There is no shortage of things to do in Seoul, South Korea’s vibrant capital city. From ancient palaces and temples to modern shopping malls and nightlife districts, Seoul has something for everyone. Here are some of the best things to do in Seoul:
1. Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace – Gyeongbokgung Palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Seoul. This magnificent palace was built in 1395 and is home to beautiful gardens and royal buildings.
2. Explore Bukchon Hanok Village – Bukchon Hanok Village is a traditional village located in the heart of Seoul. This charming village features hundreds of traditional Korean houses called “hanoks”.
3. Shop at Myeongdong – Myeongdong is one of the busiest shopping districts in Seoul. This district is home to hundreds of shops, restaurants, and cafes. It’s also a great place to find cosmetic products at cheap prices.
4. Go for a dip in a jjimjilbang – Korean bathhouses with multiple pools, water features, cafes, saunas, relaxation rooms, gyms, spas and arcades.
5. 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”.
6. 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 at Gwangjang Market.
7. Explore the slopes of Itaewon – Home to majority of Seoul’s expats thanks to its proximity to an American military base, Itaewon is the hub for foodies.
8. Experience Seoul’s luxurious Gangnam district – The central business district of Seoul, Gangnam is populated by grand chrome office blocks and residences of the upper class.
9. Watch live performances at Hongik University – The streets surrounding Hongik University Station are flooded with trendy youths seeking fast fashion and cheap bargains. A hub for the hip and cool, edgier fashion pieces spill out onto the streets on metal racks and mannequins.
10. Visit Sungnyemun Gate – alternatively known as Namdaemun Gate – is one of the Seoul’s four ancient Great Gates, declared as National Treasure no. 1 by Korea in the year 1962.
11. Visit The Leeum Samsung Museum of Art is the place where the Korean and international art co-exists comfortably. Many of the artworks displayed are provided by the late Lee Byeong-Cheol, one of the former presidents of the Samsung Group and the founder of this museum.
12. Go to Starfield Library – one of the main things you see after entering the COEX mall. It extends two stories, spread over 2800 square meters of expanse. There are more than 50,000 books from a variety of genres, including humanities, fiction, economics, romance, and non-fiction, to name a few.
