The 20 best things to do in Seoul, South Korea

For an ultra-modern city filled with sleek high-rises, time-tested palaces, tempting food, vibrant shopping districts and much more, head to Seoul.

From the 14th-century Jogye-sa Temple and picturesque Bukchon Hanok Village to the National Museum of Korea and Gwanghwamun Gate (famous for the changing of guards), there are many things to do in Seoul. With so many must-see attractions, spending three to five days will allow you to fully appreciate the city without rushing anywhere. With this time frame, you’ll also be able to plan a day trip or two. The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and historic Suwon (both are roughly a one-hour train trip from Seoul) are among the most popular ones.

Whether you want to see the latest K-Pop sensation, take a late-night food and drink tour, or find serenity in a spa or temple, the city has something to offer 24/7. Here are the best things to do in Seoul.

1. Taste the street food at Gwangjang Market

Street food in Seoul is beloved for its spice, variety and affordability, and there’s no better place to try it than Gwangjang Market. Dating from the early 20th century, this covered market has gained a reputation for having some of the best Korean cuisine.

Planning tip: Start with an order of tteokbokki (stir-fried rice cakes in a bright orange spicy sauce), followed by a couple of mandu (Korean dumplings) and a pajeon (savory green onion pancake). For dessert, try hotteok (a pancake filled with brown sugar and cinnamon) or bungeoppang (a fish-shaped pastry filled with sweet red bean paste). Then do it all over again.

2. Step back in time at Gyeongbokgung Palace

If you only have time to see one sight in Seoul, make it the splendid architecture, serene pagodas and maze-like grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Originally built during the reign of the powerful Joseon Dynasty in the 14th century, the palace was destroyed during the 16th-century Imjin War and rebuilt in the 18th century. Gyeongbokgung is the largest and most elegant of Seoul’s five royal palaces.

Planning tip: Take in the ceremonial changing of the Royal Guard in front of the massive Gwanghwamun Gate before strolling the grounds to admire striking hip-and-gable buildings, tranquil ponds and delicate cherry trees. Wrap up your visit with a stop at the National Folk Museum of Korea, which sits on the palace grounds and features exhibits on traditional Korean culture.

3. Stroll along the Cheong-gye-cheon Stream

In the heat of summer, nothing beats a walk along Cheong-gye-cheon Stream. A dazzling oasis that unfurls for nearly 11km (7 miles) through the towers of central Seoul, this picturesque waterway is lined with walking paths, trees and bridges. The original stream was covered with an elevated highway after the Korean War, but in 2005, the city undertook an urban renewal project to refresh the area and reintroduce the stream better than ever. Since then, it’s been a popular spot for locals and tourists looking to cool off or take a leisurely break from the city’s hustle and bustle.

4. Shop for the latest trends in Myeong-dong

You’ll want to break out the credit card for an afternoon of spending in Seoul’s most famous shopping district. Myeong-dong is renowned for trendy fashion labels, deluxe department stores and cosmetic boutiques packed with famed K-beauty products. Once you’ve sufficiently stocked up on mask sheets and moisturizer at Olive Young, innisfree and Etude House, check out the Myeong-dong Night Market for quirky souvenirs and traditional street food.

The area is also home to some of Seoul’s cutest cafes, with the Pink Pool Cafe at the Stylenanda Pink Hotel flagship store being the ultimate eye candy. This confectionery-colored spot has an ice-cream-parlor vibe, indoor ornamental pool and sweet-as-sugar art decor, making it a popular place for photo shoots.

5. Go for a dip in a jjimjilbang

More than just a way to get clean, bathing in Seoul is a full-fledged social activity. Koreans gather at bathhouses (jjimjilbang) with friends and family typically once a week. Jjimjilbang can range from an establishment with just a couple of small dipping pools to massive aquatic palaces with multiple pools, water features, cafes, saunas, relaxation rooms, gyms, spas and arcades.

First-timers should know that bathhouse etiquette requires bathing in the nude, and some bathhouses don’t allow patrons with tattoos. Once you’ve bared all, take a dip in the hot and cold pools, followed by a stretch in the sauna, then opt for a traditional full-body scrub to emerge baby-soft from your bathhouse experience.

Planning tip: The female-only Spa Lei draws patrons for its elegant atmosphere and invigorating massages.

6. Take a hike in Bukhansan National Park

Bukhansan National Park is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as “the most visited national park per unit area” – which is easy to understand since it’s set within the city limits and easily reachable by public transportation. You’ll often see athletic Koreans in colorful hiking gear riding the subways to this spot on weekends.

Bukhansan covers 80 sq km (31 sq miles) and features jagged peaks, hiking trails, dozens of storied temples and 1300 species of plants and animals. The 5-hour round-trip hike to the 836m (2744ft) summit of Bukhansan is well worth it to see Seoul spread out before you in all directions.

7. Go singing in a noraebang

Walk down any busy street in the university districts on a Friday or Saturday night, and you’re likely to hear distant singing wafting through the air. Chances are it’s not an errant K-Pop band but the raucous merriment of karaoke at a noraebang (singing room). This popular late-night activity involves private rooms with big-screen TVs, phone-book-sized lists of songs and even disco balls or musical instruments to accompany the singalong. Top it off with room service bringing snacks and cocktails, and it’s a recipe for a great night out.

8. Sip on Korean drinks: soju and makgeolli

The traditional Korean beverages soju and makgeolli have been respectively distilled and brewed since the 13th century and are the most beloved drinks in this thirsty nation. Soju also has the surprising distinction of being the world’s best-selling spirit, perhaps helped out by the fact that a standard bottle often costs less than a bottle of water.

While such upmarket small-batch distilleries as Samhae Soju and Hangang Brewery create artisanal varieties, the most common labels, such as Jinro and Seoul Makgeolli, can be happily imbibed at the picnic tables dotting sidewalks outside convenience stores across the city.

Planning tip: Those new to the Korean alcohol scene should check out the Sool Company, which offers tasting tours, brewing classes and special events.

9. Star-search on K-Star Road

You’re probably familiar with Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, but did you know Seoul’s glamorous Gangnam district has its own boulevard dedicated entirely to K-Pop artists? Instead of stars on the sidewalk, K-Star Road features 3m-tall (10ft) statues of cartoon bears called GangnamDols, each decorated to represent a different K-Pop singer or band, including Super Junior, Girls’ Generation and BTS.

Planning tip: After taking a few selfies with your favorite bears, pop into the GangnamDol Haus near the Apgujeong Rodeo subway station to pick up a few mini bears as souvenirs.

10. Stay at a Buddhist temple and take part in life with the monks

The iconic image of a colossal Buddha statue looking over sleek high-rises can be seen at the 8th-century Bongeun-sa Temple in Gangnam. Although most tourists come just to snap a photo or two, you can actually participate in temple life with the monks. Over a weekend, join in vegetarian meals, morning chanting, meditation and even the 108 daily prostrations, all meant to clear the mind and bring you closer to achieving inner peace.

Planning tip: Temple-stay programs are offered not only at Bongeun-sa but also at various temples throughout Seoul.

11. Spend the night in Bukchon Hanok Village

Graceful sloping roofs, ornate tiles and colorful dancheong (intricate paintwork under the eaves of traditional Korean palaces) come together to create the Korean traditional house, called hanok. Tucked between the Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palace complexes lies Bukchon Hanok Village, a historic district filled with hundreds of charming hanok that’s often used as a backdrop for period movies and television shows.

Planning tip: While the village has cafes, teahouses, museums and boutiques, it’s also home to a handful of hanoks-turned-guesthouses where visitors can sleep on traditional ondol heated floors, walk through kimchi pot–filled courtyards and generally get a taste what life was like in old Seoul.

12. Get a bird’s-eye view at N Seoul Tower

At the top of Nam Mountain sits N Seoul Tower, a broadcasting structure dating from 1969 and rising 239m (784ft) into the sky above the city. The tower still has active transmission antennas, though today it’s better known for an observation deck that offers 360-degree views of the capital. The top of the tower also offers a few dining options, including a swanky rotating restaurant serving French fare.

Planning tip: To reach the tower itself, you can ride the Namsan Cable Car aerial tramway or hike the meandering trails to the top through Namsan Park. For another impressive vantage point, head to the 555m-high Lotte World Tower that’s the world's highest observation deck. 

13. Take a day trip to the DMZ

One of the top day trips from Seoul, a visit to the northern border may well be the most unusual 24 hours you’ll spend on the Korean peninsula. The 250km (160-mile) border between North and South known as the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is one of the world’s most closely guarded borders.

Various outfits, such as the popular DMZ Tours company, take curious onlookers from central Seoul to the border area to catch a glimpse into North Korea from Dora Observatory, explore the Third Infiltration Tunnel (originally dug by North Korean soldiers) and even step into North Korea in the Joint Security Area. There’s also the touristy DMZ Peace Train operated by KORAIL, which whisks passengers from Seoul Station to Dorasan Station, the last stop to the north before crossing into the Hermit Kingdom.

14. Feel the creative energy of Seongsu-dong 

Working factories rub shoulders with repurposed warehouses that now host hip cafes, galleries and vintage stores. It’s slightly gritty, very industrial and immensely exciting. Welcome to Seongsu-dong, one of Seoul’s best places for creatives and those looking to find a more relaxed city atmosphere than the business-first attitudes of downtown. Proudly bearing the nickname “Brooklyn of Seoul” and entering the 21st century with a rich shoemaking history (more than half of Korea’s shoemakers are based here), it’s also a perfect place for solo travelers. 

Planning tip: Many things to do here are free, like browsing the wall artworks at Daelim Changgo warehouse-turned-hip-cafe, going on a mural photo hunt, visiting contemporary art galleries (try Art Project CO and Kabinett) or simply enjoying hikes alongside cute deer in Seoul Forest Park.

15. Visit the K-POP Square

Chances are you’re coming to Seoul because of K-pop. This South Korean genre of popular music has taken the world by storm with bands like BTS, BLACKPINK and TWICE having an army of fans well outside the Korean Peninsula. While attending a show of a favorite artist or buying merch may be a nuisance for your budget, there’s a place in Seoul that will make your K-pop-loving heart beat faster and won’t cost you a penny. Located at COEX Mall, the K-POP Square features a Gangnam Style statue with handprints of many K-pop idols. Also, it hosts a Ktown4u store where you can lose yourself in a universe of genre-devoted records, merch and events. 

Planning tip: While you’re at COEX Mall, don’t miss another superb Seoul attraction, the Instagram-superfriendly and dazzling Starfield Library. 

16. Explore Korean culture at the Seoul Museum of Craft Art

Conveniently located off the Anguk Station, the Seoul Museum of Craft Art (or SeMoCa) proposes an interactive tour throughout the centuries of Korean craft showcasing more than 20,000 items. This museum with free entry is set in a contemporary building with white-clad airy open spaces. Even if you’re not so much into discovering crafts, come here for a fantastic rooftop that resembles a rolling hill. 

17. Stroll through the electric Hongdae at night

There’s no need to pay any entrance fees at the glitzy nightclubs to feel the night beat of Seoul. Just head to Hongdae, the energetic area in the western end of the Korean capital. Walking down Hongdae Street after dusk is an experience in itself. Think lots of neon lights and bass pumping out of numerous bars and discotheques. Being at Hongdae is among the most fun things to do at night in Seoul and a thrilling introduction to the capital’s after-dark scene.

Planning tip: Held every Saturday, Hongdae Free Market is a great spot for shopping. The market has artwork, jewelry and crafts made by local artists. 

18. Marvel at the contemporary architecture of Dongdaemun Design Plaza

A perfect setting for a sci-fi movie, Dongdaemun Design Plaza (or DDP) is a gargantuan, impressive cultural complex designed by Zaha Hadid. Flowing futuristic aluminum and steel curves meet the ancient stones of the medieval Seoul fortress to a mesmerizing effect. Every design lover’s heart will beat a little beat faster here. Start with the Dongdaemun History Museum to get the historical context of this mega-design project and take a look at the preserved arched floodgate Yigansumun.

Planning tip: Head to the rooftop lawns in the evening for superb Dongdaemun vistas.

19. Learn about the turbulent recent history at the War Memorial of Korea

With more than 10,000 artifacts on display, the sprawling War Memorial of Korea helps you get context about the tragic military conflict that defined the fate of the Korean peninsula and brought a North-South divide. The history of the Korean War (1950–53) comes alive thanks to a meticulously curated exhibition that includes documentary footage, war-related relics and replicas, and real military equipment like tanks, helicopters and weapons. It isn’t necessarily an easy visit, but coming here is a must to understand Seoul and the Korean past and present better. 

Planning tip: The suggested time for exploring the vast memorial is ~3 hours. 

20. Immerse yourself in traditional teahouse culture

The chirping of the birds, the gentle sound of flowing water, the coziness of wooden architecture. The traditional teahouse culture of Seoul is all charms and visiting one (or many) local tea-serving establishments is a great way to immerse yourself in local ways. Teahouses here are islands of calm in the middle of a busy megalopolis. The love for tea and the ceremonial character of drinking it was promoted by the long-ruling Joseon dynasty. 

The teahouse culture of modern Seoul is about taking a mindful break and relaxing. Typical darye  (translated as “etiquette for tea”) ceremony takes place in traditional Korean teahouses. Participants sit on the floor while the drink is poured from a pot called daryeong.

Planning tip: Today, Seoul has hundreds of teahouses to choose from, both old and new. Insa-dong is a great neighborhood for the first acquaintance with traditions at such places as Shin Tea House and Namusae Tea House.