Seoul travel guide: sights, food and transport

From palace courtyards and hanok lanes to lively markets and the Han River: explore Seoul neighbourhood by neighbourhood, combining history, Korean food and contemporary city life.

Summers are hot, humid and rainy; winters are cold. Choose spring or autumn for a walking-focused visit; blossom and foliage timing varies.

• Group the palaces and northern historic neighbourhoods together; leave separate time for Gangnam and Jamsil.
• Bukchon is residential: follow local visiting hours, keep quiet and do not enter private homes.
• Opening hours and fees can change; check official links before visiting.

• Jongno / Insadong: for a first visit focused on palaces and historic lanes.
• Myeongdong: for a central base, shopping and subway connections.
• Hongdae: for cafés and nightlife; check reviews for street noise.
• Gangnam / Jamsil: if most of your stops are south of the river.

• Bibimbap: a rice bowl with vegetables.
• Korean barbecue: tabletop grilling with small side dishes.
• Bindaetteok: a mung-bean pancake found in markets.
• Tteokbokki: rice cakes in sauce; ask about the spice level.
• Mandu: Korean dumplings served steamed, fried or in soup.

• Seoul Spring Festa · Spring events
• Seoul Lantern Festival · Lantern displays
• Seoul International Fireworks Festival · Fireworks
• Seoul Jazz Festival · Jazz concerts
• Yeon Deung Hoe · Lotus lantern festival

Gyeongbokgung

Explore the Joseon palace courtyards and include nearby Gwanghwamun in the same walk.

Changdeokgung

Allow time for the palace buildings among the trees; check Secret Garden admission arrangements separately.

Bukchon Hanok Village

A lived-in neighbourhood of traditional houses. Keep quiet and respect visitor restrictions.

Insadong

Explore craft shops and teahouses, leaving the main street for the smaller lanes.

Jogyesa

Pause at this central Buddhist temple and respect the space of worshippers.

Cheonggyecheon

Walk beside the stream below street level; follow access notices during heavy rain.

Gwangjang Market

Stop for market dishes such as bindaetteok; confirm portions and prices before ordering.

Myeongdong

Combine shopping streets with a food stop and allow extra time for busy evenings.

N Seoul Tower

View the city from Namsan; plan the outdoor walk separately from paid tower admission.

Namdaemun Market

Explore market passages for household goods, clothing and food alleys.

Deoksugung

Pair the palace courtyards with a stone-wall walk for a compact historic stop downtown.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza

Explore the flowing exterior architecture and check exhibitions and events separately.

National Museum of Korea

Explore Korean art and history in the galleries, allowing several hours for the extensive collection.

War Memorial of Korea

Visit exhibitions on Korean military history, allowing time for indoor and outdoor areas.

Hongdae

Take a neighbourhood walk through independent shops, cafés and music venues.

Seoul Forest

Take a break along leafy paths and explore nearby Seongsu streets afterwards.

Bongeunsa

Walk quietly through temple courtyards among Gangnam’s modern buildings.

Lotte World Tower

See the Jamsil skyline; check weather and ticket conditions for the Seoul Sky observatory.

Yeouido

Allow time for a Han River waterfront walk; this broad district needs more than a quick stop.

Namsangol Hanok Village

See traditional houses on an outdoor visit close to the city centre.

Combine walking with the subway. Tap a transport card such as Tmoney when entering and leaving subway stations and when boarding and leaving buses. Check exit numbers at large stations.