Seoul, South Korea is considered to be one of the largest and most progressive cities in the world and the most livable city in Asia. With big K-pop bands like BTS and BLACKPINK bursting into North America’s cultural lexicon, Seoul is a destination that more and more travelers are itching to visit. So, keep reading for the top 10 things to do in this amazing city.
Lotte World Tower
Go to the top of the highest skyscraper at Lotte World Tower. With so many sights to see in Seoul, the Lotte World Tower might be the easiest to spot.
Standing at 1,823 feet tall, this is the tallest building in Seoul. Visitors can go to the observation deck located on floors 117 to 123 to see panoramic views of the city.
Namsan Seoul Tower
See some city views at Namsan Seoul Tower. While Lotte World Tower is one of the tallest in Seoul, Namsan Seoul Tower is a local favorite. With its location at the top of Namsan Mountain, this national landmark gets over 8 million visitors every year to see unobstructed views of the entirety of Seoul. Visitors can take a cable car up Namsan Mountain to get to the observatory.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Explore the Gyeongbokgung Palace. This famous tourist attraction used to be the central hub for the Joseon Dynasty, which ruled Korea from 1392 to 1897. Now, it brings in over 5 million guests per year due to the numerous beautiful buildings on site and the National Palace Museum. The museum displays preserved royal relics, providing guests with the opportunity to learn about the impact of the Joseon Dynasty and the Korean Empire.
National Museum of Korea
Go to the National Museum of Korea. Perfect for the history buff, the National Museum of Korea is an archive of over 5,000 years’ worth of art, history, and culture. With over 220,000 artifacts in its possession, this is the largest museum in Asia. Visitors will not only learn about Korea’s history but also have the chance to see art from other countries like China, Japan, and Southeast and Central Asia.
Ikseon-dong
Get the perfect photo in Ikseon-dong. With an abundance of small shops and hip cafés surrounded by traditional Korean-style houses, it is easy to get lost wandering through these maze-like streets.
This spot has become increasingly popular with the young locals, the alleyways in Ikseon-dong are known as “photo zones” due to the one-of-a-kind murals that are painted on the storefronts.
Meyong-dong
Shop till you drop at Meyong-dong. As one of the top 10 most expensive shopping streets in the world, with stores like Lacoste and Louis Vuitton, Myeong-dong is a shopper’s paradise.
With over 13 percent of visitors to Seoul calling it their favorite activity while visiting, plenty of affordable stores line the streets for visitors who want to go on a shopping spree but not break the bank.
Gwangjang Market
Feel like a local at Gwangjang Market. Gwangjang means “to gather from afar and keep all together,” and that’s precisely what this market does. What was once a small trading center that connected regions of Korea is now a large wholesale market that sells upholstery, groceries, fish, and much more.
Gwangjang Market is a popular market that thrives with locals and tourists, so to get an authentic Korean market experience, it cannot be missed.
Bukhansan National Park
Channel your inner adventurer at Bukhansan National Park. Just a few miles from the city center is Bukhansan National Park. This is a 31-square-mile park that has towering granite mountains separated by crystal clear streams and forested areas throughout the grounds. There are three peaks that visitors can summit, with the tallest one being 2,744 feet tall. With over 1,300 species of plants and animals, forgetting your camera cannot be an option.
Korean Food Tour
Go on a Korean food tour. If you are a fan of Korean BBQ or you are just interested in learning more about Korea’s culture through its food, go on a Korean food tour.
Numerous tours all throughout the day and at many different price points create a situation where there is something for everyone looking to learn more about the flavors of Korea.
Korean Hanok
Stay in a traditional Korean Hanok. In a city that effortlessly blends modern architecture with traditional buildings, there are accommodations for every type of traveler. Regardless of what you’re looking for, staying in a Hanok for a couple of nights is necessary. Most of these traditional Korean houses have been renovated on the inside in order to keep up with heating and maintenance for maximum relaxation but remain traditional and stunning on the outside.
Photos Credits:
Lead – Ryongwang Pavilion – WallpaperUP
Lotte World Tower – CM Mellow on Pixabay
Namsan Tower – Adobe Stock – trial
Gyeongbokgung Palace – bongki66 on Pixabay
National Museum of Korea – Grace Lim on Unsplash
Ikseon-dong at Hanok Village – Hong Kim on Pixabay
Meyong-dong – Viarami on Pixabay
Gwangjang Market – Mike Swigunski GlobalCareerBook.com on Unsplash
Bukhansan National Park – Adobe Stock – trial
Korean Food Tour – tragrpx on Pixabay
Korean Hanok – AKuptsova on Pixabay