Things to Visit in Seoul: Palaces, K-Culture, and Street Food
Discover Seoul's mix of ancient palaces, cutting-edge pop culture, and some of the best street food in Asia. Covers Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon, Myeongdong, Gangnam, and the DMZ.
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Historic Palaces and Traditional Culture
Tour Gyeongbokgung Palace
Seoul's largest and most impressive palace, built in 1395. The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony runs at 10 AM and 2 PM daily (except Tuesdays). Entry is ₩3,000 ($2.25) — free if you wear a hanbok (traditional Korean dress). Hanbok rental shops line the street outside.
Watch the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony
Visit the National Palace Museum (free with palace ticket)
Explore the National Folk Museum inside the grounds
Walk through Bukchon Hanok Village
A hillside neighborhood of 900+ traditional Korean houses (hanok) between two palaces. The narrow alleys of Gahoe-dong are the most photogenic, but this is a residential area — keep noise down and respect the 'quiet zone' signs. Best visited on weekday mornings.
Visit Changdeokgung Palace and Secret Garden
A UNESCO World Heritage site with the most beautiful palace garden in Korea. The Secret Garden tour (₩5,000, guided only) runs 4-5 times daily and lasts 90 minutes through 300-year-old trees and pavilions. Book online — tours cap at 50 people. Spring and autumn are peak beauty.
Explore Jogyesa Temple
Seoul's chief Buddhist temple in the city center holds colorful lantern displays year-round and a massive 500-year-old white pine tree in the courtyard. Free entry. The Templestay program offers overnight Buddhist monastery experiences from ₩50,000.
Neighborhoods and City Life
Shop in Myeongdong
Seoul's main shopping district for skincare and cosmetics, with stores from dozens of Korean beauty brands on every block. Prices are competitive, and most stores offer free samples with any purchase. Street food vendors line the pedestrian streets from late afternoon — try the egg bread and cheese corn dogs.
Explore Gangnam
The affluent district south of the Han River is known for upscale shopping, K-pop entertainment agency headquarters, and the COEX underground mall (with a massive library). The Starfield Library inside COEX has 50,000+ books on floor-to-ceiling shelves — free to visit and very photogenic.
Walk along Cheonggyecheon Stream
A 10.9 km restored urban stream running through the city center with walking paths, public art, and small waterfalls. The stream sits about 5 meters below street level, creating a peaceful corridor. Start at the Cheonggye Plaza fountain and walk east for 2-3 km.
Visit Itaewon and Yongsan
Seoul's most international neighborhood with global restaurants, vintage shops, and nightlife. The Yongsan area nearby is undergoing a major transformation with new museums and parks. The Leeum Samsung Museum of Art (₩10,000) has an excellent Korean art collection.
Explore Hongdae (Hongik University area)
Seoul's youth culture hub, packed with indie music clubs, street performers, vintage shops, and themed cafés. The free street performances near Hongik University exit 9 happen Friday-Saturday evenings. The area stays lively until 2-3 AM on weekends.
Views and Landmarks
Visit N Seoul Tower on Namsan Mountain
The iconic tower on Namsan Mountain has an observation deck at 236 meters with 360-degree city views. Entry is ₩21,000. Take the Namsan cable car (₩14,000 round trip) or walk up the hill paths (30-40 minutes). The love lock fence at the base is a popular couple's activity.
Hike Inwangsan Mountain for city views
A moderate 1.5-hour hike from Gyeongbokgung Station along the old Seoul city wall, with granite boulders and a panoramic view of the city and Blue House (presidential residence). Free. The trail is well-marked but has some steep rocky sections — wear proper shoes.
Cross the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain at night
The world's longest bridge fountain shoots colored water jets 20 meters from both sides of the bridge. The show runs April-October, nightly at 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, and 9:00 PM (weekdays) with additional shows on weekends. Best viewed from the Banpo Hangang Park riverside below.
Food and Markets
Eat Korean BBQ
Grilling meat at your table is a quintessential Seoul experience. A full meal with side dishes runs ₩15,000-30,000 ($11-22) per person at a mid-range restaurant. Samgyeopsal (pork belly) is the most popular cut. The Majang Meat Market district has restaurants where you buy raw meat at the market and grill it for a small cooking fee.
Try street food at Gwangjang Market
Seoul's oldest market (1905) is famous for street food — bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), mayak kimbap (mini seaweed rice rolls called 'drug kimbap' because they're addictive), and yukhoe (Korean beef tartare). Most dishes cost ₩3,000-8,000. The market floor food stalls are the most atmospheric; go for lunch or early dinner.
Visit Noryangjin Fish Market
A massive wholesale fish market where you pick live seafood from tanks and have it prepared sashimi-style upstairs for a small fee. A plate of mixed sashimi for two costs ₩30,000-50,000 depending on selections. Most active in the early morning, but restaurants operate all day.
Try jjimjilbang (Korean bathhouse)
These large public bathhouses are a core part of Korean culture. Entry (₩12,000-20,000) includes access to hot and cold pools, saunas, heated rooms, and rest areas. Most are open 24 hours — locals use them as budget overnight accommodation. Bring a small towel or buy one there.
Eat tteokbokki and street snacks
Spicy rice cakes (tteokbokki) are Korea's most popular street snack — chewy rice tubes in a sweet-spicy red sauce for ₩3,000-5,000. Look for pojangmacha (street food tents) in Myeongdong, Namdaemun Market, and Hongdae. Korean fried chicken shops are everywhere — a whole fried chicken costs about ₩18,000.
K-Culture and Entertainment
Visit a K-pop entertainment district
The area around Gangnam and Apgujeong is home to K-pop agency headquarters and fan gathering spots. The SM Town at COEX and the Hybe Insight Museum (₩22,000, BTS-focused) offer immersive K-pop experiences. Fan-run photo card trading happens regularly at Hongdae and near agency buildings.
Shop for K-beauty products
Korea is the global epicenter of skincare innovation. Myeongdong has the highest concentration of stores, but Olive Young (Korea's largest beauty retailer) has branches everywhere with better prices. Multi-step skincare sets make excellent gifts. Sheet masks cost as little as ₩1,000 ($0.75) each.
Visit a themed café
Seoul has cafés themed around everything from raccoons and sheep to board games and VR. Animal cafés (cat, dog, raccoon) charge ₩8,000-12,000 entry including a drink. The Zapangi Café in Mangwon-dong, hidden behind a pink vending machine door, is one of the most Instagrammed.
Day Trips
Visit the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)
The border between North and South Korea is 55 km north of Seoul. You must visit on an organized tour (₩50,000-100,000) — independent access is not allowed. Tours visit the Joint Security Area (JSA) at Panmunjom, where you can briefly step into North Korean territory. Book at least 3 days ahead; passport required.
Day trip to Nami Island
A half-moon-shaped island famous for its tree-lined paths, especially the metasequoia avenue. About 90 minutes from Seoul by train to Gapyeong, then a 5-minute ferry (₩16,000 round trip including admission). Combine with the nearby Garden of Morning Calm or a zipline to the island.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Seoul?
Three to four full days covers the highlights including historic palaces and traditional culture, neighborhoods and city life, views and landmarks at a relaxed pace. Five or more days lets you dig into local neighborhoods and take day trips. Most first-time visitors find four days strikes the right balance between seeing enough and not feeling exhausted.
What is the best time of year to visit Seoul?
Spring and early autumn typically offer the best weather with manageable crowds. Summer brings peak tourism pricing and longer queues at popular spots. Shoulder season travel saves 20-30% on accommodation and gives you shorter lines at top attractions.
How much should I budget per day in Seoul?
A mid-range daily budget of $100-180 per person covers a comfortable hotel, two restaurant meals, and attraction tickets. Street food and local markets cut food costs significantly. Pre-booking tickets for popular sites online often saves 10-15% and lets you skip long queues.
What is the best way to get around Seoul?
Public transit handles most tourist routes efficiently and cheaply. Walking between central attractions is often faster than waiting for buses or trains during peak hours. Multi-day transit passes pay for themselves after 3-4 rides per day and remove the hassle of buying individual tickets.
Do I need to book attractions in advance in Seoul?
Top-tier attractions and museums frequently sell out during peak season so book 2-4 weeks ahead for guaranteed entry. Lesser-known sites and neighborhoods rarely require advance tickets. Morning time slots (before 10:00) are the most popular; afternoon slots after 14:00 often have shorter waits.