The Best 29 Memorable Things to Do in Seoul

Korean culture remarkably skyrocketed to fame within the last decade, with millions around the world following Korean culture. Riding on the Hallyu (or Korean Wave), Korean restaurants are populating city centers and K-beauty has its section in Western beauty stores. K-drama, Korean movies, and K-pop are the focal points of the public’s eye. So, naturally, with increased media visibility and increased interest in Korean culture, people all over want to visit Korea. Even though the an 85% drop in visitors during the pandemic, tourism in Korea is going strong, with 3.2 million visitors visiting Korea in 2022, and projected to grow. If you’re reading this article, you’re probably going to Korea or planning on visiting Korea soon. Chances are, you’re also visiting Seoul, the largest city in South Korea. So, here are the best things to do in Seoul, South Korea.

1. Walk the Cheonggyecheon Stream

The perfect place for an ambient stroll at night.

Price: Free

You’ve probably seen this romantic stream in K-dramas like True Beauty, Vincenzo, See You in My 19th Life, and Lovestruck in the City. Luckily, you can visit this popular site and relive all our favorite K-drama scenes. Or, take your special someone on a romantic stroll in the city. Cheonggyecheon Stream is a freshwater stream that runs through the Jongno-gu neighborhood in downtown Seoul. The water starts from Suseongdong Valley and ends in the Han River. It originated as an open stream but flooded constantly. After Japanese occupation and industrialization, the river became heavily polluted.

In 1958, the government covered the stream and turned it into a road. But in 2003, the then-mayor of Seoul restored the stream under a restoration project to turn the stream into a modern and eco-friendly area. The stream re-opened to the public in 2005 and since has become a hotspot for locals and tourists with 60,000+ visitors. It also hosts art installations and lantern festivals, serving as an important location that preserves Korean history and culture.

Cheonggyecheon Stream walking area is open to the public 24 hours and has multiple entry points via stairs or accessibility ramps. The stream has walking sidewalks on both sides and connects via large stone paths that cut across the river. It’s especially beautiful at night because the stream lights up and glows. You’ll see couples, friends, and family walk up and down the stream or sit and eat take-out food. It’s such a relaxing area at night and one of my favorite things to do in Seoul.

2. Marvel at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)

Visit the world’s largest atypical building.

Price: Free

Considered one of the contemporary icons of Seoul, Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), designed by renowned Zaha Hadid, opened in 2014. The DDP’s exterior is made of over 45,000 aluminum panels that are all unique. Zaha Hadid designed the architecture based on the Han River’s flow, with the current design mirroring a river’s flow and also paying homage to the Dongdaemun baseball stadium. Today, it’s a focal center for the arts, hosting forums, art exhibitions, and even Seoul Fashion Week. Both the design plaza’s interior and exterior are pleasing to the eye.

The architecture is absolutely stunning—there are hidden alcoves, walkways, and corners that you can discover just by walking around the structure. Entry is free and you can see all the art exhibits that are currently in the design plaza. The building is massive, and the best view is seen from afar. However, it’s mesmerizing to walk around the building and take in all the aluminum panels which also light up at night. It’s also a great meeting point with friends!

The DDP is very accessible by public transportation and easy to navigate as well. This is worth visiting both in the day and at night when the DDP is lit up. Some say that it reflects the traffic and energy of Seoul. Go see it for yourself! It’s also a popular place to take Instagrammable photos, so go on a hunt for the most picturesque spot and imagine yourself as a model.

3. Walk Through Bukchon Hanok Village

Stroll through this historic Hanok village dating back to the Joseon dynasty.

Price: Free

Imagine living in a beautiful Korean traditional house! The Bukchon Hanok Village is a residential neighborhood made up of over 900 Hanok buildings, dating back at least 600 years. The village is located between several important attractions, including two of Seoul’s royal palaces and the Cheonggyecheon stream. Not only is this area important for historical preservation, but it is also a real, living community. Actual people live in the Hanoks even though it is such a popular spot.

Many of the hanoks are shops, boutiques, or cultural centers sharing traditional Korean culture and lifestyle. There are also numerous cafes and restaurants you can visit as well, many of which are incredibly popular on social media. An example is the famous Cafe Onion popular for its hanok interior and traditional seating inside aside from its delicious pastries and beverages.

This is an incredible neighborhood to visit in Seoul and you’ll often find many visitors wearing hanboks, or traditional Korean clothing, and taking pictures. It’s one of my favorite areas to frequent when in Seoul. You can’t find this type of architecture in large amounts anywhere else outside of Korea so make sure to visit while you’re in town. If you choose to visit, be respectful of the people living in these homes as this neighborhood gets a lot of foot traffic. No one wants a loud and rowdy crowd outside their homes all day!

4. Sing Your Heart Out at Noraebang

The stress therapy of choice (besides drinking) in Seoul.

Price: 5-20 USD

Noraebang literally means song room in English, ‘norae’ meaning song and ‘bang’ meaning room. You’ll find noraebangs scattered all across the country, from bare-bone rooms to fancy karaoke rooms with amenities. Usually, rooms are rented by the hour, costing around 10-20 USD for a fancier place or as little as 5 USD. In the city, you can also find noraebangs that you can pay for by song, which is super convenient if you are looking to sing one song only or want to warm up by yourself.

Korean karaoke is the perfect way to wind down a night or week. Start by going to dinner with friends, classmates, or coworkers then head to the nearest noraebang to keep the night going. It’s a fun way to break the ice amongst new acquaintances or have a new experience with friends. Sing your lungs out to iconic Korean songs or ones from back home. And don’t worry about not having a great voice, the most important aspect of noraebang is to have fun!

5. Visit a Palace: Gyeongbokgung, Deoksugung, Changdeokgung

Envision yourself as a royal person walking around the beautiful grounds of a palace.

Price: 2.50 USD

There are five palaces in Seoul: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, and Gyeonghuigung Palace. Out of the five, Gyeongbokgung is the largest and, arguably, most beautiful palace and was the main royal palace during the Joseon Dynasty. You could visit each palace all in one day, but it’s better to spend two days seeing them all. And honestly, after you see one or two, you’ll probably be all-palaced out, haha.

Each palace is huge with large areas filled with old buildings, palace gardens, and lots of walking paths. It costs a couple of dollars to enter each palace, around 2.50-3 USD. However, it’s free if you enter with a hanbok on. It’s also free on Korean National Holidays like Chuseok and the last Wednesday of each month. But even if you have to pay, it’s worth a couple of dollars to get to walk around the palace complex. It’s incredibly special to explore a historical palace and envision what life would have been like back then.

I recommend going early to beat the crowds, however, it seems that the more popular palaces are always busy, haha. I rented a hanbok with two friends and we spent the entire day walking around palaces and taking pictures to capture our memories. That activity was one of the highlights of my Seoul trip and recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and unique experience. You feel like royalty walking around and you’ll see a lot of other people in hanbok as well. One of my favorite things to do in Seoul for sure!

6. Hike Inwangsan

Take a sunset hike at Inwangsan and marvel at the stunning Seoul landscape.

Price: Free

If you’re not feeling up for Bukhansan or want a closer and easier hike to do in Seoul, then Inwangsan is your best option. It’s a granite mountain that is 338 meters tall located in central Seoul. The hike is only one mile or about 1.5 km to the peak and roughly takes an average of 45 minutes to hike from the trailhead to the peak. The trail is considered easy, with some stairs in the beginning and a mild incline, similar to that of house staircases. The trail is also well paved and the stairs cover most of the trail. However, you’ll want to take your time going up the mountain as you’ll pass amazing views of Seoul and also hike alongside the Seoul City Wall.

Because it’s so accessible and the barrier to entry is low, Inwangsan is a popular mountain frequented by locals and tourists alike. However, it’s also less popular than the Bukhansan Mountain, so while you’ll pass some people it will be less crowded in comparison.

Unique Parts of the Trail

One of the unique parts of this trail is that you’ll get to see a view of the Blue House, the official residence of the President of the Republic of Korea. The house has beautiful blue tiles on its roof, which is now a cultural icon and you get the best view of it from the trail. If you’re looking for a place to relax, find the Forest Choso Chaekbang cafe nestled in the Inwangsan mountain! The building is made of glass, designed as a resting and reflection space for hikers. Also, stop by the Chungwoon Literature Library and enjoy a book in the tranquility of the forest.

Once you get closer to the top, you’ll get a vantage point of both the city wall and downtown Seoul in the background with the Namsan Tower in the middle. What an incredible juxtaposition between old and new, and with the actual historic wall! The sky is incredible at sunset time and if you’re lucky the smog will be minimal. Hiking Inwangsan is underrated in my opinion and is a great outdoor option for many travelers.

7. Walk the Seoul City Wall

See a piece of Korean history up close.

Price: Free

In 1396, the then-city of modern-day Seoul, Hanyang, built a surrounding wall for protection. This 18.6 km wall stretches across multiple mountains, including the Inwangsan, Bugaksan, and Namsan Mountains. Much of it remains today, especially since the city of Seoul restored most of it in a 1974 restoration project. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site!

When the wall was originally built, there were 8 gates made and 6 remain today. There are trails between each gate you can hike, all with varying distances. However, the most popular way to see the wall is to hike up to the exit at Hyehwa Station, walk through the Ihwa Mural Village, and up to the wall close to Sungnyemun Gate. It’s a very popular date spot, especially at night!

The wall lights up in the evening and provides a nice ambiance for a romantic walk. Next to the wall, you get breathtaking views of Seoul. There are also a ton of cafes you can sit in near the Ihwa Mural Village. You don’t need a date to go visit this spectacular piece of history. Once you’re done walking a portion of the wall, head to the Hyehwa Station area for a quick bite!

8. Hike to Namsan Tower

Hike or cable car up to Seoul’s iconic tower that broadcasts pollution levels daily.

Price: ~26 USD

Similar to the Tokyo Tower, Namsan Tower is also both a broadcast and observation tower. In 1969, the tower was built to broadcast radio and television signals. It wasn’t until 1975 that the famous observatory was built, and the tower opened to the public in 1980. The tower itself is 236.7 meters and sits above sea level about 480 meters. It’s one of the tallest towers in the East! As a result, you get the most incredible views of Seoul and beyond from the observatory deck. Heck, you’ll get great views just at the base of the tower.

Namsan Tower is the number one attraction in Seoul with millions of visitors annually. You can either take a cable car to the base of the tower, take a bus to the base, or you can hike up from the closest station. Some of its most famous factors include the love locks you can purchase and hang from fences along the tower. You can purchase a colorful lock and seal your relationship or love near the tower—a really popular activity to do with couples and friends! The tower also lights up every evening with a color to signify the air pollution that day where blue means good, green is average, yellow is bad, and red is poor.

Getting up to the observatory costs about 26 USD, but once you are there, enjoy sweeping city views. I recommend going around sunset time to also catch the sunset from an amazing vantage point. Once you’re in the observatory you can take as much time as you want and there’s also a small souvenir shop in the middle. It’s a must-do activity in Seoul!

9. Visit the National Museum of Korea

See 5,000+ years of Korean history in one of the largest museums in the world.

Price: Free

The National Museum of Korea is the 6th largest museum in the world and the largest museum in Korea. It houses more than 400,00 historic artifacts ranging from the Paleolithic Period to the modern day. It has one of the best and largest collections of Korean history. You can get a free guided tour in English, Chinese, or Japanese every weekday for a facilitated learning experience. Or, you can roam around solo and take in all the art and artifacts at your own pace. Learn all about Korean history and culture and escape from the weather (hot or cold).

The museum area comprises of gardens, smaller museums, the main museum building, and a great scenic view of the Namsan Tower. The architecture is stunning and modern surrounded by nature on all sides. It’s exquisitely designed with clean lines, and cream-colored walls, and is very spacious. Better yet, the museum is FREE for everyone, with paid admission only for special exhibits. Even if you’re not interested in history, just visiting the building and surrounding area is worth it.

The museum is conveniently accessed by the metro and by bus. You can spend hours wandering around this museum, depending on the pace of your visit. It’s definitely worth spending an afternoon here, soaking in the views, information, and architecture. My favorite exhibit was the digital immersive gallery they had when I went. Think: Japan Planet Labs but free… hahaha. And the architecture is just stunning.

10. Browse Through Starfield Library

See floor-to-ceiling high bookshelves that are two stories tall!

Price: Free

The famous Starfield Library is as impressive as it seems. Garnering recent fame from TikTok and Instagram, this public library carries about 70,000 books and 600 magazines from all genres. You’ll find books on economics, hobbies, humanities, literature, poetry, and more. Like any public library, there are kiosks and librarians available to help you find the book you are looking for. Unlike most libraries, Starfield Library is located in the center of COEX Mall in Gangnam.

Many tourists and locals go to the library to take pictures against the massive 13-meter tall bookshelf filled with books. Many also take videos or photos while riding the escalator directly in front of the enormous bookshelf. After snapping your pics, head to the second level and enjoy some coffee and pastries while browsing through a book or two. There are also public tables and seats you can relax on while admiring the view below. You can also get some work done here as there are outlets and free wifi available for laptops and mobile devices.

Besides a casual visit, the library also hosts cultural and author events you can attend. Once you’re done admiring the library, explore and shop around COEX Mall, one of the largest in Seoul. This library’s collection honestly blew me away and I loved browsing the highlighted books on the first floor. Some think it is overhyped, but I think it should be enjoyed for what it is—a public library, not a tourist spot.

11. Have a Picnic at the Han River

Sit, eat, and relax by the most famous river in Seoul.

Price: Free

The Han River is one of the longest rivers in Korea, running 514 kilometers through three provinces, including Seoul. Not only is it impressive length-wise, but it’s also played a central role in the development of Korea. The Han River is in a strategic location and connects to the Yellow Sea. Additionally, it provides cities with flowing water used for industrial, hydroelectric power, and general use. The river is so important that it contributed to a special name for the country—“the miracle on the Han River”. This name refers to South Korea’s growth from one of the poorest countries in the world after the Korean War in the 1950s to a thriving, global country thanks to government-led industrialization.

Propelling off of industrial efforts, Korean culture has skyrocketed to fame with the help of booming skincare, k-drama, k-pop, and food industries. Nowadays, the Han River is one of the most popular locations featured in Korean media, from music videos to dramas. It’s the perfect backdrop to a romantic date, a run with a friend, and a casual picnic with loved ones. It’s centrally located and has plenty of flat, grassy areas and walking paths that make it a hub of pedestrian activity.

What to Do at Han River

Many locals gather here to relax or eat delivery food! Eating delivery food is one of the most popular activities to do next to the Han River besides biking along its trails. You can also grab convenience store food and sit by the river if you don’t want to order delivery, too. I love walking along the river and taking in the view. It’s especially gorgeous near sunset time and in the evening. Sometimes fireworks shows happen here, too. It’s a great hangout spot for families, youth, and adults. The ambiance is wonderful.

12. Visit Myeongdong Cathedral

Visit the first Catholic Church in Korea, the birthplace of the Catholic community in Korea.

Price: Free

This is the most iconic cathedral in Korea. It’s most famous for its Neo-Gothic brick architecture, which sticks out against downtown Seoul’s high-rise buildings. The cathedral’s construction began in 1892 by the French Overseas Missionary Church and finished in 1898. There is a 45-meter bell tower in the cathedral. The church’s floor plan is also in a Latin cross with a tall ceiling of 23 meters.

It’s a beautiful building that lights up in the evening. As you walk up the stairs to the main church, you feel as if you are ascending towards the heavens. The church itself is quite tall and on an elevated hill and you get great views of the Myeongdong area. The area around the church is quite peaceful and some hidden speakers play relaxing choir music. It’s a very peaceful and calm place to visit, and it always brings me joy to see a beautiful piece of architecture as I walk to and from the Myeongdong Night Market.

The church is free to enter and open from 9 AM to 7 PM. However, tourists are not allowed to enter when mass is going on. Additionally, once the church closes a security guard is walking around shooing visitors away. If you like architecture and want to see a different type of attraction in Korea, definitely check out the Myeongdong Cathedral.

13. Watch a Baseball Game

It’s like a concert, with cheerleaders, noise sticks, and food you can order in your seat!

Price: ~ USD 10

If you’ve heard of Japan’s wild baseball culture, then you won’t be surprised to hear that Korea also has a fun baseball culture. An American missionary is credited for bringing baseball to Korea, but it didn’t take off until Japanese rule from 1910-1945 when baseball took off in Japan. Now, baseball is Korea’s most popular sport. But Korea’s baseball culture is unlike that of the U.S.

Nowhere in the United States can you find baseball games with cheerleading squads. In the 1980s, professional teams created cheer squads as an active audience marketing strategy. The cheerleaders bring positive energy to the ballpark and crowds can easily follow them when rooting for their favorite team. Synchronized chants are now an important part of Korean baseball culture, almost as important as the game itself! You’ll find fans decked out in team gear, clapping noise sticks together, and chanting team-specific chants synchronously. There’s a vibrant energy in the ballpark and makes for a great experience.

Baseball games are cheap in Korea, with a weekday ticket costing about USD 10. You can easily book a ticket online through websites like interpark.com and ticketlink. Attending a baseball game in Korea is an exhilarating experience, and you’ll find yourself chanting along, following the dances, and being enthusiastic about the local team. This is a must-do experience in Seoul!

14. Hike at Bukhansan National Park

Visit the most popular hiking destination in Korea that is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the “Most Visited National Park per Unit Area”.

Price: Free

Over 5 million people visit Bukhansan National Park each year and for good reason! The park has dozens of beautiful gorges, crystal clear water, and towering granite mountains that all coexist in harmony with each other. There are also over a hundred Buddhist temples and many cultural sites around the park. It is also the most important green ecosystem in Seoul as it is surrounded by urban sprawl on all sides. It’s the best place to go for a nature refuge. It also includes the peaks of Bukhansan and Dobongsan Mountains.

Unsurprisingly, the most popular hike to do in Bukhansan National Park is hiking to Baekundae Peak of Bukhansan Mountain. The Bukhansanseong Course is the most popular trail to the peak and supposedly the easiest. The trail distance is 3.4 km and takes about 2 hours to complete end to end. It’s one of the easier hikes that starts quite easily and has a short steep incline near the end. This hike is so beginner-friendly that you’ll often see elderly citizens doing it in the morning as their workout!

Once you get to the top, there are sweeping views of the national park with a huge swath of trees, mountains, and the city in the distance. It’s especially beautiful in the fall when the tree leaves change colors. Doing this hike is kind of a rite of passage of living or studying in Korea, so definitely take a day trip out here to experience it! Bukhansan is accessible from Seoul via subway and bus which takes about 45 minutes to an hour to get to.

15. Visit Noryangjin Fish Market

Visit South Korea’s largest and oldest fish market and marvel at all the fresh seafood.

Price: Free (to look)

The Noryangjin Fish Market started in 1927 on Uiju-ro Street next to Seoul Station but moved to a new location in 1971 near Noryangjin Station. The market is in a gigantic warehouse that holds 700 vendors that deal 250-300 tons of seafood daily! With that amount of seafood being handled, imagine how overwhelming it gets just visiting.

When you walk into the market, you’re greeted by many excited vendors eager to sell you some fresh seafood. You’ll find fresh fish, clams, octopus, sea urchins, and anything you could want from the sea. Don’t be scared or nervous about the shouts from the vendors—it’s a part of the experience. Another part of what makes Noryanjin special is that you can buy and eat seafood in the same place. Once you choose the seafood you want, the vendor will take you to the second floor where all the restaurants are located. The vendors and restaurant owners usually have deals with each other to help each business. The restaurant will ask you how you want the seafood prepared (or you can ask for recommendations) and you’ll eat the freshest seafood of your life.

Noryangjin Fish Market is open 24 hours, but most people like to go during the mornings or meal hours. It’s a great experience for tourists and locals alike. It’s best to go on an empty stomach with a group so you can try as many types of seafood as you like AND split the price, too!

16. Visit Ihwa Mural Village

Learn about the local community while admiring colorful art and sweeping views of Seoul.

Price: Free

The closest subway station to Ihwa Mural Village is Hyehwa Station. From there, it’s about a 10-15 minute walk to the mural village. Note that the walk up to the village includes an incline and a series of steep stairs. It’s not very accessible for those who have a hard time walking, however, you can drive close to the village. Once you pass the steep set of stairs, there’s only a slight incline as you walk close to the Seoul City Wall.

Similar to the Bukchon Culture Village in Busan, the Ihwa Village originated as housing for those displaced after the Korean War. Most of the residents here are elderly citizens, and many of them are low-income. The housing in this village is cheap, however, it’s because they are small, difficult to get to, and cramped. However, with Seoul’s rising cost of living, these are some of the few areas they can live. In 2006, Seoul’s Tourism Board created a revitalization project for the area under an “art in city project” by hiring artists to paint murals in the neighborhood.

The art attracted thousands of locals and tourists to the neighborhood, which is quite a shock for the residents living there! An increase in foot traffic means more noise and traffic outside their homes. Many were frustrated to the point of painting over murals in 2016. Nowadays, you can still see the murals but there are many signs urging visitors to respect the neighborhood. It’s still a great place to visit, especially for the views of Seoul and to see the Seoul City Wall. It’s a great piece of history and a slice of local life.

17. Shop and Eat at Myeongdong Street

Eat your heart out and try all the cheap, fresh, and tasty Korean street food in one place.

Price: Free

Myeongdong Market or Street is located in Myeongdong and is one of the most popular areas in Seoul for food, beauty, skincare, and fashion. Here, you’ll find two or three streets lined with skincare and fashion stores alongside a multitude of street food carts serving a variety of Korean snacks. Try one of the most popular street foods, tteokbokki, which is spicy chewy rice cake. You’ll also find hotteok, spiral-cut potatoes on a stick, fresh fruit, and more.

The market is open daily from 11 AM and goes until 10 PM. You’ll find a lot of local Korean clothing brands, some chain fashion stores, accessory stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, and money exchange stalls. The best way to experience Myeongdong Street is to wander around and stop in or at wherever piques your fancy. There’s an abundance of street food to try, and it’s all very affordable with snacks costing about 1-2 USD.

I frequented Myeongdong Street often on my trip to Korea, as it was only a 15-minute walk from my accommodation. It’s the perfect area to walk around, especially if you are bored at night and want something to do. It’s always bustling with people and it’s great for people-watching, too!

18. Shop at Hongdae Shopping Street

Shop all the cute accessories, trendy clothing, and yummy street food until you drop.

Price: Free

Hongdae Street is named after Hongik University which it neighbors. It’s a popular hang-out spot for young people and tourists for its cascade of shops which sell anything from clothing, accessories, food, souvenirs, and more. Compared to Myeongdong, Hongdae has a youthful vibe and you’ll find the trendiest items and shops here. Perhaps because of its foot traffic and heartbeat for pop culture, there are many street performers in Hongdae. As a result, Hongdae is the busking center in Seoul.

Not only limited to rising talent, the main attraction of Honda Shopping Street is the abundance of clothing and accessory shops. You can shop until your wallet hurts and come out with a whole new wardrobe of the latest fashion items for a good price. There are clothing stores of all price ranges, from street stalls that sell clothing for 10 USD or less, to casual street stores, and then higher-end fashion brands. You’ll also find a plethora of earrings, phone cases, and phone charms for as little as 3 USD! Skin care is also a craze on any shopping street in Seoul. You’ll find face masks, cleansers, moisturizers, exfoliators, and more! It’s an area you can easily spend hours at and days returning to hang out with friends and family. It’s many people’s favorite place to shop, peruse, and buy souvenirs. Check out Hongdae when you’re in Seoul!

19. Rent a Hanbok

Wear traditional Korean cultural clothing that makes you look like royalty.

Price: 50-60 USD

I’m sure you’ve seen plenty of pictures of people dressing up in hanboks and walking around one of Korea’s many palaces. Hanbok is Korean traditional clothing worn on ceremonial or celebratory occasions like birthdays, weddings, etc. There are many different types of hanbok, like wedding vs. royal hanboks, and traditional hanboks represent different social statuses from the colors on the garment. Traditionally 5 colors represent the 5 elements of the universe. However, nowadays you can find hanboks in all sorts of colors and designs.

Wearing hanboks is encouraged in Korea, especially by tourists coming to experience Korean culture. Many hanbok shops help you wear and rent hanboks for a couple of hours, too! You’ll often find them congregated near historic areas like the palaces in Seoul or other traditional areas like the Bukchon Village. Rentals run for about 50-60 USD for the entire day and you usually get your hair done by the rental shop staff!

It’s a great experience to wear traditional clothing and wander around a palace imagining yourself as a royal person back in the day. I recommend renting a hanbok for the entire day and visiting multiple places to get value out of your rental! Many of the historical attractions are within walking distance from each other in Seoul so you’ll have different environments to wear your hanbok. I rented my hanbok for the entire day and walked through two palaces, the Bukchon Hanok Village, and sat in two cafes! A memorable day and experience.

20. Stay in a Hanok

Stay in a traditional Korean home and marvel at the architecture.

Price: 60+ USD per night

One of my favorite aspects of visiting other countries is admiring the unique architecture of the culture or country. And Korea is full of amazing architecture! Hanok in Korean means “Korean house” in English, however, it has a special design that sets it apart from modern housing. A hanok is a traditional Korean house made of natural materials like wood, stone, and clay. Many hanoks have wooden frames and paper windows and doors. As a result, many describe hanoks as “a house that breathes”.

You’ll find that most hanoks are also in an L, U, or square layout, with bedrooms encapsulating a common space in the middle. Because of this layout, hanoks allow a lot of natural light and scenery into the living area. Hanok design is one with nature, meaning that it is in harmony with the surrounding environment. Staying in a hanok provokes feelings of peace, beauty, and harmony that make it so appealing to both locals and tourists alike.

Even if you only have an opportunity to stay one night, do it! Hanoks are quite pricey to rent, however, you can find some on Airbnb or Google that offer a bed in a hanok for a good price! I stayed in a hanok in the Bukchon Hanok Village for one night and enjoyed it so much! I wish I got to stay multiple nights there, but that’s something to note for my next trip to Korea.

21. Drink at a Pocha

Go for the drinks and food, stay for the atmosphere.

Price: 5-15 USD

Pochas are a classic scene in any K-drama. The main character gets heartbroken and goes to console themself by drinking alone in a small tent outside. The supporting character or other main character goes to meet them and ends up taking them back to their house or apartment. Romance ensues?! But besides setting the scene for a romantic drama, it’s also a popular place for locals to hang out and have a good time.

Pocha is short for pojangmacha, which literally means “covered wagon” in English. It’s a street vendor that serves street or comfort food like tteokbokki, sundae, and other street eats alongside alcohol like soju or makgeoli. They’re usually open after work and late at night. Because of how casual and accessible they are, pochas are the perfect place to get drunk and grab a bite with coworkers, friends, and classmates. As a result, the atmosphere in pochas is very lively, and you’ll often find different groups mingling with one another just because!

Pochas are best enjoyed with a group, but you can also go alone! Show up, grab a seat, and maybe mingle with another group and see where the night takes you. There are several neighborhoods known for having many pochas. The most popular ones include Jongro 3-ga Pocha Street 종로 3가 and Mapo Pocha Street 마포 포차거리. You’ll find the entire street filled with pocha vendors serving happy (drunk) customers getting together to celebrate, gossip, and hang out.

22. Visit Jogyesa Temple

Experience religious tradition in the middle of an urban city.

Price: Free

Jogyesa Temple is the chief temple in the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and is also the representative temple of Korean Buddhism. It’s also one of the most important temples in Korea. The temple originated in 1395 at the beginning of the Joseon Dynasty, making it a historic and cultural building. Jogyesa witnessed Japanese occupation, the Buddhist Purification Movement, and even a monk protest in 1998 that made international headlines.

Jogyesa temple is located in central Seoul near Insadong and provides a refuge for busy citizens looking for a quiet place of contemplation and reflection. There are two very famous trees in the temple: a 500-year-old Baeksong lacebark pine tree and a 450-year-old Chinese scholar tree. Because of its rich historical significance, Jogyesa temple is the most popular temple in Seoul. It’s also well known for its gorgeous year-round installations, especially the ceiling of lanterns in the spring that cover the entire courtyard.

But more than anything, what makes Jogeysa truly special is the sound of the giant Dharma Drum and temple bell that rings in the air every dusk and dawn. Normally, you’d only get this experience in faraway temples located in remote or less urban areas of Korea, but you get to experience it right in the heart of downtown Seoul. Nothing resonates quite heavily with the soul than the sounds of monastery bells.

23. Experience Lotte World

Wear school uniforms in the largest indoor amusement park in the world.

Price: ~60 USD

Lotte, the fan-favorite brand for producing well-loved snacks like Chocopie, Milkis, and Pepero. That’s the same brand that opened up Lotte World! Lotte World is a huge recreation complex that has the largest indoor amusement park in the world, an outdoor island amusement park, a huge shopping mall, a luxury hotel, and the famous Lotte Tower. With so many attractions, Lotte World garners more than 7 million visitors annually. It’s the one-stop destination for a weekend vacation or getaway, with everything you could ever want within a short walk away.

In Lotte World Adventure, there’s a huge indoor ice rink in the center of all the rides. The interior area is so large that you can’t believe that you’re inside! The interior park has 4 floors, each with several rides and attractions including a hot air balloon ride around the entire inside park. Magic Island is similar to California Adventures in California’s Disneyland, harboring the more thrilling and adventurous rides like the Atlantis Adventure rollercoaster.

Not only is Lotte World extremely popular for school children, families, and tourists, but it’s also popular in mainstream media. It’s been featured in many Korean dramas and TV shows and is also the location for several K-pop music videos. However, a trend formed after school kids attended the theme park in their school uniforms. Now, cosplaying in Korean school uniforms at Lotte World is one of the hallmark activities to do! I’m sure you’ve also seen school uniforms as the outfit of choice in many K-pop music videos as well. It’s a fun and wholesome way to relive your younger school years while riding fun rides.

24. Walk Through Seoul Forest

Seoul Forest to Seoul is like Hyde Park in London or Central Park in New York.

Price: Free

Seoul Forest has over 400,000 trees and 100 different animals. In the past, this area was a royal hunting ground for kings and a military inspection facility. Now, it’s a huge public park comprised of four parks: Culture and Art Park, Experiential Learning Park, Eco Forest, and Marsh Plants Garden. Each one offers a different experience and hosts different plants and environments. There are dozens of walking paths to enjoy as well as meadows you can picnic on.

Seoul Forest is incredibly popular during spring and autumn when the flowers and tree leaves offer great scenery. For more relaxed cherry blossom viewing in Korea, head to Seoul forest at the Culture and Art Park. or at the Eco Park. The trees line the walking paths and are often in rows. It makes for a dizzying array of beautiful blossoms in the sky. You’ll also find blooming tulips and daffodils as well. In autumn, the Gingko Tree Forest is especially popular where you’ll find tall gingko trees full of bright yellow leaves. You can also rent bicycles and bikes all around the park and Han River.

25. Go to Everland

Spend a day at Samsung’s theme park, the largest in Korea!

Price: ~30-35 USD

If you love roller coasters, you have to ride Korea’s first wooden roller coaster: the T-Express. It’s also one of the world’s top ten fastest wooden roller coasters, hitting speeds of 104km/hr. Not a fan of thrilling rides? No problem. Everland has 5 unique theme zones: Global Fair, American Adventure, Magic Land, European Adventure, and Zootopia.

Zootopia is similar to Six Flag’s Magic Kingdom where there are over 2000 animals you can see via bus ride. You can also feed the animals! European Adventure has a small village that looks like the Netherlands, with Dutch building architecture and a field of bright-colored tulips. Besides T-Express, Panda World is one of the other main attractions to Everland, which is home to a pair of giant pandas that Chinese President Xi Jinping gifted to South Korea as a sign of friendship.

However, if I were to choose between Everland and Lotte World, I think Lotte World is the better of the two parks. Some say Everland is less polished than a large chain theme park like Disneyland or Universal Studios, and it also takes a lot longer to get to Everland since it is out of the city. I personally have only visited Lotte World but judging from what other people have said about it on the internet, I think Lotte World offers more in terms of amusement and icon.

26. Go to a Jjimjilbang

Experience a Korean public traditional bathhouse, guaranteed to be unique!

Price: ~10-12 USD

This is a quintessential experience to have in Korea. A jjimjilbang is a Korean spa that features a large communal room where visitors can relax, socialize, and sleep. There are usually different treatments you can do, including massages, body scrubs, and more. There are also saunas and pools available for you to soak in and showers to wash off. But a Korean spa is much more than just soak, rinse, and repeat. Much like the Romans, Korean spa houses are a community place to gather and hang out with friends.

When you walk into a jjimjilbang, you pay an admission fee at the front desk. Then, you’re given a set of clothes to change into, towels, and a locker key for your things. While the showers, saunas, and bath facilities are segregated by gender, the communal jjimjilbang is not. However, it is also an expectation that you use the bathing facilities in the nude. So be prepared for that! It’s more accurate to think of a jjimjilbang as a cultural community complex that is important to the Korean lifestyle and social fabric Many friends and families dedicate a full day to visiting the jjimjilbang.

Soak in the local lifestyle and visit a Korean spa house! It might be intimidating to do on your own, but it’s a great experience as a tourist.

27. Visit Ehwa Womans or Yonsei University

Prestigious universities in Seoul with beautiful campuses.

Price: Free

University is a whole social strata in Korea, where students prepare all their lives to get into a good university. There’s even an acronym for the top universities: SKY. Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Korea University. Among the three, Seoul National University is the top. While attending the schools is incredibly selective, anyone can visit the campuses and walk around. Yonsei is the oldest private university in Korea, and arguably, the most beautiful.

Yonsei’s campus has been a popular shooting spot for TV shows, movies, and dramas. It features beautiful old Western buildings that are covered in green vines with a beautiful courtyard in the middle. It screams regal-ness and is reminiscent of Oxford or Cambridge. Next to Yonsei is Ehwa’s Woman University which is also featured in many TV shows, dramas, and movies. It has an amazing campus with a concrete gorge courtyard for students to hang out and eat. On the sides of the gorge are gardens with walking paths that look like mazes from afar.

The neighborhood of Sinchon in front of both universities is an energetic college town with dozens of delicious eateries and great bars. The nightlife is great and attracts a young crowd due to its proximity to the universities. I went to visit a friend studying at Ehwa back in June and it was so fun! I loved walking around the campus and taking in all the architecture.

28. Eat at Gwangjang Market

Walk through the oldest and largest market in South Korea.

Price: Free

Gwangjang Market opened in 1905 and is the oldest functioning market in South Korea. It gained popularity from the Korean show Running Man and the Netflix Show Street Food. While you can find many things here, the food stalls are what attract tourists to Gwangjang Market. You’ll find all Korean street food, from gwabegi, makgeoli, jeon, mandu, guksu, sannakji, and more. However, Gwangjang Market is specifically famous for mayak gimbap, which is pickled veggies and a protein rolled up in seaweed into bite-sized pieces. It is also famous for bindaetteok or fried mung bean pancakes.

When you first enter the market, you’re overwhelmed by the cramped stalls and food smells. There are more than 5000 shops in this market! My favorite way of exploring the market is coming on an empty stomach and letting my nose and eyes lead me to my next meal. Or, if you want to try a particular street food, do some research beforehand and single out which stall you want to visit. I love the communal eating atmosphere at the market. Many stalls have a bench along the sides for people to sit down and eat bar-style.

It’s crowded and busy, but that’s what I love most about this market! There’s always something new to try, something new to see, and the atmosphere is always lively. It might not be the best place to bring a group to sit down and eat unless you visit one of the larger restaurants at the market. I recommend trying food from a stall and sitting at one of the bar seats. It’s a totally different experience!

29. Ikseondong Hanok Village

Get lost in the oldest Hanok village in Seoul that’s over 100 years old.

Price: Free

This bustling hanok village is Bukchon’s trendier sibling, but there’s a reason why the oldest hanok village has all the modern cafes and shops. Before, Ikseondong’s hanoks were in rough condition and the area’s development stalled. Therefore, in April 2004, the city labeled Ikseondong as an Urban Environment Improvement Zone and planned to build a 14-story apartment instead. But in 2010 the Seoul City Planning Commission stopped this development and young entrepreneurs saw an opportunity to transform the old hanoks into modern restaurants and cafes.  

Fast forward, the Ikseondong area has transformed from a derelict neighborhood to a buzzing, trendy locale full of amazing cafes. This narrow escape from destruction is impressive, and in 2018 the Seoul Government removed Ikseondong from the Urban Environment Improvement Zone. 

Ikseondong is one of my favorite places to go in Seoul. The neighborhood is characterized by its narrow alleys and over 100 hanoks smushed together into a couple of streets wide. Every corner you turn you discover another cool shop or cafe that if you tried to find later, might not be findable! It’s like entering a maze of hanoks that never ends. I love the feeling of walking through the small unnamed alleys and discovering a new area I’ve never seen. But aside from the streets, I love the abundance of cute cafes and restaurants. Some of the coolest cafes are in this little neighborhood and it draws a large crowd. Definitely stop by for a coffee and take in all the amazing architecture!

Is 5 days in Seoul too much?

No! Honestly, that’s probably the perfect amount of time to spend in Seoul. 5 days in Seoul allows you to grasp the city’s general vibe and gives you time to experience a variety of different things. You can explore traditional markets, eat good food, go to a theme park, try out a Korean spa, go on a hike, visit a museum, and so much more. A lot of my friends say there’s not much to do in Seoul once you hit all the tourist attractions which boggled my mind the first time I heard that. But once I visited Seoul, I got what they were saying. There are only so many things to do in Seoul and once you see everything, all there’s left to do is eat and shop. So 5 days is plenty of time.

What should I do first in Seoul?

My favorite first thing to do in Seoul is to check out any night market or traditional market. I’m a huge foodie so my heart lies wherever I can find good, fresh, and cheap food. It also helps I love Korean food so it’s a win-win. But this is a great first start to exploring the city! You’re probably fresh off the airplane and in need of a comforting meal. What better way to start your trip than on a full stomach of yummy food?

Have a Great Time in Seoul

From Korean street food to noraebang, and Lotte World, there is so much to experience in Seoul. It’s the gateway to Korean pop culture but also traditional Korean culture. Seoul is a huge urban city with pockets of tradition right in the heart of the city. Better yet, Seoul is definitely a 24-hour city, with convenience stores open all night and streets filled with drunk people coming from pochas or karaoke rooms. I think Seoul has a youthful energy that energizes (or wears out) any traveler who visits the largest city in South Korea. Similar to Tokyo or New York, the big city is invigorating and invites all possibilities. I can’t wait for you to experience what Seoul has to offer. Happy travels!

If you’re visiting Seoul, I’m sure you’re interested in visiting Busan as well. Here’s how to get from Seoul to Busan. And here are all the amazing things you can do in Busan, too!

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