Seoul, South Korea is one of the most exciting and vibrant cities in the world. There are so many things to do in Seoul and the city is also known for its unending energy and bustle.
If you’re looking for things to do while on vacation in Seoul that’ll not leave you bored or disappointed, then look no further than this list of 15 of the best things to do in Seoul, South Korea!
Best Things to Do In Seoul, South Korea
Shopping & Markets
Tongin Market
Tongin Market is mainly filled with restaurants and grocery shops. It is a fun place to get some food because at certain times, you can pick up ancient-looking coins and use them to get food to fill up a lunch box and have a meal.
Read more about the experience at Tongin Market.
Dongdaemun Market
Dongdaemun Market is the largest wholesale and retail clothing district in Korea. It’s home to over 30,000 shops selling everything from clothes to shoes to accessories and more. It is divided into five sub-districts with more than 20 shopping malls.
If you’re look for good food at Dongdaemun, seek out the Dongdaemun Grill Fish Street for a meal of fish.
Gwangjang Market
Gwangjang Market is a traditional market that has been open since 1907. It’s located in Jongno-gu, Seoul and it is a great place to go shopping for traditional Korean food ingredients as well as souvenirs!
Gwangjang Market is known for having a wide variety of stalls with everything from dried seafood to fresh produce. You can buy kimchi, noodles and even snacks like dried squid or octopus jerky at the market.
If you are planning a visit to Gwangjang Market, you may also be interested in trying the hand-cut noodles made famous by Netflix.
Namdaemun Market
Namdaemun Market opened in 1964 and is in the Myeongdong district. It is packed with vendors selling everything from clothes to food. If you’re looking for a place with great selection and reasonable prices, then this is the place for you. There are also plenty of restaurants and cafes for you to dine at if you need a break from shopping.
While at Namdaemun Market, be sure to pay a visit to the Namdaemun Gate which gives the market its name.
Noryangjin Fish Market
If you love fresh seafood, the Noryangjin Fish Market is one of the things to do in Seoul that you cannot miss. Make your way around the many stalls and choose what you feel like having and head up to the second floor to get it cooked and served up to you.
Read about 10 different markets in Seoul that you should know about.
Lotte World
If you’re looking for a mall to go shopping in, Lotte World Mall is the place to go. The mall is located in Jamsil-dong and has over 1,000 stores ranging from clothing stores like Zara and H&M to restaurants like McDonald’s or Burger King.
You can also enjoy gourmet restaurants at the SeoulSeoul 3080, a collection of dining outlets set in a replica of the streets of Seoul from the 1930s to the 1980s.
Starfield COEX Mall & Library
Starfield COEX Mall has more than 200 retail stores. It is the world’s largest underground shopping mall. There is a movie theatre as well as an aquarium at the mall.
Many visitors to Seoul head here to so see the Starfield Library with its Instagrammable aesthetic. It one of the must-do things in Seoul for those looking to feed their Instagram.
Euljiro Nogari Alley
Located in one of the oldest districts of Seoul, Euljiro Nogari Alley is known for its street food and lively environment. One of the must-tries when visiting Euljiro Nogari Alley is the skewered fish cakes known as odeng. Another popular street food is sundae, a sausage made from pig intestines with glass noodles, vegetables and pigs blood. You can also look for cheap beer while at the Euljiro Nogari Alley.
Even if you don’t visit Euljiro Nogari, you can still try the street food at many locations all around Seoul. Here’s our list of Korean street foods to try out.
Insadong
Insadong is one of the most popular tourist spots in Seoul. It’s known for its traditional Korean-style shops and restaurants, as well as the Insadong Museum of Art that showcases traditional arts and crafts.
The street also has over 400 shops that sell everything from ceramics to paintings, fabrics, jewelry and more. Make a stop at Ssamziegil, a four-storey complex at Insadong that mixes up both modern and traditional styles with arts, crafts and more in the old neighbourhood.
Myeongdong
Myeongdong is one of the most popular shopping districts in Seoul, and it’s packed with stores selling everything from handbags to clothes to cosmetics. You will find plenty of things to do in Seoul here. You can also find plenty of restaurants, cafes and street vendors selling food such as tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), jjampong (spicy seafood noodle soup) or Korean BBQ around Myeongdong.
Close to Myeongdong there is the Namsangol Hanok Village, an ancient village from Joseon period that is now open to the public.
Hongdae
This is the center of youth culture in Seoul. To enjoy nightlife, or just to soak up the youthful vibe of the area, pay a visit to Hongdae. You will also find plenty of interesting and unusual cafes in Hongdae.
History
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace, located in the heart of the Seoul was the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty. Meaning “Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven”, Gyeongbokgung Palace is fronted by the impressive double-roofed Gwangwamun Gate, the main gate to the palace. A visit to the Palace is one of the must-do things to do in Seoul.
You can go on a tour of Gyeongbokgung Palace and also watch the Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony held at the Palace.
Gyeongbokgung Palace is also home to the National Palace Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum.
Find out more about Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Changdeokgung Palace
Changdeokgung Palace is a beautiful spot to visit in Seoul. It was the secondary palace to Gyeongbokgung Palace. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
The palace was built in 1405 by King Taejong, who ruled Korea from 1400-1418 (the Joseon Dynasty). He wanted to make it his main residence but didn’t live long enough; instead, his son King Sejong took over and made Changdeokgung Palace his home base until he died in 1450.
Changdeokgung Palace is located the foot of a mountain, unlike Gyeongbokgung Palace which is built on flat land. You can join a tour to visit the Palace. There is s General Palace Building area tour and a longer Secret Garden tour that take you to a special, hidden garden. Get more details about Changdeokgung Palace.
National Museum of Korea
The museum has a huge collection of over 420,000 artefacts across six permanent galleries, laid out over three floors, and traces the history of country from the ancient era to the present day. Entry to the National Museum of Korea is free and is one of the best things to do in Korea for history buffs.
King Sejeong Museum
In the middle of Gwanghwamun Square is the King Sejeong Museum. The free museum is dedicated to the king who invented the Korean writing system, amongst other accomplishments. Learn about why King Sejeong is revered in Korea at the small but informative museum.
Blue House
Cheong Wa Dae or the Blue House is the equivalent of the White House in the United States. It was formerly the office and residence of Korean presidents up till 2022. When the presidential office was relocated in 2022, Choeng Wa Dae was opened to the public and can be visited by the public. However, take note that reservations are required and is recommended to do so in advance online.
Make your reservation to visit Blue House.
Donuimun Museum Village
Donuimun Museum Village showcases different periods of Seoul’s architecture, from traditional homes to those from the 1980s. It is an interesting place where you’ll find buildings from different eras standing side by side and it is simply fun to wander around the village and learn about Seoul’s past. You’ll feel as if you’ve been transported back to the past.
Hanguel Museum
Want to learn more about the Korean language that was created by King Sejeong? The Hanguel Museum is the place to visit to discover more about the origins of the writing system and how it is used.
War Memorial of Korea
Although some parts of the museum can be quite sombre, it is worthwhile spending some time paying a visit to the War Memorial of Korea to better understand the conflict that shaped the Korean peninsula. It is an educational way to spend a couple of hours in Korea.
Read more about what to expect at the War Memorial of Korea.
Sights
N Seoul Tower
N Seoul Tower is a communication and observation tower located in Seoul, South Korea. It is the tallest structure in South Korea and among the 100 highest towers in the world.
The tower was constructed to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Korean independence from Japan after World War II.
Lotte Tower Observation Deck
Lotte Tower, an iconic building that rises above Seoul’s skyline, offers visitors an amazing view of the city from its observation deck. The top floor has a 360-degree panorama of Seoul and its surrounding mountains. It also has a glass floor where you can look straight down to the ground below.
Han River Park and Cruise
The Han River Park is a nice place to just hangout and enjoy the view of the Han River while in Korea.
To get a relaxing view of the city from a different perspective, go on a Han River Cruise. There are many different cruises to choose from and if you take the evening cruise, you may be able to see the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain show in action.
Naksan Park and the Seoul Fortress Wall
Naksan Park is a bit a hike uphill but you will be rewarded with a great view of Seoul. It is also the location for popular K-dramas like The Heirs and My Lovely Girl. Follow the Seoul Fortress Wall and pay a visit to the Ihwa Mural Village before making you way down to Dongdaemun.
Bukchon Hanok Village
Bukchon Hanok Village is a neighborhood that is popular with tourists visiting Seoul. It’s an excellent place to walk around and see all of the traditional Korean houses, as well as get some food and take pictures.
Pop Culture
HiKR Ground
HiKR Ground is a newly renovated five-story venue, located on Cheonggyecheon-ro Street in the Jung-gu District. Each floor is devoted different aspects of Korean pop culture such as K-pop and art. Get more details about HiKR Ground.
K-Star Road
Spot the doll sculpture, or GangnamDol, representing your favourite K-Pop group along K-Star Road at Gangnam. K-Star Road is home to many of Korea’s famous entertainment companies.
Amusements and Entertainment
Lotte World Adventure
Lotte World Adventure is a popular tourist attraction and theme park in Seoul, South Korea. It has both an indoor area many rides known as Lotte World Adventure and an outdoor area known as Magic Island. The Lotte World theme park contains plenty of rides and attractions.
Read more about what to expect at Lotte World Adventure and Magic Island.
Itaewon
Itaewon is a great area to visit for shopping, dining, and nightlife. The area has a variety of restaurants and bars that you can enjoy after dark. Itaewon also has many clubs where you can dance all night long.
Seoul: An Exciting Destination to Visit
Seoul is one of the most exciting cities in the world, and it’s easy to see why. With so much to see and do, it’s no wonder that people come here from all over just to experience this amazing place. Whether you’re looking for culture or just want some fun with friends, Seoul has something for everyone!
If you are visiting Seoul, you may also be interested to find out how to use Naver Map to get around.
You may also be interested in things to do in Osaka, Japan.
