With kids · Seoul · South Korea
Seoul with kids
Family-tested sights, a calm base and the practical details that make travelling with children easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Republic of Korea, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Seoul is a convenient city for families: safe streets, spotless subway stations with lifts, indoor theme parks for bad weather, and parks along the Han River. Spicy food is the main hurdle, but rice, soups, barbecue and fried chicken please most children. Top picks: Lotte World, Lotte World Tower and Seoul Sky and N Seoul Tower and Namsan. Families usually base themselves in Jamsil.
Key facts
- Family picks
- 8
- Best area for families
- Jamsil
- Rainy-day options
- 4
- Busiest months
- April and October
Best things to do with kids
Theme park · Jamsil
1.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
Viewpoint · Jamsil
2.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
Viewpoint · Namsan
3.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
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Park · Yeouido and Banpo
4.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
Museum · Yongsan
5.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
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Museum · Yongsan
6.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
Palace · Jongno
7.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
Waterfront · Jongno
8.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
Rainy-day ideas
- 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.
- War Memorial of Korea — Combine it with the National Museum of Korea, about 15 minutes away by subway or taxi.
- Lotte World Tower and Seoul Sky — Clear autumn and winter days give the longest views; check the visibility forecast before buying tickets.
- Lotte World — Weekday mornings outside school holidays have the shortest queues.
Where families should stay
$$$ · Best for families, shopping and quiet stays
Jamsil
In the south-east, Jamsil is home to the Lotte World theme park and aquarium, the Lotte World Tower observation deck and Seokchon Lake, ringed by cherry trees in spring. Olympic Park is nearby. It suits families, with big hotels and malls connected to the subway.
- Good
- Theme park and aquarium on the doorstep; Large family rooms; Lakeside walks
- Watch out
- Far from the old city; Fewer neighbourhood restaurants
- Nearby
- Lotte World, Lotte World Tower, Seokchon Lake, Olympic Park
Family travel tips
- Most subway stations have lifts, but changing lines can involve long walks; a light stroller helps.
- The National Museum of Korea has a children's museum with hands-on displays.
- Ask for 'an maepge' (not spicy) when ordering; many dishes can be made mild.
- Lotte World's indoor park is a good back-up on monsoon or freezing days.
- Rent hanbok for children too; family photos at Gyeongbokgung are a highlight for many visitors.
Day trips for families
- Suwon Hwaseong Fortress (About 1 hour by subway or train) — The UNESCO-listed walls of Hwaseong, built in the 1790s, loop for about 5.7 km around central Suwon with gates, watchtowers and the reconstructed Hwaseong Haenggung palace.
- Nami Island (About 1.5 hours by train and ferry) — A half-moon island in the Bukhan River known for tree-lined avenues of ginkgo and metasequoia, especially vivid in autumn.
- Incheon (About 1 hour by subway) — Korea's only official Chinatown, birthplace of jjajangmyeon noodles, sits beside the colourful Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village and Jayu Park; the modern Songdo district has a canal-side Central Park.
- Everland (About 1 hour by express bus) — Korea's largest theme park, in Yongin, combines roller coasters including the wooden T Express, a safari zoo and seasonal flower festivals.
When to go with children
The best months overall are April–May and September–November. April and October are the busiest, so book the big sights early. Weather by month.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Seoul good for kids?
Seoul is a convenient city for families: safe streets, spotless subway stations with lifts, indoor theme parks for bad weather, and parks along the Han River. Spicy food is the main hurdle, but rice, soups, barbecue and fried chicken please most children.
+What can kids do in Seoul?
Lotte World, Lotte World Tower and Seoul Sky, N Seoul Tower and Namsan, Han River parks and Banpo Bridge and War Memorial of Korea.
+Where should families stay in Seoul?
Jamsil: Lotte World, Seokchon Lake and the 555-metre Lotte World Tower.