Things to do · Seoul · South Korea
18 best things to do in Seoul
18 sights and experiences ranked for a first visit, with honest notes on time, cost and crowds.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
The essential sights in Seoul are Gyeongbokgung Palace, N Seoul Tower and Namsan and Gwangjang Market. Of the 18 picks below, 11 are free, 6 work on a rainy day and 8 suit children. Allow about 5 days to see the highlights without rushing.
Key facts
- Top sight
- Gyeongbokgung Palace
- Free sights
- 11
- Good on a rainy day
- Gwangjang Market
- Time to see the highlights
- 5 days
At a glance
| Sight | Area | Time needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gyeongbokgung Palace | Jongno | 2–3 hours | Low cost |
| N Seoul Tower and Namsan | Namsan | 2 hours | Low cost |
| Gwangjang Market | Jongno | 1–2 hours | Low cost |
| Changdeokgung and the Secret Garden | Jongno | 2–3 hours | Low cost |
| Bukchon Hanok Village | Jongno | 1–2 hours | Free |
| Insadong and Ssamziegil | Insadong | 1–2 hours | Free |
| Myeongdong | Myeongdong | 2 hours | Free |
| Dongdaemun Design Plaza | Dongdaemun | 1 hour | Free |
| National Museum of Korea | Yongsan | 2–3 hours | Free |
| War Memorial of Korea | Yongsan | 2 hours | Free |
| Lotte World Tower and Seoul Sky | Jamsil | 1–2 hours | Mid-priced |
| Lotte World | Jamsil | Full day | Expensive |
| Cheonggyecheon Stream | Jongno | 1 hour | Free |
| Han River parks and Banpo Bridge | Yeouido and Banpo | 2 hours | Free |
| Bukhansan National Park | Northern Seoul | 4–6 hours | Free |
| Jogyesa Temple | Jongno | 45 minutes | Free |
| Deoksugung Palace | City Hall | 1 hour | Low cost |
| Starfield Library at COEX | Gangnam | 45 minutes | Free |
The 18 best things to do
Palace · Jongno
1.Gyeongbokgung Palace
Built in 1395 as the main palace of the Joseon dynasty and largely reconstructed after Japanese-era destruction, Gyeongbokgung spreads behind Gwanghwamun Gate with the Geunjeongjeon throne hall, the Gyeonghoeru pavilion on its lotus pond and the National Folk Museum on site. The changing of the guard ceremony is held at the gate.
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
2.N Seoul Tower and Namsan
The communications tower on 262-metre Namsan mountain gives 360-degree views over the city and its ring of mountains. The terraces at its base, hung with thousands of padlocks left by couples, are free; the observatory charges entry. Reach it on foot along the Namsan trails, by cable car or by bus.
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
3.Gwangjang Market
One of Korea's oldest covered markets, Gwangjang is best known for its food alleys: crisp mung-bean pancakes (bindaetteok) fried to order, small 'mayak' gimbap rolls, raw beef yukhoe and knife-cut noodles. Upstairs and around the edges, traders sell silk, linen and vintage clothes.
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
4.Changdeokgung and the Secret Garden
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Changdeokgung follows the slopes of its hillside rather than a rigid grid and was the favourite residence of many Joseon kings. Behind it, the Secret Garden (Huwon) of ponds, pavilions and old trees can only be seen on a guided tour.
Spring blossom and late-October foliage are the best times for the Secret Garden.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Secret Garden tours have limited places; reserve online in advance, especially in spring and autumn.
- History
- Architecture
- Couples
- Nature
Neighbourhood · Jongno
5.Bukchon Hanok Village
On the hillside between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, hundreds of traditional tiled-roof hanok houses line steep alleys, many still family homes. Viewpoints on Bukchon-ro 11-gil look over the rooftops to the city towers.
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
6.Insadong and Ssamziegil
Insadong-gil is lined with galleries, tea houses and shops selling hanji paper, celadon and calligraphy brushes. The spiral Ssamziegil complex climbs four floors of craft shops around a courtyard. Side alleys hide traditional tea houses serving jujube and quince teas.
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
7.Myeongdong
Myeongdong's pedestrian streets are lined with K-beauty shops handing out samples, and from late afternoon food stalls sell tornado potatoes, egg bread and grilled lobster tails. The neo-Gothic Myeongdong Cathedral, completed in 1898, stands at the top of the hill.
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
8.Dongdaemun Design Plaza
Zaha Hadid's curving, aluminium-clad DDP hosts design exhibitions and fashion events, with a rooftop garden and the excavated remains of the old city wall and Dongdaemun Stadium beside it. The surrounding wholesale fashion malls trade late into the night.
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
1.National Museum of Korea
Korea's largest museum covers the peninsula from the Paleolithic to the Joseon dynasty, with gold crowns from the Silla kingdom, Goryeo celadon and a ten-storey marble pagoda in the main hall. The permanent galleries are free, and a children's museum is attached.
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
2.War Memorial of Korea
This large museum tells the story of conflict on the peninsula, with most space given to the 1950–53 Korean War. Outside, an open-air display of tanks, aircraft and artillery is popular with children. Entry is free.
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
Viewpoint · Jamsil
3.Lotte World Tower and Seoul Sky
Korea's tallest building rises 555 metres over Jamsil, and its Seoul Sky observatory on the top floors has a glass-floored deck over the city. The mall below has an aquarium, and Seokchon Lake's waterside path sits beside it.
Clear autumn and winter days give the longest views; check the visibility forecast before buying tickets.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Kids
- After dark
- Rainy day
Theme park · Jamsil
4.Lotte World
One of the world's largest indoor theme parks, Lotte World Adventure has rides, parades and an ice rink under a glass roof, connected to the outdoor Magic Island on Seokchon Lake. The indoor half makes it a good choice in rain or winter cold.
Weekday mornings outside school holidays have the shortest queues.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Active
Waterfront · Jongno
5.Cheonggyecheon Stream
An elevated highway was torn down in the 2000s to restore this stream, which now runs about 11 km through downtown Seoul below street level. The stretch from Cheonggye Plaza east past Gwangjang Market has stepping stones, murals and lit fountains.
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
6.Han River parks and Banpo Bridge
Riverside parks line both banks of the Han, with cycle paths, rental bikes and convenience stores for picnics. At Banpo Hangang Park, the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain sprays jets of lit water from Banpo Bridge on evenings in the warmer months; Yeouido Park is the centre of the spring cherry blossom.
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
7.Bukhansan National Park
Granite peaks rise to 836 metres at Baegundae within the city's northern edge, with temples, fortress walls and trails reachable by subway and bus. The climb to Baegundae is steep, with fixed cables near the top, while easier trails lead to valleys and temples.
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
8.Jogyesa Temple
The head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism sits by Insadong, with a large main hall shaded by ancient trees. It is festooned with thousands of paper lanterns in the weeks before Buddha's Birthday, and offers temple-life programmes for visitors.
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
Palace · City Hall
9.Deoksugung Palace
Opposite City Hall, Deoksugung mixes wooden Joseon halls with Western-style stone buildings from the Korean Empire era, including Seokjojeon, now a museum. The stone-walled Deoksugung Doldam-gil lane around it is a favourite walk, especially in autumn.
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
Architecture · Gangnam
10.Starfield Library at COEX
In the middle of the COEX Mall, the Starfield Library is an open, two-storey reading space with 13-metre bookshelves holding tens of thousands of books and magazines that anyone can browse for free. Bongeunsa temple is across the road.
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
Pick by interest
| Interest | Best picks |
|---|---|
| Art and museums | Insadong and Ssamziegil, National Museum of Korea and War Memorial of Korea |
| History | Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung and the Secret Garden, Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong and Ssamziegil |
| Views | N Seoul Tower and Namsan, Lotte World Tower and Seoul Sky and Bukhansan National Park |
| Outdoors and nature | Changdeokgung and the Secret Garden, Cheonggyecheon Stream, Han River parks and Banpo Bridge and Bukhansan National Park |
| Food and markets | Gwangjang Market and Myeongdong |
| After dark | N Seoul Tower and Namsan, Myeongdong, Dongdaemun Design Plaza and Lotte World Tower and Seoul Sky |
| With children | Gyeongbokgung Palace, N Seoul Tower and Namsan, National Museum of Korea and War Memorial of Korea |
| On a rainy day | Gwangjang Market, National Museum of Korea, War Memorial of Korea and Lotte World Tower and Seoul Sky |
What to book ahead
- Changdeokgung and the Secret Garden: Secret Garden tours have limited places; reserve online in advance, especially in spring and autumn.
Plan the rest of your trip
Questions travellers ask
+What is the number one thing to do in Seoul?
Gyeongbokgung Palace. Built in 1395 as the main palace of the Joseon dynasty and largely reconstructed after Japanese-era destruction, Gyeongbokgung spreads behind Gwanghwamun Gate with the Geunjeongjeon throne hall, the Gyeonghoeru pavilion on its lotus pond and the National Folk Museum on site.
+What can you do for free in Seoul?
Bukchon Hanok Village, Insadong and Ssamziegil, Myeongdong, Dongdaemun Design Plaza and National Museum of Korea. More free things to do.
+What is there to do in Seoul when it rains?
Head indoors to Gwangjang Market, National Museum of Korea, War Memorial of Korea and Lotte World Tower and Seoul Sky.
+What is there to do in Seoul at night?
N Seoul Tower and Namsan, Myeongdong, Dongdaemun Design Plaza and Lotte World Tower and Seoul Sky are best after dark.