Approach Seoul through this list of local attractions and characterizing sites for a rounded insight into this evolving city.
1. Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace, the biggest of Seoul’s Five Grand Palaces, was constructed in 1395.
It is surrounded by a serene, over 100-acre setting, with the distant Amisan Mountains in the background. With the exception of Tuesdays, when the palace is closed to guests, the Changing of the Guard is a well-liked activity with hourly viewings.
This palace, which is situated in the northern part of the city, served as the Joseon dynasty’s major royal residence.
Another one of the things to do in Seoul while you’re visiting the Gyeongbokgung Palace is to dress up in a gatekeeper’s costume.
2. Visit Changdeokgung Palace
After Gyeongbokgung, this was the second palace to be constructed, and in 1997, UNESCO declared it a part of the World Cultural Heritage. This location’s “Secret Garden” is an intriguing feature because there are only a certain amount of admittance slots available each day.
One of the “Five Grand Palaces” constructed by the monarchs of the Joseon Dynasty is Changdeokgung. Changdeokgung’s name means “Prospering Virtue Palace” in its literal sense.
3. Go to Hanok Village
To create the ideal cultural classroom, Namsangol Hanok Village replicates the sloping tiled roofs and low walls of ancient Korean buildings.
Try your hand at calligraphy, watch the meticulous steps required to make hanji (traditional paper), and learn about the lifestyle of earlier artists.
In the area next to Gyeongbokgung is a smaller-scale Hanok residence; Bukchon Hanok Village is a well-liked destination for tourists and one of the top things to do in Seoul.
Although there are individuals who live behind these walled houses, please be quiet and show respect.
4. Shopping at Dongdaemun
If you haven’t spent a full day at Dongdaemun, you haven’t seen shopping bliss. This area offers abundant retail and wholesale shopping, catering to large populations around the clock.
You’ll need to save up for an additional suitcase of fashionable items between Lotte’s general merchandise, Doota’s unique mix of local brands, and the nearby shopping malls crammed with cheap apparel vendors.
5. Dongdaemun Design Plaza
One of Korea’s most recognizable contemporary attractions, Dongdaemun Design Plaza reveals a different aspect of the city than the palaces and temples. The skyscraper was created by Zaha Hadid, who also created the Heydar Aliyev Center in Azerbaijan and the Morpheus Hotel in Macau.
The plaza, which serves a variety of functions and is a visual delight to explore, is devoted to Seoul’s creative economy. It is also the ideal photo for Instagram. If you want to take a nice picture, here is the location, with its sleek lines and stunning architecture.
6. Meet Young People at Hongdae
When the sun goes down, there is one place you’ll want to be to experience Korean nightlife: Hongdae. With Hongik University nearby, this area has a ‘college town’ feel with lively restaurants and bars around every corner. It is also great for cafe-hopping and shopping during the day.
Trendy youths looking for rapid fashion and inexpensive deals throng the sidewalks near Hongik University Station. Edgier fashion items stream out into the streets on metal racks and mannequins in this hotspot for the young and cool.
In order to maintain a lively atmosphere, restaurants and cafés are carefully slipped into storied buildings and between spaces. But the reason that people come here is for their youthful talent.
Every night, singers and dancers compete for the largest audiences, turning the region into a fictitious performance venue.
7. Namsan Seoul Tower
One of the best views in all of Seoul is from the iconic Namsan Seoul Tower in the Myeongdong district. It’s simply stunning to see Seoul’s metropolitan skyline, which is dotted with little hills, mountains, and the flowing Han River. The greatest time to climb Namsan Hill and the Namsan Seoul Tower is at dusk, just before all the city lights come on.
The cable car is the most effective means of getting to the tower. It only costs about $8 USD and is the quickest method to ascend the tower. You can opt to walk up the route that snakes up the mountain if you have a bit more time or feel like getting some exercise.
8. Visit Starfield Library
One of the first things you notice when you enter the COEX mall is the Starfield Library. It covers a surface area of 2800 square meters and has two stories.
There are more than 50,000 books in all kinds of categories, such as non-fiction, romance, economics, and humanities, to mention a few.
There are physical and digital versions of books and periodicals.
The library offers comfortable seating and hosts a variety of book-related events, including poetry readings, book concerts, book discussions, authors’ gatherings, and other cultural activities.
9. Jimjilbangs – Korean Sauna and Spa Experience
If you’re a fan of rest, relaxation, rejuvenation, and being pampered, then you have come to the right place. One of the most popular places in Seoul for travelers from across the world to rejuvenate is jimjilbangs.
In a jjimjilbang, a traditional Korean bathhouse, visitors may take use of the hot and cold pools, tranquil saunas, massage rooms, and shared sleeping quarters.
It is a cultural tradition that all Koreans appreciate, whether it be for a family outing, a date night for couples, a pampering session for friends, or an elderly social outing.
Jimjilbangs are places to unwind, meditate, and relax. A day spent at a jjimjilbang is said to increase blood circulation, lower tension, unclog pores, and even aid in weight reduction. Jimjilbangs play a significant role in the majority of Koreans’ weekly beauty practices as a result of these advantages.
10. Lotte World
Some of the cultural artifacts on display at their Folk Museum depict Korean history going back 5000 years.
It is a location that the whole family can really enjoy thanks to the little towns, children’s playground, ice skating rink, stores, restaurants, and Lotte World Garden Stage showcasing musicals.
They have a water-encircled outdoor amusement park there called Magic Island, which is surrounded by a maze-like network of retail centers, five-star hotels, and theaters connected by a monorail that makes it easy to navigate the entire park.
