2024 Seoul Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in December)
Seoul is the capital city of South Korea. The temples and palaces of this city tell a long and storied history. The magnificent natural landscape and modern skyscrapers merge together to form a city which is both young and cultured. Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung Palaces are ancient palaces, while Bukchon Hanok Village and Namsangol Hanok Village are well-preserved traditional Korean villages. Seoul is a shopping paradise. In Myeong-dong, Dongdaemun Market, Sinsa-dong and Samcheong-dong, you can find all kinds of cutting-edge fashions, including clothing, jewelry and make-up. Once night falls, Seoul is even more magnificent. Climb atop the YTN Seoul Tower to feast your eyes on the city's glittering nightscape. The Han River is the background of many beloved Korean soap operas. Seoul's delicious food is not to be missed. Bibimbap, kimchi and Samgyetang (Korean ginseng chicken soup) are all delicious in their own right.
Today's Weather
Mostly clear -6-6℃
Popular Attractions
Namsan Mountain Park
N Seoul Tower
Everland
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Wild Wild <After Party>
MYEONGDONG: THE PULSATING HEART OF SEOUL.
Seoul, a city that thrives on its dynamic energy, truly comes alive in the lively district of Myeongdong. As someone who has lived in Korea for over three years and with my Korean heritage, I’ve witnessed firsthand how this area is a sanctuary for trendsetters and beauty enthusiasts.
But beyond the fashion and skincare shops, Myeongdong stands out as the pulsating heart of an electrifying street food scene. It’s a place where the flavors are as rich and diverse as my own experiences here.
South Korea,
#koreatrip , South Korea, is a vibrant blend of tradition and modernity. The city is a dynamic mix of sleek skyscrapers, historic palaces like Gyeongbokgung, and tranquil temples nestled amidst bustling streets. Exploring neighborhoods like Insadong offers a taste of traditional Korean culture, while districts like Gangnam showcase the city’s cutting-edge technology and fashion. Seoul’s food scene is a highlight, from street food like tteokbokki to the world-famous Korean barbecue. With its lively markets, rich history, and thriving arts scene, Seoul captivates visitors with its energy, diversity, and unique fusion of old and new.
@ GWANGHWAMUN SQUARE.
Gwanghwamun Square (also known as Gwanghwamun Plaza; Korean: 광화문광장) is a public square on Sejongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
Serving as a public space and at times road for centuries of Korean history, it is also historically significant as the location of royal administrative buildings, known as Yukjo-geori or Street of Six Ministries; and features statues of Admiral Yi Sun-sin of Joseon Dynasty and King Sejong the Great of Joseon.
@ NAMDAEMUN MARKET.
Opened in 1964, Namdaemun Market is the largest traditional market in Korea with shops selling various goods. All products are sold at affordable prices and the stores in this area also function as wholesale markets.
Most of the goods are made directly by the storeowners. Namdaemun Market is even open overnight, from 23:00 to 04:00, and is crowded with retailers from all over the country. When day breaks, the site of busy shoppers bustling around the market creates a unique scene that attracts tourists worldwide. Namdaemun Market sells a variety of clothes, glasses, kitchenware, toys, mountain gear, fishing equipment, stationery, fine arts, accessories, hats, carpets, flowers, ginseng, and imported goods.
@ THE STARFIELD LIBRARY SUWON.
Starfield Library Suwon (also referred as Byeolmadang Library in Korean) is probably the most famous attraction and photo hot spot of Starfield Suwon shopping mall complex.
Admission to Starfield Library Suwon is free and anyone can enter the library.
What is so special about Starfield Library Suwon?
Starfield Library Suwon is the second Starfield Library, following the success of Starfield Library at COEX Mall in Seoul.
While Starfield Library Seoul is spread across 2 floors with 13m high bookshelves, Starfield Library Suwon surpasses its predecessor in size, spanning 4 floors (4th to 7th floor) with maximum bookshelves height of 22m! There is also a Starfield Library Kids that is not available at the COEX Mall branch too.
@ THE LEEUM MUSEUM OF ART.
The Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art (Korean: 삼성미술관 리움; RR: Samseongmisulgwan Rium) is a museum in Hannam-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul, South Korea.
It is run by the Samsung Foundation of Culture.
It is considered one of South Korea's top three private art museums.
@ DEOKSUGUNG PALACE.
Deoksugung (Korean: 덕수궁) also known as Gyeongun-gung, Deoksugung Palace, or Deoksu Palace, is a walled compound of palaces in Seoul that was inhabited by members of Korea's royal family during the Joseon monarchy until the annexation of Korea by Japan in 1910. It is one of the "Five Grand Palaces" built by the kings of the Joseon dynasty and designated as a Historic Site.
The buildings are of varying styles, including some of natural cryptomeria wood, painted wood, and stucco. Some buildings were built of stone to replicate western palatial structures.
@ GWANJANG MARKET.
Gwangjang Market is also just a food market with aisles of vendors that have Korean side dishes, Korean teas, and sets to purchase for a Korean dol and other ceremonies like the Korean jesa which is done on major Korean holidays like Chuseok, the Korean thanksgiving, and Seollal, the Lunar New Year. If you’re prepping for those holidays, definitely visit Gwangjang Market.
@ CHANGDEOKGUNG.
Changdeokgung (Korean: 창덕궁; lit. The Palace of Prospering Virtue), also known as Changdeokgung Palace or Changdeok Palace, is set within a large park in Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea.
It is one of the "Five Grand Palaces" built by the kings of the Joseon dynasty (1392–1897).[1] As it is located east of Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeokgung—along with Changgyeonggung—is also referred to as the "East Palace" (동궐; 東闕; Donggwol).
@ LOTTE WORLD ADVENTURE.
Lotte World or Lotte World Adventure (Korean: 롯데월드 어드벤처) is a major recreation complex in Seoul, South Korea. It consists of a large indoor theme park, an outdoor amusement park called "Magic Island", an artificial island on a lake linked by monorail, shopping malls, a luxury hotel, an observation tower, a Korean folk museum, sports facilities, and movie theaters. Opened in July 1989, Lotte World receives approximately 7.3 million visitors each year.
Lotte World's sister theme park, Lotte World Adventure Busan, opened in March 2022.
@ BUKHANSAN MOUNTAIN.
Bukhansan Mountain was officially designated as a national park in 1983. Bukhansan National Park covers both Bukhansan and Dobongsan Mountains, and spans a total area of 80.699 ㎢.
At the top of Bukhansan Mountain are Baegundae Terrace (835.6 m), Insubong Peak (810.5 m) and Mangyeongdae Terrace (799.5 m), which gave the mountain the nickname "Samgaksan" or the "three-horned mountain."
The mountain had other names: Sambongsan (mountain with three peaks), Hwasan (flower mountain), and Buaak (mountain shaped like a person giving a baby a piggyback ride).
The current name, Bukhansan, was given after the Bukhansanseong Fortress was built under King Sukjong of the Joseon dynasty.
At the Lotte World Aquarium.
Lotte World Mall (Korean: 롯데월드몰) is a shopping complex located in the Songpa District of Seoul, South Korea. It first opened in October 2014 and includes the Lotte World Tower, the Lotte World Mall building, and the Avenue L building.
The Lotte World Mall site covers 26,000 square meters, with a total floor area of 244,000 square meters. The Lotte World Mall building and Lotte World Tower are connected by an underground plaza.
@ GYEONGBOKGUNG PALACE.
Gyeongbokgung (Korean: 경복궁; Hanja: 景福宮; lit. Blessing Scenery Palace), also known as Gyeongbokgung Palace, was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty.
Built in 1395, it is located in northern Seoul, South Korea. The largest of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon dynasty, Gyeongbokgung served as the home of the royal family and the seat of government.
@ THE WAR MEMORIAL OF KOREA.
The War Memorial of Korea (Korean: 전쟁기념관) is a museum located in Yongsan-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It opened in 1994 on the former site of the army headquarters to exhibit and memorialize the military history of Korea.
It was built for the purpose of preventing war through lessons from the Korean War and for the hoped for peaceful reunification of North and South Korea.
The memorial building has six indoor exhibition rooms and an outdoor exhibition centre displaying war memorabilia and military equipment from China, South Korea and the United States.
@ CHEONGGYECHEON.
Cheonggyecheon (Korean: 청계천, Korean pronunciation: [t͡ɕʰʌ̹ŋ.ɡje̞.t͡ɕʰʌ̹ːn]) is a 10.9-kilometre-long (6.8 mi) stream and public space in downtown Seoul, South Korea
A natural stream sourced from the Suseongdong Valley in Inwangsan, it was historically maintained as part of Seoul's early sewerage until the mid-20th century, when post-Korean War rapid economic development and deteriorating conditions prompted the filling of the stream with concrete and the construction of an elevated freeway, the Cheonggye Expressway, in its place. In 2003, the city government began an urban renewal project to disassemble the expressway and restore the stream, which was completed in 2005 at a cost of over ₩386 billion (approximately US$281 million).
If you're planning to visit a Christmas market in Korea, this is the place to go!
THE Hyundai Seoul
LE GRAND THEATRE
The Christmas event is just too cute~ 🎅🏻🎄
We stopped by on our way from the airport to Garosu-gil 🚶♀️
The Christmas market requires a reservation.
You can store your suitcase for free,
and there were more shops than the last time we visited, making it very lively.
B2 has cafes and various pop-ups, which are fun.
Open 10:30〜22:00
📍 Seoul Special City, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Yeouido-dong 22
(🚃 1 hour 20 minutes from Incheon Airport (subway)
7 minutes walk from Yeouinaru Station / 11 minutes walk from Yeouido Station)
@ THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF KOREA.
This vast and imposing concrete slab of a museum takes visitors on a fascinating journey through Korea's past from prehistory all the way to the Korean Empire period (1897–1910). If you're short on time, prioritise the Joseon Dynasty gallery (1392–1897).
Among the must-see exhibits in the ground-floor galleries are the Baekje Incense Burner, an extraordinary example of the artistry of the 6th- to 7th-century Baekje Kingdom; and the Golden Treasures from the Great Tomb of Hwangham.
@ BUKCHON HANOK VILLAGE
Bukchon Hanok Village (Korean: 북촌한옥마을) is a residential neighborhood in Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea.
It has many restored traditional Korean houses, called hanok. This has made it a popular tourist destination, which has caused some friction with the residents who live there.
VISITING N SEOUL TOWER.
The N Seoul Tower (Korean: N 서울타워), officially the YTN Seoul Tower[1] and a.k.a. for the Namsan Tower, is a communication and observation tower located on the summit of Namsan Mountain (262m) in central Seoul, South Korea. The 236-metre-tall (774 ft) structure marks the second highest point in Seoul and is considered a local landmark.[2]
Seoul's Popular Instagram Spot: Breadypost's Must-Try Pretzels
For bread lovers, Seoul is a paradise, and Breadypost is a must-visit hotspot! This small shop, famous for its variety of sweet and savory pretzel breads, uses pesticide-free French wheat flour and premium French butter, with every bread freshly made daily. Breadypost has opened several branches in Seoul, including Yongsan, Seongsu, Yeonnam, and Myeongdong.
This time, we visited the Seongsu branch, the first store of Breadypost, hidden in the artistic Seongsu-dong. The pure white two-story building with vintage graffiti walls makes you want to take a few photos from the outside. As soon as you step inside, the aroma of bread fills the air, instantly captivating you.
Breadypost's signature pretzel-shaped bagels are the star product here. The crust is slightly crispy, and the inside is firm, with a chewy texture in every bite. The flavor options are rich and varied, from classic chocolate to creative chive bacon. Whether you prefer savory or sweet, you'll find something you love. The prices are also very reasonable, ranging from 3,800 to 8,000 KRW (approximately 86 to 180 TWD). Besides bread, the store also offers various peripheral products, from tote bags to limited-edition pretzel-shaped decorations, which are super cute. It must be said that Koreans are really good at combining food and design!
If you are also a bread lover, Breadypost is definitely worth adding to your must-visit list in Seoul. Remember to leave some room in your stomach because you'll want to take all the bread home as soon as you walk in!
/ INFO Store Information /
✅ BREADYPOST Seongsu 브레디포스트 성수점
breadypost_bakery
📍 Address: 1st Floor, 5 Sangwon 1-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
⏰ Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 to 20:00
🚇 Transportation: Seongsu Station and Ttukseom Station on Subway Line 2
Pastry Perfection
Just a #simple amazing dope bread and pastry from @cafe.onion, once you tried it, you will thank me ... "Delicious and tasty describes it just well for me" ... #cafe #cafeonion #onion #sgfitness #sgfoodies #igymtoeatmore for the #win...
Well... #Drifterdrift have #Doneitagain ... #Whoopwhoopwhoop #drifterdriftworldtour in #korea
Thank you, @Trip.com, for making this happen for me, my one and only booking site. As always, HAVE A NICE TRIP
Thank you @Trip.com for making this happen for me, my one and only booking site. As always, HAVE A NICE TRIP
Fan Activities Seoul Trip
A sudden trip to Korea during the Obon holiday for fan activities
Since the price of Airbnb was comparable to that of hotels, I chose a hotel in Sinsa, where I lived during my student days and know well. Although it's on the edge, it was stylish and comfortable!
Apart from the fan meeting, I was alone, so I visited restaurants where I could eat alone for two consecutive days. I had a Bossam set meal and a Saeujang set meal. I didn't feel lonely because there was a Japanese solo diner next to me.
Being lazy, I walked to the nearby London Bagel Museum for a morning walk and took out bagels to eat at the hotel. I love the soft bagels here, so whenever I visit Korea, I take them out during my morning walks. Besides that, I took out Kimchi Jjigae and Gimbap from the nearby Gimbap Heaven and ate them at the hotel! The Kimchi Jjigae was plentiful and delicious!
Sevit Island, a great place for dating
#NovemberTravelSupportEvent
Sebitseom is recommended as a great place for a date while enjoying the beautiful view of the Han River!
It is a floating artificial island on the Han River as a complex cultural space.
It is recommended as a great place to enjoy a date while enjoying the beautiful view of the Han River~
✅Sebitseom
📍Secho-gu, Seoul, Olympic-daero 2085-14 Sebitseom
#HangangHotPlace #Sebitseom #SebitDungdungSeom
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Christmas at Lotte Town Myeongdong
#SeeChristmasLights
This Christmas, Lotte Town is organizing a big event with the theme of Theater Sogong 2024 at Lotte Town and Lotte Yang, Myeongdong branch.
The lights were decorated since early November. The atmosphere was nice because it was just the beginning of winter in Seoul. A giant Christmas tree was set up in front of the entrance of Lotte Town. At Lotte Yang, there was a large screen displaying beautiful images that matched the Christmas theme. The photos came out beautifully, pleasing shoppers and tourists walking around this area.
The mall was also decorated with a Christmas theme. During this year-end festival, many people came to buy gifts. The atmosphere was very lively.
How to get there by subway
Myeongdong Station Exit 5
[Korea] Margiela! The latest brand cafe 🤍🤍
Maison Margiela Cafe with BONANZA COFFEE
Line ⑥ Hangangjin Station, 15 minutes walk🚶
A newly opened cafe by Maison Margiela.
The cafe is next to the shop!
There are about 10 seats.
The cafe has a simple design like Margiela and is cute🤍🤍
There are two types of desserts!
Tabi Cream Cheese Cake 14,000W
Americano 7,500W
They collaborate with a coffee shop, so the coffee is very delicious!
#KoreanFood2024 #0YenTravelNovember #KoreanGourmet #KoreanCafe
📍Location: 8-7, 11-gil, Daejeon-ro, Yeongdeungpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul
🕰️Opening hours: 11:00-20:00
Climbing up the steps, sharing the four seasons with Naksan.
Walking through Naksan Park, each step feels like traversing the intersection of nature and culture in Seoul. The winding paths are flanked by lush trees, with sunlight filtering through the leaves like fine gold dust, gently illuminating every shadow.
Reaching the heights, the city's skyline contrasts beautifully with the serene nature, offering a broad view and a sense of openness. Strolling along the famous Seoul City Wall Trail, the ancient stone walls bear the marks of time and witness the prosperity and changes of Seoul. Naksan in autumn is particularly enchanting, with fiery red and golden leaves covering the mountain paths, as if stepping into a poetic painting. At dusk, the sunset paints the sky red, enveloping the entire mountain in warm light and shadow, making it hard to leave.
The beauty of Naksan Park lies not only in its stunning natural scenery but also in its poetic tranquility and harmony. Here, I can shed my busy thoughts and find inner peace and inspiration in every step and view.
Starlit Library: A Stroll Through Seoul's Starfield Library
Stepping into Seoul's Starfield Library feels like entering a palace built of books and dreams. The ten-meter-high book walls on both sides stretch up to the ceiling, with colorful books resembling a giant painting. Sunlight filters through the glass dome, gently illuminating each book, making every page seem to emit a warm glow.
The library's spacious and serene environment invites visitors to walk quietly, occasionally brushing their fingers across the spines of books, engaging in a silent dialogue with the words. In the central area, comfortable sofas and reading tables are arranged thoughtfully, with readers absorbed in their books, exuding a sense of calm and focus. As I opened a randomly chosen piece of Korean literature, I felt as if the characters in the story were breathing with me, blending seamlessly with the tranquil scenery.
The Starfield Library is not just a place to read; it is a cultural landmark where one can calm the mind and experience the fusion of literature and art. In this space where books and starlight intertwine, time passes quietly, leaving behind a heart full of emotion and an insatiable thirst for knowledge.
Yeonnam-dong Coffee Shop A delicious dish you won’t be able to go back to after drinking it once
"oats coffee", famous for its Viennese coffee (Einspänner), moved to Yeonnam-dong, and the two-story space is wider and more comfortable.
The must-try #Einspänner coffee here is covered with fluffy and dense fresh cream, and the top is dotted with cute cloud-like cat-shaped milk foam. The taste is dense and sweet but not greasy. A sip of fresh cream paired with a sip of coffee will really make you want to go back for more. Not going.
In addition to the signature Viennese coffee, oats coffee also offers a variety of snacks. This time, they also took out Fei Nanxue. The crispy cake on the outside is soft and fragrant with butter, which is also highly recommended. The simple decoration of the store uses wood to create a comfortable atmosphere, which is perfect for gathering with friends or enjoying leisure time alone. Friends who come to Seoul, be sure to take the time to have a drink!
////////////////////////// Store information///////////////////////// ////
✅ oats coffee
@oatscoffee
⏰Business hours: Daily 11:00–21:00
📍 Address: 서울 마포구 성미산로29길 29-8 1층
#OatsCoffee #SeoulCafe #Yonnam-dong Cafe #Korea Cafe #ViennaCoffee #Cloud Cream Coffee #Seoul Coffee Recommendation #CoffeeLovers #Korean Dessert #Yonnam-dong Food #Seoul Wangmei Cafe #CafeVibes
Gallery Cafe with a Han River View
The Lounge of Light in Gwangjin-gu, famous as a cafe with a great view, is a gallery cafe where you can enjoy the Han River view and art pieces. Inside, there are various exhibitions and windows overlooking the Han River, allowing you to have a relaxing cultural experience with your drink. Enjoy famous artworks while comfortably viewing the Han River. There is also a goods shop right next to it where you can make actual purchases.
🔹️The Lounge of Light
Address: B1, Walkerhill Hotel, 177 Walkerhill-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
Seoul Sinyongsan Station Hidden Food That Koreans Are Queuing for
#100 Ways to Travel
｜Seoul. Triangle Station｜
This time, in order to develop new spots, I specially went to Xinlong Mountain District. I actually saw an advertisement for this restaurant in an MRT station and thought it was cute, so I decided to go there on the spur of the moment. I really liked it once I got there! Although there were also a lot of Koreans queuing up, it was convenient to make a reservation via mobile phone~it didn’t take long to get a seat.
The breads in the store all look super delicious. The classic products are pistachio-based products (but after eating the desserts from the previous store, I only wanted the salty ones) and they are also delicious!
Anyway, if you have time to hang out, I highly recommend coming here to hang out. It’s very local and I like it very much.
🔰 Shrimp Sandwich / 13,500 won
🔰 Mojito (non-alcoholic) / 6,000 won
✅ Teddy Beurre House 테디뵈르하우스 @teddybeurrehouse
📍 Address｜서울 용산구 한강대로40가길 42 1층
⏰Business hours｜11:00-22:00 (opens at 10:00 on holidays)
#Na want to eat #naamangequoi #澳门精品 #澳门外围行 #澳门 cafe #新龙山カフェ #seoulcoffee #seoulbakery #bakery #빵판매점 #빵집 #베이커리 #서울맛집 #서울베이커리 #teddybeur rehouse #테디뵈르하우스
Recommended Attractions at Popular Destinations
Popular Restaurants in Seoul