Seoul Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Seoul featuring modern architecture and a city as well as a small group of people

Seoul Travel Guide Video

The South Korean metropolis has some of Asia’s busiest markets and nightlife districts alongside tranquil teahouses and palaces surrounded by gardens.

Seoul is brimming withyouthful vibrancy. Art galleries, cinemas, bars and boutiques are dotted allover the city. Seoulites are also in touch with their past, and you’ll findplenty of instances of traditional Korean culture in palaces and theatres. 

Korea has suffered frommany conflicts, and some of the bruises still show in Seoul. The city’s FiveGrand Palaces are testament to this all of these complexes have been destroyedor badly damaged. Today they have largely been restored to their former glory andhouse national treasures, art and traditional architecture. For particularlyfine examples of these palaces, visit Gyeongbokgung, Deoksugungand Changgyeonggung. 

Locals possess optimismand friendliness in abundance. Younger Seoulites will be eager to use theirlanguage skills to help you out, and older residents, although not asproficient with their English, are still overwhelmingly warm. 

Shopping opportunities inSeoul are boundless. Choose from designer outlets in Myeongdong,traditional craft shops at Insadong and bargain malls at the huge DongdaemunMarket. Wear your new attire while exploring the city’s nightlife. HongdaeYoung Street has an eclectic collection of bars, clubs, live music andindependent cinema. 

Soak up classic Koreanculture at venues like Chongdong Theatre. Here, you can marvel atspectaculars featuring traditional music, dance and costume. Sample localcuisine at well-priced stalls and restaurants that serve Korean classics suchas kalguksu (“knife noodles”) or donkas (deep-fried pork cutlets). Foodies willwant to pay homage to the Korean national dish (kimchi) at the PulmuoneKimchi Museum.  Kimchi is a fermented vegetable (cabbage, radish orcucumber) dish seasoned with spices. Finish your dining experience with a visitto one of Seoul’s excellent teahouses.

When you want some quiettime, escape to one of Seoul’s regenerated areas, such as CheonggyecheonStream. This stretch of water in the city centre features greenery,wildlife and local art. It’s a great example of Seoul’s ability to innovate,educate and entertain all at once.

Seoul has hot summers andcold winters. The best time to visit is around March through May (spring), orSeptember through November (fall) . Navigate the city using the well-priced andefficient subway system, considered one of the best in the world.

Where to stay in Seoul

Myeongdong featuring shopping, street scenes and a city

Myeong-dong

Enjoy the popular shops in Myeong-dong. Myeongdong Street is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Myeong-dong Station or Euljiro 1-ga Station to see more of Seoul.

Myeong-dong
Default Image

Gangnam-gu

4.5/5(68 area reviews)

Gangnam-gu is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Starfield COEX Mall and Bongeunsa Temple. See more of Seoul by jumping on the metro at Cheongdam Station or Gangnam-gu Office Station.

Gangnam-gu
Hongdae which includes outdoor art, street scenes and a city

Hongdae

You might take some time to check out the abundant dining options in Hongdae. Spend some time visiting top spots like Trickeye Museum, and catch the metro at Hongik University Station or Mangwon Station to see more of the area.

Hongdae
Default Image

Dongdaemun-gu

4/5(7 area reviews)

You might enjoy the shopping while in Dongdaemun-gu. Gyeongdong Market is a notable sight, and you can get around town at Yongdu Station or Jegi-dong Station to see more of the city.

Dongdaemun-gu
Dongdaemun Design Plaza which includes modern architecture as well as a couple

Jung-gu

4.5/5(263 area reviews)

Myeongdong Street and Namdaemun Market are top sights in Jung-gu, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Euljiro 4-ga Station or Chungmuro Station to see more sights in the area.

Jung-gu
War Memorial of Korea featuring signage and modern architecture as well as a large group of people

Yongsan-gu

4/5(31 area reviews)

Travellers choose Yongsan-gu for its ample dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Hyochang Park Station or Namyeong Station and check out top sights like N Seoul Tower.

Yongsan-gu
ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun
ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun
4 out of 5
36, Sejong-daero 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is Rp2.188.493 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
Rp2.188.493
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, a children's pool and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,906 reviews)
"Ena Hotel is conveniently located for shopping, dining snd public transportation. The hotel staff are very professional, courteous and very helpful. Hotel is very clean and room I stayed was spacious. I arrived at around 7:30pm with my Aunt, however, there was no one yo assist us yo carry put 5 luggage ..."

Reviewed on 23 Mar 2024

ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun
Grand Hyatt Seoul
Grand Hyatt Seoul
5 out of 5
322, Sowol-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is Rp3.497.846 per night from 11 Apr to 12 Apr
Rp3.497.846
per night
11 Apr - 12 Apr
Stay at this luxury hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool and 6 restaurants. Our guests praise the property condition in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,008 reviews)
"Our stay at the Grand Hyatt Seoul was amazing! The entire staff was incredibly hospitable, friendly, helpful, and kind. The hotel was spotless and the rooms were equipped with high-end amenities. Our stay felt truly luxurious."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Grand Hyatt Seoul
Lotte Hotel World
Lotte Hotel World
5 out of 5
240, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is Rp3.015.790 per night from 17 Apr to 18 Apr
Rp3.015.790
per night
17 Apr - 18 Apr
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free parking, 2 restaurants and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,009 reviews)
"The wonder door gate staff was very rude. I complained to hotel but they said the staff was from Lotte world. Except that part, I would stay again even it’s expensive."

Reviewed on 18 Mar 2024

Lotte Hotel World
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Brown Suites Hotel Sinchon Central
Brown Suites Hotel Sinchon Central
3.5 out of 5
137 Seogang-ro, Seoul, Seoul
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Namdaemun Market and Myeongdong ...
6.4/10 (5 reviews)
Good location, but bearable conditions
"Excellent location"

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

Brown Suites Hotel Sinchon Central
Orakai Insadong Suites
Orakai Insadong Suites
4 out of 5
18 Insadong 4-Gil Jongno-Gu, Seoul, Seoul
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Seoul. Enjoy free parking, breakfast and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (967 reviews)
"This is a great place to stay if you're going to be in town for more than a few days! We stayed in a one bedroom suite and it was quite roomy and comfortable. It was great to have a well appointed kitchen and especially nice to have the washer/dryer. The staff was very kind, attentive, and responsive. ..."

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

Orakai Insadong Suites
Oakwood Premier Coex Center
Oakwood Premier Coex Center
5 out of 5
46, Teheran-ro 87-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Seoul
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and a casino. Our guests praise the spacious rooms in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,176 reviews)
"Excellent room conditions. Convenient location."

Reviewed on 6 Feb 2024

Oakwood Premier Coex Center
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Seoul

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
237
" "5 - Excellent 57.2463768115942%
4 - Good
151
" "4 - Good 36.47342995169082%
3 - Okay
25
" "3 - Okay 6.038647342995169%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 0.24154589371980675%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
5 Jun 2020

Seoul is the best holiday I've ever had and plan to go back as much as possible

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
12 Mar 2020

Unfortunately the Covina-19 virus meant, understandably, many things we had planned did not happen. However, Seoul seemed like a wonderful city that I would very much like to return to at some time in the future.

5/5 - Excellent

Arparus(penny)
13 Feb 2020

Great City

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
12 Feb 2020

I love to go to korean many time. There are many attactive thing to do there every season. Nice wheather, food and shopping places

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
3 Feb 2020

It's a regular business location for me. A unique city, very westernised with friendly people and good attitude towards service.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
29 Jan 2020

Good and kind people, they are trying to help me when I need help in walking direction and also good transportation.

Cities near Seoul