Free things to do · Seoul · South Korea
11 free things to do in Seoul
Seoul without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: S h y numis, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 4 days in Seoul without paying an entry fee: Bukchon Hanok Village, Insadong and Ssamziegil, Myeongdong and Dongdaemun Design Plaza are all free. Wear hanbok to enter the palaces free, and use free museums such as the National Museum of Korea and the War Memorial.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 11
- Low-cost extras
- 5
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February
Free sights and experiences
Neighbourhood · Jongno
1.Bukchon Hanok Village
This is a residential area with restricted visiting hours in its busiest lanes; keep voices low and avoid peering into homes.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Couples
Street · Insadong
2.Insadong and Ssamziegil
Even international chains display their names in Korean script here — look for the Hangeul shop signs.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Art
- History
Street · Myeongdong
3.Myeongdong
Compare cosmetics prices between shops and ask about tax refunds at the till for purchases over the threshold.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- After dark
Architecture · Dongdaemun
4.Dongdaemun Design Plaza
Visit after dark, when the LED rose garden and the building's lit curves are most photogenic.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- After dark
- Photo spot
- Shopping
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Museum · Yongsan
5.National Museum of Korea
Don't miss the dimly lit Room of Quiet Contemplation, which displays two gilt-bronze pensive bodhisattva statues side by side.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Kids
Museum · Yongsan
6.War Memorial of Korea
Combine it with the National Museum of Korea, about 15 minutes away by subway or taxi.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
Waterfront · Jongno
7.Cheonggyecheon Stream
Walk it in the evening on the way from Gwanghwamun to Gwangjang Market for dinner.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- After dark
- Couples
- Kids
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Park · Yeouido and Banpo
8.Han River parks and Banpo Bridge
Do as locals do: order fried chicken for delivery to the riverbank and watch the fountain show.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Couples
- After dark
- Kids
Nature · Northern Seoul
9.Bukhansan National Park
Start early from Bukhansanseong trailhead, wear proper shoes and avoid icy winter days without crampons.
- Time needed
- 4–6 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
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Religious site · Jongno
10.Jogyesa Temple
Visit in the evening in late April or May when the lanterns are lit.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- After dark
- Photo spot
Architecture · Gangnam
11.Starfield Library at COEX
Visit Bongeunsa afterwards for the contrast of a Buddhist temple facing the Gangnam towers.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Rainy day
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Jongno | Bukchon Hanok Village, Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jogyesa Temple | 1–2 hours + 1 hour + 45 minutes |
| Insadong | Insadong and Ssamziegil | 1–2 hours |
| Myeongdong | Myeongdong | 2 hours |
| Dongdaemun | Dongdaemun Design Plaza | 1 hour |
| Yongsan | National Museum of Korea and War Memorial of Korea | 2–3 hours + 2 hours |
| Yeouido and Banpo | Han River parks and Banpo Bridge | 2 hours |
| Northern Seoul | Bukhansan National Park | 4–6 hours |
| Gangnam | Starfield Library at COEX | 45 minutes |
Worth a small ticket
Palace · Jongno
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Visitors wearing hanbok, rented from shops near the gate, enter the palaces free; arrive early to photograph Gyeonghoeru before tour groups.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Kids
Viewpoint · Namsan
N Seoul Tower and Namsan
Walk up through Namsan Park from Myeongdong in about 40 minutes, and stay for the city lights after sunset.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Couples
- After dark
- Kids
Market · Jongno
Gwangjang Market
Sit at a counter with a pancake and a bowl of makgeolli; go mid-afternoon on a weekday to avoid the evening crush.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Iconic
- Rainy day
- Shopping
Palace · Jongno
Changdeokgung and the Secret Garden
Spring blossom and late-October foliage are the best times for the Secret Garden.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Couples
- Nature
Palace · City Hall
Deoksugung Palace
Come in the early evening; the palace grounds are lit after dark and the guard ceremony takes place at Daehanmun Gate.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Couples
- After dark
More ways to save
- Wear hanbok to enter the palaces free, and use free museums such as the National Museum of Korea and the War Memorial.
- Office-district lunch sets around Gwanghwamun and Euljiro are among the best-value meals in the city.
- Convenience stores sell good, inexpensive meals: gimbap, ramyeon, triangle rice balls and drinks.
- Shops displaying a tax-free sign can refund VAT on purchases above a minimum spend; bring your passport.
- Stay in Hongdae or Jongno guesthouses for lower rates than Gangnam and Myeongdong hotels.
- Avoid Chuseok and Seollal for train travel, when KTX seats sell out and some shops close.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Seoul expensive to visit?
Seoul is moderately priced for most visitors, but 11 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Seoul?
Bukchon Hanok Village: This is a residential area with restricted visiting hours in its busiest lanes; keep voices low and avoid peering into homes.