11 Best Things to Do and See in Seoul
Exploring Seoul on foot is one of the best ways to feel the city’s atmosphere, connect its landmark places and discover its neighbourhoods at a more natural pace.
In this guide, you will find the attractions not to miss when planning a walking route in Seoul, with simple reference points.
To go further, you can also enjoy a private guided tour in Seoul. It is a smoother way to connect places, understand details you might miss on your own and enjoy a more human, personal discovery adapted to your trip.
1. N Seoul Tower
Perched on Namsan Mountain, N Seoul Tower is one of Seoul’s most iconic landmarks. This observation tower offers sweeping views over the South Korean capital, especially at sunset and after dark when the city lights up. Around the tower, you’ll find walking paths, restaurants, shops, and viewing platforms, making it a great outing to discover Seoul from a different perspective. It is a very popular place, both for its views and its lively atmosphere.
2. Gyeongbokgung
Gyeongbokgung is the most famous of Seoul’s former royal palaces and one of South Korea’s major cultural landmarks. A visit reveals vast courtyards, elegant pavilions, finely decorated traditional roofs, and peaceful gardens that showcase classic Korean architecture. The site also offers a solemn, highly photogenic atmosphere, with plenty of space for walking and appreciating the artistic details. It is a must-see place for understanding the royal heritage and historical identity of the city.
3. Gwangjang Market
Gwangjang Market in Seoul is one of the best-known traditional markets in South Korea. Visitors will find a lively atmosphere, busy covered alleys, and a wide variety of stalls selling textiles, clothing, accessories, and everyday goods. It is also a popular spot for street food, with many Korean specialties prepared and served on the spot. Between the aromas, colors, and energy of the stalls, the market offers an immersive glimpse into local culture and everyday life in Seoul.
4. National Museum of Korea
Located in Seoul, the National Museum of Korea is one of the country’s major cultural landmarks for discovering its heritage and history. Its vast collections feature archaeological objects, works of art, ceramics, sculptures, calligraphy, and treasures linked to the different periods of Korea. The visit also offers insight into how artistic traditions and everyday life have evolved over time. In a modern and pleasant setting, the museum provides a clear and comprehensive exploration of Korean culture.
5. Bukchon Hanok Village
Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul offers a stroll through the heart of a traditional neighborhood made up of Korean houses called hanok, carefully preserved among sloping alleyways. Here, you can discover an old urban landscape set within the modern city, with elegant roofs, low walls, and a peaceful atmosphere. This popular spot allows visitors to admire traditional Korean architecture up close, while enjoying views over central Seoul and a setting ideal for wandering and photography.
6. Korean War Memorial
The War Memorial of Korea in Seoul is a large museum dedicated to the military history of Korea and the conflicts that have shaped the peninsula. Visitors can explore exhibits featuring equipment, uniforms, vehicles, and weapons, as well as galleries devoted to the memory of soldiers and civilians affected by war. The site also offers outdoor areas with military hardware and memorial monuments, making for an educational and reflective visit, ideal for a better understanding of the country’s past.
7. Changdeokgung Palace
Changdeok Palace, in Seoul, is one of South Korea’s major royal complexes and a cultural landmark especially admired for the harmony between traditional architecture and nature. As you stroll through it, you discover elegant pavilions, peaceful courtyards, and carefully landscaped gardens, where the buildings seem to blend into the scenery rather than dominate it. The site offers a wonderful immersion into the aesthetics of the Korean royal court and the serene atmosphere of a heritage-filled place, highly popular with both visitors and history lovers.
8. Coex Aquarium
Coex Aquarium offers a journey through aquatic worlds inside the COEX complex in Gangnam. Discover tanks filled with tropical fish, marine species, and freshwater animals in immersive themed habitats in central Seoul.
9. Seoul Forest Park
Seoul Forest Park is one of Seoul’s major green spaces in South Korea, loved for its peaceful walkways in the heart of the city. Visitors can enjoy large lawns, shaded paths, flower gardens, and natural areas where wildlife can be observed, including deer in a dedicated enclosure. The park also features playgrounds, cycling paths, and pleasant viewpoints, making it a great place to relax or take a family walk. It is an ideal spot for a break that combines nature, leisure, and an urban atmosphere.
10. Cheonggyecheon
Cheonggyecheon is a pleasant linear park running through the center of Seoul, laid out along a stream that offers a refreshing break in the middle of the city. It features a pedestrian walkway lined with pools, footbridges, and small landscaped areas, ideal for a leisurely stroll, taking a break, or admiring the lively urban atmosphere all around. The site is appreciated for its calming ambiance, its evening lighting, and the way it brings together nature, architecture, and everyday life in one of the most dynamic areas of the South Korean capital.
11. Jogyesa Temple
In the heart of Seoul, Jogyesa Temple offers a peaceful break from the hustle and bustle of the city. This Korean Buddhist temple stands out for its colorful pavilions, decorative lanterns and tall trees that create a serene atmosphere. Visitors can discover ornate altars, Buddha statues and prayer spaces where devotees come to meditate. It is also a lovely place to admire traditional architecture and experience the spiritual atmosphere of Korean Buddhism, just steps away from the capital’s shopping streets.
Antony M
During my travels, I looked for guides who spoke my language. This search turned out to be long and tedious. That is why I created MYTOGU (My Tourist Guide): a matching site between tourists and professional tourist guides.
