Seoul

Palaces and skyscrapers, all-night markets and mountain trails, joined by one of the world's busiest subways.

3 days is enough for the palaces, a market, a river park and one neighbourhood night.

Plan a trip here

Must-see

Gyeongbokgung Palace

경복궁

The largest of Seoul's five Joseon palaces, with the changing of the guard near Gwanghwamun and Heungnyemun gates.

Nearest station: Gyeongbokgung (522 m) · stay about 100 min
Must-see

Bukchon Hanok Village

북촌한옥마을

Hillside lanes of traditional hanok homes between two palaces. People live here: visitors may enter the restricted alleys only 10:00–17:00, so keep quiet and follow the signs.

Nearest station: Anguk (511 m) · stay about 60 min
Must-see

Insadong

인사동

Tea houses, galleries and craft shops on one walkable street.

Nearest station: Anguk (324 m) · stay about 60 min
Must-see

Myeong-dong

명동 관광특구

Seoul's busiest shopping streets, with street-food stalls from late afternoon.

Nearest station: Myeong-dong (608 m) · stay about 90 min
Must-see

Namsan Park & N Seoul Tower

남산공원

Forest trails up to N Seoul Tower and the whole city at your feet.

Nearest station: Myeong-dong (1087 m) · stay about 90 min
Must-see

Gwangjang Market

광장(전통)시장

Covered market famous for bindaetteok mung-bean pancakes and mayak gimbap. Food stalls open daily; most other shops close on Sundays.

Nearest station: Jongno 5(o)-ga (222 m) · stay about 60 min
Must-see

Hongdae

홍대 관광특구

Street performers, indie music and late nights around Hongik University.

Nearest station: Hongik Univ. (480 m) · stay about 90 min
Must-see

COEX & Starfield Library

강남 MICE 관광특구

The underground COEX mall and the two-storey Starfield Library bookshelves.

Nearest station: Samseong (319 m) · stay about 90 min
Must-see

Lotte World Tower & Seokchon Lake

잠실롯데타워·석촌호수

Korea's tallest building, with the Seoul Sky deck, and Seokchon Lake at its foot.

Nearest station: Jamsil (245 m) · stay about 100 min
Must-see

Lotte World Adventure

롯데월드 어드벤처

Nearest station: Jamsil (302 m) · stay about 240 min
Popular

Changdeokgung & Jongmyo

창덕궁·종묘

A palace that follows the hills, and Jongmyo, the royal ancestral shrine next door.

Nearest station: Anguk (783 m) · stay about 90 min
Popular

Ikseon-dong

익선동

A tight block of 1920s hanok turned into cafes and small restaurants.

Nearest station: Jongno 3(sam)-ga (132 m) · stay about 60 min
Popular

Gwanghwamun & Deoksugung

광화문·덕수궁

Gwanghwamun Square and Deoksugung, a palace where stone Western halls stand beside wooden ones.

Nearest station: City Hall (638 m) · stay about 60 min
Popular

Namdaemun Market

남대문시장

A 600-year-old market for everything from kitchenware to kalguksu noodles.

Nearest station: Hoehyeon (241 m) · stay about 60 min
Popular

Dongdaemun Design Plaza

DDP(동대문디자인플라자)

Zaha Hadid's curving design plaza, with exhibitions inside and Dongdaemun's night markets around it.

Nearest station: Dongdaemun History & Culture Park (143 m) · stay about 60 min
Popular

Yeonnam-dong

연남동

A park built on an old railway line, lined with small cafes and restaurants.

Nearest station: Hongik Univ. (516 m) · stay about 60 min
Popular

Seongsu Cafe Street

성수카페거리

Old factories turned into cafes, pop-up stores and design shops.

Nearest station: Seongsu (174 m) · stay about 90 min
Popular

National Museum of Korea

국립중앙박물관·용산가족공원

Korea's national museum: free entry and five thousand years of history under one roof. Open until 21:00 on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Nearest station: Ichon (920 m) · stay about 120 min
Popular

Itaewon

이태원 관광특구

Seoul's most international neighbourhood, for food from everywhere and nights out.

Nearest station: Itaewon (34 m) · stay about 90 min
Popular

Garosu-gil

가로수길

A tree-lined street of boutiques and flagship stores in Sinsa-dong.

Nearest station: Sinsa (711 m) · stay about 60 min
Popular

Yeouido Hangang Park

여의도한강공원

The Han River's best-known park, with river cruises and night views of the National Assembly.

Nearest station: Yeouinaru Station (550 m) · stay about 60 min
Popular

Jogyesa Temple

조계사

Nearest station: Jonggak (438 m) · stay about 40 min
Popular

Cheonggyecheon Stream

종로·청계 관광특구

Nearest station: Jonggak (846 m) · stay about 45 min
Popular

War Memorial of Korea

전쟁기념관

Nearest station: Samgakji (438 m) · stay about 90 min
Popular

Bongeunsa Temple

봉은사

Nearest station: Bongeunsa (182 m) · stay about 45 min
Popular

Cheongdam & K-Star Road

청담동 명품거리

Nearest station: Apgujeongrodeo (329 m) · stay about 45 min
Popular

The Hyundai Seoul

더현대서울

Nearest station: Yeouido Station (599 m) · stay about 90 min
Local favourite

Seochon

서촌

The quieter west side of Gyeongbokgung: old markets, bookshops and the Tongin Market lunchbox.

Nearest station: Gyeongbokgung (523 m) · stay about 60 min
Local favourite

Mangwon Hangang Park

망원한강공원

A riverside park on the Han where locals cycle and picnic.

Nearest station: Mangwon (764 m) · stay about 60 min
Local favourite

Seoul Forest

서울숲공원

A large park with deer, a butterfly garden and wide lawns next to Seongsu.

Nearest station: Seoul-forest (712 m) · stay about 60 min
Local favourite

Yongridan-gil

용리단길

Narrow lanes near Sinyongsan station packed with small restaurants.

Nearest station: Sinyongsan (648 m) · stay about 60 min
Local favourite

Olympic Park

올림픽공원

The 1988 Olympic grounds, now parkland with an ancient earthen fortress and concert halls.

Nearest station: Mongchontoseong (871 m) · stay about 60 min
Local favourite

Changgyeonggung Palace

창경궁

Nearest station: Hyehwa (873 m) · stay about 60 min
Local favourite

Namsangol Hanok Village

남산골한옥마을

Nearest station: Chungmuro (330 m) · stay about 45 min
Local favourite

Leeum Museum of Art

리움미술관

Nearest station: Hangangjin (281 m) · stay about 90 min