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Seoul, South Korea • Asia

Seoul

A hyper-modern megacity wrapped around ancient palaces - K-pop and neon, hanok villages, mountain temples and the world's most addictive street food.

#City#Culture#Food#Shopping#ModernCouplesSolo TravelFoodieFamilyCulture
7 Attractions
5 Restaurants
5 Hotels
2 Itineraries

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Quick facts

Best time to visit

Spring (April to May) for cherry blossoms and mild days, and autumn (late September to November) for crisp weather and brilliant foliage, are the two best seasons. Summers (June to August) are hot, humid and rainy, while winters (December to February) are cold and dry, with occasional snow and festive lights.

Daily budget
$120
Time zone
GMT+9 (KST)
Language
Korean (English signage common; limited spoken English)
Currency
₩ (South Korean Won (KRW))
Emergency
112 / 119
Power
Type C & F · 220V

About Seoul

Seoul is a city of thrilling contrasts, where 600-year-old palaces sit in the shadow of glass skyscrapers and a monk's mountain temple is a short subway ride from a pulsing K-pop district. The capital of South Korea has become one of the world's coolest cities, exporting its music, films, fashion and food across the globe, yet it remains deeply rooted in tradition and hospitality. Spend your mornings among grand royal palaces like Gyeongbokgung and the lanes of the Bukchon Hanok Village, then dive into the neon energy of Myeongdong, Hongdae and Gangnam by night. Eat constantly: sizzling Korean barbecue, fiery tteokbokki and mung-bean pancakes at Gwangjang Market, fried chicken with beer, and endless banchan side dishes. Ride the cable car up Namsan to the N Seoul Tower for city-wide views, or hike the granite peaks that ring the city. Seoul is clean, ultra-safe and astonishingly efficient, with a subway that makes everything easy and free Wi-Fi everywhere. Add day trips to the tense, fascinating DMZ and the folk villages beyond, and you have one of Asia's most rewarding and surprisingly affordable city breaks.

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Things to Do in Seoul

7
Gyeongbokgung PalaceHistorical

Gyeongbokgung Palace

The grandest of Seoul's five royal palaces, with sweeping courtyards, a throne hall and a daily changing-of-the-guard ceremony. Free entry if you wear hanbok.

2-3 hours KRW 3,0004.7(46,000)
Bukchon Hanok VillageCulture

Bukchon Hanok Village

A hillside maze of restored traditional hanok houses between the palaces, with photogenic lanes, craft studios and city views.

1-2 hours Free4.5(28,000)
N Seoul Tower (Namsan)Entertainment

N Seoul Tower (Namsan)

The landmark tower atop Namsan Mountain, reached by cable car, with 360-degree views, love-locks and a revolving restaurant.

2 hours Observation from KRW 21,0004.5(31,000)
Gwangjang MarketFood

Gwangjang Market

A buzzing covered market and street-food paradise famous for bindaetteok (mung-bean pancakes), mayak gimbap, tteokbokki and live octopus.

1-2 hours Free4.6(24,000)
DMZ Day TripHistorical

DMZ Day Trip

A sobering, fascinating tour to the Demilitarized Zone dividing the Koreas, including the Third Tunnel and the Dora Observatory.

Full day Tour from $504.6(16,000)
Changdeokgung & Secret GardenHistorical

Changdeokgung & Secret Garden

A UNESCO palace prized for its harmony with nature, especially the Huwon Secret Garden of pavilions, ponds and ancient trees.

2 hours Palace KRW 3,000; garden extra4.6(18,000)
MyeongdongShopping

Myeongdong

Seoul's neon shopping mecca of K-beauty stores, global fashion, street-food carts and pop-up cafes, dazzling after dark.

2-3 hours Free4.3(21,000)

Where to Eat in Seoul

5
Tosokchon Samgyetang

Tosokchon Samgyetang

Korean / Traditional $$4.6(8,900)

A famous hanok restaurant near Gyeongbokgung serving comforting ginseng chicken soup (samgyetang) in a traditional setting.

Maple Tree House

Maple Tree House

Korean BBQ $$$4.6(7,600)

A polished Korean barbecue restaurant in Itaewon and Samcheong, a reliable favourite for premium grilled meats and banchan.

Myeongdong Kyoja

Myeongdong Kyoja

Korean / Noodles $4.5(9,200)

A Michelin Bib Gourmand institution famous for its hearty kalguksu knife-cut noodles and addictive kimchi.

Gwangjang Market Stalls

Gwangjang Market Stalls

Korean / Street Food $4.5(10,400)

Pull up a stool for freshly fried bindaetteok, tteokbokki and gimbap at the legendary market's sociable food alley.

Kyochon Chicken

Kyochon Chicken

Korean / Fried Chicken $$4.5(8,100)

One of Korea's top fried-chicken chains, beloved for crispy honey and soy-garlic wings best paired with cold beer.

Where to Stay in Seoul

5
Signiel Seoul

Signiel Seoul

Luxury $450/night4.8(5,200)

Sky-high luxury on the upper floors of the Lotte World Tower, with staggering city views and a Michelin restaurant.

Josun Palace, Luxury Collection

Josun Palace, Luxury Collection

Luxury $320/night4.7(3,100)

Refined contemporary luxury in the heart of Gangnam, with a beautiful pool and excellent dining.

L7 Myeongdong by Lotte

L7 Myeongdong by Lotte

Mid-Range $140/night4.5(6,800)

A fun, design-led hotel with a rooftop bar in the middle of Myeongdong's shopping and food scene.

Stay B Hotel Myeongdong

Stay B Hotel Myeongdong

Mid-Range $90/night4.4(4,900)

A comfortable, well-located mid-range hotel ideal for first-timers wanting to be central on a budget.

Bunk Guesthouse Hongdae

Bunk Guesthouse Hongdae

Hostel $22/night4.4(3,700)

A sociable, well-run hostel in the buzzing Hongdae nightlife district, popular with solo travellers.

Seoul Itineraries

2
3-day trip

3 Days in Seoul: Palaces, Food & Neon

easy $320 total

A first-timer's blend of royal palaces, hanok lanes, market food and the city's electric nightlife.

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5-day trip

5-Day Seoul & the DMZ

moderate $600 total

A deeper week pairing the city's highlights with a DMZ tour and a mountain temple escape.

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Seoul Budget Guide

CategoryBudgetMid-RangeLuxury
Flights$700 - $1,500$700 - $1,500$700 - $1,500
Accommodation$25/night$100/night$400/night
Food$15/day$40/day-
Activities$20/day$20/day$20/day
Local Transport$6/day$6/day$6/day
Daily Average$50$120$350

Local currency: South Korean Won (KRW)

Seoul Travel FAQ

Everything you need to know before you go: best time to visit, visas, getting around, safety and more.

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