new projects continue to crop up by the year, like the 555-metre Lotte World Tower in 2017 and Zaha Hadid’s sensational Dongdaemun Design Plaza.

But the city has safeguarded its history, even in the face of invasions from Japan.

Set a course for Joseon Dynasty palaces, Buddhist temples and quarters like Bukchon, where there’s a warren of hanoks, which are traditional wooden houses with curled eaves.

And to really feel like Seoulite, dine at an authentic Korean BBQ joint or verse yourself in the city’s street food culture at its frenzied markets.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Seoul :

1. Gyeongbokgung Palace

The first royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty was constructed in 1395 and stood at the heart of the capital, then known as Hanyang.

Gyeongbokgung Palace is the largest of Five Grand Palaces of Seoul and comprises hundreds of edifices.

It was invested with huge symbolism, which has led to its destruction twice by the Japanese, during the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598) and then the occupation of Korea in the 20th century.

The palace is going through a painstaking 40-year restoration project, begun in 1989. Two spectacular elements, the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion and Hyangwonjeong Pond, have come through all this turbulence relatively unscathed, and need to be seen along with the Geunjeongjeon (Throne Hall) Gangnyeongjeon (King’s Quarters), Gyotaejeon (Queen’s Quarters) and Jibokjae, the library of King Gojong (1852-1919). At Gwanghwamun, the main gate to the south of palace complex, you can watch the solemn changing of the guard ceremony at the top of every hour between 10:00 and 15:00. The Folk Museum of Korea and the National Palace Museum are both set on the palace’s massive grounds.

2. N Seoul Tower

When it went up at the turn of the 1970s the N Seoul Tower was South Korea’s first general broadcast tower.

This Space Age building is at the summit of the 243-metre Namsan Mountain, and standing at more than 236 metres, the top of the tower is close to 480 metres above sea level.

There are gift shops and eateries on the plaza below, where young couples show their love by locking padlocks onto the railings at the foot of the tower.

High above the plaza are four floors, with a restaurant (T1), wishing pond, observatory, cafe and photo studio (T2), a “digital observatory” with powerful digital telescopes and 32 LED screens detailing Korea’s history (T3) and a revolving French restaurant making a turn every 48 minutes on T5 (most buildings don’t have fourth floors in Korea as the number is considered unlucky). Make sure to come at night to behold a city of 10 million people in a sea of twinkling lights.

3. Changdeokgung Palace

East of Gyeongbokgung is Changdeokgung Palace (Palace of Prospering Virtue), built a little later, at the start of the 15th century.

The best preserved of Seoul’s surviving Joseon palaces, this was established by King Taejong, fifth son of the first King of the Joseon Dynasty, Taejo.

In the Strife of Princes of the late-1390s, Taejong (then known as Yi Bangwon) killed all of his half-brothers and pretenders to the throne and switched the location of the royal palace for political purposes.

Changdeokgung is the longest-serving royal palace and is less formalist in its layout than Gyeongbokgung, blending instead with its natural environment.

The royal area is set within many layers of governmental offices and buildings for functionaries, to protect this inner sanctum in case of a break in.

Some of the outstanding things to see on a tour are the Throne Hall (Injeongjeon), a National Treasure from 1405 and rebuilt in 1610, Geumcheongyo, the oldest surviving bridge in Seoul, dating to 1411 and Donhwamun, a gate raised in 1412 and also rebuilt in the 17th century.

Huwon, the palace’s private garden is unmissable and we’ll cover it later.

4. National Museum of Korea

The largest museum in the country, and among the largest in Asia, the National Museum of Korea is on three floors enriched with hundreds of thousands of artefacts beginning in prehistory.

There’s invaluable calligraphy, celadon and buncheong ceramics, sculpture and painting, in such quantity that you could never see it all in a single day.

If time is of the essence then there are a few obligatory stops for Korean National Treasures.

The star has to be the Gilt-bronze Maitreya in Meditation (No. 83), a Silla-era treasure from the beginning of the 7th century, with one leg over the other, and a hand drawn to the chin as if in deep contemplation.

Also from the Silla kingdom is the 5th-century Gold Crown (No. 191) recovered from the tomb of Hwangnamdaechong in Gyeongju.

A monumental piece is the 14th-century Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda, ten storeys high and displayed in one of the main halls, while in the Calligraphy and Painting Gallery on the second floor is the Album of Genre Painting by the 18th-century master Donwon.

The museum’s outdoor space is lovely in good weather, scattered with pagodas, gardens of indigenous plants, lanterns, steles, waterfalls and pools.

5. Namsan Park

N Seoul Tower’s mountain roost has much more to hold your attention, whether it’s the scenic trails, fragments of Seoul’s 14th-century walls, the underground Maritime Aquarium, the cable car (from Hoehyeon-dong) or a small village of traditional houses, which we’ll cover in more detail below.

In the reign of Taejo, the first Joseon king at the turn of the 15th century, Namsan Mountain was regarded as a sacred shamanistic site, and its role in the defence of Seoul extended to a smoke beacon, Mongmyeoksan Bongsudae, with five chimneys sending signals to the city from this elevated overlook.

Near the foot of the tower on the beacon mound there’s another stirring view to be had from Namsan Palgakjeong, a dainty octagonal pavilion.

6. Lotte World

At this huge complex in Sincheon-dong is the largest indoor amusement park in the world, linked by monorail to an outdoor amusement park on a man-made island, and all accompanied by a luxury hotel, malls, cinemas, an ice rink and a folk museum charting 5,000 years of Korean history.

The epic indoor park is on four floors under a glass dome, with spaces devoted to a different part of the world (for instance, European-style village, Arabian courtyard, Jungle). There are 22 rides in all, complemented by constant parades, shows and seasonal festivals.

That folk museum is a must-see and can be found at Adventure 3F, while the French Revolution2 VR became the first Korean roller-coaster to use virtual reality technology when it opened after a revamp in 2017. In good weather you can cross the bridge to Magic Island, commanded by a Disney-style fairytale castle and offering rides like the Atlantis Adventure steel roller-coaster and Gyro Drop, an adrenaline-pumping drop ride also using VR.

7. Bukhansan National Park

One of South Korea’s 22 national parks is within the Seoul metropolitan area and a no-brainer for hiking trips.

Encompassing a little over 30 square miles Bukhansan National Park contains granite peaks (three at 800 metres or more), the 300-year-old Bukhansanseong Fortress, more than 100 temples, gorges and deep woodland.

It’s a breeze by subway, at just 25 minutes from Seoul Station: Get off at Gireum Station at the very south of the park and you’ll be on the light Bogukmun Course, a 2.4-kilometre trail that snakes past oaks, waterfalls, crystalline streams and a gorge.

The highest peak, Baegundae (836.5m) can be scaled on the Bukhansanseong Course, a tough hike to the bare granite peak but the panoramas are amazing if you catch a clear day.

The 120-room Bukhansanseong Fortress posted on the ridgeline leading to Baegundae, was a retreat for Joseon kings in times of emergency, encircled by eight kilometres of walls up to seven metres high.

The fortress is free to visit and is stunning in autumn when the leaves change.

8. Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)

Almost defying description, DDP is a spellbinding urban landmark made up of curving, elongated structures that resemble giant blobs of liquid metal, all designed by Zaha Hadid.

This is a cultural hub, futuristic shopping space and linchpin for Dongdaemun, Korea’s largest fashion district, integrated with the Seoul Metro System and with a walkable park on its roof.

A springboard for South Korea’s creative industries, the DDP holds design-oriented exhibitions, forums, K-Pop concerts, fashion shows and conferences, and includes an Art Hall, Museum Hall, Design Market, Design Lab and the Dongdaemun History and Culture Park.

This last portion is set outside and chronicles the history of this plot of land as a military training ground in the Joseon Dynasty, and preserves the remnants of hanoks (traditional Korean houses) and the foundations of Seoul’s Fortress Wall.

Come back at night to see the DDP in lights, and visit the gorgeous LED rose garden.

9. National Folk Museum of Korea

The museum on the Gyeongbokgung Palace grounds deals with three main topics: The history of the Korean people up to the end of the Joseon Dynasty in 1910, village life before modern times, and Korean culture’s ancient links with Confucianism, and how the ideology gave rise to customs that persist today.

There’s a hall for each of these three themes, filled with more than 100,000 artefacts.

You’ll find pits to make kimchi pots, rice storage shelters, musical instruments, and objects related to worship, like spirit posts and cairns.

The building is also noteworthy, in a traditional Korean style on several storeys crested with a pagoda.

The museum arranges guided tours by reservation, and has a programme of short-term exhibitions, seminars, workshops, concerts and performance art.

10. War Memorial of Korea

With indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces, the War Memorial of Korea commemorates the Korean War (1950-1953) from a South Korean perspective and documents the broader military history of Korea.

This was set up in Yongsan-gu in the early 90s at the site of a former military base.

There are some 10,000 artefacts on show, both inside and outside, from a collection of more than 30,000. The six halls inside are the Expeditionary Forces Room, War History Room, Development Hall, Patriotic Memorial Room , 6·25 Korean War Room and Large Machinery Room.

You’ll see weapons and equipment going back to prehistory, aircraft, battlefield paintings and memorials to figures like the Korean independence activist An Jung-geun, who in 1909 assassinated Prince Itō Hirobumi, then President of the Privy Council of Japan.

The lawns around the museum building are reserved for a big line-up of heavy machinery like jets, helicopters, tanks, artillery and missiles.

11. Lotte World Tower

Over the course of the 2010s the fifth-tallest building in the world has sprung up over Lotte World in Songpa-gu.

The tower’s outline is inspired by traditional Korean ceramics and calligraphy brushes, and rises to 555 metres.

This edifice, holding offices, luxury residences and a hotel (floors 76-101), is part of the Lotte World Mall complex brimming with fashion emporia and boasting the largest duty free store in Korea.

There’s also an aquarium here, the largest multiplex cinema in Asia and a concert hall.

Floors 117-123 of the Lotte World Tower belong to Seoul Sky, where you’ll find a lounge bar, cafes and a “Photozone”. At 117 is the head-spinning View Floor, the world’s highest glass floor observatory when the tower was completed in 2017.

12. Seoul Arts Center

Korea’s national performing arts centre is on a sprawling complex in Seocho-gu, and built in time for the Seoul Olympic, hosting performances during the event.

The Seoul Arts Center is the home of respected national ensembles and companies like the Korea National Opera, the Korea National Ballet and the Korean Symphony Orchestra.

If you think the opera house looks like something you’d wear on your head you’re not mistaken, as it was designed to evoke the gat, a traditional Korean bamboo hat.

There are two more auditoriums including this, as well as the Seoul Calligraphy Art Museum, the Hangaram Art Museum, an amphitheatre and the Hangaram Design Museum.

The complex has lots of outdoor space at a Umyeonji (Korean Pond) and Jangteo (Market), which also stages performances in summer.

Come for large-scale opera, Broadway-style musicals, choral performances and recitals, as well as landmark exhibitions at the Hangaram Art Museum.

Cubist artists and the work of Frida Kahlo have appeared in recent years.

And even if you’re just passing through, the complex’s architecture deserves a second glance.

13. Hangang Park

The Seoul streets can get hectic, but whenever the city gets too much you can escape to the banks of the Han River, where’s there’s a continuous chain of parks (12 in total) on both banks, with riverside trails, sports facilities, boat piers and outdoor swimming pools.

This space was opened up in the years before the Olympics, and the best views can be had from the parks on the south bank.

You can rent a bike of course, but a wide choice of water activities is available in summer at Ttukseom Hangang Park, Yeouido Hangang Park and Jamwon Hangang Park, like gentle rowing trips, kayaking and even waterskiing and windsurfing.

As of 2019 Hangang Park is due to be regenerated in a project that will run to 2030 and turn the parks into culture and leisure hotspots mingling with riverside neighbourhoods.

14. Dongdaemun Market

It’s hard to comprehend the size of this commercial district around Heunginjimun, the east gate on Seoul Fortress’s outer wall.

Jostling for space in Dongdaemun Market are 26 malls, more than 30,000 speciality shops and 50,000 manufacturers.

You could visit for an hour or two and leave before it gets too much, but hardened, fashion-forward shoppers could easily pass a whole day hunting for bargains, as many of the outlets are oriented towards the youth market.

Meokja Golmok, Dongdaemun Market’s food alley, is the real deal for food-lovers and a crash course in Korean cuisine.

Fronted by little benches are stalls for mandu (dumplings), gimbap, (Korean sushi rolls), bibimbap (mixed rice dishes), tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), dak hanmari (whole chicken soup), Dakgangjeong (sticky, crispy fried chicken), kalmandu (broth with noodles) and naengmyeon (North Korean noodles served cold, often with kimchi).

15. Hongdae

It’s no accident that the Hongdae area has turned out to be super trendy.

This spot is right in front of Hongik University, known for its art school, and in the 80s and 90s young graduates set up their studios in what was then an affordable part of the city.

Hongdae has moved on from that first wave, but has kept hold of its creative swagger in its indie music scene, hip shops, cafes, galleries, clubs and fashionable eateries.

There’s an outdoor stage for live music, cool street art on Hongdae Mural Street and a free market every Saturday from March to November in front of the university’s main gate.

Have a go at Noraebang, Korea’s answer to karaoke, in private booths, hit the Zzang Games video arcade, try some of the delectable street food and hang out with sheep (really!) at the Thanks Nature Cafe.

16. Bukchon Hanok Village

For a picturesque walk back in time, Bukchon Hanok Village is a neighbourhood of tight alleys lined with traditional wooden houses, or hanoks.

Ten minutes north of Anguk Station, there are up to 900 of these buildings, with grey “giwa” roof tiles and eaves upturned at the corners.

The village is one of the last enclaves of this building style in Korea and was preserved thanks to efforts by locals during reconstruction in the 1960s.

In the days of the Joseon Dynasty royal families, affluent merchants and government officials resided in many of these houses, now occupied by teahouses, restaurants, specialty shops, studios, cultural centres and guesthouses.

One of the finest of the hanoks, at the top of the hill has been opened to the public as part of the Seoul Museum of History since 2015.

17. Cheonggyecheon Stream

This creek, flowing west to east for over five miles through downtown Seoul was covered in concrete for transport infrastructure during the city’s swift post-war development, known as the Miracle on the Han River.

The Cheonggyecheon Stream finally saw the light of day more than 40 years later during a $900m urban renewal project, completed in 2005, improving air quality, forming a clean natural haven for fish and birdlife and cooling the neighbourhoods beside it by up to 3.6 °C.

You can start your visit at the extraordinary Cheonggye Plaza, which has a design inspired by bojagi, traditional Korean wrapping cloth.

You can also see a model of the stream here, explaining the massive project needed to revive it, and check out plaques describing the 22 bridges that now cross the stream.

Just off the plaza, one of the stream’s most beautiful features is the Candlelight Fountain, a two-tiered waterfall marking the beginning of its course to the Hangang, and fabulous at night for its colourful illuminations.

18. Gwanghwamun Square

Leading off from the Gwanghwamun Gate, once the main gateway to Gyeongbokgung, Gwanghwamun Square is an awe-inspiring open space that was created in the 2000s where there used to be a 16-lane roadway.

Long before this had been the heart of Hanyang, the Joseon Dynasty capital.

The plaza was unveiled in 2009 and is commanded by statues of Admiral Yi Sunshin (1545-1598), a naval commander noted for his victories in the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592-1598) and the most celebrated king of the Joseon Dynasty, Sejong the Great (1397-1450). Below both figures are small underground museums explaining their importance.

The square is fringed by government buildings and has lots of interesting details to pore over like, the Yeoksamulgil (waterway of history), a sculpture of the symbol of Seoul (Haechi) and the 12.23 Fountain behind Yi Sunshin, marking the 23 battles he fought in 12 warships.

19. Namdaemun Gate

Designated the first National Treasure of South Korea, Namdaemun is the south gate of the Fortress Wall of Seoul, erected at the dawn of the Joseon Dynasty in the 14th century.

This monument is built from stone, capped with a two-tiered pagoda and was the main entrance to the city for foreign emissaries.

As with the rest of the fortress system it also helped keep Siberian tigers out, which were a real hazard until they were hunted to extinction during the Japanese occupation in the 20th century.

The pagoda fell victim to an arson attack in 2008, before which it had been the oldest wooden structure in Seoul, and was restored by 2013. The streets around Namdaemun are the scene of the oldest and largest market in Korea, with a story beginning in the early-15th century.

Namdaemun Market is wholesale, with stalls held by the manufacturers themselves, so you can compare prices for a massive variety of items like toys, hanbok attire (traditional Korean dress), stationery, fashion accessories, hiking gear, fishing equipment.

The street food is outstanding, and you’re sure to be tempted by the scent of hotteok (sweet pancakes) and tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes).

20. Insa-dong

Seoul’s antiques trade coalesces around Insa-dong, a main street intersected by chaotic twisting alleys.

Down these you’ll come across up to a hundred galleries, interspersed with cafes, traditional Korean restaurants and teahouses.

There are up to 100 galleries in Insa-dong, specialising in all aspects of Korean fine art, sculpture and ceramics.

The centre for folk art is Hakgojae Gallery, while if you want to check out up-and-coming talent see the Gana Art Gallery and Art Center.

Every Saturday from 14:00 to 22:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 22:00 the main street becomes a pedestrian zone and a place to explore Korean culture.

You can watch street performances and parades, have your fortune told, try pajeon (green onion pancake) and traditional Korean candy, while stores set up outdoor booths to tout their wares.

21. Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art

Traditional Korean art and contemporary art by Korean and international artists is on the menu at this museum in two parts.

Museum 1, by Mario Botta is for a stupendous assortment of Korea art and antiquities, 36 of which are designated National Treasures.

There’s celadaon and buncheong ceramics, ornamental daggers from the 1300s, crowns, landscape painting and portraits, as well as Buddhist manuscripts, paintings and sculptures.

Sharing the underground lobby, an inverted cone piercing the ground, is Museum 2 designed by Jean Nouvel and with a rich permanent collection counting Yves Klein, Damien Hirst, Rothko and Andy Warhol.

The museum’s master plan is the work of Rem Koolhaas, who also designed the Samsung Child Education & Cultural Center, a space to inspire the next great artists.

22. Jogyesa Temple

An emblem and head temple for Korean Buddhism, the Jogyesa Temple is on Insa-dong, close to Gyeongbokgung.

This is also the main temple for Jogye Order, which can be traced back 1,200 years to Master Doui who brought Zen to Korea from China in the 9th century.

The temple was founded at the end of the 14th century, at the start of the Joseon Dynasty and in the Japanese colonial invasion from 1910 to 1945 became a bulwark for resistance to the suppression of Korean Buddhism.

The Daeungjeon (Main Buddha Hall) was raised in 1938 using pine from Baekdu Mountain and echoes with chanting throughout the year.

In the temple’s main courtyard grow two trees, a white pine and a Chinese scholar tree (Japanese pagoda tree), that are 500 years old.

The temple is free to visit year round, and is one of two anchors, along with Bongeunsa, for Buddha’s Birthday, normally in late-April or May.

At a daily templestay you can sample the traditions of Jogye Order, learning temple etiquette, making a mandala, attending a tea ceremony and taking part in Zen meditation.

23. Namsangol Hanok Village

For anyone enchanted by Bukchon Hanok Village there’s another beautiful ensemble of traditional buildings on the north slope of Namsan Mountain.

Namsangol Hanok Village is smaller, with five Joseon-Dynasty hanoks relocated from other parts of the city and established here in 1998. What’s interesting is that the houses’ give an insight into the lifestyle of people from different social ranks, be they middle class, government officials, noblemen or aristocrats.

These residences belonged to some important people, like the parents of Queen Yun, consort to King Sunjong, the Joeon Dynasty’s 27th King, and Lee Seungeop who oversaw the construction of Gyeongbokgung Palace.

The houses are accompanied by a pavilion, performing arts stage, traditional garden and a plaza where a time capsule is buried to be dug up in 2394.

24. Bongeunsa

This Buddhist temple on the slope of Mount Sudo dates back to the end of the 8th century during the days of the Silla Kingdom.

Buddhism was suppressed during the Joseon Dynasty, and the temple was pulled down.

The ban was lifted by Queen Munjeong (1501-1565) and Bongeunsa became the main temple for the Zen sect from 1551 right through to 1936. This temple holds thousands of Buddhist scriptures, among them the works of the 19th-century scholar Gim Jeong-hui.

Those who want to immerse themselves in Korean Buddhist culture there’s a templestay programme where you can experience and take part in rituals like the dawn service, Korean Zen meditation, a tea ceremony and a traditional Buddhist meal, balwoogongyang.

On every September 9th of the Lunar Calendar a ceremony takes place here called Jeongdaebulsa, in which monks carry scriptures on their heads and recite Buddhist rites.

25. Seoul Grand Park

In the upland environment around Cheonggyesan Mountain, south of Seoul via Line 4 of the Seoul Metro there’s a humungous park complex with a variety of attractions.

Seoul Grand Park boasts the largest zoo and botanical garden in Korea, along with the amusement park Seoul Land, which we’ll talk about later in this list.

The Seoul Grand Park zoo was moved to this spot in 1984 is the tenth largest zoological park in the world, keeping nearly 3,000 animals from 350 worldwide species, among them Asiatic black bears, Siberian tigers, rhinoceroses and lions.

At the foot of Cheonggyesan Mountain is the Botanical Garden, with desert and tropical plants in its greenhouse, together with carnivorous plants and orchids.

And for kids, the Children’s Grand Park has its own zoo, botanical garden, amusements and rides, all in calming greenery.

26. Gwangjang Market

Korea’s first permanent market harks back to the end of the Joseon Dynasty and was founded in 1905. Gwagjang Market, a brief walk west of Dongdaemun Market, has a high reputation for its fabrics, which you’ll find at the second floor’s profusion of stores for silks, satin and linen.

These are sold directly by the producers, and even though they won’t be brand name products the quality is exceptional considering the price.

Gwangjang Maket’s food alley is a big part of the appeal, with rows upon rows of vendors hawking delicious authentic street food treats.

Make sure to try yukhoe (a kind of steak tartare), sashimi, jeon (fried pancakes), bindatteok (mung bean pancakes), bibimbap (mixed rice) and tteokbokki (those spicy rice cakes).

27. Seoul Forest

Served by Subway Line 2, the 300-acre Seoul Forest opened in 2005 on land that had once been used as a hunting forest for Joseon Dynasty kings.

Across five different public parks, Seoul Forest is planted with more than 400,000 trees, and provides clean open space for a dense city.

At the very centre is the Culture and Arts Park, around the Seoul Forest Square, and laid out with flowerbeds, play areas, a visitor centre, a skate park, outdoor stage and a restaurant.

There’s a Riverside Park on the north bank of the Han with 40 rose species, and beautiful natural areas to encounter at the Marsh Plants Garden and the Eco Forest, inhabited by several types of deer, elk, mandarin ducks and spot-billed ducks and set up with an observatory for a better view of this wildlife.

Finally, at the site of a former water treatment park is the Experiential Learning Park, which has an ecological playground, a botanical garden, a wetland flower garden and bird observatory.

28. South Korea Demilitarised Zone Half & Full Day Tour

The no-man’s land between the two Koreas is day-trip distance from Seoul and is an experience not to pass on.

A wide choice of tours is available on GetYourGuide.com , the most popular being the half-day or full-day tour, which includes pick-up from all the major central hotels.

Two and a half miles wide (1.25 on each side of the border) the Demilitarised Zone continues for 155 miles along the 38th Parallel across the Korean Peninsula and was formed at the end of the Korean War in 1953 through an agreement between the People’s Republic of China and United Nations Command.

On your visit you’ll enter the mile-long Third Tunnel, excavated in secret by the north to prepare for a possible invasion.

At the DMZ Theatre And Exhibition Hall you can learn the story of this project and its discovery in 1978 after a tip by a defector from the north.

On top of Mount Dora you can gaze through binoculars across the 38th Parallel to the north from the Dora Observatory, and visit Dorasan Station, intended to link the rail network to the north should the border open in the future.

29. Seoul Metro

The labyrinthine Seoul Metropolitan Subway system, with a whopping 22 lines and 716 stations, is a point of pride, the preferred mode of transport for Seoulites and much easier to navigate than it looks on a map.

It incorporates the wider metropolitan area, out to Incheon, and regional lines serve locations like Suwon, as far as 100 kilometres from the centre of Seoul.

Despite its size the Seoul Metro is praised as one of the most efficient in the world, with Wi-Fi and 4G/5G on cars, screen doors on platforms and an unbelievable degree of cleanliness.

The easiest way to get around with a rechargeable Tmoney or Cashbee, which you can buy at the airport on arrival.

There’s English signage, and an approaching train is heralded by a jaunty fanfare on the platform.

30. Seodaemun Prison

A monument to the Japanese colonial period from 1910 to 1945, Seodaemun Prison can be found at Seodaemun Independence Park.

The prison dates to the very end of the Joseon Dynasty and during the Japanese occupation became a place of infamy, where Korean dissidents were tortured and executed.

Among the important inmates were Kim Koo, who would later be Premier of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, and Ryu Gwansun, key to the March 1st independence movement, who was killed here through torture in 1920. The prison remained a detention centre after independence, through to 1987, after which it was turned into a memorial museum, with lots of thought-provoking exhibits.

You can tour seven prison cells, watchtowers, the execution room, a hospital, a central exhibition hall, a tunnel used to transport corpses and the cell in which Ryu Gwansun died.

31. 63 Building

Easy to pick out among the skyscrapers on Yeouido Island because it’s clad with gold, the 63 Building was the tallest skyscraper outside North America (250 metres) when it was topped out in the mid-1980s.

This structure was designed as a landmark for the 1988 Seoul Olympics and is the headquarters for a handful of important financial companies, one being Korea Life Insurance.

On the lower floors are some 90 stores, an aquarium, banquet hall and convention centre.

You can head in to catch the glass-panelled elevator up to the 60th floor, the Sky Deck, which has recently been reworked as a space for art exhibitions (the highest gallery in the world) and performances like magic shows.

Linger over the views of Seoul’s mountains, the Han River and west to Incheon on the coast when the skies are clear.

32. Huwon Garden

If you have time to spare pre-book a tour of Huwon Garden when you visit Changdeokgung Palace.

In 78 acres, this is only visitable by guided tour and was plotted exclusively for the royal family and gungnyeo (female officers of the royal court). In this sumptuous space there are landscaped lawns, pavilions, a lotus pond and more than 26,000 trees from 100 different species, some more than three centuries old.

Huwon Garden is often known as Buwon (Secret Garden) as even the highest ranking officials were forbidden from entering.

A real delight is the Ongnyucheon (Jade Stream), a u-shaped water channel from the 17th century, complete with a little waterfall and a boulder inscribed with a poem.

33. Seoul Color Park (Yeouido Hangang Park)

Not to be confused with its neighbour Yeouido Park, Seoul Color Park is along the south bank of the Han River, passing under the Mapo Bridge in Yeouido.

This area is Seoul’s financial and political core, and suited office workers join the Seoulite families and tourists on these grassy banks to contemplate the city.

There’s plenty of public art here, like the impressive wave-form sculpture and benches painted in ten different colours, each charged with a certain meaning for the city of Seoul.

For instance, green stands for Namsan Mountain, dark grey represents the traditional giwa roof tiles and red symbolises the dancheong pattern that occurs in traditional architecture.

There are lots of water features at Seoul Color Park, and new installations, like the Water Light Square and Waterfalls of Light, show up by the year.

The park hosts the Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival in spring, and given its supreme view of the Han is the best place to watch the World Fireworks Festival in the fall.

34. Jongmyo Shrine

A contrast to the splendour of the royal palaces, the UNESCO World Heritage site, Jongmyo Shrine is devoted to the performance of ancestral rites for the deceased kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty.

The original buildings went up at the end of the 14th century but had to be reconstructed after the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592-1598). The tablets carved with the teachings of members of this former royal family are housed here, and centuries old rituals combining court music and dance continue to take place at the shrine, perpetuating a 600-year-old tradition.

The group of understated buildings here is largely unchanged since the end of the 16th century and consists of the Jeongjeon (main hall), Yeongnyeongjeon (hall of eternal peace), and a variety of auxiliary structures.

Jeongjeon is a sensational piece of architecture, and believed to be the world’s longest freestanding wooden structure at 109 metres.

35. Sejong Center for the Performing Arts

The largest performing arts venue in Seoul is on the grand Sejongno street in Jongno-gu.

As with the street, the Sejong Center is named for Sejong the Great (1397-1450), the fourth king of the Joseon Dynasty.

The building was constructed over four years to 1978, and blends Modernist architecture with traditional Korean flourishes, as you’ll see from the enlarged eaves.

The center houses a large main auditorium seating 3,000, the smaller Minor Hall for 442, four galleries and the Sejong Convention Center.

A host of prestigious companies and ensembles are based at the Sejong Center, like the Seoul Philharmonic, the Seoul Metropolitan Theater Company, the Seoul Metropolitan Opera and the Seoul Metropolitan Chorus.

There’s always something interesting on the programme, from recitals by classical soloists to full-scale operas, international festivals, ballet, film concerts, musicals and performances of traditional Korean dance.

Something to note about the main auditorium, the Grand Theater, is that it holds the largest pipe organ in Asia, with 8,098 pipes and a case designed like a geomungo, a traditional Korean string instrument.

36. Itaewon

In Yongsan-gu you’ll stumble into a neighbourhood where the shops and people look nothing like the city around it.

Itaewon is an international enclave just east of the U.S. Army’s Yongsan Garrison and as well as being extremely diverse is heaving with shops, restaurants and nightclubs.

There are more than 20,000 expats living here, and when people need to find non-Korean cuisines and ingredients, from all over Europe, India, Southeast Asia, Mexico and the United States, Itaewon is the place to come.

You could call it a Chinatown but for every nation of the world, and like many Chinatowns the concentration of shops is startling.

People come especially for the clothes and fashion accessories; leather products are a real forte of Itaewon.

Antique Furniture Street is an eye-opener for its 100+ stores and harks back to the 1960s when American soldiers would sell off their furnishings before heading home.

37. Ihwa Mural Village

There’s a corner of Ihwa-dong, at the foot of Naksan Park, that was revitalised in the mid-2000s with imaginative and whimsical street art.

This was an initiative by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, commissioning some 70 artists to create murals and installations, and setting up communal gardens.

Traditionally working class, the low-rise Ihwa-dong, on steep ground and bounded by Seoul’s old fortress walls, had been settled by refugees at the end of the Korean War in the 1950s.

The neighbourhood fell into decline in the 80s and 90s as people departed for more prosperous parts of the city, and public art helped to make it more desirable and build a sense of community.

The project wasn’t without its problems, as the influx of tourists has led to complaints about a loss of privacy, and many pieces from 2006 have been removed.

Since the 2010s local residents have been consulted on new designs, and apart from tracking down murals you may have a fun time navigating the stairways and alleys of this quirky part of the city.

38. MMCA Seoul

The fourth branch of South Korea’s National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art opened in Seoul in 2013, right beside Gyeongbokgung.

The museum is on and around the military Defence Security Command complex, and is dedicated to international contemporary art.

Something worth mentioning about the layout is that the museum incorporates the concept of “madang”, a large convivial courtyard for gatherings.

There’s a mixed use hall for performances and interdisciplinary art, and a 122-seat theatre screening experimental films and hosting festivals.

To give you a taste of what’s in store, when we compiled this list in summer 2019 there was a retrospective for Park Seo-bo , who emerged in the 1950s as South Korea’s first Informalist artist, as well as the first exhibition in Asia for the CoBrA founder-member Asger Jorn (1914-1973).

39. Olympic Park

The vast site of the 1988 Seoul Olympics in Songpa-gu to the south-east of the city, has kept many of its facilities intact, from the velodrome to the tennis courts, gymnastics arena, swimming pool and fencing gymnasium (now used for handball). These venues are on a site with a far more distant history, harking back to the Baekje kingdom (between 1,500 and 2000) years ago.

The earthen rampart of Mongchontoseong Fortress was on the course of the running even for the modern pentathlon, and artefacts found excavations before the Olympics ended up at the Baekje Museum.

At 1.45 million square metres there’s a lot of ground to cover.

You rent a bike or pedal car to get around, and there are individual parks to visit, like an Environmental Eco-Park inhabited by spot-billed ducks, chipmunks, white herons, cuckoos and pheasants.

The Leisure Sports Park is packed with facilities, while the Cultural Art park puts on live performances and is the setting for the musical fountain and the Seoul Olympics Museum of Art, famed for its sculpture.

40. Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market

Some 300 tons of fish is traded every day at this epic market in Noryangjin-dong on the south bank of the Han.

Nighthawks can visit as early as 01:00 and the fish auction kicks off at 03:00. Before you set off you can check the website for auction prices, which tend to be driven by quantity.

For reference, retail prices are up to 20% higher than the auction price.

One of the Seoul’s great culinary experiences is buying ocean-fresh shrimp, king crab, lobster, clams, salmon (sashimi), flounder, octopus, scallops and whatever else you fancy, and carrying it upstairs to a restaurant for a seafood feast.

41. Gyeongui Line Forest Park

The century-old Gyeongui railway line has recently moved underground, and its trackbed has gradually been turned into a linear park with lawns, streams, ponds and a path edged with ginkgo trees.

The section starting in trendy Hongdae begins opposite exit three of Hongik University Station and will eventually belong to more than six kilometres of parkland from Yeonnam-dong to Munbae-dong in Yongsan.

There’s a slew of restaurants and cafes close by at the south-east end and in summer evenings the lawns fill with groups out picnicking, and street performers with guitars bring even more colour to the park.

42. Myeong-dong

A dense grid of streets and alleys illuminated by a panoply of neon signs, Myeong-dong is up there with Seoul’s most beloved shopping areas.

This honeypot for Chinese and Japanese tourists can be crammed with as many as two million people in a single day.

The two main arteries, departing from Myeong-dong Subway Station and Lotte Department Store, meet in the middle of the grid.

In terms of stores, Myeong-dong is dominated by midmarket and upmarket international brands like Zara, H&M, Lacoste, Louis Vuitton and Polo Ralph Lauren.

From late-March to mid-April and then for the whole month of September the Myeong-dong festival brings parades, special sales, live music and dance performances.

Food-wise, if you’re up for kalguksu (noodle soup) or dongaseu (pork cutlet), Myeong-dong is a go-to and abounds in street food carts.

43. Myeongdong Nanta Theatre

An international hit that made waves at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and was the first Korean show to have an extended stint on Broadway, Nanta is a non-verbal comedy show using traditional samulnori percussion.

The plot entails three cooks racing to prepare a wedding banquet and coping with a manager’s incompetent nephew among the kitchen staff.

There’s no dialogue, so Nanta is instantly accessible, and families will enjoy the mix of music (using kitchen utensils), pantomime, physical comedy, magic tricks and audience engagement.

The show, at Myeongdong Nanta Theatre, lasts for just over an hour and you can get 20% off the official ticket price by booking through GetYourGuide.com .

44. Seoul City Hall

Right on the central Seoul Plaza is the city’s main administrative building, set just behind its predecessor.

The original Seoul City Hall, now home to the Seoul Metropolitan Library is an Imperial Crown style monument from the Japanese occupation and dating to 1925. The futuristic new city hall was ready in 2012 and looks like a big breaking wave, but is also a nod to the past, evoking the curled eaves of Hanoks.

You can head in for a free 70-minute guided tour, and English tours are at 14:00 on Tuesday and 10:30 and 15:00 on Saturday.

Highlights inside are the Vertical Garden moderating air-flow, temperature and humidity, and a collection of weapons from the Joseon Dynasty.

The plaza in front is a gathering spot for demonstrations and protests, and has an ice rink each winter from the middle of December to February.

45. Changgyeonggung Palace

This palace was first constructed in the mid-15th century by King Sejong, the forth ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, as a residence for his father.

Later that century Changgyeonggung Palace was enlarged by King Seongjong, and this layout is the one that greets you today.

The complex has twice been damaged by the Japanese, during their invasions of Korea in the late-16th century and then during their 20th-century occupation when many of the buildings were dismantled and the site turned into a park.

The palace was rebuilt to its 15th-century appearance in the 1980s.

One element that has survived from the rebuild in the early-17th century is the Myeongjeongjeon (main hall), the oldest of all the main halls at Seoul’s royal palaces and inscribed as a National Treasure.

In front is the arched Okcheongyo (bridge) crossing a pond, a hallmark of Joseon dynasty palaces.

This ushers you onto the courtyard in front of the main hall, bisected by three parallel paths, the central one to be trodden only by the king.

46. Samcheongdong-gil Road

Not to be missed if you want to continue exploring old Seoul, the romantic Samcheongdong-gil Road, beside Bukchon Hanok Village, is flanked with yet more hanoks.

In these historic buildings are fashion boutiques, design shops, antique shops, galleries, restaurants and cafes.

Despite the traditional exteriors, they are all remarkably modern inside.

Samcheongdong-gil Road has long been a popular spot for first dates.

The best time for a stroll is spring, when everything’s in bloom, or fall when the foliage is beautiful.

47. National Hangeul Museum

Not just for linguists, the National Hangeul Museum studies the intriguing history of the Korean character system.

With lots of information signs in English the museum goes into depth on Hangeul’s linguistic structure and development over hundreds of years, while adding political and cultural context.

You’ll find out how this alphabet has become a cultural asset and how it complements the Korean language so neatly.

For kids there’s the Hangeul Playground, with slyly educational hands-on activities, and if you’re serious about improving your Korean, the Hangeul Learning Center is an invaluable resource.

48. Han River: Night Cruise

At the height summer Seoul can be stifling, so for a little respite in the evening you can step aboard a cruise boat and feel the breeze on a 40-minute sightseeing cruise.

With new skyscrapers like the record-breaking Lotte World Tower cropping up on the Seoul skyline each year, it’s an eye-opening experience.

One of the high points of the trip is Banpo Bridge, which has the world’s longest bridge fountain, at 1,140 metres.

Water jets shoot from 380 nozzles and are lit in rainbow colours by more than 10,000 LEDs.

On Saturdays and public holidays there’s a fireworks display behind the bridge, which you’ll get to watch on the cruise.

This experience is available through GetYourGuide.com .

49. Seoul City Wall

The wall (Hangyangdoseong) defending the centre of Seoul forms an 18.6-km ring traversing the four main mountains around the heart of the city: Bugaksan, Naksan, Namsan and Ingwangsan.

This defence, eight metres high in places, dates from the end of the 14th century, at the very beginning of the Joseon dynasty and took three decades to build.

As the city expanded sections were torn down, especially to make way for tram lines in the early 20th century.

But long pieces remain to their original height, while two of the original four main gates, Namdaemun (South Gate) and Heunginjimun (East Gate), are still standing in their original form and protected as National Treasures.

Of the four main gates and four auxiliary gates only two have been lost altogether.

The most popular and best-preserved stretch of wall runs for 2.3 kilometres over Mount Bukaksan via Sukjeongmun to Changuimun.

50. Seoul in 1 Day: Best City Highlights Tour

Coming to terms with a hectic metropolis the size of Seoul it can be difficult to know where to begin.

Going through GetYourGuide.com you could tick off all the essentials in a single day by air-conditioned bus with this highlights tour, extra convenient in summer, when temperatures hit the 30s and air pollution can be a problem.

You’ll visit the Jogyesa Temple, and move onto the Gyeongbokgung Palace to the see the changing of the guard and pose for a photo dressed up in hanbok attire.

You’ll get to poke around Insa-dong’s alleys and pick up a bite from the many street food carts.

In the afternoon the tour takes you to Bukchon Hanok Village, before ending the day with a roam around the Myeong-dong shopping area, sampling street entertainment and trying some more Korean street food delicacies.

51. Seoullo 7017

Seoul’s answer to the Coulée verte René-Dumont or the High Line is a park on what used to be the Seoul Station overpass.

Opened in May 2017, Seoullo 7017 has some 24,000 plants, flowers and trees from 230 species (the hydrangeas, magnolias and roses are lovely in spring and summer) along its 17 pedestrian paths.

The name 7017 stands for the date the overpass was built (1970), the number of paths and the year the park opened.

There’s an information centre, a gift shop and a range of cafes and kiosks for Korean snacks.

For extra background, the Seoul tourist board includes Seoullo 7017 on three free walking tours: From Hanyang to Seoul, Exploration of Modern and Contemporary Architecture at Seoullo and Night Tour of Seoullo.

52. Trickeye Museum

A tourist favourite, the Trickeye Museum in Hongdae features mind-bending works that mostly using an augmented reality developed by the gallery’s owners, and some with more conventional 3D illusions.

You can get a taste of what’s inside at a free section with ten pieces, before the paid entrance giving access to another 55. The Trickeye Camera app lets you to interact with the AR paintings, becoming absorbed into these little worlds for photos and videos, riding a dragon or a pair of sharks, dancing in Jack Vettriano’s The Singing Butler, sitting on horseback in John Collier’s Lady Godiva or relaxing in Provence, in Vincent van Gogh’s the Starry Night.

Also part of the attraction is the Ice Museum, filled with expert ice sculptures, including an entire furnished living room with chairs, a piano and TV, all rendered from ice.

53. Starfield COEX Mall

Directly opposite Samsung Station in the heart of Seoul is the largest underground mall in Asia.

Starfield COEX Mall is more than 150,000 square metres in size, almost all of which is on a single floor and with a quite spectacular atrium and five open plazas.

The mall is also joined to the COEX Convention Center, which has staged events like Seoul Motor Show and the G20 Summit in 2010. For fashionistas there are hundreds of domestic and international brands in this shopper’s paradise, among them ÅLAND, an affordable champion of Seoul’s now famous street-style scene for several years, and recently exported to the United States.

There’s also an aquarium, a museum devoted entirely to kimchi and a Megabox Cineplex with 17 screens.

Keen K-Poppers need to check out SMTOWN Coex Artium, run by the SM Entertainment label.

Fans can tour rehearsal and recording rooms, experience hologram performances and by merch for acts like Kangta, S.E.S., Red Velvet, TraxX and many more.

54. Seoul Land

In 1987, not long before the Olympics, the first theme park in Korea opened south of Seoul proper in Gwacheon, on the slopes Cheonggyesan Mountain.

Seoul Land is dwarfed by the Everland, South Korea’s largest theme park, but is much more convenient from downtown Seoul at half the distance.

There are more than 50 rides and attractions, from white-knuckle rollercoasters like the Double Loop Coaster and Black Hole 2000 to theatre experiences with 3D and motion technology.

Any child obsessed with dinosaurs will adore Jurassic Land.

Seoul Land also stands out for its seasonal festivals, like a Tulip Festival in April-May, a Starlight Rose Festival in July and August, a Chrysanthemum Festival in July and August and the Snow Light Festival between December and February.

After sunset in summer stick around for the nightly Laser Show.

55. Dream Concert

This annual one-day K-Pop festival at the Seoul World Cup Stadium celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2019. Every May Dream Concert pulls together an ensemble of 24 of the biggest K-pop artists around.

In 2019 Red Velvet, Seventeen, NCT and Taemin were all on the bill.

Tickets go on sale just a month before, so you’ll have to be quick.

If you’re an avid K-Popper and visit outside of May you can catch free live performances by heading to one of the big TV studios, watching a taping of famous showcases like Music Bank and Yoo Hee Yeol’s Sketchbook (KBS), Show! Music Core (MBC), Inkikyao (SBS) and M Countdown (Mnet Studio).

55 Best Things to Do in Seoul (South Korea):

• Gyeongbokgung Palace
• N Seoul Tower
• Changdeokgung Palace
• National Museum of Korea
• Namsan Park
• Lotte World
• Bukhansan National Park
• Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)
• National Folk Museum of Korea
• War Memorial of Korea
• Lotte World Tower
• Seoul Arts Center
• Hangang Park
• Dongdaemun Market
• Bukchon Hanok Village
• Cheonggyecheon Stream
• Gwanghwamun Square
• Namdaemun Gate
• Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art
• Jogyesa Temple
• Namsangol Hanok Village
• Seoul Grand Park
• Gwangjang Market
• Seoul Forest
• South Korea Demilitarised Zone Half & Full Day Tour
• Seoul Metro
• Seodaemun Prison
• 63 Building
• Huwon Garden
• Seoul Color Park (Yeouido Hangang Park)
• Jongmyo Shrine
• Sejong Center for the Performing Arts
• Ihwa Mural Village
• Olympic Park
• Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market
• Gyeongui Line Forest Park
• Myeong-dong
• Myeongdong Nanta Theatre
• Seoul City Hall
• Changgyeonggung Palace
• Samcheongdong-gil Road
• National Hangeul Museum
• Han River: Night Cruise
• Seoul City Wall
• Seoul in 1 Day: Best City Highlights Tour
• Seoullo 7017
• Trickeye Museum
• Starfield COEX Mall
• Dream Concert

Touropia Travel

Discover the World

10 Best Places to Visit in South Korea

By Vanessa Holmes · Last updated on February 5, 2024

Occupying the southern half of the Korean Peninsula is the country of South Korea. Completely distinct and independent from neighboring North Korea, South Korea is a thoroughly modern, engaging and thrilling destination for travelers. Major cities like Seoul offers the buzz of an urban metropolis along with fantastic nightlife and a chance to discover the latest technological marvel.

However, South Korea is also home to scenic national parks and plenty of places where you can slow down and enjoy the atmosphere. From islands off the coast to the fearsome border zone in the middle of the Korean Peninsula, there are countless things to do, see and explore on your next trip to South Korea.

10. Suwon [SEE MAP]

The city of Suwon is the capital of Gyeonggi Province, and it is just 30 km (20 miles) outside of Seoul. It is easily accessible from Seoul by car or train, but it often skipped over by travelers.

If you visit, you’ll be able to see the World Cup Stadium, affectionately called Big Bird, that hosted the quarter finals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. If you’re not a soccer fan, head instead to the historic 18th century Hwaseong Fortress, where you can tour the architecture and even try your hand at archery on the premises.

9. Chuncheon [SEE MAP]

Surrounded by scenic lakes and towering mountains in Chuncheon, the capital city of Gangwon Province. Chuncheon is the location of a popular Korean soap opera called Winter Sonata, and a lot of visitors in the city come to see some of the most common filming locations.

Other travelers come for the food, because Chuncheon is known as a foodie’s paradise. After touring major attractions like the Soyang Dam, Statue Park or Cheongpyeong-sa Temple, head to Dakgalbi Street. This street features the dish dakgalbi, a grilled chicken meal with spicy vegetables and rice. Dozens of restaurants on the street offer the same iconic dish, each offering slight variations on the recipe.

8. Busan [SEE MAP]

The second largest city in the entire country is Busan. It’s also a major port, and it is known for boasting beautiful beaches as well as hot springs and opportunities for outdoor recreation. Busan’s Gamcheon Cultural Village, known as the Santorini of Korea, is a stunningly colorful hillside community overlooking the water.

While in Busan, you’ll also have the chance to visit several temples, the most popular of which is Beomeosa Temple. While the city boasts all the shopping and museums you might expect from an urban area of its size, some of the most popular attractions include Haeundae Beach, Taejongdae Park and the beautiful Nakdong River Estuary Migratory Bird Sanctuary.

7. Jeonju [SEE MAP]

At the peak of the Joseon Dynasty, Jeonju was its spiritual capital. Today, Jeonju is filled with temples and museums and is one of the best places to visit in South Korea. If you want to embrace the local culture and get to know its history, make your way to the Jeonju Hanok Village.

There, you can see traditional homes from the early 20th century, make the traditional Hanji paper or sip the locally made soju. Another popular attraction in the city is the impressive Jeonju National Museum, home to a staggering collection of artifacts. While in Jeonju, try the famed Korean dish Bibimbap, which originally comes from this region.

6. Seoraksan National Park [SEE MAP]

If you want to go hiking, see the best known mountain range in South Korea or just get some epic photos, then make sure you visit the Seoraksan National Park. Within the park you’ll find pine forests, jagged and rocky mountain peaks, crystal clear streams and stunning lakes.

Seoraksan National Park is also home to over 2,000 animal species. Start your visit at the National Park Visitor Centre, where you can pick up free maps in English and Korean. Then, enjoy the miles and miles of signposted hiking trails that crisscross the entire park.

5. Andong [SEE MAP]

At more than 2,000 years, Andong is sometimes referred to as the Capital City of Korean Spiritual Culture. Perhaps the main attraction in the city is the Andong Hahoe Folk Village, where local cultural heritage has been preserved and is shared with visitors.

However, it is foodies that will most enjoy a visit to Andong. The city boasts all kinds of local specialties, starting with a famed chicken and noodle dish called jjimdak. Andong is also home to a special type of alcohol called soju, so have a sip before you depart the city.

4. Jeju Island [SEE MAP]

Off the southern coast of South Korea is Jeju Island, the country’s only Special Autonomous Province. Nicknamed Island of the Gods, Jeju is a subtropical destination known as one of the top honeymoon and vacation spots in South Korea. In addition to beautiful beaches, lava tubes and lush green scenery, Jeju boasts a long list of tourist attractions and amusement parks.

You can get to know the local culture at the Seongeup Folklore Village, or you could visit Glass Castle, a theme park that revolves around glass sculptures. Perhaps the oddest and most controversial attraction in Jeju is Loveland, a theme park featuring romantic and adults-only attractions.

3. DMZ [SEE MAP]

The DMZ, or demilitarized zone, is the boundary area between North and South Korea. It is considered a cease-fire zone. While travelers can visit the DMZ, not all areas of the zone are safe. Only a small portion of the DMZ, known as the JSA or Joint Security Area, is open to the public.

In the JSA, you can physically stand in North Korea, although you will be within a building that also houses South Korean soldiers. You can also visit a North Korean gift shop that sells stamps, wine and currency from North Korea. Be aware that the only way to visit the DMZ is on an authorized and guided tour.

2. Gyeongju [SEE MAP]

Gyeongju is the ancient capital of what was once the Silla Kingdom. This makes the city more than 2,000 years old. Gyeongju is an incredible destination that boasts a number of temples and cultural festivals. Start your trip at the Bulguksa Temple, a true masterpiece of Buddhist religion and art that dates back to the 8th century. Then, hike up from the temple to the Seokguram Grotto for even more Buddhist culture and artifacts.

Don’t miss the Covered Market, a collection of vendors selling everything from Silla souvenirs to freshly made Korean delicacies.

1. Seoul [SEE MAP]

Seoul is by far the largest city in South Korea and a major destination in East Asia. If you’re spending any time in the country, there’s a good chance you’ll be visiting Seoul at some point. There is no end to the attractions in the city, but many visitors start with some of the many palaces located in Seoul.

Top picks include the incredible Gyeongbok-gung and the 15th century Changdeok-gung. You’ll also find ancient temples and shrines, beautiful public parks, cutting-edge design, shopping malls and some of the best cuisine in all of Asia.

Map of South Korea

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Reader interactions.

March 7, 2021 at 12:35 am

korea is so beautifull

September 26, 2019 at 8:21 pm

I am Korean, but live in US and I think you missed Kwangju, where Korean Democracy started and Moodeng Mount is beautiful and lots of performance of Korean traditional music. Whenever I visit Korea, I love to visit that city where you can feel the spirit of Korean.

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• Destinations
• Asia pacific
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• Top attractions

Top attractions in South Korea

From the megalopolis of Seoul to the forested mountains of Seoraksan, the Ten Thousand Islands off the southwest coast, atmospheric temples, folk villages and much more - South Korea has a lot to offer. 

1. Gyeongju

The giant tumuli mounds are just one of the captivating sights in and around Korea's magnificent Silla-era capital, the "museum without walls". Read more...

2. Seoraksan National Park (Gangwon)

South Korea's most popular national park, the natural beauty of Seoraksan consists of towering rock pinnacles, dense alpine forests, wildflowers at every turn and wonderfully remote temples to Buddhist gods. 

3. Dadohae Haesang Maritime National Park (Jeollanam)

Looking like a thousand scattered jigsaw pieces, the "ten thousand" islands off the southwest coast offer a wealth of unmatched maritime vistas. Read more...

4. Manjang cavern (Jeju)

One of the world's largest lava tubes and part of an even larger cave system, Manjanggul offers unique glimpses of geologic wonders. Highlights include the tube itself and various features, such as a massive lava column. 

5. Hahoe Folk Village (Gyeongsangbuk)

Hahoe is the best place to come to gain an understanding of traditional Korean life. 

6. Insadong Shopping Street (Seoul)

A maze of streets and alleys harbours a copious quantity of galleries and antique stores, souvenir stands and tea houses at Insadong . Hawkers, street performers and throngs of tourists all add to the fun. 

7. Haein-sa Temple (Gyeongsangnam)

Perhaps South Korea's most venerated temple, this Unesco World Heritage Site houses one of the world's oldest copies of Buddhist scripture, carved into wooden plates that have been preserved for centuries. Read more...

8. King Munmu's Underwater Tomb (Gyeongju)

This revered underwater tomb  lies just off the east coast. Come here for peeks at modern shamanist rituals, delectable seafood and the tomb of a king said to have returned as a fearsome dragon.

9. Changdeokgung Palace (Seoul)

Splendid Korean palace buildings and serene, Zen-inspired grounds highlight the grandeur of Korean royalty. Be sure to see the Secret Garden (Biwon), the gem within a gem here. Read more...

10. Demilitarised Zone (DMZ)

The world's most heavily fortified border almost seems part of an absurdist play, but there's no denying the barbed wire or the grim skirmishes that gave occurred here. The Third Tunnel of Aggression is a must-see. Read more...

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Top 15 Places to visit in Korea: A blog all about going to South Korea

All the plans are made, and your trip to South Korea is about to begin. You’re pretty excited, mainly because you are visiting some of the most exciting places in South Korea . But where do you visit if you spend only 3 days in Seoul ? How about a weekend in Busan or one day in Jeju Island?

Will you see all the famous tourist attractions, or will you explore the countryside? Well, this blog post is here to save you that dilemma since we have put together a list of the top 15 Places to visit in Korea ! South Korea is a country that offers so much to see and do.

If you visit South Korea, don’t forget to pack your camera! I’ll provide all the necessary details about travelling there from this article. Before packing up this article, I will add some tips about what to do or what not to do in South Korea. So, stick with it till the end!!!

WHAT IS COVERED IN THIS ARTICLE?

Recommended Tours & Tickets

Top 15 places to visit in korea..

Don’t miss out on the best of South Korea! Here are the top 15 places to visit in Korea that you must visit. With each location, there’s an amazing food and accommodation option that will make your trip all worth it in terms of quality alone- but we’re not done just yet because these spots also boast some pretty spectacular landmarks too–like castles or gothic churches for instance (or even both!). Check ’em all out here:

Seoul , the brightest city of South Korea stands as the capital of it. If you want to enjoy both modern architecture and ancient culture, then this place is for you. The capital city of South Korea tops our list of places to visit in Korea for its combination of modern and well-preserved architecture.

Here you will find 100-floor skyscrapers which are a modern-day tourist attraction. And you will also find above thousand-year-old Buddhist temples that will introduce you to the history and culture of the country. You will get to click many Instagram-worthy pictures in Seoul, especially during the night.

Main Attractions:

● Gyeongbokgung Palace (One of the largest Palaces in Seoul, which helps to Korean heritage)

● Seoul Tower (500 meters tall observation tower providing a broad view of the city)

● Bukchon Hanok Village (ancient architecture of houses and pagodas which gives the taste of traditional culture)

● Blue House (House of the Korean President compared to White House)

● Bukhansan National Park (holding amusing natural beauty with the ancient temple and hiking place)

● Lotte World Tower (World’s 5th tallest building with an amusement park and observatory)

● Insadong( Korean ritual product selling market with the cultural exhibition of dance and music)

● Gwangjang Market (Seoul’s best food market)

2. Andong Hahoe Folk Village

Surrounded by a river, this village is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s a great example of Korean traditional culture and rural life. You will be able to get the real touch of nature. The village is renowned for much traditional food, cultural festivals, and handmade products. For any tourist who visits this place, the Andong jjimdak , a spicy chicken dish is a must-try.

Almost all houses in the village are with thatched roofs which makes them look quite similar. But such roofs are rarely seen in villages in other parts of the world which makes these houses unique of all. Every house has a history of the people who lived there centuries ago. The most notable thing about Andong Hahoe Folk Village is that it dates back to the 9th century and both commoners and noblemen lived there.

● Traditional South Korean houses

● Mask Museum

● Ritual Mask Dance (performed by villagers)

● Boat Riding

From hiking to surfing, natural blessings to architectural beauties, mountains to sea beaches, temples to towers – Busan has everything in its midst. This 2nd largest city in South Korea has a different type of place in its tourist’s heart. Too many varieties in one place.

The city is a relaxing getaway and a stunning tourist spot among all the other places to visit in Korea. It is often underrated as most tourists visit Seoul and forget about Busan. But those who visited this city even for once, just don’t stop talking about their mesmerizing experience.

● Gamcheon Culture Village ( Acolourful village with the brightly painted house and multi-layer streets)

● Haeundae Beach (A beach which is located in the middle of the city offers a lot of festivals)

● Jagalchi Market (a fish market with thousands of types of fishes which made it an exploratory place)

● Busan Tower (Best way to explore Busan and its skyline from 120 m high view)

● Taejongdae( sea-side Park with a beautiful coastal view and evergreen forests)

● Nampodong Market (Downtown area of Busan where you can explore the cityjust by walking)

● Songdo beach (Human-made beach with a less crowded area. Just a relaxing spot nearby where you can do Skywalk, Cliff Bridge Walk and Cable Car)

● U.N. Memorial Cemetery (Only United Nations Cemetery in the world)

● Beomeosa Temple (One of the best urban temples where you can meditate and clear your mind)

● Gwangbokdong Food Street (The most famous food street in Busan to try different kinds of foods)

4. Jeju Island

If you’re looking for a breathtaking natural scenario in your tour, then Jeju Island is the place for you. It’s the most famous Island in South Korea and is considered one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. It is the favourite place for newlyweds and for couples planning a romantic getaway. The beautiful beaches and coastal trails are enough to impress you to a whole new level. And then, the delicious seafood will be a cherry on the top.

● Seongsan Sunrise Peak (famous for its marvellous sunrise view)

● Mount Hallasan (The highest mountain in Korea but easy for hiking with great natural beauty)

● Manjanggul Cave (One of the longest lavas tanel with a magical view)

● Cheonjiyeon Waterfall (A magnificent view holding waterfall carrying 3 sections of water)

● Jeju Folk Village (Able to take you for a travel back in time)

● JungmunSaekdal Beach (spreading charm with its huge wave and favourite to surfers)

● Seogwipo Submarine (A trip under the sea)

● Osulloc Tea Garden & Museum (Can be a favourite place to tea lovers for knowing the tea history)

● Seopjikoji( A famous cape in South Korea with Canola flowers)

● Yeomiji Botanical Garden (A loving place for botanic lovers with a vast collection of plants)

● Jeongbang Waterfall (One of the unique waterfalls because it falls directly into the ocean)

5. Gyeongju

Now it’s time to explore the historical property of South Korea . Gyeongju is the former capital of this country which is enriched with so many earliest and prehistoric sites. History admirers will find their home here.

It is another UNESCO World Heritage Site also known as “the museum without walls” due to the presence of a vast number of cultural properties and archaeological sites. From the 5th century to date, it has been an important centre of Korean Buddhism.

● Bulguksa Temple (pagodas made with stone and wood and representing Buddhist culture.

● Gyeongju National Park (historical resources blended with nature which is available for hiking)

● Cheomseongdae Observatory (oldest astronomical observatory in Asia)

● Gyeongju Bird Park (Best place to spend time with birds along with very close interaction)

● Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (A Pagoda shaped Palace floating on a mesmerizing pond)

● Gyeongju Gyochon Traditional Village (a small village with traditional touch)

● Gyeongju National Museum (a small but well-organized museum dedicated to Silla culture)

● Seokguram( An ancient temple situated at the top of a mountain with a great view of the sunset)

● Cheonmachong Tomb (a tomb with a cultural museum)

6. Seoraksan National Park

Where are the hikers? Seoraksan National Park is the heavenly kingdom for hikers as they can enjoy temples, waterfalls, cable cars etc., during the hike. It unleashes its best view during the winter with foggy, snowy mountains. Both locals and foreigners come to this park to enjoy the rugged wilderness. It is one of the most visited parks in South Korea.

● Bronze Buddha Statue (48 feet high bronze statue situated only a few minutes away from the entrance)

● Sinheungsa Temple (standing near Buddha Statue holding traditional Korean construction)

● Geumganggul Cave (used for worshipping. You will be able to enjoy a panoramic view of mountains)

● Ulsanbawi Rock (An exclusive rock formation with an astonishing view from 900m top)

● Seoraksan Cable Car (will be able to see the whole park view from Cable Cars)

Suwon is famous for its fortress, Palace and many gates. The eye-catching stone-made wall of the fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The structural beauty has made the city different from others. Now, it is renowned as both a historical town and a multicultural city.

In Suwon, one of my favourite places to visit in Korea, you will get to know about the dramatic and golden succession of Korean history and alongside enjoy the modern architectural sites.

● Hwaseong Fortress (UNESCO World Heritage site which was built a long ago to protect the city with 4 main gates)

● Suwon Hwaseong Museum (Presents the whole history and culture of Hwaseong Fortress)

● Paldalmun Gate (One of the most important gates of the fortress surrounded by modern buildings)

● Haenggung Palace (Venue of cultural and traditional festivals with a lot of attractions)

● Hwahongmun Gate (Another gate of Hwaseong Fortress presents traditional history)

● Toilet Museum (A totally different concept-based museum to accelerate the awareness of sanitation)

● Wolhwawon Garden (A traditional Chinese Garden which is a quiet place with lovely nature and charming architecture)

● Janganmun Gate (Northern Gate of Hwaseong Fortress, which is also the main gate of the fortress)

● Yeonmudae( Huge pavilion offers both city view and Fortress view)

● Hwaseomun Gate (Considered as the most impressive gate of Hwaseong Fortress)

● Everland (South Korea’s largest theme park with zoo, garden and festivals)

● Samsung Innovation Museum (All about Samsung. Their rise to rule in the world as a tech company)

● Suwon World Cup Stadium (Football World Cup venue in 2002 where the roof is designed like a bird’s wing and seats are referred to Hwaseong Fortress)

8. Boseong Green Tea Field

This is one of the major green tea producing fields in South Korea, which offers a vital scenic beauty. A lot of people already know about it as it has been used as a filming site for a lot of Korean dramas. There are places to hike and enjoy the spot from the top, which can heal your soul. Alongside, Korean green tea is much different from normal ones because it can reduce bitterness and increase the taste.

Out of all the must-visit places in Korea, Boseong Green Tea Field is a notable one. In fact, it should be the first one on your priority list if you are a nature lover. The tea of this place is also very healthy and the beautiful green tea fields are a blessing to the eyes.

● Green Tea Farm Observatory ( situatedat the top to explore the whole view)

● Waterfall Area (A little waterfall to boost up your energy)

● Botjae Dawon Tea Plantation (another tea Field which is a 5-minute walk from the Boseong Green Tea Field)

● Green tea cafe (A coffee shop sitting on the hill of the field with a full-length view of the total area)

● Korea Tea Museum (holding the history of Korean tea)

● Yulpo Beach (a great place to enjoy the sunset and beach view)

9. Haeinsa Temple

It’s considered the most authentic and major temple in South Korea. It has the oldest Buddhist canon reserved here for a long time. It’s popular both for religious and historical value. A lot of people who are not interested in any of these only go there to experience the calmness and purity of nature.

The temple houses the  Tripitaka Koreana   which is   the most complete collection of Buddhist texts. The four buildings of the temple complex have a unique structure. It is a famous destination for both local and international Buddhists and scholars.

● The oldest Wooden Buddha Statue in Asia

● Complete Collection of Buddhist Canon

● Nearby Mountains (soothing eyesight)

● Neighbour Villages (for roaming around)

10. Pyeongchang County

Pyeongchang County is a place occupied by mountains. It’s an excellent place for hiking, skiing and snowboarding. You will also find temples in the midst of hills. The best time to visit here is autumn or winter to perform all the exciting activities. It is a city of nature and sports. A huge number of nature lovers and adventurers come here every year.

● Odaesan National Park (70% of this place is covered by mountains. Great place for trekking while observing a bunch of flora and fauna)

● Woljeongsa Temple (One of the best temples in Pyeongchang County surrounded by streams and hills. You will be able to walk through the woods while observing it)

● Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch (Can be a quick stop in the time of hiking to interact with cute little sheep)

● Bongpyeong Village (If your trip is planned for autumn, make sure to go there to explore buckwheat flowers fields)

● Yongpyong Ski Resort (your best chance to do some skiing and snowboarding)

11. The Korean Demilitarized Zone

This is the place holding the history of the division of North and South Korea. This 160 the mile-long area has a bunch of spots that are the witness of such modern history. It’s a living example of what can be done when two neighbouring countries go through conflict.

There are a specific set of rules that every tourist must follow when visiting this place. It’s different from other tourist spots so you should always follow your tour guide. You might even be required to follow a strict dress code and might not be allowed to take pictures without permission.

● 3rd Tunnel of Aggregation (secret tunnel made by North Korea and discovered by South Korea after 8 years)

● Freedom Bridge – Imjingak( A spot made to remember the divided family. It was also used for the exchange of people once)

● Dora Observatory (can catch a sight of North Korea without going there)

● Dorasan Station (Gateway to North Korea which is left unused nowadays)

12. Dadohaehaesang National Park

Now it’s time to spend some memorable time in the midst of the ocean. Dadohaehaesang National Park is the largest national park in South Korea which is a bundle of 1700 small and large islands and rocks located in the East and West Sea.

This is the place where you can only choose to relax sitting by the ocean or make a hardcore adventure list with trekking in the mountains and boating in the ocean. The majority of islands in Dadohaehaesang National Park are uninhabited. It is better to go to the inhabited and touristy islands to avoid all kinds of harm.

● Heuksando and Hongdo Districts (famous for their striking view of islands and sea)

● Baekdo District ( containingBaekdo Island where a unique form of rock pinnacles is found. Spreading beauty of towns and nature)

● Palyeongsan District (only spot without beach area but enriched with high mountains)

● Bigeum District (most beautiful beaches like Uido and Shimmok Beach)

● Geumodo District (having dark forest and beautiful view of sunrise)

● Naro Island District (the most different one because it has Naro Space Center)

13. Juknokwon

What about just a peaceful walk through a bamboo forest that has 8 different paths with 8 other concepts? If you’re interested in a short tour of 3 to 4 hours wandering into a forest full of tall bamboo trees, then this place is the ideal form for you. The most interesting part is Juknokwon is almost an evergreen forest which means in the cold winter, under snowy cover, this forest keeps its greenery version fresh and charming.

This is one of the most interesting places to visit in Korea. Here you will be able to breathe in fresh oxygen away from the pollution of bustling cities. The cooling breeze throughout the lush forest is really relaxing to the mind and body.

● 8 Different Trails ( This includes Lover’s Lane, Philosopher’s Way,Old Friend’s Trail, Old Memories Byway, Scholar’s Road, Good Luck Road, Seonginsan Trail and Meditation Road )

● Bonghwangnu Observatory ( An observation tower to get the whole view)

● Traditional Pavilions ( You will get them all around the forest for just sitting there and enjoy the scenario)

● Siga Culture Village ( A village with prominent people’s work, stream, sculpture and historical site)

14. Incheon

Whether you are looking for yummy Chinese food or concession-era architecture, Incheon is the place for you. Out of all the top places to visit in Korea, Incheon is a different one. In Incheon, you will find parks, markets, temples, quaint islands and a fairytale village where fairytales seem to come alive.

This city that lies on the borders of Seoul and Gyeonggi has played a tremendous role during the Korean War. So, it is a great place to visit to learn about the history of Korea. Whether you are interested in history or architecture, islands or parks, hilltops or villages, here you will find every tourist attraction that interests you. 

• Incheon Chinatown (The only official Chinatown in Korea where you can explore the remains of Korea’s past, history, and culture, and enjoy mouthwatering Chinese cuisines)
• Muuido (A small and peaceful island which is a great spot for camping, trekking, zip-lining, and clam digging)
• Wolmido Island (A busy island containing a theme park and many entertaining tourist attractions)
• Incheon Grand Park (The main nature park of the city offering rural landscape-like refreshing air and views)
• Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village (A cultural village filled with murals, designs, and paintings of fairytale characters)
• Jayu Park (The first westernized park in Korea that is home to several historical monuments)
• Jeondeungsa Temple (A Buddhist temple with beautiful architecture and picturesque surroundings)
• Sinpo International Market (A busy outdoor market selling food, clothing, and other local products)
• Daeryong Market (A unique traditional market selling local goods)
• Haengjusanseong (A hilltop fortress famous for its mesmerizing view and history of the Haengju battle)
• Incheon Bridge (A cable-stayed bridge that looks stunning at night due to the amazing light works)
• Yeongjong Bridge (A double-deck suspension bridge offering amazing foreshore views, it looks tremendously beautiful during the bridge lights at night)
• Jajangmyeon Museum (A museum dedicated to the Jajangmyeon dish (black soybean noodles), its history and development)
• Geomdan Prehistory Museum (A museum that hosts unique special exhibits of cultural artefacts from the palaeolithic era)

15. Gangneung

Eye-catching inland mountains and beautiful beaches are reasons why Gangneung is a popular tourist destination. If you want to escape city life, Gangneung is a place where you should go for a peaceful vacation. Out of all the top places to visit in Korea, it is the most tranquil tourist destination. This city is a perfect blend of natural beauty, modern technology and culture. 

• Gyeongpo Beach (A beautiful sandy beach with a great view)
• Gangmun Beach (A huge beach with beautiful sand and shells, clear waters and a peaceful environment, ocean-fresh seafood, and excellent coffee shops)
• Jeongdongjin Sculpture Park (A Sculpture park with a green lawn looking out at the vast ocean offering a great sunrise view)
• Daegwallyeong Natural Recreation Forest (A very nice recreation forest popular for its well-known pine trees)
• Haslla Art World (A Instagrammable art museum with a breathtaking sea view from the top)
• Pinocchio Art Museum (An Art museum housing a wooden doll of the fictional character Pinocchio, a great tourist spot for both children and adults)
• Nochusan Mojeongtap-gil Trail (A serene place for walking or hiking with a beautiful folk tale)
• Adeul Rocky Park (Around 150 million years old natural rocks can be found here, and the place has a beautiful scenery)
• Heo Gyun Heo Nanseolheon Memorial Park (A must-see historic site containing a single-story Korean architectural wooden building made of Korean roof tiles)
• Gyeongpo Provincial Park (A must-visit park in South Korea with beautiful sea and mountain views)
• Anbandegi (A tranquil village situated amid mountains at a highland of 1100 m with a panoramic view)
• Seongyojang House (An elegant and traditional hanok historical settlement from the 18th-century that is a museum now)
• Aranaby zipline (A zipline at an 18 meter-high tower offering a thrilling sightseeing adventure)
• Chewang-san (A mountain at an elevation of 841 metres above sea level)

Some Special Manner You Should Always Maintain when in South Korea

The South Korean culture is one of a kind. You must maintain particular mannerisms when visiting this beautiful country, mainly if your travels occur in urban centres such as Seoul or Busan. The following rules will help you to cope up with South Koreans. They’re really dedicated to following those rules, so to enjoy your trip to your fullest, you should try to maintain them.

1. Whenever you’re receiving or giving anything to a person, always hold that thing with two hands. They take it as a matter of modesty.

2. After eating, always place your chopsticks parallel to your cup or plate. Never leave them upside down. It’s standard etiquette in South Korea.

3. If you’re taking public transportation like the train, try to keep your voice low. It’s very rare to find anyone talking loudly on a train in South Korea.

4. Never get into a fight. South Korea is a peace-loving country, and the people there are very kind to each other.

5. Try to avoid the use of red ink in any type of writing. In South Korea, red ink is considered a bad intention.

Don’t panic over these matters. It’s nothing like if you make a mistake, it’s over. Just keep these things in your mind and be confident.

South Korea is home to diverse tourist attractions. We have only listed 15 famous places to visit in Korea , and there are actually more. So, which one of these places to visit in Korea is your favourite? After reading this whole article, I hope you’re now able to sort out your plan.  You know what to do, when to do and where to do it. So buckle up and try to make this tour The Memorable One.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the most visited place in Korea?

According to recent statistics, the most visited place in Korea is Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, followed by Jeju Island and the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) between North and South Korea. Other popular tourist attractions include Namsan Tower, Bukchon Hanok Village, and the traditional markets of Myeong-dong and Insadong.

What city should I visit in Korea?

South Korea has many amazing cities, but some top ones include Seoul, Busan, Jeju, Gyeongju, Incheon, Daegu, Daejeon, Suwon, Andong, and Jeonju. Each city has unique attractions and experiences, so it depends on what you’re interested in seeing and doing.

Is 3 days enough for Korea?

While 3-days may not be enough to see everything South Korea has to offer, it is enough time to see some of the highlights. You can visit Seoul and explore its historical sites, try some delicious Korean food, and even take a day trip to the nearby city of Suwon.

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16 Best Things to Do in Seoul

By Carl Pettit

Last updated: September 18th, 2024

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Discover the best things to do in Seoul, where history and modernity seamlessly intertwine. This is exemplified by historic palaces like Gyeongbokgung and modern architectural masterpieces like Dongdaemun Design Plaza.

But as much as these big attractions define the city, different experiences, like jumping headfirst into the K-pop scene, hiking the bastions of the city walls, or exploring art-filled neighborhoods like Ihwa Mural Village, will help you dive deeper into what makes Seoul tick.

Add in some creative energy, fantastic food, plus a friendly populace, and you’ll quickly find out that the South Korean capital is a wonderful place to spend some time.

Experience Gyeongbokgung Palace’s History

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung Palace, one of the most iconic sites in Korea, is a must-visit. When you rent a hanbok, a traditional Korean style of dress here, you’ll take on the historical spirit of the palace, plus you’ll also get free admission.

This vast place is full of traditional Joseon dynasty architecture. As you wander about, decked out in your colorful hanbok, take in the colorful pageantry of the changing of the guard in front of the main gate; a beautiful and elaborate ritual worthy of lots of photos.

Inside the palace grounds, you can also visit the National Palace Museum, with its large collection of artifacts from the Joseon era. It will provide you with a valuable understanding of the grandeur of Korea’s glorious past.

Sample Street Food at Gwangjang Market

Gwangjang Market

Gwangjang Market is Seoul’s street food hub. A trip to Korea isn’t complete without tasting your way through this lively space.

As one of Korea’s oldest traditional markets, this is the place to try some of the best bindaetteok, or mung bean pancakes, in Seoul. Not to mention chewy tteokbokki—spicy rice cakes—or sundae, Korean-style blood sausage, or perhaps some fermented banchan Korean side dishes or marinated blue crabs.

While indulging your belly and navigating the maze of food stalls, you can also scope out fabrics and vintage clothing or pick up small trinkets and souvenirs to commemorate your visit to Gwangjang Market.

Meditate & Drink Tea at Bongeunsa Temple

Bongeunsa Temple

For a change of pace, enter the tranquil world of Bongeunsa, a Buddhist temple with centuries of history behind it, located in the southern Gangnam district.

During your visit, you can participate in meditation classes or take part in a traditional tea ceremony. For those looking for true inner peace, Bongeunsa even offers temple stays, letting you experience the life of a monk for a day or two.

Whether you opt for a Da-Seon tea ceremony, a meditation workshop focusing on breath work, or a stroll through the serene temple complex, you will be met with gardens, statues, and exquisite architecture. The temple is the perfect place to help you glean a bit more about Korean Buddhism while hopefully putting your body and mind at ease.

Dive into K-Pop Culture

Concert in Seoul

Seoul is the epicenter of K-pop, and the best way to absorb this world is to visit a few K-pop sites. Get started on K-Star Road in Gangnam, which features life-sized statues of some of the biggest groups, depicted as bears.

Next, you can visit the famous Gangnam Style statue, with its large gold-colored hands, and snap a selfie. If you want something more interactive, sign up for a K-pop dance course at one of many of the dance studios in town that teach the moves to the latest K-pop tunes.

Last but not least, if you’re a diehard enthusiast, pay your homage at the home offices of K-pop entertainment conglomerates like SM Town or YG Entertainment, as these spots are full of K-pop-inspired art and adoring K-pop fans..

Shop for Traditional Korean Crafts in Insadong

Visit the Insadong neighborhood for traditional Korean wares. This bustling district is filled with shops selling crafts such as handmade pottery, hanji paper goods, and elaborate hanboks ranging from traditional to more contemporary in design.

As you wander, watch artisans making and selling pottery, visit a traditional tea house for Korean teas brewed from herbs and flowers, take in street performances, or visit some modern galleries like the Insa Art Center.

Hike Along Seoul City Wall

Seoul City Wall

Seoul City Wall, built as a Joseon dynasty defensive barrier, with construction starting in 1396, still rings part of the city center. You can hike it today to see dramatically different views of Seoul’s building-packed skyline.

With more than 11 miles of wall to trek, you’ll be treated to forested areas, the remnants of ancient gates and fortifications, plus picturesque spots perfect for photos, where you can also mull over Seoul’s centuries-old defensive ramparts.

If you’re a history buff, ramble along part or all of the Seoul City Wall to enjoy the incredible vistas of the capital of South Korea from its ancient fortress wall.

Experience Parish Life at Bukchon Hanok Village

Bukchon Hanok Village

Bukchon Hanok Village rolls back time as you stroll between the rows of traditional hanok houses here, offering you glimpses into the once-daily lives of the nobles and royal family members that used to reside here.

The area is centered along narrow stone-paved alleyways, with roadside cultural centers, traditional tea houses, and handicraft workshops sandwiched into the constricted spaces.

As you admire traditional Korean architecture here, note the juxtaposition between the hanok design styles and the modern buildings and skyscrapers surrounding the village.

Bukchon’s panoramic city views make it one of the best things to do in Seoul, especially if you want to take in the capital while immersing yourself in traditional Korean culture.

Explore Ihwa Mural Village

Ihwa Mural Village Photo by William Warby on Flickr, licensed under CC BY 2.0

Get off the beaten path and make your way to Ihwa Mural Village, a semi-hidden urban oasis of quirky art scattered along the hilly streets of a neighborhood in northern Seoul that was once slated for demolition.

Instead of demolition, artists came to the rescue, filling the walls and stairways here with creative murals and paintings.

Walk along Ihwa Mural Village’s narrow streets and soak up the whimsical street art on display, which features brightly colored illustrations, plus some delightful views of downtown Seoul.

Seek Thrills at Lotte World

Lotte World

Korea’s largest indoor-outdoor theme park, Lotte World Adventure, is a must for anyone who’s young at heart or bringing their children along for their travels.

Lotte World offers thrill-seekers roller coasters, an indoor balloon ride, and the opportunity to glide smoothly across a massive indoor ice rink. The outdoor portion of the park, built on an artificial island in a lake, links up with the main building via a monorail.

The carousels, live magic shows, and other amusements here will return you to your childhood; Lotte World is fun for young and old alike.

Tour Seodaemun Prison History Hall

Seodaemun Prison History Hall

Seodaemun Prison History Hall is a prison-turned-museum. This notorious prison once held Korean independence fighters, who were imprisoned and tortured here during Japan’s occupation of Korea.

A museum visit will provide you with a window into Korea’s painful past through artifacts, personal stories, and a timeline of events compiled from different sources, all designed to create a sobering educational experience.

If you want to learn how it must have felt to be a Korean ruled by Japan between 1910 and 1945 while garnering some insight into the resilience of Koreans, visit Seodaemun Prison History Hall, located in Independence Park. Here, you’ll also find Dongnimmun Gate and other monuments related to Korea’s turbulent past.

Feel Seoul’s Creative Street Vibes at Hongdae

One of the best places to visit in Seoul , Hongdae is the pulsating center of the city’s youth. It has a vibrant arts scene, so if you’re interested in creative street culture, you shouldn’t miss a trip to this electric neighborhood.

Upon arrival, you’ll quickly see that Hongdae is filled with live music, performance artists, and indie art galleries, which display the best of Seoul’s underground spirit. In the evening, the neighborhood transforms into an illuminated nightlife district as the bars and clubs take over.

During the day, check out the hip boutiques and the themed cafés, including animal coffee shops, where you can drink hot beverages while petting cats, dogs, and even lambs; a café decked out in pink; plus other quirky cafés where you can while away your time.

Take an Urban Walk Along Cheonggyecheon Stream

Cheonggyecheon Stream

Enjoy nature in downtown Seoul by taking a stroll along the tranquil, seven-mile Cheonggyecheon Stream, which runs through the heart of the city.

This revitalized waterway will offer you the perfect spot for a scenic walk or a peaceful moment of reflection among pathways bordered by trees, benches, and public art installations.

During the day, it’s fairly quiet, but at night, it takes on another character as LED light installations bathe the area in a kaleidoscope of color.

There are also events held here at certain times of the year, including live performances and art shows. While the stream is serene, there are a few sections where plunging stairways and concrete basins create cascading falls, adding another dimension to this urban waterway.

Sample Itaewon’s Culture Mashup

Itaewon is a brilliant place for a cultural mashup. The neighborhood, once a somewhat seedier district linked to a US military base, is now a vibrant international area with a strong LGBTQ+ presence, plus lots of great food.

The restaurant variety in Itaewon is tremendous, ranging from Middle Eastern and American-style burgers to tacos and fusion cuisine. You’ll be endlessly entertained by Itaewon’s array of cafés, neon lights, and eclectic shops; visiting this area is one of the coolest things to do in Seoul.

Once you’re replete with food and drink, it’s a quick stroll to the Leeum Samsung Museum of Art, which hosts classic Korean art and avant-garde modern pieces, offering refined culture in addition to Itaewon’s grittier streetside ambiance.

Study Martial History at the War Memorial of Korea

War Memorial of Korea

If you find military history fascinating, spend several hours studying Korea’s war history at the War Memorial of Korea, a thought-provoking place to visit.

The site, divided into indoor and outdoor areas, covers Korea’s entire military history, from ancient times to the modern era’s Korean War.

The outdoor area is by far the best part for most visitors—you can walk among the military technology on display here, including army tanks, fighter jets, and even naval ships.

Inside, relive the country’s war history through interactive displays. The War Memorial is a well-designed, well-curated space, ideal for history buffs or anyone looking to learn more about Korea’s martial past.

Attend an Exhibition at Dongdaemun Design Plaza

Dongdaemun Design Plaza

Seoul’s Dongdaemun Design Plaza, designed by superstar architect Zaha Hadid, is a futuristic work of art that has become one of Seoul’s most recognizable landmarks. This fluid, magical building, finished in 2014, is popular with architecture lovers and Instagrammers alike.

Naturally, you can snap some great photos of the building from the outside. Inside, you can check out cutting-edge exhibitions from fashion shows to art installations, which rotate throughout the year.

You can also book an architectural tour of the building, shop for unique Korean art and designs in the Design Store, or simply wander around the sleek passageways to experience some of Seoul’s latest design trends.

Ride the Cable Car to Namsan Seoul Tower

Namsan Seoul Tower

For one of the best views of Seoul, take the cable car up to Namsan Seoul Tower on top of Namsan Mountain. The ride itself will provide you with amazing views, while the vistas from the observation deck make this trip a truly memorable thing to do in Seoul.

You’ll come across different attractions at the tower, including several restaurants, plus some fun exhibits, such as the K-POP Star Photo Booth and the sparkling, LED-lit Tunnel of Love.

Also, make sure you stop at the “love lock” fences where couples place padlocks to symbolize their enduring love. If you have some extra time on your hands, you can also hike up to Namsan Tower, which will afford you spectacular views of downtown Seoul along the way.

Read: Best Places to Visit in Asia

Browse Celebrity’s cruises to Seoul to discover this ancient city’s historic temples and palaces, delicious street food, and vibrant cultural heritage.

Carl Pettit

Carl Pettit is a musician and writer who has written about culture, finance, food, politics and travel for AFAR, Fodor’s Travel, Yahoo News and many other media outlets. He’s set up permanent camp in more than eight cities (on three different continents) in his life so far, all in an attempt to cure his seemingly incurable wanderlust.

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Discover the Top Attractions in Jeonju-si: A Complete Guide to the Best Tourist Spots

Welcome to Jeonju-si , a city rich in history, culture, and culinary delights! Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, Jeonju-si offers a plethora of attractions that will captivate your heart. From traditional hanok villages to delicious local cuisine, let’s explore the best this charming city has to offer.

Jeonju Hanok Village: A Step Back in Time

No visit to Jeonju-si is complete without exploring the Jeonju Hanok Village . This well-preserved village is home to over 800 traditional Korean houses called ‘hanok’. As you wander through the cobblestone streets, you’ll be transported back in time, experiencing the architectural beauty and cultural history of South Korea.

The Hanok Village is also a cultural hub, offering hanbok (traditional Korean attire) rental shops, tea houses, and craft workshops. Spend a day immersing yourself in the unique charm of this historic area.

Gyeonggijeon Shrine: A Glimpse into Royal History

The Gyeonggijeon Shrine , built in 1410, houses the portrait of King Tae-jo, the founder of the Joseon Dynasty. The shrine offers insights into Korea’s royal history and features beautiful, serene gardens that are perfect for a leisurely stroll.

The complex also includes the Royal Portrait Museum, where you can view historical artifacts and learn more about the fascinating history of the Joseon era.

Nambu Market: The Heart of Jeonju’s Street Food Scene

Nambu Market is a must-visit for food lovers. This bustling market offers a wide array of delicious Korean street food, from Jeonju bibimbap to local delicacies. Don’t miss the Night Market, where you can sample a variety of dishes in a lively atmosphere.

In addition to food, Nambu Market has numerous stalls selling clothing, accessories, and traditional crafts, making it a perfect spot for some souvenir shopping.

Omokdae & Imokdae: Scenic Viewpoints

For stunning views of Jeonju-si, head to Omokdae & Imokdae . These two pavilions, located on a hill overlooking the city, offer breathtaking panoramas and are perfect for photography enthusiasts.

The pavilions are historically significant, as they were places frequented by King Taejo during the foundation of the Joseon Dynasty. The surrounding walking trails provide a peaceful escape from the urban hustle.

Deokjin Park: Nature’s Tranquility

If you’re looking for a peaceful retreat, Deokjin Park is the place to be. This beautiful park features a large lotus pond that blooms spectacularly in summer. The park is a popular spot for picnics, leisurely walks, and family outings.

Jeondong Catholic Cathedral: Spiritual and Architectural Beauty

The Jeondong Catholic Cathedral , completed in 1914, is one of Korea’s most beautiful churches. Combining Romanesque and Byzantine architectural styles, the cathedral’s stunning facade and interior make it a popular spot for both worship and tourism.

Situated near Jeonju Hanok Village, the cathedral is easily accessible and provides a tranquil space for reflection. The surrounding area is equally captivating, with charming streets and local eateries to explore.

Pungnammun Gate: A Historic Fortress

Pungnammun Gate is the only remaining gate of Jeonju’s old city walls. Built during the Joseon Dynasty, the gate stands as a testament to the city’s historical significance. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the surroundings.

Located close to the Hanok Village, the Pungnammun Gate area is often bustling with cultural performances and local festivities, offering a vibrant atmosphere for travelers to experience.

Jaman Mural Village: An Artistic Retreat

Art enthusiasts should not miss the Jaman Mural Village . This hillside village is adorned with colorful murals and street art, making it a lively and vibrant area to wander through. Each alley and building is a canvas, showcasing the creativity of local artists.

The village also offers several cozy cafes where visitors can relax and enjoy scenic views of Jeonju-si. It’s a perfect spot to soak in the artistic ambiance and take memorable photographs.

Korea Traditional Culture Center: Dive into Heritage

The Korea Traditional Culture Center offers an immersive experience into Korean culture. Here, visitors can participate in traditional craft workshops, watch cultural performances, and learn about Korea’s rich heritage through various exhibits.

Located near Jeonju Hanok Village, the center is a gateway to understanding the cultural depth of Jeonju-si. Whether you’re interested in learning traditional dance, trying your hand at pottery, or simply exploring the exhibits, this center has something for everyone.

Practical Information for Travelers

Getting There: Jeonju-si is accessible by train, bus, and car. The KTX high-speed train from Seoul takes about 2-3 hours.

Transportation: Buses and taxis are the primary means of transportation within the city. Biking is also a popular option for exploring Jeonju Hanok Village.

Weather: The best times to visit Jeonju are spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is mild and pleasant.

Language: Learning a few basic Korean phrases can be helpful, though many tourist areas have English signage and staff who speak English.

Personal Traveler Stories

Many travelers have shared their delightful experiences in Jeonju-si. For instance, Sarah, a traveler from the United States, describes her visit to Jeonju Hanok Village as a journey back in time. “Wearing a hanbok and walking through the traditional houses was an unforgettable experience,” she recalls.

Jonathan, a culinary enthusiast from Australia, was enamored by the food scene in Jeonju. “The street food at Nambu Market was out of this world! Jeonju bibimbap is a must-try,” he says.

From historical landmarks and vibrant markets to serene parks and cultural experiences, Jeonju-si has something for every traveler. Plan your visit today and immerse yourself in the rich heritage and charm of this beautiful city.

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10 must-see Instagrammable places in Korea 

2. Jukseong Dream Seongdang

In the town of Jukseong just outside Busan, there is a small white church that stands out against the sea in a very impressive way. It is not a real church, but one built especially for the SBS drama Dream (2009) and it still attracts tourists today. The interior of the cathedral has become a gallery. Perhaps due to its location in a small fishing village, it retains a unique atmosphere and its seascape looks like a medieval painting. 

3. Homigot Sunrise Square

In the area of Homigot village in Pohang, there is a statue of a hand emerging from the sea facing upward and appearing to sunrise. It is the right hand, as well as the most famous one for photography. On the mainland a short distance away, there is in fact a statue of the left hand, which is also facing upward.

4. Guryong-po

Going back to the K-drama theme, in Guryong-po of Pohang, there is a Japanese-style village that was set for the drama “When the Camelia blooms” (2019). The village is very atmospheric, with low houses that were built during the Japanese occupation period for visiting officials. One of the houses is a museum opened for visitors. In addition to the historical importance of the place, if you are a fan of the Korean drama, you can enjoy walking along the same streets where the drama characters were, and even have lunch in some of the restaurants. Going up the stairs in the center of the village will also take you to the huge statue of a dragon that stands out against the seascape.

5. Banwol Island (the Purple Island)

To the south, in Jeolla Province, lies an island which has been entirely repainted purple as part of a redevelopment project. The purple theme has made it a popular destination for tourists, making it one of the most Instagrammable places in Korea not to be missed.

6. Gyeong-po Beach, Gangneung

Another Instagrammable place in Korea is the Gyeong-po beach in Gangneung, which is on the peninsula’s east coast. Not only is the beach itself very beautifully covered with fine, light-colored sand bathed by a clear sea, but at various locations photo zones have been set up in the shape of a photo frame or special decorations, for one to stand next to to take pictures with the beautiful landscape as a backdrop.

7. Mount Seorak

Also on the east coast of Korea, we find Mount Seorak, a natural gem touted as a tourist destination especially in autumn, when the trees take on colorful hues. The higher you go, the more striking the view becomes. It is a great location for taking photos to be posted on Instagram with the hashtag #landscapephotography .

8. Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan

If you are looking for Instagrammable places in Korea, you cannot miss Gamcheon Culture Village. It is located on a rise in the city of Busan and is a very colorful area that offers spectacular views with numerous art installations. Walking down the street, you can easily come across colorful murals and installations representing the Little Prince, sea creatures or musical instruments.

9. Jeonju Hanok Village

Another of the must-see Instagrammable places in Korea is the hanok village in the city of Jeonju. This is the area with the most extensive traditional-style housing still in place and is great to visit if you want to take a dip into the past. We also recommend staying overnight in a hanok and walking around the streets wearing traditional hanbok .

10. Jeju Island

To conclude our list of Instagrammable places in Korea on a high note, we recommend visiting the entire Jeju Island . Here, no matter where you go, there are natural gems, quirky museums, sculptures and many more, such as the Daepo Jusangjeolli cliff where its sides have taken on cylindrical shapes as a result of lava flows, and the teddy bear museum in the Jungmun area.

We hope you enjoyed this article and that our recommendations will be useful to you during your trip to Korea. For more information, follow the Go! Go! Hanguk blog and feel free to contact us about living and studying in Korea.

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