Seoul

Travel Guide
Seoul featuring a city and modern architecture 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 with youthful vibrancy. Art galleries, cinemas, bars and boutiques are dotted all over the city. Seoulites are also in touch with their past, and you’ll find plenty of instances of traditional Korean culture in palaces and theatres. 

Korea has suffered from many conflicts, and some of the bruises still show in Seoul. The city’s Five Grand Palaces are testament to this all of these complexes have been destroyed or badly damaged. Today they have largely been restored to their former glory and house national treasures, art and traditional architecture. For particularly fine examples of these palaces, visit Gyeongbokgung, Deoksugung and Changgyeonggung.

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

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

Soak up classic Korean culture at venues like Chongdong Theatre. Here, you can marvel at spectaculars featuring traditional music, dance and costume. Sample local cuisine at well-priced stalls and restaurants that serve Korean classics such as kalguksu (“knife noodles”) or donkas (deep-fried pork cutlets). Foodies will want to pay homage to the Korean national dish (kimchi) at the Pulmuone Kimchi Museum.  Kimchi is a fermented vegetable (cabbage, radish or cucumber) dish seasoned with spices. Finish your dining experience with a visit to one of Seoul’s excellent teahouses.

When you want some quiet time, escape to one of Seoul’s regenerated areas, such as Cheonggyecheon Stream. This stretch of water in the city center 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 and cold winters. The best time to visit is around March through May (spring), or September through November (fall) . Navigate the city using the well-priced and efficient subway system, considered one of the best in the world.

Where to stay in Seoul

Myeongdong showing shopping, street scenes and a city

Myeong-dong

Travelers love Myeong-dong for its popular shops, and you can see more of Seoul by jumping on the metro at Myeong-dong Station or Euljiro 1-ga Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Myeongdong Street and Myeongdong Cathedral.

Myeong-dong
Gangnam featuring outdoor art

Gangnam-gu

4/5(5 area reviews)

Travelers love Gangnam-gu for its popular shops, and you can see more of Seoul by jumping on the metro at Cheongdam Station or Gangnam-gu Office Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Starfield COEX Mall and Bongeunsa Temple.

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

Hongdae

Spend some time visiting places like Trickeye Museum while getting to know Hongdae, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Hongik University Station or Mangwon Station to see more of the area.

Hongdae
Chegiil-tong which includes flowers

Dongdaemun-gu

4/5(1 area review)

Dongdaemun-gu is a destination travelers like for its shopping, and you might hop aboard the metro at Yongdu Station or Jegi-dong Station to explore sights like Gyeongdong Market.

Dongdaemun-gu
Dongdaemun Design Plaza featuring modern architecture as well as a couple

Jung-gu

4.5/5(50 area reviews)

Travelers love Jung-gu for its popular shops, and you can see more of Seoul by jumping on the metro at Euljiro 4-ga Station or Chungmuro Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Myeongdong Street and Namdaemun Market.

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

Yongsan-gu

4/5(2 area reviews)

Consider exploring the abundant dining options in Yongsan-gu. If sightseeing is on the list, N Seoul Tower is a top attraction. Hop on the metro at Hyochang Park Station or Namyeong Station to see more of the area.

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 P7,759 per night from 18 Apr to 19 Apr
P7,759
per night
18 Apr - 19 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, a children's pool, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,914 reviews)
"It’s a very nice hotel, nicer than others we stayed at in Seoul. The location is closer to “business” areas so less convenient to tourist areas, but I would recommend it for the price and cleanliness."

Reviewed on Mar 27, 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 P12,401 per night from 10 Apr to 11 Apr
P12,401
per night
10 Apr - 11 Apr
Stay at this luxury hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and 6 restaurants. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,011 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 Mar 25, 2024

Grand Hyatt Seoul
Lotte Hotel World
Lotte Hotel World
5 out of 5
240, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is P10,732 per night from 17 Apr to 18 Apr
P10,732
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 our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,011 reviews)
"Clean, Excellent Staff & Service. Shopping."

Reviewed on Mar 26, 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 ...
6.4/10 (5 reviews)
Good location, but bearable conditions
"Excellent location"

Reviewed on Mar 24, 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 center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (995 reviews)
"I loved this hotel - the rooms were amazing. Restaurant AND coffee shop in the building. Subway nearby...everything you could ask for!"

Reviewed on Mar 27, 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 our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,176 reviews)
"Excellent room conditions. Convenient location."

Reviewed on Feb 6, 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
33
" "5 - Excellent 58.92857142857143%
4 - Good
20
" "4 - Good 35.714285714285715%
3 - Okay
3
" "3 - Okay 5.357142857142857%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
2 Jan 2020

excellent place to enjoy food and tour

5/5 - Excellent

Rizzie
29 Dec 2019

There are a lot of things to do around Seoul. Shopping, dining, tours/cultural experiences. I also love the weather there as it is normally cooler than where I’m from.

5/5 - Excellent

Abbie
29 Dec 2019

I love the place, would definitely come back

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
17 Dec 2019

Seoul has a lot of things to offer, going to places is really easy because most or should I say, all of the tourist spots are just right next beside to a subway station. Even though Seoul is a modern city, you can still see the culture everywhere.

4/5 - Good

JLP
18 Nov 2019

Modern city that requires more than one trip to enjoy it. A bit difficult to communicate in English or to read a map. Information is only in Korean ( of course) and many times in Chinese.

5/5 - Excellent

Joel
6 Nov 2019

Go Garden of the morning calm; Gyeongbokgung Palace + English tour (palace has every 2-3hours no need to book be there way ahead of time); + arrange pictorial around the area at ABC Hanbok costumes (right across, the lady owner/manager very nice).