Seoul packs 600 years of history alongside one of the world’s most futuristic cityscapes. You can tour a 14th-century royal palace in the morning, eat Michelin-starred Korean barbecue for lunch, and shop at a 24-hour electronics market at midnight. Here are the 15 best things to do in Seoul, organized by category with practical details on locations, hours, and costs.
Things to Do in Seoul: Palaces and History
Gyeongbokgung Palace
The largest of Seoul’s Five Grand Palaces, built in 1395 as the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty. The changing of the guard ceremony happens at 10 AM and 2 PM daily (except Tuesdays when the palace is closed). Admission is 3,000 KRW (US$2.20) for adults, free if you wear a hanbok (traditional Korean dress). Rent a hanbok from one of the many shops near Anguk Station for 15,000-30,000 KRW (US$11-22) for 4 hours. The National Palace Museum and National Folk Museum are on the grounds and included in admission. Allow 2-3 hours. Take Subway Line 3 to Gyeongbokgung Station, Exit 5.
Changdeokgung Palace and the Secret Garden
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Changdeokgung is known for its integration with the natural landscape. The highlight is the Huwon (Secret Garden), a 78-acre rear garden with lotus ponds, pavilions, and centuries-old trees. The garden is accessible only by guided tour (5,000 KRW for the garden ticket, plus 3,000 KRW palace admission). Tours run at set times and sell out, so book online in advance via the Cultural Heritage Administration website. Closed Mondays. The autumn foliage in late October is spectacular here. Take Subway Line 3 to Anguk Station, Exit 3, 5-minute walk.
Bukchon Hanok Village
This residential neighborhood between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung preserves about 900 traditional Korean houses (hanoks) dating from the Joseon era. The narrow alleyways offer excellent photo opportunities with modern skyscrapers visible in the background. It’s a real neighborhood where people live, so signs ask visitors to keep noise levels down. Free to wander. The Bukchon Traditional Culture Center (free entry) offers hanbok try-on and calligraphy experiences. Best visited early morning (before 9 AM) or late afternoon to avoid tour groups. Anguk Station, Exit 2.
Things to Do in Seoul: Food and Markets
Gwangjang Market
Seoul’s oldest traditional market, open since 1905, and the star of Netflix’s “Street Food” series. The food alley on the first floor is lined with stalls selling bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes, 4,000 KRW/US$3), mayak gimbap (“addictive” mini seaweed rice rolls, 3,000 KRW), and tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes). The raw beef (yukhoe) alley on the second floor serves fresh beef tartare with raw egg yolk and pear. Most stalls open 9 AM to 11 PM. Bring cash (some stalls take cards). Jongno 5-ga Station, Exit 7. Expect 15,000-20,000 KRW (US$11-15) for a filling meal of multiple dishes.
Myeongdong Street Food
Myeongdong’s main street transforms into a food market from about 4 PM to 11 PM daily with 50+ carts selling Korean street food: tornado potatoes (3,000 KRW), grilled lobster with cheese (15,000 KRW), egg bread (gyeran-ppang, 2,000 KRW), and Korean fried chicken cups (8,000 KRW). It’s touristy but fun. The streets are pedestrian-only after 4 PM on weekends. Combine with shopping at the Myeongdong flagship stores of Korean beauty brands. Myeongdong Station, Exit 6.
Korean BBQ in Mapo-gu
The Mapo district, specifically the area around Gongdeok Station, is Seoul’s Korean BBQ epicenter. Restaurants like Mapo Jeong Daepo and Mongtan serve premium samgyeopsal (pork belly, 15,000 KRW per 150g portion) grilled over charcoal at your table. A full BBQ dinner for two runs 40,000-70,000 KRW (US$30-52) including soju and side dishes (banchan). Most BBQ places open 5 PM to midnight. The grilling is done at your table; servers will help if you look lost. Make reservations on weekends.
Things to Do in Seoul: Modern Seoul and K-Culture
Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)
The Zaha Hadid-designed DDP is Seoul’s most striking modern building, a flowing silver structure with no straight lines. It houses exhibition halls, a design museum, and a 24-hour shopping complex. The LED rose garden (25,550 illuminated roses) on the rooftop is free and open nightly. The Dongdaemun shopping district surrounding DDP includes 26 malls, many open until 5 AM. DDP exhibitions cost 10,000-15,000 KRW. Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station, Exit 1.
K-Pop and K-Culture in Gangnam
The COEX complex in Gangnam includes the COEX Aquarium (28,000 KRW/US$21), the Starfield Library with its 13-meter bookshelves (free), and SMTOWN COEX Artium for SM Entertainment artists (EXO, Red Velvet, NCT). The K-Star Road along Apgujeong Rodeo Street features GangnamDol bears representing K-pop groups. For live music shows, the weekly Inkigayo and Music Bank broadcasts tape on weekends at SBS and KBS studios respectively; audience tickets require fan club membership. Free K-pop dance classes run at Hongdae Playground on weekend afternoons.
Hongdae Neighborhood
The area around Hongik University is Seoul’s youth culture hub. Streets fill with busking performances (dance, singing, rap) from late afternoon through midnight on weekends. Independent clothing boutiques, themed cafes (sheep cafe, raccoon cafe, ring-making workshops), and affordable Korean restaurants line the streets. The Hongdae Free Market (Saturdays 1-6 PM, March-November) at Hongdae Playground sells handmade crafts by student artists. Club culture peaks Thursday through Saturday with cover charges of 10,000-20,000 KRW. Hongik University Station, Exit 9.
Things to Do in Seoul: Outdoors and Views
N Seoul Tower and Namsan Park
The 236-meter N Seoul Tower on Namsan Mountain offers 360-degree views of the city. The observation deck (16,000 KRW/US$12 for adults) is open 10 AM to 11 PM. Skip the cable car (round trip 14,000 KRW) and walk up the 40-minute Namsan Circuit trail instead, free and scenic through pine forest. The “locks of love” fence on the tower’s base has thousands of padlocks left by couples. Best visited at sunset for the transition from day to city lights. Free Seoul City Tour Bus stops here.
Bukhansan National Park
Bukhansan is a legitimate mountain park within Seoul’s city limits, receiving 5 million visitors annually. The most popular trail is to Baegundae Peak (836m), a 3.4km hike taking 2-2.5 hours each way from the Bukhansanseong Park Information Center. Trails are well-maintained with stairs and railings. Free entry. The park is accessible via Subway Line 3 to Gupabal Station then Bus 704 to the park entrance. Go on a weekday morning to avoid crowds (weekends are packed, especially in October). Bring water and snacks; there are convenience stores at the trailhead. Proper hiking shoes recommended as the final sections involve scrambling over granite slabs.
Han River Parks
Seoul has 12 parks along the Han River, each with a distinct character. Yeouido Hangang Park is the most accessible from central Seoul (Yeouinaru Station) and offers bike rentals (3,000 KRW/hour), kayaking, and a floating swimming pool in summer. Banpo Hangang Park features the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain on Banpo Bridge, the world’s longest bridge fountain at 1,140 meters, operating April-October at set evening times (check schedule online). The popular activity is ordering fried chicken and beer for delivery directly to your picnic spot on the grass; search “chimaek” delivery apps. Summer evenings are the best time to visit.
Things to Do in Seoul: Museums and Culture
National Museum of Korea
One of the world’s largest museums by floor area, the National Museum of Korea spans Korean history from prehistoric times through the Joseon Dynasty. The permanent exhibition is free. The 10-story pagoda in the main hall is a highlight, as is the Goryeo celadon collection. English audio guides cost 3,000 KRW. Allow 3-4 hours for a thorough visit. The museum grounds include a reflective pond and open-air pagoda garden. Closed on Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok. Ichon Station, Exit 2.
War Memorial of Korea
This massive museum documents Korea’s military history from ancient times through the Korean War. The outdoor exhibition displays over 100 aircraft, tanks, and naval vessels including a B-52 bomber. Indoor galleries cover the Korean War in detail with artifacts, dioramas, and personal accounts. Free admission. Allow 2-3 hours. The adjacent memorial hall lists names of UN forces killed in action. Samgakji Station, Exit 12.
For more on getting around the city, consult our Seoul travel tips guide, and for neighborhood details see our Seoul neighborhoods guide.
