Watch this space…….Seoul, a rapidly changing and popular upcoming travel destination. So much so it quickly became one our favorite Asian cities, second only to Tokyo, and from the moment we stepped off the plane Seoul continued to surprise us at every turn!
During our time in the city we explored the modern, and embraced the old, celebrated Buddha’s birthday in full spirit, visited countless palaces and temples, ate our way through mountains of Korean BBQ, hiked the old walls and still found time for a spot of shopping!
It’s also definitely one of our favorite cities to photograph, and an urban photographer will need a full bag of memory cards here! The fashion and tech savvy capital perfectly weds cutting edge design with the traditional architecture of its temples and Hanok villages. Even the city’s industrial edges have been smoothed with the presence of art spaces, and culture and design parks.
Tips For Your Visit
- Learn a few basic Hangul phrases
- Research a bit about Korean history before you visit
- Eat street food and dine at local restaurants to save money
- Grab snacks and cheap lunches in subway stations, this is also a good place for finding a bargain on clothes
- Tipping is not customary in Korea, but rounding up the bill is appreciated
- Invest in a map or guide as Google Maps is useless in South Korea!
Getting Around Seoul
Seoul is a pretty big city and most attractions are quite spread out, so you will need to plan your days to some degree. The best way to get around is by using the metro as it’s fast, cheap and covers an extensive area. You can use Uber here but it’s generally quicker and easier just to get normal taxi.
There’s so much to do in Seoul but it’s also a great place to base yourself on a first-time trip into South Korea as there also many great day trips you can take from the capital. You can plan a trip to the DMZ zone, explore Suwon, and hike the mountains of Bukhansan National Park, just to name a few.
Best Things To Do In Seoul
There is a huge list of things to do in Seoul that could keep you busy for weeks! So we’ve put together our list of favorites to help narrow it down.
Changdeokgung Palace
The UNESCO listed Changdeokgung Palace was definitely one of our favourite places to visit in the city, and should be a highlight to any trip to Seoul.
It’s easy to get lost for hours as you explore the vast palace complex, featuring many beautiful halls and buildings.
The palace dates back to the early 15th century and for over 270 years served as residence to the Joseon government, and as the principle residence for many Joseon Dynasty Kings. Within the complex you’ll discover many well-preserved buildings, administrative courts and various halls that were built for different occasions.
One of the main features of the complex is how the architects designed the palace to work in harmony with nature. They achieved this by taking into account the topography of the surrounding mountains, and by keeping artificial landscapes to a minimum. This same principal was also used in the construction of the palace’s secret gardens.
- Entrance Fee – 3000 won
- Opening Times – 9:00 am till 6:00 pm Feb-May and Sept-Oct, 6:30 pm June-Aug and 5:30 pm Nov-Jan (last admission is one hour before closing)
- CLOSED – every Monday
Changdeokgung Palace Secret Gardens
We listed this as a separate area as it requires an additional fee to access the gardens, and there are only set times of the day when you can visit. You also have to do this by joining a tour, however when we got to the gates the guide said that people could just make there own way around if they wished to do so.
It’s also worth noting that you will need at least a couple of hours to explore the gardens fully, as they cover a large area.
These beautiful Biwon gardens are located at the back of the palace, and are a place where members of the royal family would go to relax. As you make your way around the woodland paths you will discover lotus ponds and many stunning pavilions. It’s a great place to soak up a more relaxed atmosphere away from the bustle of Seoul.
Spring and Autumn are the best times to visit the garden, and there are many beautiful maple-trees that change color with the seasons. If you’re interested in the history of the gardens and palace then we recommend taking the guided tour, which usually lasts around 2 hours.
- Entrance Fee – 8000 won
- Opening Times – 9:00 am till 5:30 pm Mar-May and Sept-Oct, 6:00 pm June-Aug, 5:00 pm Feb & Nov and 4:30 pm Dec-Jan (last tour one hour 30 minutes before closing)
- CLOSED – every Monday
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokung was originally constructed in 1395 and was the first and the biggest of the royal palaces built in the Joseon Dynasty. The palace was expanded over time but was destroyed during the Japanese invasions during 1592-1598, after that it lay in ruins for nearly 300 years until it was rebuilt by King Gojong in 1865. A project that nearly bankrupt the government.
Between 1910 and 1945 much of the palace was destroyed again during the Japanese colonial rule and only around 30% of its structures survived. Since then the government has accurately restored, and rebuilt the palace to its former glory, for future generations to enjoy.
The palace is located in one of the busiest areas of Seoul, but the main entrance gate almost feels like a divide between the past and present, and within the palace grounds you’ll feel worlds away from the busy streets.
We recommend heading to the palace early when it’s less crowded. That way you can spend at least a few hours to half a day exploring, before returning to the main gate and watching the changing of the guard ceremony.
If you wish to learn more about the palace and the history of Korea you can head to the National Palace Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum which are also located on the palace grounds.
- Entrance Fee – 3000 won
- Opening Times – 9:00 am till 5:00 pm Jan & Feb, 6:00 pm Mar-May and Sept & Oct and 5:00 pm Nov & Dec (last admission is one hour before closing apart from Nov & Dec when the last admission is 2:00 pm)
- Changing of the Guards – 10:00 am and 2:00 pm
- CLOSED – every Tuesday
Jongmyo Shrine
Jongmyo is a Confucian shrine dedicated to the memorial services for the deceased kings and Queens of the Korean Joseon Dynasty. It’s a place where the Sinju (spirit tablets) of deceased kings and queens are enshrined. The Korean ancestors believed that the spirits of the deceased would reside here and dwell inside of these tablets. What’s even more incredible is that the same conventional rite from 1462 is still carried out today. This happens every year when an ancestral memorial ritual is held here on the first Sunday of May.
You should plan your visit here in advance as you can only visit by joining a guided tour, and there are set times for different languages.
The shrine consists of a number of buildings but the most important are the Jongjeon hall and the Yeongnyeongjeon Hall.
The spirit tablets of former kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty are housed in the Jongjeon hall. Within the main hall there are a total of 49 spirit tablets, including that of of King Taejo, who was the founder of the Joseon Dynasty. There are also another 34 memorial tablets which are enshrined at the Yeongnyeongjeon Hall.
- Entrance Fee – 1000 won
- Opening Times – 9:00 am till 6:00 pm Feb-May and Sept-Oct, 6:30 pm June-Aug and 5:30 pm Nov-Jan (last admission one hour before closing)
- Mandatory Guided Tours – on all opening days, except Saturday visitors can only visit the shrine at specific times on a group guided tour. There are tours in Japanese, Chinese and English. The English tours run 4 times a day at 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm so be sure to plan accordingly.
- CLOSED – every Tuesday
Stroll The City In A Hanbok
The term Hanbok just means Korean clothing, but it refers to the traditional clothing worn by men and women from the Joseon period.
It’s a popular pastime for locals and tourists alike to don the traditional Korean clothing (Hanbok) whilst exploring the city and visiting its palaces. This is also a great way to immerse yourself into the history and culture of Seoul, and makes for some pretty memorable photos!
We recommend renting your hanbok before visiting one of the palaces as you’ll gain free entry if you’re wearing one. Try to rent a hanbok early and to visit a few different areas, this way you can get a range of photos wearing your hanbok.
There are hanboks available for all the family and there’s various different styles and colors to choose from.
There are a number of shops where you can rent a hanbok from. The one we used was just across the street from the entrance of Changdeokgung Palace. The hanboks here are good quality with a large range of choice in both short and long options. For a small extra fee they will also style your hair.
Visit Bukchon Hanok Villiage
Bukchon Hanok Villiage is packed with traditional Korean houses and offers visitors a glimpse into the life of Seoul as it was 600 years ago. If you’re visiting the area we recommend you head to the Bukchon Traditional Culture Center first to learn more about Hanok houses and to grab a free walking map of the villiage.
This is a nice area to stroll around if you have a few spare hours but don’t expect to have the place to yourself as it’s also a popular Instagram spot. There are also many locals that live in this area, so please try to be respectful and keep the noise down when visiting. There have been complaints in the past.
The area also boasts some nice cafes and traditional tea houses. We can recommend Cha Masineun Tteul for great tea which you can enjoy in the comfort of a traditional Hanok House.
Hike The Old City Walls
The city has changed much in the last 600 years but many parts of the wall remain intact and well preserved, as do the city gates. Seoul is surrounded by mountains and the old fortress wall snakes its way around the city and up over the mountains, making for some perfect hiking trails. The wall once marked the city’s boundary but has now become part of the city’s inner-suburbs, and remains an integral part of Seoul’s history and charm
We recommend visiting the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in the morning before walking to the Heunginjimun Gate and from there you can follow the Naksan trail up and along the wall. This is a pleasant trail that will give some great views over the city, and take you into Ihwa Village on Naksan Mountain.
Ihwa Mural Village
The mural village is one of the most colorful areas in Seoul, and it’s filled with street art, quirky cafes and lots of photo spots. The mountainside village sits near the top of Mt. Naksan and a few years ago it was set for destruction because it was seen as an unattractive area. In 2006 a project was put in place to revitalise the area by adding lots of beautiful murals created by many different artists.
There are maps located on various walls which show where the different murals are, but we just took our time to stroll around the area and discover these on our own. Be sure to go up and down the different narrow stairways to see which mural you’ll come across next.
When visiting the Ihwa Mural Village just remember it’s still a residential area, so respect the locals private property and their quiet surroundings.
Visit Jogyesa Temple
Jogyesa temple is the headquarters for the Jogye order of Korean Buddhism, which is a major sect of Korean Zen Buddhism, and the county’s largest Buddhist order.
This beautiful temple is located in the heart of Seoul and is best paired with a trip to Insa-Dong. The Daeungjeon Hall (main hall) is definitely a highlight, which is located in the center of the courtyard and features 3 magnificent gold Buddha statues inside.
In the outer courtyard of the temple you’ll find a large 10-story stupa, which is an enshrined relic of Buddha. There is also a beautiful Baeksong tree which gets decorated with hundreds of colorful lanterns during the Lotus Lantern Festival. The festival takes place every April or May and is hosted at Jogyesa temple.
You’ll also find many shops around the temple where you can buy items such as Buddha statues and prayer beads, which make for great souvenirs. The temple also offers a temple-stay program for overseas visitors, which is a great way to learn more about Buddhism in Korea.
The temple is always open and is free to enter.
Namdaemun Market
Namdaemun Market is the largest traditional market in Korea. There are thousands of vendors selling a large array of items such as clothing, souvenirs, arts and crafts. But we recommend you head here with an appetite, and eat your way around some of the local food!
Popular foods to try at the market
- Hottoek – A Korean pancake/donut, these come in different varieties but the sweet ones are definitely our favorite!
- Mandu – Korean dumplings, you can get them with various fillings and they come steamed or fried, delicious!
- Eomuk or Odeng – Fish cakes that come in many shapes and sizes.
- Korean Egg Bread – Small loaves of bread with a whole egg inside of them, they taste sweet and delicious!
Visit Bongeunsa Temple
You can combine a visit to Bongeunsa Temple when visiting the Gangnam area.
Bongeunsa is a Buddhist temple that was founded during the Silla period in 794, and served as the main Korean Buddhist Zen temple from 1551 to 1936. The temple is set among beautiful woodland and parkland, and is surrounded by skyscrapers. It’s a great place to experience the mix of old and new, and serves as a calm retreat away from the busy Gangnam streets.
A highlight of the temple is a 28 meter high, stone statue of Maitreya (the future Buddha).
You can also come here to learn about the various Buddhist traditions and practices in Korea, and there are temple-stay programs on offer for visitors.
The temple is always open and is free to enter.
Explore Gangnam
No doubt everyone’s heard of Gangnam, made famous by Korea’s K-pop internet sensation PSY! Gangnam is a modern, upscale area in Seoul. It’s full of skyscrapers, flagship stores, designer brands and swanky nightclubs, but there’s also plenty to see here if it’s your first time visiting the city.
We recommend a trip to the Starfield Coex Mall which also has a very Instagramable library, once you’re done there you can head outside to see the Gangnam hands statue. There’s also a small plaque next to the statue that will play the Gangnam Style song and explain about the YouTube sensation PSY. From there you can walk to Bongeunsa temple, which is one of Seoul’s most important Buddhist temples with a long history dating back over 1,000 years.
We also recommend heading into the center of Gangnam if you have time, there’s great shopping, unique flagship stores, and experience stores such as Samsung d’light, as well as many great bars and restaurants.
Visit Samsung d’light
Located in Gangnam, Samsung d’light is not your usual store, in fact it’s more of an exhibit. As you enter the store you’ll put on a bracelet and register your name and face, and begin a personalised journey across three floors of interactive experiences. It’s a way for Samsung to showcase its latest electronics and for us to catch a glimpse at possible future technologies.
We found it very interesting to see how technology is shaping our lifestyle, and how electronics are becoming more and more integrated into our day to day lives. There are three floors but the second floor was probably our favorite as it gave us a glimpse into the future of Samsung technology.
- Entrance Fee – free
- Opening Times – 10:00 am till 7:00 pm Monday to Saturday
- CLOSED – every Sunday and public holidays
Experience The City For Buddha’s Birthday
We were lucky enough to be in the city for Buddha’s birthday and the celebrations before hand.
The initial celebrations start around a week before Buddha’s birthday and during this time the city comes alive with colorful lanterns. There’s special performances, cultural demonstrations and many of the temples and shrines host special events and activities.
The lantern parade is definitely a highlight of the celebrations. Huge elaborate floats are paraded through the streets, followed by thousands of people, with lanterns of all shapes and sizes. It was an incredible experience to visit the city during this time!
The date the Buddha’s birthday is celebrated in South Korea varies each year according to their lunar calendar. It usually falls in April or May and the main celebrations usually take place a week before his actual birthday.
Common Ground
The Common Ground is actually a pretty cool space! But it’s also a heavily Instagrammed spot so it can get a little crowded.
Common Ground is a pop-up shopping mall made from shipping containers. All of the containers are painted blue and the whole area has a very hipster-hangout vibe to it. There’s around 70 stores and there’s also a nice roof terrace with restaurants, and some pretty cool views. I can’t say we were blown away by the shops, but the rest of the space is pretty unique and it’s a great place to photograph.
If you’re visiting here we can recommend a great place for Indonesian food that we visited. You’ll find Nangman Noodle on the top floor of Common Ground.
- Opening Times – 11:00 am till 10:00 pm (some restaurants may stay open later)
Learn About Korea’s History At The War Memorial Of Korea
To understand Korea, first you need to understand it’s past. We were blown away by the War Memorial of Korea and couldn’t believe it was a free place to visit. It was established to remember the people who gave their lives in the Korean War (1950-1953) and it provides a fascinating insight into the history of Korea and the Korean War.
The whole memorial is more like a history museum, it’s huge and has both indoor and outdoor exhibition areas, with over 10,000 artifacts on display.
Inside there is a heartfelt memorial that leads through to the exhibition halls. The different exhibition halls cleverly display various artifacts from different timelines, whilst ensuring that the people who gave their lives for Korea are remembered. The room with the small gravestones seemingly goes on forever due to mirrored walls, and is particularly haunting, and serves as a stark reminder of the tragedies of war.
There are also two, small 3D and 4D cinema rooms inside showing short clips at set times throughout the day.
Outside you will find various memorial statues like the ‘Statue of Brothers’ and ‘Defending the Fatherland’. There is also a huge exhibition of large military equipment, such as tanks, combat aircraft and a war ship.
- Entrance Fee – free
- Opening Times – 9:30 am till 6:00 pm Tuesday to Sunday (last admission 30 minutes before closing)
- CLOSED – Mondays (If Monday is a holiday, it will be closed on Tuesday)
Visit Insadong
Insadong is a charming little area in the heart of Seoul. The main street is a great spot for some shopping, and is a good place to pick up some traditional goods and souvenirs. There’s also some great restaurants in the area and the side-streets and alleys are filled with traditional eateries and cozy tea houses.
The Shin Old Tea House comes highly recommended, and this place should definitely be on our list if you’re after a traditional Korean tea experience, don’t miss it!
Embrace The Modern Architecture Of The DDP
The Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) was designed by world renowned architect Zaha Hadid. It’s an amazing example of modern ingenuity and design! It’s hard to imagine how the overhanging portion of the building is being held up, as it is seemingly suspended in thin air. We spent a few hours exploring the inside and the outside of the plaza, whilst trying to wrap our minds around the neo-futuristic design.
The inside of the DDP was just as impressive as the outside of the building, and it felt like we’d boarded some sort of futuristic space station! On the inside the spaces seem to flow seamlessly into one another, with no sharp surfaces as everything is smooth and rounded.
The inside of the DDP is comprised of five halls featuring an art hall, museum, design lab, design market and the Dongdaemun History and Culture Park.
- Entrance Fee – free – (although some of the exhibitions and events do require a fee)
- Opening Times – Exhibition Hall – 10:00 am till 7:00 pm Tues, Thurs, Sat & Sun and till 10:00 pm Wed & Fri. Design Market & Design Lab – 10:00 am till 10:00 pm
- CLOSED – Mondays – (you can still visit the outside of the building and try to capture photos with fewer people around)
Shop Till You Drop In Dongdaemun
If you want shopping then head to Dongdaemun. There’s 26 shopping malls located here, traditional markets, wholesale markets and underground shopping! Best of all most of these are open throughout the night or as late as 5 am. There’s also plenty of good food outlets in these malls to keep you fueled up, and some good places to eat street food nearby.
Watch A Sunset At Banpo Hangang Park
Banpo Hangang Park is one of our favorite sunset spots in Seoul, and it’s a great place for a picnic or a couple of sun-downers after a long day.
You can also see the rainbow bridge here, which comes on at night and boasts the world’s longest bridge fountain. Once you’ve watched sunset and witnessed the rainbow bridge you can make your way over to Some Sevit, which is just a short walk away. Some Sevit is a culture complex made up of three man-made floating islands, here you’ll find shops, cafes, and restaurants to satisfy your appetite. If you want to head out onto the water then you can hire a Tubester motor boat, or if you have deep pockets head over to the Golden Blue Marina for a luxury yacht experience.
VIsit the park on the weekend during the summer months and it will be a hive of activity, with food vendors lining the streets. This is when families and friends come here for picnics and gatherings, and it’s a great atmosphere!
